The Rest of College Football

[THE_WIZARD_]

I would say pretty much all coaches >>> FROSTY!!! at this point...

[THE_WIZARD_]

He owns Fitz though. So there is that.

[iam416]

SUCK IT, NORTHESTERNZZZ!!!!

[THE_WIZARD_]

BITCHES!!

Brohm's Boyz 45 FROSTY!!! 24

[JRB]

The Top Ten

1. Georgia. It's time for the Cocktail Party, and possibly the last regular-season game Georgia would figure to have any chance of losing. Florida's been competitive in the games they've lost, and the QB rotation might be able to throw Georgia's defense off-balance a bit. Florida's beaten favored Georgia teams many times before. But I don't know that they've beaten one this good, or one that plays such suffocating defense so consistently. Prediction: Georgia 27, Florida 13.

2. Oklahoma. Oh boy...my policy on not dropping teams after wins is going to bite me this week. It took two brilliant plays from Caleb Williams for OU to hold off Kansas, and make no mistake, OU had to have both of those. OU was mostly dead in the water for the first 40 minutes of this game. It says something, though, that they could still come up with 28 points in 20 minutes on the road on what was clearly an off day.

3. Alabama. So, Tennessee with Hendon Hooker at QB managed to make it interesting for about 2 1/2 quarters, and then they got rolled. The Tide get a bye week, then LSU at Bryant-Denny in what doesn't figure to be nearly as compelling a contest as Bama-LSU has been in recent years. Then again, I didn't think A&M would give them a game. I suppose Bama could trip up again, but I doubt it comes before the Auburn game, and I doubt it happens then, either.

4. Cincinnati. I figured they were going to have a conference game like that against somebody. I just didn't think it would be against this Navy team. Have the Bearcats hit a lull they're going to have trouble pulling out of? Their next assignment is at a Tulane team that can throw the ball fairly well, but Cincinnati's top-ranked pass defense ought to be able to handle the Green Wave. It'll be interesting to see, though, if Cincinnati comes out flat again on the road.

5. Oregon. This is a maddening team to watch right now. In the second and third quarters against UCLA, they looked like a top-five team. Then, in the fourth quarter, Anthony Brown reverted to his worst form as a passer, and Oregon had to hold on and catch a break with a late injury to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. On current form, this team doesn't deserve to be in the top five, and I still think they're going to get beat once more. I don't think it'll be this week at home against Colorado, though. The last two games-- at Utah and at home against Oregon State-- are going to be tough.

6. Ohio State. Average score of the last four Ohio State games: 58-11. C.J. Stroud's 2nd in the nation in passing efficiency, TreVeyon Henderson leads the nation in yards per carry, and Ohio State's averaging 560 yards per game(this also leads the nation). SP+ ranks them first overall, and if you're just going off their last month or so, that's a defensible position. We'll know a lot more about how much they've improved this week when Penn State comes to the Horseshoe, but it's going to be tough for the Nittany Lions to recover from such an awful loss as the one they suffered at home against Illinois. Prediction: Ohio State 35, Penn State 16.

7. Michigan State. Sparty has a golden chance this weekend at a statement win. Michigan hasn't demonstrated the sort of passing game that can exploit Michigan State's secondary, and while Michigan has the #2 scoring defense in the country, Michigan hasn't faced an offense with this kind of speed on the outside or this kind of run-pass balance. I think this one comes down to big plays-- can Michigan State keep making them, or does Michigan find a way to limit them? This one ought to be really close.

8. Michigan. The Wolverines had little trouble dismissing Northwestern, despite an underwhelming day from Cade McNamara. I think Michigan can run the ball on the Spartans, even with the limitations of a read-option run game in which the starting QB doesn't run the ball. I think Walker will get his yards against a Michigan defense that's been solid against the run, but hasn't faced a back of his caliber. The bigger questions for Michigan: 1) Can they be more efficient throwing the ball, and 2) Can their corners hold up against Nailor and Reed? I have no idea what's going to happen here. Call this a homer pick. Prediction: Michigan 24, Michigan State 23.

9. Iowa. Can the Hawkeyes recover from a devastating home loss in time to face the one Big Ten defense most similar to their own? Can Iowa's defense get back to its ballhawking ways against Wisconsin's turnover-prone offense? This might be a 10-6 sort of game. I think Iowa survives this one, but Wisconsin's actually a -3.5 point favorite here.

10. Ole Miss. This was a three-way toss-up between the Rebels, Notre Dame, and Wake Forest. I think Ole Miss is the most balanced of the three, and has faced the toughest schedule to date, so they get the nod at this spot. Next up for the Rebels: a road trip to the Plains to take on Auburn, in what could be a really entertaining game.

Next Ten: Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Baylor, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, SMU, Penn State, San Diego State

[Mike]

I think OSU is much better than OU and Cincy.

[AlabamAlum]

I think they’re better than Alabama, too.

It should be:

1. Georgia
2. Michigan
3. Ohio State
4. Cinci

[Mike]

It's too early in the day for the crack pipe, AA. Put it down.

[iam416]

First, Bezerklie has long sought and rarely, if ever, obtained the approval of Alabam"Alum". Hence, Bezerklie catapults UAT to the to of the 1-loss pile and will likely have them at #2 soon. Shameful bootlickery.

Second, Cincinnati is meh. Remember, their two "big" games are at Indiana....INDIANA...and at Notre Dame. I know Notre Dame only has 1-loss, but hot fucking christ -- they could have easily...I mean EASILY....lost to Florida State, Toledo AND Virginia Tech. If someone actually thinks Notre Dame is good, lemme know. I'll direct you to The Wizard for some of his trademark counseling-by-buggery.

[AlabamAlum]

Alabama has a L on its tally sheet. And while that it forgivable in most years as long as you have (1) shown improvement since the loss or (2) have a really high SOS…but when your signature top 25 win is Ole Miss, it’s less than optimal.

And the main issue is Alabama’s defense. But the offense isn’t blemish free either. Bryce’s troubles throwing the deep ball and the fact that we don’t really have a great WR (albeit, Jameson is trying hard to become that guy) makes us struggle way too much.

Considering the above, I have no reason to put Bama in the top 4. Finish 11-1 and avoid getting blown out by Georgia and we may have an argument. Not now.

[AlabamAlum]

This just isn’t Bama’s year. We can’t win them all. And we have 6 NCs in 12 years so I’m not suicidal or anything. The 2010 and 2019 growing pains led to the 2011 and 2020 seasons. So, I’m good, and will look forward to guzzling a warm Miller Lite while I feast on my free bloomin onion at one of the many Outback locations in Tampa. There, I will bow my head and offer a silent prayer to Father God (Coach Bryant) that the 2022 season might be better.

[iam416]

It's nice to see you taking it all in stride. Unfortunately for me, Ohio State's past 12 years offers very little solace in these dark times.

[AlabamAlum]

Talent,

It has been a few years since Zeke repeatedly ran completely by the Bama front 7 and proceeded to absolutely trample the Bama secondary that were foolish enough to get in his way.

With every year that passes, the depression seems to get worse. I get that. I am fortunate that 2020 is still somewhat fresh.

[AlabamAlum]

Speaking of:

Crawford at 247 has his top 4 in and has Georgia and Michigan 1 and 2.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/247sports.com/LongFormArticle/College-Football-Playoff-projections-CBS-Sports-predicts-first-selection-committee-rankings--173960921/Amp/

[iam416]

I'm not sure how you could have anything but Georgia then M. If you're, you know, actually familar with the game and have watched.