Category: College Football

Shane Beamer, the Big Ten West and the Pac-12’s ascendance: Everything you need to know following Rivalry Week

November 27th, 2022

By: William Smythe

With everything on the line – well, almost everything – the college football gods tailored the script to their own liking. They could’ve given us hope by keeping LSU in the hunt, and they surely should’ve given the Fighting Irish enough Leprechaun magic to upend Lincoln Riley’s CFP bid in Southern California. For the first time in my life – maybe besides the 2013 National Championship against Alabama – I actually backed Notre Dame in a football game. But no, the quest for USC’s first college football playoff eats away at the hopes of college football’s “anti-transfer portal” contingent – including myself.

If the gods trust Vegas and let conference championships play out as they should, we will all be witnesses to a new crop – well, half a crop – of teams qualifying for the college football playoff. TCU players and coaches must have taken our comments about their team’s improbable undefeated run personally, with Coach Sonny Dykes’ team only one win away from the no. 3 spot in the CFP. Horned Frog nation, rejoice. You may even squeeze into the playoff on the heels of a loss to no. 13 Kansas State, your biggest competition of the year. However, I can only applaud the Horned Frogs’ for somehow turning Max Duggan of all people into a legitimate Heisman contender and catalyst for a playoff team.

No. 1 Georgia is virtually a lock barring a defeat to no. 11 LSU, who let con man Jimbo Fisher finagle himself into a few more years in College Station after a 38-23 win on Saturday. No. 2 Michigan faces the easiest road on paper in order to secure their playoff spot, yet here’s a thought that will keep Wolverines fans up at night: their opponent – Purdue – has won seventeen games against AP top five teams when unranked, and won both of their blockbuster matchups last season against no. 2 Iowa and no. 5 Michigan State.

What could be more fitting than Jeff Brohm’s 8-4 Boilermakers creating chaos for the playoff committee? Don’t overlook this matchup among the others come Saturday, as Purdue knows what it takes to slay the dragon.

No. 4 USC controls their destiny against no. 12 Utah, a team who defeated the Trojans 43-42 in an absolute barnburner early this year. I’m hesitant, though, to ride with the Utes against the Heisman frontrunner in sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams. The few fans in Southern California – who have mysteriously appeared just as their team has achieved relevancy again – are feeling like it’s 2004 after watching a revamped roster put the Trojans back on the map.

Their defense is horrific compared to Michigan and Georgia’s, yet no offense is scarier than Riley’s – especially when you have a future Heisman winner throwing to a former Biletnikoff recipient in wideout Jordan Addison. Give me the Trojans to advance in their biggest game in recent memory.

So, what have we learned after rivalry week?

Shane Beamer is building something special in Columbia

What the no. 20 ranked Gamecocks have done in the past two weeks is truly remarkable. A 63-38 win against no. 5 Tennessee and a one-point triumph – on the road, no less – over no. 7 Clemson has unleashed anarchy into the CFP landscape. I guess “Beamer Ball” is finally paying dividends after humiliating losses to Florida and Missouri.

In a nightmarish scenario for Oklahoma fans – who already have to suffer by watching Caleb Williams’ success with Lincoln Riley at USC – good old Spencer Rattler looks like the quarterback we all thought he could become. Now, this is not to say that Rattler has consistently dominated; in fact, he’s looked unbelievably mediocre all throughout this season. However, I haven’t seen someone play this well in a small period of time since T.J. Warren played like M.J. in the 2020 NBA Playoff bubble.

Rattler has tossed for 798 yards and accounted for nine touchdowns against two top-10 teams in the country, including against a Clemson defensive unit that had only allowed 19.1 points per game. I could not tell you why he’s playing so well this late into the year, but who cares! South Carolina – whose coach used to be known for graciously taking on a mayo bath – has finally escaped the clutches of the Duke’s Bowl thanks to Rattler’s play in these last two games.

Is Beamer the new Matt Rhule? Will he build off of two winning seasons in the SEC with a breakthrough season down the road? I’m convinced he may just be the rebuilder that South Carolina needed, as a bowl win will cement their emergence among the heavyweights.

Get rid of conference divisions – I’m looking at you, Big Ten West and ACC Coastal

It’s almost mind-boggling that the separation of conferences into divisions still exists. Why in the world should the conference championship be played between an 8-4 Purdue and a 12-0 Michigan when there are two teams – Ohio State and Penn State – with better conference records than the former? Now, I’ve already told you about Purdue’s threat to Michigan’s playoff appearance, yet I’m not in favor of seeing them compete for the Big Ten title with losses to Iowa and Wisconsin.

Conferences such as the Pac-12 have shifted their process by taking the top two teams overall, a choice which will yield a battle between no. 4 USC and no. 12 Utah on Saturday. Imagine if The Game was played twice a season or if Alabama and Georgia could duke it out in the SEC Championship year after year.

I’ll accept the argument that divisions allow for some unpredictability in a landscape dominated by the big boys. Not often does Purdue get the chance to play on the biggest of stages in their conference, as their chances of reaching the championship in this new system would essentially eliminate them from contention every year. However, I’ve seen enough of the ACC Coastal/Atlantic matchups to determine that it’s time for a change across college football.

From 2015 to 2020, Clemson’s point differential against six different opponents was +151 – including a 32-point thrashing of Pitt in 2018 and a 45-point win over Virginia the year after. These poor ACC Coastal opponents were simply exchanging the rights to national embarrassment with each other.

If between these six years you watched the ACC Championship game, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Don’t let this continue, America. Together, we can finally put an end to the mistakes that are the Big Ten West and the ACC Coastal.

The Pac-12 has been the best football conference in 2022

To all of the SEC homers, I recommend that you avert your eyes. I never thought I’d say this, but the Pac-12 has emerged unlike ever before on the national stage. The Conference of Champions – yes, this name actually exists for the Pac-12 – currently has six teams in the top-25 and two in the top-10.

USC may be the first from the conference to appear in the playoff since Washington in 2016, while the Utes or Ducks will certainly be in line for a Rose Bowl appearance against what will likely be Ohio State. Caleb Williams could be the first Pac-12 Heisman winner since Marcus Mariota in 2014 after carrying his team to a one-loss record and berth in the conference championship game.

But the SEC is the SEC! Yeah, I know, Georgia destroyed the Ducks and ‘Bama is still ‘Bama even in an off-year. However, you can’t use examples of teams like Arkansas, Ole Miss and Florida to defend against the Pac-12 supremacy argument and act like they would run the table in the West. They wouldn’t. Take your medicine and accept that the Pac-12 may never see a year like this again.

The quarterback-driven league which has featured the likes of Williams, Utah’s Cam Rising and Oregon’s Bo Nix only facilitates the argument that these teams can compete with the usual suspects – the SEC included. Let’s see how the bowl games play out before we know for sure, yet the Pac-12 has undoubtedly made a case for this year’s top dog among the Power Five.
Playoff considerations, The Game’s elevated ramifications and more

November 22nd, 2022

By: George Ahearn

As the college football season rounds the final corner, the playoff picture becomes clearer by the week. Tennessee and North Carolina found themselves as the latest casualties to the brutality that is college football, as Tennessee was routed by unranked South Carolina and UNC experienced an epic collapse to Georgia Tech after leading 17-0. Losses by teams once considered playoff contenders have continually built up, and now we’re left with only a handful of teams who have a fighting chance to find themselves in the coveted four come the final playoff rankings. Here are my rankings of the seven teams which I believe have a chance based on how I feel their playoff odds stack up against each other, and I’ve included a “security” level for each team in regards to their playoff spot.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs defeated Kentucky on the road by a final score of 16-6. The Bulldogs offense sputtered, putting up a measly one touchdown. However, what won the ‘Dawgs their championship last year is still the driving force: the defense. Led by defensive tackle Jalen Carter and cornerback Kelee Ringo, this Georgia defense has been stout all year, and the combination of this unit and an efficient offense has the ‘Dawgs sitting as the top ranked squad with an 11-0 record. Georgia finishes the season with “rival” Georgia Tech and no. 6 LSU in the SEC Championship, and it would take a loss in both games for Kirby Smart’s team to play themselves out of playoff position.

Security: Locked

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State remains undefeated and dominant. They did have a minor setback this week – shockingly losing to Maryland at halftime – yet they still went on to win the game 43-30. Ohio State has flown under the radar – relatively, of course – all season, mainly due to Georgia’s utter dominance, but also because everyone expects them to beat whoever their opponent is on any given week. They’ve become boring in a sense.

Ohio State has been a double-digit favorite in every game this season, and they have beaten every team by double-digits. Wins against no. 18 Notre Dame and no. 11 Penn State are the only pieces of Ohio State’s resume that particularly stand out; however, they pass the eye test week after week with the immense amount of talent their roster possesses. While all this is great, the test of the year comes this week as Michigan visits The Shoe. The winner of this game will make the playoff, while the loser will be at the hands of the committee. Win and you’ve secured your spot off of college football’s greatest rivalry – is there anything else a fan of these two schools could ask for?

Security: It’s up to you, but you also might get lucky

3. Michigan Wolverines

Bret Bielema’s Fighting Illini gave the Wolverines a run for their money for the first time this past week, a game that the latter won on a last second field goal. Michigan is in a similar position to Ohio State, an undefeated team with a slightly worse resume. However, judging between the superior track record is irrelevant in this case, as the two rivals will play each other in the final week of the season to determine who will play in the B10 Championship, and inevitably who will secure a playoff spot.

I will say, however, that the belief from the committee is that Michigan isn’t as good as Ohio State, as they have been ranked behind them all season. Therefore, it is more important for Michigan to win “The Game” this upcoming Saturday to keep their playoff chances steady. However, a one-loss Michigan can easily find themselves in the playoff.

Security: It’s up to you, but you also might get lucky

4. TCU Horned Frogs

The Horned Frogs seem to possess the magic that fuels unexpected playoff runs, as they narrowly escaped an upset bid once again – this time on the road at Baylor. The Horned Frogs’ playoff outlook is simple: win and you’re in – a motto it seems they’ve been following all season and one that has led them to their undefeated record – despite endless nail-biting games. They finish their season at home against a disappointing, yet gritty Iowa State team before facing either no. 15 Kansas State or no. 24 Texas in the Big 12 Championship.

While many doubt the Horned Frogs’ legitimacy, you cannot deny the facts. What facts, you may ask? Well, TCU is undefeated in the Big 12, a performance that has always been rewarded with a playoff spot. What is unfortunate for TCU is that this is a relatively weak year for the B12. Currently, Kansas State is the only other ranked team within the conference, and a TCU loss in the championship game or a setback to Iowa State could result in them missing out on the playoffs. However, I believe as long as they win their conference championship game, we will see TCU in the playoff for the first time in history.

Security: Solid

5. USC Trojans

The USC Trojans find themselves in the most legitimate playoff contention they’ve been in all year. The rest of the PAC-12 has two losses and USC just picked up a massive win against cross-town rival UCLA to improve their record to 10-1. Caleb Williams has his squad playing ball like a top 4 team, but the Trojans still have challenges looming ahead over the next two weeks.

They have a home game against no. 18 Notre Dame – who seems to have rallied under Marcus Freeman after early-season struggles – before playing either no. 10 Oregon, no. 12 Washington, or no. 14 Utah in the PAC-12 title game. If USC is to win out, they will almost certainly be in the playoff, jumping most likely the loser of the Michigan v. Ohio State game. While the road is daunting, Trojan fans must feel ecstatic to hear their name uttered amongst the “big dogs” of college football once again.

Security: Need Perfection, Accomplishable Though

6. Clemson Tigers

Clemson is the team whom no college football fan wants to see in the playoff. They’ve been a top 10 team all year, yet it seems the infamous “eye test” proves to viewers as well as the committee that this team is not one of the top four in the nation. Yet, with the help of some late season chaos, Clemson nevertheless can find themselves in the playoff. With only one loss – a horrid one to Notre Dame on the road – the Tigers have a solid resume.

However, the ACC is incredibly weak and only has one other ranked team at the moment in North Carolina, whose loss to Georgia Tech potentially hurts Clemson’s resume (when they take on the ‘Heels in the ACC Championship). Nonetheless, this is college football, and late season drama involving a TCU loss, a USC loss, or a blowout of either Michigan or Ohio State in their matchup against each other could see the Tigers through to the playoff.

Security: Need Perfection and Chaos

7. LSU Tigers

Ah, the most polarizing player of the playoff contenders, the LSU Tigers. After starting their season with a loss to Florida State and then being routed by Tennessee at home, Tiger fans had already dismissed the Brian Kelly hire and were clamoring for Coach O’s return. However, Kelly rallied his team after bounce-back wins over Alabama and Ole Miss to win the SEC West, and now will see themselves face Georgia in the SEC Championship.

If LSU takes care of business this week against Texas A&M, then an SEC title game against Georgia would set them up for an opportunity to be the first two-loss team to make the playoff. Being champions of the SEC – the most dominant conference this year – and beating the most dominant team this year – Georgia – would undoubtedly result in LSU cracking the top four come selection day: a scenario no college football fan is ready for.

Security: You better start praying if you haven’t been

These seven teams will battle it out over the last two weeks to see who will earn coveted positions in the College Football Playoff, and a loss at any moment could result in a season’s worth of grind evaporating right before their eyes.
Heisman Tracker, Post-Week 11

November 20th, 2022
By: William Smythe

What a whirlwind weekend of college football. Well, TCU has successfully staved off my pessimism as they willed themselves to yet another win – one step closer to the CFP and arguably the most impressive first year coaching job I’ve seen in a long time. With a crushing injury to Heisman candidate Hendon Hooker, Tennessee saw their dreams fade into the wind at Williams-Brice Stadium as the old Spencer Rattler returned with a vengeance. Tennessee’s vacancy in the top-five will create further chaos, with no. 5 USC, no. 6 LSU and no. 7 Clemson still in the hunt for the playoff.

The Heisman race, however, is as boring as they come. Why can’t players just dominate and simultaneously be on a top team anymore? Names such as Burrow, Newton and Jackson come to mind as guys who embodied the Heisman description and never had an “off-day” in their respective winning seasons. If Stroud wins, will we all feel that he is deserving, or are we spoiled by legends of the past? Let’s get into it.

Frontrunner: CJ Stroud, junior quarterback, Ohio State

The loss of Tennessee’s Hooker has unfortunately widened the gap for Stroud’s Heisman bid. Don’t get me wrong, he’s posted a gaudy 35 passing touchdowns even with struggles against Rutgers, Northwestern and Maryland – games in which he combined for a measly 471 yards and three passing touchdowns. It’s crazy to consider that Stroud could have three massive letdown games on his resume yet still stand atop the Heisman leaderboard, but here we are. In a college football landscape without the bevy of quarterback depth we’ve seen across top teams in past years, Stroud’s relative consistency as a passer makes his case the strongest – especially since he has played largely without star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Everything – I mean everything – depends on The Game next weekend. If Stroud can put together a 300-yard, 2+ touchdown performance and seal a win against the Wolverines, he’ll almost be a shoo-in – assuming Ohio State has no problem with the mighty Boilermakers of Purdue or some combination of Iowa and Minnesota. I’m not a fan of letting Stroud run away with the award, so he’ll have to work for it on Nov. 26.

Heisman Moment: Still The Game

2. Caleb Williams, sophomore quarterback, USC

NFL franchises would be salivating over Williams if he was draft eligible in 2023. The sophomore transfer from Oklahoma has unfortunately made the right choice by following offensive guru Lincoln Riley to SoCal, while his nearly telepathic rapport with former Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison continues to work wonders. With no room for error on a one-loss team, Williams just put on a show against no. 16 UCLA in yet another PAC-12 After Dark Showdown. A not-too-shabby, 503 total yard performance against the Bruins has elevated Williams into this second spot.

Similar to North Carolina’s Drake Maye, Williams makes up for a defense that is certainly not doing him any favors. What a stark contrast to Zach Wilson and the Jets! Without their sophomore gunslinger, the Trojans would be flying blind in a difficult Pac-12 schedule. Now, to secure the Heisman, Williams must hope for a supreme letdown/Ohio State loss that would essentially eliminate Stroud from contention. This is all assuming that Williams takes care of business against no. 18 Notre Dame – a team that could sneakily pry victory away from the Trojans in their last regular season contest – before presumably taking on no. 10 Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship. If the stars align – a.k.a. the Buckeyes cave and the Trojans win both – we could be looking at a second consecutive sophomore Heisman winner.

Heisman Moment: Against no. 18 Notre Dame and no. 10 Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship

3. Blake Corum, junior running back, Michigan

What a bummer that Corum missed nearly all of the second half against Illinois due to some injury concerns. No wonder the Wolverines struggled down the stretch against the 7-4 Illini, who nearly put away any hope of a playoff appearance for the current no. 3 seed. Corum is far and away the most relevant tailback in college football at the moment. His 18 rushing touchdowns are good for second in the nation behind Minnesota’s Mo Ibrahim, but the difference is Michigan’s 11-0 record. Sure, this isn’t a Derrick Henry-esque season or anything close to what Christian McCaffrey did in the same year, but it’s a product of circumstances. The lack of elite, consistent candidates at the top of the Heisman ladder has allowed Corum to sneak into the top-3 without making a sound.

He’ll truly need a performance akin to that of teammate Hassan Haskins (169 yds, 5 TDs) against Ohio State in 2021 to make a compelling case for the Heisman over Stroud and Williams. It’s just the pitfall of living in a quarterback’s world. With a lower body injury leaving his full availability in the balance, Corum’s odds of putting together an otherworldly performance are unlikely. He says he’ll be ready to go, but will the Wolverines feed him more than fifteen-carries if injuries begin to rear their ugly head again? The nation’s most prolific running back should prioritize his health over a mammoth workload as Michigan prepares for war.

Heisman Moment: Still The Game
- Oregon’s Bo Nix needs to go wild against both no. 22 Oregon State and no. 5 USC in the conference championship game
- I’m talking 400+ yards, 3+ touchdowns in each to give him a chance
- A Rose Bowl appearance and an Ohio State loss to Michigan would actually give Nix a great chance at securing the Heisman
- TCU’s Max Duggan needs to do the same, leading TCU to an undefeated record and a playoff appearance
- However, I fear that his stats are not in the same airspace as the other three quarterbacks I’ve mentioned (2,858 yards passing, 31 total TDs)
Why Tennessee’s saving grace may end up being their loss to Georgia

November 14th, 2022

By: George Ahearn

After Tennessee’s 27-13 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, many figured their dismal performance in a game of that magnitude would significantly weaken – if not eliminate – the Vols’ playoff hopes. However, college football is and will always be a source of never-ending unpredictability. Less than two weeks removed from their only defeat of the season, the Volunteers sit in an envious position. Using ESPN’s College Football Playoff Predictor and my own intuition, there are 11 teams who still have a chance to make the playoff. These eleven teams can be broken into three tiers: Tier 1 – the Georgia Bulldogs, Tier 2 – the “finish strong and you’ll be there” tier, and Tier 3 – the “need Armageddon-level chaos to have a chance.”

Normally, “tiers” imply more than one team, but the Georgia Bulldogs have played themselves into one of their own. Having only one hiccup all season – a game which they still won 26-22 at Mizzou – the ‘Dawgs have proven to be the best team in the nation once again this year. Outright dominance against Oregon in week 1, whom they defeated 49-3, and a defeat of former no. 1 ranked Tennessee has all but solidified the Bulldogs’ place in the playoff. It would require an absolute flounder from Kirby Smart and co. to play themselves out of the playoff, and even a loss to LSU in the SEC Championship game would still likely earn them a spot in the top four come decision day. Tier 2 is where the meat of the true contenders lies.

These teams – granted they take care of business over inferior opponents to close the season – will be wholly in the mix come decision day. Currently, these teams consist of Ohio State, Michigan, TCU, Tennessee, Clemson, USC, and LSU. Out of all these tier 2 teams, only one doesn’t control their fate when it comes to playing in their conference’s championship game: Tennessee. Finally, tier 3 consists of teams who are merely grasping onto the edge of the cliff, waiting for the hand of chaos to lift them up and into the playoff: Oregon, Utah, and UNC.

Now, how do these various playoff contenders relate back to why Tennessee’s loss to Georgia is beneficial for the Volunteers? Tennessee’s resume is one of the most impressive in the nation. Holding a 9-1 record, the Vols have compiled wins over ranked teams such as Alabama, Pitt, Florida and Kentucky, and secured a 40-13 beatdown over current no. 6 LSU in Baton Rouge. Tennessee doesn’t just have good ranked wins, they have DOMINANT ranked wins. Tennessee will finish the season with games against South Carolina and Vanderbilt, two opponents they should handle with ease. Then, they’ll restlessly wait to see where the committee will put an 11-1 SEC team – featuring wins in a few of the biggest games of the year and only one loss to the best team in the nation.

Seeing how impressive Tennessee’s resume will end up being, let’s now compare it to the other teams we’ve mentioned today and take an honest look at their chances to make the playoff. Starting in tier 3, North Carolina is the unheralded wild card of the playoff picture. Led by Heisman candidate and freshman Drake Maye, UNC has compiled a 9-1 record; if they were to win out and defeat Clemson in the ACC Championship game, they would garner sincere respect from the committee. A 12-1, Power Five conference champion surely would earn a spot in the college football playoff in any other year. However, UNC’s resume is extremely weak. The ACC is having its worst year in recent memory, and the Tar Heels’ zero ranked wins and 13-point loss at the hands of Notre Dame would presumably keep them out of the top four. Also, their out-of-conference schedule consisted of FAMU, Appalachian State, and Georgia State: unimpressive to say the least. At the end of the day, I firmly believe one-loss Tennessee would make the playoff over one-loss UNC, barring utter domination from UNC in the ACC Championship game.

Next, let’s analyze the myriad PAC-12 teams still in perennial playoff contention whom Tennessee would need to outlast. Currently, the Pac-12 has four teams within the top 15 – making it an unusually strong season for the self-proclaimed Conference of Champions. However, the PAC-12 may have played themselves out of the playoff once again after Oregon suffered defeat to Washington 37-34 Saturday night. Both Oregon and Utah now have two losses, and in the seven-year history of the playoff, we have never seen a two-loss team in the playoff. I highly doubt that this trend will end at the hands of a two-loss PAC-12 conference champion.

Moving onto tier 2, we’ll stay in the PAC-12 with Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans. USC has the greatest chance to solidify themselves as the top PAC-12 team and make the playoff. Their only loss of the season came at Utah, where they lost a 43-42 heartbreaker. However, the Trojans have their greatest tests of the season looming ahead, with games at no. 16 UCLA and then at no. 18 Notre Dame, and then against whomever they face in the PAC-12 Championship. The Trojans certainly need to remain a one-loss team to keep them in good standing with the committee, as they have no ranked wins up to this point in the season. Ultimately, I believe the PAC-12 will play themselves out of the playoff, and we’ll be looking at the final rankings saying “man, the PAC-12 was really good this year, but I don’t think any of these teams are one of the top four teams in the nation.”

Now, we’re left with Ohio State, Michigan, TCU, Clemson, and LSU, all vying with Tennessee for those final three spots. The one outcome that would undoubtedly ruin Tennessee’s chances at the playoff is if LSU were to beat Georgia in the SEC Championship. Even with LSU being a two-loss team and having been dominated by Tennessee at home, the winner of the SEC has – and always will – make the playoff. However, LSU is not going to beat Georgia, and although Brian Kelly has done a remarkable job in his first year, it feels silly to even entertain the idea.

Now, what about Clemson? The Tigers finish their season with home games against Miami (FL) and South Carolina, both of which will presumably be wins. If Clemson beats UNC in the ACC title game, they’ll have quite a compelling case, but is it more compelling than that of Tennessee? Clemson had good wins on their resume, but Wake Forest and Syracuse falling out of the Top 25 turned those “good” wins to simply “solid, we expected that result” wins. The ACC as a whole has been so incredibly weak that a one-loss Tennessee truly should get in over a one-loss, conference champion Clemson. However, we’ll keep Clemson on the backburner for now.

Through this long process of elimination, we are left with six teams vying for four spots: Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, TCU, Clemson, and Tennessee. Ohio State and Michigan, both members of the Big 10 East division, will essentially play for a guaranteed playoff spot in “The Game.” The loser of the rivalry will be sitting in a similar position to Tennessee: a one-loss, non-conference champion team who’s been dominant all season. However, Tennessee’s resume would prevail over both of these teams. Tennessee’s wins over LSU and Alabama hold a greater weight than whoever loses the Michigan v. Ohio State game, as that team’s top win on their resume will have come against #11 Penn State.

Then there’s TCU, who controls their own destiny at the moment and has a clear path to the playoff. If TCU is a zero or one-loss Big 12 Champion, they would likely secure a spot over Tennessee. This would lead to Tennessee, Michigan, and Clemson competing for the final spot behind Georgia, Ohio State, and TCU. However, if TCU stumbles and drops the Big 12 championship game, Tennessee’s resume would most likely prevail, and the Vols would get a coveted playoff spot for the first time in program history while Clemson and TCU battle for the fourth spot.

The true playoff contenders in my head currently sit as Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, TCU, Tennessee, and Clemson. Your locks are Georgia and Michigan/Ohio State, and then two spots for three teams. The worst possible scenario for Tennessee is TCU and Clemson winning out and winning their respective conferences. Even if that is the case, the argument between Clemson and Tennessee would be intense. I would still lean Tennessee, and I believe the committee would too.

While there are still substantial hypotheticals that need to fall into place for the Volunteers to secure a playoff spot, I truly believe that Vols fans will see themselves in at least that no. 4 rank when the committee releases their final CFP rankings. While losing to Georgia may have been devastating, it could have been the best thing to happen to them. They’re going to waltz their way to an 11-1 record while other teams duke it out in conference championship contests. Tennessee has displayed undeniable tenacity and talent throughout the season, and their resume speaks for itself. The Volunteers are determined this year, and I can only imagine the scene in Knoxville when they’re given a chance on the game’s biggest stage in January.
Things just keep getting weirder: College football’s top 8 and their playoff chances

November 13th, 2022

If we thought the playoff competition couldn’t get any tighter, we were wrong. Oregon, I honestly believe you’ve opened Pandora’s box. LSU, I have forgiven you for Brian Kelly’s impersonation of a Southern dude even if a two-loss team in the playoff just seems wrong. TCU, you continue to laugh in my face, and I applaud you for your unbending will. I don’t recall a year that has given college football fans such parity with respect to the CFP. What a season it could have been under the upcoming, 8-team playoff, but the one we currently have may produce an unpredictable sequence of games – that is, if Georgia’s weaknesses against Missouri resurge on the biggest of stages. Nonetheless, we’re knocking on the door of conference championships and have witnessed several schools punch their tickets.

1. Georgia

The ‘Dawgs shouldn’t have any trouble making the playoff, as long as they control the controllables and take care of business against LSU. I don’t even foresee a world in which a one-loss Georgia misses the College Football Playoff – thanks to their dominating win over no. 5 Tennessee.

2. Ohio State

This is where things begin to get interesting. If the Buckeyes – who may be without both Miyan Williams and Tre’Veyon Henderson come November 26 – fall to the Wolverines in Columbus, will they still make the playoff? I imagine that C.J. Stroud and company will need to upend their arch-nemesis because of their weak regular season schedule – featuring wins over no. 11 Penn State and no. 18 Notre Dame. They just won’t have the resume over the likes of Tennessee or LSU – if somehow they beat the ‘Dawgs. But, if I were a Buckeye fan, I’d still feel pretty comfortable about my team’s playoff chances.

3. Michigan

Same exact scenario as Ohio State. If Michigan loses to the Buckeyes, their fate will be contingent on the committee valuing their strength of schedule over what could be some combination of LSU, USC and TCU. Essentially, the loser of this matchup will pray that TCU falls in the conference championship – if they don’t fall next week to Baylor or the week after to Iowa State. I don’t see a world in which North Carolina or perhaps even USC makes the playoff even with one-loss and a conference championship under their belt. It’s a seven-team race at the moment, with the Wolverines firmly in the 3-4 range even if they drop one.

4. TCU

The Frogs just won’t go away, will they? Every week it’s like nails on a chalkboard, like the Steelers eking out that 12-0 record before losing four out of their last five, but Max Duggan and Coach Sonny Dykes are determined to prove that they’re still here. Baylor on the road will be the toughest test for the Horned Frogs before the conference championship game, but Big 12 parity makes me believe that anything could happen in these next two weeks. For all the TCU fans, I apologize in advance for the emotional turmoil you may soon experience. However, just three more wins will seal your first playoff appearance in school history and redeem the wronged 2014 team. If you lose, you’re probably done.

5. Tennessee

I’m beginning to believe that the ‘Vols will be well-situated to land that no. 4 spot. They will be dependent on the rest of TCU’s season and would hope for a rare blowout in the Michigan-Ohio State affair – assuming the committee would boot the loser out of playoff contention. Also, a nightmarish LSU win over Georgia would give the committee a headache, but I still think the ‘Vols carry more weight. They’ve beaten Alabama and no. 6 LSU and suffered their only loss to the foremost contender for the national championship. Don’t worry, Vol fans, just make sure your team handles business against South Carolina in two weeks.

6. LSU

I just can’t wrap my head around the LSU problem. A win over no. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship would be monumental for Brian Kelly’s first year in Baton Rouge, but would it be enough to catapult the Tigers to the CFP? They need a lot of things to happen for that coveted fourth spot to open up – including a TCU loss, Michigan-Ohio State blowout, and potentially a Tennessee hiccup against South Carolina. Regardless of the outcome, the Tigers have put together an incredible season after rallying from a 4-2 record. Who said Brian Kelly can’t coach?

7. USC

Ugh, not the PAC-12 again. After what I saw from Washington in 2016, I don’t think anyone in the playoff committee wants a team from the West in the CFP again. And they DEFINITELY don’t want Notre Dame, but we can thank our lucky stars that there’s no shot of that. The Trojans are exciting to watch on offense thanks to their status as the new Transfer Portal U, but they just lost starting running back Travis Dye to injury and their defense is suspect. Coach Lincoln Riley’s team also has zero top-25 wins but will match up against no. 16 UCLA and no. 18 Notre Dame in the next two weeks. If they can go through these two unscathed and capture the PAC-12 Championship, they’ll have a legitimate chance to snag the last spot from the Big Ten loser or a one-loss TCU.

8. Alabama

Sadly, the Tide are pretty much out of playoff contention. What are we to do without watching them beat the snot out of Notre Dame every year? The Tigers are already in the SEC Championship, while the Crimson Tide will be watching from their couches for the first time since 2019 – actually not that long ago, surprisingly. I’m sure that Saban will be back to full strength next year, pissed off as usual, but rest assured that the Tide have a slim, slim chance at a playoff berth. I would guess Clemson or North Carolina – standing with one-loss each – has the best chance out of the rest to slip into the playoff, but that would be absolute bedlam.
Blind-resumés: the most dynamic freshman tailback put into context

November 13th, 2022

By: William Smythe

Player A Profile:

Rushing Yards/total TDs in freshman year: 728 yds, 12 TDs

Most prolific year – as a sophomore: 1,658 yds, 20 TDs

Honors: Heisman Trophy Winner, SEC Offensive Player of the Year

Player B Profile:

Rushing yards/total TDs in freshman year: 382 yds, 3 TDs

Most prolific year – as a junior: 2,219 yds, 28 TDs

Honors: Heisman Trophy Winner, Maxwell Award Winner, SEC Offensive Player of the Year

Player C Profile:

Rushing yards/TDs in freshman year: 766 yds, 13 TDs

Most prolific year – as a junior: 2,046 yds from scrimmage, 23 TDs

Honors: Two-time ACC Player of the Year, Consensus All-American

Player D Profile:

Rushing yards/TDs in freshman year: 1,171 yds, 15 TDs

Still in progress…

So, who are these four players? Let’s begin with Player D: Ole Miss freshman running back Quinshon Judkins. The freshman from Alabama decided to take his talents to the ‘Sip, where his presence would be overshadowed by the off-season addition of TCU transfer and former five-star Zach Evans. No one – I mean, no one – could have foreseen the usurpation of Evans by the bruising freshman early into the season. Granted, the Rebels have established themselves as a run-first team in 2022, yet the crowded backfield has now yielded a clear alpha dog.

Judkins has rushed for a whopping fifteen touchdowns and has scored in every game since September 10th. He’s not your average freshman – weighing in at 211 lbs. – but his style of running has struck fear into the hearts of SEC opponents. “Run the damn ball,” they say in the SEC, an expression best embodied by the fearless nature that Judkins possesses; he’s not the twitchy, receiving back that Evans is, but his strength gives him a Dameon Pierce-esque ability to put defenders on their backs. I don’t know if I’ve seen a freshman campaign as dominant as Judkins’ since that of Jonathan Taylor in 2017. You’d think ‘Bama would be the one to find a way to stop him, right? I mean surely Will Anderson would take all of that hype personally? Nope, as Judkins rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns against some of the biggest boys imaginable.

I want to make sure this is clear: Judkins is doing this with a former five-star in the backfield. All due respect to Jonathan Taylor, but he didn’t share touches with Melvin Gordon or Montee Ball. He’s eclipsed the 100-yard mark through only ten games and will likely have three more to solidify this incredible freshman campaign. Now, who are the first three names? Player A = Mark Ingram. Player B = Derrick Henry. Player C = Travis Etienne. These are somewhat unfair comparisons in their own contexts. A freshman Derrick Henry had to contend with the likes of Alvin Kamara, T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake for touches – is that the best backfield of the 21st century? Mark Ingram had to compete with junior Glen Coffey – a 1,000 yard rusher – in 2009. Travis Etienne more or less had the backfield to himself when he arrived at Clemson, but it took one year for him to break out completely.

The point is: Judkins’ production is very, very rare for a freshman tailback in the SEC. These aren’t ACC defensive lines he is facing every weekend. The Crimson Tide, Aggies, and both the Tigers have all felt Judkins’ wrath the past four weeks. He’s somehow continuing to ascend, and, if the receiving game is unlocked, we could very well be looking at the first running back to win the Heisman since Henry and his mammoth 2015 season. I’m not slighting him, Ingram or Etienne at all for showing lesser production than Judkins in their freshman campaigns. Instead, I want to underscore just how good this kid has been and can be for the next couple of years. The Nick Chubb to the Sony Michel for this Rebels team, Judkins has it all, folks.
Why Iowa State is the Nation’s Grittiest College Football Team

November 11th, 2022

By: George Ahearn

The term “gritty” is thrown around at an alarming rate in the new era of sports media. Players and teams who don’t deserve that rare designation receive it far too often, leading to misguided perceptions of who is truly gritty. In my mind, there are three conditions that can deem a team gritty. First, they must be led by someone who harvests grit. Secondly, they need to be able to go toe-to-toe with any opponent on any given stage. Thirdly, they have to consistently hover around .500.

To create a culture of grit, you need to be led by grit. Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is what grit wishes it was. Campbell’s first gig as a head coach came at Toledo, a member of the MAC conference. For those unfamiliar with the MAC, it is the epitome of grit. Games played on Tuesday and Wednesday nights between teams scattered throughout the grittiest part of our nation – the Midwest – has contributed to the ironic label of “MACtion” by avid college football fans. Campbell has brought the culture he curated at Toledo to Iowa State, and inevitably he has the Cyclones competing year in and year out.

Throughout the season, Iowa State has played some of the closest, yet mind-numbing games imaginable. This year, they were participants in three (!) of the nation’s grittiest games. They pulled out a 10-7 win over in-state rival Iowa. They suffered unspeakable pain in a 10-9 loss to Kansas State, who sat as high as no. 13 in this year’s college football playoff rankings. The week prior, they endured a 14-11 loss to Kansas, who is already bowl eligible despite losing breakout quarterback Jalon Daniels after week 5. They competed with arguably the most complete team in the Big 12, taking Texas down to the wire in Austin. Now, they’re favored on the road against 6-3 Oklahoma State despite holding a 4-5 record. This team has the capacity to beat any team in the Big 12, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them spoil TCU’s season in Fort Worth come the last week of the season.

Finally, the Cyclones exemplify their grit through a 4-5 record. To be gritty, you cannot be good, as then you are simply considered a good team. Teams who are gritty use their grit to overcome their countless mistakes. Tied nationally for the 11^th most field goal attempts per game at 2.1, this team specializes in red zone inefficiency, a consistent characteristic of gritty teams. They will rarely impress but they will always intrigue, and that might be why they have found themselves in the “Cheez-It Bowl” two years in a row.

Never count this team out, and let’s all hope Matt Campbell stays in Ames, IA for the rest of his career so that we can be continually blessed by their gritty mediocrity.
Why Inevitable Heartbreak is on the Horizon for TCU

November 11th, 2022

By: George Ahearn

The Horned Frogs have Fort Worth, TX bouncing off the walls, as TCU has jumped out to their best start since joining the Big 12 back in 2012. In Coach Sonny Dykes’ first year at the helm, he has the Horned Frogs sitting at an impressive 9-0. Senior quarterback Max Duggan has circled the wagons and is hearing his name amongst TCU royalty in Andy Dalton and Trevone Boykin. The most recent College Football Playoff rankings saw the Horned Frogs pounce into that coveted fourth spot, behind ever so steady Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia.

The excitement in Fort Worth is real and justified. The Horned Frogs haven’t been within the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings since its inception in 2014, when TCU suffered heartbreak after the committee left them out of the final CFP rankings. Fortunately for the Horned Frogs this year, they have the chance to add a conference championship to their resume unlike their counterparts in 2014. Previously, the Big 12 had not implemented a conference championship game, and the Horned Frogs were jumped by Ohio State – who went on to win the National Championship – in the final rankings. Ask any TCU fan about that fateful year, and I’m sure they’ll tell you about the sour taste that still lingers in their mouth. TCU thus wound up in the Alamo Bowl, where they dominated #9 Ole Miss 42-3 – an absolute bittersweet moment for fans, as they only got a tease of how TCU would have stacked up against other top-10 non-conference opponents.

This year, TCU sits atop the Big 12 with a two-game lead over conference foes Texas, Baylor, and Kansas State, all of whom share a 6-3 record. With only three games remaining, TCU has a significant hold on a spot in the conference championship game. Their final contests come at Texas, at Baylor, and home against Iowa State to conclude the regular season. TCU’s undoubtedly biggest challenge comes this Saturday night, when they travel to Austin to face the Longhorns, who, despite their 6-3 record, have proven they can compete with the game’s best. If TCU is to win on Saturday, their chances at the college football playoff will increase dramatically. So why am I still skeptical of TCU’s chances at still being in the Top 4 come decision day?

Since the switch to a 4-team playoff, only one Big 12 team has made the playoffs – Oklahoma. If you’ve been following college football over the last decade, you’ve certainly heard complaints over the lack of parity in college football. Top programs Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oklahoma have dominated the rankings and playoff games themselves. This utter domination has created an upper echelon in college football, and teams attempting to break into that upper echelon have returned lackluster results. In 2016, Michigan State made an appearance only to be run out of the building, as Alabama beat them 38-0. In 2017, Washington captured that coveted fourth spot, only to be dominated for four quarters by Alabama and turning in a final score of 24-7. Notre Dame found themselves in the playoff as the Independent path blessed them with the no. 3 seed. However, this proved to be deceitful excitement, as they were overwhelmed by Clemson in the semifinal and lost 30-3.

In 2021, the committee had forgiven Notre Dame for their abysmal performance 2 years prior, and they were given a shot at Alabama this time – only to lose 31-14. Most recently, Cincinnati secured the #4 seed, becoming the first non-power 5 conference to make the playoff. While new and exciting, the Bearcats inevitably went on to get decimated by the Crimson Tide 27-6. We’ve now witnessed eight years of the playoff, yet we’ve only witnessed five champions. The upper echelon of college football is an impenetrable fortress, protected by a 30-foot stone wall, archers and cannons. TCU is simply the latest army who believes that they have the ability to conquer this fortress.

Currently, TCU sits with a 17% chance to make the elusive College Football Playoff, possessing the sixth highest chance. While TCU controls their own destiny at the moment, the second they flounder, the committee will punish them. The prevalent lack of success of teams outside of the “upper echelon” has led to the committee holding these teams in a lesser light, in turn weakening their resumes and lowering their chances at the playoff. Hypothetically, if Oklahoma was undefeated at the moment, their playoff odds would be much higher due to their status in the committee’s eyes, and that’s a product of the lack of parity in college football and the upper echelon it has created.

So TCU fans, while your team holds all the cards for getting themselves into the playoffs, they better play their cards right, or else it’ll be heartbreak just like 2014.
DraftKings for Week 10 of College Football: Your Lineup Guide

November 10th, 2022

By: William Smythe

Another week of college football means another crack at daily fantasy lineups. This week’s 14-game slate on DraftKings is chock-full of sleepers, high-priced hits and guys who may slot into larger roles due to injuries. Not to mention, SMU is playing – which bodes well for literally everyone on UCF; look to Houston quarterback Clayton Tune’s performance last week as evidence. College football DraftKings is tough, though, requiring you to get everything exactly right if you’re to have a chance at making some money. While more forgiving than the NFL slates, we have to think about contrarian and chalk plays before crafting the perfect lineup. Let’s begin with the quarterbacks.

Quarterbacks:

Iowa State’s Hunter Dekkers ($5,300) @ Oklahoma State

While he hasn’t posted the most gaudy stats this season, Dekkers has a 30-point ceiling that could be reached this Saturday against a reeling Oklahoma State – currently 112th in the nation in scoring defense. Dekkers last posted a 30-point game against Texas on Week 7 and will arguably have his best chance to repeat that performance. Feel free to stack pass-catching magnet Xavier Hutchinson ($8,300) with Dekkers or Jaylin Noel ($4,900) in what will hopefully be a higher-scoring affair.

Arkansas’s KJ Jefferson ($6,500) vs. LSU

I don’t know why DraftKings continues to undervalue Jefferson. He’s averaging 28.6 fantasy points per game and is still behind the likes of West Virginia’s JT Daniels (14.7 fppg) and Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa (21.2 fppg) in terms of his salary. Jefferson can use his legs to his advantage – a huge benefit considering that DraftKings only rewards quarterbacks one point for every 25 yards passing – and he’s recorded five 30+ point games this season. Even against a solid LSU defense, you can plug in Jefferson with confidence.

Other QBs considered: USF’s Katravis Marsh ($5,000) vs. SMU, Duke’s Riley Leonard ($7,900) vs. Virginia Tech

Running Backs:

USF’s Brian Battie ($5,300) vs. SMU

The Bulls (1-8) have been atrocious this year, but Battie has given some flashes of brilliance. This pick is largely based on his opponent and their defensive flaws, as we all witnessed the Mustangs’ 77-63 victory over Houston last week. Tune and freshman running back Stacy Sneed gashed the SMU defensive front for 182 yards combined on the ground, so expect Battie to get a ton of work in this contest. At that price point, you can bank on a floor of around 10 points and a ceiling of 35 – a completely undervalued spot in a favorable matchup.

Clemson’s Will Shipley ($6,700) vs. Louisville

This could be a smash spot for Shipley and a Clemson team that will be fired up after a blowout loss to Notre Dame. Having secured the starting job, Shipley has posted an average of 22 fantasy points per game and is somehow still under the $7,000 price point. Expect this pick to be somewhat chalky, but if Shipley does in fact go off you’ll want him on your roster. With four touchdowns in his last four games – including a 172-yard performance against Syracuse Week 8 – he’ll be a strong bet to continue that trend even against a respectable Louisville run defense.

Other RBs Considered: Michigan’s Donovan Edwards ($5,600) vs. Nebraska, Tulane’s Tyjae Spears ($6,500) vs. UCF

Wide Receivers

Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel ($4,900) @ Oklahoma State

Ah, the deepest and most volatile position to pick by far: wide receiver. In my heart of hearts, I think I’ve found the sleeper this week. Noel’s matchup is too juicy to ignore, as opposing teams have feasted on an Oklahoma State defense that has suffered greatly after the departure of current Ohio State DC Jim Knowles. The nation’s receptions leader – Iowa State’s Xavier Hutchinson – obviously takes the cake if you’re willing to pay up for him, but I’ll snag Noel at nearly half the price. He’s hit the 20-point mark twice and will certainly be a part of the offense if the Cyclones do what any team should do against the Cowboys – attack them through the air.

Penn State’s Parker Washington ($6,700) vs. Maryland

Parker Washington straight-up balled against Ohio State two weeks ago. Sure, he had a letdown against Indiana last week (4 receptions, 30 yds), but I’m all-in on Washington in a bounce-back game at home. Despite the addition of Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley to this wide receiving corps, Washington is still quarterback Sean Clifford’s favorite target and should get peppered all game. Pray that the game script helps the wide receivers here and doesn’t lead to a RB heavy approach, but I believe that Maryland’s passing attack will at least keep this game interesting for a half or so. With a 37.9 point performance from Washington already under his belt, I’m banking on another.

Purdue’s Payne Durham ($5,100) @ Illinois

The matchup looks awful on paper, but remember that Durham isn’t a wide receiver, he’s a tight end. Illinois’ top-ranked national scoring defense will scare away nearly everyone from a Purdue pass-catcher – but we’ll look to Durham. With Purdue’s top receivers – Charlie Jones (27.6 fppg) and T.J. Sheffield (9.9 fppg) likely erased by the elite Illini secondary, perhaps Durham can carve out a huge role when matched up against linebackers and safeties. He’s posted two games with more than 26 points twice this season and will be depended on again in a crucial game for both sides. Yes, the matchup is scary, but the value could be tremendous if Durham hits.

Other WRs Considered: Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. ($7,900) vs. Indiana, Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman ($6,500) vs. Missouri, USF’s Xavier Weaver ($5,900) vs. SMU
Overreaction or Not? Answering CFB’s Biggest Questions

November 9th, 2022

By: William Smythe

I can’t believe we’re approaching the end of the season. Can Northwestern still make a play for a share of the Big Ten West – in the wildest of worlds, the Wildcats have a semblance of a chance to parlay a 1-8 record into three consecutive wins and a 7-way tie. Absolute anarchy. The SEC shares the same issue of a fiercely-contested battle in their Western division, as a 4-1 Ole Miss, 4-2 Alabama and 5-1 LSU will battle it out for the sacrifice to no. 1 Georgia. Nonetheless, it’s approached a point to where we can make some takes about the contenders, the pretenders, and the futures for some heralded programs. Will Lane Kiffin pull the ultimate money-grab and join Auburn? Has Bryce Young doomed the Alabama football program – who will (likely) not revel in a championship for two consecutive years (boo-hoo, Saban)? Let’s begin.

TCU is not a play-off team, and they won’t win out.

Verdict: Not an overreaction.

Don’t get me wrong, I love what Coach Sonny Dykes has done in his first season in Fort Worth. The Titanic iceberg, though, may rear its ugly head with the season winding down. The iceberg, standing in the form of four backup quarterbacks who were thrust into action against the Horned Frogs, is what may sink this team late into this season. They have only played three starting-caliber quarterbacks – Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders, West Virginia’s JT Daniels and SMU’s Tanner Mordecai – and recently struggled against both West Virginia (3-6) and Texas Tech (4-5). Senior quarterback Max Duggan is quietly making a case for the Heisman, but his team is facing a tricky, tricky schedule before the Big 12 Championship is held. Cue no. 18 Texas (6-3), whose staff member may be somewhat familiar to Horned Frogs fans – Gary Patterson, anyone? Duggan will have to outduel the mulleted freshman Quinn Ewers and the TCU defense will be tasked with staving off arguably the nation’s best running back in junior Bijan Robinson. And, oh yeah, they’ll have to beat a Baylor (6-3) team on a three-game win streak and a surging running game one week later. So, I love what Dykes has done, but I find it hard to believe that his team can reach the CFP unscathed. Their no. 4 ranking may fall dramatically even in a one regular-season loss, Big 12 Championship-win scenario.

The Alabama dynasty is finally over.

Verdict: Overreaction

“Would you please?” in the words of Connecticut hoops maestro Jim Calhoun. For the first time since 2019 – “gasp” – Alabama (7-2) has suffered two regular season-losses and witnessed their dreams of another national championship likely cut short. Heisman-winner Bryce Young will never taste the ultimate prize as so many Alabama quarterbacks have, yet the narrative surrounding Alabama’s downfall is unfounded. Is it not enough proof that Saban responded with a national championship just one year after Tua’s devastating, late-season injury? Is it also not compelling that the Crimson Tide will bring in yet another no. 1 ranked recruiting class in the fall of ‘23? I’ve found it nearly impossible to doubt Saban year-in and year-out, even after the 2019 letdown or the loss to Georgia last season. The national standard has obviously been put at a ridiculous level, at a point in which two-losses merits the breakdown of a college football institution. Saban doesn’t rebuild, he reloads. He’ll find a way out of this season, likely with an Orange Bowl victory or a surprise triumph over the ‘Dawgs in the SEC Championship, and he’ll keep pushing, whether we like it or not.

Lane Kiffin will go to Auburn, leaving behind an ascending Ole Miss

Verdict: Overreaction

I’d hate to see Kiffin leave the Ole Miss program in shambles. In only his third year with the program, the Tennessee expat has built a Matt Rhule-esque (college, of course) resume by reaching a no. 11 ranking in 2022 after a 5-5 finish to his 2020 tenure. He’s America’s favorite coach – if you’re not sold on Mississippi State coach Mike Leach’s awesome rants – and he’s revamped Ole Miss’s brand through his boyish swag. He’s also the transfer portal’s best friend: take former USC quarterback Jaxson Dart and TCU tailback Zach Evans as prime examples. Even despite an 8-1 start, the rumor mill has it that Kiffin may be the one to reclaim Auburn’s glory. It makes sense, he’s at an objectively-smaller brand school with a lesser football pedigree. However, don’t be surprised if Ole Miss pulls out the checkbook to keep Kiffin around. He’s already built an SEC program that has recently surpassed that of the Tigers. Come to the ‘Sip, he famously quips. I believe that, when the smoke clears, Kiffin will still rule the roost in Oxford while Matt Rhule looks to a new rebuilding project at Auburn.

The ACC should only have one team in the top 25

Verdict: Not an overreaction

The ACC should be thanking its lucky stars that basketball has begun. Despite the three ACC schools ranked in the last AP Poll – no. 12 Clemson, no. 15 North Carolina, and no. 17 North Carolina State – the strength of schedule for all three teams is pretty brutal. Clemson (8-1) – the only team I believe should stay because they are Clemson – just fell completely flat on the road to a ranked but underwhelming Notre Dame (6-3). North Carolina (8-1) took until the final stages of the fourth quarter to defeat my Virginia Cavaliers (3-6), a team without their top three receivers in last week’s contest. N.C. State (7-2) has two decent losses but no big wins – ahem, they beat Virginia Tech (2-7) by 1 and East Carolina (6-3) by 1 to start the season. Simply put, the ACC can’t hold a candle up to the SECs and Big 12s in the 2022 landscape. The talent of Clemson keeps them there, but the Tar Heels and Wolfpack simply have not impressed enough against lower competition. Poor Kentucky (6-3) has to suffer through the worst schedule in America, only to find themselves out of any sort of playoff contention thanks to the mighty SEC. It’s just not the ACC’s year – as I’ve become accustomed to saying – and if you peel back the layers, all three teams have their gaping flaws.