Week Notes:
The coaching carousel is already heating up. With LSU, TCU, and USC already needing coaches this offseason, there will be lots of movement. Surprisingly Nebraska kept Scott Frost around for another year, despite failing to make a bowl game in all five seasons. Virginia Tech will likely fire Justin Fuente in December when his buyout is majorly reduced. Two more coaches to keep an eye on are Jimmy Lake (Washington) and Dan Mullen (Florida). While both will likely be around for another year, the teams are extremely disappointing and some reports are saying their teams have quit on them.
College Gameday made their first trip to UC last weekend, and it was amazing. The crowd was electric, with hundreds of signs dissing the playoff committee.
There is a HUGE gap between the number one Georgia Bulldogs and the rest of the field. I find it really difficult to make my top ten each week because the teams really haven’t separated themselves much. If Georgia doesn’t win the National Championship, even with their average offense, I will be shocked.
Purdue, after beating two top three teams, should be ranked in the AP poll. They only have three losses, which many of the ranked SEC teams have, and none of them are embarrassing (Notre Dame, Minnesota, and Wisconsin)
Rankings
Playoff Predictions:
Georgia
Oklahoma
Michigan
UC
Heisman Watch:
Kenneth Walker III MSU RB
Kenny Pickett Pitt QB
Matt Coral Ole Miss QB
David Bell WR Purdue
My Picks:
Last week I was 5/8
(4)Oklahoma at (16)Baylor: How good is Oklahoma? We’re about to find out. Baylor will be the first real test the Sooners face, and it will be on the road too. Although I think Oklahoma will be tested, I don’t think Baylor is the team to take them down, especially after Oklahoma has had two weeks to prepare for them. I am picking Oklahoma in a tight game.
NM State at (3)Alabama: While the Big 10 teams are all locked in tough conference battles, Alabama is playing powerhouse… New Mexico State (1-8 record). Yup, the Tide, who should have lost to LSU last weekend if LSU could have just converted on one of their three trips to the red zone in the fourth quarter, are doing their usual cupcake game in November. But according to the committee they deserve the number two ranking because of their super tough schedule and quality loss. Also, they will win this game.
(9)Michigan at (23)Penn State: As hard as it is to pick Jim Harbaugh in a big time game, Michigan needs to be the pick here. Although Happy Valley will be a tough environment, Michigan is just a better team. Their defense and offense are both better than Penn State’s.
(1)Georgia at Tennessee: Many are saying this is going to be the best offense the Dawgs have faced all season. I believe this is true, but also I think that says something about the “mighty” SEC offenses. I am curious to see how Georgia’s defense holds up against a team averaging 38 points per game and almost 500 yards. The only way to give Georgia a scare is to get an early lead, which the Vols are capable of doing. I think this will be close in the first half but Georgia will pull away in the second half.
Purdue at (6)Ohio State: As much fun as Purdue has been, there is no way they pull off their third top ten upset this season. If you go back and look they have a history of dropping off on games after their big wins. I think this will be a game where it’s not a blowout but Purdue never really has a shot.
(11)Texas A&M at (12)Ole Miss: Oxford is really lucky because they are getting College Gameday this weekend. If this game was a month ago, I would have taken Ole Miss easily. But Matt Coral, since his ankle injury, has not been as electric, while Texas A&M’s Zach Calzada is finally settling in his role. Texas A&M also has a strong defense, something Ole Miss does not have. With all this in mind, I am picking Texas A&M, even on the road.
(21)NC State at (13)Wake Forest: The winner of this game will likely go onto the ACC title game to face Pitt. I am very conflicted over who will win this game. Wake Forest has an offense that is going to put up points, there is not stopping them. But NC State has an extremely accurate and underrated quarterback, Devin Leary. The Wolfpack defense is better than the Demon Deacons, but I have to think Wake is going to have a bounce back game. I will take Wake in a high scoring close game.
TCU at (10)Oklahoma State: TCU captured magic in the bottle upsetting Baylor last weekend, but I think that was a one time thing. Oklahoma State proved me wrong and beat West Virginia on the road, in pretty dominating fashion. Oklahoma State actually controls it’s own destiny, and I expect them to win big.
Washington State at (5)Oregon: Oregon is over a two touchdown favorite, which seems really generous considering how close Oregon has been playing Pac12 teams. I would take Washington State to cover the spread but not to upset.
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