It’s here! It’s here! It’s really here! It’s time for the first College Football Playoff rankings to release. The committee has been locked into a room the past three days and tonight they exit the room to reveal the rankings for the first time. Many coffee stained papers, sleepless nights, and long hours have led to this (take this as snarky as you’d like).
We do not yet know how they are going to rank teams. Is Ohio State University number one because they’re the defending champion? Or do the early season ups-and-downs drop them a notch? Is Clemson University number one? What about Baylor University or Texas Christian University? Louisiana State University has been impressive, and they have the next big thing in Leonard Fournette, are they number one?
These questions loom. But only for a little longer, the answers are coming.
The biggest storyline last week came from a team that was idle. Buckeyes sophomore starting quarterback J.T. Barrett was arrested while driving under the influence. That resulted in Barrett being suspended for this week’s game against the University of Minnesota.
The Golden Gophers pulled defeat from the jaws of victory against the University of Michigan last weekend thanks to the mishandling of a late game drive and failure to spike the ball to stop the clock. Push that aside; they’re not a weak team. They could upset Urban Meyer and his Buckeyes. At the very least you don’t want your team leader getting dinged for a DUI with the biggest game(s) of the season looming two and three weeks away.
Making headlines while idle is never ideal. We’ll see how it affects the team this weekend. Of course, Cardale Jones isn’t afraid of stepping into adverse situations.
The second biggest storyline wasn’t from a front-runner, but rather the #22 Duke University versus the University of Miami. A game that should have been a blowout for Duke turned into anything but that. The Canes were down to a backup quarterback and were the underdogs. Despite that, with only six seconds remaining, it was a one-possession game with Duke preparing to kickoff.
We all know what resulted. Eight laterals and some missed calls from the officials later; the Hurricanes pulled off a huge upset. It was amazing, incredible, and illegal.
Multiple block in the back penalties and A KNEE BEING DOWN should have derailed the miracle.
But it stands, as it should.
The officials very clearly blew it. Punishment has already been dealt as the officials on-field and in the booth have all been suspended.
However, we should not have ever thought that the Atlantic Coast Conference or the NCAA had the duty to overturn the game. There were questionable calls several times in the game, and there are multiple questionable calls in every game. There would very rarely be a game go unprotested if the NCAA could overturn a game result, no matter how questionable it was.
You may say, “It was the last play of the game. Therefore, it is clear it changed the result.” Well, what if there was a play after that? What if that play happened to end the first half? We cannot change game results. Period.
It was handled correctly from an administrative point of view, not from an officiating point of view. But that’s football.
It’s a shame, a great season for the Blue Devils will have this hang over its head, but that’s the way it is.
My final storyline isn’t about last week, but rather this coming week.
The University of Alabama versus LSU. The Tide and the Tigers. It’s about time to square off in the game of the year.
I’m pegging it as such, so it will be, obviously. Derrick Henry against Leonard Fournette on the ground. The defenses against each of those running backs. And, of course, Nick Saban against Les Miles.
It’s going to be epic.
Now let’s break the game down:
Offense:
A close matchup for each of these teams. Only 113 yards separate the pair of offenses with Alabama gaining the slight edge. However, LSU has more yards per game by 44. The real numbers come from the difference in passing and rushing. Alabama is a middle of the road team, as we would expect. The Tide have 1,867 passing yards and 1,508 on the ground. LSU is the outlier, though. They’ve got over 1,000 more yards on the ground as opposed to in the air (2,164 rushing – 1,098 passing). That could be a problem against Alabama.
Nick Saban isn’t just any coach; he’s a living legend. He knows how to take away your biggest strength; that’s what he’ll do against the Tigers. Alabama has allowed only 78.5 yards per game on the ground, and against the University of Georgia, who brought Heisman candidate Nick Chubb into the game, they allowed 146 yards. 146 seems like a lot on face value, but 83 of those yards came on one run when Georgia was already out of contention.
Leonard Fournette has slowed down a bit, which should be taken with a grain of salt because his slowing down is still better than everyone else. However, there is no surprising Nick Saban and Alabama. They know its strength against strength.
If Alabama takes the running game away from LSU, they’re done.
Jake Coker is the better passer between him and Brandon Harris, but he does throw interceptions. Harris hasn’t thrown one all season. At the end of the day, the turnovers that one of these quarterbacks will likely make will cost his team.
It’s likely going to come down to one of these quarterbacks to win the game for his team. I give that edge to Coker.
Edge: Alabama.
Defense:
This is where we all get giddy. The Southeastern Conference defenses that have all the NFL potential in the world. So much speed, intelligence, and big play ability. Who is the better of the two in this Goliath of a matchup?
In total defense, it’s #4 against #18. Alabama with the numbers edge.
The Tide allow 4.16 yards per play, 4.81 for LSU.
Alabama is the second best defense in the country when it comes to scoring touchdowns with four interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Another factor weighing against Fournette and LSU, only one running back has rushed for 100+ against ’Bama (Jeremy Hill: 107 yards 2012) since Saban’s arrival.
The front seven for Alabama will be highlighted this game. Reggie Ragland is the best linebacker in the nation and will be the force ’Bama needs in this game.
My player to watch for Alabama is Eddie Jackson. He has five interceptions and 230 interception return yards. Freshman Minkah Fitzpatrick has been a force himself with nine pass deflections, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions.
The ’Bama secondary comes up with a few interceptions. Game over.
Edge: Alabama
Final Score: Alabama 21-13
Heisman Rankings:
1. Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU 32/47, 388 Yards, 3 TD – 0 INT
On The Year: 198/297, 2927 Yards, 28 TD – 5 INT
Rushing: 88 CAR, 524 Yards, 6 TD
Boykin is taking flight. The numbers are starting to match the legend. 28 touchdowns to only five interceptions, 3,000 yards and a 67% completion percentage. It’s great. Boykin is leading TCU through another great year. He’s still my top QB but this is a huge week.
2. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU BYE
On The Year: 176 CAR, 1,352 Yards, 15 TD
Fournette was off last weekend. He likely spent it mentally and physically preparing for the looming showdown. This is, without question, the most important game in the Heisman race for the running back stud. Show up against ’Bama and win, it’s hard to deny him the trophy. Fail to show up and Boykin can run away with it.
3. Derrick Henry, RB, BAMA BYE
On The Year: 180 CAR, 1,044 Yards, 14 TD
See Above. This game is everything for Henry and his race. It can be the Heisman moment he needs.
4. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson 23/30, 383 Yards, 5 TD – 0 INT
On The Year: 155/220, 1,949 Yards, 20 TD – 7 INT
Rushing: 78 CAR, 386 Yards, 4 TD
Watson’s numbers aren’t as sexy as Boykin’s, but that 5 TD – 0 INT performance sure helps. He’s leading Clemson to a fantastic season. Keep it up and he’ll be in the top five somewhere.
5. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor BYE
On The Year: 47 REC, 962 Yards, 18 TD
Coleman is on pace to set records at the receiver position. He’s a few big games away from breaking the receiving touchdown record of 27 in a single season. If you haven’t yet, check this story out on Coleman.
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