Oh man. . . is there egg on my face or what? The Bulldogs of the University of Georgia forgot that they played on Saturday. It was a long Saturday.
But taking the classic UGA performance out of Saturday’s action, it was an exciting weekend of football in which we saw some major moves. Top teams were beaten, a lot of them. We almost saw the top two both fall to lesser Big Ten competition. We got a glimpse of what’s to come. We also have an opportunity to overreact.
I won’t do that.
Sure some teams got pulled back to the field a bit. But let’s not jump to conclusions. I don’t feel so sure about anyone in the top 20, do you? How could you? Ole Miss pulled off another victory over Alabama and then faltered two weeks later. ‘Bama lost to Ole Miss and then destroyed a high ranked SEC-rival two weeks later. It’s just like last season.
We cannot definitively say team A is a lock or team B is out.
It’s just too early.
So here are the biggest storylines from week five.
It’s Just Too Early
I know I just said it, but I want to reiterate the fact that there is still so much in limbo that we cannot choose teams that belong in the second iteration of the College Football Playoff this quick.
That’s why I’m glad they moved the CFP polling back to week eight this season. If not: Ohio State, Texas Christian, Baylor, and Utah would all have a huge leg up on everyone because they would likely be 1-4.
Those teams could all lose next week. OSU, and fellow B1G leader Michigan State, nearly lost to the likes of Indiana University and Purdue in the same week. They are far from proven.
But the Buckeyes could have another breakout like last season. In 2014, they got better each week and crowned the season with the destruction of Wisconsin. I think that’s what the playoff allows that the Bowl Championship Series didn’t, the ability to improve and fight your way in.
Which team will do it this year? Who knows? Right now, it seems like everyone has something to prove. Take my prediction from last week: 1. Michigan State, 2. TCU, 3. UGA, 4. UCLA. Now tear it up and throw it away. I don’t have confidence in any of the teams except, maybe, TCU.
That’s the state of college football we are currently in. All I’m saying is, stop with the harsh overreaction.
Alabama Is Still A Top Team
I’m going to hear it for saying this, but the Crimson Tide don’t appear to be any closer to low tide than when they last won a National Title. The team had a wake-up call against Ole Miss. Their inner voices collectively echoed “We are very beatable when we play terribly.”
They had five turnovers opposed to only, well, zero against the Rebels. I said it then when we were ready to push them to the grave. Alabama is still really tough.
It took the Rebels’ five turnovers and a tremendous game paired with some insane plays to stave off defeat. Alabama is still the king of the Southeastern Conference.
It’s going to stay that way for the foreseeable future. They recruit well, play well and most importantly have NICK SABAN. He knows how to win and how to silence his critics.
Going into a hostile environment in Athens, playing with the collective fears of all Houndstooth nation on his back, he answered the call and blew the ever loving daylights out of the Bulldogs. (You should now notice I’m referring to them as ‘Bulldogs,’ not ‘Dawgs.’ That title is earned, last week it wasn’t)
So as ‘Bama Nation steps off the edge and now resumes its role atop the hilltop shouting “We’re still the best” I can go back to despising them, not out of hate, but of jealousy.
Clemson Is My Ohio State Of 2015
The Tigers played an impressive game and somehow defeated the Irish when Notre Dame came to town last weekend.
This goes a long way towards them solidifying themselves in a rather weak conference that will require a team go undefeated to get into the CFP. If the Tigers lose that game, their big chance against a non-conference opponent, the ACC probably has no shot at the CFP (Sorry FSU).
The Tigers now have to avoid what is known as “Clemsoning.”
I, a UGA fan, know a term called “Georgiaing,” which means that every time the Bulldogs play a tough opponent and have a chance to prove themselves, the fail to do so in extraordinary fashion usually.
Clemson fans have their phrases, “Clemsoning” or “Pulling a Clemson,” which means that every time they look poised to be on to something, they lose to someone terrible.
The schedule is filled with opportunities for the Tigers to pull off the inevitable. Until they can go an entire season without doing so, it’s always a concern for the fan base. I feel you.
But this is the year that Dabo Swinney brings home the bacon to Tiger faithful. I don’t know if the championship is in the cards, but I do have them making it all the way to the CFP, what they do there should be fun in its own right.
Without further adieu, my new CFP predictions (since they were spot on last week)
1. TCU Horned Frogs
2. Michigan State Spartans
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
4. Clemson Tigers
TCU is the only team, maybe Alabama (who knows?), that I feel confident about making it. With TCU, they have one game to win, and that’s against Baylor. We have to wait until the last week of the season for that battle, oh how fun it will be. With the Spartans I’m picking them simply because one of the two B1G powers has to run the table, right? Michigan State beats the Buckeyes. The Tide will rebound as expected, it’s almost destined. Finally with the Tigers, I think they passed the big hump. They still have several speed bumps that can pop up, but I like them this season.
Heisman Rankings
1. Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU 20-35, 332, 5 TD-0 INT
On the year: 119-188 (63%) 1,802, 19 TD-3 INT
Trend: Even
With Boykin nearing 2,000 yards through the air, it’s important to note that he’s also got over 200 rushing yards. He won’t put up video game rushing numbers, but it’s enough to subsidize his passing stats. For Boykin, the name of the game is keep winning. His Heisman moment, which I’ve frequently talked about, comes against Oklahoma and Baylor later this season.
2. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU 26 CAR, 233 Yards, 3 TD
On the year: 99 CAR, 864 Yards (8.7 per), 11 TD
Trend: +1
Okay, I’m probably not going to be in the positive column with very many of you. But I still hesitate to jump on the back of Fournette (even though every defender in the country is trying to). He’s great, but I want to see what happens once he gets Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss and the rest of the SEC thrown at him. By then, the hype train should be at full steam, let’s see what he does in a few weeks.
3. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama 26 CAR, 148 Yards, 1 TD
On the year: 93 CAR, 570 Yards (6.1 per), 9 TD
Trend: +2
Henry and Chubb, soon to be mentioned, squared off in matchup number one of the SEC gauntlet. (Henry and Fournette will meet later this season.) This giant RB game was touted as one for the centuries; it was pretty good. Both backs went north of 100 and had opportunities to showcase their many talents. In a strange year, things are running back dominate. If Boykin slips up, LSU vs. ‘Bama may determine more than just a CFP team.
4. Nick Chubb, RB, UGA 20 CAR, 146 Yards, 1 TD
On the year: 91 CAR, 745 Yards (8.2 per), 7 TD
Trend: -2
Chubb has more sustained success than Henry or Fournette. However, he didn’t show up on his biggest stage. Well, to be fair he still had a great showing. He had a monster breakaway run to score his lone touchdown and had a more impressive stat line (even though only by a hair) than Henry. His team didn’t show up, though; that kills him.
5. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, OSU 23 CAR, 274 Yards, 3 TD
On the year: 100 CAR, 729 Yards (7.3 per), 8 TD
Trend: +3
Oh for the love of ‘Zeke. Why have the Buckeyes not learned that success runs with the name Elliott on its nameplate? It’s something that has always flabbergasted me with the Buckeyes. Every time the game plan runs through Elliott; they win it seems. Against IU, they lose without number 15.
Players To Watch: Chad Kelly, Josh Rosen, Deshaun Watson
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
