College Football

[Carey]

Oregon not being Number One would result in the rankings no longer being a thing that matters, period.  Unlike Ohio State & Penn State, they actually played a game this weekend.  Following a big win, they went on the road and bageled someone.  It's Purdue, but it's not easy to shutout anyone.  Well, an FBS program, especially in the same conference.

Penn State will be Number Two, but if proven otherwise, I would not be surprised.  Keep in mind that if they were to slot the postseason, Georgia would be Number 2 with a bye, while Penn State would be Number 5.

Georgia beat the number one team on the road, while Penn State hasn't really done anything spectacular.  So there's that.  But they are undefeated.  The 2022's lone loss appears to be an ugly one sadly.  Finally I'd drop Texas below Ohio State, but even that depends.  Road loss vs a Home Loss.  Texas will be fine, but if slotting occurred now, I believe LSU would be ahead of them.  Rather, they'd have a chance to finish above them and Georgia

[Stats Queen]

SEC shorts will be wild. What a wild season of college football.

I’m a GA Bulldog and count me as surprised that in week 8 we showed up to play!

Texas fans threw a lot of water bottle and stuff on the field (it’s was a bad call), but they really lacked the creativity of Tennessee fans - no full sized bottle of condiments, not golf balls, - Texas your in the SEC now, get it together.

[roamyn]

2 hours ago, Stats Queen said:

Texas fans threw a lot of water bottle and stuff on the field (it’s was a bad call), but they really lacked the creativity of Tennessee fans - no full sized bottle of condiments, not golf balls, - Texas your in the SEC now, get it together.

Nothing tops Browns fans tossing snowballs & dog bones at Rutigliano & the Bungles.  (And yes, I have to sadly admit I'm a Brownie.)

Edited October 20 by roamyn

[Carey]

At least 2 things came to mind with that segment in the game.  One was the discipline the SEC hands out to their teams, and then 2 Sundays before Christmas 2001, before it was called Huntington Back Field, the people there went next level toward that outcome and what led to that outcome.  Rather questionable

[Chit Chat]

9 hours ago, Stats Queen said:

What a wild season of college football.

It has been crazy so far!  I don't recall another season starting off quite like this one!  We're still trying to figure out how Bama beat Georgia, and then went on to lay an egg in 2 games!   I will never jump off of the bandwagon for Bama, no matter how bad it gets, but I've resigned myself to not getting worked up about a loss and can stand back and objectively ask, WTF just happened, and then move on with my day!!  It makes me appreciate Saban even more for what he accomplished there.  

I was hoping that Texas would've had a better showing against Georgia.  I'm sure Georgia was very pissed off with their loss to Bama, so good luck to any team who faces them after that!  

In lighter news, the Ducks mascot's head fell off!

6 hours ago, roamyn said:

(And yes, I have to sadly admit I'm a Brownie.)

Nothing wrong with that!  I'm a Buc's fan.  Teams with a rookie QB and Monday Night Football are our kryptonite!

 

[Stats Queen]

20 minutes ago, Chit Chat said:

lighter news, the Ducks mascot's head fell off!

That was so funny. He was also funny on College Game Day last week.

[Carey]

In the eighth College Football rankings, to the surprise of no one, Oregon is at the top of both.  Georgia did indeed jump Penn State.  Ohio State is 4th; Texas & Miami are flipped between the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.

Tennessee's upset win over Alabama has the former in the Top Ten & the latter just within the Top 15 (at the bottom of it)

[Salacious Kitty]

The power of the $EC. I knew Georgia would jump undefeated Penn State. 

[Carey]

8 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

The power of the $EC. I knew Georgia would jump undefeated Penn State. 

Sure is, and it's like it's more expected than death & taxes.

Although it makes sense since Georgia has big wins against Clemson and Texas.  Penn State's big win is against Illinois.  Penn State has a chance to get there, but it's possible they don't get there.  Especially if Oregon drops a game, but it's more likely that Penn State does the losing instead to avoid the Top ranking.

For a minute, with Alabama losing twice before Halloween, Georgia's loss to them sort of sucks.  However, both Tennessee & Vanderbilt are slotted higher thanks to a more superior conference AND overall record

[roamyn]

SEC Shorts:  everybody's scared of Vandy now!  The bottles & mustard reference!  "Who's your Huckleberry?"  And new permanent cast member, Death.

These guys/gals are so creative!

[Carey]

Those SEC Shorts can only go up from here.  Especially with the "new look" SEC!

Speaking of the SEC, I have to check on that segment that featured Paul & Heather to see what their forecast was in terms of "If The CFB Playoff started today".

I haven't had a chance to see the preview of the Top 25 reveal (probably won't until later this week).  However, I imagine it looked something like this:

Byes:

1. Oregon [B1G, Plays 8 vs 9 winner]
2. Georgia [SEC, Plays 7 vs 10 winner]
3. Miami [ACC, Plays 6 vs 11 winner]
4. Iowa State [XII, Plays 5 vs 12 winner]

5. Penn State vs Boise State [05 vs G5]
6. Ohio State vs BYU [06 vs 11]
7. Texas/Clemson [07 vs 10]
8. Tennessee/LSU [08 vs 09]

 

While it's just a TV show full of rankings, I cannot wait for those to start up again.  Of course, the field will no longer be chosen from the AP Poll.  I think I would have to break it down in terms of conferences instead of rankings. 

In other words, you'd have to forecast the winners/runners up/leaders of a conference first, and then factor that in here.  That helps make some sense as to why teams like Texas, Penn State & Ohio State might have to open up soon after the regular season ends (with no bye).  Gotta win your conference & go from there.

[roamyn]

5 minutes ago, Carey said:

Oregon [B1G, Plays 8 vs 9 winner]
2. Georgia [SEC, Plays 7 vs 10 winner]
3. Miami [ACC, Plays 6 vs 11 winner]
4. Iowa State [XII, Plays 5 vs 12 winner]

Why would Miami & Iowa St be higher that tOSU & Penn St?  They're currently ranked at 3 & 4 abmnd should get the Bye.  I'd anything Indiana should go over Iowa St.

[Carey]

10 minutes ago, roamyn said:

Why would Miami & Iowa St be higher that tOSU & Penn St?  They're currently ranked at 3 & 4 abmnd should get the Bye.  I'd anything Indiana should go over Iowa St.

Conference champions.  Everything is complex.  However, the written rules state that if a team wins their conference, they get a bye regardless of where they end within the rankings.

With an exception (or two).  They actually have to be ranked.  Plus they get a bye if they are the top 4 amongst conference champions.  In other words, the four highest ranking conference champions get that bye.  While a decent runner up in Georgia or Oregon would be more deserving than say Miami or even BYU if they passed Iowa State, they didn't win their conference.

What's unfortunate is that the fifth conference champion has to go on the road as that will likely be a Group of Five team.  Only one is slated to make it

[emma675]

Watching Alabama and Missouri. If you didn't know Brady Cook was injured before the game, you'd definitely know after the announcers mentioned it EVERY 10 SECONDS throughout the entire game. They even had a sideline reporter dedicated to basically stalking him and doing color commentary on his limbs. It was ridiculous. 

[Carey]

I'm trying to figure out why Illinois traveled West to Eugene a week after they "Beat The Game" against the champions.  That scene in Memorial Stadium was too good of a nice ending against someone to where they could've continued that celebration (as if they won the natty) in Illinois, and the outcome stays the same.

[Carey]

Double Post somehow, though I did omit the fact that opposing quarterbacks getting knocked out is the only easy way Alabama can roll in present time

Edited October 26 by Carey

[Chit Chat]

6 minutes ago, emma675 said:

It was ridiculous. 

Yes, it was!  

Just now, Carey said:

Yeah, felt like Missouri gave up.  I think this is the second time Alabama was the beneficiary of the opposing QB getting hurt to where they rolled as if Coach Nick was still on the sidelines.

I thought that Missouri's defense looked pretty good overall.   Bama's offense looked terrible the 1st quarter.  The penalties are killing us!  They mentioned that one of the issues off the field for Bama is the discipline.  Apparently, some of the guys are late to meetings and come in looking sloppy (shirts not tucked in).  I guess that was the standard in seasons past.  It's the little things like that that actually matter when you're trying to set a standard.  Maybe DeBoer wants some of the players to step up and be leaders, but he has to be the lead dog and lay down the law!!  I hope they can get all of that figured out.  If the rules are lax, then players will probably follow suit.  Again, it's the little things that can end up being a big issue for a team. 

I didn't realize it until a few days ago, but Saban said that Bama lost 26 players to the portal when he retired.  Our AD said that reps from other teams then circled like buzzards and even went to Tuscaloosa in order to persuade guys to leave.  Those players had so many voices in their ear at that time.  I'm sure it was very confusing for them.  Wouldn't that be considered tampering if they all swooped in on T-Town in order to recruit players?  I don't know the rules on that one.

Anyway, I'll never jump off of the bandwagon for Bama, but I'll point out what I think is wrong.  DeBoer certainly had his hands full in trying to keep the roster he inherited, but the way the portal is set up when a coach retires, well, it really makes the transition that more challenging.  

[emma675]

Mike Elko has some brass ones to bench his QB1 and put in the back up when things were looking bleak against LSU. What a game! My Aggies and Marcel Reed looked pretty damn good.

However, I'm still pissed about the idiocy of the school and board of regents for the Jimbo Fisher debacle, what an absolute waste of money. 

[Carey]

15 hours ago, Chit Chat said:

Anyway, I'll never jump off of the bandwagon for Bama, but I'll point out what I think is wrong.

The definition of a real, legit fan.  Criticism isn't turning on the team; it's just that.  You're being honest and sometimes harsh because you care.  Otherwise, one wouldn't say anything.

We'll see what's next for Alabama.  Although you might not prefer the following to play out, a true (lifetime) fan might be tested in the future if it ever gets to the point where Alabama fans storm the field following a victory

[Chit Chat]

46 minutes ago, Carey said:

Although you might not prefer the following to play out, a true (lifetime) fan might be tested in the future if it ever gets to the point where Alabama fans storm the field following a victory

Fans have made it through tougher times before Saban and still handled the wins with Saban without tearing up their own field!!  I get your point though.  :)  

I'm anxious to see SEC Shorts this week and how they will handle the Vandy loss.  He won't be strutting around this time.  He might even need CPR!   It was a good game though.  

I'm impressed that Saban does College Gameday, then still makes it to the stadium in time to see our game.  It's nice that he and Miss Terry have more time together.  They both look really happy.   Speaking of College Gameday, I feel so bad when I see Lee Corso.  He's not in the best shape, but I'm glad the guys treat him with respect and include him.  I think that Kirk kind of looks after him when he's on the set.  It was nice to see him honored yesterday.  

[Carey]

Other than LSU tumbling down the list, no major changes in the Ninth CFB Rankings.  Oregon is a solid No 1, and while Georgia probably wasn't moving from the 2nd spot, Penn State did nothing noteworthy enough to move up.  Texas and Ohio State struggled too but still found ways to win.  I guess people stopped looking forward to next week.  BTW, Miami and the Longhorns swapped in the AP Poll (the Coaches already had the Hurricanes in the Top 5).  First non B1G or SEC school in the Top 5 I believe.  I think Clemson was there before any games were played.

I have to look into something later, speaking of the ACC.  However, someone might get robbed in that conference.  It might not matter at the end of the day, but I'm trying to figure out how 3 teams with a zero in the right column can occur.

[Carey]

Updated Playoff Slotting (According to ESPN)

Byes:

1. Oregon [B1G, Plays 8 vs 9 winner]
2. Georgia [SEC, Plays 7 vs 10 winner]
3. Miami [ACC, Plays 6 vs 11 winner]
4. BYU [XII, Plays 5 vs 12 winner]

12/21/24

5. Penn State vs Boise State [05 vs G5]
6. Ohio State vs Clemson or ISU [06 vs 11]
7. Texas/Texas A&M [07 vs 10]
8. Tennessee/Notre Dame [08 vs 09]

 

The above is based off of the Rankings from the AP Poll.  This will be the last time they use it to determine slotting.  Going forward, they'll use the CFB Top 25 Rankings, where there will not be a tie for 11th place.

It'll be interesting to see where teams like Indiana and the winner of SMU/PITT end up.  I gotta watch out for Memphis & Tulane, and I'm not sure as of this second what to think of Army & Navy

[Carey]

I'm not a Penn State fan.  As a matter of fact, between decent programs from the State College team & Indiana to the Buckeyes & a team from the Great Lakes State, Ohio State is the choice.  At least in football.  If you'd ask me in terms of hoops (or the new teams from all sports), I might answer differently.

That being said: it is total crap that Penn State is hosting Ohio State in daytime, period.  Sure they've [FOX] got to pimp Big Noon kickoff, and if everyone had to bet, a night game changes nothing in terms of the outcome related to winning & losing.  However, you just never know as every year is different.

[Carey]

Oregon, Georgia, Ohio State, Miami, and Texas make up both the AP and the Coaches Polls for the Eleventh College Football Rankings.  Penn State and Tennessee are flipped for 6 and 7.  BYU & Alabama are 9th and 11th, respectfully in both polls.  Indiana, who is 8th in the AP, and Notre Dame, who is 10th in the same rankings, are reversed in the Coaches rankings.  Boise State & SMU are next.  Even if those were reversed, going off of those rankings alone, SMU is still out.  Fortunately, and barring something. SMU controls their own destiny.  Not great for teams like Notre Dame & Indiana, unless the latter can pull off the upset one week from Saturday.

Clemson took a dive, as expected.  Same with Texas A&M, Iowa State, Kansas State, and Pittsburgh.  Those last 2, especially PITT, probably had to be victorious going forward anyway.  Not it would have mattered, but they're still ranked for now.

All of the above is basically moot as the First Rankings are released on Tuesday.  That's in the direction of where they rank; the losses (and wins) are still a big deal.  Looking forward to seeing that & giving my thoughts before taking a nice 36-hour break, which, hopefully precedes some heavy sports lifting where I'm focused (all-in) on the new-look College Football to go along with more focus on the NFL (starting with Bengals/Ravens) now that I have a better idea on who's good & who's not.

One thing I'm looking at is where they'll put in teams like Boise and Indiana.  In what will be the norm IMO & going forward, I'm never going to see BSU or any group of five team ranked in the Top 4 ever again.  That's regardless of a decent undefeated record.  I think they'd have a chance if a crappy Big 12 or ACC winner backdoor in as a conference champion.  That could take at least a couple years.  By then I could see a situation where something happens to where they're a stipulation allowing Notre Dame to get that first-round bye as a non-conference champion.  NOTRE DAME

Edited November 3 by Carey
Edited for reasons related to the hyperlink

[roamyn]

Apparently Pimp Vandy is gonna be on the field at half-time during this weekends S Carolina game.  It's worth watching SC just for that.

[kathyk2]

Matt the bearded guy from SEC Shorts has youtube videos where he ranked his favorite foods. They are very funny.

[Carey]

Top 12 (From the TOP 25 Rankings)

Oregon
Ohio State
Georgia
Miami
Texas
Penn State
Tennessee
Indiana
BYU
Notre Dame
Alabama
Boise State

 

The Opening Playoff Slotting (According to ESPN & Off of the Rankings)

Byes:

1. Oregon [B1G, Plays 8 vs 9 winner]
2. Georgia [SEC, Plays 7 vs 10 winner]
3. Miami [ACC, Plays 6 vs 11 winner]
4. BYU [XII, Plays 5 vs 12 winner]

 

12/21/24

5. Ohio State vs Boise State [05 vs 12]
6. Texas vs Alabama [06 vs 11]
7. Penn State vs Notre Dame [07 vs 10]
8. Tennessee vs Indiana [08 vs 09]

 

Edited to include linkage to the complete rankings, which appeared as if I did as I underlined the bold heading with the attempt to be neat

Edited November 6 by Carey
Edit to add the link to the Top 25

[Chit Chat]

Since College Gameday will be in LSU for the Bama/LSU game, I'm curious as to the reception Saban will get by the LSU fans.  He always got booed when Bama played LSU in Louisiana, so we'll see if they're still mad at him.  He might want some security around him.  LSU fans might want to let that anger go at this point!  

[Kimboweena]

4 hours ago, kathyk2 said:

Matt the bearded guy from SEC Shorts has youtube videos where he ranked his favorite foods. They are very funny.

Yep, I first saw him on a Facebook page, "It's a Southern Thing." He's got his own FB page now "Matt Mitchell." He posts links to his SEC Shorts on YouTube.

[Carey]

2 hours ago, Chit Chat said:

Since College Gameday will be in LSU for the Bama/LSU game, I'm curious as to the reception Saban will get by the LSU fans.  He always got booed when Bama played LSU in Louisiana, so we'll see if they're still mad at him.  He might want some security around him.  LSU fans might want to let that anger go at this point!  

Yeah right!  It's been more than 2 decades.  Nick was the best coach they had, especially when you count the first quarter century of the millennium.

He probably gets booed based on the match-up.  If it's LSU hosting Oklahoma, he might get the Des treatment the latter gets whenever they travel to Columbus.

By the way, I've added a link to where someone can find the complete list.  Which is all over the Internet, but the 25 teams should be at the website that I've linked to.

Although this is the new era, there's no reason to disclose each team one at a time going forward.  I would hope that they would reveal the bottom six, and the 5 that are just above them.  It was actually okay this week, since I was a bit surprised to see Clemson at 23.  I was wondering where Pittsburgh was if that was the case, but then I said they'll show up if Louisville made it. 

It went from over for PITT to probably over for the 2021 ACC Champions.  I don't see them getting the help they need, but it actually isn't that much.  Apart from winning out, they'd need ND to lose & LSU to win this Saturday.  That ain't going to do it but if I had to pick the first thing, that would be it.  The best thing for PITT right now is UVA and only UVA.

Anyway, seeing the teams where they were followed by Colorado in the Top 20, I knew that Indiana and SMU were going to be fine.  The latter is the first team out, literally, but just in terms of if there were the final rankings.  They're 13th and Boise State is 12th.  I'm okay with that.  What could've been for Pat Narduzzi's team, though still needing to do the best they could, especially on 11/16.  Plus they weren't jumping Bama Probably helps that they've been playing well enough to be there, but the committee probably would rather have all 12 teams in the Top 12.  Army is about a quarter dozen wins away from being that team right off the bat that has people whining about how the postseason still sucks.  Might be meaningless in the aftermath of their game against Notre Dame

[Chit Chat]

1 hour ago, Carey said:

He probably gets booed based on the match-up.

Bama is playing in Louisiana, so it's a safe bet that there will be some hate directed his way, even though he's not our coach anymore.  I think they'll always hate him.  They need to let it go.  If you've never been to a Bama vs. LSU game, it's intense, especially in Louisiana. 

[Carey]

Unlike the Big 10, the SEC does it right: Night time in Death Valley.  No blue blood is intimidated by the daytime State College Atmosphere

[mojoween]

BC changed their quarterback after halftime to Castellanos in a game Thom Brenneman is calling and this feels like the most inside of jokes.

[AimingforYoko]

Who wishes Stetson Bennett was still at Georgia more: Stetson Bennett or Kirby Smart?

[Carey]

13 minutes ago, AimingforYoko said:

Who wishes Stetson Bennett was still at Georgia more: Stetson Bennett or Kirby Smart?

Sean McVay

[roamyn]

Wow!  I can't wait to hear Finebaum's excuse now why GA should be #2 and better ranked than tOSU?

[Carey]

I was planning to bet Ole Miss after last week, but I completely forgot.  Part of that has something to do with playing Georgia, but since I've been burned (both ways) against Georgia, I might have avoided this game on purpose.

To be more specific, I've (almost) always "bet" Georgia to win, really pick them but either bet them to cover or bet their opponents to do the same. The opposite (almost) always happens.

Anyway, I do recall considering Ole Miss $$$ after their game vs Arkansas; instead went with Indiana.  Sigh.

To be fair, I think I did back Ole Miss early this Autumn; if so that's all it took to wreck a win-less conference season for Kentucky to this point

[AimingforYoko]

Congrats to Indiana for their first ten-win season in the history of their program.

[Chit Chat]

Congrats to Ole Miss on a great win!  Bama looked much improved against LSU.  Boo to their fans for throwing trash on the field.  IIRC, that was after a facemask call against LSU.  The replay clearly showed an LSU defender grabbing Milroe's facemask.  Pfftt to those who take out their frustrations by throwing water bottles onto the field, thus endangering the people standing there.  

Did anybody watch the Vandy game?  Did the guy from SEC Shorts actually attend?  

[Carey]

Here are the Second Top 25 Rankings for the College Football Playoff.  I'll do the slotting later, maybe tomorrow.

[Salacious Kitty]

Georgia currently first team out. 👀

[Carey]

Georgia is fine.  That's assuming they can take care of business against Tennessee

[Carey]

Man, Alabama is favored by a total that exceeds the Over/Under in other games

[Salacious Kitty]

4 hours ago, Carey said:

Man, Alabama is favored by a total that exceeds the Over/Under in other games

It's only 38-7 in the 3rd qtr. Slackers. 😂

[Carey]

52-7 final.  I think the over/under was 58.5 or 59.5.  Likely varied depending on where one looked, but a clear cover.

IIRC, there was a similar situation between Penn State & Kent State, where the former was a massive favorite.  Pretty tough to take Penn State but I think they were sorta motivated to hit a mark for bragging rights.  I believe they scored 56 but needed to shut out Kent State to cover.  Though I think a field goal would've been fine.  Had Kent State scored, I'd need more (from someone) in order for the over to hit.

[mojoween]

I’m so happy Fran Brown gets to use soap.

[AimingforYoko]

After their 16-play FG drive to take a seven point lead, the Badgers had a total of 11 offensive plays which net them 0 yds. Nice try, but that ain't getting the job done even on an off night for the Ducks.

[Calvada]

9 hours ago, AimingforYoko said:

After their 16-play FG drive to take a seven point lead, the Badgers had a total of 11 offensive plays which net them 0 yds. Nice try, but that ain't getting the job done even on an off night for the Ducks.

If only the Badgers had a QB.  And an offensive line.  Luke Fickell is like Gary Andersen 2.0 in recruiting and developing the offensive line.    

[Carey]

To be fair, Wisconsin lost its starting QB while hosting Alabama.  Sorta wrecked my outlook as it related to the game, and everything going forward.  I still had Alabama winning the game, but not to that degree.

To be honest, however, they weren't that great anyway prior to the season ending injury

[Carey]

Not much to talk about in terms of the rankings.  Except for one thing, but before I get to that: BYU and Tennessee dropped, with the latter doing so as expected with a loss to Georgia.

As for BYU: it'll be interesting to see what the committee does on Tuesday.  Colorado is still ranked outside the Top 15 (BYU is in there in both rankings).  Those are the highest ranked teams in the Big 12.  It'll be rather odd to see Colorado suddenly rise a ton, or BYU hardly drop.  Plus, it'll be interesting seeing Warde Manuel explain Colorado being in the Top 10.  Though they have looked pretty good, it isn't that necessary since it's not a big deal if TWO conference champions are outside the Top 12

By the way, you can find the Week 11 Rankings right here.  The 2nd College Football Playoff Top 25 are included in those.

As for the "bracket"

 

Top 12 (From the 2nd TOP 25 Rankings)

Oregon
Ohio State
Texas
Penn State
Indiana
BYU
Tennessee
Notre Dame
Miami
Alabama
Ole Miss
Georgia

 

The Second Non-Permanent Playoff Slotting (According to ESPN & Off of the Rankings)

Byes:

1. Oregon [B1G, Plays 8 vs 9 winner]
2. Texas [SEC, Plays 7 vs 10 winner]
3. BYU [XII, Plays 6 vs 11 winner]
4. Miami [ACC, Plays 5 vs 12 winner]

 

12/21/24

5. Ohio State vs Boise State [05 vs G5]
6. Penn State vs Ole Miss [06 vs 11]
7. Indiana vs Alabama [07 vs 10]
8. Tennessee vs Notre Dame [08 vs 09]

G5: Represents Boise State, currently Number 13.  If things had ended last week & they won their conference championship game, they'd get in over Georgia.