NFL
By: Brock Vierra
Texas. Texas. Texas. The Longhorns make the big jump into the College Football Playoffs this week. I dropped them last week but I reward teams for scheduling challenging non-conference games and winning them. They took care of business and are thus rewarded.
Teams dropped this week are Tulane who just missed the cut along with Wisconsin due to their loss in Pullman and Fresno State for a poor performance against FCS Eastern Washington. A double OT victory just isn’t indicative of a top-25 program. Teams that just missed the cut this week are Clemson, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Minnesota, and Wyoming.
- Georgia. Not much to say again. A 45-3 blowout against Ball State doesn’t change much for the two-time National Champions. A continual domination of opponents sets themselves up nicely as they prepare to enter conference play.
- Michigan. Jim Harbaugh might’ve taken the self-imposed suspension just to get some much-needed time off. He’s at his young son’s football game, working the chains. His dad is in the stands, appreciating the work that he and his wife Jackie have done over their 60+ years together. In the morning, Jack watched his son Jim, the head coach of the school Jack was the DB coach for from 1973-1979. He also saw his grandson play the game with the youthful enthusiasm a kid should have while Dad and Grandpa supported him. As Jim went home to enjoy Michigan’s 35-7 win over UNLV, Jack went to the Big House to once again serve Michigan as an assistant coach while his other grandson Jay coached Michigan as interim head coach during the first half of this week’s game. A family affair that ends in another win for the Maize and Blue, their 17th straight home win.
- Florida State. Mike Norvell continues on his campaign to give FSU their first playoff appearance since Jameis Winston was QB1 for the Seminoles. Having FSU’s best QB prospect since Winston, Jordan Travis, and this high-powered offense was no match for Southern Miss. The ACC favorites are one of my favorite teams to watch.
- Texas. The big jump this week belongs to the Longhorns. An impressive win in Tuscaloosa highlighted two things that I have felt plagued the Longhorns in the Sarkisian era. An inability to finish and play consistent defense. They did both at a championship level. They managed the momentum swings of the game and just told the SEC that they’re ready to not just compete but to knock the door down.
- USC. They were up 49-3 at halftime. The defense finally met expectations which to be fair was low because it’s Stanford. The offense was again impressive and put Caleb Williams in the drivers seat to win the Heisman and Zach Branch is on pace to be the next Desmond Howard once he grows as a receiver. A weak non-conference schedule is the only thing preventing them from being in the top 4.
- Notre Dame. A stout defense, above average QB, and a running game that makes die-hard football fans salivate and this is the most impressive Notre Dame team I’ve ever seen. Even more impressive than the Fighting Irish squad that went to the National Championship. Marcus Freeman is here and the middle of their schedule will give them an opportunity to get into the top 4. I had some doubt whether they would win more than nine games this year, now I’m doubting if they will lose more than one.
- Ohio State. They have a lot to fix and a 35-7 win against Youngstown State doesn’t necessarily spell championship-level play. However, they have a coaching staff and a locker room that has been there before. The good thing for the Buckeyes is that they have a winnable schedule and they have a conference win already in the bank.
- Washington. Two wins. Two blowout victories. With Michigan State in turmoil, their trip this week to East Lancing should provide the Huskies with a non-conference P5 win and if the Spartans knock off Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State, a likely victory against MSU should propel Washington up the standing. An incredible start to the Kalen DeBoer era.
- Penn State. Happy Valley remains a tough place to play. They put up 63 points, Manny Diaz is an underrated defensive coordinator and James Franklin is living up to the lofty expectations that came with his huge extension.
- Tennessee. What is happening to Tennessee? Two unimpressive performances against inferior opponents should raise some red flags for the Vols. Joe Milton is not him. I have some major concerns about this defense as they play tougher opponents and their WR room is desperately missing Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. Nico Iamaleava might get his shot sooner rather than later.
11-25:
11. Kansas State
12.. Oregon
13. Utah
14. Ole Miss
15. Colorado
16. Alabama
17. Oregon State
18. Oklahoma
19. Duke
20. North Carolina
22. UCLA
22. Miami
23. Washington State
24. Iowa
25. Kansas
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