RIVALRY WEEK REVIEW AND CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Rivalry Week Review

Rivalry week is something we look forward to every year in college football. Records typically don’t matter in these games. We saw some of this yesterday where teams with far less talent were able to hang in there with a team of higher rank! Teams that seem to be walking to the college football playoff got a scare, some saw those playoff dreams die, while others made statements.

Statement Victories

Oklahoma

Is there a hotter team in the country right now? I don’t think ANYONE wants to play Oklahoma in the playoff, and yes with Notre Dame’s loss Saturday night it all but confirms that the Sooners will be in the final 4.  This Bedlam Rivalry game was over in the first half after Oklahoma put up 44 points. Baker Mayfield is playing like someone who wants to be in New York for the Heisman ceremony but the teams as a whole is playing very well on both sides of the ball.

Michigan State

This was a definitely a statement for Michigan State. After knocking off Ohio State last week without their starting quarterback, Conner Cook, returned yesterday in time to ball out on Penn State. This blowout placed Michigan State in a “Win and You’re in” game with Iowa in the BIG 10 championship next week. Anybody who thought Michigan State was out after the loss to Nebraska now knows that they are a PROBLEM! I’ve said all year long, Connor Cook is the best quarterback in the nation and he will have a couple more chances to show that this year!

Ohio State

There they are! That, what we saw in Ohio State’s blowout win over rival Michigan, is the Ohio State team we expected to see all year. It was never a question of talent, just a question of “want to”. They definitely showed that yesterday. They wanted this game. After a week of questions about players questioning the coaching staff, Ohio State bounced back to show they truly might be the best team in the country when they want to be. A week after voicing his displeasure with the amount of touches he got against Michigan State, Ezekiel Elliott came back strong gaining over 200 yards against a GOOD Michigan run defense. They need a TON of help but NOONE wants Ohio State to end up in that 4!

North Carolina

We have heard about the 1 loss teams with a shot to get the playoff all year, but one team whose name doesn’t come up is North Carolina. Look, I know they played a softer schedule, but they’re 11-1. They opened up yesterday against NC State by going up 35-7 at the end of the first quarter! That’s impressive. A loss on opening night to South Carolina is the only blemish on that schedule. The committee does not want to see them beat Clemson. Could you justify leaving out a 12-1 ACC champion with a win over the number 1 team in the country?

Les Miles Revisited

After a win against Texas A&M last night, it was announced by LSU’s AD that Les Miles would return as the coach next year. My first thought was “good decision”. Mainly because they do have the number 1 class in the country coming in next year, he’s won 76% of his games as a coach, and Les Miles is LSU. My 2^nd thought was more so catered to last week’s blog. BAD IDEA, This decision was OBVIOUSLY made due to public pressure. Les is loved in Louisiana and it would have been a bad look if they let go a guy who wins 76% of his games. The thing is, nothing else changed. Les has had number 1 classes come in before, and his team won last night yes, but they scored all of 19 points! Basically I’m saying that if Les doesn’t win 10 games next year, including a win over Alabama, we will be having this same conversation next November. Les needs to fire his offensive coordinator, and get a quality quarterback. That’s his ONLY move.

Championship Picks

Championship week is upon us and I for one can’t wait! You never know what could happen in these games, but there’s sure to be some excitement!

AAC - Temple (10-2) Houston (11-1)

As much as I was impressed by Temple’s showing against Notre Dame, I also thought Notre Dame played terrible and I just didn’t see many playmakers on the field. Houston on the other hand, has a team full of them! Should be close…for a while.

Houston 34 Temple 17

ACC  - Clemson (12-0) North Carolina (11-1)

As much as North Carolina has improved throughout the season, I just think the balance on both sides of the ball that Clemson presents will be too much. Not to mention Heisman hopeful Deshaun Watson making big plays and trying to cement his invite to New York.

Clemson 38 North Caorlina 21

BIG 10  - Michigan State (11-1) Iowa (12-0)

Part of me wants to pick Iowa just because they get zero respect from ESPN and fans outside of Iowa. But as previously stated, I think Connor Cook is the best quarterback in America and he’ll make one or two more plays to land the Spartans in the playoffs.

Michigan State 27  Iowa 21

PAC 12 – Stanford (10-2) USC (8-4)

To me, this is a FAKE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Oregon beat both of these teams and if not for an early injury to starting quarterback Vernon Adams, Oregon would be playing for a spot in the playoff. Healthy Oregon is 9-1, with a 3 point loss to Michigan State. But I’ll put aside my Oregon love for a moment to make a pick. I think the world of Kevin Hogan and the Stanford program and Christian McCaffrey is a big time player looking to have a “Heisman moment” so I know Stanford will put up a great fight. They beat USC earlier in the year which is why I’m picking USC.  I just think it’s REALLY hard to beat a team twice in one year.

USC 24 Stanford 23

SEC  - Alabama (11-1) Florida (10-2)

Byfar the easiest pick for me! Florida isn’t good at all. Their defense is respectable but their offense is one of the worst in the country. Bama should roll.

Alabama 30 Florida 9

College Football Playoff Top 6

.            1. Clemson – Most balanced team in the country, led by a Heisman contender.

             2. Alabama – Nick Saban, solid offense and a great defense.

             3. Oklahoma – Hottest team in the country     

             4. Michigan State – Back to back HUGE wins, and the best quarterback in the country

             5. Iowa – Undefeated, and fighting for respect

             6. Ohio State – Most talent team, NOONE wants to play them

So there it is! Spoke my points as best as I could and as weird as it sounds with only a week left to play before bowl season, there’s still a TON that could change. The committee is probably hoping chalk wins out and they don’t have to make any major decisions, but one loss could change EVERYTHING! Let’s see what Jalynn has to say!

-D-Will

This might be the first time in history that I don’t disagree with any of the major points made by D-Will. I don’t know what happened over this Thanksgiving break, but he’s actually being pretty rational. But I’d still like to add my brief 2 cents about a few things regarding the next few weeks and what the committee could be faced with.

To answer D Will’s question, there’s absolutely not a hotter team in the country right now than Oklahoma (thanks to a missed/tipped field goal by my Hogs). But, as of late, Oklahoma has certainly passed the eye test and looks like the best team in the country right now. Which is a shame because I honestly believe that if the committee does its job correctly, they’ll be on the outside looking in when it’s all said and done. Now of course, a few things need to hold true. Michigan St. needs to take out Iowa, Alabama needs to beat Florida, and Clemson needs to take care of North Carolina. This would leave Oklahoma, Ohio State and Iowa with 1 loss and THAT’S when things get interesting. The committee will have to decide what precedent they’re going to set moving forward. Is the eye test the most important factor? Or will they look at each team’s resume? If they’re going to look at resumes, it’ll be hard to make a case for Oklahoma. Ohio State and Iowa’s loss would be to a Big Ten Champion that has looked VERY impressive.  Personally, if I was Jeff Long, I would NOT want to be the one to have to explain how a team that lost to Texas is in the Playoffs when there are other teams out there with 1 loss to a MUCH better team. If you’re going to make the case for Oklahoma, then it’s not too far of a stretch to make an argument for Houston. The Cougs have a bad loss vs UCONN but if they beat Temple, that’ll be 3 ranked teams in 4 weeks that they’ve taken down. Not saying I would vote them over OU, just saying they could be in the conversation if we’re going to overlook the Texas loss. Anyway, I’ve rambled long enough. I’m excited for Conference Championship week and see how things play out. Of course, we’ll be coming right back at you to give our takes. And who knows, maybe D-Will will come down off of that turkey high and get back to giving his outrageous opinions. But until then, job well done bro!

-Jalynn