THIS WEEK IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

What a great College Football Saturday we just had! I picked 2 upsets in last weeks blog, including Minnesota to take down Penn State AND LSU to FINALLY get the Bama win they have been begging for for years! We also got the newest playoff rankings and there has been plenty of debate! Also, the Arkansas Razorbacks became the next school to fire their coach so who they hire next? That fan base can be pretty demanding....why? I have no idea but let's dive in!

Playoff Rankings

The latest Playoff Rankings came out on Tuesday and their's been some changes!

1) LSU

2) Ohio State

3) Clemson

4) Georgia

5) Alabama

6) Oregon

So when I saw this released on Tuesday, I instantly had one thought. The committee loves the SEC! Alabama has not beaten a single good team this year yet here they are at 5! Now I don't have a HUGE issue with that primarily because it will play itself out. I however would have Oregon at 5, and the reasoning is simple. They have 1 loss, on a neutral site to Auburn who's highly rated by the committee. And that was the first game of the season! Since then, Oregon has ran off 8 in a row! 

LSU and Ohio State are easily 1 and 2 whichever way you want to have them. If you like quality wins, you go LSU at 1. If you like pure destruction of every opponent, you got Ohio State. No major beefs there. 

Clemson is starting to look like Clemson so them at 3 makes sense! Georgia has the worst loss of any team ranked in the top 6 with a loss to South Carolina. They have also beaten Florida and Notre Dame. However, they have a HUGE showdown with Auburn this weekend. 

Whichever way you look at it, every team in the top 6 still has tough games to play! I just hope we end up with the 4 best in January!


Chad Morris...gone and definitely forgotten

The Chad Morris era at Arkansas ended almost as quick as it started It consisted of bonehead plays, no competitiveness, ZERO conference wins and a fan base calling for his head after every game. Almost immediately after the Razorbacks latest loss to Western Kentucky at home, rumors started to circulate on social media that Chad Morris had been fired as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. That news became official Sunday and now Hog fans across the state wait to see what athletic director Hunter Yurachek does. What they can't do, is get another Chad Morris type of coach. So that means no to any good mid major coach who has previous high major experience. So no running off to meet with coaches at Tulane, or UCF, They need a proven college or pro head coach with a big name. Someone who's rep isn't questionable, someone with the name recognition to truly recruit against LSU, Alabama, Texas. Chad Morris never even beat a Power 5 team in his life as a head coach! He comes to Arkansas and wins no conference games in 2 years, while losing to Western Kentucky, San Jose State, North Texas, and Colorado State to name a few. Not only that, but he never developed the talent he was given! Noone got better from last year to this year on the Razorbacks team. He got this job strictly due to his experience with Clemson. 

So who would I look at for the next head coach at Arkansas? Well here's a few names.

1) Mike Leach

2) Bob Stoops

3) Teryl Austin

4) David Shaw

5) Mike Norvell

Week 11 Picks

Georgia (5) VS Auburn (13)

In a major SEC showdown with playoff implications, Georgia travels to Auburn with both teams needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Georgia is trying to maintain their 4 position but Auburn has a real shot even with 2 losses. They have the chance to have wins against the PAC 12 champ in Oregon, the SEC East champ in Georgia, and Alabama. I see them having a great shot at winning. I think the Tigers are better on both sides of the line, and can grind this game out with the run and stopping the run. Deandre Swift has not had the kind of year I expected him to have but he is still very good, so Auburn just needs to keep him boxed in and make Jake Fromm beat them which I don't think he can. Bo Nix is a young QB for Auburn but he has shown he is not afraid of the moment and if he can keep his mistakes to a minimum, I can see Auburn taking this win and knocking Georgia's playoff hopes away.

Auburn 27 
Georgia 19

Minnesota (7) VS Iowa (23)

One week after getting one of the biggest wins they've had, Minnesota goes out on the road to play a tough Iowa team who's shown they are very capable of getting upsets late in the year. Minnesota proved they could ball last week with a pick that we got right with them overtaking Penn State, but Iowa is a tough place to play and this is just the kind of game they will be ready for. It should be a low scoring affair but I like the home team. 

Iowa 23
Minnesota 20

LSU (1) VS Ole Miss 

After knocking off Alabama for the 1st time in 8 years, getting the number 1 ranking in the country, theere's no way LSU looks past Ole Miss right? I'm not too sure. Ole Miss is a pesky team who's shown capable of making big plays and they have the home field advantage. They are 3-6 but only 2 of those losses were by more than a touchdown so they've been in most games. I'm not saying they will win this game, but I definitely think it will be a game into the 4th quarter. Freshman John Plumlee keeps growing each week but can he make enough plays against LSU? We know making plays won't be an issue on the other side with Heisman favorite Joe Burrow throwing the ball over the field.

LSU 44
Ole Miss 36

Oklahoma (10) VS Baylor (12)

Oklahoma goes on the road to take on Baylor who has been extremely impressive this season. The hype for Jalen Hurts has quieted recently but he still continues to ball out each week. The problem has been the defense for Oklahoma. Terrible isn't the word. Whatever word that's worse than terrible is the word needed to describe this mess. Baylor is the better team, especially on defense and that's what will win this game. 

Baylor 37
Oklahoma 24

FIRST RANKINGS RELEASED

We've gotten to the point in the College Football season where finally the 1st Playoff rankings of the year have been released! The best thing about it is that these rankings mean absolutely nothing whatsoever. But I'll speak on them anyway and say what it tells me. I'll also make some picks on a few HUGE showdowns we have coming up on Saturday.

CFP Rankings

1) Ohio State

2) LSU

3) Alabama

4) Penn State

5) Clemson

6) Georgia

7) Oregon

8) Utah

9) Oklahoma

10) Florida

What these rankings tell me is that the committee LOVE'S the SEC. That's the only way it makes sense to have Georgia in the top 6. That's the only way you can have Alabama in the top 3. Georgia has the worst loss byfar of any of the top 10 teams. They lost to a South Carolina team that's 4th in the SEC East. Also, Alabama has NOT beatin anyone. To have them ranked 2 spots ahead of Clemson is crazy! Oregon is another team who has looked GREAT lately, and they have one loss to a good Auburn team in the 1st game of the season. I take from that the committee does not love the PAC12. SEC Bias all over again!! I'm used to it by now though. Below is how my top 10 would look if I had a vote!

1) Ohio State

2) LSU

3) Penn State

4) Clemson

5) Oregon

6) Alabama

7) Utah

8) Oklahoma

9) Georgia

10) Minnesota

Week 11 Picks

PENN STATE (4) VS MINNESOTA (17)

This should be a great game where we find out if Minnesota is the real deal. Penn State is a proven balclub, with everything from good coaching to a really good defense and a solid explosive offense. Minnesota is lead by a strong defense, and a great running game! They also have been extremely efficient passing the ball. They won't be afraid of Penn State and I think the advantage of playing at home gives them a real edge.

Minnesota 29
Penn State 24

LSU (2) VS ALABAMA (3)

This might be the most competitive Bama vs LSU matchup we've had in awhile. This also might be the most talent we have seen on a field at one point with these 2 teams, with the majority being on offense. There's a Heisman showdown as Tua returns to lead his team against rising Senior Joe Burrow who has been lights out this year. I have never, ever seen LSU have this much consistency and explosiveness on offense. And this is a program that has had stars such as Odell Beckham and Leonard Fournette. It's that reason why I think LSU will pull this off! A shootout is on the way.

LSU 36
Alabama 30

KANSAS STATE (20) VS TEXAS

If there's one team I've been disappointed in this year, it's the University of Texas. I thought surely with a team who had older players, a tough returning quarterback and another year under Tom Herman, I was sure they would take that step! Boy was I wrong. This team is undisciplined and makes mistakes on both sides of the ball that have kept them from being a real contender. Kansas State on the other hand just plays smart football. They may have less talent but they won't be outworked. 

Kansas State 27
Texas 20

CLEMSON (5) VS NC STATE

This game might normally be on my upset specials list as NC State has shown to challenge teams when you least expect them too! But I'm afraid this time it won't be that way at all. Clemson just got the ultimate motivation being ranked 5 in the rankings. They had already started playing better and more consistently but add this extra fuel to the fire and this game shouldn't be close! I expect Trevor Lawrence to air the ball out to his big play receivers and for Etienne to run all over the Wolfpack!

Clemson 55
NC State 10

Roadblocks

It's been a great season thus far and now you look up and see that it's only a little over a month of College Football Saturdays left! This year has flown by but the most impactful games are still yet to come. We still have several undefeated teams remaining and the teams likely to make the playoff are still not that predictable. Anything can happen in College Football and any team can lose when you least expect them too. Most people were waiting on a possible Oklahoma vs Alabama game in the playoffs which would pit former Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts against his former team, but after Oklahoma lost this past week to Kansas State, odds of that happening are slim to none. But each team remaining still has roadblocks which MAY keep them out of the final four. So what are those roadblocks..

Roadblocks

Ohio State - Has there been a more dominant team than the Buckeyes? This team literally has THREE Heisman trophy contenders in quarterback Justin Fields, running back JK Dobbins, and top 5 NFL draft lock Chase Young. They are the best team in the country when you look at offense and defense, and even have a couple of quality wins as well, dominating 2 teams currently ranked in the top 20 in Wisconsin, and Cincinnati. But are they lock to make the playoff? 

Roadblock  - A date with Penn State who have been consistently good if nothing else this season. Luckily for the Buckeyes, they do get this game in Columbus. However Penn State has shown that their game can indeed travel as well so I don't expect them to be scared of the moment. Ohio State still has to play against Michigan to end the year, and despite Ohio State being alot more talented, it will still be a tough road test. 

Alabama  - Alabama's next game is their biggest and IMO only road block left that could prevent them from making the CFP. They have to be anxiously awaiting word if Heisman contender Tua Tagovialoa will be able to play 

Roadblock - A matchup with LSU next Saturday night with both teams coming off of a bye. While the Tide has dominated LSU in recent years, this LSU team is different. This is probably the best offense I have seen them have in 10 or so years. They can score better than they can defend which is not typical LSU Tiger football. However they do get this game at home so I give them a much higher chance to survive than I would if they were traveling to Baton Rouge

Clemson - Clemson will likely not get caught sleeping this weekend when they travel to NC State but they do have one more possibly tricky game on the schedule. Trevor Lawrence has turned around his inconsistent play as of late and the Tigers have been rolling.

Roadblock - The rivalry game with South Carolina to close the year. South Carolina has not had the best season but they are a talented team already obtaining a major upset when they defeated Georgia. They won't be afraid of Clemson but will that be enough to pull another top 3 upset? I guess we'll see. 

LSU - We touched on this earlier but LSU has tons of talent and this may be their best team in years. They can spread the ball around and boast a Heisman contender in Joe Burrow who's name is racing up the draft boards. Their defense is good and knows how to stop the pass as well. 

Roadblock - A road trip to Alabama. Alabama has owned LSU the past several years. Maybe that will enough motivation to get the Tigers prime for an upset. They matchup with Alabama on both sides of the ball and with a quarterback I am giving them a real shot to get it done. 

Penn State - If there's one team I didn't expect to perform as well as they have this season, it's easily Penn State. Having to replace a quarterback and other players at the skill positions, they have been great. Sean Clifford has been steady at quarterback spreading the ball around and the defense has been outstanding so far. 

Roadblock - A road game in Columbus. Beating both Michigan teams is one thing, but beating maybe the most talented team in the country is another, especially at their house. While I think Penn State will put up a fight, I'd be alot more comfortable with an upset pick if they were at home. 

Oregon - Oregon is lead by future NFL top 10 pick at quarterback in Justin Herbert, a strong running game and solid defense that bends but doesn't break much. Oregon has been rebuilding themselves for this moment for awhile now and they have all the makings of a real contender. They do have one loss on the schedule, a game where they blew a double digit lead and ended up losing to Auburn. Outside of that, they have been great this year, 

Roadblock - Besides the 1 loss, a road game at Arizona State. Arizona State is a talented team, who is coached extremely well by Herm Edwards. The Sun Devils have come up short their last couple of games, but those have both been on the road. They are a different team at home and will present a solid challenge to the Ducks. 

Florida - Lead by quarterback Kyle Trask, Florida has not missed a beat since the starter was injured. Their offense has been solid and the defense remains fast and consistent. Losing by 3 points to LSU is nothing to hang their head about and I can see them bouncing back in a major way this week. 

Roadblock - One loss to LSU may not rule them out as their biggest roadblock comes tomorrow when they face off with Georgia. People have forgotten about Georgia since their loss to South Carolina but Georgia is still an insanely talented team. They have great running backs lead by DeAndre Swift and a quarterback in Jake Fromm who's won big games before. Florida will have to play mistake free football offensively and make some turnovers happen on defense. I actually can see them winning this one. 

Their may be a few more possible contenders I forgot to mention such as Georgia, who I just think won't be able to justify the South Carolina loss, unless Clemson also loses to them also. I also didn't mention Utah because, I mean does anyone really think Utah is getting selected to be in a College Football Playoff?? But outside of that, I am more than ready to watch this play out and see who gets past their roadblock and sets themselves up with a shot at the National Title. 

Week 10 Picks

Georgia (8) VS Florida (6)

Georgia has great talent but it's lead by their running game and I'm not convinced they will be able to get it established against Florida. Fromm is a baller and he will need to make some plays to give his team the edge. In the end, I see Florida getting a late turnover and winning this game close at the end. 

Florida 27

Georgia 24

SMU (15) VS Memphis (24)

For the first time, ESPN College Gameday is in Memphis, TN! I grew up near this area so my pick may be a little biased but if I break down the film I feel confident that Memphis will win this game. And it starts on the defensive side of the ball. Both teams can move the ball and score it well, which means its going to come down to who can get stops and I feel Memphis will be able to get more stops than SMU. 

Memphis 38

SMU 30

Oregon (7) VS USC

This would be a much needed victory for USC and head coach Clay Helton. There have been several teams that have gone though downward spirals but USC is not even recognized as a power anymore like they were years ago and Helton is a reason. I think everyone in and outside California would love a new coach who they can believe it. Helton has shown he is not that guy. Oregon on the other hand is on fire lately and quarterback Justin Herbert is slowly placing his name in the Heisman race. I think this game won't even be close. 

Oregon 31

USC 13

Miami VS Florida State

As a Miami fan I hate what this program has become this season! I was excited when new coach Manny Diaz was hired and promised us something different that former coach Mark Richt wasn't providing and it's been the same boring football and an inability to find a reliable quarterback. Diaz even recruited 5 star quarterback Tate Martell to transfer from Miami, and refuses to put him on the field. And he wonders why Miami can't score, Luckily, Florida State hasn't been much better. Both of these teams used to be perennial powers but sadly it doesn't matter who wins this game on a large scale. Each team is far away from getting back to contender status. 

Miami 24

Florida State 20