Fall is elite. That’s an undisputed fact for many reasons: the NHL and NBA are back, the NFL season is in full swing, and in WNY we get arguably some of the best weather all year.
But the real reason fall is elite is that we get the best sports season of all, college football. Now I could go on for 2000 words about why college football is the best season but to keep it short I will just borrow a phrase from fans of the SEC, it just means more.
This past Tuesday, the College Football Playoff committee picked what they believe are the top 25 teams in college up to this point in the season. And as the first rankings went there were more than a couple of surprises.
1. Tennessee (8-0), 2nd in the SEC East
This season’s most surprising team is the Tennessee Volunteers. After losing in the Music City Bowl last year to (checks notes) Purdue, Josh Huepel has Rocky Top rocking with an absolutely dominant offense led by Heisman candidate signal caller Hendon Hooker.
So far they have knocked off 5 ranked teams; Pitt, Florida, LSU, Alabama (more on them later) and Kentucky. The offense has certainly been a wrecking crew and is the country’s best, but meanwhile has the 81st best defense.
Their biggest test will be this weekend at #3 Georgia this weekend.
Best win: vs Alabama 52-49
2. Ohio State (8-0), 2nd in the Big Ten East
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before but the Ohio State Buckeyes are one of, if not the best team in the nation. Head coach Ryan Day once again is wreaking havoc all around the midwest and isn’t even saying “Ope” to apologize.
You would think the reigning Rose Bowl winners wouldn’t need to be on a revenge tour but 9 weeks into the season here we are. Under center is another Heisman candidate and future #1 overall pick CJ Stroud. He has the luxury of throwing to the best WR core in the country led by Marvin Harrison Jr (yes that Marvin Harrison, your old), Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming.
Ohio St. has the 6th best offense and defense in the country so the balance is clearly in their favor. Their schedule has left something to desire however, only two ranked wins this season.
They should steamroll their competition until the last week of the year when we get, “The Game” against current #5 Michigan.
Best win: at #13 Penn State 44-31
3. Georgia (8-0), 1st in the SEC East
Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs should be extremely motivated this Saturday when they host Tennessee after losing out on being the #1 ranked team in the first CFP rankings. They still hold the #1 spot in the AP and Coaches poll but extra motivation never hurt.
The reigning National Champions continue to look dominant on both sides of the ball being the #2 offense and #4 defense respectfully (once again, balance).
Led by last year’s National Championship game MVP and resident old man QB Stetson Bennett and unicorn TE Brock Bowers Georgia will be competitive in every game this year. For most of the season Georgia has downright dominated teams. But midseason close calls at home against Kent State and at Missouri have led the CFP committee to look down on the Bulldogs.
If they want to remain in the driver’s seat of the SEC East they’ll need to win this weekend’s highly anticipated matchup against #1 Tennessee.
Best win: vs #11 Oregon 49-3
4. Clemson (8-0), 1st in the ACC
No one respects Clemson this year. Why? Because they play in the ACC? The same ACC that has 4 ranked teams beside Clemson in the top 25? Make it make sense.
Like it or not Dabo Sweeney has the Tigers rolling once again and they are a national title contender. After a middling season last year where they still won 10 games and the Cheez-it Bowl (yes that’s a thing), Clemson is looking like a powerhouse again.
With DJ Uiagalelei leading the offense and Bryan Bresee leading the defense Clemson has rattled off 3 ranked wins against Wake Forest, NC State and Syracuse. They come in being the 47th-ranked offense in yards per game and 27th-best defense in the nation, not as flashy as #1-#3 but respectable numbers.
Clemson has another and most likely last test of their season at Notre Dame this Saturday. A win won’t necessarily raise their profile but it will keep them unbeaten and rolling this season.
Best win: take your pick at #21 Wake Forest 51-45 OT or vs #10 NC State 30-20
First two teams out:
5. Michigan (8-0), 1st in the Big Ten East
During the Jim Harbaugh era at Michigan the program had three consistent factors: great recruiting classes, khakis and losing to rival Ohio State every year. Last season that all changed however and the Michigan Wolverines were able to get their first win over the Buckeyes in 8 seasons and punch their ticket to the program’s first appearance in the CFP.
They would go on to lose in the Orange Bowl to future National Champions Georgia, but the Harbaugh era had finally gotten over the hump. After losing premier pass rusher Aiden Hutchinson (and 4 others) to the NFL, you’d think that the team would take a step back.
This season has been far from it though. With Heisman candidate RB Blake Corum paving the way for the #22 offense in the country and a well-built defense that ranks 3rd. What’s keeping Michigan out of the top 4 and the playoff currently is their schedule. They have not played anybody of real worth outside of their lone ranked win against #10 Penn State.
They dominated the line of scrimmage in that game and rushed for over 400 yards, but besides that, the schedule leads to a lot to be desired.
Nothing matters unless they can knock off Ohio State in the aforementioned, “The Game” at the end of the year.
Best win: vs #10 Penn State 41-17
6. Alabama (7-1), 1st in the SEC West
Not much needs to be said about the premier team in college football. Year in and year out Nick Saban brings in a crew of 5 Star prospects at both sides of the ball and goes on to be one of the best teams in the country, rinse and repeat.
This year however there was a holdup in the plans as they lost at Tennessee in an all-time classic game.
Now one loss Alabama has made the playoff before and won the National Title so fans of the Crimson Tide need not worry. But any pathway to the playoff means going undefeated and beating either Tennessee or Georgia in the SEC Championship.
The issue with this season however is that at times Alabama has not looked the same as the last few CFP teams. Often penalized and simple clock errors led to near missteps at Texas and home against Texas A&M.
Under center is reigning Heisman winner QB Bryce Young. On the defensive side of the ball is Will Anderson Jr, a stud EDGE who Mel Kiper has as the #1 player for this coming year’s draft. They help lead the #17 offense and the #14 defense in the nation (there is that balance again).
Now Saban is arguably the greatest college football coach of all time. I would never doubt that Alabama will be dominant the rest of the year and win the SEC. But they have some hard tests ahead starting this weekend.
They travel to Death Valley and take on the #10 LSU Tigers in what will be must-see football. With a win, they essentially win the SEC West. With a loss though they’ll be on the outside of the playoff for only the second time in its 9-year history.
Best win: at #20 Arkansas 49-26
2 Responses
If only Penn State could get over the hump and off the list of teams “best win”. ?
KvBdpUNoE