By Michael Frere
It isn’t often I’m genuinely clueless on what the rankings will be going into Sunday. I always have a rough idea, and, if you’ll let me brag a little, I’m pretty good at getting it right. Readers, this week I think it officially marks the moment all of America–no, all of the world–should switch to Mikey’s College Football Minute. For Week 3, we have the BEST and the most ACCURATE rankings of the Top 10. Share with family and friends. Share with the stranger on the street. Make your teachers and professors read this to everyone in class! But most importantly, enjoy it first.
Game of the Week: Syracuse vs UConn
I really had a hard time picking Game of the Week. There were some other games on the short list, but for me, Syracuse/UConn was just a little more fun to watch. All three saw comebacks and last minute scores, but this game was just more fun to me. I loved seeing the insane scoring run both teams went on. QBs Amari Odom and Kalieb Osborne both had great games, with each throwing for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. RBs Tylik Hill and Cyncir Bowers both could not be stopped, especially UConns Bowers with 163 yards and 2 trips to the endzone on only 16 carries. On top of all that, the ending was just class. 4th and goal down by 7 in OT, Cuse has the ball at the 17 yard line and Odom flings it to the endzone on the run. Caught. Then Odom takes it in himself for the 2-point conversion and falls into the endzone as he barely gets in. This game just proves how much fun some of the smaller, non-Power 4 games can be. If you have time this Saturday, watch a Central Michigan vs Ohio. Turn off the Georigas, the UTs, and Ohio States to watch some real football.
Syracuse players celebrate after a 42-41 win over UConn this weekend (photo by: syracuse.com/Scott Schild)
Mikey’s Rankings:
1. Texas (4-0), –
UT was able to rest in Austin this week as they prepare for Oklahoma. The Longhorns should be able to suffocate struggling QB John Mateer and send the Sooners home with a loss. This game should also be an opportunity for the offense to finally get into gear after a week to work on their faults. Despite the on paper advantage, Oklahoma could play like FSU vs Alabama and somehow snag a win from the number 1 team in the country. The great win Ohio State had over Iowa makes this UT team’s resume even better. The Longhorns still remain your undisputed number one team in CFB.
2. Ohio State (4-1), +1
I am many things, but a liar isn’t one of them. Ranking OSU this high makes me sick. It’s awful how incredible Jeremiah Smith’s football team is. Smith’s 206 yards and 2 touchdowns against a great Iowa defense cemented him as the man to beat for the Heisman trophy. Smith was also able to break 2 school records this week, receptions (207) and touchdown receptions (36), and he doesn’t show signs of stopping. I think an underrated part of this team though is the defense. They have been outshined by Smith’s incredible play, but the Buckeyes truly have a terrifying defense this year. They held Iowa’s QB Hank Brown to 132 yards plus an interception. On top of that, Iowa’s RBs only rushed for 53 yards. It doesn’t look like there’s many teams out there that can stop Ohio State right now. In fact, I would argue that not even UT could stop Ohio State if they met again. But, I have to respect head to head matchups and put the Buckeyes at number 2.
3. Georgia (5-0), -1
I really don’t want to talk about Georgia until next week against Alabama. My opinion on this team hasn’t changed: great on paper but they haven’t proved it yet. QB Gunner Stockton continued to have a fantastic season with 295 yards and 3 touchdowns. UGA was able to get everyone and their mother involved in the run game this week, rushing for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns as a team. I thought this game would be a little closer after the first quarter ended 7-7, the first team any team has scored on the Bulldogs in the first quarter all season. But the defense cleaned it up and kept Vandy to only one more touchdown for the rest of the game. UGA has had a lot of time to prepare for this stretch of games, so I’m curious how they’ll hold up. Next week at Alabama will be the challenge this team needs.
4. Alabama (5-0), +1
Bama might be back. Going into this season, lots of people thought the SEC was ultimately going to be Texas or Georgia’s to win. However, the Crimson Tide has shown they shouldn’t be underestimated at all. Their offense could basically do whatever they wanted. QB Keelon Russell kept up his incredible play, being able to find the endzone three through the air and once on the ground. Bama’s defense held up to the challenge, especially in the trenches. Alabama was able to snag 5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss while holding the Bulldogs RBs to 44 rushing yards. This Bama squad is solid and should really bring the pressure to Georgia this Saturday.
5. Miami (5-0), +1
This Miami team is still crushing teams. RB Mark Fletcher Jr. came back after missing last week with an injury and didn’t miss a beat. He led Miami in rushing yards with 77 while scoring twice. QB Darian Mensah stepped back a little this week, but for Mensah that doesn’t mean much because he still threw for 227 yards and a touchdown. The Hurricane’s defense also did great, holding the Clemson Tigers to 350 total yards and 1 touchdown. Upfront the Hurricanes recorded 6 sacks compared to Clemon’s 2. Miami is still waiting for the big game against Notre Dame in November, but if they keep dominating teams in this fashion I can’t imagine they’ll drop in the rankings.
6. Notre Dame (5-0), -1
You know what, maybe the Fighting Irish are finally putting it together. I said last week that the run game has been a major flaw in the Notre Dame offense, but they were able to rush for a season high 241 yards, with RB Jonaz Walton getting 120 yards by himself. QB CJ Carr has continued to be the driving force behind this offense, especially this week after he helped score all 5 touchdowns–4 through the air and 1 with his legs. Notre Dame contained UNC on the ground, forcing QB Billy Edwards Jr. to take more shots in the air, 2 of which were picked off. UNC has probably been their hardest opponent yet, but that isn’t saying a lot. I would love for this Notre Dame team to play some heavy hitters and really show how good they can be, but we all know they never will in the regular season.
7. Indiana (5-0), –
After a shaky win last week, Indiana bounced back big time with a 47 to 15 win against Rutgers. Although QB Josh Hoover played very well, this win was decided by RB pair Turbo Richard–what a fitting name–and Lee Beebe Jr. Richard and Beebe Jr. ran for 326 yards, a season high for the Hoosiers. I was a little unsure if Richard would find major production as Indiana lets him recover, but he came back to prove he’s one of the best running backs in the nation. After Northwestern’s win against Penn State, Indiana’s close game looks slightly better than it did before. Their defense certainly looked better than they did against Northwestern, holding Rutgers to 195 passing yards and 59 rushing yards. This came in large part from defensive lineman Tobi Osunanmi who got 5 solo tackles, 1 sack, and 2 tackles for loss. Indiana plays B1G underdog Nebraska next week before taking on Ohio State October 17th.
8. Mississippi State (4-1), NR
It’s at this point I should clarify how this ranking really works because I can already hear what some people are thinking. Miss State lost and then moved up in the ranking? Yes, I think despite the loss this Miss State team has shown to be a very good football team. This ranking is very fluid, another Florida or Mizzou loss could drop Miss State out of the ranking. This list is based on multiple things, the most important being head-to-heads and quality of opponent. It’s hard for me to put Ole Miss, LSU, Mizzou, and UF above Mississippi State because they have won the theoretical and real head-to-heads. I think Kamario Taylor is one of the best QBs in the SEC if not CFB as a whole. Playing through an injury last week caused easily the worst game of his season, but he still threw 250+ yards with a 3/2 touchdown to interception ratio. It’s clear this team has issues. The defense got stomped over by Alabama. The run game could not get established. However, the big win over Mizzou helps this team resume a lot.
9. Mizzou (4-1), NR
Once again, this ranking could change very quickly. Mizzou came up big against a supposedly good Florida team. QB Austin Simmons lit the field up with 340 yards and 2 touchdowns on way to a 45-17 win. But, he wasn’t the player of this game. RB Jamal Roberts absolutely torched this Florida defense with 211 yards and 3 touchdowns while averaging almost 9 yards per carry. Even crazier, the Tigers defense held an explosive run game 42 yards total, with Gators standout Jadan Baugh rushing for 13 yards on 12 attempts. Ready to get even crazier? Mizzou did it without starting edges Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen.
10. Utah (4-0), NR
Utah has been quietly building a great resume this year. They’re a great team that have been overshadowed by B1G and SEC competition. I think they’ve built a better resume than Big 12 competitor BYU, who has also been doing great this year. Ultimately the big win against Iowa State gives the Utes an edge over BYU, but we’ll see how the Cougars do against Iowa State this weekend. Utah RB Wayshawn Parker saw some fantastic production against Iowa State with 174 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Utah defense has done its job, but I can’t really say more than that right now. I’m still looking for better tests against Houston and BYU later in the season to give a definitive opinion on the Utes defensively.
Game to Watch: Alabama vs Georgia
Ok, I know earlier I said to turn off the Georgia’s of CFB, but that was a fib. This game should be incredible. Both teams are playing at the top of their game. Neither has major flaws, so Coach Kirby Smart and Kelan DeBoer will have to coach their best game all season. The real interesting part to me will be seeing how these defenses hold up. UGA and Bama have both been defensive juggernauts this year, so racking up big, explosive plays will be the key to victory for either team.
Penn State, Why Are You This Way?
I almost cried this weekend. Seeing my Nittany Lions fall back into bad habits I thought we left behind almost broke me. I was so excited going into Wisconsin and Northwestern. I thought we were going to get two great wins over quality opponents and maybe crack into the Top 10 before taking on USC at home for White Out Week. But no. As you may know, this did not happen. I really don’t want to write about this too long, I can feel my heartbreak more with each word. However, Penn State needs to figure something out. The offensive line is just that: offensive. I can not remember a time we have had this bad of an o-line. What’s even worse is the run game. I never imagined the day my Nittany Lions would struggle to run the ball. But we are here. What’s strange is that I really don’t think it’s a talent issue. We have the pieces. WR Koby Howard is easily the best WR Penn State has had in the last few seasons. RBs James Peoples and Quinton Martin Jr. have also had great moments through this season. QB Rocco Becht has also had great moments, but I’m starting to think he can’t handle B1G play as well as fans had hoped. I am still holding out for this team. USC has been bad defensively, so maybe Penn State can get a good win over them this week. However, my fellow Penn Staters, don’t hold your breath.
