2021 College Football Thread: New Year Same Playoff

[Rojo Rijo]

Right here, right now...The Big Ten East is the best division in college football.

SEC West would like a word......

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[Assembly Hall]

SEC West would like a word......

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About their 8 game conference schedule?

[Assembly Hall]

I ain't sure Wisconsin kept the right QB.

[RedTeamGo!]

Coan hasn’t exactly been great for ND. I like how the commentators were talking about Pyne like he is Rudy when he came in at QB. Kid was the 8th best pro style QB in the country in the 2020 class.

[kaldaniels]

Minnesota really Flecked it today.

“They Flecked it. It's just this thing people say around your office all the time. Like when you screw something up in a really irreversible way, you Flecked it. I don't know where it comes from, though. You think it comes from PJ Fleck?”

[RedTeamGo!]

How does one score 10 points against BGSU? Lmao.

[Boston Red]

Well, UC has their game. Put up or shut up time.

[Assembly Hall]

Coan hasn’t exactly been great for ND. I like how the commentators were talking about Pyne like he is Rudy when he came in at QB. Kid was the 8th best pro style QB in the country in the 2020 class.

Well whatever Coan was it sure as hell was better than Mertz...

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Well, UC has their game. Put up or shut up time.

Yep, they get their game. South Bend will be rockin'

[kaldaniels]

I don’t know that I’d put Clemson down for running the table with quarterback play like that.

UGA is the toughest defense they’ll face all year but DJ looked horrible.



There's nothing beyond Notre Dame (maybe) in the ACC. And guess who doesn't play Notre Dame?

Clemson's next toughest team beyond Georgia is... NC State? Maybe Boston College? A rebuilding Florida State? Louisville? South Carolina?

None of those teams should inspire anything resembling fear in Tigerland.

If they don't run the table, they probably shouldn't be ranked in the top 25.

Hi.

[Boston Red]

Thank God Florida State is so bad. Louisville shut down the offense in the second quarter and still somehow managed to win. Well, the somehow isn't a mystery. Florida State is terrible.

[adkindo]

It just sucks....what did WVU do to deserve such a crappy QB and incompetent Head Coach?

[RedTeamGo!]

It’s funny, OSU fans freaking out because they lost to a top 10 team by a TD and meanwhile Clemson is straight garbage.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I’d like to thank USC for getting blown out by mediocre to bad pac 12 teams after midnight eastern so I don’t have to watch it.

[Assembly Hall]

It’s funny, OSU fans freaking out because they lost to a top 10 team by a TD and meanwhile Clemson is straight garbage.

Oregon is looking good for the CFP.

[RedTeamGo!]

Oregon is looking good for the CFP.

The Pac 12 is so bizarre. I think Oregon will lose 2 games.

However, Oregon’s schedule is ridiculously easy the rest of the season. They have 1 ranked team left and that’s UCLA. I just have a feeling they lose two weird games like to Stanford and Oregon St.

Oregon doesn’t have to play USC or Arizona st this year. Weird.

[WVRed]

It just sucks....what did WVU do to deserve such a crappy QB and incompetent Head Coach?

And in spite of that they still could run the table and play Oklahoma again on a neutral field.

The sooner Brown pulls the plug on Doege the better.

[Assembly Hall]

The Pac 12 is so bizarre. I think Oregon will lose 2 games.

However, Oregon’s schedule is ridiculously easy the rest of the season. They have 1 ranked team left and that’s UCLA. I just have a feeling they lose two weird games like to Stanford and Oregon St.

Oregon doesn’t have to play USC or Arizona st this year. Weird.

The Pac-12 is bizarre? I don't think that is anything new recently.

[adkindo]

And in spite of that they still could run the table and play Oklahoma again on a neutral field.

The sooner Brown pulls the plug on Doege the better.

At this point, I am just hoping for a record over .500. It does not seem to matter who we play, the script is always the same. We have played 4 games, and had the lead at halftime in all 4 games......then Neal Brown basically shuts down the offense. We have scored 3 points in each 2nd half against FBS teams this season. We are 2-2....1-2 against FBS teams and was fortunate to hang on against Va. Tech. Brown is the worst game day coach I have seen at WVU during my lifetime.

[Boston Red]

Cincinnati opens as a favorite at #9 Notre Dame. Raise your hand if 25 years ago you thought you would ever see that sentence in print. Win that one, and UC is going to be looking a spot in the top 4 squarely in the face.

[adkindo]

Cincinnati opens as a favorite at #9 Notre Dame. Raise your hand if 25 years ago you thought you would ever see that sentence in print. Win that one, and UC is going to be looking a spot in the top 4 squarely in the face.

I get your point....but 25 years ago was around the time Notre Dame was ushering in the Bob Davie and Ron Powlus era.....so not such a bright time in the Notre Dame history.

[Boston Red]

I get your point....but 25 years ago was around the time Notre Dame was ushering in the Bob Davie and Ron Powlus era.....so not such a bright time in the Notre Dame history.

They still would have been 3 TD favorites over UC at home. Or maybe 4.

[adkindo]

Some thoughts about week 5 lines....

- A line that grabbed my attention....#5 Iowa only 3 point favorites @ Maryland....and I think I would lean Maryland. Some of Iowa's wins that propelled them up in the rankings look a little less impressive each week. At the same time, Maryland has just been under the radar taking care of business. To be clear, I would not bet my money either way....but this is a huge game for Maryland.

- Another is FSU being the favorites again this weekend against.....well it does not really matter does it?

- Vegas still does not fully trust Michigan....only a 1 point favorite @ Wisconsin. Michigan could gain a lot of respect with a win this weekend. I also think Oregon only being an 8 point favorite @ Stanford is a sign Vegas has not fully bought into Oregon...yet.

- Clemson a 16 point favorite over BC? Seems high to make Clemson a 16 point favorite over any competent FBS team. Their offense has only scored 16 points in one FBS game this year....and they lost.

- Texas only a 5 point favorite @ TCU. Recall that Texas State Rep. making the comment in the hearings in regards to Texas/Oklahoma leaving the Big12 about Texas not being able to beat TCU? I think Texas remembers that and curb stomps TCU.

- Cincinnati can beat Notre Dame if they remain in the moment mentally. But if they look up and see Touchdown Jesus and get caught up in the size of the stage they are on....they will screw up their season.

- I would never bet against 'Bama.....but very interested in seeing Ole Miss try to knock them off.

- Ohio State will send a statement to Ann Arbor this weekend by beating Rutgers....by a lot.

- Bowling Green beats Minnesota, and is a 3 score underdog the next week to Kent State?

One thing I do know.....there has been almost no value in the transitive property perspective this season. Some never give it much value....but so far this year it has meant nothing.

[Assembly Hall]

I get your point....but 25 years ago was around the time Notre Dame was ushering in the Bob Davie and Ron Powlus era.....so not such a bright time in the Notre Dame history.

Seems I remember Bob Davie beating WVU...

[Assembly Hall]

They still would have been 3 TD favorites over UC at home. Or maybe 4.

That would be fair. It shows what an outstanding job Fickell has done. He has put the Bearcats at the big boy table.

[adkindo]

Seems I remember Bob Davie beating WVU...

2x....in South Bend and Morgantown....but I doubt Notre Dame measures their success from their results against two 7-5 WVU teams.

[Roy Tucker]

It’s funny, OSU fans freaking out because they lost to a top 10 team by a TD and meanwhile Clemson is straight garbage.

….lost to Oregon with an incompetent defensive coach running the show who has now been banished to the press box. I’m not saying their defense is good, but they aren’t as bad as Coombs had them schemed up to be.

[adkindo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4kA1dCWwJc

[Stray]

Homer here so disregard my expert prediction

Bearcats 34
Irish 20

Find a way to win this game, cats please.

[Assembly Hall]

Homer here so disregard my expert prediction

Bearcats 34
Irish 20

Find a way to win this game, cats please.

I really don't know how good the Irish are.

[schmidty622]

It's pumpkin season and Maryland just turned back into one

[GAC]

Some thoughts about week 5 lines....

- A line that grabbed my attention....#5 Iowa only 3 point favorites @ Maryland....and I think I would lean Maryland. Some of Iowa's wins that propelled them up in the rankings look a little less impressive each week. At the same time, Maryland has just been under the radar taking care of business. To be clear, I would not bet my money either way....but this is a huge game for Maryland.

I took Iowa. Last night, IMO, the Maryland program showed just how far it is from competing against the "elites". ;)



Vegas still does not fully trust Michigan....only a 1 point favorite @ Wisconsin. Michigan could gain a lot of respect with a win this weekend.

I'm hoping the Badgers, at home, upset the Wolverines. No. I'm not convinced on Michigan. Rutgers should have beat them IMO. But my Buckeyes don't look promising either. Beating up on Akron shows me nothing. I'm hoping this young Buckeye team will have come together better as a unit, gained some maturity, when they face off vs the Wolverines.



Cincinnati can beat Notre Dame if they remain in the moment mentally.

ND can't run the ball. I took Cincy.


I would never bet against 'Bama.....but very interested in seeing Ole Miss try to knock them off.

Can see it happening. I still took Ole Miss and the points.


Ohio State will send a statement to Ann Arbor this weekend by beating Rutgers....by a lot.

I took Ohio State, who is giving up 15.5 pts. Hope I'm not wrong on this one (lol)

I'm also gonna keep an eye on the Oklahoma and Kansas State game. While KS can upset them .... I think Oklahoma wins, but doesn't make the spread (10.5).

[RedTeamGo!]

Wisconsin is awful. Don’t see their coach surviving this season.

[Boston Red]

Cincinnati looks shaky again to start against a marquee opponent, but they got the INT early to avoid falling behind. Hopefully they settle in now and whip ND.

[Roy Tucker]

Don’t get at all how that roughing the passer flag got picked up. Home cooking.

[Reds Freak]

Don’t get at all how that roughing the passer flag got picked up. Home cooking.

All the weird targeting emphasis now and they throw that flag, pick it up, and then don't review that? What?

[Boston Red]

I haven't seen UC much, but it seems like against good teams their offensive line is a problem.

[Roy Tucker]

Ridder is off just a smidge making his receivers make tough catches. But if UC is going to win, Ridder is going to have to carry them.

[Boston Red]

So far the defense carrying them.

[Boston Red]

2 short fields. 10 points.

[Todd Gack]

Not many defenses in the country better than UC. Probably UGA, but not much else.

[Todd Gack]

WOW. .. what an adjustment.

[Boston Red]

Gotta stay aggressive and keep punishing them.

[Roy Tucker]

Ridder has his mojo going now. Nice drive just before the half and great adjustment by the WR. Bearcats 17-0.

[Roy Tucker]

Missed chip shot FG could come back to haunt.

Notre Dame switches QB.

[RedTeamGo!]

It cracks me up how Bama’s SEC opponents get so hyped up by ESPN and then Bama just absolutely rolls them. Every time.

[RedTeamGo!]

Wow, crazy how quickly it can swing. Just a massive turnover at this point in the game. Need to hold them.

[Boston Red]

That was pretty much the only thing UC could do to let ND back in the game. Need the defense to come up big again.

[oregonred]

It cracks me up how Bama’s SEC opponents get so hyped up by ESPN and then Bama just absolutely rolls them. Every time.

Yep. I would move Arkansas into the top 5 with a tough 0-37 loss and Ole Miss into the top 10 by staying within 5 TDs of Alabama at the half

Outside one year of Cam and Ohio Joe, Saban and Meyer have absolutely owned the SEC for 20 years.

[RedTeamGo!]

Looking like 24-0 to 17-7 in the blink of an eye. Wow.

[Boston Red]

UC had the game won before that turnover. Going to be one helluva battle now only up 17-7.

[Boston Red]

UC is in choking mode right now.

[Roy Tucker]

Yeah, UC is in trouble now. They had the second half opportunities to put this game away and now it’s a dogfight.

[Boston Red]

Defense gets a stop here and UC wins. ND goes down and scores a TD, and I don't see UC recovering.

[Boston Red]

Now Ridder needs to live up to his billing and clinch the win.

[Boston Red]

UC's kicker is just terrible.

[Roy Tucker]

UC needs a kicker. They ain’t got one now.

[Roy Tucker]

I don’t like UC not going aggressively for the first down on 3rd and 5. Fickell has a lot of Tressell ball in him.

[Boston Red]

I don’t like UC not going aggressively for the first down on 3rd and 5. Fickell has a lot of Tressell ball in him.

That call was absurd. Maybe they thought they'd go for it on 4th and short. Otherwise it made zero sense.

[RedTeamGo!]

Not great Bob

[Roy Tucker]

Nice push off for the TD.

[Boston Red]

Missed extra point was big, but UC has just had an awful second half. They're hoping to watch the clock run out. That's no way to win a big game. They should have been working to win this by 4 TDs.

[RedTeamGo!]

Omg just a massive extra point to miss. Wow!

[Boston Red]

Have to score a TD.

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That should do it.

[Roy Tucker]

Big time drive by Ridder and a huge TD.

[Boston Red]

UC needs to bring the heat on ND's green QB. Can't give him all day like they've been doing. Make him make a mistake.

[Stray]

I'd be cool with us not kicking any more field goals this year lol

[Boston Red]

Congrats and welcome to the hot seat UC. Best murder all of your remaining opponents, because everyone will be looking for that chink in the armor that shows UC isnt worthy.

[paintmered]

Hell yeah, Bearcats.

[wolfboy]

Congrats and welcome to the hot seat UC. Best murder all of your remaining opponents, because everyone will be looking for that chink in the armor that shows UC isnt worthy.

We're used to it.

[Reds Freak]

Congrats and welcome to the hot seat UC. Best murder all of your remaining opponents, because everyone will be looking for that chink in the armor that shows UC isnt worthy.

They've done just about as much as you can ask for from a G5. A road win against a middle of the pack B10 team and a road win against a top-10 opponent. They still feel like a team that can slip and have a stupid loss somewhere along the way, but if they run the table, there's no debate.

[dfs]

if they run the table, there's no debate.

I'll bet if they run the table there will be debate.

[Boston Red]

I'll bet if they run the table there will be debate.

Yes, there will be tons of debate. And most aren't going to be on UC's side.

[RedTeamGo!]

It all depends on how everything unfolds. I think you can lock 2 SEC teams in this year. Leaves two spots. Clemson and OSU both down. Clemson is already out. OSU has looked great today against a mediocre Rutgers team, but I don’t see them running the table. Even if they did I don’t think 1 loss OSU gets in over UC this year. If any of Iowa, MSU, Michigan, or Penn state run the table they will get in over UC. But, I don’t see that happening. PSU probably has best shot. Hard to say. If Oklahoma runs the table they will probably get in over UC, but I don’t see that happening. If Oregon runs the table they will get in over UC, but again, I don’t see that happening.

[Boston Red]

I think Oregon wins out because they don't have to play the Pac-12's only other good team....BYU.

[Boston Red]

Stanford should have gone for 2.

[WVRed]

It all depends on how everything unfolds. I think you can lock 2 SEC teams in this year. Leaves two spots. Clemson and OSU both down. Clemson is already out. OSU has looked great today against a mediocre Rutgers team, but I don’t see them running the table. Even if they did I don’t think 1 loss OSU gets in over UC this year. If any of Iowa, MSU, Michigan, or Penn state run the table they will get in over UC. But, I don’t see that happening. PSU probably has best shot. Hard to say. If Oklahoma runs the table they will probably get in over UC, but I don’t see that happening. If Oregon runs the table they will get in over UC, but again, I don’t see that happening.

Oklahoma should have lost to WVU last week and they were in a shootout with K-State. They are the most overrated team in the mix. Think Texas knocks them off next week.

The B1G will get somebody in. Oregon has their hands full with Stanford. I really think UC has a chance.

I’m obviously showing my SEC bias but it’s Alabama, Georgia, and everybody else. Georgia’s defense is the best since Richt has been there but JT Daniels health is the key. A&M and the Iron Bowl still remain as does Arkansas but I think they got exposed today by Georgia.

[wolfboy]

Oklahoma should have lost to WVU last week and they were in a shootout with K-State. They are the most overrated team in the mix. Think Texas knocks them off next week.

The B1G will get somebody in. Oregon has their hands full with Stanford. I really think UC has a chance.

I’m obviously showing my SEC bias but it’s Alabama, Georgia, and everybody else. Georgia’s defense is the best since Richt has been there but JT Daniels health is the key. A&M and the Iron Bowl still remain as does Arkansas but I think they got exposed today by Georgia.

The problem with UC is the rest of the schedule consists of a weak American. I can't wait to get the heck out of this conference.

[Boston Red]

Bad year for the American to be awful.

[cumberlandreds]

I think Oregon wins out because they don't have to play the Pac-12's only other good team....BYU.

Oregon lost. They are done.

[RedTeamGo!]

The Pac 12 is so bizarre. I think Oregon will lose 2 games.

However, Oregon’s schedule is ridiculously easy the rest of the season. They have 1 ranked team left and that’s UCLA. I just have a feeling they lose two weird games like to Stanford and Oregon St.

Oregon doesn’t have to play USC or Arizona st this year. Weird.

Look at this genius

[cumberlandreds]

UK beats Florida. First time they beat UF in Lexington since 1986. UK now 5-0.

[Stray]

Impressive performance by that Kentucky defense.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Four top 10 teams lost this week.

That's a bunch.

[WVRed]

UK beats Florida. First time they beat UF in Lexington since 1986. UK now 5-0.

Beat me to it.

LSU next week in Lexington then Georgia on the road.

Gonna enjoy this one. Could be a special season.

[WVRed]

Four top 10 teams lost this week.

That's a bunch.

Only two are really upsets though. The other two lost to teams in the top 10.

[UKFlounder]

I thought no way that would happen.


College football is great



UK beats Florida. First time they beat UF in Lexington since 1986. UK now 5-0.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Only two are really upsets though. The other two lost to teams in the top 10.

It'll be enough, I suspect, to see a radically different top 10 next week.

[Todd Gack]

Yep. I would move Arkansas into the top 5 with a tough 0-37 loss and Ole Miss into the top 10 by staying within 5 TDs of Alabama at the half

Outside one year of Cam and Ohio Joe, Saban and Meyer have absolutely owned the SEC for 20 years.

Why are you including Meyer in that statement? Gus Malzahn and Les Miles have won as many SEC Championships as Urban during that time Period.

[RedTeamGo!]

Why are you including Meyer in that statement? Gus Malzahn and Les Miles have won as many SEC Championships as Urban during that time Period.

Urban won 2 nattys at Florida. I get you hate him, but come on.

[KoryMac5]

Why are you including Meyer in that statement? Gus Malzahn and Les Miles have won as many SEC Championships as Urban during that time Period.

Urban won 2 during his time at Fla…

[Todd Gack]

Urban won 2 during his time at Fla…

Yes, I know.

There's two coaches mentioned in that sentence and 1 is unlike the other. If you're going to include Urban, surely you must include Miles and Malzahn.

[Todd Gack]

Urban won 2 nattys at Florida. I get you hate him, but come on.

I thought we were talking about "owning the SEC?"

[Reds Freak]

Yes, there will be tons of debate. And most aren't going to be on UC's side.

I disagree, but there's still a lifetime to play left in the season. Still a lot of moving and shaking to do.

[GAC]

Ridder is off just a smidge making his receivers make tough catches. But if UC is going to win, Ridder is going to have to carry them.

He did. But so too did their defense. Game of the Day yesterday IMO.

[GAC]

I'll bet if they run the table there will be debate.



Yes, there will be tons of debate. And most aren't going to be on UC's side.

There will be debate because ND is the only ranked team the Bearcats play this year AND the fact it's in the American Conference, meaning, it's not a P5 program. There is that thinking/prejudice in the system because these are seen as "second tier" conferences. They aren't going to get a fair shake. And putting one P5 program on your schedule a year, while the level of competition within your conference is seen as "subpar" in comparison, is just not enough to give one the recognition they're trying to earn.

When there's only 4 spots in the CFP playoff, and the committee is trying to hone the list down to the four best teams in the country, teams like a Cincinnati are going to have a tough time. And that also includes Independents. That's why ND finally joined the ACC.

There needs to be a more "inclusive" play-off system for these "lesser" conferences to have a chance.

[GAC]

And I'm not so impressed with Michigan. Boring game until early in the 3Q when the Badgers lost their QB and TE to injury. That's when Michigan pulled away. Maryland, and Rutgers, are perfect examples of why you don't get too excited when a team gets off to a solid start, even one of the "undefeateds" (lol). They ain't close to being there yet.

And I don't see anyone contending with Iowa in the West. Go ahead and pencil them into the B1G Championship game. The East will be a competitive. ;)

[RedTeamGo!]

And I'm not so impressed with Michigan. Boring game until early in the 3Q when the Badgers lost their QB and TE to injury. That's when Michigan pulled away. Maryland, and Rutgers, are perfect examples of why you don't get too excited when a team gets off to a solid start, even one of the "undefeateds" (lol). They ain't close to being there yet.

And I don't see anyone contending with Iowa in the West. Go ahead and pencil them into the B1G Championship game. The East will be a competitive. ;)

Agreed about Wisconsin. I think this is the worst Wisconsin team I have ever seen. Time to move on from the coach IMHO.

[Hillsdale87]

And I'm not so impressed with Michigan. Boring game until early in the 3Q when the Badgers lost their QB and TE to injury. That's when Michigan pulled away. Maryland, and Rutgers, are perfect examples of why you don't get too excited when a team gets off to a solid start, even one of the "undefeateds" (lol). They ain't close to being there yet.

And I don't see anyone contending with Iowa in the West. Go ahead and pencil them into the B1G Championship game. The East will be a competitive. ;)

It's not an official college football season until Michigan fans have gotten overly excited about wins against mediocre opponents [emoji1]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

Yep. I would move Arkansas into the top 5 with a tough 0-37 loss and Ole Miss into the top 10 by staying within 5 TDs of Alabama at the half

Outside one year of Cam and Ohio Joe, Saban and Meyer have absolutely owned the SEC for 20 years.

Ohio State has owned the Big Ten for 20 yrs and there's no "outside of" clause

Actually, Urban won all of 2 SEC championships while he was there. That's not exactly owning anything. The SEC did amazingly well competing with the likes of Urban and Saban. In addition to Florida & Bama: LSU, Auburn and Georgia have won SEC championships in those 20 yrs

[Assembly Hall]

Agreed about Wisconsin. I think this is the worst Wisconsin team I have ever seen. Time to move on from the coach IMHO.

That run Coan out of town and install Mertz thing ain't working out so well.

[RedTeamGo!]

Coan blows too though.

[RedTeamGo!]

I think if BYU and UC both finish undefeated they should figure out a way to play each other instead of having conference championships. I am being completely serious.

With that said, just saw the rankings come out. The fact the B1G has 5 teams in the top 11 is bad news for the Bearcats. I think the B1G is a lock to get a team in this year. I know Oklahoma has looked bad but people need to realize there’s a pretty good chance they run the table.

[RedTeamGo!]

Indiana being an absolute garbage/tire fire is such bad luck for UC.

[paintmered]

Indiana being an absolute garbage/tire fire is such bad luck for UC.

Three loses to top 5-ish teams. They've got a brutal schedule.

[Assembly Hall]

Indiana being an absolute garbage/tire fire is such bad luck for UC.

3 losses against who? You seem to have IU up your arsz? Why is that?

[RedTeamGo!]

3 losses against who? You seem to have IU up your arsz? Why is that?

Nothing, you’re looking for something that ain’t there. Im just saying, Indiana was expected to be a top 15-25 team. They ain’t and it’s bad luck for UC.

[Boston Red]

At least UC jumped Oklahoma...for now. Texas beating OU would be good.

[Boston Red]

Two SEC teams, one Big Ten team and UC would make sense if UC wins out (and does so convincingly). Pac-12 and ACC should definitely be excluded, and I don't think OU or OSU are good enough to get a Big 12 team in. But if either does go undefeated, UC is hosed.

[RedTeamGo!]

Two SEC teams, one Big Ten team and UC would make sense if UC wins out (and does so convincingly). Pac-12 and ACC should definitely be excluded, and I don't think OU or OSU are good enough to get a Big 12 team in. But if either does go undefeated, UC is hosed.

This is basically how I see it as well.

[RedTeamGo!]

I gotta say, looking at BYU’s schedule: looks tougher than UC’s.

[Boston Red]

I gotta say, looking at BYU’s schedule: looks tougher than UC’s.

They just lack the marquee factor that UC got yesterday. But 5 Pac-12 teams plus UVA would be pretty strong. USC not being USC will probably sink their hopes (but on the other hand, if USC was USC, BYU probably wouldn't have much of a chance to beat them).

[RedTeamGo!]

They just lack the marquee factor that UC got yesterday. But 5 Pac-12 teams plus UVA would be pretty strong. USC not being USC will probably sink their hopes (but on the other hand, if USC was USC, BYU probably wouldn't have much of a chance to beat them).

They play Baylor this weekend, by the end of the year I could easily see that being a more impressive win than ND, honestly.

[Boston Red]

Forgot Baylor. So 7 power conference opponents to 2 for UC. Would definitely be a conversation if they both win out. Obviously it's pretty early to worry about that.

[oregonred]

Ohio State has owned the Big Ten for 20 yrs and there's no "outside of" clause

Actually, Urban won all of 2 SEC championships while he was there. That's not exactly owning anything. The SEC did amazingly well competing with the likes of Urban and Saban. In addition to Florida & Bama: LSU, Auburn and Georgia have won SEC championships in those 20 yrs

For sure, the B1G has been an all OSU show with the Tressel, Meyer and Day machines.

SEC has been Spurrier, Meyer, Saban (Miles Nati with Saban's LSU coat tails) for almost 25 years. One year of Cam, one year of Burreaux and a couple fluke years across two decades for an occassional non Spurrier non Meyer non Saban SEC championship.

The fact Texas A&M was put into the top 5 a couple weeks ago after barely surviving against Colorado is just LOL comedy.

[WVRed]

I thought no way that would happen.


College football is great

Hate to say this but having to work early this morning and knowing the past history of this series, I decided I couldn’t stomach watching the last four minutes and turned it off with four minutes left to go. Checked my phone 15 minutes later and saw Kentucky held them and won. Didn’t get much sleep after that either.

Dan Mullen was asked if he was out-coached by Mark Stoops. He responded by giving out how many yards Florida had to Kentucky and cut the press conference short. Florida had multiple false start penalties due to the crowd noise which had the press box shaking. I’ve never seen Commonwealth Stadium that loud.

[Assembly Hall]

Nothing, you’re looking for something that ain’t there. Im just saying, Indiana was expected to be a top 15-25 team. They ain’t and it’s bad luck for UC.

Then Notre Dame is gonna be bad luck for them too.

[oregonred]

Georgia/Florida is a huge game.

Meaning if the Gators win then the SEC may end up with only Bama having less than two losses which has major playoff implications for UC, et. al.

[Boston Red]

Then Notre Dame is gonna be bad luck for them too.

Perhaps, but the rest of ND's schedule kind of blows. So they may end up with a gaudy record still.

[KronoRed]

Georgia/Florida is a huge game.

Meaning if the Gators win then the SEC may end up with only Bama having less than two losses which has major playoff implications for UC, et. al.

LOL

Better hitch your wagon to KY, Florida won't be saving anyone from 2 SEC teams in the playoffs.

[RedTeamGo!]

Perhaps, but the rest of ND's schedule kind of blows. So they may end up with a gaudy record still.

I think ND kinda blows, though, TBH. They nearly lost (and should have if UT’s coach didn’t make a dumb mistake at the end) to the Toledo Rockets at home this year. They have some more L’s coming their way.

[Boston Red]

Very possible. Their game at VaTech will be pretty telling on how they're going to end up.

[WVRed]

LOL

Better hitch your wagon to KY, Florida won't be saving anyone from 2 SEC teams in the playoffs.

I’d hitch that wagon to Auburn/Texas A&M this weekend. Two road games for Georgia and Bama this weekend that could determine a lot.

I’m a UK fan and I’m just hoping they score against Georgia.

[Revering4Blue]

Georgia’s defense is the best since Richt has been there but JT Daniels health is the key.

While you may be right, IMHO, Bennett's mobility adds another dimension to their offense. Perhaps they can somehow utilize both QBs.

I'm just not sure that it's possible, even with a dominating defense like Georgia's, to win a National Championship with a slow, non-NFL caliber, game manager, like Daniels, as full-time QB. It's a fundamentally differing CFB landscape than it was when 'Bama was winning championships with game managers as QBs until Kiffen was hired as his OC and radically updated Saban's offensive approach, including recruiting top-flight QBs. And we've already witnessed the foolhardy move by Smart of choosing a game manager as QB instead of Fields.

[Assembly Hall]

Very possible. Their game at VaTech will be pretty telling on how they're going to end up.

If they lose to Va Tech I surmise the Irish will be lucky to go 8-4.

[oregonred]

I’d hitch that wagon to Auburn/Texas A&M this weekend. Two road games for Georgia and Bama this weekend that could determine a lot.

I’m a UK fan and I’m just hoping they score against Georgia.

A&M vs Bama? Are you serious Clark...

A&M will be lucky to find a single win against the SEC West this season

[Chip R]

Great win for UC on Saturday. Maybe ND is overhyped but they are always in the playoff conversation. Seems to me you can't call them overrated and then hype them as a powerhouse team. Unfortunately, the system is stacked against UC. This playoff is and always have been a Power 5 party and they are going to do their darndest to keep UC out. They will have to end up in the top 2 or 3 to have a chance. SEC may get 2 teams in. ACC doesn't look like they will get anyone in. Big 10 will probably get their champ in. The Penn State Iowa game is huge for both teams. If Iowa wins they can probably punch their ticket to the Big 10 championship game. If PSU wins, they still got a minefield to go through with OSU, Michigan and Sparty. If they can take care of business there, man, they are a solid #1 or #2 depending on whether Bama loses. Oregon may have blown their chances Saturday but a 1 loss Pac 12 team might look better than an undefeated UC. Then there's Oklahoma. They win out, they are probably in. Even if they don't they may be. Also, UC has to win out too. They should win those games by as much as possible. I don't know if voters are allowed to take margin of victory into account any more but beating someone 56-7 psychologically looks better to voters than 31-17. I don't know who their SID is but they need to start pushing Ridder for Heisman and hyping this team to the moon.

[Boston Red]

Hype Sauce for Heisman. Better name and beter player than Ridder.

[oregonred]

With impending move to the Big 12. Will that help or hurt UC's cause for the playoffs?

I think it helps, but not sure how much that will matter

Need Oklahoma to lose a game. And I think they will lose two.

[Assembly Hall]

With impending move to the Big 12. Will that help or hurt UC's cause for the playoffs?

I think it helps, but not sure how much that will matter

Need Oklahoma to lose a game. And I think they will lose two.

Personally, I think it helps. And Okie isn't gonna stand in the way. They are playing with fire right now.

[Chip R]

With impending move to the Big 12. Will that help or hurt UC's cause for the playoffs?

I think it helps, but not sure how much that will matter

Need Oklahoma to lose a game. And I think they will lose two.

I don't think it helps. If they let the G5 team in this year, if they don't expand, it sets a precedent.

[Assembly Hall]

I don't think it helps. If they let the G5 team in this year, if they don't expand, it sets a precedent.

How about a G5 and an independent? This year!

[Chip R]

How about a G5 and an independent? This year!

They say independent but they mean Notre Dame. BYU's schedule is a little tougher than UC's but I have a hard time seeing them making the playoff.

[Boston Red]

Just looking at UC's remaining schedule, and the narrative is going to get ugly if you're a UC fan as the season unfolds. Not fair to UC, but it's the nature of the beast. Here's the Massey Rating (just using it because it's the easiest one to pull up and is a relatively well respected rating system) for UC's remaining schedule. UC is currently ranked #10 by Massey (sorry, said it was #5 but that is actually the Massey composite of all computer rankings, which I think is a great tool).

Temple #102
UCF #73
@Navy #94
@Tulane #103
Tulsa #89
@USF #111
SMU #35
@East Carolina #86

[Roy Tucker]

Yeah, UC can’t afford many close game let-downs. Particularly, OSU looks like they might have their mojo back. So the Bearcats have to win convincingly in most if not all games.

[wolfboy]

Yeah, UC can’t afford many close game let-downs. Particularly, OSU looks like they might have their mojo back. So the Bearcats have to win convincingly in most if not all games.

As a UC fan I agree completely. Conference play is hard for everyone. That's just the reality of it. That being said UC's average margin of victory over conference opponents was over three touchdowns last year. They're a better team this year and the conference just isn't as good as it was last year. Should they be afforded some wiggle - say a game or two that are closer than they should be? Yeah, I think that's fair. But if they average any less than a three touchdown margin of victory I think that's a big disappointment and not CFP worthy against, say, a one loss team elsewhere (bear in mind a two loss team has never made it).

[Powel Crosley]

A bit late, but I was at the UC-Notre Dame game Saturday and it might have been the most fun I ever had at a game. Great atmosphere, beautiful campus, and UC fans absolutely took over the stadium. It was great drowning out their cheers with "lets go Bearcats!" I have to say, the ND fans were very friendly, all of this may have had to do with their no alcohol policy, though!

[Big Red Smokey]

So Iowa-Penn State is the first Top 5 Regular Season Big Ten Matchup not including Ohio State since 1997....

Was at Commonwealth Saturday. I've been blessed to be there during some big games (07 UL, 07 LSU, 2010 South Carolina, 2016 UT, etc) and that was the best crowd in the history of that stadium from beginning to end.

Praying there's no letdown this weekend. If they get past LSU, after Georgia the schedule goes

@ Miss State
Tennessee
@ Vanderbilt
New Mexico State
@ Louisville

Man, it's really easy to see them potentially going 10-2 and getting the Sugar Bowl bid as the highest non-playoff ranked SEC Team. And you can argue UK hasn't even come close to playing their best game yet.

Really hoping they don't lay an egg like 2018 Tennessee game.

[adkindo]

Just looking at UC's remaining schedule, and the narrative is going to get ugly if you're a UC fan as the season unfolds. Not fair to UC, but it's the nature of the beast. Here's the Massey Rating (just using it because it's the easiest one to pull up and is a relatively well respected rating system) for UC's remaining schedule. UC is currently ranked #10 by Massey (sorry, said it was #5 but that is actually the Massey composite of all computer rankings, which I think is a great tool).

Temple #102
UCF #73
@Navy #94
@Tulane #103
Tulsa #89
@USF #111
SMU #35
@East Carolina #86

They need SMU to remain unbeaten if possible. UCF falling apart was not good for UC.

[Boston Red]

They need SMU to remain unbeaten if possible.

They also need Notre Dame to plow through some mediocre to bad ACC and Pac-12 opponents.

[adkindo]

I gotta say, looking at BYU’s schedule: looks tougher than UC’s.

If Cincinnati and BYU win out.....that is going to be one hell of a debate! It seems more likely that BYU will slip up.

[adkindo]

So Iowa-Penn State is the first Top 5 Regular Season Big Ten Matchup not including Ohio State since 1997....

Was at Commonwealth Saturday. I've been blessed to be there during some big games (07 UL, 07 LSU, 2010 South Carolina, 2016 UT, etc) and that was the best crowd in the history of that stadium from beginning to end.

Praying there's no letdown this weekend. If they get past LSU, after Georgia the schedule goes

@ Miss State
Tennessee
@ Vanderbilt
New Mexico State
@ Louisville

Man, it's really easy to see them potentially going 10-2 and getting the Sugar Bowl bid as the highest non-playoff ranked SEC Team. And you can argue UK hasn't even come close to playing their best game yet.

Really hoping they don't lay an egg like 2018 Tennessee game.

It is possible....but there is a chance that they could slip up against several of those teams....LSU, Georgia (of course), Mississippi State, Tennessee and even Louisville because their lack of offense. I know UK's defense is very good....but any of those teams break through with a few explosive plays, and UK could struggle to put enough points on the board.

[cumberlandreds]

So Iowa-Penn State is the first Top 5 Regular Season Big Ten Matchup not including Ohio State since 1997....

Was at Commonwealth Saturday. I've been blessed to be there during some big games (07 UL, 07 LSU, 2010 South Carolina, 2016 UT, etc) and that was the best crowd in the history of that stadium from beginning to end.

Praying there's no letdown this weekend. If they get past LSU, after Georgia the schedule goes

@ Miss State
Tennessee
@ Vanderbilt
New Mexico State
@ Louisville

Man, it's really easy to see them potentially going 10-2 and getting the Sugar Bowl bid as the highest non-playoff ranked SEC Team. And you can argue UK hasn't even come close to playing their best game yet.

Really hoping they don't lay an egg like 2018 Tennessee game.

Yea it seems like when UK starts going good they lay an egg against someone they should beat. If they can stay away from that then a "special" season could happen. Being a longtime fan of UK football does put you on edge because good things don't usually happen. So I'm trying to not go overboard on optimism. The offense hasn't been all that good. They have to be better to get by in some of these games. But that defense looks mighty good. So the offense doesn't have to be great. LSU is beatable, especially in Lexington. But I have seen UK teams let down after a big win in the past. So we will see what happens Saturday evening.

[RedTeamGo!]

If Cincinnati and BYU win out.....that is going to be one hell of a debate! It seems more likely that BYU will slip up.

If this happens UC and BYU need to boycott their conference championship and play each other.

[Boston Red]

If this happens UC and BYU need to boycott their conference championship and play each other.

That will be an easy sell for (independent) BYU!

[Assembly Hall]

If this happens UC and BYU need to boycott their conference championship and play each other.

Wouldn't this match-up be the Big 12 championship?

[GAC]

This sucks .... https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32356267/oregon-ducks-lose-cj-verdell-bennett-williams-rest-season

[GAC]

Yeah, UC can’t afford many close game let-downs. Particularly, OSU looks like they might have their mojo back. So the Bearcats have to win convincingly in most if not all games.

Most teams would get their mojo back vs Rutgers (lol). Their close game vs Michigan, IMO, simply exposed Michigan. At some point this season the Wolverines are going to get exposed and go down. Whether it's tomorrow in Lincoln, or later at East Lansing or Happy Valley, or back home to end the season vs OSU.

[Chip R]

This sucks .... https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32356267/oregon-ducks-lose-cj-verdell-bennett-williams-rest-season

With this and their loss last week, even if they run the table, they may miss the playoff. Of course losing those two may make it difficult to run the table.

[RedTeamGo!]

Oregon is going to lose another game. They got hype because they beat an OSU team in complete disarray and a Qb that inexplicably played with an injured throwing shoulder. If they played this weekend I think OSU wins by at least 3 TDs. Healthy Verdell or not. Stroud is healthy now and the defense seems to have figured some things out. Particularly who should be on the field.

[adkindo]

Oregon is going to lose another game. They got hype because they beat an OSU team in complete disarray and a Qb that inexplicably played with an injured throwing shoulder. If they played this weekend I think OSU wins by at least 3 TDs. Healthy Verdell or not. Stroud is healthy now and the defense seems to have figured some things out. Particularly who should be on the field.

last week, I think they were really hurt by not having Joe Moorhead calling the offense.

[adkindo]

If this happens UC and BYU need to boycott their conference championship and play each other.

Not going to pretend I have watched every game from BYU and Cincinnati this season.....but I have watched a decent amount of both and I get the feeling that Cincinnati is on a higher level than BYU this season. BYU never seems to be clearly dominant in their games.....while you get that feeling with Cincinnati some games. Also, how did BYU only beat USF by a touchdown? USF is in a full rebuild and not very good at all this season (although they are showing progress).

[RedTeamGo!]

Not going to pretend I have watched every game from BYU and Cincinnati this season.....but I have watched a decent amount of both and I get the feeling that Cincinnati is on a higher level than BYU this season. BYU never seems to be clearly dominant in their games.....while you get that feeling with Cincinnati some games. Also, how did BYU only beat USF by a touchdown? USF is in a full rebuild and not very good at all this season (although they are showing progress).

Idk, but BYU also started the season with 3 straight P5 wins and will play a total of 7 P5 opponents this season. UC will have played 2, both teams that look down.

Also, somewhat related: i find it interesting when I type “UC schedule” into Google the basketball schedule comes up. When you type in almost any other school and schedule the football schedule comes up, including BYU. I guess UC is still a basketball school?

[adkindo]

Idk, but BYU also started the season with 3 straight P5 wins and will play a total of 7 P5 opponents this season. UC will have played 2, both teams that look down.

Also, somewhat related: i find it interesting when I type “UC schedule” into Google the basketball schedule comes up. When you type in almost any other school and schedule the football schedule comes up, including BYU. I guess UC is still a basketball school?

They are still a basketball school....and I think they embrace that label. I recall listening to a podcast and some UC podcaster was the guest talking about joining the Big12, and he was adamant UC was and always will be a basketball school.

I know BYU has the potential to have many more P5 wins which is why I think the debate would be fun/interesting.....but I still think Cincinnati would get the nod because of where they began in the rankings and the ND win. UCF and Memphis being less than expected could really hurt UC's argument....but they could get a ranked/undefeated SMU on the schedule.

[RedTeamGo!]

They are still a basketball school....and I think they embrace that label. I recall listening to a podcast and some UC podcaster was the guest talking about joining the Big12, and he was adamant UC was and always will be a basketball school.

I know BYU has the potential to have many more P5 wins which is why I think the debate would be fun/interesting.....but I still think Cincinnati would get the nod because of where they began in the rankings and the ND win. UCF and Memphis being less than expected could really hurt UC's argument....but they could get a ranked/undefeated SMU on the schedule.

If, and this is a major if with regard to BYU - they still have to play Baylor and USC - both teams end up undefeated I think UC would get the nod as well. Not because of deserving it or anything, but because of an east coast bias. I don’t see an argument UC would deserve it over BYU in that scenario. The AAC is trash this season, it’s basically a lock UC will run the table with what they have left. SMU is the only team left with a remote shot at upsetting them, and I think it’s pretty obvious SMU is a pretender.

[Boston Red]

UC took care of business appropriately.

[Assembly Hall]

Not going to pretend I have watched every game from BYU and Cincinnati this season.....but I have watched a decent amount of both and I get the feeling that Cincinnati is on a higher level than BYU this season. BYU never seems to be clearly dominant in their games.....while you get that feeling with Cincinnati some games. Also, how did BYU only beat USF by a touchdown? USF is in a full rebuild and not very good at all this season (although they are showing progress).

IU is going to be lucky to get to 6-6 and the jury is out on the Irish. That are UC's 2 marquee wins. We shall see how it plays out but I wouldn't give the nod to the Bearcats just yet.

[wolfboy]

If, and this is a major if with regard to BYU - they still have to play Baylor and USC - both teams end up undefeated I think UC would get the nod as well. Not because of deserving it or anything, but because of an east coast bias. I don’t see an argument UC would deserve it over BYU in that scenario. The AAC is trash this season, it’s basically a lock UC will run the table with what they have left. SMU is the only team left with a remote shot at upsetting them, and I think it’s pretty obvious SMU is a pretender.

Do you actually root for a team or do you just post here to throw shade at UC? It's honestly kind of weird.

[Assembly Hall]

Do you actually root for a team or do you just post here to throw shade at UC? It's honestly kind of weird.

I do believe he is a "Rocket Man?"

[RedTeamGo!]

Do you actually root for a team or do you just post here to throw shade at UC? It's honestly kind of weird.

What in my post do you disagree with? In no way was I throwing shade.

I think undefeated UC gets in over undefeated BYU, but I don’t see why they would.

Edit: this is not a UC thread. It’s a college football thread. I’m talking about college football in the college football thread. You are more than welcome to start a UC thread if you would like to participate in a UC football echo chamber.

[RedTeamGo!]

I wonder where Spencer Rattler will transfer?

[Boston Red]

Texas had a second half meltdown for the ages.

[UKFlounder]

With a spectacular ending.

What a game!

Arkansas - Ole Miss was crazy too



Texas had a second half meltdown for the ages.

[Reds Freak]

Idk, but BYU also started the season with 3 straight P5 wins and will play a total of 7 P5 opponents this season. UC will have played 2, both teams that look down.

Also, somewhat related: i find it interesting when I type “UC schedule” into Google the basketball schedule comes up. When you type in almost any other school and schedule the football schedule comes up, including BYU. I guess UC is still a basketball school?

I've seen you mention BYU's seven P5 teams on their schedule. While it's a nice slate, it's not exactly murderer's row. Arizona, Washington St., UVA, Arizona State are on par with Houston, SMU, ECU. Baylor and USC are above that group, but I wouldn't say BYU's schedule is head and shoulders above UC's just because they have some more P5s.

[WVRed]

I wonder where Spencer Rattler will transfer?

Arizona or Arizona State would be my guess.

Rattler should have been pulled in the WVU game.

[Roy Tucker]

Rattler has a cool name but he isn’t as good as he thinks he is.

UC has done everything they can to get a top 4 slot. But the pollsters aren’t going to respect the AAC very much. I think their biggest threat is a one-loss OSU team. The Buckeyes appear to be hitting in all cylinders now and are winning big now. They scored 66 today and Day was trying to hold the score down. I think they are UC’s biggest threat.

[RedTeamGo!]

I've seen you mention BYU's seven P5 teams on their schedule. While it's a nice slate, it's not exactly murderer's row. Arizona, Washington St., UVA, Arizona State are on par with Houston, SMU, ECU. Baylor and USC are above that group, but I wouldn't say BYU's schedule is head and shoulders above UC's just because they have some more P5s.

Arizona St has been ranked most of the season

[wolfboy]

What in my post do you disagree with? In no way was I throwing shade.

I think undefeated UC gets in over undefeated BYU, but I don’t see why they would.

Edit: this is not a UC thread. It’s a college football thread. I’m talking about college football in the college football thread. You are more than welcome to start a UC thread if you would like to participate in a UC football echo chamber.

Didn’t I make a post about how UC doesn’t deserve to get in if they don’t dominate the rest of their schedule? That kind of echo chamber? You seem irrationally bothered by UC. I mean, disparaging them because of what came up in search results? It’s weird.

[wolfboy]

Rattler has a cool name but he isn’t as good as he thinks he is.

UC has done everything they can to get a top 4 slot. But the pollsters aren’t going to respect the AAC very much. I think their biggest threat is a one-loss OSU team. The Buckeyes appear to be hitting in all cylinders now and are winning big now. They scored 66 today and Day was trying to hold the score down. I think they are UC’s biggest threat.

Agreed. Not sure how Oregon beat Ohio State, but if they win out they’ll have a great resume.

[Ohayou]

Crazy to think Rattler was once in the discussion to go #1 overall. The 2022 QB class is pretty underwhelming overall. Malik Willis is probably QB1 right now. Sam Howell is still one of my favorites to watch, though. He can throw some bombs, and is more mobile than people give him credit for.

[RedTeamGo!]

Didn’t I make a post about how UC doesn’t deserve to get in if they don’t dominate the rest of their schedule? That kind of echo chamber? You seem irrationally bothered by UC. I mean, disparaging them because of what came up in search results? It’s weird.

I wasn’t disparaging them for that, I said “as an aside”

I thought it was interesting

- - - Updated - - -


Crazy to think Rattler was once in the discussion to go #1 overall. The 2022 QB class is pretty underwhelming overall. Malik Willis is probably QB1 right now. Sam Howell is still one of my favorites to watch, though. He can throw some bombs, and is more mobile than people give him credit for.

Yep.

Anyone that needs a QB will be waiting for 2023

[KronoRed]

So much for BYU

[UKFlounder]

Iowa - Penn State is another enjoyable game - not a shootout, but competitive and could provide another great finish.

[wolfboy]

So much for BYU

Of all the games that could have tripped them up Boise was a big surprise. This Boise squad isn't that great.

- - - Updated - - -

Some excellent games today. Iowa/Penn State is a lot of fun. Didn't get to see the end of OU/Texas but that one was a heck of a watch.

[RedTeamGo!]

Iowa - Penn State is another enjoyable game - not a shootout, but competitive and could provide another great finish.

It’s too bad Clifford got hurt, he wasn’t playing great, but that backup QB was awful. And Iowa still only won by 3. If Clifford is out against OSU and UM you can mark those as L’s.

[WVRed]

Kentucky up 14-0 on LSU in the second quarter.

This season still seems surreal.

[KronoRed]

Is Neal Brown's seat getting warm?

[Assembly Hall]

Is Neal Brown's seat getting warm?

Brohm to WV...

[WVRed]

Is Neal Brown's seat getting warm?

As much as I hate to say it, yes.

WVU needs to take the Kentucky blueprint and do a full rebuild. It might take time for them to get back but the talent level has been dwindling since Holgorsen was there but the cupboard is starting to get light.

[Roy Tucker]

Texas A&M up 24-10 over Alabama. 2 minutes left in first half. Not a fluke.

[cumberlandreds]

UK blows out LSU. First time since 1950 that UK is 6-0. Easy one next week at Georgia.

[Stray]

What a night of football. So many good games to watch.

[RedTeamGo!]

Good gracious what was Adrian Martinez doing there? He had the first down, just go down. What an idiot. On the flip side, he’s the reason they were in position to win. But wow.

[RedTeamGo!]

TAMU has ran 12 plays in the 2nd half and have had the ball for 4:30. Bama just clamps down when needed. Crazy.

[Stray]

UK blows out LSU. First time since 1950 that UK is 6-0. Easy one next week at Georgia.

I have a bunch of UK friends, I'm real happy for the fanbase. Team looks really good this year. Rooting for them to give Georgia a good game.

[RedTeamGo!]

Michigan is overrated

[RedTeamGo!]

I like how the video proved there was no targeting on the play. Meanwhile they are showing replay over and over again of #2 viciously ripping the ball carriers helmet off.

[RiverRat13]

Chris Olave coming back to OSU may have saved Alabama's offense.

[Stray]

Michigan is overrated

Agree a little.

They're not a top 10 team, but they're much improved from where they've been under Harbaugh. Solid top 15-20 team imo.

[Stray]

Aggie QB just went from looking like his knee was blown out to it being reported he's likely going to return to this game. Alrighty then.

[Stray]

College Station is as loud as I've heard a home crowd in any sporting event in years.

[Stray]

A&M knocks off Bama with a FG as time expires.

What a freaking game. My God that was fun.

[Boston Red]

Perhaps only one SEC team in the playoffs after all.

[RedTeamGo!]

So, does Bama fall to 2?

- - - Updated - - -


Perhaps only one SEC team in the playoffs after all.

Bama will still get in, they will run the remaining table.

[Boston Red]

I would definitely not be surprised to see them lose to Georgia in the championship game. They'll probably be underdogs.

[RedTeamGo!]

Perhaps only one SEC team in the playoffs after all.

Bama will still get in, they will run the remaining table.

[kaldaniels]

Bama will still get in, they will run the remaining table.

Dare I ask, who will be the 4 playoff teams?

(Anyone may answer)

[WVRed]

Bama will still get in, they will run the remaining table.

They’ve still got the Iron Bowl and it’s at Jordan-Hare. Alabama has lost the last three there.

[WVRed]

I have a bunch of UK friends, I'm real happy for the fanbase. Team looks really good this year. Rooting for them to give Georgia a good game.

I don’t know what to think.

Georgia’s strength on offense is running the ball and Kentucky has the best run defense in the SEC. Could be a game where if JT Daniels is ready to come back he could be the difference maker.

Also curious to see how UK responds to losing Oxendine late in the game last night.

I think it will be a low score slugfest. 10-3 or 10-6 type of game.

[Assembly Hall]

Dare I ask, who will be the 4 playoff teams?

(Anyone may answer)

As of now. UGA, Iowa, Oklahoma, and UC.

[Hillsdale87]

Dare I ask, who will be the 4 playoff teams?

(Anyone may answer)

Georgia, Bama, OSU, Oklahoma.

I think Bama will run the table and beat Georgia. Georgia's defense is incredible, but they've also played bad offenses in every game. Shutting down Clemson is not as impressive as it initially looked. So I think it's great, but maybe not as great as it's looked.

OSU's defense isn't completely fixed, but the offense looks locked in. Best skill position players in college football, and I'm not sure it's close. As bad as that Oregon game was, I wonder if it would have ended differently if they just would have installed Henderson as the #1 in that game like they should have. The B10 is not as good as the rankings currently suggest, but OSU is going to have chances to beat a lot of highly ranked teams and could face an undefeated Iowa in the B10 championship.

Oklahoma is the shakiest choice, but the Big 12 is not good, and Caleb Williams looked great yesterday. If he's a legit QB, I think they can run the table


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RedTeamGo!]

If Riley does the smart thing and starts Caleb Williams the rest of the way they will run the table.

[Reds Freak]

Dare I ask, who will be the 4 playoff teams?

(Anyone may answer)

UC, Kentucky, Wake, and Coastal.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Dare I ask, who will be the 4 playoff teams?

(Anyone may answer)

The easiest answer is the following:

UGA
Unbeaten and clear number one, they'll beat the snot out of Kentucky. For those of you keeping score at home, that'd be their third top 10 team of the season. Auburn and Florida come next. The biggie is Alabama. Stranger things have happened, but that strength of schedule is going to keep them in the hunt, even if they lose their way once. Love that defense. It's suffocating.

Oklahoma
Not the greatest beginning to the season so far, but they're unbeaten. And who's going to beat them? Oklahoma State's the best chance. Everyone else is mediocre, at best. Easiest road among the Power Five to the Final Four.

Cincinnati
They should absolutely be unbeaten. The question is whether their strength of schedule (which is abhorrent) will allow them to take the spot of a hypothetical one-loss team like OSU or 'Bama.

Iowa
There are no ranked teams left on their schedule. They'll need to beat Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, or Penn State (again) in the championship. That's it, really. They are, IMO, the most likely to get beaten, even with UGA's monstrous schedule.

[WVRed]

The easiest answer is the following:

UGA
Unbeaten and clear number one, they'll beat the snot out of Kentucky. For those of you keeping score at home, that'd be their third top 10 team of the season. Auburn and Florida come next. The biggie is Alabama. Stranger things have happened, but that strength of schedule is going to keep them in the hunt, even if they lose their way once. Love that defense. It's suffocating.

Oklahoma
Not the greatest beginning to the season so far, but they're unbeaten. And who's going to beat them? Oklahoma State's the best chance. Everyone else is mediocre, at best. Easiest road among the Power Five to the Final Four.

Cincinnati
They should absolutely be unbeaten. The question is whether their strength of schedule (which is abhorrent) will allow them to take the spot of a hypothetical one-loss team like OSU or 'Bama.

Iowa
There are no ranked teams left on their schedule. They'll need to beat Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, or Penn State (again) in the championship. That's it, really. They are, IMO, the most likely to get beaten, even with UGA's monstrous schedule.

A one loss Bama team will get in over UC. That said I think Bama loses one more (Auburn).

Oklahoma will likely have to play Texas again in the Big 12 championship. They should be better with Caleb Williams sticking as a starter but Texas could pull it off.

[Roy Tucker]

I get the arguments and I’m on the fence about it, but if one loss Alabama, OSU, or Georgia gets in over UC, it will be a real shame. And a compelling reason to expand the playoffs.

But lots of football yet to be played. Yesterday proved that crazy stuff can happy.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I get the arguments and I’m on the fence about it, but if one loss Alabama, OSU, or Georgia gets in over UC, it will be a real shame. And a compelling reason to expand the playoffs.

I see your point. The flip side is convincing too.

The shame would be with the UC AD for scheduling such cupcakes.

If Alabama or Georgia played UC 10 times, they'd beat them 9 of those 10, IMO.

I'm a Cat fan, so I will never have a dog in this particular fight. I'm torn-- so the best teams belong in the Final Four or is it the season that matters most?

[dfs]

Assuming these teams win out I think you can pencil in three playoff spots.

Bama/UGA
OSU/Iowa
OU

Looking at that....I don't think OU will win out and I don't see another big 12, ACC or PAC-10 team that's likely to finish stronger than UC.
If I'm UC I would be pulling for Iowa and UGA. Hard to think an undefeated Bearcat squad is going to get over-ranked by a two loss team even if it's OSU or Bama.

At this point it's possible that UC gets in as the 3 seed.

I guess UC doesn't have to worry about BYU stealing their thunder.
Of course it's still October and a lot can happen between here and there.

[Bourgeois Zee]

If I'm UC I would be pulling for Iowa and UGA. Hard to think an undefeated Bearcat squad is going to get over-ranked by a two loss team even if it's OSU or Bama.

Good point.

[Reds Freak]

I see your point. The flip side is convincing too.

The shame would be with the UC AD for scheduling such cupcakes.

If Alabama or Georgia played UC 10 times, they'd beat them 9 of those 10, IMO.

I'm a Cat fan, so I will never have a dog in this particular fight. I'm torn-- so the best teams belong in the Final Four or is it the season that matters most?

The Bearcats have four non-conference games to schedule and they went on the road to a mid-level B10 team and on the road against a team that made the playoffs a year ago. Of course it'a not on par with an SEC schedule, but hardly a cupcake schedule.

I'm just rooting for new teams. If it's Bama, OSU, Oklahoma, and UGA again, I doubt I'll tune in.

[Bourgeois Zee]

The Bearcats have four non-conference games to schedule and they went on the road to a mid-level B10 team and on the road against a team that made the playoffs a year ago. Of course it'a not on par with an SEC schedule, but hardly a cupcake schedule.

Sure, there's some bad luck involved. But an AD who's got his eye on the national championship would have scheduled a monster pre-conference slate to beef up a conference schedule of also-rans and cupcakes that severely weaken any chance at getting there. Final Four teams (with the possible exception of Clemson) tend to beat other really good (or even great) teams on their way to the championship.

Assuming Bama and OSU win out, an unbeaten Cincinnati lacks that signature win that makes them a shoo-in. (And believe me, I share your boredom with the status quo. I'm rooting for Georgia to run the slate just to not have Bama in the picture at all. Well, that's not true. I'm rooting for Kentucky first, then UGA-- when they demolish UK this weekend.) I think they'll get in, but those computer rankings (and the respective SoS) are big-time important.

[RedTeamGo!]

Sure, there's some bad luck involved. But an AD who's got his eye on the national championship would have scheduled a monster pre-conference slate to beef up a conference schedule of also-rans and cupcakes that severely weaken any chance at getting there. Final Four teams (with the possible exception of Clemson) tend to beat other really good (or even great) teams on their way to the championship.

Assuming Bama and OSU win out, an unbeaten Cincinnati lacks that signature win that makes them a shoo-in. (And believe me, I share your boredom with the status quo. I'm rooting for Georgia to run the slate just to not have Bama in the picture at all. Well, that's not true. I'm rooting for Kentucky first, then UGA-- when they demolish UK this weekend.) I think they'll get in, but those computer rankings (and the respective SoS) are big-time important.

They did schedule a monster… ND on the road is a monster OOC opponent. UC’s issue is the AAC is a dumpster fire this year, but that’s not their fault, and it’s why they have been trying to bolt to a P5 conference for a decade.

[Bourgeois Zee]

They did schedule a monster… ND on the road is a monster OOC opponent. UC’s issue is the AAC is a dumpster fire this year, but that’s not their fault, and it’s why they have been trying to bolt to a P5 conference for a decade.

That's why I agreed that some of this is just bad luck.

But if he wanted to be considered for a national championship spot, he should have added a second monster too.

As far as I can tell, only Clemson has been able to parlay one good victory into a top four spot. And they have the ACC behind them.

[paintmered]

The shame would be with the UC AD for scheduling such cupcakes.

Put yourself in the shoes of UC's AD. Like virtually every school out there, UC needs to have at least six home games to pay the bills. Four of those come from within the conference, leaving four non-conference openings. One of those will be Miami every year, so that leaves three games to schedule.

Which P5 AD do you call who will answer the phone, agree to travel to Nippert, and lose?

[Boss-Hog]

Put yourself in the shoes of UC's AD. Like virtually every school out there, UC needs to have at least six home games to pay the bills. Four of those come from within the conference. There are four non-conference games, one of which will be Miami, so that leaves three openings. Which P5 AD takes that phone call and agrees to travel to Nippert and lose?Also, most of the marquee games are scheduled many years in advance. It's not like an AD can say in the offseason 'I think we'll be pretty good this year, so let's get Notre Dame on the schedule'.

[wolfboy]

Also, most of the marquee games are scheduled many years in advance. It's not like an AD can say in the offseason 'I think we'll be pretty good this year, so let's get Notre Dame on the schedule'.

And it's not like those games are all that easy to get on the calendar if you're the Bearcats. People assume it's like going to the grocery store and picking up some milk and it's not.

[RedTeamGo!]

That's why I agreed that some of this is just bad luck.

But if he wanted to be considered for a national championship spot, he should have added a second monster too.

As far as I can tell, only Clemson has been able to parlay one good victory into a top four spot. And they have the ACC behind them.

I don’t think you get how college football scheduling works. Don’t take that as an insult, it’s ridiculous and complicated. I’m not sure anyone really gets how it works.

[Roy Tucker]

The other issue for UC is that I don’t think there are a lot of power teams that want to schedule them. I think Arkansas is their biggest future opponent. Notre Dame sure as hell isn’t going to play them again. Hopefully the Big 12 schedule will help.

I think OSU has home and home games with Notre Dame, Texas, and Alabama starting next year.

[paintmered]

The other issue for UC is that I don’t think there are a lot of power teams that want to schedule them. I think Arkansas is their biggest future opponent. Notre Dame sure as hell isn’t going to play them again. Hopefully the Big 12 schedule will help.


And that game is in Fayetteville with no return trip. Arkansas never agrees to it otherwise.

[KronoRed]

Why is the UC/MiamiO even still a thing? not trying to be snarky but they seems like a series that should have ended 5 years ago.

[Boston Red]

UC probably could get App State to visit instead of Murray State, though. May not sound like a big difference, but it would be huge with the computers.

But really, at the end of the day UC has done about as much as they can with what they can control. They definitely still need a little help to get in, but they're in as good a shape as any non P5 team has ever been. I'm with the person above, though, in just looking for new blood. (Well, also I have $10 on UC at 80-1 to win the national championship, but I'm still not putting much stock in that one; even if they DO make the playoffs).

[paintmered]

UC probably could get App State to visit instead of Murray State, though. May not sound like a big difference, but it would be huge with the computers.

For the very reason you suggest, UC and Marshall find themselves playing every few years. UC is often able to get a two-for-one agreement, and travel expenses to Huntington are light.

One of the biggest challenges UC has is their geographically regional schools are either P5, who rarely agree to one-and-one deals (Purdue and IU are two recent exceptions) or MAC-level who don't help the strength of schedule.

UC is in a position where if they're going to travel non-conference, they need to collect a paycheck or stay within a few hours radius (ND happened to be both). I expect their non-conference scheduling will begin to look different once they're in the Big XII and their budget has a bit more freedom.

[oregonred]

A&M vs Bama? Are you serious Clark...

A&M will be lucky to find a single win against the SEC West this season

Happy to be wrong on this one and not be able to envision a 100-game Bama win streak vs. unranked teams coming to an end. This college football season has been bonkers so far and would be even more off the chain if Texas bothered to show up for the 2nd half yesterday.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Put yourself in the shoes of UC's AD. Like virtually every school out there, UC needs to have at least six home games to pay the bills. Four of those come from within the conference, leaving four non-conference openings. One of those will be Miami every year, so that leaves three games to schedule.

Which P5 AD do you call who will answer the phone, agree to travel to Nippert, and lose?

Why they gotta be at home only again?

Why not a home-and-home with another top-ranked team who needs more quality opponents?

Or perhaps a home-and-home with a mid-tier Power Five team who might need some more juice or recruiting in the Cincinnati area? (Hello, Louisville. Or WVU. Or even Michigan State.)

[UKFlounder]

Or a neutral-site game? One this year was Ole Miss versus a Louisville tesm that has had a couple bad years. Maybe UC is getting enough press to get into 0ne of those games?



Why they gotta be at home only again?

Why not a home-and-home with another top-ranked team who needs more quality opponents?

Or perhaps a home-and-home with a mid-tier Power Five team who might need some more juice or recruiting in the Cincinnati area? (Hello, Louisville. Or WVU. Or even Michigan State.)

[paintmered]

Why they gotta be at home only again?

Why not a home-and-home with another top-ranked team who needs more quality opponents?

Or perhaps a home-and-home with a mid-tier Power Five team who might need some more juice or recruiting in the Cincinnati area? (Hello, Louisville. Or WVU. Or even Michigan State.)

It's got to be a home game because we're talking about alternatives to Murray State, which was a home game. Many P5 schools are willing to play a one-off game, as long as it's at their place and not Nippert. Replacing Murray State with a P5 away game in the name of strength of schedule means UC would be left with only five home games on their schedule this year, and they're unwilling to do this. Home games pay the bills, and most schools schedule to maximize their number of home games.

UC has been very aggressive at pursuing one-and-one agreements with P5 schools, but there are few takers out there. Most schools counter with two-and-one or three-and-one, if they're willing to entertain it at all. Agreements less favorable than one-for-one don't help UC fill their home slate. UC will agree to a one-and-done if it fills an away hole in their schedule and there's a paycheck attached (see Arkansas, for example).

Louisville hasn't given UC the time of day since they left for the ACC, for whatever reason. UC would love nothing more than an opportunity to reclaim the Keg. I haven't heard whether WVU was agreeable to a series or not. I'd imagine the nine game conference schedule in the Big XII is a big hurdle for WVU. And besides, a non-conference series with WVU is OBE.

[WVRed]

Why they gotta be at home only again?

Why not a home-and-home with another top-ranked team who needs more quality opponents?

Or perhaps a home-and-home with a mid-tier Power Five team who might need some more juice or recruiting in the Cincinnati area? (Hello, Louisville. Or WVU. Or even Michigan State.)

I don’t follow UC enough to know how Fickell recruits but I’d imagine giving any help to other schools with recruiting in the city would not be in their best interests.

[WVRed]

Completely forgot the UK basketball pro day was on this evening.

Went to KSR to get a recap, it’s barely being followed. Everything on there is football.

What a time to be alive.

[Stray]

Completely forgot the UK basketball pro day was on this evening.

Went to KSR to get a recap, it’s barely being followed. Everything on there is football.

What a time to be alive.

Kentucky the "football school" is pretty cool this year. Stoops has done a really good job there.

[Bourgeois Zee]

It's got to be a home game because we're talking about alternatives to Murray State, which was a home game. Many P5 schools are willing to play a one-off game, as long as it's at their place and not Nippert. Replacing Murray State with a P5 away game in the name of strength of schedule means UC would be left with only five home games on their schedule this year, and they're unwilling to do this. Home games pay the bills, and most schools schedule to maximize their number of home games.

Which is the entire point of my argument.

If Cincinnati's AD is after money, the sixth home game makes sense.

If he's after a national championship, he should have scheduled a tougher opponent.

[paintmered]

Which is the entire point of my argument.

If Cincinnati's AD is after money, the sixth home game makes sense.

If he's after a national championship, he should have scheduled a tougher opponent.

The operating budget absolutely comes first if the AD wants to remain employed and in the good graces of the university president and board of trustees. Remember that UC is a state school with state appointed budgetary oversight. Its athletic department already runs at a significant deficit, which is a source of frustration among faculty and students (who cover the difference though student life fees every semester). The university has been living beyond its means in the name of escaping the AAC. That gamble paid off, but they were staring down eight-figure budget cuts without the conference realignment lifeline. After all, it is the weakness of the AAC (particularly this year) that started this discussion.

And none of this touches on the effects it would have to recruiting Cincy-area kids. Come to UC, where your parents can't watch you play until October.

So maybe all of this means UC misses the playoffs. But it's nowhere as easy as simply scheduling someone better.

[kaldaniels]

You can try as hard as you want but if you aren’t a Power 5 school you have an uphill climb to make the playoff, even if you go undefeated. Despite a few tough games on UC’s schedule they do not have the grueling week in and out schedule that schools in the top conferences have. It’s not fair but it’s the nature of the beast.

I’m glad UC is stepping up to the Big 12.

I’m glad to revisit this at the end of the season and compare SOS between UC and other playoff contenders. Though I suspect UC’s SOS will be shockingly low in comparison.

[paintmered]

The B1G West is awful. Iowa has played one ranked team and have none remaining on their schedule. Yet nobody is suggesting Iowa should be left out of the playoffs because of it. Why is that?

[kaldaniels]

The B1G West is awful. Iowa has played one ranked team and have none remaining on their schedule. Yet nobody is suggesting Iowa should be left out of the playoffs because of it. Why is that?

Everyone knows when the dust clears (Big Ten title game included) Iowa (if they run the table) will have a much higher SOS overall and it’s not really debatable.

[RedTeamGo!]

The B1G West is awful. Iowa has played one ranked team and have none remaining on their schedule. Yet nobody is suggesting Iowa should be left out of the playoffs because of it. Why is that?

Iowa will also play a likely top 5 team in the B1G championship game, though. IF they win that game they will have two wins better than any of UC’s

[paintmered]

Iowa will also play a likely top 5 team in the B1G championship game, though. IF they win that game they will have two wins better than any of UC’s

The conference championship game will make it a better schedule, sure. But it's still a weak schedule where Iowa only have to get up twice instead of every week. Isn't that the argument against UC?

We're drawing arbitrary lines to determine who is worthy, and somehow that line keeps getting drawn right above UC. Weird how that works.

[RedTeamGo!]

The conference championship game will make it a better schedule, sure. But it's still a weak schedule where Iowa only have to get up twice instead of every week. Isn't that the argument against UC?

We're drawing arbitrary lines to determine who is worthy, and somehow that line keeps getting drawn right above UC. Weird how that works.

I didn’t say that, just saying Iowa’s schedule and UC’s schedule are not equal

[WVRed]

You can try as hard as you want but if you aren’t a Power 5 school you have an uphill climb to make the playoff, even if you go undefeated. Despite a few tough games on UC’s schedule they do not have the grueling week in and out schedule that schools in the top conferences have. It’s not fair but it’s the nature of the beast.

I’m glad UC is stepping up to the Big 12.

I’m glad to revisit this at the end of the season and compare SOS between UC and other playoff contenders. Though I suspect UC’s SOS will be shockingly low in comparison.

I know it’s better than the American but I’m not 100% sold on the long term viability of the Big 12 post Texas-Oklahoma. Especially in comparison to the Alliance the SEC.

[WVRed]

Kentucky the "football school" is pretty cool this year. Stoops has done a really good job there.

I’m enjoying it because I think Stoops cashes in after this season. Only question is where after the dominos start to fall.

[KronoRed]

I’m enjoying it because I think Stoops cashes in after this season. Only question is where after the dominos start to fall.

Miami?

[Bourgeois Zee]

I’m enjoying it because I think Stoops cashes in after this season. Only question is where after the dominos start to fall.

Florida State?

[KronoRed]

Wisconsin?

[kaldaniels]

I know it’s better than the American but I’m not 100% sold on the long term viability of the Big 12 post Texas-Oklahoma. Especially in comparison to the Alliance the SEC.

I agree - though it’s their best move at the moment so it gets my thumbs up.

[kaldaniels]

The conference championship game will make it a better schedule, sure. But it's still a weak schedule where Iowa only have to get up twice instead of every week. Isn't that the argument against UC?

We're drawing arbitrary lines to determine who is worthy, and somehow that line keeps getting drawn right above UC. Weird how that works.

I’ll gladly wait till the end of the season and see how SOS stacks up for these 2 teams. I think you’ll be surprised.

[paintmered]

I’ll gladly wait till the end of the season and see how SOS stacks up for these 2 teams. I think you’ll be surprised.

You're welcome to shove my nose in it if and when the time comes. :)

I'd say much rides on how long Penn State's starting quarterback will be out.

[kaldaniels]

You're welcome to shove my nose in it if and when the time comes. :)

It’s really not that. I just don’t think it’s “an arbitrary line will happen to be drawn right above UC.”

It will be pretty glaring I imagine.

[Boston Red]

Iowa State has been disappointing but will still look signifigantly better than Indiana, I suspect, too.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Iowa State has been disappointing but will still look signifigantly better than Indiana, I suspect, too.

It doesn't help that Iowa walloped IU 34 - 6, while UC beat them 38 - 24.

The Bearcats needed 15 4th quarter points to win, while Iowa basically called off the dogs at halftime.

[paintmered]

It doesn't help that Iowa walloped IU 34 - 6, while UC beat them 38 - 24.

Fair point, but where those games were played cannot be dropped from the comparison.

Anyways, to bring this back to my original grievance, no matter what UC does this year, the college football world is going to look for any reason to deny them the opportunity to be in the playoffs. I'm not suggesting they shouldn't be subject to scrutiny. I am suggesting that no other contending team is subject to the same level of scrutiny for worthiness.

[Boston Red]

I don't think the score comparison matters too much. UC played like complete garbage for a half and won by 14 on the road. That's what good teams manage to do. But IU is not going to help like it looked likey they might when looking at the schedule in August.

[WVRed]

Florida State?

He turned down Free Shoes University when Norvell took it. Could happen but my guess is the Big 10.

Michigan if Harbaugh stumbles down the stretch.

Penn State if Franklin leaves.

If he did leave Marrow would likely join him and the Ohio pipeline would likely follow to either of those places.