- Awards
- 14
No, you are not missing anything...I didn't get around to posting week 2. I apologize. A very busy week, wedding anniversary and kid's weekend activities made the week/weekend fly by. However, week 4 is upon us, so it's time to recap week 3.
Results from top teams.
#1 Clemson
- Destroyed Syracuse 41-6 in a game the media tried to frame as a difficult. The rebuilt Clemson front 7 (who everybody said would take a big step back after losing all 4 DL starters to the NFL draft...3 in the first 17 picks) had 8 sacks.
Interesting Note: Clemson is the only team in the country who has played three P5 teams in the 1st 3 weeks of the season and of course the only team with 3 P5 wins. Clemson's schedule is ranked 25th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: Charlotte in Death Valley. Clemson's first non-P5 game and a chance to work out some early season kinks.
#2 Alabama
- Destroyed SCar 47-23 in a game that was nowhere near as close as the score indicated. A late garbage time TD (which resulted in a backdoor cover) makes the score look respectable. SCar hung in for a half...then was blown out after halftime.
Interesting Note: Alabama has struggled to run the ball this season. Versus P5 schools, Alabama is only averaging 110 rushing yards/game and 3/4 YPC. Not good. Alabama's schedule is ranked 44th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: Southern Miss. Should be a beat down.
#3 UGA
- Beat a cupcakes. Next....
Interesting Note: Georgia has yet to play a team ranked higher than 69 in the ESPN FPI (Vandy 69; Arkansas State 89; Murray State NR). UGA's schedule is ranked 118th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: #7 Notre Dame - ND is a pretender. They have no team speed and are 114th vs the run vs P5 teams. UGA should run for 250+ yards.
#4 LSU
- Beat a cupcakes. Next....
Interesting Note: LSU has only played one P5 team...Texas, who has the 96th ranked defense in the nation. LSU's schedule is ranked 105th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: Vanderbilt. *yawn*
#5 Oklahoma
- Beat maybe the worst P5 team in the country, UCLA. Wake me up when Oklahoma plays a defense with a pulse.
Interesting Note: Oklahoma's first 3 opponents are now a combined 1-10. Might not want to hand Hurts the Heisman just yet. Oklahoma's schedule is ranked 88th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: Texas Tech. Oklahoma's toughest test yet...but still not a good team.
#6 Ohio State
- Dominated Indiana as expected. Fields and the front 7 are impressive.
Interesting Note: OSU has played one P5 team this season, 80th ranked (ESPN FPI) Indiana. *yawn*
Up Next: Miami, OH. Ohio State has played FAU, Cincy, Indiana the first 3 games of the season...good for the 68th toughest schedule so far per Sagarin.
So far, through 3 weeks, there are about 6 teams who legitimately have a shot at the title: Clemson, Alabama, UGA, LSU, Oklahoma and Ohio State.
My College Football Playoff Rankings:
1. Clemson
- Most complete team in the nation through 3 games.
2. Ohio State
- I've been very impressed with the front 7 and Fields is progressing nicely.
3. Alabama
- The passing game is humming, but the running game needs improvement.
4. Oklahoma
- Looks very strong so far.
First 2 out:
UGA and LSU. I know everybody is loving these two, but with the 105th and 118th toughest schedules, there isn't enough evidence for me just yet.
Matchups:
1. Clemson vs 2. Oklahoma
- Clemson has dominated Oklahoma the last 2 times they've played them...including the last time with Baker Mayfield under center. There is no evidence that Oklahoma can match-up with Clemson on the field. Vegas currently has Clemson as at least a 9.5 favorite on a neutral field.
2. Ohio State vs 3. Alabama
- Vegas has Alabama has a 7/7.5 favorite on a neutral field, but I think this game could be closer. I Alabama's passing game and Nick Saban's track record vs Freshman QB's (not named Trevor Lawrence of course) would lead me to pick Alabama today.
National Championship:
1. Clemson vs 3. Alabama
- Interesting trend; these teams have met 3 time in the last 4 years in the National Championship...the team ranked #1 has never won. Vegas has this game anywhere from a pick'em to Alabama being a 3 point favorite. Let's look at Clemson's history as the underdog in the College football Playoff:
2015 Orange Bowl: Clemson +4 vs Oklahoma. Clemson won the game outright 37-17.
2015 CFP National Championship: Clemson +6.5 vs Alabama. Clemson lost 45-41 but covered the spread.
2016 Fiesta Bowl: Clemson +3.5 vs Ohio State. Clemson won the game outright 31-0.
2016 National Championship: Clemson +6 vs Alabama. Clemson won outright 35-31.
2017 Sugar Bowl: Clemson +3 vs Alabama. Clemson lost 24-6 & did not cover.
2018 Cotton Bowl: Clemson -12 vs Notre Dame: Clemson won & covered 30-3.
2018 National championship: Clemson +5 vs Alabama: Clemson won outright 44-16.
Clemson has been the underdog in 6 of the 7 college football games they've played. Clemson is 5-1 against the spread as the underdog and 4-2 straight up as the dog.
Being the underdog motivates the Tigers. Make this 6-1 vs the spread and 5-2 straight up as the dog as Clemson beats Alabama in the national championship game 30-24.
Results from top teams.
#1 Clemson
- Destroyed Syracuse 41-6 in a game the media tried to frame as a difficult. The rebuilt Clemson front 7 (who everybody said would take a big step back after losing all 4 DL starters to the NFL draft...3 in the first 17 picks) had 8 sacks.
Interesting Note: Clemson is the only team in the country who has played three P5 teams in the 1st 3 weeks of the season and of course the only team with 3 P5 wins. Clemson's schedule is ranked 25th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: Charlotte in Death Valley. Clemson's first non-P5 game and a chance to work out some early season kinks.
#2 Alabama
- Destroyed SCar 47-23 in a game that was nowhere near as close as the score indicated. A late garbage time TD (which resulted in a backdoor cover) makes the score look respectable. SCar hung in for a half...then was blown out after halftime.
Interesting Note: Alabama has struggled to run the ball this season. Versus P5 schools, Alabama is only averaging 110 rushing yards/game and 3/4 YPC. Not good. Alabama's schedule is ranked 44th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: Southern Miss. Should be a beat down.
#3 UGA
- Beat a cupcakes. Next....
Interesting Note: Georgia has yet to play a team ranked higher than 69 in the ESPN FPI (Vandy 69; Arkansas State 89; Murray State NR). UGA's schedule is ranked 118th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: #7 Notre Dame - ND is a pretender. They have no team speed and are 114th vs the run vs P5 teams. UGA should run for 250+ yards.
#4 LSU
- Beat a cupcakes. Next....
Interesting Note: LSU has only played one P5 team...Texas, who has the 96th ranked defense in the nation. LSU's schedule is ranked 105th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: Vanderbilt. *yawn*
#5 Oklahoma
- Beat maybe the worst P5 team in the country, UCLA. Wake me up when Oklahoma plays a defense with a pulse.
Interesting Note: Oklahoma's first 3 opponents are now a combined 1-10. Might not want to hand Hurts the Heisman just yet. Oklahoma's schedule is ranked 88th in the nation per Sagarin.
Up Next: Texas Tech. Oklahoma's toughest test yet...but still not a good team.
#6 Ohio State
- Dominated Indiana as expected. Fields and the front 7 are impressive.
Interesting Note: OSU has played one P5 team this season, 80th ranked (ESPN FPI) Indiana. *yawn*
Up Next: Miami, OH. Ohio State has played FAU, Cincy, Indiana the first 3 games of the season...good for the 68th toughest schedule so far per Sagarin.
So far, through 3 weeks, there are about 6 teams who legitimately have a shot at the title: Clemson, Alabama, UGA, LSU, Oklahoma and Ohio State.
My College Football Playoff Rankings:
1. Clemson
- Most complete team in the nation through 3 games.
2. Ohio State
- I've been very impressed with the front 7 and Fields is progressing nicely.
3. Alabama
- The passing game is humming, but the running game needs improvement.
4. Oklahoma
- Looks very strong so far.
First 2 out:
UGA and LSU. I know everybody is loving these two, but with the 105th and 118th toughest schedules, there isn't enough evidence for me just yet.
Matchups:
1. Clemson vs 2. Oklahoma
- Clemson has dominated Oklahoma the last 2 times they've played them...including the last time with Baker Mayfield under center. There is no evidence that Oklahoma can match-up with Clemson on the field. Vegas currently has Clemson as at least a 9.5 favorite on a neutral field.
2. Ohio State vs 3. Alabama
- Vegas has Alabama has a 7/7.5 favorite on a neutral field, but I think this game could be closer. I Alabama's passing game and Nick Saban's track record vs Freshman QB's (not named Trevor Lawrence of course) would lead me to pick Alabama today.
National Championship:
1. Clemson vs 3. Alabama
- Interesting trend; these teams have met 3 time in the last 4 years in the National Championship...the team ranked #1 has never won. Vegas has this game anywhere from a pick'em to Alabama being a 3 point favorite. Let's look at Clemson's history as the underdog in the College football Playoff:
2015 Orange Bowl: Clemson +4 vs Oklahoma. Clemson won the game outright 37-17.
2015 CFP National Championship: Clemson +6.5 vs Alabama. Clemson lost 45-41 but covered the spread.
2016 Fiesta Bowl: Clemson +3.5 vs Ohio State. Clemson won the game outright 31-0.
2016 National Championship: Clemson +6 vs Alabama. Clemson won outright 35-31.
2017 Sugar Bowl: Clemson +3 vs Alabama. Clemson lost 24-6 & did not cover.
2018 Cotton Bowl: Clemson -12 vs Notre Dame: Clemson won & covered 30-3.
2018 National championship: Clemson +5 vs Alabama: Clemson won outright 44-16.
Clemson has been the underdog in 6 of the 7 college football games they've played. Clemson is 5-1 against the spread as the underdog and 4-2 straight up as the dog.
Being the underdog motivates the Tigers. Make this 6-1 vs the spread and 5-2 straight up as the dog as Clemson beats Alabama in the national championship game 30-24.
