Tennessee needs a quarterback.
Its generally not fair to pin every offensive issue on the quarterback, however its hard to look at Tennessees 34-7 loss to Kentucky and not see how bad the QB play remained in the first half. Simply have a look at this series of occasions from Jarrett Guarantano and J.T. Shrout..
Mississippi States cant get defense.
Mississippi States offensive woes considering that unexpected LSU are well-documented. In a 28-14 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday, the Bulldogs scored just one offensive goal. That indicates Mike Leachs offense has scored 21 offensive points in its last 3 games– all losses..
Thats one way to get into a hole rapidly, and to offer complete credit, Kentucky has a terrific defense. The Wildcats were able to lean on that defense and their ground video game to close out the win. When mistakes get you into a hole that huge, the one thing you can rely on– the running game– ends up being much harder.
Liberty is the enjoyable team no ones speaking about.
Full disclosure: I do not understand how good Liberty really is as the Flames relocated to 5-0 after beating Syracuse 38-21. On one hand, thats excellent! At any time a Group of Five group can beat a Power Five group, specifically on the road, its a badge even if the Power Five group isnt a world-beater. On the other hand, Libertys wins have come versus Western Kentucky, FIU, North Alabama, Louisiana-Monroe, and now the Orange. But heres what I do understand: quarterback Malik Willis is an ideal fit and there are playmakers everywhere on offense. Theyre averaging 34.4 points per game and well over 400 yards of offense per game. Upcoming matches versus Virginia Tech, NC State and Coastal Carolina (!!!!) will offer a much better gauge of how excellent the Flames are, however theyre approaching the list of groups to pay more attention to..
This time next week, the Big Ten will have played its first slate of games in its 2020 season. Another couple of weeks after that, the Pac-12 and the rest of the FBS will have joined the celebration. Its a suggestion that theres a lot of football that not only has actually to be played, but a lot of football that hasnt even begun..
And yet the most significant video game of the year feels like it just took place. Alabama and Georgia dealt with off in prime time with both teams trying to prove they are one of the best groups in this year– if not the finest team. A little over half of the FBS is currently playing, but in some respects, the season is taking major shape.
Two playoff areas are already filled.
I typically avoid making College Football Playoff predictions [/checks calendar] nine weeks out, but wins by Alabama and Clemson struck home with me. Take Clemsons 73-7 win over Georgia Tech. Its eye-popping and a little startling, however its not unexpected that the Tigers had their way with their opponent. Clemson hasnt lost a conference video game in three years, and have now won their last 10 by a minimum of 3 ratings. Coach Dabo Swinney has established a killing machine. Can anyone in the ACC obstacle them? Notre Dame? Virginia Tech? Sure, Clemson could have an “off” day, however thats about the degree of my self-confidence in anyone taking down this team on an offered Saturday..
Alabama looks a bit more unsteady on the protective side, but consider what their 41-24 win over Georgia means. The Bulldogs are the Tides a lot of formidable SEC enemy. They get the type of blue-chip skill essential to go hat-on-hat against Alabama. Theyre well-coached. They have probably the very best defense in the nation. And Alabama put a 40-burger on em to the tune of 24 unanswered points and beat them by 17..
Since Mississippi States defense has really been playing well enough to win video games, its a shame. However that win over LSU to open the season looks more like an aberration by the week..
Clemson hasnt lost a conference video game in 3 years, and have now won their last 10 by at least 3 ratings. The Knights were actually the most penalized team in the country getting in Saturday at an astonishing 15 charges per game. The Wildcats were able to lean on that defense and their ground video game to close out the win. When errors get you into a hole that big, the one thing you can rely on– the running video game– becomes much harder. Theyre balancing 34.4 points per video game and well over 400 lawns of offense per video game.
Its a long season. I get that. Alabama and Clemson might not play fantastic every week. They may even lose a video game along the way. However in an uncomfortable year when resumes will be no place near comparable, how do you look at either of these teams and state theyre not one of the 4 best in the country? I understand, I know … whats altered, right? Absolutely nothing, actually, but after seeing them play, were stagnating towards a four-team playoff, were moving towards two open spots in a four-team playoff..
UCF shooting itself in the foot like no other.
The Knights should probably be 4-0, however after dropping a thriller of a game to Memphis 50-49, theyre 2-2. This game was whatever it was billed to be– the only thing missing were nationwide rankings connected to each group..
The Knights were literally the most penalized group in the nation going into Saturday at an impressive 15 penalties per game. Thats on top of the 18-point lead they blew to Tulsa two weeks back. Theres no denying the talent and speed of the offense, however these collapses and self-inflicted wounds are keeping UCF from being one of the 10 or so best groups in the country.
Barry Odom for the Broyles Award.
Arkansas 33-21 win over Ole Miss was another example of the Razorbacks being the most enhanced group in the SEC– if not in the entire FBS. The most significant improvement has been on the defensive side of the ball, specifically in takeaways. Arkansas notched seven takeaways against Ole Miss, consisting of 6 interceptions against quarterback Matt Corral. A few of those interceptions were an outcome of poor/desperate throws from Corral, however credit Odom for preparing yet another great game strategy on defense..
About the only thing Arkansas did “wrong” was get gassed in the 2nd half. The Razorbacks are fun to watch once again, and Sam Pittman and his personnel have done a great task turning things around ahead of schedule. However if Pittmans not going to get Coach of the Year in the SEC (he ought to), then at the minimum Odom ought to be up for the Broyles Award for leading assistant..
The technique– if you want to call it that– for defenses facing Mississippi State has been drop seven or eight into protection while rushing with only three or four. Yes, its worked against the Bulldogs offense, but thats due to the fact that groups like Kentucky and Arkansas, and now Texas A&M, are in fact getting home with that pass rush.
Virginia Techs offense is scary excellent.
It didnt get a lot of attention due to the fact that it was in the exact same time slot as Georgia-Alabama, however Virginia Techs 40-14 win over Boston College was another screen of remarkable offense. Leading the method were running back Khalil Herbert and quarterback Hendon Hooker, who had 307 lawns on the ground combined plus three goals. Tech was assisted out by 5 Boston College turnovers, however when this offense is humming, its one of the hardest hurrying attacks to stop in the country.
