We are now at the halfway mark of the 2016 college football season, and once again, there were some revelations unveiled during Week 7, including one team reigning supreme in all the land, and while others being exposed as frauds. Here are my top five things for what we learned this past weekend:
Here are my top five things for what we learned this past weekend:
1. It’s Alabama’s World, We Are All Just Living In It
Alabama. Whether you are a fan or not, there is no one person that can possibly deny that the top-ranked Crimson Tide rules the college football landscape with an iron fist. They waltzed into Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, and absolutely throttled the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers 49-10. And here is what makes it even more impressive – it was the largest margin of victory by Alabama against an AP top-10 team during the regular season…ever.
The defense is suffocating (led by a secondary that seems to score touchdowns at will), and the offense has found its footing (Jalen Hurts has adapted well to Lane Kiffin’s scheme and looks even more impressive on a weekly basis). Next week, another top team in the SEC steps up to the Tide in Texas A&M. One has to wonder though if the Aggies can match the Tide. Make no mistake about it, as of now, Alabama is on a level no other team can match.
2. Clemson Dodges Another Bullet
You have to start wondering about the Clemson Tigers, as they did not deserve to win this game. Lucky for them, North Carolina State could not put them away (when your kicker misses three field goals…), leaving points on the field, and the Tigers escaped with a victory in overtime 24-17. Once again, the Tigers offense had issues, with quarterback Deshaun Watson bad pick-six to Mike Stevens, and coughing up three fumbles, losing the turnover battle by two.
It’s an extension of the same old song and dance we have seen this year from Clemson — playing down to the competition. What made this performance especially worrying was that is was done homecoming week. With the way Alabama is steamrolling teams these days, Clemson need to find a way to get sharp throughout the second half of the season, or else they will continue to slip down the rankings, even when “winning” games.
It’s an extension of the same old song and dance we have seen this year from Clemson — playing down to the competition. What made this performance especially worrying was that is was done homecoming week. With the way Alabama is steamrolling teams these days, Clemson need to find a way to get sharp throughout the second half of the season, or else they will continue to slip down the rankings, even when “winning” games.
3. The Instant Classic In Madison
Two Top 10 teams in prime time in a heavyweight showdown that lived up to the billing, with twists and turns up until the final play. That was Ohio State’s 26-23 overtime thriller against Wisconsin. The Badgers literally threw everything it had against the Buckeyes. Corey Clement was a beast in the backfield, the defense for two and
That was Ohio State’s 26-23 overtime thriller against Wisconsin. The Badgers literally threw everything it had against the Buckeyes. Corey Clement was a beast in the backfield, the defense for two and a half quarters shutting down the Buckeyes’ vaunted offense. But there was one thing Ohio State had that Wisconsin didn’t – quarterback J.T. Barrett. Barrett finished with 318 yards and three touchdowns, and willed his team to victory. On the other side, freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook, although playing well for most of the game, made the key mistakes that turned the tide and ultimately cost the Badgers the game (you cannot take
On the other side, freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook, although playing well for most of the game, made the key mistakes that turned the tide and ultimately cost the Badgers the game (you cannot take sacks young man!). This one was definitely an instant classic, and could be the impetus for Ohio State to be Alabama’s main competition for the national championship.
4. Welcome To The Party, West Virginia
No. 20 West Virginia’s one-sided victory over Texas Tech in Lubbock has gotten that attention of the college football world. Now with a 5-0 record, and undefeated in conference play, head coach Dana Holgorsen’s program is right in the thick of it for the Big 12 conference championship.
Now comes the hard part for West Virginia, as they will need to be ready for the meat of their conference slate.
They have games against TCU, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Baylor still upcoming. The Mountaineers have their work cut out to remain undefeated this year, but if they can go 4-0 against the top teams in the conference, one has to wonder if the Big 12, pilloried all season by pundits and fans alike, will have a representative in the playoff.
5. Frauds, Frauds and More Frauds
As we headed into this season, football powers Michigan State, Notre Dame and Georgia were all ranked in the top half of the polls, and with the talent they had coming back, everyone thought they would be in thick of the race.
Well, this is why you play the game, because all three programs have been exposed as frauds. After Week 7, these teams have compiled a combined record of 8-12. Georgia has lost three straight, with the last a bad loss to Vanderbilt. Notre Dame has so many issues on both sides of the ball, and coach Brian Kelly has completely lost his team.
Michigan State has lost four in a row since edging Notre Dame in Week 2. It’s like the Spartans have just never rebounded from the spanking Wisconsin gave them in Week 3. Nobody expected any of these programs to be struggling this bad when the season began. That all three are in the dumps is incredible.