College Football Round-Up: Week Nine

Week nine of the college football season is in the books. I'm on short time this week due to my daughter's birthday (she was born on Halloween, so that holiday is officially a nightmare for us now), so you will be seeing a lot more funny memes/gifs this week in the scoreboard to help speed things up.

So............

ARE YOU READY?????..................

I SAID............

ARE YOU READY??????????............

WELL...................

LETTTTTTTTT'S GET READY TO FUMBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBLEEEEEEEEEEEE...........

Top 25 Scoreboard:

(A recap of all the action involving the top 25 teams in college football)

(2) TCU (8-0): 40     West Virginia (3-4): 10

This one wasn't a shocker. TCU is one of the best teams in the Nation right now (even though they are a bit riddled by injuries) and West Virginia started out strong this year, but they have absolutely shit the bed when it comes to conference play this season. This one was over before it even began....

Some people would call this a "Horned Frog". I just call it "creepy".

(3) Clemson (8-0): 56      NC State (5-3): 41

I'm starting to think this is the year that Clemson does it. Everyone knows the history with this team. Every year they look like a legit contender, and every year they come out and "Clemson" it against a team they shouldn't lose to. But doesn't this year just feel different for some reason? I don't know if it's because it feels like there's a lack of a "super power" team or if it's because Deshaun Watson has made my sport pants tight, but Clemson is one of the top 4 teams in the sport right now and if they make it through the season without actually "Clemsoning" it, these guys have a realistic chance to walk away with a National Championship this year. I'm officially on the bandwagon. If they beat Florida State next weekend (in a HUGE ACC game), they should run the table and secure a playoff spot.

(7) Oklahoma State (8-0): 70     Texas Tech (5-4): 53

Oklahoma State is "fool's gold". Just like Baylor, I don't trust this team at all for numerous reasons. Sure, Oklahoma State is one of the best teams in college football on the offensive side of the ball, but what about that defense? I know Texas Tech is a high scoring offensive juggernaut, but c'mon Oklahoma State! The Kansas Jayhawks held the Red Raiders to just 30 points and the Sooners held them to only 27, so you know it can be done. Does anyone actually think Oklahoma State has a chance to run the table and secure a playoff spot? Is anyone taking this team to beat Baylor or TCU? Two teams that are arguably better than Oklahoma State on offense and should score 70 points on the Cowboys? No. I'm telling you right now. Don't buy any OSU stock. You'll end up regretting it in 3 weeks time.

(8) Iowa (8-0): 31      Maryland (2-6): 15

What's the ceiling for this Iowa Hawkeyes team? Because I have absolutely no idea. Are they good? It sure looks that way. Are they undefeated because they've played an easy schedule? No. Iowa has actually played some solid teams this year in Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, and Northwestern and handled their business. If you look at Iowa's remaining schedule, they still have Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue, and Nebraska to play. If you just glanced at that schedule you would think the Hawkeyes are going undefeated until they play either Ohio State or Michigan State in the BIG 10 championship game and you'd probably be right. Watch out for these guys folks. I'm all in. 

(10) Stanford (7-1): 30     Washington State (5-3): 28

The rest of the Nation is going to look at this score and shake their heads at Stanford barely beating Washington State. A team with Stanford's reputation that is a legit playoff contender this year should absolutely crush a Washington State team that is historically awful. I'm here to tell you people, this Washington State football team is a REAL football team this year. Ever since losing to Portland State in it's opener (Portland State is actually a decent little football team), Mike Leach has got his boys playing big time college football. They beat Oregon in Eugene, beat Arizona in the desert, and were THIS close to beating Stanford. Say what you want about the Cougars, but they are one of the best teams in the PAC-12 this year in what looks to be a down year for the conference. With this win, Stanford remains at the top of the conference and are still in contention for a playoff spot. It wasn't the prettiest game for the Cardinal, but they still ended up with the victory and that's all that matters.

"Suns out, guns out....the Mike Leach way"

(11) Utah (7-1): 27      Oregon State (2-6): 12

Ohhhhh, Oregon State. You little FCS team that is masquerading as a PAC-12 team. But hey, if it happens to Washington State once every 10 years, you guys are due again....right?

(12) Florida State (7-1): 45      Syracuse (3-5): 21 

#Unconquered

(13) Notre Dame (7-1): 24      (21) Temple (7-1): 20

Didn't it feel like the entire Nation outside of Notre Dame fans were cheering for Temple to win this game? C'MON! IT'S FREAKING TEMPLE! Does everyone have an idea about just how bad Temple has been historically? The Temple Owls have just TWO bowl appearances in 36 years. TWO! A team like Temple is never supposed to be this good in college football. A small school tucked away in a big city like Philadelphia is not exactly the recipe for a "world beater" in college football, but Temple has found that recipe this season and are impressing everyone. Even though the Owls didn't pick up the victory over the Irish here, you have to take your hat off to them. Head coach Matt Rhule has done an absolutely fantastic job with this team. Notre Dame is one of the best teams in the sport and they are littered with potential NFL players from top-to-bottom. For Temple to come out and not only compete with the Irish, but also almost end up with the victory is an absolute bonus for the Owls. There are currently a lot of good job openings in college football (South Carolina, USC, etc) and it wouldn't shock me at all to see Rhule end up as the head coach at one of these schools once the season's over.

 

"What does this meme have to do with Temple/Notre Dame? Think about it...."

(14) Memphis (8-0): 41     Tulane (2-6): 13

(15) Florida (7-1): 27      Georgia (5-3): 3

Is Mark Richt's time in Georgia over? It sure feels that way to me. Every year in the pre-season, the Georgia Bulldogs are picked as one of the top teams in the sport. Tell me when the last time the Georgia Bulldogs finished the season as one of the top dogs in the sport? Once again this season, the Bulldogs were picked to win the SEC East and once again....it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Now, personally I'm a fan of Mark Richt. I think he's a fine coach and recruiter, but I also think it could be time for a change of scenery and something tells me Georgia fans would be perfectly fine with that. Look at the Florida Gators for example. The Gators were a dumpster fire under head coach Will Muschamp. The Gators actually looked a lot like this year's Georgia team. A team that has given up on it's head coach and once a team gives up on it's head coach, it's time to make a move. The Gators ended up firing Muschamp and here we are just 8 games into Jim McElwain's run in Florida and something tells me if you asked Gator fans how they feel about their current team....it's going to be something like this:

Make a move Georgia.

(16) Houston (8-0): 34      Vanderbilt (3-5): 0

The Houston Cougars, ladies and gentlemen. Go ahead and sleep on this team all you want. I'm officially in. They are one of the best coached teams in the land and they just dominated an SEC team in a fashion that no one else has this season. When Houston hired head coach Tom Herman from Ohio State last season, I knew it would only be a matter of time before he turned them into a potential playoff contender (Yes, I thought he could turn HOUSTON into a potential playoff team....that's how highly I think of Herman). I just didn't think it would happen this season. If Houston ends up flirting with a playoff spot (and it's VERY possible people), you know the big time schools like USC, Miami, and (potentially) Georgia would come crawling to Herman's door. The question is, would he bite or is he fully invested in the Cougars at the moment? I don't know. What I do know is.....I'm dying to see the November 14th match-up between Houston and Memphis. Holy hell, THAT'S going to be "must see" TV.

(17) Oklahoma (7-1): 62     Kansas (0-8): 7

Kansas football.....

(18) Duke (6-2): 27     Miami (5-3): 30

Head coaching is one of the most underrated aspects in college football. While every football fan knows coaching is really important to the game, I don't think the average football fans knows just how important having a solid head coach is to your program. Case in point? The Miami Hurricanes and the USC Trojans. Both of these historical powerhouse programs recently fired their lame duck head coaches and look what's happened since. The Hurricanes are coming off a huge win against a ranked Duke team (that still feels weird to say) in a close game that Miami won with an absolute fantastic play at the end of the game. Meanwhile, the USC Trojans have been a different team on-the-field ever since cutting Steve Sarkisian loose. That just goes to show you how important it is to have a head coach who knows what he's doing. Just look at Duke. Duke was a joke for YEARS in the world of college football. However, head coach David Cutcliffe has these guys playing like they are one of the best teams in the conference. Duke may have lost this game, but they are still ahead of Miami in the "big picture". 

(20) Michigan (6-2): 29     Minnesota (4-4): 26

College football is a better place when Jerry Kill is head coaching. We're going to miss you coach. Hope everything works out for you and hopefully you find some enjoyment in your retirement.

"We'll miss you Coach Kill"

(22) Pittsburgh (7-0): 19     North Carolina (7-1): 26

Pittsburgh? Thanks for coming guys. Please leave the keys in the jar on your way out and kindly shut the door please.

North Carolina? WELCOME TO THE PARTY GUYS!!!! WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?

(23) Ole Miss (5-2): 27     Auburn (4-4): 19

(24) UCLA (6-2): 35     Colorado (4-5): 31

Wocka wocka.

(25) Texas A&M (6-2): 35     South Carolina (3-5): 28

"This is here because I've got nothing as far as it pertains to this game"

Upsets Of The Week

(There are upsets every week in college football. These are the best upsets for this week)

-Miami Hurricanes over Duke Blue Devils

Historically speaking, this isn't much of an upset. However, when you look at the make-up of these two teams and how they've competed this season....it's very much an upset. The Hurricanes have pretty much been a dumpster fire this season. They fired their head coach Al Golden a few weeks back, while Duke remains one of the most well coached teams in the sport. Duke was actually ranked heading into this game and ended up losing from a vicious clutch trick play from the Hurricanes. I don't know why, but Duke always struggles with Miami. Oh wait, I do know why. Because even though they have no real direction, they Hurricanes still have legit college football players on their team and as long as they have some actual guidance....they can make some noise on the field when it counts.

-Purdue Boilermakers over Nebraska Cornhuskers

It wasn't supposed to be this hard for new head coach Mike Riley. The former head coach at Oregon State University left OSU to go to a university that would ultimately give him everything he needed to take a team to the top of the sport. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened. Nebraska has been an absolute dumpster fire this season and it wouldn't shock me at all to hear that Riley is already on the "hot seat" in Lincoln. Losing to a team like Purdue (who was 1-6 heading into this game) is just unacceptable for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are now 3-6 and likely won't make a bowl game this year. Adios Mike Riley. It was fun while it lasted, wasn't it?


-Iowa State Cyclones over Texas Longhorns

Remember a few weeks back when Texas fans were calling for Charlie Strong's head? Remember a few weeks back when Charlie Strong and the Longhorns upset the Oklahoma Sooners in their biggest win of the season and Texas fans were back on board with Strong? Remember when the Longhorns shit the bed against a horrible Iowa State team and were shut out 0-24? OH. THAT'S BECAUSE IT JUST HAPPENED! What the hell Texas? WHAT THE EVER LOVING HELL??? You want to talk about unacceptable? It's bad enough that you lose to Iowa State, but to get SHUT OUT by an Iowa State team who's last 3 opponents all scored over 40 points? Don't let the door hit you, where the good lord split you Charlie Strong. 

  

Heisman Contenders

(Here are my current leaders for the Heisman trophy, in no particular order)

Leonard Fournette (RB) LSU

Ezekiel Elliot (RB) Ohio State

Trevone Boykin (QB) TCU

DeShaun Watson (QB) Clemson

Dalvin Cook (RB) Florida State

Derrick Henry (RB) Alabama

Corey Coleman (WR) Baylor

Still Undefeated

(These are the teams in college football that are still undefeated...)

LSU Tigers

Ohio State Buckeyes

Michigan State Spartans

Iowa Hawkeyes

TCU Horned Frogs

Baylor Bears

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Clemson Tigers

Houston Cougars

Memphis Tigers

Toledo Rockets

Top 25

(Here is my top 25 as it stands right now)

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0)

2. TCU Horned Frogs (8-0)

3. Clemson Tigers (8-0)

4. Baylor Bears (7-0)

5. LSU Tigers (7-0)

6. Michigan State Spartans (8-0)

7. Iowa Hawkeyes (8-0)

8. Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-0)

9. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1)

10. Stanford Cardinal (7-1)

11. Utah Utes (7-1)

12. Florida State Seminoles (7-1)

13. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-1)

14. Memphis Tigers (8-0)

15. Florida Gators (7-1)

16. Houston Cougars (8-0)

17. Oklahoma Sooners (7-1)

18. Toledo Rockets (7-0)

19. Michigan Wolverines (6-2)

20. Temple Owls (7-1)

21. Ole Miss Rebels (6-2)

22. UCLA Bruins (6-2)

23. Texas A&M Aggies (6-2)

24. North Carolina Tar Heels (7-1)

25. Mississippi State Bulldogs (6-2)

And that's it for week nine! I hope to see everybody back here next week. Same bat time. Same bat channel.