The 2021-2022 college football season has been filled with ups and downs, turns and twists, as well as many exciting games. There is a great deal of college football news to discuss, including coaching moves, surprising upsets, and a highly contested Heisman Trophy race. As the college playoff season is quickly approaching, college football fans will certainly be excited to tune in during the next few weeks, until New Years.
I was in awe tuning into the Michigan vs Ohio State game, as the entire student body of Michigan stormed the field for their first win over Ohio State since Nov, 26, 2011. It was a scene that was well deserved as college football’s greatest rivalry has been completely dominated by Ohio State for the last decade. Michigan’s 42-27 victory was a statement victory that proves their rapid ascendence this year is legit and will extend Head Coach Jim Harbaugh’s tenure for at least a few more years, despite his past struggles versus top tier teams.
In the coaching world of college football, there has been a lot of movement, including some big names within the industry. Former Louisiana State University (LSU) Head Coach Ed Orgeron was fired midseason due to disciplinary concerns as well as a sharp decline in success since their historic 2019 season. The University of Oklahoma and University of Notre Dame both lost legendary Head Coaches Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly to University of Southern California (USC) and LSU respectively.
The 2021 Heisman Trophy has been up for grabs all season, with no players making a legitimate number one case for the prestigious award until recently. The Dec. 7 betting odds for the Heisman is being battled between quarterbacks Bryce Young of Alabama, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State, Kenny Pickett of Pittsburg, and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Young is favored at -5000, Stroud stands second at +2000, and Pickett and Hutchinson have a +3000 line.
As of Dec. 5, the college football playoff seeding is ordered as such: #1 Alabama, #2 Michigan, #3 Georgia, and #4 Cincinnati respectively. The surprise team in this college football field is fourth-ranking Cincinnati who sport a perfect 13-0 record led by quarterback Desmond Ridder. The Bearcats have stormed through the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and have notable victories over #9 Notre Dame, #16 Houston, University of Central Florida (UCF), and Southern Methodist University (SMU). #1 Alabama vs #4 Cincinnati and #2 Michigan vs #3 Georgia matchups will be very intriguing because it includes three powerhouse programs as well as one exceptional, non-power, five conference team this season.
Some of the top prospects for the 2022 NFL draft include Ole Miss Quarterback Matt Corral, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Oregon edge rusher and linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, and LSU cornerback Derrick Stingley Jr. The Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and Houston Texans are teams that are highly likely to end up drafting in the top five.
I hope the college football playoff lives up to everyone’s expectations and I anticipate a highly entertaining NFL draft as well. I want to end by saying a quick thanks to all of the staff at the Hill News and students that are supporting our publications on a weekly basis this semester.