Takeaways from Week 3 of the College Football Season
After two weeks of the season it looked as though Alabama was in position to cruise to another national title. They secured dominant wins over Miami and Mercer and extended their win streak to 17 games. Through the first quarter of their week 3 SEC matchup against No. 11 Florida, it looked as though we were headed for more of the same as the Crimson Tide jumped out to a 21-3 lead. However, behind a strong rushing attack led by Malik Davis and solid QB play from Emory Jones, the Gators rallied and were a botched 2-point conversion attempt away from tying the game with 3:10 left, losing 31-29. Even in defeat Florida proved they can play with anyone, along with showing us there is a formula to beat No. 1 Alabama.
The Big Ten is Wide Open
For the past couple of years, the Big Ten conference has had two tiers: Ohio State and everybody else. Ohio State has won the conference with ease in each of the past four seasons, but this could change in 2021-22. After suffering a shocking loss to Oregon last week, the Buckeyes struggled heavily against winless Tulsa, pulling away late in a game that was much closer than the 41-20 final score suggests. On the other hand, four other Big Ten teams – Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, and Iowa – are all undefeated and have looked great so far this year. Michigan State and Penn State both picked up impressive wins against ranked opponents, while Michigan and Iowa took care of business and handily won their matchups. With the struggles of Ohio State, it’s anyone’s guess who will win the Big Ten this year, and I could see any of the four challengers dethroning the Buckeyes.
Clemson, a Shell of Its Former Self
Going into the season, Clemson was the consensus second-best team in the country. It was expected that they would be right up there competing with Alabama for a national championship. Former 5-star recruit DJ Uiagalelei, who developed under the tutelage of Trevor Lawrence, and was impressive in limited action last year, was expected to lead Clemson’s high-powered offense and be an immediate Heisman candidate. However, it has been a disastrous start to the season for Uiagalelei and the Tigers. The 10-3 loss to Georgia was certainly disappointing, but the Bulldogs have the best defense in college football, so it was forgivable. Putting up 14 points and barely beating Georgia Tech, a team they were favored to beat by over four touchdowns and that had just lost to Northern Illinois two weeks prior, is simply inexcusable. Uiagalelei was limited to 126 yards passing and no touchdowns. Clemson had to rely on its rushing attack and defense to escape with a victory. This game raised a lot of red flags, and I predict that for the first time since 2014 Clemson will not be making the College Football Playoff.
Playoff Format Needs to be Reformed, and Soon
There has been discussion for years about modifying the current format of the College Football Playoff, which currently only includes the top four teams in the country. However, no changes have been made, and it has led to some great teams missing a chance to play for a national championship. This looks to be one of the deepest seasons in recent memory, some top teams could go undefeated (Cincinnati, BYU, Coastal Carolina), or only have one loss (Florida, Iowa State, Wisconsin), and still miss the playoff due to the current formatting and selection process. Missing the playoff with one loss can be understandable, but in no scenario should a team win every game on their schedule and still not make it. This has happened many times to mid-major programs in the past couple of seasons. Also, winning a Power Five conference should be valued more heavily, as with the current format every season, at least one or multiple Power Five conference champions are left out. My proposal for the College Football Playoff is an 8-team playoff in which five automatic bids go to the winners of each Power Five conference. One automatic bid is given to the top ranked mid-major team, and the other two bids are at-large bids selected by the Playoff Committee. This would give conference champions and mid-major programs fair representation, as well as still giving teams an opportunity to make the Playoff even if they do not win their conference. Lastly it gives us, the viewer, more football to watch, which is never a bad thing.
Looking Ahead to Week 4
Games of the Week
Unbeaten and 12th-ranked Notre Dame travels to Madison to take on the 18th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers. I want the Irish to pull this one out in enemy territory.
In an SEC matchup of two unbeatens, 7th-ranked Texas A&M plays at 16th-ranked Arkansas, and I want the Razorbacks to rally behind what surely will be a raucous home crowd and get the win.
Upset Alert
Oklahoma is still undefeated and the 4th-ranked team in the nation, but has struggled so far in close wins over Tulane and Nebraska. Watch out for a sneaky good West Virginia team coming off a huge win over No. 15 Virginia Tech to notch an upset victory in Norman.
Don’t Even Bother Watching
Vanderbilt has been at the absolute bottom of the SEC for years and is coming off an 0-9 season in 2020-21. This year they have already improved on that record by beating lowly Colorado State on a last second field goal. This week the 2nd-ranked Georgia Bulldogs and their vaunted defense come to town: expect this game to get ugly fast. I would be shocked if Vanderbilt even comes close to scoring a point. This is one of the few 12:00 P.M. games this week, but I would strongly advise against tuning in, as Georgia should be up by 40 by halftime.