[ED.NOTE: Sorry for the lateness of Random Thoughts. RBR was down for much of the day on Monday. #Refunds are back on my Things To Do list.]
And we all thought last year was a weird one. This season might be the weirdest of all. We have witnessed a return of the defense. No longer do we have the big boffo scores that blow up the scoreboards. Also despite college football “getting back to normalcy” with full stadiums and not a single Captain Trips cancellation even sniffed at, this year’s college football season feels different. In the past when one of the power elite struggles and falls back, some other team emerges. That isn’t happening this year. There is so much mediocrity. Every team save one has had some struggle this year. IMHO, even that one team will not run the table unscathed.
The Mailman delivers one through the air to Brock Bowers for six. pic.twitter.com/SmE8aFUJG1
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 16, 2021
Georgia 30 Kentucky 13 - The Dawgs crushed another opponent’s storybook season by shutting down leading SEC rusher Chris Rodriguez to 7 yards on 7 attempts. UK was limited to 51 rushing yards with a long of 9 yards. The game was actually tight for a while. After a scoreless first quarter and a 14-7 halftime lead for UGA, the Bulldogs scored ten points on their first two second half possessions while forcing a pair of three-and-outs. The ‘Cats could do nothing until their final possession. Even on Kentucky’s garbage time TD, the PAT was blocked.
Freshman tight end Brock Bowers is a legit threat. He caught 5 passes for 101 yards and two scores. He is one player that every opponent (including potential SECCG foes) should be worried about. Stetson Bennett MCMLXII continues to somehow put up highlight reel plays, but did so last year as well until running into the Alabama buzzsaw. Georgia thrives on big plays. If an UGA foe can play fundamental football, limit mistakes and explosive plays, this offense can be stopped.
Alabama's defensive highlights vs Mississippi State: 7 sacks, 3 INTs (1 pick-six) #RollTide
— ✯✯✯✯✯ (@FTBVids_YT) October 18, 2021
FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/3BactjHHl4 pic.twitter.com/QvDb6jup9q
Alabama 49 Mississippi State 9 - Maybe the Crimson Tide’s loss to TAMU is just the attitude adjustment this team needed. Alabama put forth a complete dominating performance with 543 yards of offense and tallied an impressive 12 of 16 on third down conversions. John Metchie led receivers with 7 grabs for 117 yards. The defense was just as competent shutting down Mike Leach’s Air Raid for the second straight season. MSU QB Will Rogers, the SEC’s leading passer, was harassed all night. He was sacked seven times resulting in -41 rushing yards for him and -1 for the team. The Bama secondary picked Rogers off three times, one returned for a score by safety Jordan Battle. Rogers was held without a passing score for the first time since Bama beat MSU last year on October 31. The only other game this occurred in was his freshman debut when he came in to replace KJ Costello in Game 1 of last season vs UK.
Way to kill the Tennessee fans' vibe, ref
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) October 17, 2021
The Vols (+1) come up juuuuust short on 4th and 24 pic.twitter.com/S2Mi0fiHDs
Ole Miss 31 Tennessee 26 - A good game was marred by a bunch of idiot garbage men conventioneers. The Vols briefly led 9-7 on a first quarter safety and touchdown. However, OM would score the next 17 points to lead 24-9. To their credit, UT did not stop fighting and twice came back to trail only 24-19 and then 31-26. With just over a minute to play, Tennessee had a 4th and 24 when UT’s Hendon Hooker connected with his tight end with what looked like a first down. Yet, the refs spotted it short and the replay booth did not change the call. And that is when the trash started flying: bottles of both the plastic and glass variety, beer cans, a mustard conatiner, and whatever a stadium full of Uncle Ricos could get their hands on. A golf ball harmlessly hit Lane Kiffin. The game was delayed and the Rebels band and cheerleaders had to vacate the stadium for their own safety. It was an embarrassing scene. IMHO, the refs got it right but you be the judge. Even so, karma would be swift and painful.
— Jorgen Van Strangle (@DripJorgen) October 17, 2021
Ole Miss punted and Tennessee got one last chance at midfield. Hooker ran for 14 yards to the Missy 33 but was injured on the play. Joe Milton entered the game and completed a pass to 21 yard line and followed it up with two incompletions. With three seconds left and zero football awareness, Milton scrambled in the pocket and then foolishly tried to run for it and ran out of bounds after the clock had long expired. Bro, just chuck the ball into the end zone.
OTHER SEC
Not a fumble. Auburn ball. Got it pic.twitter.com/dkJAXxN4ZH
— Sean Leach (@TheSeanLeach) October 16, 2021
Auburn 38 Arkansas 23 - Just like last season, Arky was the talk of the town and then fell off the edge of the Earth. Also just like last season, Aubie got a ridiculous non-call on a fumble (see above). The officials said forward progress had been stopped. How convenient. Later in the fourth, the zebras called a pass interference on the Hogs on a ball that was clearly not catchable - something that has been happening all year and needs to be addressed.
Arky took an early third quarter lead at 17-14 and looked like they had things rolling. Then disaster hit in the form of Hogs QB KJ Jefferson getting sacked and fumbled into the end zone recovered by Auburn. Arkansas drove to the Aub 30 but gave the ball over on downs. On the very next play, the Tigers connected on a 71 yard bomb and just like that, it was 28-17. That basically ended it. The Razorbacks would retort with a TD of their own but was outscored 10-0 in the final frame.
It's 21-6, #LSU, and LSU is outgaining Florida 158-97 while forcing two interceptions without five defensive starters and arguably its four best players.
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) October 16, 2021
Nothing is ever normal here.
— Jorgen Van Strangle (@DripJorgen) October 16, 2021
LSU 49 Florida 42 – UF QB Emory Jones is back to sucking again as the Gators fall to their cross-division rivals for the third straight year. After collecting 170 yards over his first five games of the season, LSU’s Tyrion Davis-Price rushed for more yards (287) against Florida than any other player ever had. The Gators scored first but yielded 21 unanswered points in the second quarter. With Anthony Richardson subbing in at QB, Florida stormed back to tie it at 35 in the third and 42 in the fourth. The Tigers would score the go-ahead TD with 3:30 to play. Richardson had one last shot but threw his second INT of the day at the LSU 30. Jones also threw a pair of picks, one returned for a score. LSU had no turnovers.
I have said it before: Dan Mullen is an offensive genius but he doesn’t have the capabilities to be a highly successful head coach. his gators are 4-3 and 2-3 in the conference and going downhill fast.
Texas A&M 35 Missouri 14 - The Aggies were lucky the schedule lined them up to play this atrocious defense after defeating Alabama. What could have been a trap game turned into a rout with Devon Achane running for 124 yards and two TDs and Isaiah Spiller gaining 168 and a score. Zach Calzada (aka Stephen Garcia 2.0) reverted back to his mediocrity at 13-25 passing for 148 yards, 2 TD, and 1 INT. Mizzou is dead last in FBS in rush defense, allowing 287.6 ypg - almost 20 yards more than the next closest team - and second to last in ypc at 6.17. The Tigers have allowed 21 ground scores in seven games, also second to last in FBS.
SEC YUCK
NO QUIT. Zeb ➡️ @XavierLegette
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) October 16, 2021
South Carolina 21 | Vanderbilt 20
>>> https://t.co/YOTAo42mld pic.twitter.com/apVkikGITZ
South Carolina 21 Vanderbilt 20 - Coming into the game, Vandy had lost 12 straight to South Carolina and 15 straight SEC games. It looked like the string would be broken when Joseph Bulovas kicked a 28 yard field goal with 1:36 remaining. That is when SC coach Shane Beamer inserted QB Zeb Noland into the game for his only playing time of the day. The former Grad Assistant merely drove the Gamecocks 75 yards on 8 plays for the game-winning score. Why he wasn’t playing sooner is a mystery.
PRETENDERS
Purdue strikes AGAIN to extend their lead over Iowa
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 16, 2021
(via @BigTenNetwork)
pic.twitter.com/rFri8zU9it
Purdue 24 Iowa 7 - Tell me you saw this one coming. Iowa at #2 was such a fraud. A home loss by 17 points. smh. In this one, the Hawkeyes were the team turning the ball over, totaling four interceptions thrown against one controversial lost fumble for PU. They were also outgained 464 to 271.
Baylor 38 BYU 24 - With two straight losses, the Mormons are damned to second tier bowls.
OTHER STUFF
Cincinnati 56 Center Florida 21 – The Bearcats jumped out to a 35-0 first half lead and basically ended any hopes of a Gus Bus upset. The Knighty-Knights fall to 3-3 (1-2 AAC). Cupboard: bear.
Oklahoma State 32 Texas 24 - The Longhorns once again blew a double-digit lead to fall to 4-3. Texas led 24-13 but allowed the Cowpokes to score the final 19 points of the game. UT QB Casey Thompson was not good (15-27, 179 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT, -4 RUSH YDS). It might be time for Sark to go back to Hudson Card.
Oklahoma 52 TCU 31 - Caleb Williams had a big starting debut for Okie, throwing for 295 yards and four touchdowns and running for another score. Kennedy Brooks added 153 yards on the ground and a score. [SIDE NOTE: OU’s Eric Gray who transferred over from Tennessee had 11 yards on 6 carries. Sometimes the grass isn’t greener on the other side.] Don’t fool yourselves. TCU is not a good team.
Michigan State 20 Indiana 15 - Another ugly B1G game. Jack Tuttle started in place of injured Indy quarterback Michael Penix but it was still the same ol’ crap for the Hooisers that included two picks thrown, one returned for six by Sparty. That IU mistake was a big difference maker in that MSU was outgained 322 to 241 and had less first downs 23 to 14. Michigan State also punted seven times and committed 12 penalties for a massive 134 yards. A slightly better team would’ve taken Sparty down.
UGLIEST UNIFORMS
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 16, 2021
The Gators need to delicately clean, press, and fold these unis up and fire them into the sun.
UGLIEST DANCE
NEW GUNDY DANCE JUST DROPPED pic.twitter.com/TYwIIpC91B
— Old Row Sports (@OldRowSports) October 16, 2021
Okie Lite’s Mike Gundy.
MOST EMBARRASSING WIN
Underdog Connecticut (+140) gets its first win in over two years!
— MaximBet (@MaximBetUSA) October 16, 2021
(Sorry, Yale, but it was bound to happen.)#Yale #UConn #collegegameday pic.twitter.com/Cev3je0uoa
Stick to women’s bouncey-ball.
SALTING THE EARTH
What in the bleep did Kevin Sumlin do to Arizona? Having been shut out by Colorado 34-0, the Wildcats are now 0-6 and have not scored more than 19 points in a single game this season. They are dead last in FBS in scoring average of 14.0 ppg. Going back to the 2019 season, UA has lost 18 straight. For Colorado, it was their first win over an FBS team this season.
FISHIEST ENDING OF THE WEEK
UGA was favored by 21.5 points over UK. Trailing by 27 late in the game, the ‘Cats go on a unlikely 22 plays, 75 yards drive that eats up a mind-numbing 11:23 and ends with a touchdown with four seconds remaining.
KID BROTHER TAKES A BREAK
Taulia Tagovailoa’s Terps were off this week. Arse-kicking resumes Saturday at Minnesota.
NAMES OF THE WEEK
In their history of college football, the Houston Cougars have had head football coaches with the first name of Jewell, Kim, and two named Dana.
CIRCUS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Devin Carter with the catch of the day for NC State
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 16, 2021
(via @bubbaprog)pic.twitter.com/sesZa3eC3o
STATS OF THE WEEK
Jerome Ford has hit the end zone FOUR TIMES in just the first half for @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/LU0fWnLo8Z
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 16, 2021
- Former Bama running back Jerome Ford currently at Cincinnati, ran for 176 yards and four touchdowns... in the first half. But yeah. Give Desmond Ridder all the credit.
- Ohio quarterback Armani Rogers ran for a 99-yard touchdown, the longest run ever by a QB. Too bad his team lost to Buffalo 27-26.
- Since the BCS title game loss to Alabama, Texas is 4-16 in match-ups of two ranked teams. Previous to that loss, the Longhorns had won 18 of their 21 ranked matchups. Bama broke them.
- The Army-Wisconsin game lasted 2 hours, 56 minutes. Tennessee-Ole Miss came in at 4 hours, 33 minutes.
COLLEGE GAMEDAY
They’ll always have basketball pic.twitter.com/y4bKy9JI1X
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 16, 2021
Believe it or not, not-so-crazy ol’ Corso picked LSU to beat Florida. He was the only one on the GameDay panel to do so.
ADOPT-A-TEAM
You see this catch? You see UTSA up 45-0 on Rice? You better RANK UTSA!! #meepmeep pic.twitter.com/uGHO3KcdIF
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) October 17, 2021
- UTSA (7-0) After pummeling Rice 45-0, the Roadrunners find themselves ranked #24 in the AP and 25 in the Coaches. I’m gonna say it’s probably the first time in program history. Next is Louisiana Tech.
- UCLA (5-2) - The Bruins won at Washington 24-17. Hopefully they can ruin Oregon’s day on Saturday. College GameDay will be in LaLaLand for the game.
- UT-Martin (5-1) - The Skyhawks dumped Eastern Illinois 28-17. UTM moves up four spots to #13 in the FCS rankings. Next, they host SE Missouri State.
COUSINS
- Troy (4-3) - The Trojans had a week off to rest up for a trek to Coastal Carolina.
- South Alabama (4-2) - The Jags absolutely dominated Georgia Southern 41-14. Jake Bentley became the first player in South Alabama history to account for five touchdowns in a game, rushing for two and passing for three. USA travels to tricky ULM (3-3) who is coming off a big win over Liberty.
THAT ANNOYING GUY WHO TOUCHES ALL THE DONUTS BEFORE PICKING ONE
- UAB (5-2) - The Dragons shut out Southern Miss 34-0. Next is pathetic Rice coming to Bham.
SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS
- Army (4-2) - The Black Knights and Wisconsin combined to tally 199 passing yards (87 to 112). The Badgers escaped with the 20-14 win. It doesn’t get easier with Wake Forest coming to West Point.
- Navy (1-5) - The Midshipmen were sunk by Memphis 35-17. Next is Cincy. Navy might just go winless in the FBS this year. :(
- Air Force (6-1) - The Falcons won at Boise 24-17. They host San Diego State and then a BIG Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy game with Army the following Saturday.
COMMANDER-IN-CHUMPS TROPHY SCHEDULE
This started as a joke, but I’m beginning to think USA could take this thing.
9/2/21 Tennessee 38 Bowling Green 6
9/11/21 South Alabama 22 Bowling Green 19
11/20/21 South Alabama at Tennessee - Championship!
ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION
Premature elimination: Wake Forest soon...
Definite elimination: Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, FSU, NC State, Syracuse, Clemson, UNC, Virginia, Pitt, Boston College, Miami, Virginia Tech, Kansas, Iowa State, Texas Tech, Kansas State, TCU, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern, Rutgers, Minnie, Wisky, Purdue, Maryland, Cal, Oregon State, Arizona, Stanford, Colorado, Southern Cal, Utah, UCLA, Washington State, Washington, Mizzou, Vandy, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missy State, LSU, Texas A&M, Arky, Auburn, Florida, BYU. NEW: Arizona State, Kentucky, Iowa - you can’t come back from a 17-point home loss to Purdue. Just ask Ohio State.
Endangered: Ohio State, Penn State, Baylor, Oregon, Ole Miss, Alabama, Notre Dame. NEW: n/a.
Premature endangered: Michigan State, Oklahoma (because they have had so many struggle wins)
A way WAY WAY too early look at the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture:
- ACC - Wake Forest (6-0) had a week off. @ ARMY, vs DUKE, @ UNC, vs NCST, @ CLEM, @ BC.
- Big 12 - Oklahoma beat up poor li’l TCU. Okie Lite staved off an upset bid but could see their undefeated season come to an end at Iowa State on Saturday.
- Big Ten - Iowa is toast. anOSU, Michigan, and Michigan State are still alive. The round-robin of death begins in a two weeks.
- PAC-12 - Oregon barely escaped one-win Cal on a late TD. That isn’t helping their resume.
- SEC - UK is likely done for. UGA still stands alone as “elite”. Alabama is still in the hunt as long as they keep winning. Ole Miss could have a tiny outside shot.
-
Indies - Non-Power 5 - Cincinnati beat undermanned UCF. Whoop-dee-doo.
RANK ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM
With Iowa’s sooner than expected downfall, Alabama moved up one spot to #4. The Hawkeyes plummet to #11 - still too high.
Some fathead Boise Smurfs beat reporter placed the Crimson Tide at #8. Whatevs, bro.
- Georgia (63)
- Cincinnati
- Oklahoma
- Alabama
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- Penn State
- Oklahoma State
- Michigan State
- Oregon
- Iowa
- Ole Miss
- Notre Dame
- Coastal Carolina
- Kentucky
- Wake Forest
- Texas A&M
- NC State
- Auburn
- Baylor
The only rankings that count are those from the CFP Committee. The first CFP rankings drop in two short weeks on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.
LET’S GO BOWLING!
- Seven new teams picked up their sixth win this past weekend and are now bowl eligible. They are Alabama, Cincy, Okie, Baylor, Air Force, UTEP, San Diego Maradona State.
- 22 teams are one win away from six including OM, Aub and TAMU.
LET’S GO BLOWING!
- With UConn’s sad pathetic six point win over Yale, they fall out of contention for the Triple Golden Sombrero signifying an imperfect 0-12 season. All but two FBS teams now have at least one victory. Arizona and UNLV both stand at 0-6.
- UConn is the only bowl eliminated team with a 1-7 record.
Krazy Kristi’s “SHUT UP!” of the Week goes to Lincoln Riley and high-and-mighty reporters. The Sooners coach got his panties in a bunch after a student newspaper reporter took to a building adjacent to the practice field last week with binoculars in tow. What he saw and reported was that freshman Caleb Williams was getting all the first team reps over Spencer Ratatouille Rattler. Despite Riley telling reporters that no decision had been made, he clearly had his sights set on Williams. Riley then cut off media from his practices which is stupid because the dude was in a building across the street and he’s just a kid. Even worse, all the college beat writers immediately took to Twitter to smugly report how in their “journalistic integrity” they would never stoop to that kind of reporting. Of course, this was right after they all passed along the news that the kid had reported about the Oklahoma quarterback situation.
HEISMAN HYPE
Most years, the Heisman Trophy voting is basically a hype award. Often times voters fall in love with someone and refuse to REALLY look at what a player has accomplished. Of course there are exceptions.
WHO WILL WIN
CLARIFICATION: This section is not who deserves to win. It is who the slobbering press and other voters will callously crush on.
LEADER
- QB Bryce Young (Soph, Alabama) 20-28, 348 YDS, 4 TD - He’s back in the lead.
POTENTIAL CONTENDERS
- QB CJ Stroud (Soph, anOSU) Bye week, DNP
FADING BUT NOT OUT
- QB Matt Corral (RS-Jr, Ole Miss) 21-38, 231 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT, 30 RUSH, 195 YDS - He is back to putting up big stats, but the Bama flop still stings.
FADING
- QB Desmond Ridder (Sr, Cincinnati) 13-23, 140 YDS, 1 TD - meh
- QB Kenny Pickett (Super-Sr, Pitt) 22-37, 203 YDS, 2 TD - meh
GONE
-
QBSpencer Rattler(RS-Soph, Oklahoma)DNP
TOKEN RUNNING BACK WHO WON’T WIN
- Kenneth Walker (Jr, Michigan State) 23 CAR, 84 YDS, 3.7 ypc, not good - Sparty STILL ain’t played no one, PAAAWWWLLL! (no sarcasm)
- Bijan Robinson (Soph, Texas) 21 CAR, 135 YDS, 2 TD - I am amazed at how these ignorant lazy talking heads keep calling this guy tHe bEsT rUnniNG bACK iN TeH nATiOn. His stats look pretty but he again disappeared in the fourth quarter. He had 15 yards on his final six carries as his team failed to gain a first down in their final six possessions.
- TreVeyon Henderson (Fr, anOSU) Bye week, DNP
WHO SHOULD WIN
CLARIFICATION: This section IS for who deserves to win it.
Bryce Young is the most consistent and consistently good.
THE SICK REPORT
- The status of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is unknown at this time. He was hurt late in the loss to Ole Miss.
- Add DB Eli Ricks to the LSU injured/quit list. Instead of waiting until after the season was over, Ricks decided to have surgery now and miss the remainder of the schedule.
- Lane Kiffin made some cryptic comments about the dire situation of his quarterback Matt Corral. But don’t believe this propaganda for a second. LFK is trying to make it look like Corral won’t play, but then he’ll spectacular “warrior” through the LSU game. If Kiffin can’t beat Saban on the field, he is going to try and steal the Heisman.
- Arkansas right tackle Dalton Wagner is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on a finger.
- UGA DB Tykee Smith tore his ACL in practice last week and is out for season.
DRAMA
(ED.NOTE: There is no transfer portal while the season is in progress, just a QH.)
- LSU WR Koy Moore has jumped into the quitter hole. In two seasons, the former 4-star has 27 receptions for 248 yards and no scores. He has only five catches this year.
- On a related note, 4-star New Orleans WR Aaron Anderson decommitted from the Bayou Bengals on Monday. Alabama is the new favorite for his signature.
- For their childish behavior, Tennessee was fined $250,000 from the SEC revenue sharing fund. It sounds like a lot, but consider this is a tiny wedge slice from the $45 million annual revenue share the Vols receive from conference. The SEC will not be suspending alcohol sales privileges at University of Tennessee “at this time”.
The reason Ed Orgeron will not be at LSWho next year. pic.twitter.com/hZzjKvzEgn
— John M. Comeau (@hockeycop) October 18, 2021
KOACHES KORNER
- Alas poor Cajun Chizik. Madame Karma has arrived to settle your debt. LSU and Ed Orgeron have reached a separation agreement. He will not return in 2022 but is expected to complete this season and coach LSU in the bowl game if the Tigers qualify. Negotiations began last week after the Kentucky loss and before the unlikely UF win. 21 months after winning it all, he is out on his arse. As a consolation prize, LSU will give him his full $16.9 million. BAD A.D.! BAD! It wasn’t just about wins and losses. Oregeron reportedly would bring girlfriends to LSU practices and let their kids participate in drills. In another instance, he hit on a pregnant woman at a gas station. The woman just happened to be the wife of a “high-ranking LSU official.” After 2019, he spent less time coaching, and more time chasing blondes. In Monday’s presser, O stated: “I have no regrets.” Are you sure about that?
- The LSU candidates suggestions have already been rolling in and they are about as ridiculous and delusional as you could imagine. There are the usual names: James Franklin (I think the Pennsylvania native is pretty happy where he is), Jimbo Fisher (they already tried him and missed), Lincoln Riley (LOL! Not gonna happen), Sark (Nope), Cristobal (oh please let that happen), Luke Fickell (yawn), Lane Kiffin (biding his time til Saban retires), Billy Napier (he has turned down better offers). And then there are names trying to recapture the majick: Dave Aranda and Joe Brady. One name that is interesting to keep an eye on is Mel Tucker. I think that might actually happen. They can probably outbid Sparty.
- TAMU coach Jimbo Fisher whose seat was ablaze a few weeks ago, has already denied any interest. “I plan on being here (at Texas A&M) and fulfilling this contract...I love everything about this place.” And why would he make a lateral move to work for a short-tempered fan base with the NCAA snooping around when he can occasionally win 10 games or sneak in an upset and keep his base happy?
- Urban Meyer is turning over a new leaf. From now on, he will only lech after 20-year olds who are brunette or redheaded.
- When Fat F*** Phillip Fulmer heard there was a shortage of Ring Dings, he paddled his big butt out to an anchored cargo ship and ate directly from the ship container.
TEEVEE
Alabama’s loss to Texas A&M was the most-watched TV program on that Saturday per CBS. Schadenfreude.
THIS WEEK
(Below is an abbreviated list of highlighted games of interest. If you REALLY need to know about the big MTSU-UConn showdown, you can find the details here.)
Wednesday, October 20
Coastal Carolina at Appalachian State 6:30/7:30 ESPN2
Thursday, October 21
Tulane at SMU 6:30/7:30 ESPN - A Green Wave upset will sure screw Cincy’s plans.
FAU! at Charlotte 6:30/7:30 CBSSN
ULL at Arkansas State 6:30/7:30 ESPNU - Napier vs Butch.
San Jose State at UNLV 10pm/11pm CBSSN
Friday, October 22
Memphis at UCF 6pm/7pm ESPN2 - This used to be a big game a few years ago.
Colorado State at Utah State 8:30/9:30 CBSSN
Washington at Arizona 9:30/10:30 ESPN2
Saturday, October 23
GAMES OF THE WEEK
* N/A - They are all pretty meh.
SEC
It’s that time of year when SEC teams starting taking their bye weeks. Thus, a smaller slate of games this week.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Arkansas 11am/noon SECN - turrible
LSU at Ole Miss 2:30/3:30 CBS - I would not bet on this one.
Mississippi State at Vanderbilt 3pm/4pm SECN - Bully gonna take out their frustrations.
South Carolina at Texas A&M 6:30/7:30 SECN - Another easy one for TAMU.
OTHERS ON SATURDAY
Cincinnati at Navy 11am/noon ESPN2 - The Middies are not a good team this year.
Oklahoma State at Iowa State 2:30/3:30 FOX - This is the exact kind of game that Okie Lite always blows.
Oregon at UCLA 2:30/3:30 ABC
Clemson at Pitt 2:30/3:30 ESPN -
Ohio State at Indiana 6:30/7:30 ABC
Southern Cal at Notre Dame 6:30/7:30 NBC
SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, GOODBYE
New Mexico State at Hawaii 10:59/11:59 PM Alohavision - In a strange oddity of scheduling, the Aggies and Rainbow Warriors clash twice in 2021. They already played in the Land of Enchantment in September, a Hawaii 41-21 win. Now they play a second game on Oahu.
Mack Brown enjoyed every second of this handshake with Manny Diaz, Diaz hated every second of it lol pic.twitter.com/HtbLd2kCBA
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 16, 2021
SABAN vs. MACK, POP & BEAR
- Mack Brown snuck by a miserable Miami team by three points and felt it was a good time to be all buddy-buddy to Manny Diaz who he previously threw under the bus and fired midseason while at Texas.
- Nick Saban is now 19-1 against Mississippi State. That is the most wins by one coach against one school. Bear Bryant had 27 wins over the Bullies. Joe Paterno holds the record of 28 defeats of big bad Temple. That is enough reason for Saban to hang around ten more years.
- Saban’s Crimson Tide still has one streak still alive. They have scored 30+ points in 33 straight games - the longest streak in FBS/D-I.
Hey y’all!! Pitch your vote October 19, 7am-7pm !! pic.twitter.com/FNV0C8s8RB
— Montana Fouts (@MontanaFouts) October 19, 2021
#ALABAMA
- Bryce Young was 6-for-6 with three TD passes on third downs against Clanga-clang. [SIDE NOTE: From what I can tell, Young did not do his podcast this week. Thank you, Will Anderson.]
- Saban on status of defensive lineman Byron Young: “He’s got a little shoulder problem, he’s kind of day to day, so we can’t make a call on where he is right now.” No word on Drew Sanders and I don’t know why these timid beat writers don’t ask.
- Freshman wide receiver Agiye Hall: has been a little disruptive with his disappointment of lack of playing time. Listening to Saban’s Monday comments, it sounds like Hall has not been showing up in practices. One spring game performance is not enough to get a guy on the field at the Capstone.
- Sophomore WR Javon Baker did not travel to MSU on Saturday. Saban said “everybody makes a decision about how they practice and prepare.” I’m sensing a theme here in the wide receivers room. John Metchie and Jameson Williams need to employ a little leadership and teach these young-uns.
- For his four sack performance against MSU, Will Anderson was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.
- Henry To’o To’o was named the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week. The Tide linebacker had seven solo tackles, six assists, one sack, and 1.5 TFL.
- After TSIO, Alabama has a bye week.
GAME 8: Saturday, October 23, 2021
Tennessee Vols (4-3) at Alabama Crimson Tide (6-1)
Tuscaloosa, AL ~ 6pm CT/7pm ET, ESPN
- Weather in Tuscaloosa on Saturday is calling for clear skies and a high of 73° during the day but dipping down to 54° at night.
- Announcers: Jason Benetti and Greg McElroy with Katie George on the sidelines.
- Eli Gold on Alabama Radio.
- The Crimson Tide have a 58-37-8 edge over the Vols all-time. Alabama has not fallen to Tennessee since 2006 when George W. Bush was President.
- The line on this game is around Bama -25½. Over/Under is 67.
Poll
UGA finishes vs FLA, vs MIZ, @ TENN, vs FCS Cupcake, @ GT. How will they do?
This poll is closed
-
44%
Total domination.
-
46%
They will have at least one struggle win.
-
9%
They will lose one.