Random Thoughts: The Rout Is On

This weekend saw a few scares but no real big upsets. As a matter of fact, the average point differential among Power-5 teams participating last Saturday was 19 points. The SEC was tops in win margin with a 26 point average this week. Three SEC teams won by at least 33.

Alabama had a unicorn game, allowing zero points. To date, it is the first and only shutout among all Power-5 vs Power-5 games this season.

SEC

Alabama 41 Mississippi State 0 - The Crimson Tide defense handed Missy State coach Mike Leach the first shutout of his coaching career. That is 234 games. The Bullies managed only one first down in the first half and 200 total yards for the whole game. Bama WR DeVonta Smith alone outgained Clanga Clang with 203 receiving yards and four touchdowns. On a night when Mac Jones and the offense did not at their sharpest, they still put up 499 yards and managed a huge blow out win.

Auburn 48 LSU 11 - Auburn had a hit on a sliding quarterback, a blatant pass interference in which the DB never even turned around, and a pick/block play that resulted in a score - none of which drew a flag. In west Opelika, they call that Saturday. TJ Finley got another start for LSU under center but was nowhere nearly as good as he was versus South Carolina. The War Eagles converted a Finley INT and a scoop and score into an early 14 point lead and did not look back. Ed Orgeron tried another QB but he was only marginally better. LSU was limited to 32 rushing yards and punted 7 times. There is something to be said about AU in Jerdin-Hair. They just play better in their home stadium. Bo Nix is noticeably better at home than he is on the road. LSU continues to play ghastly defense and the team just plain quit. Even All-American candidate DB Derek Stingley looked out of sorts and out of position.

What game was he watching?

Georgia 14 Kentucky 3 - Don’t expect the SEC Chamber of Commerce to use this game in their promotionals. This game had no alibi, it was ugly. And boring. At least it was over quickly coming in at a svelte 2 hours and 56 minutes. Have you ever seen the “Friday Night Lights” TV show? Stetson Bennett is Matt Saracen, the poor kid at the end of the bench who is too small, inexperienced, and not a gifted athlete. But when every other quarterback falls by the wayside, he is the only one left. He does just enough to push his team across the finish line. Bennett was 9 of 13 for 131 yards and threw two INTs. The excuse-makers note that one of his picks was deflected and reeled in by a defensive lineman. Hmm. I wonder if being 5’10” has something to do with that. I don’t know how much longer Kirby Smart thinks he can get away with this. I am guessing until about halftime on Saturday. For UK, Joey Gatewood got his first start under center and was just as bad as Terry Wilson. He was 15-25, 91 yds. The longest pass play from scrimmage for the ‘Cats was 11 yards. Dinks and dunks can only take you so far. The saying goes “Defense wins Championships”. Perhaps, but not with offenses this bad.

Texas A&M 42 Arkansas 31 - Kellen Mond continues to astound with another solid mistake-free game. He was 21 of 26 for 260 yds and 3 TDs. TE Jalen Wydermyer was on the receiving end of two TDs. TAMU was up 42-17 heading into the final frame and allowed Arky to score a pair of touchdowns to make it look closer. The Aggies are really clicking. They have a great shot at finishing 9-1 and a possibly playoff slot. Unfortunately, it feels like the Razorbacks have been running on emotion. They are definitely a better team this season, but “New Coach Fever” seems to be fueling them, and that runs out.

Gainesville Sun-USA TODAY Sports

Florida 41 Missouri 17 - Some thought that after 21 days with no game the Gators would be rusty. They were anything but rusty, outgaining The Tigers 514 to 248. Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz learned a valuable lesson on Saturday: Use the emotion. While Dan Mullen took the halftime fight (that he started) into the locker room to pump up his team, bookworm Eli scolded his players and talked X’s and O’s. Though down 20-7 at the half, it was still a game. The Gators came out fired up and the Tigers were flat.

Ole Miss 54 Vanderbilt 21 - Ole Piss WR Elijah Moore had a career night hauling in 14 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. Vanderbilt needs to be kicked out of the SEC.

Tennessee and South Carolina had a week off.

ELIMINATION

Michigan State 27 Michigan 24 - Jim Harbaugh’s seat is doused in flames. A home loss to an awful cross-state team that had lost to Rutgers the week before is not going to win any championships. Or fans. 8 punts and ten penalties is not a good look.

Ohio State 38 Penn State 25 - It must suck to know your season is over after two games. Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields played really well and the defense held PSU (0-2) to 44 yards rushing. N-Lions QB Sean Clifford was sacked 5 times and threw a pick.

Texas 41 Oklahoma State 34 - The Longhorns were not great, but good enough. Tejas was outgained by 234 yards, but the Cowpokes turned the ball over five times. B12 is in grave danger of missing out on the playoff.

Virginia 44 North Carolina 41 - When UNC lost to FSU, they tried to say it was a blip. A second loss to an ACC cellar dweller says otherwise. A back and forth battle was decided by turnovers. The Tar Heels had a fumble at their own 30 and a muffed punt that both led to UVa touchdowns.

THE REST

Clemson 34 Boston College 28 - The Screaming Eagles blew a 28-10 lead and an opportunity to knock off a flawed Tigers team. Blaming CU’s troubles on the absence of Sunshine does not explain the issues on defense. But shhhh! Don’t tell anyone.

Notre Dame 31 Georgia Tech 13 - It wasn’t even this close.

Cincinnati 49 Memphis 10 - Cincy is by far the best of the non-Power-5s. Could they sneak in the playoff? In this weird season, it would not shock me. Wouldn’t it be delicious if Michigan dumped Jim Harbaugh and hired Luke Fickell?

BYU 41 Western Kentucky 10 - This is the typical team the Mormons have been playing and beating this year. It’s not their fault. Originally, they had an aggressive schedule of two B1G teams, three PAC teams, Mizzou, and Houston. But then Thanos got the fifth stone and everyone cancelled on them. That is too bad for them, but all this talk of Heisman and playoffs needs to stop.

West Virginia 37 Kansas State 10 - Thank you. Can we stop talking about K-State now?

EVERYBODY’S KID BROTHER

Maryland 45 Minnesota 44 (OT) - The Terps started fast taking a 21-7 lead after one quarter, only to see the Gophers score 31 unanswered points for a 17-point advantage. For the first time in 71 tries, Maryland rallied from a 17+ point fourth quarter deficit for the win. A Minnie missed extra point in the first overtime was the difference. College kickers...

You can’t help but root for former Alabama quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. He is such a good kid and is stuck in the shadow of Tua. Last Friday was his time to shine as he led Maryland to a huge upset of the Gophers after being an 18 point underdog. Lia looked sharp passing 26-35 for 394 yards and 3 TD, 1 INT. He also scored a pair of rushing scores and ran for 64 yards. His stats might have been better had his receivers not dropped some passes or his OL could hold back the rush.

KEY & PEELE ALL-STAR

Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown.

DICK MOVE OF THE WEEK

Mullen

SMARTEST MOVE OF THE WEEK

Due to ridiculous government restrictions, the University of New Mexico football team will leave the state and travel to Las Vegas to train for upcoming games. Despite having no reported cases of you-know-what in the program, the Lobos were forced to cancel their opener at Colorado State on Oct. 24. The team was able to slip their way out of the state to travel San Jose State this past Saturday and next head to Hawaii. Their first scheduled on campus game will be Nov. 14 if the byzantine administration can work something out.

2ND SMARTEST MOVE OF THE WEEK

Former Missy State QB Keytaon Thompson transferred to Virginia and has been thriving as a running back wearing jersey number 99. He scored his first rushing score as a Cavalier in an upset win over UNC.

LOL PLAY OF THE WEEK

THE WACKY WORLD OF DESI

Well, dang. No making fun of Desi for the next 10 days. He’s got the Captain Trips.

ADOPT-A-TEAM

• Liberty (6-0) Bye week as they rest up for a monumental trip to Virginia Tech.
• LaLaLaffy! (5-1) - The Rajuns topped Texas State 44-34. Arky Lite on deck.
• Coastal Carolina (6-0) - MERCY! The Chanticleers utterly destroyed and embarrassed Georgia State in their house 51-0. GSU had 5 first downs and 106 total yards. CCU plays South Alabama next but I’m looking forward to their Dec. 5 game with Liberty.

COUSINS

• Troy (4-2) - The Trojans dumped Arky State on their heads 38-10. They are now heading to Georgia Southern.
• South Alabama (3-3) - Man, the Jags and Georgia Southern REALLY hate each other. USA lost a hard fought game against a triple option attack after only five days rest 24-17. Unfortunately, a road game to Coastal Carolina is up next.

THAT ANNOYING STEP-BROTHER WHO PEES ON THE RIM... OF YOUR CAR

• UAB (4-3) - The Dragoons lost to Louisiana Tech 37-34 in a most pitiful way. Birmingham U blew a late double digits lead for the second straight week, when La Tech tied it up at 31-31 on a touchdown with ten seconds to go in regulation. Both teams hit field goals in the first overtime. In the second extra frame, UAB lost a fumble on 1st & goal. LaTech played for the field goal but missed wide right. But wait! Hankies on the field! A Dragon was flagged for running into the kicker. The LaT kicker did not miss his second chance.

SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS

Army (6-1) - The Black Knights had a week to prep for Air Force.

Navy (3-4) - The Midshipmen fell to SMU 51-37. Next is Tulsa at home.

Air Force (1-2) - The Falcons wilted under the spell of the evil Smurfs 49-30. AFA can clinch the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy with a win at Army on Saturday.

ELIMINATED

• Rutgers, Northwestern, Maryland, Purdue, Indy, Nebraska, Illinois, Sparty, it ain’t gonna happen. Minnesota, Michigan, Penn State
• Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor, WVU
• Duke, Wake Forest, Syracuse, FSU, Georgia Tech, NC State, L’ville, Pitt, UVa, BC, Va Tech, UNC
• BYU - That schedule is still too weak.
• The entire PAC; Sorry, Oregon.
• Vandy, Arky, Missouri, UK, SC, MSU, LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss

ELIMINATION, ENDANGERED:

• Iowa, Wisky
• Oklahoma Lite, Oklahoma, Texas
• Miami, Notre Dame
• Texas A&M, Florida, UGA, Auburn

A way WAY WAY too early look at the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture:

Heading into November, we can see where this is heading. Alabama, anOSU, and either Clemson or Notre Dame appear to have three slots. The B12 and PAC will be shut out. The fourth team will be the mystery.

• ACC - Don’t kid yourself. Even if Clemson had lost to BC, the excuse makers would be in full force. CU plays Notre Dame this Saturday but I would not count out the loser of that meeting.
• SEC - Bama plus the UGA-Fla winner, and TAMU.
• Big 12 - Okie Lite is probably done unless a whole lotta chaos erupts.
• Big Ten - Michigan is most likely toast. Wisky is in deep doodoo. Who knows when they will hit the field again. It is hard to imagine even if they win out, that a 6-0 team would be in the playoff over a team like TAMU if they are 9-1. The Badgers are scheduled to decide today, Tuesday, if they can play Purdue Nov. 7.
• PAC-12 - Some of the talking heads seem to think Oregon can get in with their adorable 6+1 schedule. I am of the mind that 9-1 or even 8-2 SEC record is better than anything the Dux can do with that tiny schedule. In addition, it’s a pretty easy slate: vs STAN, @ WSU, vs UCLA, @ ORST, @ CAL, vs WASH. Convince me that half of the SEC couldn’t run that table.
• Indies - Will this committee be the

RANK ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM

Clemson’s home clunker against BC cost them 19 first place votes. Alabama picked up 19 new first place votes. North Carolina, Kansas State, and Penn State rightfully dropped out.

Half of the Top 8 are SEC teams. Two of them have lost to Alabama. There sure are a lot of non-Power 5 teams in the poll who do not have the displeasure of playing a P-5 week in and week out. You have to question how many of these teams could beat, say, Arkansas or Mizzou.

The first CFP rankings will be revealed Nov. 24.

1. Clemson (33)
2. Alabama (29)
3. Ohio State *
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgia
6. Cincinnati **
7. Texas A&M
8. Florida
9. BYU **
10. Wisconsin ***
11. Miami
12. Oregon **
13. Indiana * - rose 4 spots.
14. Oklahoma State - dropped 8.
15. Coastal Carolina **
16. Marshall **
17. Iowa State
18. SMU **
19. Oklahoma
20. Southern Cal **
21. Boise **
22. Texas
23. Michigan * - dropped 10.
24. Auburn
25. Liberty **

* Played TWO games.
** No P-5 wins.
*** Played ONE game.

LET’S GO BOWLING

• The ESPN fambly of networks will televise 35 of the 37 bowl games. There will be at least one game every day Dec. 19 through Jan. 2, except for the two Sundays in that stretch in which the spoiled brats take over the airwaves.

STATS OF THE DAY

• Sparty Head Coach Mel Tucker is undefeated against Michigan, but has never beaten Rutgers.
• Ole Miss QB Matt Corral targeted Elijah Moore 15 times and connected on 14 of the passes.
• TCU is 0-3 at home and 2-0 on the road.

Krazy Kristi’s “SHUT UP!” of the Week goes to the BIG TEN for being total prigs. After Wisconsin had their big outbreak and cancelled their game with Nebraska, the Cornhuskers quickly moved to find a replacement game. Tennessee-Chattanooga was a willing participant but the B1G said no.

Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos and chancellor Ronnie Green released a statement that in part stated “...The discussions we had were with teams that had already implemented stricter testing protocols than those mandated by the Big Ten Conference. Those details were non-negotiable if we were to bring a non-conference opponent to Lincoln.”

I wonder had it been anOSU that had made the request what the answer would’ve been. Nebraska may want to think about getting the H-E-double-hockey-sticks out of that ridiculous conference and go back to the B12.

HEISMAN HYPE

With the exception of TWO 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.

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.

1. Trevor Lawrence (QB, Dabo Cult, Jr.) did not play due to the ol’ sicky-sick. If you think that is going to stop some most all of these bozos from voting for him, then you must be new to the Heisman process.
2. Justin Fields (QB, anOSU, Jr.) 28/34, 318 yds, 4 TD.
3. Mac Jones (QB, Bama, Jr.) - He is getting attention but it would be shocking if he won. After all he has done, people still doubt him.
4. A token running back - Najee Harris compiled 119 yards on 21 attemtps in only three quarters. He looks so good right now. Iowa State’s Breece Hall had 21 caries, 185 yds, 2 TD but is not generating much buzz. Travis Etienne of Clempson had 20 rushes for 84 yds and 1 TD. He also caught 7 for 140 and another score.
5. The BYU QB and Ian Book of Notre Dame are getting mentions for some reason.

WHO SHOULD WIN

CLARIFICATION: This section IS for who deserves to win it.

• Justin Fields looked a little better than Mac Jones but it was only his second game as opposed to Mac’s sixth in six weeks.

THE SICK REPORT

• Reserve Alabama DB Marcus Banks pulled a hammy. He has been participating on special teams. DL LaBryan Ray (sprained elbow) missed another game as he heals. Running back Brian Robinson, was a “little knicked up” but should be okay.
• LSU QB Myles Brennan has an oblique injury and has missed the last two games. It is uncertain if he will be back in time for Nov. 14 versus Alabama. CB Lloyd Cole (foot) is questionable as well.
• Florida won’t be the only one short on players for the Cocktail Party. Starting UGA defensive lineman Jordan Davis and top reserve Julian Rochester will will not make the trip to Jacksonville due to injuries. Safety Richard LeCounte was in a motorcycle accident on Saturday night and is expected to miss a few weeks.
• Boise was without starting QB Hank Bachmeier who did not make the trip to Air Force. No reason was given for his absence by the team. The Smurfs have their biggest game of the season against BYU on Saturday. Only 20% of sister-wives will be allowed in to see the game.

DRAMA

• I guess that VooDoo Cajun spell that was cast by the swamp madame witch doctor in Red Stick has done wore off. LSU lost former 4-star defensive tackle Siaki Ika and senior linebacker/defensive end Travez Moore this past week. It was quite a surprise when the Salt Lake City lineman committed to the Tigahs in 2019. He played in 13 games in a backup role as a true freshman in 2019 and three games this season with one start (vs Vandy). He is expected to move back west. Moore transferred from a juco and spent much of the last two and a half seasons as a back-up. He has opted out the remainder of the 2020 season.
• Pitt standout safety Paris Ford is opting out of the remainder of the 2020 season because his team sucks. This is a disturbing and disappointing trend. As the nation’s former No. 52 recruit in 2017, Ford had a chance to come to Alabama but chose to stay in his hometown.
• It was really weird to see anOSU and PSU play in an empty stadium. Traditionally, the Litany Nylons choose this game as their “white-out” game.
• Wisconsin announces their game this weekend against Purdue is cancelled and team activities remain paused.

KOACHES KORNER

• Dan Mullen has been fined $25,000 and issued a reprimand for acting like an ass on Saturday. I am sure his wrist really stung for a minute or so. It’s the same amount Lane Kiffin was fined for a Tweet in which he was totally right and @SECOfficiating confirmed it.

In summation:

1. An honest tweet that hurts the feelings of bad referees = $25,000.
2. Running and screaming at opposing players, coaches and a referee, inciting a brawl, showing no remorse, and then showing up at the post-game presser in a mask and costume = $25,000.

In what reality are these two instances equal?

• Clanga clang may have buyer’s remorse. Had they hired Mike Leach ten years ago (heck, 5 years ago), they might have a statue erected outside their tiny little stadium by now. But here in 2020, his old school style and hard-headed philosophies don’t fly. His stubborn reluctance to alter his coveted Air Raid offense - just for one season - with running talents such as Kylin Hill and Garrett Shrader on the team is misguided. Now, those guys are gone. Eight players have left the team in the last two weeks alone. With any new regime at a program, there will be some attrition. However, it isn’t usually in the middle of the season. His tenure will not end well.
• Urban Meyer was stopped by a neighbor and asked why he was going around the neighborhood scaring the children for Halloween. Urbie replied “It’s Halloween?”
• Roses are red; Violets are blue; Rain brings the flowers: And Fat F*** Phil Fulmer is an obese back-stabbing snitch.

THIS WEEK

MACtion is back and they are taking full advantage of your thirst for midweek college football. Oh yeah, the PAC is back too if anyone cares.

(Below is an abbreviated list of highlighted games of interest. If you REALLY need to know about the big WKU-FAU showdown, you can find the details here.)

Wednesday, November 4

Six MAC games between 5pm and 7pm CT kickoffs. Just turn on any ESPN channel.

Thursday, November 5

Utah State at Nevada 6pm/7pm FS1
SMU at Temple 6:30/7:30 ESPN
Wyoming at Colorado State 8pm/9pm CBSSN

Friday, November 6

Miami at NC State 6:30/7:30 ESPN
San Jose Canseco State at San Diego Maradona State 8pm/9pm CBSSN
BYU at Boise 8:45/9:45 FS1 - Finally, the Mormons face a team with a pulse.

Saturday, November 7

SEC

Florida at Georgia 2:30/3:30 CBS - World Largest Outdoor Covid Party
Vanderbilt at Mississippi State 3pm/4pm SECN - Ew, gross!
Texas A&M at South Carolina 6pm/7pm ESPN - Kellen Mond is way overdue for a flop.
Tennessee at Arkansas 6:30/7:30 SECN - Will Fat Phil fire Pruitt if he loses this one and finally take over coaching duties like he so craves?

ET AL

Air Force at Army 10:30am/11:30am CBS - In the Army, we do more before 9AM than most people do all day.
Michigan at Indiana 11am/noon FS1 - Go Hoosiers!
Arizona State at Southern Cal 11am/noon FOX - Wake up with the PAC12!
Liberty at Virginia Tech 11am/noon ACCN - Is Hugh Freeze > Justin Fuente?
Oklahoma State at Kansas State 3pm/4pm FOX - K-State may just hand the Cowpokes their second loss in a row.
Clemson at Notre Dame 6:30/7:30 NBC - The big one.
Stanford at Oregon 6:30/7:30 ABC - Dux 1st exhibition game.
South Alabama at Coastal Carolina 7pm/8pm ESPNU - This will get ugly.

PAC-12 AFTER DARK

Washington at Cal 9:30/10:30 ESPN - Mmm, I don’t think so.
Washington State at Oregon State 9:30/10:30 FS1 - Nah.

MACK and SABAN vs. OZ and LAVELL

Mack Brown lost another step to Nick Saban. Osborne is within reach.

[For those of you new to RBR Random Thoughts, we count all on-field wins in Division I-A, aka FBS. So, before you go screaming about Frank Beamer, 42 of his wins came at Murray State. Brown had six victories in one season with Appalachian State when they were still in what was known at I-AA (FCS today). In addition, we don’t recognize NCAA sanctioned forfeits. If you won on the field, it counts in our books.]

#ALABAMA

• DeVonta Smith now has 31 career receiving touchdowns. Not only is he tied with Amari Cooper for the school record but he is also tied with Cooper and former Florida Gator/current SEC Network personality Chris Doering for most in the SEC. Jarett Dillard holds the FBS record with 60 from 2005 to 2008 at Rice. Among Power-5 teams, Ryan Broyles had 45 at Oklahoma (2008-2011).
• Najee Harris passed Damien Harris for 8th on the all-time Bama rushing yards list this week. With 39 yards, he will catch Trent Richardson. 170 reaches Mark Ingram. Derrick Henry holds the school record at 3,591 - exactly 500 yards more than Najee.
• Trey Sanders looked great running the ball and picked up 80 yards on 12 carries.
• Saturday’s game was the first between Nick Saban (320 games coached) and Mike Leach (234 games). It was the first time Alabama has played a game on Saban’s birthday with him at the helm.

Alabama has this Saturday off. ONE LAST TRIP TO THE BEACH! GO SEE YOUR PARENTS! RAKE THE YARD! GO GET MARRIED, YOUR CRAZY ROMANTICS!!!

GAME 7: Saturday, November 14, 2020

Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) at LSU Tigers (2-3)

Tiger Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL ~ 5pm CT / 6pm ET, CBS

Do not take for granted the accomplishment that 6-0 is at this point. The Crimson Tide has won six straight SEC games in six weeks. No game has been closer than 15 points. Among Power-5s with more than two wins, only Bama, Clemson, and Notre Dame have undefeated records.