Week 4 Impressions
Wow, what an interesting week! I got to watch quite a bit of football this past Saturday, so hopefully I have a lot more observations add. Let's start with the SEC.
A big deal was made out of the fact that Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt were all 3-0 at the same time for the first time since 1911. Well, now they're all 3-1. Georgia played perhaps the best game I've seen them play in a long time, since at least 2012, maybe longer. It was a complete team effort in dismantling the hopes of Mississippi State. All phases of the game completely dominated the visitors from Starkville, and sent them home with their tails between their legs. Now comes a big test as Tennessee, as I'm sure Georgia will get the Volunteers' best shot. Of course, there is always the matter of the Neyland Stadium turf, as it has claimed numerous Dawgs to season-ending injuries.
Alabama completely dominated Vandy, and Florida eked out yet another win over Kentucky 28-27. I'm still not sure if Tennessee and/or Florida are any good, or just lucky. Auburn demolished Missouri, as does seemingly everyone else, so it's difficult to know if they've solved their offensive problems. Texas A&M and Arkansas played their annual overtime game, with the Aggies the winner-again. LSU, South Carolina, and Tennessee barely escaped upsets to much inferior competition. The SEC appears to be Alabam and everyone else, with only Georgia or Florida having a chance to challenge their supremacy.
In the Big Ten, Penn State escaped Iowa with a last second win. Saquon Barkley is the real deal! Michigan's defense continues to be one of the best around, while Ohio State and Indiana crushed Group of Five schools. Michigan State looks very similar to last year; I'm not sure they can turn it around. Rutgers is woeful, but almost upset Nebraska. Purdue looks much improved, as did Maryland before they were forced to rely on their 3rd or 4th string QB. It may be a long season in College Park.
In the PAC 12, USC continues to underwhelm while winning. UCLA appears to be a mess (can Mora survive the year?), Colorado simply cannot seem to beat Washington; in fact, they can't even play them close! Utah and Arizona State scored close victories, while Stanford and Washington State won big over conference foes.
The Big 12 was turned upside down with TCU's upset of Oklahoma State, who many thought-myself included- could win the conference and make the playoff. They still may, but the road just got that much harder. For some unknown reason, Oklahoma struggled with an awful Baylor team, and West Virginia and Texas Tech pulled out wins.
Almost everyone picked FSU to make the playoff, with several predicting them to win it all, but the loss of Francois has been a devastating blow. FSU is 0-2 for the first time in 28 years! Clemson struggled with Boston College before pulling away in the fourth quarter, and they still look like the team to beat in the ACC. Wake Forest remains undefeated, but must play FSU this Saturday. Duke, Virginia Tech, and Miami all are also undefeated, but that will only last so long once conference play starts. I still think Georgia Tech will have a lot to say about who wins the ACC, and Virginia looks MUCH improved following their rout of Boise State.
Georgia's victory over Notre Dame is looking more impressive with each passing week. The Irish have simply destroyed every other team they have faced. BYU and Army appear to be mediocre, and UMass has to be the unluckiest team in America this year, as they are 0-5 with all losses by 10 points or less.
South Florida reasserted their dominance of the AAC this week with a 43-7 victory over Temple, but UCF, Memphis, Houston, Navy, and perhaps SMU may challenge them for conference honors.
In the Mountain West Conference, San Diego State is the only team that stands out so far. I still expect Colorado State and Air Force to battle it out in the Mountain Division.
Despite Toledo's loss to Miami, Florida, I expect them to win their division fairly easily, as they are clearly a competitive team, giving Miami all they could handle. Western Michigan and Northern Illinois will challenge them, but the West Division is the Rockets' to lose. Eastern Michigan may also pose a threat. In the East, Ohio and Miami look to be the best, with no challengers in sight.
In Conference USA, WKU, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, La Tech, UTSA, and Southern Miss all look like decent teams. I do not expect any of the others to do more than pull off an upset or two.
Finally, in the Sun Belt, no one looks overly impressive, as this is by far the weakest conference. However, Appalachian State looks to be the class of the league, while Arkansas State and a good Troy team look to challenge. New Mexico State, Idaho, and La-Monroe may be better than expected. However, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Texas State, and Coastal Carolina look to be teams on the bottom, with their only hopes for victories being against each other or FCS teams.
Another week is in the books! I hope you find my observations informative and entertaining. Until next time, may your day and your loved ones be blessed!
A big deal was made out of the fact that Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt were all 3-0 at the same time for the first time since 1911. Well, now they're all 3-1. Georgia played perhaps the best game I've seen them play in a long time, since at least 2012, maybe longer. It was a complete team effort in dismantling the hopes of Mississippi State. All phases of the game completely dominated the visitors from Starkville, and sent them home with their tails between their legs. Now comes a big test as Tennessee, as I'm sure Georgia will get the Volunteers' best shot. Of course, there is always the matter of the Neyland Stadium turf, as it has claimed numerous Dawgs to season-ending injuries.
Alabama completely dominated Vandy, and Florida eked out yet another win over Kentucky 28-27. I'm still not sure if Tennessee and/or Florida are any good, or just lucky. Auburn demolished Missouri, as does seemingly everyone else, so it's difficult to know if they've solved their offensive problems. Texas A&M and Arkansas played their annual overtime game, with the Aggies the winner-again. LSU, South Carolina, and Tennessee barely escaped upsets to much inferior competition. The SEC appears to be Alabam and everyone else, with only Georgia or Florida having a chance to challenge their supremacy.
In the Big Ten, Penn State escaped Iowa with a last second win. Saquon Barkley is the real deal! Michigan's defense continues to be one of the best around, while Ohio State and Indiana crushed Group of Five schools. Michigan State looks very similar to last year; I'm not sure they can turn it around. Rutgers is woeful, but almost upset Nebraska. Purdue looks much improved, as did Maryland before they were forced to rely on their 3rd or 4th string QB. It may be a long season in College Park.
In the PAC 12, USC continues to underwhelm while winning. UCLA appears to be a mess (can Mora survive the year?), Colorado simply cannot seem to beat Washington; in fact, they can't even play them close! Utah and Arizona State scored close victories, while Stanford and Washington State won big over conference foes.
The Big 12 was turned upside down with TCU's upset of Oklahoma State, who many thought-myself included- could win the conference and make the playoff. They still may, but the road just got that much harder. For some unknown reason, Oklahoma struggled with an awful Baylor team, and West Virginia and Texas Tech pulled out wins.
Almost everyone picked FSU to make the playoff, with several predicting them to win it all, but the loss of Francois has been a devastating blow. FSU is 0-2 for the first time in 28 years! Clemson struggled with Boston College before pulling away in the fourth quarter, and they still look like the team to beat in the ACC. Wake Forest remains undefeated, but must play FSU this Saturday. Duke, Virginia Tech, and Miami all are also undefeated, but that will only last so long once conference play starts. I still think Georgia Tech will have a lot to say about who wins the ACC, and Virginia looks MUCH improved following their rout of Boise State.
Georgia's victory over Notre Dame is looking more impressive with each passing week. The Irish have simply destroyed every other team they have faced. BYU and Army appear to be mediocre, and UMass has to be the unluckiest team in America this year, as they are 0-5 with all losses by 10 points or less.
South Florida reasserted their dominance of the AAC this week with a 43-7 victory over Temple, but UCF, Memphis, Houston, Navy, and perhaps SMU may challenge them for conference honors.
In the Mountain West Conference, San Diego State is the only team that stands out so far. I still expect Colorado State and Air Force to battle it out in the Mountain Division.
Despite Toledo's loss to Miami, Florida, I expect them to win their division fairly easily, as they are clearly a competitive team, giving Miami all they could handle. Western Michigan and Northern Illinois will challenge them, but the West Division is the Rockets' to lose. Eastern Michigan may also pose a threat. In the East, Ohio and Miami look to be the best, with no challengers in sight.
In Conference USA, WKU, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, La Tech, UTSA, and Southern Miss all look like decent teams. I do not expect any of the others to do more than pull off an upset or two.
Finally, in the Sun Belt, no one looks overly impressive, as this is by far the weakest conference. However, Appalachian State looks to be the class of the league, while Arkansas State and a good Troy team look to challenge. New Mexico State, Idaho, and La-Monroe may be better than expected. However, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Texas State, and Coastal Carolina look to be teams on the bottom, with their only hopes for victories being against each other or FCS teams.
Another week is in the books! I hope you find my observations informative and entertaining. Until next time, may your day and your loved ones be blessed!
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