What are we learning after 8 weeks of CFB?

B.A.R.

B.A.R.

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Staff member
Fun week of CFB!

This year is pretty wide open and that's FUN. The playoff should be pretty intriguing.

I pointed this out earlier but Ole Miss had possession for 1:54 of the 4th. Credit to Georgia for getting them off the field AND controlling the ball the entire 4th. Game. Set. Match. That's why they only had a handful of yards in the 4th.

Oregon is just fine and Rutgers fades continue to be money (attacking in many different ways).

Alabama made the big plays and were able to have a stress free finish. The pick 6 was really the difference. I think that's anyone's game if we're looking at 16-14 at half. Bama made winning plays though. All that matters.

Poor Auburn.

You cannot help but love watching #47. He's a throwback!

Michigan HAD to win this game today. The Washington offense is excellent and just happens to be the highest scoring 2h team in the country. Well, they scored zero after halftime. Much to my surprise. Wink dialed up a nice day on defense. After some early screen passes, I was worried that he hadn't learned his lesson!

On offense, Michigan made some dumb errors (a few drops, dumb penalties and clock mismanagement) but overall were pretty damn good! The one thing with Jordan Marshall, he gets stronger as a game goes. He's the type that runs better as a game goes on. With Justice Haynes exceeding all the expectations so far, Jordan hasn't had the opportunities most thought he would have. Today was a blessing in disguise to get him "right" in my estimation and can only help the rest of the way and into next season.

Lastly on Mich, that was the type of game many teams lose after leaving that many points on the field early on. They fought on and despite the officials trying hard late in the 3rd, were able to get it in the EZ finally! Bryce was damn good, completing 21 of 27. And frankly, take away drops and that's 24-27. The youngest team in the Big Ten is growing...

Iowa keeps me alive in the CTG survivor contest... Barely!

I highlighted that Vandy schedule for October and they are navigating it solidly so far! Pavia is a blast to watch.

The Michigan State secondary continues to be awful.

The USC run defense is also really bad. Right before he got hurt last week, Haynes was starting to cook vs that front 7. We saw The Irish cook all night in South Bend.

Heart break city AGAIN in OT for my Texas State Bobcats. Unreal.

Pretty boring game between Tech and ASU till the 4th quarter. No doubt Tech wins with a healthy QB1. A weird schedule note but Tech's next the week is November 22nd. Odd. That game on Nov 8th in Lubbock is ENTICING! (Vs BYU)

UCLA -- very cool for the players. I'm still not sure how that rallied together last year to only stink early -- but that's the beauty of CFB.

Cincy continues to roll. They still have games at Utah and home to BYU. That game on Nov 22nd vs the Cougars is going to be a fun one!

Okay, that's all I have. I'm finally able to post something in one of these! What say you?
 
Not sure if Memphis liked ahead but huge loss. Qb Lewis hurt his ankle check status before USF. Due to kick return and ball control offense by UAB ( can't believe i wrote that) Memphis was out of rhythm till 4th. Tall task if Alexis is out even at home for Fresh qb against USF
 
Foxtrot said:
Not sure if Memphis looked ahead but huge loss. Qb Lewis hurt his ankle check status before USF. Due to kick return and ball control offense by UAB ( can't believe i wrote that) Memphis was out of rhythm till 4th. Tall task if Lewis is out even at home for Fresh qb against USF
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Spell check mistake corrected
 
On that note, a look at SOS and also remaining SOS (among other #s)

(I didn't highlight UM, so strange).


Screenshot_20251019-013448.png
 
I noticed @Two Utes post this in the in-game so I'll bring it here.

GREAT balance by Utah. This is a game they win at least 6 of 10 times.

Penalties
Turnovers
Coaching decisions

All that and they lost by only 3.


Screenshot_20251019-023314.png
 
I've learned when a coach says, "we were just following the analytics" that he's an idiot. Different situations call for different measures. Getting three points is better than getting zero.
 
Alabama's loss to FSU may end up being the weirdest result of the season, if not the last few seasons. Thankfully they have some good wins or else that loss would be a big issue if Alabama continues to be in the playoff discussion.

Alabama/Tenn is one where if you look at the box score, the result doesn't make a bunch of sense. Tenn had 3, maybe 4, drives into the Alabama red zone that ended in no points. The pick 6 being one, but the other 2 were late game when Heupel went for the TD and turned it over on downs. I think there was a lot to like about the Alabama defense. Any time you hold the #1 scoring offense to less than half their average, you're doing something right. And outside of one long run, they didn't really give up the huge plays that have plagued this defense in the past and that Tenn has thrived on. I was especially encouraged by the pressure Alabama generated against a team that generally gets the ball out quickly. Aguilar was impressive, outside the disaster pick 6. He was getting beat up and was still able to make some really big time throws. The INT was a bad pass, but it was a really bad play call. GMAC noted it in the broadcast. They went with a heavy, run personnel and formation, even though the whole stadium knew they were passing it with no TO's and 9 seconds left. Brown did a great job of reading the QBs eyes and with the ball being a touch behind he was able to make the play he did. Alabama's offense has gotten away with it so far, but the lack of a run game may be what ends the season earlier than they would like. We're still shuffling the OL, particularly on the right side (true freshman Mike Carroll got the start at RT) and almost every run play looks like the defense knows it's coming. It's getting a little late in the season for me to believe it can be fixed, but you can tell with the playcalling that Grubb is trying to manufacture something on the ground by using the WRs. Did see a few more toss/sweeps last night, so maybe that's something they can build on. Steady, not great game from Ty. Made some big plays with his legs and his usual 2-3 wow throws. Was good to see Ryan Williams make some great catches. He's been banged up and is finally getting healthy. This team isn't there yet, but the way they are trending, I can see them being dangerous in a playoff setting. If nothing else, they are battle tested

Didn't watch much of AU/Mizzou since it was on at the same time as Alabama, but looked like more of the same finding ways to lose. I don't see how you stick with Arnold at this point. I know they paid him a ton of money, but everyone knows he just isn't it. Not sure the Stanford transfer or the freshman are any better, but at least give the team something to get excited about. I don't expect Freeze will be the coach much longer, so maybe the interim (likely Durkin) will try something new. This may have been the last straw before the team gives up. Road trip to Arkansas will be tough. Arky can score and Petrino would love nothing more than to beat AU with their history. And as bad as Arky's defense has been, I'm not sure AU can score more than 24 against air at this point.

Nothing really surprising in the Vandy win. They are a good team, and LSU is not what a lot of the pundits told us they were before the season started. It still feels weird, but losing to Vandy is not a fireable offense, even though I bet Kelly is feeling the heat anyway. Thought it was noteworthy that the fans didn't rush the field after beating a top 10 team. Clark Lea and Pavia have done an insane job changing that culture. I'm curious if it continues post-Pavia, if he ever runs out of eligibility

Good game in Athens. This UGA team is certainly down several notches from the team a few seasons ago, but they do not give up and they believe they will win no matter the circumstance. I think they are plenty dangerous moving forward
 
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gps_3 said:
Alabama's loss to FSU may end up being the weirdest result of the season, if not the last few seasons. Thankfully they have some good wins or else that loss would be a big issue if Alabama continues to be in the playoff discussion.

Alabama/Tenn is one where if you look at the box score, the result doesn't make a bunch of sense. Tenn had 3, maybe 4, drives into the Alabama red zone that ended in no points. The pick 6 being one, but the other 2 were late game when Heupel went for the TD and turned it over on downs. I think there was a lot to like about the Alabama defense. Any time you hold the #1 scoring offense to less than half their average, you're doing something right. And outside of one long run, they didn't really give up the huge plays that have plagued this defense in the past and that Tenn has thrived on. I was especially encouraged by the pressure Alabama generated against a team that generally gets the ball out quickly. Aguilar was impressive, outside the disaster pick 6. He was getting beat up and was still able to make some really big time throws. The INT was a bad pass, but it was a really bad play call. GMAC noted it in the broadcast. They went with a heavy, run personnel and formation, even though the whole stadium knew they were passing it with no TO's and 9 seconds left. Brown did a great job of reading the QBs eyes and with the ball being a touch behind he was able to make the play he did. Alabama's offense has gotten away with it so far, but the lack of a run game may be what ends the season earlier than they would like. We're still shuffling the OL, particularly on the right side (true freshman Mike Carroll got the start at RT) and almost every run play looks like the defense knows it's coming. It's getting a little late in the season for me to believe it can be fixed, but you can tell with the playcalling that Grubb is trying to manufacture something on the ground by using the WRs. Did see a few more toss/sweeps last night, so maybe that's something they can build on. Steady, not great game from Ty. Made some big plays with his legs and his usual 2-3 wow throws. Was good to see Ryan Williams make some great catches. He's been banged up and is finally getting healthy. This team isn't there yet, but the way they are trending, I can see them being dangerous in a playoff setting. If nothing else, they are battle tested

Didn't watch much of AU/Mizzou since it was on at the same time as Alabama, but looked like more of the same finding ways to lose. I don't see how you stick with Arnold at this point. I know they paid him a ton of money, but everyone knows he just isn't it. Not sure the Stanford transfer or the freshman are any better, but at least give the team something to get excited about. I don't expect Freeze will be the coach much longer, so maybe the interim (likely Durkin) will try something new. This may have been the last straw before the team gives up. Road trip to Arkansas will be tough. Arky can score and Petrino would love nothing more than to beat AU with their history. And as bad as Arky's defense has been, I'm not sure AU can score more than 24 against air at this point.

Nothing really surprising in the Vandy win. They are a good team, and LSU is not what a lot of the pundits told us they were before the season started. It still feels weird, but losing to Vandy is not a fireable offense, even though I bet Kelly is feeling the heat anyway. Thought it was noteworthy that the fans didn't rush the field after beating a top 10 team. Clark Lea and Pavia have done an insane job changing that culture. I'm curious if it continues post-Pavia, if he ever runs out of eligibility

Good game in Athens. This UGA team is certainly down several notches from the team a few seasons ago, but they do not give up and they believe they will win no matter the circumstance. I think they are plenty dangerous moving forward
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Yeah are they going to let Pavia play 5 more years? Lol. He's as old as the byu seniors. Get that nil $ because don't think he translates to nfl
 
Heartbreak weekend here. Had Ind -27.5. Late 4th qter, up 25, 4&1 at the ten, 2 min warning. Ya think Cignetti would go for the 1st down? Nope, kicks a fg. OK, my spread is covered.......until Sparty flys down the field and kicks a fg too???? Yep, I lose. Just like the 40yd safety a few weeks back.
Then I have UCLA -3.5 and hit them twice as hard at -2.5. Another late cover, no now it's tied, no, walkoff UCLA fg. Got one of my plays at least.

Crazy, just watch last 2 minutes of each game. More action there.

It was the Michigan Marshalls. Jordan got pounded but hung in there. A lot of jacuzzi time for him. Sparty up next, dare I take the points?
 
I've learned that as I sat quietly, expecting the aggies to lose to notre dame, I could still stand in the middle of the living room and scream cuss words in front of my 91yr old MIL vs arkansas.
sigh, I thought I had finally advanced in maturity past 8th grade.
 
B.A.R. said:
Fun week of CFB!

This year is pretty wide open and that's FUN. The playoff should be pretty intriguing.

I pointed this out earlier but Ole Miss had possession for 1:54 of the 4th. Credit to Georgia for getting them off the field AND controlling the ball the entire 4th. Game. Set. Match. That's why they only had a handful of yards in the 4th.

Oregon is just fine and Rutgers fades continue to be money (attacking in many different ways).

Alabama made the big plays and were able to have a stress free finish. The pick 6 was really the difference. I think that's anyone's game if we're looking at 16-14 at half. Bama made winning plays though. All that matters.

Poor Auburn.

You cannot help but love watching #47. He's a throwback!

Michigan HAD to win this game today. The Washington offense is excellent and just happens to be the highest scoring 2h team in the country. Well, they scored zero after halftime. Much to my surprise. Wink dialed up a nice day on defense. After some early screen passes, I was worried that he hadn't learned his lesson!

On offense, Michigan made some dumb errors (a few drops, dumb penalties and clock mismanagement) but overall were pretty damn good! The one thing with Jordan Marshall, he gets stronger as a game goes. He's the type that runs better as a game goes on. With Justice Haynes exceeding all the expectations so far, Jordan hasn't had the opportunities most thought he would have. Today was a blessing in disguise to get him "right" in my estimation and can only help the rest of the way and into next season.

Lastly on Mich, that was the type of game many teams lose after leaving that many points on the field early on. They fought on and despite the officials trying hard late in the 3rd, were able to get it in the EZ finally! Bryce was damn good, completing 21 of 27. And frankly, take away drops and that's 24-27. The youngest team in the Big Ten is growing...

Iowa keeps me alive in the CTG survivor contest... Barely!

I highlighted that Vandy schedule for October and they are navigating it solidly so far! Pavia is a blast to watch.

The Michigan State secondary continues to be awful.

The USC run defense is also really bad. Right before he got hurt last week, Haynes was starting to cook vs that front 7. We saw The Irish cook all night in South Bend.

Heart break city AGAIN in OT for my Texas State Bobcats. Unreal.

Pretty boring game between Tech and ASU till the 4th quarter. No doubt Tech wins with a healthy QB1. A weird schedule note but Tech's next the week is November 22nd. Odd. That game on Nov 8th in Lubbock is ENTICING! (Vs BYU)

UCLA -- very cool for the players. I'm still not sure how that rallied together last year to only stink early -- but that's the beauty of CFB.

Cincy continues to roll. They still have games at Utah and home to BYU. That game on Nov 22nd vs the Cougars is going to be a fun one!

Okay, that's all I have. I'm finally able to post something in one of these! What say you?
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Good stuff.


- I continue to love Bear. Tough as hell, makes great decisions, sees the field well, really accurate and can hurt you with his legs. He’s got so much upside ahead of him. Still a kid.

- SMU won its 20th consecutive conference game on Saturday. Crazy.

- Louisville WR Chris Bell is going to star at the next level. Great size and torched the Miami DBs with his speed.

- Georgia is resilient. Alabama is just Alabama, again.

- Freeze is done.

- D-linemen, please stop lining up in the neutral zone. Dumbest penalty in football.

- Mark Stoopes, the other team is doing everything it can to hand you the game. And you call that in OT? Kick the FG, dumbass. The other team wants to lose.

- Sarkisian has hitched his wagon to a QB and it’s a precarious situation. He’s going to live or die with the decision, that much is obvious. Overall, his team was unwatchable Saturday night.

- More frivolity from Lincoln Riley. Down a FG, 4Q, in heavy rain and you run this?
 
Frank Costanza said:
Good stuff.


- I continue to love Bear. Tough as hell, makes great decisions, sees the field well, really accurate and can hurt you with his legs. He’s got so much upside ahead of him. Still a kid.

- SMU won its 20th consecutive conference game on Saturday. Crazy.

- Louisville WR Chris Bell is going to star at the next level. Great size and torched the Miami DBs with his speed.

- Georgia is resilient. Alabama is just Alabama, again.

- Freeze is done.

- D-linemen, please stop lining up in the neutral zone. Dumbest penalty in football.

- Mark Stoopes, the other team is doing everything it can to hand you the game. And you call that in OT? Kick the FG, dumbass. The other team wants to lose.

- Sarkisian has hitched his wagon to a QB and it’s a precarious situation. He’s going to live or die with the decision, that much is obvious. Overall, his team was unwatchable Saturday night.

- More frivolity from Lincoln Riley. Down a FG, 4Q, in heavy rain and you run this?
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SC gave that game away.

But, ND also won it, if that makes sense.

Sark not exactly in an ideal position with a legacy name on the roster.

SMU stat seems wild to me!
 
Not saying this is happening with Arch, but I wonder how many roster start/sit decisions are based partially on how much $ is invested in that player? I kind of think it has to be going on at AU with Jackson Arnold, but I could be wrong
 
I think if someone gave em the money, LSU would axe him by 3:30pm.
They can’t take 12 fucking playoff teams and LSU get skunked 0-2.
It’s the money
 
KJ said:
Whoa Norvell has a $54.4 million buyout at FSU! Wow...naturally Prime's name is going to get a ton of mention if they pull the trigger.
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Bud Elliott, who's pretty in-the-know when it comes to the Noles, said he'd be surprised not shocked if Norvell coaches another game at FSU. Sounds as if the letter from the AD this morning is partially to buy time to pass the hat for Norvell's buyout, which isn't all due at once. He could well be gone during the bye before WF.
 
V.K. said:
Heartbreak weekend here. Had Ind -27.5. Late 4th qter, up 25, 4&1 at the ten, 2 min warning. Ya think Cignetti would go for the 1st down? Nope, kicks a fg. OK, my spread is covered.......until Sparty flys down the field and kicks a fg too???? Yep, I lose. Just like the 40yd safety a few weeks back.
Then I have UCLA -3.5 and hit them twice as hard at -2.5. Another late cover, no now it's tied, no, walkoff UCLA fg. Got one of my plays at least.

Crazy, just watch last 2 minutes of each game. More action there.

It was the Michigan Marshalls. Jordan got pounded but hung in there. A lot of jacuzzi time for him. Sparty up next, dare I take the points?
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Wrote about Cignetti Smith in another thread. Thought Smith was pissed Cignetti kicked to get cover but BAR didn't really think much feud was going on. But very weird Cignetti doesn't take a knee there or at least run. I had -27 too on long shot parlay which is why I noticed
 
gps_3 said:
Not saying this is happening with Arch, but I wonder how many roster start/sit decisions are based partially on how much $ is invested in that player? I kind of think it has to be going on at AU with Jackson Arnold, but I could be wrong
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It's most definitely happening with Manning and it extends beyond just the $. The product on the field more than one time this season screamed for a QB change. If nothing else just to see if it might jump starts things in multiple situations where it needed jump starting. You can't keep missing layups and not give another player a chance to maybe convert them. But that is the case, again, when you're going to ride your QB through thick of thin, regardless. And this season there's been a lot of thin, to the tune of 16 ppg against Power 4 teams.
 
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You don't have to explain the frustrations with Alabama fans after watching Milroe fail to make basic throws and run himself into sacks last season. Especially now with the way Ty Simpson is playing. I'm choosing to enjoy the present instead of wondering what was going on last year
 
Yes, this still makes one do a double take, no doubt.


1. Ohio State (60)7-01
2. Indiana (6)7-03
3. Texas A&M7-04
4. Alabama6-16
5. Georgia6-19
 
Frank Costanza said:
It's most definitely happening with Manning and it extends beyond just the $. The product on the field more than one time this season screamed for a QB change. If nothing else just to see if it might jump starts things in multiple situations where it needed jump starting. You can't keep missing layups and not give another player a chance to maybe convert them. But that is the case, again, when you're going to ride your QB through thick of thin, regardless. And this season there's been a lot of thin, to the tune of 16 ppg against Power 4 teams.
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Way smaller scale but it’s happening in BR right now. Maybe they go buy a QB but I think the kid on the bench could get you to the dance
 
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