Chris Falica
FOX Sports Betting Expert
Last weekend was one other electrical day faculty soccer.
Michigan knocked down Ohio State for the fourth consecutive yr, regardless of being a 19.5-point favourite, it took Georgia eight additional durations to be eradicated Georgia Tech in a shootout, n. 8 Miami fell to unranked Syracuse in a barn burner, and Clemson fell to South Carolina in a gathering with a number of implications on the CFP.
With weekends like this previous one, lengthy discussions happen each week between me and the great individuals at FOX Sports as we plan our manufacturing for Big Noon Kickoff. Every Sunday night, I mirror on what occurred the day earlier than and ship a protracted e mail to producers, researchers, and on-air colleagues about my ideas on what occurred, in addition to what’s noteworthy for the approaching week.
I’ve determined to tug again the curtain and share these ideas with all of you, as a result of everybody ought to rejoice within the brilliance of school soccer.
This week is convention championship weekend. Only 18 groups have earned a spot to play an additional sport and just one version of the CFP standings stays. Undoubtedly, these video games may have large implications on which groups get in, which groups get neglected, and which packages get favorable paths to the nationwide title.
Let’s dive into my ideas for this weekend.
Mountain West rematch
What we have all been ready for has occurred… UNLV they’ll have an opportunity for revenge once they face Boise State within the Mountain West title sport on Friday. Remember, the highest-ranked Group of Five convention champion is assured a spot within the 12-team playoff discipline, making this sport much more thrilling. In the latest rankings, the Broncos got here in at No. 10 and the Rebels at No. 20. Boise State has received every of the final eight conferences within the collection, with UNLV’s final win coming in 1976.
In their common season matchup, the Rebels actually damage themselves with a foul turnover earlier than the half and two penalties on third down on Boise’s closing drive, the place they’d run the Broncos off the sector. I anticipate this to be shut, as this sport pits the highest-scoring offense within the Mountain West (Boise State: 40.6 factors per sport) towards the highest-scoring protection within the Mountain West (UNLV: permitting 22, 0 PPG).
Let’s not neglect this too Ashton Jeanty he will even do all the pieces he can to make the Heisman case. He is 341 speeding yards away from breaking the FBS single-season document held by Barry Sanders. I do not see him batting Travis Hunterhowever regardless, how he performs can be one thing to pay attention to.
Another rematch, SEC version
Probably essentially the most thrilling match of the weekend can be between these two groups, as Texas will attempt to avenge their solely defeat of the season towards Georgia. It’s really outstanding that they’re within the operating for the SEC title of their first yr within the convention, however beating the Bulldogs can be a real signal of their dominance. In that common season sport, Kirby Smart’s group dominated the road of scrimmage, with the offensive line main the best way Trevor Etienne. He scored three touchdowns and averaged 4.6 yards per carry within the 30-15 win at Austin. Will issues be totally different this time in what is basically a house sport for Georgia?
I’m certain Texas can be effectively represented, however let’s be trustworthy, the sport is in Atlanta. Six SEC groups have received 9 video games, and Texas has solely confronted one: Georgia. That first assembly was actually unusual. The groups mixed for seven turnovers, the Longhorns began 4 drives inside their very own 15-yard line, Quinn Ewers was benched for Arch Manning and naturally there was a controversial penalty reversal after the followers strewn the pitch with garbage.
There’s no denying how spectacular the Longhorns’ protection has been, although, as they rank first within the nation in defensive effectivity, first in go protection, second in scoring protection and sixth in third-down protection.
Side be aware: How are we dealing with South Carolina? Especially when you think about the lack of LSUthe place they took an enormous lead, received a questionable refereeing determination and did not have LaNorris Sellers for the second half. And certain sufficient, they had been dragged residence Old womanhowever in the event you ask your self who the seven greatest groups total are proper now, lots of people would put South Carolina there.
Let’s speak about Ponies
SMU rating at quantity 8 does not make a lot sense to me. They’re forward of Alabama within the CFP rankings, so you are not saying they’re proper now? Why ought to a loss in what’s mainly a highway sport trigger them to fall behind the tide? If you do not suppose they’re higher than the Mustangs now, it is not like they will do something this week to enhance their stature. So if SMU loses and falls behind, that is simply flawed in my view. Be trustworthy with the Ponies now. Put them at 12 or wherever. Simply inform them, “it’s important to win in any other case you’re out.”
All conferences are usually not created equal, however penalizing a staff for lacking a convention title sport for which it certified, after which “rewarding” or “elevating” a staff that didn’t make the convention title sport It appears unfair to me. If Alabama is best than SMU – and so they could possibly be – that is effective. The Mustangs have performed three ACC groups which might be 2-6 or worse in convention play, and so they have performed 5 which might be 3-5 or worse. They have zero wins within the standings and are seventy fifth within the standings.
But my level is that the committee ought to take this under consideration now as a substitute of after a possible loss to Clemson. The rug should not be pulled out from underneath Rhett Lashlee and his staff in the event that they lose a sport on the highway towards a greater than stable staff, when they’re three spots forward of the Tide.
Ok, my rant is over.
Big Ten
Here’s one other likelihood for James Franklin to get a high 5 or high 10 win. In my opinion, if Pen State ought to they lose, it solely provides to the notion that the Nittany Lions are usually not critical title contenders. During his time in Happy Valley, Franklin is 1-13 towards AP top-five opponents and 3-18 towards AP top-10 foes. The one from Oregon power of document is the perfect within the nation and they’re additionally the one FBS staff within the nation with out a loss. This can be an uphill battle for Penn State.
Side be aware: What I’m about to say goes to sound loopy, however hear me out. In a wierd approach, did the loss to Michigan assist Ohio State? Now they’re suspended till the nineteenth or twentieth. They do not should play this week and doubtless know that their staff’s power is getting the ball to the broad receivers. The stress issue of attempting to beat Michigan is now not there. Who is aware of who they’ll play their sport towards, however it is going to seemingly be a house sport adopted by heat climate or indoor environments. This could possibly be a type of ” what, screw it” moments for Ryan Day and Chip Kelly. What is left to lose at this level?
I’m additionally curious the place Indiana is included within the closing rating. They confronted one in all 5 different Big Ten groups that received eight video games and misplaced 38-15 in that sport (to the Buckeyes), for a complete of simply 151 yards.
The Sun Devils preserve rolling
I’ve stated it a number of instances this yr and I’ll say it once more. There is probably not a greater story in all of school soccer than State of Arizona. They had been picked to complete final within the Big 12 within the preseason ballot and are actually one win away from being convention champions. It’s the primary time since 2004 they’ve gone undefeated at residence, and the seven-win enchancment over final yr represents the most important turnaround in program historical past. Kenny Dillingham may simply win the Bear Bryant Award, and he would deserve it if he did. Right now, all Power 4 convention title video games have an expansion of lower than 4 factors. In the final six years there have been a complete of three such matches in these 4 championships. Since the FBS/FCS break up in 1978, there have been a complete of 18 within the Power 4. There is unprecedented parity on the high of those conferences and the Big 12 title sport between ASU and Iowa State he’s the epitome of it.
Chris “The Bear” Phallic he has been concerned in sports activities for nearly three a long time. While faculty soccer has been his focus, he additionally enjoys the NFL, soccer, golf, tennis, MLB, NHL and horse racing, with an “occasional” wager on these occasions. Chris lately received the primary Circa Football Invitational and completed within the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He has certified for the NHC Handicapping Championship a number of instances. Remember: “The much less you guess, the extra you lose while you win!” Follow him on Twitter @Chrysphallic.
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