There were two games of consequence last weekend, so I’ll focus mostly on them.
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Alabama 49 – Tennessee 10: Last week I asked how good Alabama really was. I think we have our answer. It will take a monumental effort by their opponent, or a bad week by the Tide for them to lose. So much has been made of Tennessee’s penchant for being a 2nd Half team that is never out of a game. The 2nd Half scoring on Saturday? 28-3 in favor of Alabama. Want move impressive numbers? Alabama out-rushed the Vols 438-32 yards. They put up nearly 600 total yards and allowed Tennessee just 163. Were it not for a couple Alabama turnovers, the beatdown would have looked even worse. After the early fall of LSU, I thought this would be the toughest test Alabama faces in the regular season. They do still have to face Texas A&M next week, the LSU game in Baton Rouge could still be tough (especially if Fournette is healthy again), and I believe the Vols will probably get one more shot at them in Atlanta. But after Saturday, it’s hard to envision a loss for the Tide.
Ohio State 30 – Wisconsin 23 1OT: Unlike the aforementioned Top 10 showdown, this game lived up to the hype, as far as competitiveness. This game was as hard fought, evenly played, and relatively clean as it gets. It was a far better showing for Wisconsin than the deceptively close-score game they played at Michigan. But in the end Ohio State’s talent overcame their youth and inexperience to win out. JT Barrett continued his Heisman campaign with 3 TD (one passing, two rushing) and 318 yards accounted-for. And the Buckeye defense was very impressive with 4 sacks and 8 TFL. Poor Wisconsin….their only two losses are against the #2 and #3 teams in the country, by only a TD each. That’s why despite two losses they are still a Top 10 team. They will get a third shot at knocking off a Top 10 team though. After a trip this weekend to Iowa, they will return home to face Nebraska (#8 AP, #9 Coaches) who are idle this weekend. Should be a great game.
Week 7 Quick Hits: I need to start watching these Arkansas-Ole Miss games. Seems like whenever those two meet it’s one hell of a game these days. It was the Razorbacks pulling out a late victory again this time. Houston barely dodged their second straight loss with a late scoop-and-score, followed by a goal line stand against a game Tulsa team. They better be careful if they want that New Years Six bowl game bid. Boise State is right on their heels, just three spots back in both polls and a much easier schedule if the Cougars falter again. And Western Michigan isn’t out of the hunt either. I’m fine with West Virginia’s ranking just outside the Top 10 for now, especially after such an impressive win at Texas Tech, but I need to see more from them in terms of wins versus quality opponents before I become a true believer. Great to see Navy back in the Top 25 again. At least one Maryland-based team knows what that fees like. So glad Ken Niumatalolo decided to stick around.
Week 7 Rankings
- Alabama
- Ohio State
- Clemson
- Michigan
- Washington
- Texas A&M
- Louisville
- Wisconsin
- Nebraska
- Baylor
Week 8 Preview: No question about the Game of the Week this coming weekend. #6 Texas A&M visits Tuscaloosa to take on the top-ranked Crimson Tide (3:30 ET, CBS). I suppose Alabama could have a letdown after Saturday’s takedown in Knoxville that they made look easy, but I doubt it. Still, it’s worth tuning in for a while just to see what happens….any given Saturday. If you are more curious about West Virginia’s legitimacy, you can watch them host TCU instead at 3:30 ET (ABC or ESPN2). The Wisconsin-Iowa matchup I mentioned earlier is at noon on ESPN. It could be a good game, but not all 2-loss teams are created equal. The Badgers are better and should win. Ohio State has to travel to Happy Valley to face a rejuvenated Penn St squad at 8pm on ABC. Not a whole lot else looks enticing. My gut sometimes tells me when a big upset might be coming, but I’m not feeling it this week. If you want a week off from college football, this might be the week. Week 9 (Oct 29th) looks much more interesting as of right now.
College Football Analyst
Mike is a Baltimore native living in Portland, OR since 2007. He currently runs his own business specializing in video production and online marketing. Prior to that he was a legal technology consultant, worked for 9 years at Johns Hopkins University and served 6 years in the Air Force. He also enjoys travel, food, beer, and is a volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society.