The Obstructed NCAA Top 5: Week 7
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Halfway point is here and we now have a select few at this point that can REALLY make the playoff. I do think we are starting to see two major front -runners for the championship after yesterday. But we are at the halfway point so anything is still possible the rest of the way. Let's get to it.
TOP 5 WINNERS
1. ALABAMA: Tennessee did a lot of barking this week, well, notably the fans. Alabama went into Neyland and DESTROYED the Volunteers, re-establishing them as the favorites of the SEC and probably the whole nation. Their schedule is still hard as nails as Texas A&M, LSU, and then Auburn down the road (as the latter two are showing a strong fight since their match-up in September), but they are still a cut above the rest. Next week is their toughest challenge yet, even at home against Texas A&M.
2. OHIO STATE: You win at Camp Randall Stadium at night against a top 10 Wisconsin team and you do it trailing by double digits at one time? You darn well are considered a winner this week. Ohio State played a dogfight game with the Badgers and escaped. It is a physical game that Ohio State needed to have to show they can play other styles, which their last loss was because they probably weren't physical enough. Now this proves they can be that kind of team that can play those physical teams.
3. ARKANSAS: Not that it really matters with 2 losses in the West (including Alabama & Texas A&M) and are pretty much 3 games back, but could find themselves in the mix of a New Year's Six if they can run the table (that means beating Auburn and LSU though).
4. COLORADO: The Buffaloes are really turning heads in the PAC-12 and right now they are in the driver's seat in the South. Arizona, Arizona State, and UCLA are pretty much out of it and really the major obstacle for the Buffs is Utah......the last week of the regular season that could decide the PAC-12 South.
5. NEBRASKA: The Huskers beat a tough Indiana squad and with Wisconsin losing, they have a smooth road to the Big Ten Championship with not having to see Michigan until that point. But they have a major tilt in Columbus agianst the Buckeyes on November 5. Then we will see where they stand in the national aspect.
TOP 5 LOSERS
1. TENNESSEE: 49-10 to Alabama at home showed that the Vols were not A) talented enough. B) Josh Dobbs is a terrible QB this year C) They lucked out previously. It was pretty much a perfect storm waiting to happen to the Vols. They still have a legit chance in the SEC Championship, but I don't think Tennessee has a fighting chance against Alabama whatsoever (or Texas A&M for that matter)
2. WISCONSIN: They had a great shot and blew it. It is that whole moniker that the Badgers went away with what worked (running the ball) and chose to pass the ball. That's what did in the Badgers. But they played tough and hard. Unfortunately, they pretty much played themselves out of the Big Ten West race with Nebraska going undefeated. So even if the Badgers beat Nebraska, they need more help.
3. VIRGINIA TECH: So much for saying they were back and creating a huge blog about it. Part of it might have been that the Hokies were still elated after their drubbing of North Carolina the week before. But to Syracuse? That stings. They still have the division but they need to beat Miami for that to fulfill that destiny.
4. OLE MISS: How many blown leads will this team have? Yes, I know they didn't blow a 20 point lead on Arkansas but they had a late lead and choked. And Chad Kelly is becoming Johnny Manziel where he tries to do too much and insurmountable things (and knucklehead off-field things). The Rebels are out of the race now and are pretty much out of any New Year's Six game and probably any New Year's Bowl game on top of that.
5. MIAMI: Georgia fans are probably having a small sigh of relief the Hurricanes have choked two games at home with Richt. But they really have squandered a chance to really make noise in the top 10. A loss to Virginia Tech Thursday pretty much puts them out of the race for good.
TOP 5 QUESTIONS NOBODY WANTS TO ASK:
Ohio State proved their mettle last night in Madison
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
1. After the Wisconsin game, which team do you think is the best in the Big Ten, Ohio State or Michigan? Ohio State. For all the running gags of the Buckeyes played nobody over the years, it is Michigan that really has gotten a weaker schedule while the Bucks have 2 road games in Oklahoma and Wisconsin and won both. Michigan did beat Wisconsin but they struggled immensely at home. So I have to say the Buckeyes are the best team right now in the Big Ten, whether any Michigan fan likes it or not. Playing Rutgers and winning by a billion won't change that opinion.
Nebraska still has a lot to prove to the rest of the nation.
Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
2. Is Nebraska a legit threat to Ohio State or Michigan? No. Yes, they are a better team than I dreamed of when the season started, but I don't think they have played a team that is physical or strong that could really give the Huskers fits. And a 3 weeks stretch of Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Minnesota (all physical teams with the first two on the road) might doom the Huskers. It might be the Iowa game that decides the Big Ten West.
Clay Helton looks to have turned USC's fortunes since putting in Sam Darnold at QB
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
3. With the Trojans starting to play like the team many thought they could be, is Clay Helton's job safe? I honestly don't know. All but one of their games remaining look winnable (the Washington game will be their hiccup). But if they go 8-4 and Chip Kelly becomes available, I think they can Helton. But if they go 8-4 and fight Washington to the end, I could see Helton staying.
Even Smart's decisions late in games have been mind-boggling.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
4. Would Georgia SERIOUSLY consider firing Kirby Smart after one season? That is already being talked about by the fans and the media in the state of Georgia. Had Smart lost to Nicholls and Mizzou on top of the other games and be 2-5 right now, then Smart might have his bags packed already. But it might be if "Chip Kelly becomes available" it is possible. The only way Smart gets fired now is if they lose the next 5 games (and I can see them losing to Florida and Auburn really easy while Kentucky did beat Vanderbilt). I don't think it is going to happen, but I don't think many thought losing to Vanderbilt would happen either which in Athens is a cardinal sin. On top of it, Smart hasn't been really chummy with the media and somewhat took a Nick Saban page of just alienating the media at times, which is also a no-no in Athens. The thing is, currently, the next recruiting class, Georgia is ranked only behind Alabama and Ohio State. That is big. So if they do fire Smart, the Bulldogs are in a state of disarray with their program and lose those recruits. But right now, I don't see it happening.
Watch out for Skyler Howard and the Mountaineers
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
5. Does West Virginia have a legit shot at the playoff? They'll need to be unbeaten and some conference champ not named Alabama or Texas A&M have one loss. The Mountaineers might have the best all-around team in the Big 12, that can actually play defense. And while I do not consider Texas Tech a legit threat, they can put up points. And holding the Red Raiders to 17 was more than impressive. The best part about West Virginia is that there isn't a buzzsaw part of their schedule as things are for the most part spread out for them. And the Oklahoma game is in West Virginia as is Baylor in the final week of the season. But the schedule looks good for the Mountaineers so yeah.
So that's it for Week 7. Have a good week!
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
