The Obstructed NCAA Top 5: Week 9
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
We are now over the halfway point (where has the time gone?) and some interesting things happened this weekend which caused a bit of a stir for the playoff race. Is the Big 12 done from Playoff? Is Auburn really legit? Is Ohio State actually in trouble before Michigan again? Is Jabril Peppers a legit contender for the Heisman? Anyway............
TOP 5 WINNERS:
1. WASHINGTON: I give the Huskies the nod over Clemson as the #1 winner of the week in part because that Utah was their major hiccup down the road and they still have what is starting to become a tough road game in Pullman against their rival Washington State to end the season, which could be the PAC-12 North right there. And Washington has a bit of a tough stretch with USC left (though in Seattle) while Clemson's toughest test might be Wake Forest. They NEEDED this win because it shows they can win in an hostile environment and do it in all aspects of the game. And they are certainly a legit playoff contender now.
2. CLEMSON: They finally scaled Mt. Seminole down in Tallahassee, though it wasn't pretty, but that seems to be the Tigers thing this year. But if the Tigers want to win the whole thing, DeShaun Watson needs to play more consistent down the stretch. Only Joshua Dobbs has regressed worse than Watson in terms of quarterbacks.
3. WISCONSIN: They beat Nebraska and have smooth sails going for them. Technically they are still not in the driver's seat, but need Ohio State to beat the Huskers to get them there. But the Minnesota game is going to be a dogfight the way things are going.
4. FLORIDA: Tennessee lost, Georgia is done. The Gators didn't look pretty against the Bulldogs, but got the job done. However, they will need to play out of their minds the rest of the way (@ Arkansas, @ LSU, @ Florida State) to have any chance.
5. KENTUCKY: It is almost November and they are here? Wow. But yes, they belong here for a week. I said last week the Wildcats had no chance of making the SEC Championship game in Atlanta, but with Florida's schedule being pretty hard and the Wildcats having two teams in free-fall mode in Georgia and Tennessee, it is more than possible the Wildcats could sneak in the SEC Championship now.
TOP 5 LOSERS
1. BIG 12 (AGAIN): Your last two chances (Baylor, West Virginia) fell. Now it practically means that one of the other Power 5 champions will now have to lose TWO games for the conference champion to get in. And I don't see right now Washington, Clemson, or the Big Ten champion (Michigan or Ohio State) losing and I think even if a 2-loss SEC champ (from the West) might sneak in ahead of the Big 12 champion. But, hey, they were fine with no expansion so they can cry another river December 4th when they are watching the other 4 conference champs get selected to the playoff. But they will have to keep it to themselves.
2. UTAH: This pretty much puts Colorado in the driver's seat if the Buffs can win out. And now that game to end the regular season becomes big.
3. TENNESSEE: Lady Luck has ran out on the Volunteers. And honestly, they weren't very good from the get-go. Had Florida & App State continued hitting the gas and Georgia had good coaching, this team might be 3-5 and Butch Jones would get the Les Miles treatment.
4. FLORIDA STATE: The Noles run at New Year's Six/BCS Bowl games are pretty much over after this loss. The Noles defense is atrocious. I feel bad putting the Noles because given how well Dalvin Cook played last night, but this team has issues.
5. NEBRASKA: Still control their own destiny but are at Ohio State. The good news for the Huskers is that Ohio State is scuffling a bit. It could be primed for an upset in Columbus.
TOP 5 QUESTIONS NOBODY WANTS TO ASK:
Peppers might join Charles Woodson as a Heisman winner that primarily plays defense.
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
1. Is Jabrill Peppers a legit Heisman candidate? Yes. Though it is hard to really place him ahead of Lamar Jackson and even Jake Browning, but he creates havoc like no other on defense right now (though you could make an argument the majority of Alabama's defense could be there as well, but there are so many of them). Do I think he has a great chance? Yes. But unless Lamar Jackson falls off a cliff in a game for Louisville the Heisman is his.
The Iron Bowl will be Auburn's real test since Texas A&M
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
2. Has your opinion of Auburn changed after beating Ole Miss in Oxford last night? Not really. I think they have gone the route of Oklahoma last year where they peaked while the other teams have fallen apart. Since the LSU game, they played weaker teams, a crummy Mississippi State team, and a reeling Ole Miss team. I'll give them Arkansas, but it doesn't seem like the Razorbacks are as strong as advertised. And the schedule remains that way with Vanderbilt (good defense, but not great overall) and a Georgia team that has gone completely inept before Alabama. So yes, Auburn can go 9-2, but their tough games were to start the year where they lost to legit teams in Clemson & Texas A&M. And Auburn's offensive style has changed where Alabama can adapt to it, which means problems in the Iron Bowl for the Tigers.
Todd Graham's style of play might get him looking for a job in December
Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports
3. Could we see an overhaul of coaching changes in the PAC-12? Yes. I think right now Rich Rodriguez, Mark Helfrich, Todd Graham, and even Jim Mora are on hot seats with their schools. I understand things are cyclical outside of Alabama, Florida State, and Ohio State, but when you are in years 3, 4, and/or 5 at your school, you should not regress badly. And these programs have regressed in a big way. Plus, you are seeing more of a physical style of football being played in the PAC-12 now that Arizona, Arizona State, and Oregon have not adapted to, which makes them look like they are behind the 8-ball. As for Mora, that much experience on both sides and you scuffle all over the place like what they have done this year is a possible red flag.
Ohio State will need to play a bit better against Nebraska than they did Northwestern
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
4. Should there be reason for panic with Ohio State? No. Northwestern had been rolling lately. I thought Ohio State was going to roll against Northwestern and they didn't. I think they will beat Nebraska, but that said, they do need to play better than what they did.
Watson will have to play up to the hype he has if the Tigers run the table.
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
5. Will Clemson run the table in the ACC now after beating Florida State? Yes but I think the worst team for the Tigers to play might be Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship. The Hokies are fast and play strong defense and get to the quarterback. DeShaun Watson cannot play average in that game. He will need to step up BIG. If not, then chaos might rule supreme the next day. If you want a possible upset look, it could be Wake Forest.
That's all for this week.
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
