We have arrived. Conference Championship and Bowl Season in College Football. Like last year there has been chaos all across the land and teams that we thought would be good either crumbled or got overtaken by stronger teams. Enough said. Let’s get to the action. (Its weird that Alabama isn’t mentioned, but they still have life to make the playoff)
SEC
Georgia Bulldogs: One year after the Atlanta Stereotype was vanquished there is one thing on the minds of Dem Dawgs. Create a dynasty. It will allow you boys to wipe away the sins of being little brother to the Crimson Tide every year. Unlike last year the talk of this squad has been a potent offense that has dominated everyone in its path. Stetson Bennent may be the most underrated QB in the country and he has picked up right where he left off from last year. It also helps that he has one of the best Tight Ends in the nation in Brock Bowers and Kenny McIntosh being an outstanding dual threat RB. The defense may not have the fear factor it had last year but it’s still solid for what it is. There’s no real game changer but it’s a balanced unit. Even if there have been times where they’ve played down to their competition, Georgia always seems to play their best in the biggest games. That has been something they’ve lacked since the 80s. (And their schoolyard bully may be finished for now)
LSU Tigers: Did anyone think that Brian Kelly would come to Baton Rouge and overtake Alabama in the SEC West? No one. Especially after he wanted to execute his entire team after losing to Florida State in Week 1. (Old habits from Notre Dame die hard) Besides that game, LSU has exceeded expectations in a big way. Leading the way is Jayden Daniels who has been excellent as a dual threat QB. The only downside is that he isn’t 100% at this moment. The supporting cast besides Malik Nabers has gotten a lack of attention but you can’t overlook them because they can strike at any time. This may be a feel good story of a team, but I’m not sold. Especially after they laid a massive egg against Texas A&M on the final day of the regular season, if they want a New Years 6 game they’ll need to knock off the defending champs and get some help. Sorry I don’t make the rules.
BIG10
Michigan Wolverines: Remember this offseason when everyone handed THE Ohio State University the BIG10 East Title by default and said that Michigan was a one year wonder? Those narratives aged big time. (And I’m so glad they did) It appears that this Wolverine team may be even better than they were a year ago. This time it’s been the offense that has carried that team. JJ McCarthy has emerged into the highly touted QB he was hyped up to be. Hassan Haskins is gone, who cares Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards have dominated in just about every game. Erick All is injured, well Ronnie Bell and Corneilius Johnson have become a deadly combo at WR. They lost their whole LB core this offseason, throw that out the window because the depth whether inside or outside is tremendous. This is the kind of team that would make Bo Schembechler himself proud. In 2 years Jim Harbaugh went from being on the hotseat to icon in Ann Arbor. They are 3 wins away from their 1st title in 25 years. Can they get there? I hope so.
Purdue Boilermakers: One of these teams is not like the other in the BIG10. Just like Iowa and Northwestern before them, Purdue has claimed West by default since the entire division tripped over themselves yet again. At least this crew has shown flashes of brilliance. There’s a reason why Aidan O’Connell came back for a 6th season. So he could get his chance to play in games like this. Charlie Jones who was a key transfer in the offseason has been as advertised with his rock solid hands. It also helps that Devin Mockobee went from the doghouse to featured back in one season. Their defense has been ok, but this is an offensive minded unit. If there is anything on their side, it’s the reputation of being dubbed the Spoilermakers. There’s always one game a year where they pull off a major upset. They almost did it against Penn State in Week 1, so at least they have that going for them. CRACK! O’Connell is out with an injury, welp there goes all their false hope. This is going to be worse than the ass kicking Iowa took last year at the hands of the Wolves.
ACC
North Carolina Tar Heels: I don’t get it. One year ago, the Tar Heels had a better offense with Sam Howell and his hype machine yet underachieved. They did next to nothing in the summer, and then played up to their potential and made it all the way to the ACC Title Game. How did this happen? If I can guess, Drake Maye. Since he took over as the starting QB, he has dominated with almost 4000 yards passing and 35 TDs. Josh Downs and Antoine Green have turned in career years as well. And it also helps that Cedric Gray has been a tackling machine on defense. They looked like solid contenders for most of the year and made it to this point with ease. BOOM! And then they laid 2 massive eggs at home against weaker opponents. To say that this team is limping into Charlotte is an understatement. Especially since their opponent just so happens to be the perennial power of their conference. Good luck, you’ll need it.
Clemson Tigers: Well, well, well. We thought that Dabo Swinney and his crew were done after last year. But to be fair it was due to injuries and a bad freshman class. We then realized that Clemson needed to prove their doubters wrong and dominate the entire ACC. In their inner conference games this year, they were near unstoppable. Outside of it, well not good. Losing to Notre Dame and South Carolina undid their hopes of the College Football Playoff. As for their roster it’s unusual if you look at some of their great teams. Instead of a wide open offense, they’ve pounded the ball with Will Shipley who put together a 1000 yard season. The defense has holes, but they make plays when they have to. This may not be the year they make a deep run but hey, you silenced the doubters of being washed after last year. Hopefully DJ Uiagalelei can get out of the slump he’s in. That’d be great. (When you’re in the shadows of Watson, and Lawrence it’s tough isn’t it)
PAC12
USC Trojans: The sleeping giant of the West Coast has been awakened, and the insufferability of the LA market at the collegiate level has risen from the ashes. Playing in a stacked PAC12 featuring jacked up rivals, who cares the Trojan Empire has returned. This is probably the best team that they have boasted since the days of Pete Carroll. Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams, like they did at Oklahoma, have worked their magic in a big way. So has Jordan Addison who has been the marquee receiver that he was at Pitt. Most of this team is either transfers from OU or other former powers which by Los Angeles standards is your average roster. It’s the NCAA’s edition of the best team money can buy. But even then they won’t stop moaning about how the East Coast media doesn’t take them seriously. We know you have 11 National Championships and almost 200 All Americans over the course of your legendary history, you don’t need to remind us of that. Just go out there and make all your doubters eat their crow. That’s all I’m gonna say. (Plus the revenge factor in the PAC12 Title Game is high)
Utah Utes: I’m surprised that Utah hasn’t been talked about as a potential threat to USC. They’re the only ones that have beaten the Trojans this season and are returning most of the team that won the PAC12 Title a year ago. Cam Rising is still a beast at QB, they have a top TE in Dalton Kincaid who has become a top target after a year of promise in 2021. On defense they are still deadly even if Devin Lloyd is gone. Like most teams in College Football, it’s full of unsung heroes that don’t get enough respect. I would also describe the entirety of the Utes in that way. A team that has been overshadowed thanks to the hype of a certain superpower in LA yet loves being under the radar. It worked for them last year, and hopefully for their sake it’ll work again. If not, all the USC haters will be raging about all the salt that’ll be delivered.
BIG12
TCU Horned Frogs: Just like Lincoln Riley did with USC, Sonny Dykes in one season has turned TCU from a team on the decline to a return of their heyday of the early 2010s. If there is anything that Dykes has been known for its having an exciting offense with no true weakness. Max Duggan has had a renaissance of a season compared to where he was last year with over 3000 yards passing. Kendre Miller has emerged into one of the top RBs in the nation, and the receiving core is full of talent and depth. Yes their defense may be the weakness, but they play in Fort Worth where offense is the way of life especially in warm weather. I knew that the Horned Frogs would be good right away but never did I expect them to be within a win of making the College Football Playoff. That’s what good coaching can do for a team that has lacked that for nearly a decade. I can only imagine the reactions coming out of Southern Methodist if they actually do make the Final 4. SMU, you guys along with the Sooners are 2 peas in a pod. (Sonny Dykes = Benedict Arnold in the minds of the Mustangs)
Kansas State Wildcats: It’s been a minute but K-State has returned to being one of the top teams in the BIG12. Even more impressive is that they’ve been able to make it to this point despite a massive amount of injuries plaguing the offense. Adrian Martinez early on was the main engine to their offense but then he got injured and had to miss time. Even with a slight downgrade in Will Howard the Wildcats have kept their dream season alive. Deuce Vaughn has been the kind of back that is giving their fanbase flashbacks to Darren Sproles running past Oklahoma in 2003. They have the best defense in their conference led by Austin Moore and his devastating hit power. (And they led the BIG12 in turnovers forced) Who cares if Texas, Oklahoma, and other conference powers have fallen off, they’re playing with house money during Bowl Season. This may be the learning experience year for them, but they’ll get a few campuses on their side if they can somehow finish off the Horned Frog machine. Well if you failed early season at least you’re getting another chance. Take it and run!
AAC
Tulane Green Wave: If you were to tell me last year that Tulane would be hosting the AAC Championship Game in 2022 I would have laughed you out of their athletic complex. But it appears that they pulled off the biggest turnaround in school history. I know most of the pundits will talk about Michael Pratt and Tyjae Spears due to their impact on the offensive side of the ball. The main story of this team has been the defense. In particular their Linebacking Core. Nick Anderson and Dorian Williams have been an outstanding duo in the middle of the field and they force offenses to abandon the run. It also doesn’t help that they’ve allowed the fewest points in the conference. Like K-State they’re playing with house money this time around. They know that UCF went into their building and beat them last month, and now they want revenge. Can they get it though? We’ll have to find out.
UCF Knights: I have no clue as to why UCF should be considered the favorites in this game. If you’ve seen them all season, it’s been a mystery box. They may have upset Cincinnati, and already beaten Tulane but here is the kicker. They were embarrassed at home by NAVY! And nearly collapsed against another bad team in South Florida. I know that Jason Johnson led the AAC in tackles, John Rhys Plumlee deadly both on the ground and through the air. If there is any chance that the Knights have to exercise the doubters this is it. As I’ve said earlier they’ve played well against stronger teams. That may be the advantage they have. Let’s see if their plan works to perfection. PAUSE.
I can eat this tension like a popsicle, it’s that tasty. A combination of young guns, familiar powers, teams that are likable and exciting to watch, plus those that everyone wants to see fail. Let’s go over the 6 games.
SEC: After the massive egg that they laid against the Aggies last week, I truly believe that LSU is dead on arrival. If they lost to Jimbo Fisher and that gongshow, they are due to have problems against Georgia in what is basically a home game for their opposition. Dawgs win big.
BIG10: If last year’s game between Michigan and Iowa was a beatdown, this could have the potential to be even worse. With Aidan O’Connell being inactive and the momentum on the other side, the Wolverines win their 2nd straight BIG10 Title in dominating fashion. Not even the Spoilermakers myth can save them now.
ACC: 2 teams limping into Carolina and only one comes out victorious. UNC this is why you needed to beat Georgia Tech and NC State, because you’re about to get beat up by a Clemson team coming in ticked off. Tigers by 14.
PAC12: This is probably the most anticipated matchup of the week. USC one win away from the College Football Playoff against the team that gave them their only loss. There’s no wrong answer with the pick in this game, but there’s a reason why Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams came West. For games like this. Give me the Trojans in a close one.
BIG12: Ooh this is an interesting one. The best offense in the BIG12 against the best defense in the BIG12. It’s too bad that Kansas State has to play in JerryWorld which means it’s a glorified home game for TCU. Horned Frogs win in a classic and advance to the CPF for the 1st time ever.
AAC: When these 2 played 4 weeks ago, it was an offensive shootout. I don’t see that in this game. It’ll be a low scoring affair with big plays on defense all game. In that case, the Green Wave consumes the Knights whole and gets their revenge.
FOOTBALL SEASON AT ITS BEST!
Bragging Rights Sports 