Week 6: Rival Week #1
OVERVIEW
October 9, 2015
Joe Broback
Do Rivalries Matter?
Rivalries add a dimension to each game no matter how good the teams are. No rivalry game is an easy pick. The importance of the game is emphasized in both locker rooms all year, and especially that week. Rivalries are marked on the team calendar as soon as the date is known, and both teams know that date by heart. The intensity in these games is unattainable by two non-rivals. Two teams that (normally) are close in proximity and recruit the same players. Players are out to prove they chose the right school, so they are more focused that week. Each team wants to prove they are better than the other, each player proving their choice of school, and each coach justifying the recruitment and gameplan of his team.
While we focus on this week’s rivalry games, there are many more that are gaining attention (Alabama-LSU and Michigan-Ohio State). This week, attention is paid to Tallahassee and Dallas. Miami started the season with promise, but finds that even a team like Cincinnati can be difficult to beat on the road. The Hurricanes are on the road again, and have no time to recover or feel bad for themselves. While this Florida State team isn’t like the teams from the past few years, the Seminoles are talented and ready to prove they are a contender. In the Red River Rivalry, Texas is looking to make a bold statement against a Sooners team that has two quality wins under its belt. The Longhorns are falling apart from within, and not just with the losses. Seniors and freshman on Charlie Strong’s team have been losing chemistry and bringing those issues to social media (a head coach’s nightmare). No game is a breeze, but the Longhorns are doing everything in their power to make it seem like OU may not play the starters in the second half.
Both of these games seem to have a favorite, but the underdog can never be discounted in rivalry games. In 2013, Oklahoma played against an overmatched Texas team. Oklahoma came in ranked twelfth and was the favorite to win the game, but Texas had other plans. Longhorn backs Jonathan Gray and Malcom Brown ran for 100 yards each for a team led by a quarterback named McCoy (not Colt, but Case). Mack Brown and his team proved that any team can win a rivalry game in their 36-20 victory.
Ohio State couldn’t make the postseason in 2013, but they had a perfect record heading to Ann Arbor. The Buckeye offense was led by 2012 and future 2013 Big Ten Player of the Year Braxton Miller and a monster runningback in Carlos Hyde. Michigan was looking to end the season on a positive note. Miller and Hyde did everything in their power to score, but UM’s Devin Gardner was doing the same. The Wolverines scored a late touchdown and decided to go for two, but Gardner threw a pick to end the game. Games like these two show that even if a team is favored by a larger margin, rivalry games don’t play favorites.
The passion and intensity of rivalry games is what makes college football great. Any team can win on any given day, but rivalry games are the perfect example of that. A lot is on the line for both teams, and the disappointment of losing is unacceptable. The atmosphere surrounding campus is unlike any other game they play, and the fans understand how much it means. With all the talk of upgrading schedules and television contracts, rivalries have started to be erased. Texas A&M had a rivalry with most of the other Texas teams when they were in the Big 12, but they left for the SEC. I’m sorry, but no matter how many classics the Aggies play against the likes of Alabama, the tradition of the game doesn’t run as deep at A&M and Texas did. Changing conferences and media contracts are another topic, but they do affect rivalries. Sure, teams may create new rivals within their new conferences, but having a history that runs back almost a century will trump any Johnny Football upset or Missouri SEC championship run anyday.
Group of Five Playoff
*all rankings relative to this section
Start a petition now for this playoff to happen! It won’t, but think of the thrill watching teams that presumably don’t have a chance of making the College Football Playoff. Memphis is the little brother of Baylor when it comes to scoring points, Toledo beat an SEC team (in case you forgot), and BYU could easily be 4-1 (while playing three Power 5 teams- Nebraska, Michigan, and UCLA). These top 8 teams have an 8-2 record against Power 5 teams with an average points margin of +9 and a total turnover margin of +4. These teams will have to go undefeated or possibly only lose one game for them to be considered by the selection committee. Remember how shocked the nation was when Toledo beat Arkansas? Think how much pandemonium there would be if one of these teams made the College Football Playoff.
Four In:
#1 Toledo Rockets (4-0)----The Rockets retain their top spot by controlling a game with Ball State. Toledo isn’t going to score a ton of points, but they will keep teams off the scoreboard with their defense. The Cardinals were held to 262 total yards and a measly 26 rushing yards. If the defense can keep this pace up, the offense shouldn’t have to score too much. Tune back in November 3rd when the schedule ramps up for the rest of the year.
#2 Memphis Tigers (5-0)----Memphis got caught looking ahead to next week’s matchup. The Tigers had to use a second half comeback to go ahead against the Bulls for a close victory. Paxton Lynch threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns to keep his team undefeated. The Tigers are off this wekk, and the break is needed. Up next: Ole Miss.
#3 Boise State (4-1)----Boise State seems to have taken the loss to BYU personally. They have made statements every week since by scoring over 50 points every week and giving up a total of 14 points. Two games at Colorado State and Utah State will be tough for the Broncos. If they can survive these tests, it’s smooth sailing from there.
#4 Temple Owls (4-0)----The Owls made sure to start fast this week. After escaping with a two point win over lowly UMass, Temple beat up first year FBS team Charlotte to get back on track. The defense got back to its old ways by holding the 49ers to three points. The Owls don’t appear to be tested until their Halloween game against Notre Dame. What Temple does up until that point is in their hands.
Four Out:
#5 BYU Cougars (3-2)----A win against UConn was good to get the Cougars back on track, but not enough to keep them in the top four. The offense exploded after struggling the previous week against Michigan. The Huskies were no match for BYU as they were out to prove they still have a pulse after a crazy first month of football. The magic that once was is now gone, but coach Bronco Mendenhall and his squad are looking to finish a season that has started with great promise.
#6 Cincinnati (3-2)----The Bearcats responded to the adversity that came in the form of a shootout loss to Memphis. They used a blackout home crowd to upset a previously undefeated Miami team that came in with high hopes. Hayden Moore gives UC hope for the future should Gunner Kiel be out for an extended period. The freshman threw for 279 yards and showed that he wasn’t just a one game wonder. Cincinnati revived their slim hopes for a solid season.
#7 Houston (4-0)----Greg Ward Jr. and Tom Herman have the Cougars going in the right direction. This offense seems to be running on all cylinders for the first month of the season. Again, wait until November before making any further judgements about Houston as they play SMU, Tulane and UCF before hosting Vanderbilt. The Vandy game starts a three week stretch that will answer all questions about Houston.
#8 Navy (4-0)----Navy can be grateful that Keenan Reynolds is still around. The Midshipmen are out to claim the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and are off to a good start. Reynolds rushed for 183 more yards in what has already been an impressive season. He has used timely passing to keep the running game open as well. Navy has no time to pat themselves on the back because a Notre Dame team that will be out to avenge a close loss last week. Navy has a lot to prove this week, and a strong showing against the Irish will do wonders.
Other notables:
Ohio (4-1), Georgia Southern (4-1), Western Kentucky (4-1), Northern Illinois (2-3)
CFP PLAYOFF TEAMS
Teams in the playoff:
#1 TCU (5-0)----If the Horned Frogs can keep scoring at a rapid pace, the defense won’t need to make many stops. TCU extended the Longhorn free fall after a jump start to their season. With players tweeting about transferring at halftime, the Frogs made the pain felt by many. Treyvone Boykin is making a case for Heisman frontrunner and weapons Josh Doctson and Aaron Green are doing their part as well. A game against Kansas State should be a test, followed by a trap game at Iowa State. Those games are on the horizon before the Frogs can look towards a brutal end to their schedule.
#2 LSU (4-0)----A 22 point victory wasn’t always a blowout. For a while LSU was struggling with Eastern Michigan until they pulled away. Leonard Fournette is trying to run away with the Heisman Trophy. If he keeps this pace up, he may be able to walk away with it. Fournette is averaging 56 more yards per game than the next back in the nation, and the Tigers have their answer for now. Les Miles needs Brandon Harris to find a passing game for his team or they will not survive their SEC schedule with just Fournette.
#3 Baylor (4-0)----The Big 12 “Championship” that is expected with Baylor and TCU may as well be a basketball game. You could also call it “which team scores 70 first” or “which defense forces a field goal” among other names. Baylor’s offense was unstoppable putting up 400 yards in the first half against Texas Tech. While the Bear’s defense has been questioned all season, the offense has eased any concerns by daring teams to try and stop them. The Big 12 will have to slow the Bears down if they want to have a chance.
#4 Michigan State (5-0)----A cold game was a struggle for the Spartans against Purdue. The lack of dominance against a team they should have handled easily raises concern for a team that has Michigan in two weeks. Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh will have his team ready for the Spartans when they come into Ann Arbor. Connor Cook and his team better have a strong showing against Rutgers this week, or they will be another Big Ten team that is struggling to prove their worth.
Teams on the outside looking in:
Oklahoma, Ohio State, Clemson, Texas A&M
GAMES OF THE WEEK/PICKEM
*all rankings are based on AP Poll
Overall Record: 10-10 Last week: 2-2
#10 Oklahoma at Texas
This game has tradition, so it is justified that this game is one to pick. These teams are headed in two different directions. The Sooners have won two significant games already this season, and the Longhorns can’t find a way to get out of the Not Top 10. Nevertheless, this rivalry adds intensity to the game. OU’s Baker Mayfield and UT’s Jerrod Heard lead their teams and try to prove whose hype is justified. Mayfield has the edge, but don’t be too shocked if Heard steals the show. The difference in this game is the Sooners defense has the ability to stop the Longhorn’s offense, while the Texas defense may not stop Mayfield ever.
My pick: Oklahoma 42 Texas 17
#13 Northwestern at #18 Michigan
Two teams that have been average at best the last few years are now in the top 25 and playing quality football. Pat Fitzgerald and Jim Harbaugh have their teams hopeful this season. Michigan struggled in its opening loss against Utah, but has improved each week leading to this matchup against the Wildcats. Northwestern is giving up an average of 8 points per game, which will cause problems for Wolverine QB Jake Ruddock and his offense. The excitement in Ann Arbor will have the crowd pumped up for the game, and that will help them rattle the Wildcats.
My pick: UPSET SPECIAL: Michigan 24 Northwestern 21
Miami at #12 Florida State
Another rivalry that has lost some steam, but will still be a classic. Miami just lost to struggling Cincinnati, raising concerns for the Hurricanes. Florida State has struggled to put away teams and put up points. UM sophomore Brad Kaaya has shown he still has a long ways to go before he is an elite quarterback. FSU quarterback Everett Golson still has to show that he can turn the Seminoles into a contender, as long as he can take care of the ball. Both teams will be ready for this game, but the talent level for the Seminoles will show.
My pick: Florida State 28 Miami 10
#23 California at # 5 Utah
ESPN’s College Gameday is heading to Utah for a game that no one predicted would be this important ever this season. The two quarterbacks are the head of the conversations for both teams (which seems to be the theme of every game). Travis Wilson is still nursing a shoulder injury, but has played well to keep the Utes undefeated. Cal QB Jared Goff appears to finally be taking the step to be an elite college signal caller. Goff has put up gaudy numbers every week, and is still hoping his defense can stop someone. Utah’s defense will test Goff and Cal for the first time this season, and Cal’s defense will show it still can’t stop an offense when it needs to.
My pick: Utah 34 California 21
