The Playoffs Have Begun: College Football Top 10 (Week 7)

1)   Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0) defeated Arkansas Razorbacks 41-9

The Crimson Tide’s defense got back to it’s usual dominant self. They were downright stingy, giving up 227 total yards, held them to 5-18 on third downs and 27 yards rushing. Quarterback Jalen Hurt was efficient (12-19) but did throw his first interception of the season. Not one of his better games. The running game was the engine that drove the offense, gaining 308 yards on 7.2 yards per carry. Running back Damien Harris led the way with 125 rushing yards on a whopping 13.9 yards per carry and two touchdowns. Harris has established himself as the alpha back. Bo Scarbrough is the back up with Josh Jacobs (now healthy) and Najee Harris splitting carries after that. This is the deepest and best running back group in the country.

 

2)  Georgia Bulldogs (7-0) defeated Missouri Tigers 53-28

This game was a sort of role reversal for the Bulldogs. Georgia’s defense had a hard time stopping the Tigers passing attack in the first half. They were gashed for multiple big plays. The defense made the necessary adjustments at halftime and held Missouri to seven second half points. The offense really got it going, piling up nearly 700 yards of total offense. I’ve had my doubts on quarterback Jake Fromm all season but I’ll give him credit for having his best performance of the season, going 18-26 for 326 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The rushing attack gained 370 yards led by running back D’Andre Swift (94 yards) and Sony Michel (86 yards).

 

3)  Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0) Idle

Next game vs. Michigan

 

4)  Texas Christian Horned Frogs (6-0) defeated Kansas State 26-6

The Horned Frogs went on the road to Manhattan and beat a solid Wildcat team. The defense was very good. holding Kansas State to 216 total yards, 2-15 on third downs and 0-2 on fourth downs. This defense is underrated and keeps performing. Can it lead them to the college football playoffs? Quarterback Kenny Hill was good, going 27-37 for 297 yards and a rushing touchdown. My issue with the offense is they don’t commit enough to the run. Gaining 98 yards on 36 carries just won’t cut it. Running back Darius Anderson has the talent and ability to be that bell cow to carry the load.

 

5)  Wisconsin Badgers (6-0) defeated Purdue Boilermakers 17-9

The Badgers won an ugly game but that fits them. The defense has been consistently good all season long. They held Purdue to 221 total yards, 3-11 on third downs and 66 rushing yards. I believe this defense is playoff ready. The offense gained almost 500 total yards. Running back Jonathan Taylor continues to impress with 219 rushing yards and a touchdown. He has 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns at the halfway point. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook was okay. On one hand, he was very efficient (13/18) but also threw two interceptions. This is the reason they are not a serious playoff contender in my opinion. He’ll have to prove me wrong.

 

6)  Miami Hurricanes (5-0) defeated Georgia Tech 25-24

Miami survives against Georgia Tech. You can look at this two ways, the Hurricanes find ways to win or it’s only a matter of time before their luck runs out. The defense struggled with the Yellow Jackets rushing attack (226 yards) but didn’t give up the big chunk plays. They made enough stops to give the offense a chance to win it. The offense put up big numbers but couldn’t convert them into points. Quarterback Malik Rosier was good again (especially late), going 23-37 for 297 yards with a touchdown. Stud wide receiver Darrell Langham had a huge day, five catches for 100 yards, including the clutch fourth down catch to keep the game winning drive alive. Running back Travis Homer (filling in for injured starter Mark Walton) rushed for 170 yards on 20 carries (8.5 yards per carry) and a touchdown. Can they continue to win this way?

 

7)  Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1) defeated Nebraska Cornhuskers 56-14

Ohio State dominated Nebraska with ease. Look who’s creeping back into the playoff picture. The offense was spectacular gaining 633 total yards. Quarterback J.T. Barrett was awesome, going 27-33 for 325 yards with five touchdowns and added two more rushing touchdowns. Running back J.K. Dobbins rushed for 106 yards (8.8 yards per carry) with a touchdown. The defense had a hard time stopping the Cornhuskers’ passing attack early (349 yards) but made the necessary adjustments and controlled them in the second half. They did hold them to only 14 points. The Buckeyes are hitting their stride and have some big games ahead. Opportunity will come knocking. Are they ready?

 

8)  Clemson Tigers (6-1) lost to Syracuse Orange 27-24

Clemson was outplayed and out gained by Syracuse and the defense struggled mightily to stop the Orange’s offense. Giving up 440 total yards is unheard of. They need to fix this immediately, no time for pity. The offense also struggled but this was not a surprise to me, this was bound to happen. Before quarterback Kelly Bryant was injured, he wasn’t that good (12-17 for 118 yards and minus 8 rushing yards). Backup quarterback Zerrick Cooper was not much better, going 10-14 for 88 yards. The running game was worse, gaining only 113 yards. The big issue now is the health of Kelly Bryant as he left the game with a severe concussion. They have some tough games coming up, can they survive?

 

9)  Oklahoma Sooners (6-1) defeated Texas Longhorns 29-24

Throw away the records in the Red River Rivalry because Texas gave Oklahoma everything they could handle. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was brilliant, going 17-27 for 302 yards with two touchdowns and threw his first interception of the season. Tight end Mark Andrews had himself a game with four catches for 104 yards and the go ahead touchdown. Running back Trey Sermon was the workhorse with 96 yards rushing. The defense struggled again though, giving up 428 total yards. This is the reason they are not a serious playoff contender. They could not stop the run or pass. This has to be very alarming to Sooner fans.

 

10)  Southern California Trojans (6-1) defeated Utah Utes 28-27

The Trojans hung on to beat the Utes in a hotly contested game. They saved their season for now. Quarterback Sam Darnold was really good, well sort of, going 27-50 for 358 yards with three touchdowns and more importantly, no interceptions. He still found another way to turn the ball over with three lost fumbles. He must cut down on the turnovers. Running back Ronald Jones had 111 yards rushing (6.5 yards per carry) and a touchdown. The defense had issues all game with Utah’s offense, giving up 436 total yards. They got some timely stops down the stretch to get the win. This is another team with a defense I don’t trust.