Did you enjoy the playoff games in Columbus, Clemson, Miami and Tallahassee?
That’s what they felt like. Big brands. Home stadiums. Exciting atmospheres. Perhaps we could see it all again come December.
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Yes, Texas, Clemson, Notre Dame and Alabama still very much have a shot, despite the losses, to advance to the postseason. After all, this isn’t your dad’s four-team playoff where one loss can eliminate a program. The 12-teamer provides a much wider path. So, for all the losers out there, please keep that in mind (I’m looking specifically at you, panicked people of Tuscaloosa).
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Saturday’s opening weekend brought so much emotion: sad tears (we’ll miss you, Lee Corso!), unexpected heartburn (Boise had to cross the country for a 27-point loss), pure happiness (are the Utes back to championship caliber?), massive relief (Kansas State and Washington State escaped against FCS company) and high frustration (is this the same struggling Clemson offense of old?).
But enough about all that. You came here for the Top 10!
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Before getting to the rankings, there is something very important to keep in mind about our Top 10. It is a Judgement-Free Zone! When ranking teams, we do NOT consider preseason polls or any past season results. What happened in the past is, firmly, in the past.
For instance, you won’t find on here … Penn State (it played Nevada!) or Georgia (it played Marshall!). This system normally rewards teams with tougher early season opponents, but it also makes for an unusual group in the first few weeks. By midseason, our Top 10 may not be much different than many others. But for now …
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier reacts after defeating Clemson on Saturday. (AP/Jacob Kupferman)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
1. LSU Tigers
This week: beat Clemson 17-10
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Next week: vs. Louisiana Tech
If you needed proof of LSU’s financial investment in the portal, you found it on the field in South Carolina on Saturday night (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, see this story from March). A restocked Tigers defense hammered and harassed Clemson and QB Cade Klubnik. Clemson had three third-down conversions, didn’t crack 270 yards of offense and had seven drives end in a punt or turnover.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
This week: beat Texas 14-7
Next week: vs. Grambling
The Buckeyes smothered the Longhorns, controlled the entire game and confused UT’s new starting quarterback, Arch Manning. Manning’s struggles overshadowed a splendid outing from OSU’s own new QB, Julian Sayin, who looked sharp in his debut. He was efficient, accurate and productive enough (completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 passing yards and a TD). He didn’t have a prolific day because he didn’t need one.
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3. Florida State Seminoles
This week: beat Alabama 31-17
Next week: vs. East Texas A&M
The Crimson Tide, once again, got outraced and run over by the Gus Bus. New FSU offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and QB Tommy Castellanos tore through the Tide for 230 yards rushing, nearly averaging 5 yards a carry. They were just plain tougher than Alabama, which is starting to become a theme in Tuscaloosa (not good for head coach Kalen DeBoer’s stress level).
4. Tennessee Volunteers
This week: beat Syracuse 45-26
Next week: vs. East Tennessee State
Joey Aguilar started his quarterback career on Rocky Top with a three-touchdown day and the Vols’ offense hummed, scoring on three of their first four drives against a Syracuse team that many predicted could challenge in the ACC. The Orange could use some work on defense. Tennessee nearly shattered the 500-yard barrier and had two running backs average more than 7 yards a carry.
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5. Utah Utes
This week: beat UCLA 43-10
Next week: vs. Cal Poly
The Bruins got a steady dose of Utah’s newest offensive weapon, Devon Dampier, the former New Mexico dual-threat QB who transferred with his offensive coordinator this offseason. He misfired on just four passes, ran for 87 yards, threw for 206 more and scored three touchdowns. The Utes cleared out the Rose Bowl pretty quickly and left many wondering about the future of Vols transfer Nico Iamaleava, who completed just 11 passes, tossed an interception and was sacked four times.
6. Auburn Tigers
This week: beat Baylor 38-24
Next week: vs. Ball State
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Does Hugh Freeze have a quarterback? In his third season at Auburn, the head coach finally appears to have a guy to operate his offense at high levels. OU transfer Jackson Arnold averaged 8.6 yards — on the ground! In fact, Auburn rolled up a whopping 307 yards rushing on head coach Dave Aranda’s defense.
7. Miami Hurricanes
This week: beat Notre Dame 27-24
Next week: vs. Bethune-Cookman
The Hurricanes were in control throughout before a late rally by the Irish tied things up at 24. Georgia transfer Carson Beck got Miami in position, and then new kicker Carter Davis came up clutch with a 47-yard field goal to essentially win it. The Canes have a gimme next weekend before a home game against South Florida.
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8. Clemson Tigers
This week: lost to LSU 17-10
Next week: vs. Troy
Take a deep breath, Clemson fans. Yes, the Tigers’ offense limped along in a similar way as it has for a few years now, but don’t fret too much. LSU may have one of the best defensive units this side of Ohio State. The schedule gets much easier from here. The path to the ACC championship game and a spot in the playoff remains very clear.
9. Texas Longhorns
This week: lost to Ohio State 14-7
Next week: vs. San Jose State
Look, the Longhorns should have never started the season as the top-ranked team in the land. They were replacing their top two receivers, four starting offensive linemen and their quarterback, for crying out loud. There’s some comfort for Texas fans in that they were a couple fourth-down conversions away from winning a game on the road against the defending national champs.
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10. South Carolina Gamecocks
This week: beat Virginia Tech 24-11
Next week: vs. South Carolina State
Look out, SEC. The Gamecocks have many more cards in their deck than just QB LaNorris Sellers. How about WR Nyck Harbor and defensive front man Dylan Stewart? They were terrors for Virginia Tech’s offense and defense, respectively. And we got a bit of Beamer Ball too as Vicari Swain returned a punt 80 yards for a score against Frank Beamer’s old team.
Just missed: Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Iowa State
This news was originally published on this post .
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Poslední zápas na mistrovství Evropy, české basketbalisty čeká Lotyšsko
Češi si dveře do osmifinále v podstatě zabouchli už v sobotu porážkou proti Estonsku 75:89, pondělní debakl od Srbska o 22 bodů situaci jen potvrdil. „Vstup do utkání jsme měli příšerný, tam nás rozebrali do šroubků. Od druhé čtvrtiny přišlo naše zlepšení, ale musíme také uznat, že soupeř prostřídal své hvězdy,“ říkal nejlepší český střelec Jaromír Bohačík.Aby si fyzicky i psychicky odpočinuli, dopřál realizační tým hráčům v úterý volnější program. Dopoledne navštívili českou ambasádu, odpoledne místo tréninku vyrazili na procházku Rigou. Trenér Ocampo jasně prohlásil, že nejdou turnaj jen tak dohrát. „Reprezentujeme naši federaci a zemi, takže máme velkou zodpovědnost bojovat v zápasech až do poslední vteřiny. Nejde tu o výsledky nebo frustraci z nich, s tou se musíte umět co nejlíp vyrovnat. My ve středu chceme hrát náš nejlepší zápas, protože je to ten nejbližší. Nechceme příliš přemýšlet o budoucnosti, ani o minulosti.“Lotyšsko může hrát relativně v klidu. Estonsko s Portugalskem mají sice jen […]
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Poslední zápas na mistrovství Evropy, české basketbalisty čeká Lotyšsko
Češi si dveře do osmifinále v podstatě zabouchli už v sobotu porážkou proti Estonsku 75:89, pondělní debakl od Srbska o 22 bodů situaci jen potvrdil. „Vstup do utkání jsme měli příšerný, tam nás rozebrali do šroubků. Od druhé čtvrtiny přišlo naše zlepšení, ale musíme také uznat, že soupeř prostřídal své hvězdy,“ říkal nejlepší český střelec Jaromír Bohačík.Aby si fyzicky i psychicky odpočinuli, dopřál realizační tým hráčům v úterý volnější program. Dopoledne navštívili českou ambasádu, odpoledne místo tréninku vyrazili na procházku Rigou. Trenér Ocampo jasně prohlásil, že nejdou turnaj jen tak dohrát. „Reprezentujeme naši federaci a zemi, takže máme velkou zodpovědnost bojovat v zápasech až do poslední vteřiny. Nejde tu o výsledky nebo frustraci z nich, s tou se musíte umět co nejlíp vyrovnat. My ve středu chceme hrát náš nejlepší zápas, protože je to ten nejbližší. Nechceme příliš přemýšlet o budoucnosti, ani o minulosti.“Lotyšsko může hrát relativně v klidu. Estonsko s Portugalskem mají sice jen […]
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