I think I'm done tweaking my system. I like what it's doing, the math is consistent, and I almost never get even close to a tie (of course, I'm very close this week with 19/20, but still). I still would really like to be able to subtract points based on ranking differentials, but Google sheets doesn't like it and I don't know how to code (I assume that a proper program could do this iterative stuff more easily, maybe). So, we're good for the foreseeable future.
Shall we discuss some football? Yet another great weekend of chaos! Gawd, I do love this sport!
Top Games
Can we start with #21 ASU over Stanford? Is the Cardinal just incapable of getting up for every game? Either they have a motivation (and thus coaching) issue, or the teams they've beaten just aren't that good. Conversely, the Sun Devils seem to be playing very well. I like it. Herm Edwards is building a solid program.
#8 Cincinnati stomped Temple. This was a more important game than it might seem. Granted, Temple isn't Iowa or Purdue, but big win hangovers are a thing (ask OSU) and Cincinnati could have fallen victim. Instead, they overcame their abysmal kicking game and crushed a team they were supposed to crush.
I probably watched too much of #16 Boise St beating #11 BYU. I've been a Broncos fan for many years, since before Peterson took over even. I'm always hopeful for them, even with Peterson gone. There was a lot of slop in this one, but Boise pulled it out at the end with a fairly convincing road win.
Can someone help me to understand going for 2 to win at the end of regulation? On the road? #14 Ole Miss escaped #15 Arkansas at home on a very questionable play call at the end, and it makes no sense. Arkansas won that game on paper, but paper doesn't play the game lol!
#4 Notre Dame has a QB problem. A last second field goal lifted them past VaTech on the road, and apparently they did not have Drew Pyne available. Neither team lit it up offensively, and that is why ND will likely struggle against a good P5 team. That said, a win is a win, and coming off the Cincy loss it would have been easy for the Irish to have a let-down.
#1 Georgia did their thing again, this time against a feisty but clearly over-matched Auburn. The Bulldog D has allowed exactly 2 touchdowns this season, and a total of 33 points overall. In 6 games. At this point, it almost doesn't matter who they've played: UGA is for real. They are allowing 1/4 of the points/game Bama allows. They are allowing less than half the points/game of the next best team (Cincy and Clemson, if you care). And they scored pretty easily even with Daniels still hurt.
#10 Ohio State is starting to look a little like Ohio State: a ton of offense, 5 sacks and 2 picks, including a pick-six, and a just plain dominant performance. Stroud looked very good, and while I still believe that McCord is a viable alternative for the Buckeyes, CJ is coming into his own.
#6 Oklahoma took advantage of #19 Texas' implosion to win an exciting if somewhat disappointing Red River Showdown. "Disappointing," you ask? Yes. I just do not understand how Lincoln Riley can bench the Heisman Trophy winner? OK, enough with the Rattler grief! Sarkisian needs to learn how to build a defense, or hire the guy who can. That 4th quarter was embarrassing on both sides of the ball for the Longhorns. And even though they fell behind big in the 1st half, that was the best I've seen OU all year. Maybe they're legit without Rattler running the show.
#2 Michigan needed every thing they had to beat a pumped up Nebraska on the road. I don't know how much longer they will put up with Frost and his mediocre finishes in Lincoln, but the Huskers looked easily the equal of the Wolverines. If he can build on that attitude and effort, maybe they've reached a turning point? And Harbaugh's new build seems to be very resilient. Not sure how they'll do against a truly high powered offense, and we won't find out until the end of November. Anyway, this was an exciting game to watch!
#22 Texas A&M did a thing. The streaks they ended by beating #9 Alabama are numerous, but the biggest thing I took away from this game is that the Tide are vulnerable. Bryce Young did not look good except towards the end of the game when, for some reason, the Aggies stopped bringing pressure. Bama gave up only 379 yards but also scored 3 FGs instead of TDs. I don't know who Zach Calzada is, but he could be that missing piece of the puzzle for Jimbo Fisher!
Top 25
Well, as you should know by now, weekends of chaos usually do numbers on my rankings. That said, I still find some of the results surprising, especially this season with the added bonus of fluctuating victory points. So, without further ado, here you go:
What's is the most surprising thing you see here? Under normal circumstances I'd say Oklahoma State, but Wake Forest? Wake Forest. This is the perfect example of how downstream opponents matter, just like Notre Dame is a perfect example of scheduling tough.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the weekend! Talk to you soon.
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