I spent the weekend watching football with friends, and it was amazing. The friends and watching, not necessarily the football. It did, however, show me the beauty of simply sitting in good company and enjoying the game of football. And that was worth sitting through some duds and some barn burners.
– I thought Tennessee had found a defense. They lost it Saturday, as Florida just manhandled the Volunteers. The offense looked, well, off, and the Vols just never seemed to get anything going on either side of the ball. And Florida saved Billy Napier’s job for the foreseeable future with that win. I unfortunately think this game is a microcosm of the SEC this year: no one is really good, and no one is really bad.
– I saw none of the Auburn game, but I do think it’s cool that they’re willing to play smaller in-state schools like Sanford. It’s high-risk, no-reward in some eyes, but I appreciate seeing Samford, JSU, Bama State and UAB taking on the Tigers on the Plains. Is Auburn for real? Maybe. I think a quiet 8-4 season would be a big win for that program.
– Is Georgia okay? Other than Will, no one saw South Carolina scaring the Bulldogs as bad as they did. UGA better step up (which is crazy to say about a two-time defending national champion) or they could be in serious trouble. A two-loss team ain’t making the playoffs this year. SEC or not.
– I watched the Alabama-USF game with a few Bama fan friends, and let me say: they handled what happened better than most would have. I never thought a trip to Tampa—not playing the Buccaneers—would be a trap game, but here we are. Alabama’s biggest problem isn’t quarterback play, it’s the line on both sides of the ball. They’re getting pushed around too easily, and it doesn’t matter if you have Tom Brady at QB, without a line you’re in trouble. I’m still not willing to say their season’s in jeopardy, but a loss to Ole Miss at home would send red flags up quicker than a hurricane.
– You expected a Miami segue there, didn’t you? Not much to report, but the ‘Canes are ranked 20th and squaring up with Temple this weekend before getting Georgia Tech, UNC, and Clemson in that order. It’s a gauntlet, but if they can win two of three, I like their chances in the ACC.
– Vandy is making strides under Clark Lea, but a loss to UNLV in a sport not basketball is a throwback to the Jerry DiNardo era. It seems that the rise in the program that started in Bobby Johnson ended during Derrick Mason’s tenure, and Clark Lea has his work cut out for him going forward. I think we predicted four wins, and hopefully Vandy can get one more before the season is out.
– Don’t look now, but we may be on a collision course for UNC and Florida State in the ACC Championship Game. Both teams have been pleasant surprises so far this season, and it’s Ahard not to like UNC and Mack Brown. Not to win, just on principle. I know this, because my wife who has no clue who Mack Brown is saw an interview with him and said “What a cute old man! He seems nice.” It would be cool to see ol’ Mack get one last shot at a title.
– That said. FSU is my dark horse pick to win the Natty. They frighten me in all the best ways possible. What they did to LSU reminds me of what Utah usually does to teams, and that’s scary. How many feel about Texas, I do about the Seminoles.
There are some big games coming up, season-defining games even. And as always, we’ll be here to break it down. As always, thanks for reading. We couldn’t do it without you.
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