Prospect Matchup Review
Alabama WR Amari Cooper vs Mississippi CB Senquez Golson and FS Cody Prewitt
Going into this game we knew that Cooper wasn't going to get shut down and he didn't. But holding him to "only" 91 yards and no touchdowns has to be considered a win. The Ole Miss secondary was able to keep Cooper from going off and Golson even had the key interception to seal the game.
Arizona WR Austin Hill vs Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
This was thought to be a heavy weight match up with Hill's size vs Ekpre-Olomu's skill and tenacity. And you'd have to give the win to Ifo. Not only was Hill limited to 12 yards, no Arizona WR got over 50 yards. Arizona did most of their damage with their RB Terris Jones-Gisby.
Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah vs Michigan State DEs Shilique Calhoun & Marcus Rush
Michigan State keyed on Abdullah and wanted somebody else to beat them. And they were successful at that. They held him to only 45 yards rushing, but he had to earn everything. The running lanes were not there and he had to juke and duck just to get a yard or two. Abdullah was still able to get some good runs when he did have space but that was few and far between. The Spartans brought it this game.
Syracuse LT Sean Hickey vs Louisville OLB Lorenzo Mauldin
Hickey was able to hold his own for most of the game, however he wasn't able to completely slow down the talented Cardinal pass rusher. Although he didn't register a single sack, that didn't stop Mauldin from making an impact. Mauldin was able to get pressure on Syracuse QB Terrel Hunt three official times but was a handful the entire game.
Baylor LT Spencer Drango vs Texas DE Cedric Reed
Even though Texas got three sacks in the game, Reed was kept in check with only three tackles but no sacks and not a single quarterback hurry. Baylor wasn't able to put up huge points and gave up three sacks, but you can't really put the blame on Drango.
Heisman Watch
Last Week: 19/25 259 yards passing 2 TDs, 77 yards rushing 3 TDs vs Texas A&M (48-31) Next Week: vs Auburn
Summary: The trend lately has been the Heisman winner coming out of nowhere. Dak Prescott would fit that mold. He's lead the Bulldogs to two huge SEC victories (at LSU and Texas A&M) and has shined doing so. His latest performance was 336 5 touchdown win over A&M. With Mariota's loss the race is wide open and Prescott is taking the ball and running. Add in games against Auburn, Alabama, and Mississippi he'll have a chance to lock down the award or lose it.
2. Todd Gurley RB Georgia
Last Week: 25 carries 163 yards rushing 2 TDs vs Vanderbilt (44-17) Next Week: at Missouri
Summary: With Mariota struggling in a loss it gave Gurley the opportunity to move up to the number one spot. However even Gurley's 163 yards weren't enough to keep Prescott from moving up. However all Gurley has to do is keep running like he is and have the Bulldogs win and he'll have just as good as a shot as anybody else. And for his sake, let's hope the injury bug doesn't creep up.
Last Week: 9 catches for 91 yards at Mississippi (17-23) Next Week: at Arkansas
Summary: Adding to all the craziness that happened this weekend, Cooper moves up a spot despite not scoring or getting to 100 yards. However Cooper has been on another planet and when your bad game is still nearly 100 yards that is saying something. Being on the losing end does hurt, but we all know that Alabama will contend for the SEC West Title and those high profile games keeps him right in the mix.
Last Week: 20/32 276 yards passing 2 TDs vs Arizona (24-31) Next Week: at UCLA
Summary: In most cases Mariota would have dropped out of the rankings, but who would replace him? Everett Golson? Nah. Melvin Gordon? Maybe. But can you really fault Mariota for the Oregon loss? He didn't throw any picks and was sacked several times behind a patch work offensive line. Add the level he was playing at and it's hard to really take him down. Mariota and the Ducks are still not out of the race and some big games could get him back to the top.
5. Ameer Abdullah RB Nebraska
Last Week: 24 carries for 45 yards 2 TDs, 22 yards receiving at Michigan State (22-27) Next Week: BYE
Summary: After such a great month of September, Ameer faced his toughest defense and had a tough statistical night. He only got 45 yards but had to fight for each of those yards with his offensive line playing terrible. When Abdullah was able to get some space he looked like his usual self. He's got a long way to get back to where he was, but it's hard to drop him down when he's played so good. But his story and some good games ahead of him will get him to New York.
Power 8
In
1. Auburn Tigers (5-0)
With all the drama of SEC teams losing, the Tigers boat race LSU and continue to stay unbeaten. But for some reason they are over looked and teams like Ole Miss and Mississippi State get all the love.
2. Florida State Seminoles (5-0)
After a scare last week against NC State, the Seminoles made early work with Wake Forest. Their game against Notre Dame looks to be their only tough game left on the schedule.
3. Baylor Bears (5-0)
With Oklahoma losing, the Bears move into the drivers seat in the Big 12. I've long believed that the Big 12 winner will get in and it will come down to their game against Oklahoma.
4. Michigan State Spartans (4-1)
It almost was a disaster for the Spartans almost blowing a 27-3 fourth quarter lead, but they won and they continue to look like the clear best team in the Big 10. They should run the table and with only a loss to the Ducks they should be a clear contender.
Knocking on the Door
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-0)
With a tough win over Stanford it looks like the Irish are going to be in this for the long haul. Even with a loss to Florida State a win out they could have enough to be included.
With a tough win over Stanford it looks like the Irish are going to be in this for the long haul. Even with a loss to Florida State a win out they could have enough to be included.
6. Oklahoma Sooners (4-1)
A huge loss for the Sooners who looked like the best team in college football till this week. But they win out and they are Big 12 Champs and that should get them in. The Big 12 is easily one of the three best conferences and a one loss champ should get in.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-1)
Some will put one of the Mississippi schools in here and I don't blame them. But I'm not saying whose in right now, I'm still projecting. Alabama has an easier schedule than both of those schools and will be Auburn's top contender for the SEC Title.
8. Oregon Ducks (4-1)
Not ready to completely dismiss the Ducks. If they run the table that gives them wins over UCLA, Stanford, and likely UCLA, USC or a rematch at Arizona. That would still give them the impressive wins needed. However they HAVE to hope that there are only one or two undefeated teams.
Team on the Rise
Northwestern Wildcats
A disappointing 2013 season and then an 0-2 start to the season looked like doomsday for Northwestern. However they've rattled off three straight including wins over Penn State and Wisconsin. The Wildcats are now in the driver's seat in the wide open Big 10 West.
Team on the Decline
LSU Tigers
It's not so much that they're bad, it's more that they are just young and inexperienced. And that's going to happen when you lose as much NFL talent as they do each year. It just happen to catch up to them this year. The problem is they'll lose three or four games and everybody will blame Les Miles. Then they'll wonder why he might leave for Michigan.
Team Under the Radar
Ohio State Buckeyes
A loss to Virginia Tech and a young QB struggling looked like a doomed season for the Buckeyes. However they've continue to win since then and JT Barrett continues to improve. Don't forget that Ohio State wins out and they win the Division.
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