Game of the Week: Tennessee (52) vs. Alabama (49)
We may have just witnessed not only the greatest game of the 2022 season, but the greatest regular season win in the last 10 years, by any program. Tennessee has not been relevant in over 20 seasons, and with the win may have vaulted their program into the upper echelon of SEC teams. This was the game we all wanted to see, and this may be the program to finally mix up or challenge the stalwarts of the sport…
Or it could simply just be one game, and Tennessee could lose in a couple of weeks to Georgia, Alabama could win out, and we see exactly what we have all expected to see.
But in the moment, this game, between Tennessee/Alabama was exactly what we love about college football. The pageantry, the back and forth, the star power, and the pure joy and celebration of 90,000+ inside a football stadium. Whether Tennessee goes onto the playoff or loses 2 or 3 games the rest of the way, for those 3+ hours we watched, it was something incredible to see.
Player of the Week: Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan (16 carries, 173 yards, 2 TDs)
I want to start this conversation off with a disclaimer.
When I write this blog every week, or every other week, or month. I try really hard to be unbiased and stay away from ‘Homer’ picks. If you look around the country at yesterday’s games, you will find a ton of great performances, worthy of the ‘Player of Week’ nomination. Caleb Williams was sensational again yesterday, Queinten Johnson is probably the best receiver in the country, Hendron Hooker threw 5 touchdowns in one of the biggest regular season matchups ever. But here I am, in my blue and yellow colored glasses (I didn’t go to Michigan, nor do I wear glasses) stating that this week’s ‘Player of the Week’ is Michigan’s second string running back, Donovan Edwards.
So here is why I am going with Edwards…
Michigan finally has an offensive identity under Jim Harbaugh and last year proved the identity can work with Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum, running all over Ohio State and winning the Big 10. With the departure of Haskins, Corum became the number one, and Michigan has been riding his production all year long. Corum has been the main fixture in the offense, as once against Michigan’s passing attack is anything but explosive or efficient. But with Corum ripping off 120 yards a week, not to mention what he offers in the passing game, the Michigan offense was looking like a one man band.
But Edwards has become more and more involved in the offense and his breakout performance against the rival Nittany Lions cemented this two headed monster rushing attack that could bring Michgian back into the playoffs. While Corum-Edwards supplants the Haskins-Corum attack from a year ago, the Michigan rushing attack is actually even more dynamic because quarterback JJ McCarthy’s rushing ability also adds another dimension they did not have a year ago.
Michigan ran for a total of 418 yards against Penn State, and while that number would have the Triple Option offenses blushing, this identity had to be what Harbaugh envisioned when he took over. Perhaps, Michigan is finally ready to take over the Big 10.
Disappointment of the Week: Oklahoma State’s 4th Quarter Performance
While the Big 12 still lacks the same luster of yesteryear, with Oklahoma rebuilding and Texas still being Texas, TCU and Oklahoma State are the bright stars of this conference in 2022. Without either program being relevant in the playoff picture, it is hard to argue that the winner of this conference deserves a spot in the playoff. But Oklahoma State, heading into the 4th quarter of yesterday’s matchup, in TCU, was making a case. Then the 4th quarter happened…
Oklahoma State, up 14 points, blew the lead and lost in overtime against the Horned Frogs, and with the gamblers who fell in love with that ‘Moneyline’ pick, their hopes and dreams were dashed. Listen, TCU is a great team. Max Duggan did more than enough, Quieten Johnson is going to be soaring up draft boards, it’s a high powered offense that could overwhelm any defense they play against. But when you’re up 14, in your rival’s stadium, it’s hard to shake off a loss of this proportion.
In the end, if Oklahoma State won the game, and finished undefeated, they still may be on the outside looking in. Unfortunately for the Cowboys…they will have to sit back and wonder what could have been.
Game to Watch: No. 11 UCLA @ No. 12 Oregon
USC’s loss to Utah is not a bad loss. It’s an unfortunate loss for sure, but losing your first game on the road to a Utah program who averages close to 10 wins a season over the last 3-4 years is not bad…
I am just rehearsing USC’s speech to the playoff committee at the end of the season.
I have been on the ‘PAC-12 is Good’ soapbox all season long, and I am not about to abandon ship now. I still believe USC has an outside shot of making the playoff and there is a roadmap to get there, and it starts with this matchup here.
UCLA enters Eugene, undefeated, to take on the Ducks whose only loss was that shellacking they took against Georgia in week 1. Now there are a bunch of people who could argue that because it was the first game of the season, and Georgia is the best team in the country, that it is forgivable, and perhaps we should look at Oregon as an undefeated team as well. I would remind you that Bo Nix is still their quarterback…
Regardless, this matchup could have a huge impact on the playoff picture for a couple of reasons:
UCLA Wins: If UCLA wins they have a legitimate shot of being ranked in the top 8 heading into their November matchup against USC. If USC can maintain just having one loss on their record, and USC beats UCLA, that could get them back into the playoff picture. If UCLA beats Oregon and USC that would be 3 wins against Top 15 programs (Utah included). That with an undefeated schedule, should put UCLA in Top 4 consideration.
Oregon Wins: If Oregon is able to win out the rest of their schedule, all of sudden they are back in the same conversation, with their only loss being the week 1 loss to Georgia. Not a bad resume at all! Their wins against a ranked Utah, BYU, UCLA and possibly over a USC team in the PAC-12 championship game may get them into the playoff.
Coach K’s Top 10:
2023 NFL Mock Draft:
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