What if I told you Texas, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Miami, Florida, Tennessee and LSU all lost on the same weekend? Well, unless it’s 2000 it’s really not that surprising – but it is interesting to see these teams all lose on the same day and it NOT being a big deal. Outside of some not so surprising losses I have updated my Top 25, give you weekly awards, play a little right/wrong, finally give you my Heisman candidates while also handing out some money and giving you stock up guys for the 2020 NFL draft.
Top 25:
1 Clemson
2 Ohio State
3 Alabama
4 Georgia
5 Penn State
6 Notre Dame
7 Minnesota
8 Oregon
9 Michigan
10 Florida
11 North Carolina
12 Cincinnati
13 Arizona State
14 BYU
15 USC
16 Miami
17 Tennessee
18 Wisconsin
19 Virginia Tech
20 LSU
21 Oklahoma State
22 SMU
23 Louisiana
24 Auburn
25 Coastal Carolina
Weekly Awards
Offensive Player of the Week: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Defensive Player of the Week: Monty Rice, LB, Georgia
Freshman of the Week: Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Coach of the Week: Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
Where I was Right – Where I was Wrong
Right: While working on my CFB preview over the summer I became very excited about the North Carolina offense and everything they had returning for 2020. And I don’t mean they returned a few star players, I mean they returned damn near everyone from their two deep depth chart on offense. Quarterback Sam Howell had an outstanding freshman season in 2019 but this offense is more than just Sam Howell. In fact, their running backs and offensive line stole the show on Saturday. The Tar Heels rushed for 399 yards against the Hokies with Michael Carter rushing for a team high 214 yards and Javonte Williams rushing for 169 yards. The Tar Heels are going to be a tough team to deal with in the ACC and do not have Clemson on the schedule unless they face them in the ACC Championship Game. My apologies to any Florida State fans, you have to deal with UNC this Saturday.
Wrong: Last week on Stick to Football I praised the Tennessee offensive line. Declaring the Vols have five very solid linemen, a good running game and were much more than just Trey Smith. However (Stephen A. voice) they were badly beaten by the Georgia defense. The Bulldogs held the Volunteers to -1 rushing yard. Negative. ONE! While also not allowing a single point after half time. Big miss on my part, BUT I’ve been saying Georgia has the best defense in the nation for two years so I’ll take my L with a side of W this week.
Heisman Hopefuls – A look at who I believe are the top Heisman candidates
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State – when he starts playing on Oct. 24th
Trevor Lawrence is my predicted winner right now. However, I think he is the least deserving guy on this list. Lawrence is an All-American caliber QB and will most likely be the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean you should win the Heisman. Lawrence doesn’t have the numbers and hasn’t had the moment (yet) to be the top candidate in my opinion. On the other hand, Alabama QB Mac Jones does have the numbers and has had the moments (two 400+ yard passing games) so far this season. I would love to see Etienne and Harris getting some love but only two running backs have won the award in the last 20 years! Those running backs were Derrick Henry (Alabama) in 2015 and Mark Ingram (Alabama) in 2009. Wait, maybe Najee Harris does have a chance…
$100 Handshakes – Underclassmen that stood out or draft eligible players that improved their stock
Quarterbacks:
Connor Bazelak, Missouri
Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Myles Brennan, LSU
Running Backs:
Najee Harris, Alabama
Travis Etienne, Clemson
Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
Receivers/Tight Ends:
Terrace Marshall, LSU
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Kenny Yeboah, TE, Ole Miss
D-Line/EDGE
Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
Ali Gaye, LSU
Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Linebackers
Nick Bolton, Missouri
Baylon Spector, Clemson
Brenton Cox Jr., Florida
Defensive Backs
Derion Kendrick, Clemson
Eric Stokes, Georgia
Bubba Bolden, Miami
Final Thoughts:
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones is having one hell of a season. I know it’s still early and I don’t speak for everyone but we all thought Jones was another AJ McCarron. Not a quarterback that would be getting serious Heisman consideration after three games. I don’t know who pissed off Nick Saban this offseason but they really did a number on him. By the way, I’m blaming Lane Kiffin.
Florida has been the hot topic this season. So much so that many people, myself included, were wondering if this could be the LSU of 2019. To keep this short, they’re not. Not even close actually. Trask, Pitts and Toney look amazing so far but replicating what we saw from LSU in 2019 might not ever happen again. At least not until Joe Brady takes over the Texas Longhorns! Hook’Em, Joe!
Najee Harris and Travis Etienne were told by everyone that they were stupid for going back to college. That there was nothing left for them to prove, they shouldn’t put the extra miles on their legs and their draft stock couldn’t get much higher. To that I say STFU. Harris and Etienne have been exceptional this season and are front runners for the Heisman, Doak Walker and have very good chances of adding a National Championship ring to their resume – which they each already have. As far as their draft stock is concerned I do think their stock is rising. The 2020 running back class was loaded and pushed the entire position down the board with Clyde Edwards-Helaire not being drafted until 32nd overall. In the 2021draft I wouldn’t be surprised to see both Najee Harris and Travis Etienne go in the top 20 of the draft. We’re also seeing a lot more running backs get second contracts in the NFL and teams are not as worried about the wear and tear a running back has coming out of college anymore. So, congratulations and thank you, Najee Harris and Travis Etienne.
Week 7 Preview:
Coastal Carolina @ 21 Louisiana, 6:30 PM (Wednesday), ESPN
Louisville @ 4 Notre Dame, 1:30 PM, NBC
LSU @ 10 Florida, 2:30 PM, CBS
3 Georgia @ 2 Alabama, 7:00 PM CBS
Not a lot of great games this weekend but holy hell am I excited about Georgia @ Alabama!
Scouting Notes and Questions
Stock up guy for every position!
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU
Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Trey Hill, iOL, Georgia
Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
Ali Gaye, EDGE, LSU
Monty Rice, LB, Georgia
Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson
Bubba Bolden, S, Miami