A loaded week as we approach the final weeks of the hectic 2020 CFB season. This week I dive into the Heisman race, College Football Playoff and the coaching carousel – which is in full swing!
Top 25:
1 Alabama
2 Notre Dame
3 Ohio State
4 Clemson
5 Cincinnati
6 Texas A&M
7 USC
8 Florida
9 Iowa State
10 Georgia
11 Coastal Carolina
12 Oklahoma
13 Indiana
14 Oregon
15 North Carolina
16 Northwestern
17 BYU
18 Miami
19 Louisiana
20 Oklahoma State
21 Tulsa
22 Washington
23 Texas
24 Liberty
25 San Jose State
Weekly Awards
Offensive Player of the Week: Michael Carter AND Javonte Williams, North
Carolina
Defensive Player of the Week: Carlton Martial, Troy
Freshman of the Week: Max Johnson, QB, LSU
Coach of the Week: Mack Brown, North Carolina
$100 Handshakes – Underclassmen that stood out or draft eligible players that improved their stock
Quarterbacks:
Zach Wilson, BYU
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina
JT Daniels, Georgia
Running Backs:
Dominic Richardson, Oklahoma State
Jake Funk, Maryland
Vincent Davis, Pittsburgh
Receivers/Tight Ends:
George Pickens, Georgia
Dillon Stoner, Oklahoma State
Kadarius Toney, Florida
D-Line/EDGE
Christian Barmore, Alabama
Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
Jaquelin Roy, LSU
Linebackers
Bumper Pool, Arkansas
Carlton Martial, Troy
Mariano Sori-Marin, Minnesota
Defensive Backs
Kolby Harvell-Peel, Oklahoma State
Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State
JaCoby Stevens, LSU
Final Thoughts:
With a not so great game by Kyle Trask the Heisman Trophy might be up for grabs again. A lot of people are to make Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith a candidate but even he had a somewhat quiet game on Saturday. Yes, I saw the return for touchdown but he only brought in three catches for 22 yards. Had he had another good receiving game AND the touchdown – he would be the clear cut favorite. Mac Jones and Najee Harris also saw less than great performances, setting up a very interesting SEC Championship game this coming weekend. Whichever player shines the most in the Alabama vs Florida Championship could also walk away as the Heisman leader on Saturday night.
The College Football Playoff Committee has been receiving a lot of hate this season but I think if we’re all being honest with ourselves, which is hard, we know the four best teams are in the top four. The biggest game will be the ACC Championship between Notre Dame and Clemson with the winner for sure claiming one of the final four spots in the CFP. But, the loser could claim a spot as well. If Notre Dame loses and loses close, they’ll punch a ticket for the playoff and should too! However, If the Fighting Irish do win the ACC, still weird to type that, then Clemson COULD be on the outside looking in. Clemson has been a favorite in the CFP for years now and I think the committee could still look at a two loss Clemson team as one of the top four teams in the nation – ahead of teams USC, Cincinnati and Texas A&M.
My CFP prediction: Alabama wins the SEC – they’re in
Clemson wins the ACC – they’re in…BUT, Notre Dame does enough to get in despite not winning the conference.
Ohio State wins the Big Ten and gets in even though they have only played six games.
1 Alabama vs 4 Notre Dame
2 Ohio State vs 3 Clemson
Mack Brown and the North Carolina Tar Heels have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this year. They came into this season with more skill player talent than most teams in the nation – including Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama but continue to be under the radar even though their star running backs just went off for 544 yards and five touchdowns against a very good Miami defense. Javonte Williams and Michael Carter have been the best one-two punch in the nation combining for 2,385 yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground through 11 games. As I said early, UNC is loaded with talent but will most likely lose seniors Michael Carter, Dazz Newsome and Beau Corrales, but they could use the NCAA rule and take another year of eligibility. The real questions will come from juniors Javonte Williams and Dyami Brown. If UNC can get those two to return with Same Howell in 2021 UNC could be an ACC favorite.
While the football world celebrates Alex Smith being back on the field, and rightfully so, they are forgetting or overlooking McKenzie Milton. Milton had a similar injury and recovery to Smith and just like Smith, Milton has fought his way back to the field. On Sunday, Milton announced he would be transferring to Florida State next season where he will compete for the starting quarterback job. Milton was a phenomenal quarterback before his injury but the stellar play of sophomore Dillon Gabriel at UCF left Milton as a practice player in 2020. I’m very much looking forward to seeing Milton play again and wish him all the luck next year behind that Florida State offensive line.
Buckle up folks, we’ve officially entered coaching carousel season. Gus Malzahn has been relieved of his duties at Auburn. But before you feel sorry for GusGus you should know he will be paid $21.7 million AND 50% of that is due within 30 days. Gus is L-I-V-I-N – LIVIN’! The job at Auburn will be a very popular vacancy, and possibly the most popular, with coaches like Hugh Freeze already being rumored for the job. In fact, Freeze may have his choice of Auburn or Tennessee.