REPORT THRU 5 WEEKS OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON
By Gary Greene
DATE: (10-6-21)
Note: Teams are ranked #1 to #130.
COLLEGE FOOTBAL STOCK UP TEAMS
1). UCLA: Beat a solid Washington team and the Offense just rolled entire game just missing 500 total yards by one yard.
2). UTSA: Not many ever talk about this team or it’s Conference but they have one of best QB’s and last week 590 total yards – Offense can score with anyone.
3). DUKE: Hey folks we ain’t talking about the Cameron Indoor Kids….this team is really improved new HC and some very nice talent on Offense.
4). TEXAS TECH: I know you might think but they lost last week? Yes this did. They outgained Kansas State on the Road and it was 4 turnovers that cost them a win here. But I love, love the new HC McGuire and this team plays hard every down and truly believes they are going to beat anyone and everyone.
5). TEXAS: This team is still hard to fully gauge but I now believe solid progress is being made. I wish stud young QB wasn’t hurt vs. Bama as I feel we’d see a much different team….I think they still aren’t there yet but I do like Offense and think it can keep them in all games rest way.
6). KANSAS: Almost my new favorite team. This team finally hit a little snag on Offense last week (as expected) but they still WON. I love it. New HC Leipold is perfect hire and perfect demeanor they needed. Of course having a Lamar Jackson clone as QB never hurts a fast turnaround. They won’t go undefeated but I look at “can you finally win the close game” when called upon as a team who hasn’t in years. When you win having only 46 Offensive plays to 78 for opponent that to me means you got the moxie it takes to be a really good team. A loss there could’ve derailed confidence. Now it’s sky high.
7). UNLV: I won’t lie I am somewhat stunned I am typing this. This team was worst team in nation just a few years ago stuck in quicksand. New HC and bam tide has fully turned in year 3 (only 2nd full season). They aren’t close to elite level but in the very crappy MTN WEST they will compete pretty much vs. everyone. There is a ton of really talented players, something they once had handful at best.
8). OLE MISS: Coming into season I was worried HC Kiffen didn’t have enough to compete at same level past few seasons as he had a stud QB who could “will” the team to wins. Beating a solid Kentucky team (with some luck sprinkled in late) with an average QB at helm showed me a lot. Look the SEC is really in it’s worst season top to bottom in years. Could become the recipe for continued success rest of way for Kiffen’s Rebs.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL STOCK DOWN TEAMS
1). FRESNO STATE: A few weeks ago they lost the star QB and now they lost to a depleted UConn team straight up and only ran 48 plays on Offense. It’s clear the bubble burst the second that kid got hurt. College Sports is a funny one….you can go from Penthouse to Outhouse in just one play.
2). MICHIGAN STATE: East Lansing we got trouble. This team is awful. Bombed again by Maryland and I see nothing to think I’d bet this shit show anytime soon. Paid HC a zillion dollars and he will be next Kirk “Madoff” Cousins. Offense is #92 and Defense #100. C’mon Man! Now they face Ohio State Saturday and they’ve been whooped (with decent teams too) the past 2 years by combined score of (108-19). They are the Buckeyes whipping boys as they’ve lost last 5 by combined score (216-38). Sparty secondary can’t cover the kids in the neighborhood and now face top 3 Receiving Group in nation. Last year OST QB Stroud threw for 6 TD’s and 49-0 lead. Ohio State is (25-25) in Red Zone. Don’t let the kids watch this game.
3). PITTSBURGH: This team has had injuries but losing to a completely awful Ga Tech team and your stock is nearing rock bottom. A roller coaster type team week to week and no handicapping really works with this type of team (usually 10-15 teams each season in that group).
4). SAN DIEGO STATE: Like Pitt they will tease you….but the Offense is brutal (has been for years) and now (#95) and scored 9 TD’s in 21 Red Zone trips and last week an almost impossible (6) first downs and only (114) total yards. Defense (#93) ain’t saving this bunch like past decade.
5). WISCONSIN: It’s sad when I am posting a team with a Top 25 Defense but the Offense is void of any real talent rushing last week 24x for a whopping 2 total rush yards and firing the Head Coach won’t be making that problem go away.
6). NAVY: It’s time to fire this HC who simply lost it years ago. Same bland Offense schemes and now #122 and 4 TD’s all season in Red Zone and now under 200 rushing yards per week (and not facing elite teams). The Defense is trying it’s best and very solid stopping opponents in Red Zone but I’d never bet this team or this way past his time HC Joke.
7). STANFORD: The continuing drop by this once Top 20 program and showing really no signs of moving back up. I see no enthusiasm and a once elite HC no longer even making many changes to stop the bleeding. This Defense is worst Stanford D I can recall in over a decade. I mean #109 in nation on Defense and completely unable to stop the run is keeping D on field and although some talent on Offense they fall behind and make way too many turnovers to compete in a tough Pac-12.
DISAPPOINTMENTS AFTER SOLID STARTS
1). ARKANSAS: After fantastic start, a brutal turnover vs. A+M turned a win and undefeated start heading into Bama game last week into now 2 losses in a row. They had Bama on ropes and then allowed 3 huge 75+ yard runs completely gassed in 4th quarter. Depth is a problem on Defense. Offense can still play with anyone as Two headed RB Monster and solid OL can keep them in games but now I fear the “BUBBLE BURST” may hit them going forward.
2). OKLAHOMA: New HC (Venables) was a great hire and he may be Defensive Guru but he does not have the horses. Allowing TCU (668) total yards and now back to back bad losses and a QB in concussion protocol – things now went from promising to possibly disastrous with a third straight bad loss to rival Texas on Saturday.
3). LSU: They teased a few games but HC Kelly is a has been to me, and they have no talent at WR and were very lucky to beat a weak Auburn team thanks to Auburn turning ball over 4x. Auburn dominated game (438-270) total yards and their calling card must be the run game yet last week they could only muster (3.8) yards per carry. They have played on good team (Mississippi State) and got beat pretty good. I see maybe one win only rest of way.
MOJO GOING IN RIGHT DIRECTION TEAMS (UNDER THE RADAR STILL BUT SNEAKY GOOD)
1). ARIZONA: This team was a Bottom Feeder for a good stretch of seasons and it’s still a work in progress but I like the Offense and the HC is a calming influence that was much needed for this type rebuild. Offense has talent across board and now (#24) and averaging 476 yards a game.
2). ILLINOIS: Definitely a team nobody wants to play right now as they have a superstar stud RB and the #2 Defense in the nation. They have allowed only 6, 3, 0, 10 and then 23 points but the truth is the 23 points allowed to Indiana was more due to turnovers and mistakes by the Offense. They can easily win 6 of the next 7 and heck give Michigan at least a run for their money too. Truth be told they should’ve made the STOCK UP TEAMS at the top of this page.