The week that was in college football produced little in the way of actual shockers. But as is usually the case, the action on the field in Week 3 led to plenty of snap shots from professional and amateur observers alike. Of course, some of these will turn out to be overreactions.
We’re back again this Monday to try and offer some big-picture perspective in response to some of the buzz, much of which was generated by the members of one conference in particular. Does this edition of this week’s overreactions just mean more? You must be the judge.
Georgia is in trouble
This opinion is mostly not expressed by Bulldogs fans, who after all have seen this film before. Even during Georgia’s recent run of success, the team has unexpectedly struggled against one of its early SEC opponents. But while the Bulldogs usually manage to right the ship and start looking like a top-five team again by season’s end, Saturday night’s blowout at Kentucky may have shown more red flags — or yellow ones, for that matter — than usual.
The biggest concern was Georgia’s uncharacteristic inability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides. The offense generated just 262 total yards, with just 102 of those on the ground, while picking up just 12 first downs. The defense gained 170 rushing yards, an alarming number of which came after contact, by a Wildcats offense that had done next to nothing a week earlier in a much more lopsided loss to South Carolina. And yes, the nine penalties that cost the Bulldogs 85 yards undoubtedly irked coach Kirby Smart and his staff even more.
Like we said, Georgia tends to figure things out after a scare like this. But as Ringo famously said in “Help,” there’s a certain urgency here. In two weeks, the Bulldogs travel to Alabama, and their killer streak of a schedule also includes trips to Texas and Ole Miss and a home date with Tennessee. Suffice to say, the upcoming open date will feature some lively practices in Athens.
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Texas has a quarterback…
No, no, no, don’t even go there.
The Longhorns faithful got a glimpse of a very bright future thanks to Arch Manning’s electrifying performance in relief of injured starter Quinn Ewers. Fans can also take comfort in the knowledge that today’s offense will be in good hands should Arch be needed again.
But Ewers is the starter, and when he’s ready, he’ll remain the starter. With Louisiana-Monroe visiting Austin this week, there’s no reason to rush Ewers back from a stomach issue. So it’s expected to be the Manning show on Saturday. But rest assured, the job belongs to Ewers when he’s ready.
The SEC will fill half the playoff field
Since we’ve gone full SEC so far, we might as well keep going. The league currently holds six of the top eight positions in the US LBM Coaches Poll, with a couple of others in the top 16 seemingly waiting in the wings. Assuming the eventual league champion came from the upper tier, the rest could conceivably take five of the seven available at-large spots.
However, this scenario comes with more than a few caveats. First of all, we’re less than a quarter of the way through the campaign. Second, the playoff committee does not use the votes as criteria. But even if that were the case, the teams currently occupying the high rankings will soon start playing against each other.
Texas A&M has a quarterback controversy
Now maybe there will be a little more smoke with this one. Conner Weigman was scratched from the starting lineup with a shoulder injury before the Aggies’ must-win game at Florida, and the offense was significantly more dynamic with redshirt freshman Marcel Reed at the controls.
The offense put up 33 points compared to 13 in the opener against Notre Dame. Reed was efficient through the air and on the ground, passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 87 yards and another score.
The Gators’ problems are well-documented, of course, and other SEC teams on the Aggies’ upcoming slate could give the less experienced Reed more to think about. But Weigman may have a harder time getting his gig back.
Memphis is a lock for the playoffs
Once again, we reiterate that the polls are not the playoff rankings. But the Tigers, the lone squad from a group of five leagues currently ranked, appear to have the ball rolling with a good result at Florida State in hand.
But “lock” is far too strong a statement to make in mid-September, especially as Memphis hasn’t even embarked on what could be a treacherous trip out of the American Athletic Conference. There are also some other clubs outside of the Power Four leagues with notable results. Northern Illinois’ win at Notre Dame last week might actually be the best once everyone is in the clubhouse. Sure, we make our predictions every week, but everyone should refrain from terms like “lock” in this still burgeoning campaign.
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