The Ole College Try

What a week of college football!  We had 6 - count them 6 - matchups between top 25 ranked teams, and most of that action was in the SEC.  I am going to try to wrap things up as best I can through The Ole College Try, which is my take on college football via a weekly column on college football after each weekend's games.  The column is meant to be a recap of the season to date, with an emphasis on last week's games.

As another reminder, I write this column as if every player is a Heisman Trophy candidate. Why? Because it is ridiculously ludicrous (is there any other kind of ludicrous, besides Ludacris?) that the networks, including the World-Wide Leader, nay, especially the World-Wide Leader, emphasize the Heisman Trophy race all season at the expense of everything else.  Consider this my sarcastic homage to stupid reporting.

I cannot promise that I will post every week, but so far so good.

Heisman Watch

Quarterback Edition

Favorite - Darien Mensah - Miami - Another ho-hum 23-27 with 3 TDs for Mensah.  For the season, he has 12 incompletions and 14 TDs!!!  Yes, the schedule has been light, but they have played two conference games already - meaning they have not loaded up on cupcake out-of-conference (not yet, anyway, and Wake Forest should be after beating Louisville this week.  

Rising - Keelon Russell - Alabama - He is really growing into the job, as evidenced by his 21-27 for 365 and 4 TDs against South Carolina.  And, if the team keeps cruising, how do you keep an Alabama, undefeated quarterback out of the conversation?

Sleeper - Mason Heintschel - Pittsburgh - This is all about numbers.  26-37 for 403 yards and 6 TDs against Bucknell.  This is the second game in which Heinstchel has surpassed 400 yards and 6 TDs, having thrown for 453 and 7 earlier this year against Miami (Ohio).

Falling - Trinidad Chambliss - Mississippi - Mississippi followed-up its superb win over LSU with a vicious 52-28 lass to Florida, in which Chambliss was constantly harassed.  He ended up throwing for 298 with 1 TD and an Interception.

Running Back Edition

Favorite - Jaden Baugh - Florida - Going to be tough to pull him from this slot after performances like he had this weekend; 29 carries, 142 yards and 3 TDs.  The only downside is they cannot keep given him the ball 29 times in SEC play.  Florida may not have to because ...

Rising - Duke Clark - Florida = Gave Baugh some much-needed rest with 12 carries, for 126 yards and 1 TD himself.

Falling - Kewan Lacy - Mississippi - Injuries hurt - both literally and metaphorically.

Sleeper - Lee Beebe, Jr. - Indiana - The Hoosiers' third-string running back ran roughshod over Northwestern's defense, gaining 203 yards on 24 carries, including a 70-yard TD run.

Wide Receiver Edition

Favorite - Jeremiah Smith - Ohio State - Hauled in 12 catches for 217 yards and 4 TDs to - at least momentarily - take the lead at the WR position over Malachi Toney, who is ...

Falling - Malachi Toney - Miami - I mean, as much falling as going from 1 to 1A can be.  He made 6 catches for 120 yards and 1 TD, and had two touchdown catches erased because the referee could not tell if he extended the ball over the pylon, or outside the pylon (it was close either way) and because another thought he pushed off in making a magnificent grab in the back of the endzone and called offensive pass interference.

Rising - K.J. Duff - Rutgers - Duff has entered the chat.  He had 5 catches for 131 yards and 1 TD to cement himself as the third-best wide receiver in the NCAA, but he also is flashing some serious NFL round 1 potential!

Sleeper - Carlos Hernandez - Wake Forest - A second-straight amazing performance from Hernandez, who followed-up the Miami game with 9 catches for 194 yards and 1 TD in Wake Forest's 30-27 upset victory over Louisville.

Some other receivers may have excellent weeks, but these 4 are THE four this year, barring injury.

Defensive Edition

5.  EJ Smith - LB - Nevada - His 55 tackles lead second place by 9!

4.  Kingston Lopa - CB - California - No interceptions this week, but he still leads the NCAA with 5.

3.  Austin Romaine - LB - Texas Tech - He had pick-sixes on consecutive plays from scrimmage!!!

2.  Martin Dean - LB - UAB - Had a helluva game with 9 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and 3 forced fumbles!!!  Ordinarily this would make someone number 1, but ...

1.  Colin Simmons - Edge - Texas - FIVE SACKS!!!  IN A GAME!!!  And this was at ranked, and previously undefeated Tennessee!

Player(s) to Watch

Dylan Raiola - QB, Oregon.  The former Nebraska starter had to enter the game when Dante Moore went out on a vicious, concussion-inducing, late hit.  He led Oregon to a 41-27 victory at previously undefeated USC by going 19-25 for 289 with 2 TDs.

My New Favorite Player

Wayshawn Parker-  RB, Utah.  First of all, his name is Wayshawn!!!  Second, the undefeated Utes are largely undefeated because of his running, including his 174 yards on 18 carries and 2 TDs in a 31-17 victory at Iowa State.

Players of the Week (Just Week 4)

5.  Austin Romaine - LB - Texas Tech - Pick-sixes on back-to-back plays! 

4.  Mason Heintschel - QB - Pittsburgh - 403 yards and 6 TDs!

3. Jeremiah Smith - WR - Ohio State - 12 catches, 217 yards and 4 TDs!

2.  Martin Dean - LB - UAB - 9 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles!  IN ONE GAME!!!

1. Colin Simmons - Edge - Texas - 5 Sacks.  FIVE!!!

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Colin Simmons - Edge - Texas - Received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty giving Tennessee a first down after simulating pissing on the field after a sack.  Good thing that didn't come back to haunt the team.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Pete Golding - Mississippi - If I am going to give Mississippi some love because of their win over LSU, then I have to show them some hate - not for losing to Florida - but for the way in which they lost.  This game wasn't even close.  Maybe we learned that home-field advantage does mean something in the SEC!

Predicted Playoffs/Championship Match Ups

Notre Dame (1) v. Alabama (4)/ (2) Georgia v. (3) Miami

Final Unbeatens

Alabama, BYU, Cincinnati, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, James Madison, Massachusetts, Miami, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Dakota State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Texas, Texas Tech, UCLA, Utah, Virginia Tech

 
Rant(s) of the Week
Not from this week, but boy do I have rants on the "Protect College Sports" Bill, which passed the Senate today and goes to the House.  Rant is too long to really document here in full, but let's just say allowing an anti-trust exemption and limiting legal accountability is never really a good thing.

Under Performance of the Week
Mississippi.  What a let down.  Again, losing to Florida is not the thing, it was the way in which they lost.  But, a letdown sometimes can be expected after such an emotional win over LSU the week prior.

Last Week's Trivia Answer

The question was:  Miami QB Darian Mensah started the Wake Forest game going 24-24 passing before his first incompletion, 2 off the FBS record.  Who holds that FBS record of 26 consecutive passes completed to start a game?

The answer is:  Dominique Davis, East Carolina, on 10/22/2011 at Navy.  Davis finished the game 40-45 for 372 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, in a 38-35 win.

Trivia Question of the Week

Colin Simmons, as you may have read here once or twice, finished the game against Tennessee with 5 sacks.  Who holds the NCAA record (Div I/FBS) for most sacks in a single game?

Match-up(s) to Watch

5. Colgate v. Harvard - The Red Raiders (4-1) travel to Cambridge to play the undefeated Crimson in their home opener.  Charlie Smith is slowly growing into his role as the starting QB, but will be challenged in this non-conference game, that is the type of game in which a win could have serious playoff implications.

4. Ohio State v. Iowa - Ohio State has the more talented team, and has the opportunity to knock-off an undefeated Big 10 team.  But, can Iowa defeat rivals Michigan and Ohio State in back-to-back game?

3. Miami v. Clemson - This Clemson team has looked different since freshman Tait Reynolds has taken over at quarterback.  Can he lead Clemson back to the top of the ACC?  This home game would be a great start, but as against Miami the question all year is going to be which defense can stop them.

2. Florida v. Missouri - Florida, who jumped into the playoff discussions with a big win versus Mississippi faces a tough, SEC, road test in Missouri.  If Florida can leave Columbia with a win, then look out Texas and Georgia - their next big tests.

1. Alabama v. Mississippi State - A big, big SEC matchup, as Keelon Russell faces Kamario Taylor and both teams fight to stay undefeated. Will the cowbells rattle Russell?

The Ole College Try

As if I don't have enough to do right now between work, family, fantasy football and sports gambling, I am going to try to revive an old favorite of mine - The Ole College Try - which is a weekly column on college football after each weekend's games.  (To be honest, I find myself more productive the busier that I am, so let's see how long I can keep this up).  This column is basically a recap of the season to date, with an emphasis on last week's games.  For those that don't remember, I write this column as if every player is a Heisman Trophy candidate. Why? Because it is ridiculously ludicrous that the networks, including the World-Wide Leader, nay, especially the World-Wide Leader, emphasize the Heisman Trophy race all season at the expense of everything else.  Consider this my sarcastic homage to stupid reporting.

I cannot promise that I will post every week, but I am going to try.

Heisman Watch

Quarterback Edition

Favorite - Darien Mensah - Miami - Led the Hurricanes to a 45-6 victory in an opening-week conference road game at Stanford.  Mensah threw for 401 yards and had more TDs (5) than incompletions (3).  

Rising - Josh Hoover - Indiana - Could he make it the second transfer-QB to Indiana winner in a row.  For that to happen Indiana's defense is going to have to step-up for the Hoosiers to be in title contention, but Hoover's efficient 13/16 for 231 and 4 TDs made a statement that the offense is ready.

Sleeper - Kevin Jennings - SMU - The Mustang QB was electrifying Doak Campbell Stadium, even if the stadium itself suffered a power outage.  He was 26-36 for 430 yards and 3 TDs as SMU won its ACC opener.

Falling - Bryce Underwood - Michigan - Although technically Underwood threw a game-winning Hail Mary; we all saw that for what it really was.  And his 12-22 for 176 yards and only that last TD, while only maintaining a time-of-possession of under 20 minutes is not going to get it done.

Running Back Edition

Favorite - Believe it or not, there is no Running Back favorite for the Heisman - with all names way below the QBs and the WRs.

Rising - Jaylin Carter - Memphis - Hs rushed for 280 yards at an 8.2 yards per carry clip, including 5 TDs.  If Memphis can maintain its spot in the Group of 5 to solidify a playoff spot, who knows how high Carter can rise.

Falling - Mark Fletcher - Miami - Although Miami's offense was rolling, the running game left a lot to be desired.  Flecther gained 40 yards on 13 carries and he is way down the hype-train at Miami, behind Malachi Toney and Mensah.

Sleeper - Braxton Woodson - Navy - Yes, he is a quarterback, but he will always be judged on his rushing.  His 200 yards on 23 carries for 3 TDs definitely puts him on this list, especially since Navy could be in the equation for Group of 5 bid to the playoffs.

Wide Receiver Edition

Favorite - Malachi Toney/Jeremiah Smith - Miami/Ohio State - Anything you can do I can do better.  Toney finished his Friday night game with 12 catches for a Miami-record 234 yards and 3 TDs.  Smith followed that up the next day with 8 catches for 151 yards and 2 TDs.  These might be the two best players in all of college football.

Rising - Jeremiah McClellan - Oregon - If Oregon can make some noise, and this offense most certainly can behind returning starting QB Dante Moore, McClellan is going to have huge state.  The big play receiver had 6 catches for 150 yards and 1 Touchdown in a great opening game against Boise State.

Falling - KJ Duff - Rutgers - The talent is there and the production is there (9 catches, 196 yards, 3 TDs).  But, you cannot lose to UMass.

Sleeper - Carlos Hernandez - Wake Forest - Hernandez amassed 165 yards on only 5 catches - an amazing 33 yards per catch.  He also caught 1 touchdown in Wake's opening round win against the Akron Zips.

Defensive Edition

5.  Princewill Umanmeilen - DE LSU - Somebody has to represent LSU on this list after the absolute curb-stomping they put on Clemson.

4.  Xavier Gilliam - DE - Tennessee - Has registered 3 sacks - ON 3 TOTAL TACKLES!!!  That is efficiency.

3.  Zack Riffin - LB - Memphis - He has 18 total tackles, and has added 1 interception and 1 pass defensed in addition.

2.  Nick Session - S - New Mexico State - He is performing exactly like a safety should; 2 interceptions and 14 total tackles.

1.  Matt Rose - LB - Stanford - A total of 21 tackles, and with how this Cardinal defense is looking, he will have the opportunity to make a whole lot more as they surrender long drives and lots of points.

Player(s) to Watch

Keelon Russell - QB - Alabama - The five-star recruit lived up to his billing against East Carolina, going 18-30 for 256 yards, while also rushing for 86 yards and a score.  If Alabama is going to be Alabama - it will be on his back.

My New Favorite Player

Cooper Barkate - WR - Miami - The transfer from Duke will be a great foil for Malachi Toney, as he is talented in his own right.  Darien Mensah's favorite target from last year hauled in 4 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, and will only be MORE open as teams realize they have to double-team this Toney guy.  And, oh year - he started his career playing for Harvard!

Players of the Week (Just Week 1)

5&4.  These will be included in future columns, but let's be honest, there were three players this week.

3. Jeremiah Smith -WR - Ohio State - 8 catches for 151 and 2 TDs, and nobody can cover him.

2.  Malachi Toney - WR - Miami - 12 catches for 234 (a Miami record) and 3 TDs, and he made it look EASY!

1. Darien Mensah - QB - Miami - 27-30 for 401 yards and 5 TDs, and only 3 incompletions.

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Micah Davis - DB - Western Michigan - In stopping the final Hail Mary thrown by Michigan's Bryce Underwood, Davis established himself out-of-bounds before leaping to deflect the football with zero time left on the clock and allowing the Broncos to defeat the vaunted Wolverines, thus allowing the officials to steal an extra second and give Michigan another last-second chance.  If he was only cognizant of his location on the field, Michigan never would have scored after time expired to win the game.  (Please note sarcasm).

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Mike Norvell - Florida State - By allowing the power outage and Doak Campbell Stadium to end, Norvell opened up his Seminoles to a home-opening loss in its season-opener and ACC-opener as SMU kicks a field goal to win the game.

Predicted Playoffs/Championship Match Ups

LSU (1) v. Alabama (4)/ (2) Notre Dame v. (3) Miami

Again, still way too early to tell as tons of teams are still alive.  Ole Miss is looking especially interesting, as are dozens of other teams, except Michigan.

Final Unbeatens

Too many to list right now.

Rant(s) of the Week

Big 10 officials on the final play, em, penultimate play, of the Michigan-Western Michigan debacle.

Under Performance of the Week

Michigan.  Enough said.

Last Entry's Trivia Answer (from two seasons ago)

The question goes way back to December 2020, and is likely irrelevant now, but I am going to include it anyway.  The question was, "Since the Iron Bowl was important this week, the question is how many consecutive times has Auburn won the Iron Bowl when the game was played at Jordan-Hare Stadium and both teams entered the game ranked in the AP Poll?

The answer was at the time, and still is 7.  That streak is still active.

Trivia Question of the Week

Malachi Toney set a Miami Hurricanes' record with 234 receiving yards in the opener against Stanford.  Whose record did he break and how long has that record stood?

Match-up(s) to Watch

5. Navy v. FAU - Yes, the slate is so weak that this game makes an appearance.  Navy could take an early jump to a claim for the Group of 5 playoff spot.

4.  Oklahoma v. Michigan - Is Michigan as bad as they looked against Western Michigan (under 20 minutes in time of possession!!!) or will the literal second-chance Hail Mary propel them forward?  A really good Oklahoma team led by John Mateer strolls into the Big House.

3. Memphis v. Boise State - If Navy wants a spot in the playoffs, they will have to go through this winner of this game.  Literal playoff implications in week 2 with this game!

2.  Louisiana Tach v. LSU - If LSU did THAT to Clemson, what do you think they could do to Louisiana Tech?  This game is must-watch despite the fact this will NOT be close.

1.  Ohio State v. Texas - Number 1 versus Number 4 in Austin.  What is not to love about this game?  Sayin' v. Arch!  Both teams looking to make a statement for not just a playoff birth, but a high seed!!

Everybody's All-American

 

It is that time of the year again, time for the start of college football.  And once again, WE HAVE WEEK ZERO GAMES!!!  What would the start of college football be without a preseason All-American list? Once again, I am here to give you my preseason All-Americans. As usual, there will be more than 11 on each side, to account for the different types of formations (spread, three receiver sets, 4-3, 3-4, etc). I explain some of my picks, while others I do not. Why? Because I can.  (Starters in capitals).

Offense

QB - JULIAN SAYIN, Ohio State; Dante Moore, Oregon; Trinidad Chambliss, Mississippi - Julian Sayin is going to have a monster year, especially throwing to Jeremiah Smith.  Moore would have been the second pick in the 2026 NFL draft had he not opted to return to Oregon.  Chambliss might be more exciting than both of them.

RB - KEWAN LACY, Mississippi; JADEN BAUGH, Florida; Ahmad Hardy, Missouri; Mark Fletcher, Miami.  This is an Uber-talented backfield.  Any of the four of these could start.  Fletcher on the bench because that offense in Miami will spread the ball around a lot more that Lacy, Baugh, and Hardy's teams.

WR - JEREMIAH SMITH, Ohio State; MALACHI TONEY, Miami; CAM COLEMAN, Texas; Charlie Baker, Indiana;' RJ Duff, Rutgers; Duce Robinson, Florida State.  If a non-QB is to win the Heisman, it will be Smith.  Nobody in the NCAA is more exciting with the ball in their hands than Toney.  Coleman may be the most complete receiver of the three starters!

TE - TREY'DEZ GREEN, LSU; Terrance Carter, Jr., Texas Tech - Lane Kiffin knows how to utilize offensive weapons, and Green is a helluva weapon. 

OL - CARTER SMITH, Indiana (T); JORDAN SEATON, LSU (T); EVAN TENGESDAHL, Cincinnati (G); LUKE MONTGOMERY, Ohio State (G); KADE PIEPER, Iowa (C); Trevor Goosby, Texas (T); Shadre Hurst, Houston (G); Drew Bobo, Georgia (C) - Monsters all, and the cornerstones of each of their teams offenses.

Defense

Edge - COLIN SIMMONS, Texas; DYLAN STEWART, South Carolina; Clev Lubin, Louisville, Anthony Smith, Minnesota - Simmons and Stewart were the easiest starter selections on the defense, akin to Smith, Toney, and Coleman on offense.  Lubin is very underrated, and if Smith played anywhere but Minnesota - he might already be a star.

DT - WILL ECHOLS, Mississippi; A'MAURI WASHINGTON, Oregon; Tyrique Tucker, Indiana; Ahmad Moten, Sr., Miami - Not just run-stuffers; this entire position group can cause problems for the quarterback.  Tucker and Moten ready to become even bigger stars after playing in the NCAA championship game against each other last season.

LB - XAVIER ATKINS, Auburn; RALIJAH HARDY, Indiana; RAHEEM BILES, Texas; Sammy Brown, Clemson; Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame - Lots of speed to the ball, and lots of experience here as well.

CB - LEONARD MOORE, Notre Dame; ZABIEN BROWN, Alabama; Brice Pollock, Texas Tech; Brandon Finney, Jr., Oregon  Leonard Moore will be one of the leaders of this defense, and with all of the pass-happy coaches in the SEC, Brown could contend for the NCAA lead in interceptions.

S - KJ BOLDEN, Georgia; AMARE FERRELL, Indiana; Bray Hubbard, Alabama; Bryce Fitzgerald, Miami - Big schools with great defenses and huge playmakers on the back-end.

Special Teams

K - TATE SANDELL, Oklahoma; Lucas Carneiro, Mississippi; The unanimous first and second-team kickers on every major list.

P - EVAN CRENSHAW, Troy - His net - yes NET - last year was 42.8 yards.

RETURNER - DA'REALYST CLARK, Kent State; Ryan Niblett, Texas - Let's be honest, if we need a play, Malachi Toney is returning.  But, how can you leave Da'Realyst off any list?  Ryan Niblett is a fun name as well, but he also led the SEC in combined return yards last year.