In college football rankings you don’t want to be No. 1, Texas and LSU reach new lows.
This weekend shook the very foundation of the College Football Powerless Rankings. There were upsets, close games, and even a Pitt special –though not one Pitt enjoyed. There were upsets we suspected Alabama’s once-vaunted defense was torched by the Mississippi Rebels and first-year head coach Lane Kiffin.
The Alabama Crimson Tide gave up 100 yards to not one, but two Mississippi running backs on their way to giving up 647 yards of offense. Alabama hasn’t been torched like that since “Manziel Manina” in 2013. Former NFL head coach Jim Mora, Sr. would say the Crimson Tide couldn’t do “diddly poo” on defense. Texas A&M fans and head coach Jimbo Fisher finally got the Kellen Mond they’ve always wanted.
Not only was Mond masterful, but Mond was also masterful when it counted. Texas A&M’s first top-five win since 2002 was as much about Mond coming up clutch as Florida’s deficiencies on defense.
Despite bad SEC defensive performances, none of those teams make the list. This week is all about unmet expectations. Miami was supposed to compete with Clemson. Both Mississippi State and LSU were to have bounce-back games. The Louisville Cardinals were supposed to take a step forward this season. Texas’ veterans had an advantage over Oklahoma’s young, inexperienced roster.
None of those expectations were met.
College football powerless rankings after Week 6
5. Miami
The game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Clemson Tigers was not about whether or not the ‘Canes could defeat Clemon; rather, it was about if they go toe to toe with the five-time defending ACC champions. This marquee matchup was the proverbial “measuring stick” game.
The Hurricanes did not measure up at all. Miami was overmatched and overwhelmed against Clemson. The ‘Canes were down 21-3 by the time they realized they were in a football game. Hurricane fans were fooled by how Miami drubbed Florida State. Despite how awful the Seminoles are this season, that game had fans thinking Miami could hang with Clemson.
The Miami offense was overwhelmed by Clemson’s defense. The Hurricanes mustered only 89 rushing yards and 210 total yards. D’Eriq King, who’d been solid all season, threw his first two interceptions of the season.
Clemson equally swallowed the Miami defense. Running back Travis Etienne had his best game in a Clemson jersey with 222 total yards and two touchdowns. Trevor Lawrence continued playing like the runaway Heisman favorite and No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Miami has improved, but the Hurricanes have a long way to go before they are The “U” again.
4. Mississippi State
After exploding for 44 points against LSU in their season opener, the Mississippi State Bulldogs have mustered just 16 points their last two games. The Air-Raid offense that yielded 623 yards and five touchdowns against the Tigers threw six interceptions against Kentucky in their 24-2 loss in Lexington on Saturday.
The Bulldogs could have benefitted from spring and summer practice considering having an entirely new coaching staff and quarterback. The Air-Raid is all about repetition and understanding where to go with the ball based on how the defense is playing. Kentucky, however, had the kryptonite, zone defense, and a pass rush.
In addition to the six interceptions, the Wildcats had two sacks, and ever more quarterback hurries. Neither KJ Costello nor Will Rogers was comfortable in the pocket consistently while those crossing routes developed.
Does Mike Leach need to evolve the Air-Raid as his many proteges have? If he wants to win in the SEC, he does.
3. Louisville
This was supposed to be a level up year for Louisville. Instead, the Cardinals are on a three-game losing streak. This game was supposed to be winnable and end the streak. Instead, the Cardinals lost three fumbles at a rain-soaked Bobby Dodd stadium losing 46-27 to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
The Louisville offense was shutout in the fourth quarter as the Yellow Jackets scored 20 points. This game exposed several weaknesses we knew about the Cardinals. The defense was bad last season, and they’ve been bad again this season. This is the second game the defense has given up over 40 points.
The offensive line had question marks as well. The Yellow Jackets sacked Louisville three times in addition to forcing four fumbles and recovering three. The Cardinals slide might continue for a few more weeks if they cannot get those things fixed.
2. LSU
Despite scoring 41 points against their fellow Tigers, LSU managed only 49 rushing yards. In LSU’s defense, the Tigers had to travel on short notice because of a tropical storm, and instead of a late kickoff, played at noon. However, the Missouri Tigers had a depleted roster due to COVID-19 and injuries.
Wide receivers Damon Hazelton and KeKe Chisom were among the eight players missing from Mizzou’s roster. Even with the inconvenience of traveling and playing earlier in the day, LSU had a roster advantage getting Derek Stingley, Jr. back this week. In what should have been a bounce-back week for LSU, it ended up being a disaster.
The LSU defense gave up 406 passing yards to Connor Bazelak –a first-time starter– and a receiving corps missing two experienced starters. This was LSU’s opportunity to prove their week one performance against Mississippi State’s passing attack was game one jitters. However, those two performances –not counting their goodbye-week win against Vanderbilt– prove the Tigers have some defensive issues that need to be fixed.
1. Texas
Different season, same Texas. If any program has the pockets to fire their coach in the midst of losing money due to the pandemic, it’s Texas. Their loss to Oklahoma exposed some deep issues within the program under head coach Tom Herman.
The Longhorns had no excuse for how poorly they played. Sam Ehlinger led a team full of veterans against a young, Sooners’ team. They come out in a game that most of the roster players dreamed of playing in and came out flatter than a flapjack.
Those veterans under Tom Herman have not gotten any better. The defense continues to struggle even with a new defensive coordinator, and the offense continues to look vanilla. Programs stand on two pillars, recruiting and development; the Longhorns recruit well enough, but they are not developing players.
Let the Tom Herman hot seat talk begin now.
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