2020 College Football Discussion and Pick 'Em Thread

[NewYorkExpress]

First coach firing of the year. Utah State fires Head Coach Gary Andersen.

Any theories on who might replace Andersen, or who would be a good hire to replace Andersen?

[NewYorkExpress]

Graham Harrell is well-positioned for a head coaching job, but he might be able to do even better than Utah State. Interesting sleeper might be Troy Taylor from Sacramento State who has a ridiculous first season turnaround for a program with no history. Get out before everyone graduates? Not that I have special insights.

Gary Andersen has got to be unemployable now lol. Leaving Wisconsin has got to be one of the worst decisions ever.

My current thought on Utah State's vacancy is that they'll bring in a high profile assistant of some kind. My current guess is BYU Defensive Coordinator Ilasia Tuiaki or a former Head Coach somewhere else looking to rebuild his career (maybe Steve Sarkisian?)

[NewYorkExpress]

With Clemson and Georgia losing, it's time for me to predict the College Football Playoff/New Year's Six bowls again.

Cotton Bowl: #6 Texas A&M vs #10 Oklahoma State

Peach Bowl: #7 Georgia Cincinnati vs #11 Oregon

Orange Bowl: #9 Miami (FL) vs #8 Florida

Fiesta Bowl: #5 BYU vs #12 Liberty (I'm not sure if this matchup can actually happen, but as BYU is an Independent and not affiliated to a conference in football, they may not be subject to the rules regarding Group of Five conferences...much like Notre Dame normally would be)

Sugar Bowl (College Football Playoff): #1 Alabama vs #4 Clemson

Rose Bowl (College Football Playoff): #2 Ohio State vs #3 Notre Dame

[NewYorkExpress]

Liberty is also an independent, so even if Liberty and BYU get selected for a NY6, there still has to be a G5 team in the mix.

In that case, replace Georgia with Cincinnati.

[NewYorkExpress]

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/11/7/21554638/search-for-utah-state-football-next-head-coach-jay-hill-ed-lamb-morgan-scalley-rich-rodriguez

Deseret News has some names on Utah State's coaching search.

Their list is:

Weber State Head Coach Jay Hill

Utah Defensive Coordinator Morgan Scalley

Interim Head Coach Frank Maile

BYU Special Teams Coordinator Ed Lamb

BYU Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes

BYU Quarterback Coach Aaron Roderick

BYU Defensive Coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki

[NewYorkExpress]

Iowa (Minnesota is literally falling apart at the seams)

Miami (FL) (If the Hurricanes want to make the ACC Championship game, they need to win this game)

Indiana (The Hoosiers have made believers out of me)

Georgia (The Bulldogs get a nice easy opponent to recover from their loss to Florida)

Coastal Carolina

Liberty (probably the easiest pick on the board, though this does feel like a trap game, given Liberty has to go on the road to a strong NC State team and just beat a strong Virginia Tech team)

North Carolina (This one's basically a coin toss. I'm taking the home team here)

TCU (The Horned Frogs are riding high after winning back to back rivalry games against Baylor and Texas Tech. I think they win this one too)

Kentucky (Kentucky has disappointed this year, but Vanderbilt is one of the worst teams in the country)

Rutgers (Rutgers has a win and Illinois doesn't. Plus, the Scarlet Knights are playing at home)

Army (Army has had a very good season to this point)

Nebraska (Penn State has looked worse and worse with each passing game. As such this is upset pick #1.)

Notre Dame (The Fighting Irish are riding high after their huge win against Clemson and now have their biggest rivalry game of the season, the Holy War against Boston College. I think the Fighting Irish win easily)

Ohio State (The Terrapins have looked good this year, but they just aren't in Ohio State's league)

Stanford (I'm not convinced Colorado is for real yet)

Virginia (Other than beating Florida State, Louisville has looked horrible this year)

USC (The Trojans are the best team in the PAC-12 South. They should win this game)

Auburn (The Tigers are the superior team)

Alabama (In another year, this would be a compelling matchup. However, LSU has fallen apart this season)

San Diego State

Oregon (The Ducks are the best team in the PAC-12)

Purdue (I don't believe in Northwestern yet. As such, this is upset pick #2)

California

[NewYorkExpress]

The NCAA should really consider stepping in and telling conferences "no, you can't finish the season".

This is getting ridiculous.

[NewYorkExpress]

OSU has been playing great but I was talking to my dad earlier and we don't think this season is going to finish. It's a shame because BYU and Cincy are having historic seasons and it's also sad to waste poor seasons from TTUN and PSU.

It really shouldn't (and the NCAA was smart about things they'd cancel the basketball season before it even starts.)

[NewYorkExpress]

I can't believe both Indiana/Ohio State and Wisconsin/Northwestern (assuming Northwestern hangs on against Purdue) are going to be relevant to  the College Football Playoff.

[NewYorkExpress]

I can't believe both Indiana/Ohio State and Wisconsin/Northwestern (assuming Northwestern hangs on against Purdue) are going to be relevant to  the College Football Playoff.

It'll be hilarious if Indiana and Northwestern win those games.

If those go in the pick'em, I might just make those picks.

[NewYorkExpress]

Indiana (Upset pick #1. The Hoosiers are playing really well. While Ohio State is a huge step up in talent for them to face, I believe they can pull it off)

Coastal Carolina (In another year, I would pick Appalachian State. Not this year)

Illinois (Sure, Nebraska beat Penn State, but the Cornhuskers really aren't a good team.)

Temple (Neither team is particularly good. I'd frankly rather be picking something else. Tulane/Tulsa would have better, except for the fact it was on Thursday)

LSU (LSU should win this game on paper)

Army

Texas A&M (If the Aggies go to the Playoff, they need to go unbeaten the rest of the way, and hope Alabama loses (possibly in the SEC Championship game. Ole Miss is good, at least compared to a normal year for Ole Miss, but they aren't winning this game.)

Cincinnati (Given the two losses against UCF and Memphis, UCF is having a down year. While they are good enough to beat Cincinnati on paper, and Dillon Gabriel is the best Quarterback in the conference, but I feel comfortable riding the hot team, and that's Cincinnati. Besides, the Bearcats can reach the Playoff if things go right for them, and they need a win for that)

Northwestern (With the victory over Purdue, Northwestern is starting to make a believer out of me. This is upset pick #2)

California (Oregon State is the worst team in the PAC-12 traditionally. I don't see that changing this week)

Nevada (I'm taking the home team. Nevada might finish unbeaten and get no serious consideration for a New Year's Six spot...if they win the Mountain West (probably against, also still unbeaten San Jose State)

Iowa (Penn State has superior talent on the field, but my goodness, their season has fallen off a cliff. This won't be the game they get their first win. I'm wondering if James Franklin will have any job security issues, especially if this losing streak continues. I don't think he'll be fired this year, unless the Nittany Lions go winless altogether, but I wonder if he'd be fired next season if the team's struggles continue.)

Iowa State (The Wildcats will be a tough out, but I don't feel comfortable picking against the Cyclones at home)

Virginia Tech (The Hokies acquitted themselves very well against both Liberty and Miami (FL). Pittsburgh, every time they've faced a strong opponent (NC State, Boston College, Miami (FL), Notre Dame) have lost.)

South Alabama (Only making this pick because South Alabama is at home)

Oklahoma (Bedlam is always an entertaining game every year. This year, it has New Year's Six implications, in the Big Twelve's representative in the New Year's Six Bowls. I think the Sooners have more talent on the field, and as such, this will be Upset Pick #3.)

Liberty (Liberty continues to make a believer out of me, especially after their win over Virginia Tech two weeks ago. NC State is the vastly superior team, but Liberty is on fire. This is Upset Pick #4)

South Carolina (Again, taking the home team in this one)

Michigan (If Jim Harbaugh loses against Rutgers, a team which he has a vast talent advantage over, he should be fired immediately)

Washington (Again, taking the home team, though I am impressed with Arizona almost beating USC)

Utah (I'm not impressed by USC's close win over Arizona, and Utah is at home. This is upset pick #4.)

Stanford (Again, taking the home team here)

Boise State (The Broncos are the vastly superior team)

[NewYorkExpress]

Apparently Will Muschamp is out at South Carolina

Hmm, it's not official yet, but if Muschamp does get fired, I'd expect South Carolina to hire an assistant at Alabama (that's what SEC schools usually do), or Clemson.

Maybe Steve Sarksian or Brett Venables would be the top candidates.

[NewYorkExpress]

Apparently Will Muschamp is out at South Carolina

Hmm, it's not official yet, but if Muschamp does get fired, I'd expect South Carolina to hire an assistant at Alabama (that's what SEC schools usually do), or Clemson.

Maybe Steve Sarksian or Brett Venables would be the top candidates.

My bet is Billy Napier (former assistant at Alabama and now HC at "Louisiana") or Hugh Freeze.

Hugh Freeze makes sense. He's really underappreciated at Liberty. Billy Napier's done well at "Louisiana", but other than serving as an assistant at Alabama and Clemson, I'm not sure he's done enough to prove he can succeed in the SEC.

[NewYorkExpress]

Apparently Will Muschamp is out at South Carolina

Hmm, it's not official yet, but if Muschamp does get fired, I'd expect South Carolina to hire an assistant at Alabama (that's what SEC schools usually do), or Clemson.

Maybe Steve Sarksian or Brett Venables would be the top candidates.

My bet is Billy Napier (former assistant at Alabama and now HC at "Louisiana") or Hugh Freeze.

Hugh Freeze makes sense. He's really underappreciated at Liberty. Billy Napier's done well at "Louisiana", but other than serving as an assistant at Alabama and Clemson, I'm not sure he's done enough to prove he can succeed in the SEC.

I disagree. Billy Napier has turned Louisiana into one of the best G5 programs over multiple seasons. A lower level SEC team would be lucky to get him. He may also be in line for the job at FSU.

Mike Norvell isn't getting fired after one bad year. Remember, this year was the first year of his contract.

[NewYorkExpress]

Apparently Will Muschamp is out at South Carolina

Hmm, it's not official yet, but if Muschamp does get fired, I'd expect South Carolina to hire an assistant at Alabama (that's what SEC schools usually do), or Clemson.

Maybe Steve Sarksian or Brett Venables would be the top candidates.

My bet is Billy Napier (former assistant at Alabama and now HC at "Louisiana") or Hugh Freeze.

Hugh Freeze makes sense. He's really underappreciated at Liberty. Billy Napier's done well at "Louisiana", but other than serving as an assistant at Alabama and Clemson, I'm not sure he's done enough to prove he can succeed in the SEC.

I disagree. Billy Napier has turned Louisiana into one of the best G5 programs over multiple seasons. A lower level SEC team would be lucky to get him. He may also be in line for the job at FSU.

Mike Norvell isn't getting fired after one bad year. Remember, this year was the first year of his contract.

I don't think so either but if they play this way a second year... FSU is one of the few elite programs currently playing like a bottom feeder. I can't think they will tolerate it much longer.

They almost have to hire a coach from another Power Five school in that case, not a Billy Napier.

Will Muschamp actually wouldn't be a particularly bad hire for the Seminoles, especially since he had a history of recruiting well at Florida.

[NewYorkExpress]

LSU is accused of covering up sexual assaults by former Running Back Derrius Guice and several others.


Calls going out for Ed Orgeron's ouster.

If Orgeron is fired, who would replace him, both on interim basis and as the long-term head coach?

Are NCAA sanctions possible here?

[NewYorkExpress]

With the playoff next week, it's time to predict the playoff/New Year's Six again.

Orange Bowl: Miami (FL) vs BYU

Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M vs Indiana

Peach Bowl: Florida vs Oregon

Fiesta Bowl: Liberty vs Clemson

Rose Bowl (Playoff Semifinal): #4 Cincinnati vs #1 Alabama

Sugar Bowl (Playoff Semifinal): #2 Notre Dame vs #3 Ohio State

[NewYorkExpress]

Not on the list, but Michigan State/Maryland has now been canceled.

[NewYorkExpress]

Wazzu-Stanford is off.

Honestly a little surprised that it was because of covid issues on Wazzu's side — there haven't been many positive tests on campus at all, but Santa Clara County (and the state more broadly) has been cracking down hard. Santa Clara had banned practice (requiring the team to practice at a high school field in San Mateo) until mid-October and I wouldn't be surprised if they're considering reinstating that restriction. Not sure what the rule is for a 7:30 kick that goes past the 2 1/2 hour mark (and hence past the 10pm curfew) but I could definitely see that presenting an issue too.

Given the number of California schools in the PAC-12, this could lead to that conference shutting down.

If they don't, I imagine start times for games would be moved up (a 7:30 game might become a 3:30 game) for example to avoid the curfew.

[NewYorkExpress]

Are we possibly looking at a Northwestern/Ohio State Big Ten Championship game?

I mean, look at Northwestern's remaining schedule:

@Michigan State
@ Minnesota
vs. Illinois

All three of those games are winnable.

[NewYorkExpress]

First Playoff Rankings out this week.

My guess as to what the committee will do:

#1 Alabama
#2 Ohio State
#3 Notre Dame
#4 Clemson

#5 Cincinnati
#6 Northwestern

On another note, the New Year's Six/Playoff dream is dead for Liberty. They lost to NC State today 15-14.

[NewYorkExpress]

Texas
Iowa

Notre Dame
UCF
Stanford
Oregon
Washington

Indiana
Michigan
Tulsa
Arkansas
Buffalo
Toledo
Georgia Southern
Wisconsin
Alabama
USC
Clemson
Mississippi State
Boise State
Purdue
Texas A&M
Arizona
Oklahoma
Appalachian State

[NewYorkExpress]

https://twitter.com/YahooSportsCFB/status/1331374351220805632

If there's a positive side of this, Northwestern is now a lock for the Big Ten title game.

[NewYorkExpress]

I'm switching my pick in the Alabama/Auburn game to Auburn.

[NewYorkExpress]

Colorado @ USC has been canceled.