2018 Atlas CFB Pick Em Contest

[NewYorkExpress]

Texas going down doesn't change a thing about Oklahoma's chances of making the playoff. It wasn't going to happen before, and it definitely isn't going to happen now.

My Predictions for the top four in this week's initial rankings:

1. Alabama (Alabama really hasn't done much to justify being in the #1 spot, but they haven't done much to justify losing it either.  That said, next week's matchup with LSU in Baton Rouge is probably a playoff play-in for both teams)

2. Clemson (Clemson's done just enough to earn a top-two spot in the first rankings, but they have a history of losing when a one least expects them to. What if that's the ACC Championship game against Virginia, Virginia Tech or Pittsburgh?)

3. Notre Dame (As long as Notre Dame keeps winning, they are in...however, after watching Northwestern dismantle Wisconsin this week, and noting that they are now on the inside track to winning the Big Ten West, I think the Wildcats of Northwestern will be a tougher foe than Notre Dame fans realize)

4. LSU (At least for this initial ranking, LSU will occupy the fourth spot. If LSU beats Alabama next week, expect them to switch positions in the committee's rankings. If Alabama wins, expect LSU to drop off altogether, though LSU would probably earn a Sugar Bowl bid over Georgia based on LSU's strength of schedule, including a head-to-head victory against Georgia, and if it counts at all, the fact the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans is closer to Baton Rouge than it is to Athens, Georgia).

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Northwestern did not play well against a very bad Wisconsin team that is barely top 40 in the country and missing their QB causing fumbles galore. And that score already could have been a lot worse.

Not that Notre Dame is really close to an elite team, so they could fall. But that says little about my beloved Northwestern.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Memo for the record: don't second-guess yourself. I originally had Arizona over Oregon, and changed it at the last minute (something I almost never do).  Arizona won 44-15.

[Alabama_Indy10]

Was very glad to see Oklahoma State take down Texas. I really like Mike Gundy and his hair just makes it even better.

[RINO Tom]

Congrats Tom! And more importantly, congrats America! The witch is dead!

Makes me feel a little better about the shellacking they put on Illinois, LOL.  Though I am under no illusions that Illinois is anything other than a bad football team at this point in time, their losses have, arguably, all been to good teams.  How they fare against a Maryland team that just got put down like a sick pet vs. Iowa will tell me much more.  Need to check out this week's picks and try to stay near the top.

Did you learn enough about Illinois this week?

Yes, more than I cared to.   Glad I have a wedding this Saturday.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Congrats Tom! And more importantly, congrats America! The witch is dead!

Makes me feel a little better about the shellacking they put on Illinois, LOL.  Though I am under no illusions that Illinois is anything other than a bad football team at this point in time, their losses have, arguably, all been to good teams.  How they fare against a Maryland team that just got put down like a sick pet vs. Iowa will tell me much more.  Need to check out this week's picks and try to stay near the top.

Did you learn enough about Illinois this week?

Yes, more than I cared to.   Glad I have a wedding this Saturday.

[NewYorkExpress]

Picking LSU to beat Alabama this week, wish me luck.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Picking LSU to beat Alabama this week, wish me luck.

That's not a terrible choice for an upset pick.  If Alabama loses anywhere in the regular season, it will be here.

[DINGO Joe]

Picking LSU to beat Alabama this week, wish me luck.

That's not a terrible choice for an upset pick.  If Alabama loses anywhere in the regular season, it will be here.

I just can't see LSU stringing together enough offense to win.

[NewYorkExpress]

Picking LSU to beat Alabama this week, wish me luck.

That's not a terrible choice for an upset pick.  If Alabama loses anywhere in the regular season, it will be here.

I just can't see LSU stringing together enough offense to win.

I think the question isn't how good LSU's offense is, but how good their defense is. If their Defense can shut down Alabama, a win is very possible.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Picking LSU to beat Alabama this week, wish me luck.

That's not a terrible choice for an upset pick.  If Alabama loses anywhere in the regular season, it will be here.

I just can't see LSU stringing together enough offense to win.

I think the question isn't how good LSU's offense is, but how good their defense is. If their Defense can shut down Alabama, a win is very possible.

Teams rarely beat Alabama by slowing them down and winning in a low scoring game. Almost everyone that beats them has had a efficient offensive effort that game and usually scores a decent amount of points.

[DINGO Joe]

Picking LSU to beat Alabama this week, wish me luck.

That's not a terrible choice for an upset pick.  If Alabama loses anywhere in the regular season, it will be here.

I just can't see LSU stringing together enough offense to win.

I think the question isn't how good LSU's offense is, but how good their defense is. If their Defense can shut down Alabama, a win is very possible.

A great defensive game by LSU would hold Alabama to 28 points.

[NewYorkExpress]

First playoff rankings are out, and the top four are as follows:

1. Alabama

2. Clemson

3. LSU

4.  Notre Dame


Other notables

5. Michigan

6. Georgia

7. Oklahoma

8. Washington State

9. Kentucky

10. Ohio State

12. UCF

13. West Virginia

19. Syracuse

23. Fresno State

The full list can be found here:

http://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings/_/poll/21/week/10/year/2018/seasontype/2

I feel like I did really well. I got all four teams right, and the only thing I got wrong was the LSU/Notre Dame order. Maybe they should put me on the committee.

[Green Line]

Will be cheering on a Notre Dame defeat this Saturday from Ryan Field - go Cats~!!

[NewYorkExpress]

https://www.dailywire.com/news/37853/maryland-football-coach-reinstated-fired-one-day-james-barrett

It's been long rumored, and almost didn't happen, but thanks too an athlete death at a practice, D.J Durkin is out as Maryland Head Coach.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/maryland-coaching-candidates-mike-locksley-greg-schiano-among-those-to-replace-dj-durkin/

Among the names being bandied about already are Dino Babers, Matt Canada, Jason Candle, Geoff Collins, Mike Houston, Mike Leach, Mike Locksley, Les Miles, Mike Norville, Matt Rhule, Greg Schiano, Jake Spavital, and Charlie Strong.

Will Maryland get one of those coaches, or is there another possible candidate (Maybe Virginia Defensive Coordinator Nick Howell, or Steve Addazio?)

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Will be cheering on a Notre Dame defeat this Saturday from Ryan Field - go Cats~!!

Dang, I was planning to be there earlier this year, but a friend just invited me to MSU @Maryland instead.

[NewYorkExpress]

Will be cheering on a Notre Dame defeat this Saturday from Ryan Field - go Cats~!!

Dang, I was planning to be there earlier this year, but a friend just invited me to MSU @Maryland instead.

You should've gone to Notre Dame/Northwestern. Michigan State is going to crush Maryland, especially with the turmoil in the Terrapins program right now.

[Green Line]

Will be cheering on a Notre Dame defeat this Saturday from Ryan Field - go Cats~!!

Dang, I was planning to be there earlier this year, but a friend just invited me to MSU @Maryland instead.

That’s a much less important game tho

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Will be cheering on a Notre Dame defeat this Saturday from Ryan Field - go Cats~!!

Dang, I was planning to be there earlier this year, but a friend just invited me to MSU @Maryland instead.

That’s a much less important game tho

I've been to Evanston many times but never College Park nor to a game of the beloved Spartans. It was a tough call, but this is most convenient. The best choice of the weekend north of Dixie is obviously Dartmouth @ Princeton, but alas, I am not home.

Northwestern's game does not matter for them in the Big Ten race, so my purple goggles are already looking at Iowa.

[NewYorkExpress]

Will be cheering on a Notre Dame defeat this Saturday from Ryan Field - go Cats~!!

Dang, I was planning to be there earlier this year, but a friend just invited me to MSU @Maryland instead.

That’s a much less important game tho

I've been to Evanston many times but never College Park nor to a game of the beloved Spartans. It was a tough call, but this is most convenient. The best choice of the weekend north of Dixie is obviously Dartmouth @ Princeton, but alas, I am not home.

Northwestern's game does not matter for them in the Big Ten race, so my purple goggles are already looking at Iowa.

No, but it's really important for Notre Dame.

Northwestern probably can afford a loss to Iowa if they just beat Minnesota and Illinois, as they already have five Conference wins.

Iowa still has to face Purdue this week (possible upset there), and Illinois and Nebraska (which granted are likely wins).

I certainly can see Iowa losing to Purdue tomorrow, to make Northwestern/Iowa a little less important.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Princeton defeats Dartmouth to reach 8-0! Now in line for the first undefeated season since 1964 and first outright championship of my conscious lifetime! After all these years of going to games! Just Yale and Penn stand in the way. What a 150th anniversary gift to football.

[NewYorkExpress]

In early action today, Georgia leads Kentucky, Texas leads West Virginia, Purdue leads Iowa, Michigan leads Penn State, Virginia Tech leads Boston College, Missouri leads Florida, Arizona State leads Utah.

In games that have already gone final, Clemson crushed Louisville, Ohio State barely escaped against Nebraska, Auburn "upset" Texas A&M and Iowa State easily defeated Kansas.

Obviously all eyes on the Alabama/LSU game tonight.

[GeorgiaModerate]

I propose that RINO Tom be required to make all his future picks by flipping a coin.

[NewYorkExpress]

Missouri just flattened Florida, Purdue beat Iowa, Georgia crushed Kentucky, Michigan butchered Penn State, and Arizona State flattened Utah.

Oh, and the West Virginia/Texas game is going to the wire.

[NewYorkExpress]

My goodness, Alabama is pitching a shutout against LSU.

Too bad I can't change my pick in the middle of the game...