The 150th Edition of College Football - Discussion and Pick 'Em Thread

[Donerail]

Friday, September 27th:
Arizona State @ Cal

Saturday, September 28th:
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma
The Medill School of Journalism @ Wisconsin
Rutgers @ Michigan
Texas A&M @ Arkansas
Kansas @ TCU
Central Michigan @ Western Michigan
Clemson @ UNC
Ole Miss @ Alabama
UVA @ Notre Dame
USC @ Washington
Indiana @ Michigan State
Wake Forest @ Boston College
Iowa State @ Baylor
Minnesota @ Purdue
Mississippi State @ Auburn
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State
Stanford @ Oregon State
NC State @ Florida State
Kentucky @ South Carolina
Washington State @ Utah
UCLA @ Arizona
Hawai’i @ Nevada

EDITED 9:27 bc apparently Tate is out

FCS:
Montana @ UC Davis
Northern Iowa @ Weber State

[Illiniwek]

Week 5 FBS/FCS matchups:

Friday, September 27th:

Arizona State @ #15 California 10:30 PM EDT ESPN

Saturday, September 28th:

Texas Tech @ #5 Oklahoma Noon EDT FOX

Northwestern @ #8 Wisconsin Noon EDT ABC

Rutgers @ #20 Michigan Noon EDT BTN

#23 Texas A&M @ Arkansas Noon EDT ESPN

Kansas @ TCU Noon EDT FS1

Central Michigan @ Western Michigan Noon EDT CBSSN

#1 Clemson @ North Carolina 3:30 PM EDT ABC

Ole Miss @ #2 Alabama 3:30 PM EDT CBS

#18 Virginia @ #10 Notre Dame 3:30 PM EDT NBC

#21 USC @ #17 Washington 3:30 PM EDT FOX

Indiana @ #25 Michigan State 3:30 PM EDT BTN

Wake Forest @ Boston College 3:30 PM EDT ACCN

Iowa State @ Baylor 3:30 PM EDT ESPN

Minnesota @ Purdue 3:30 PM EDT ESPN2

Mississippi State @ #7 Auburn 7 PM EDT ESPN

#24 Kansas State @ Oklahoma State 7 PM EDT ESPN+

Stanford @ Oregon State 7 PM EDT PAC12

NC State @ Florida State 7:30 PM EDT ACCN

Kentucky @ South Carolina 7:30 PM EDT SECN

Washington State @ #19 Utah 10 PM EDT FS1

UCLA @ Arizona 10:30 PM EDT ESPN

Hawai’i @ Nevada 10:30 PM EDT CBSSN

FCS:

Montana @ UC Davis 4 PM EDT ROOT

Northern Iowa @ Weber State 8 PM EDT

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Wow. American Conference football between two teams that may not see a bowl this year* is such a treat on a Thursday night. Who would've guessed?

*Yes, Tulane will probably beat one or both of the service academies to get a bowl bid, but I am holding out hope.

I think the AAC is going to be down this year compared to the last few.  UCF for one isn't as good as their ranking would indicate (although I still believe they'll beat Pitt).  

clip

I must have been using data that was from earlier than Week 4. I still had my unsaved spreadsheet up from where I sorted the data so I plugged in the new "SP+" published this morning straight from the new source. Navy did not play this week, but the numbers LOVE Navy all of a sudden [+15.8 Y:Y], so I guess I may have been right that they looked oddly low. Memphis, SMU and Tulane also made big jumps last week with Houston being the only big decline - even Temple only dropped by 0.9 despite my awful projection of improvement. The new conference average ranking is 0.65, a move of +3.69 from last year's final!

For the record, the ACC is 4.55, or 2.64 without Clemson so about 2 points higher. Just by kicking out UConn, the American will jump to 2.85 though!

[GeorgiaModerate]

Wow. American Conference football between two teams that may not see a bowl this year* is such a treat on a Thursday night. Who would've guessed?

*Yes, Tulane will probably beat one or both of the service academies to get a bowl bid, but I am holding out hope.

I think the AAC is going to be down this year compared to the last few.  UCF for one isn't as good as their ranking would indicate (although I still believe they'll beat Pitt).  

clip

I must have been using data that was from earlier than Week 4. I still had my unsaved spreadsheet up from where I sorted the data so I plugged in the new "SP+" published this morning straight from the new source. Navy did not play this week, but the numbers LOVE Navy all of a sudden [+15.8 Y:Y], so I guess I may have been right that they looked oddly low. Memphis, SMU and Tulane also made big jumps last week with Houston being the only big decline - even Temple only dropped by 0.9 despite my awful projection of improvement. The new conference average ranking is 0.65, a move of +3.69 from last year's final!

For the record, the ACC is 4.55, or 2.64 without Clemson so about 2 points higher. Just by kicking out UConn, the American will jump to 2.85 though!

In summary: the AAC without its worst team is a hair better than the ACC without its best team.  I can believe that.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Wow. American Conference football between two teams that may not see a bowl this year* is such a treat on a Thursday night. Who would've guessed?

*Yes, Tulane will probably beat one or both of the service academies to get a bowl bid, but I am holding out hope.

I think the AAC is going to be down this year compared to the last few.  UCF for one isn't as good as their ranking would indicate (although I still believe they'll beat Pitt).  

clip

I must have been using data that was from earlier than Week 4. I still had my unsaved spreadsheet up from where I sorted the data so I plugged in the new "SP+" published this morning straight from the new source. Navy did not play this week, but the numbers LOVE Navy all of a sudden [+15.8 Y:Y], so I guess I may have been right that they looked oddly low. Memphis, SMU and Tulane also made big jumps last week with Houston being the only big decline - even Temple only dropped by 0.9 despite my awful projection of improvement. The new conference average ranking is 0.65, a move of +3.69 from last year's final!

For the record, the ACC is 4.55, or 2.64 without Clemson so about 2 points higher. Just by kicking out UConn, the American will jump to 2.85 though!

In summary: the AAC without its worst team is a hair better than the ACC without its best team.  I can believe that.

I wouldn't normally consider the latter, but it is indeed less than a year away from happening Big East! Big East! Big East!

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Wow. American Conference football between two teams that may not see a bowl this year* is such a treat on a Thursday night. Who would've guessed?

*Yes, Tulane will probably beat one or both of the service academies to get a bowl bid, but I am holding out hope.

I think the AAC is going to be down this year compared to the last few.  UCF for one isn't as good as their ranking would indicate (although I still believe they'll beat Pitt).  

clip

I must have been using data that was from earlier than Week 4. I still had my unsaved spreadsheet up from where I sorted the data so I plugged in the new "SP+" published this morning straight from the new source. Navy did not play this week, but the numbers LOVE Navy all of a sudden [+15.8 Y:Y], so I guess I may have been right that they looked oddly low. Memphis, SMU and Tulane also made big jumps last week with Houston being the only big decline - even Temple only dropped by 0.9 despite my awful projection of improvement. The new conference average ranking is 0.65, a move of +3.69 from last year's final!

For the record, the ACC is 4.55, or 2.64 without Clemson so about 2 points higher. Just by kicking out UConn, the American will jump to 2.85 though!

In summary: the AAC without its worst team is a hair better than the ACC without its best team.  I can believe that.

I wouldn't normally consider the latter, but it is indeed less than a year away from happening Big East! Big East! Big East!

wait what

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Wow. American Conference football between two teams that may not see a bowl this year* is such a treat on a Thursday night. Who would've guessed?

*Yes, Tulane will probably beat one or both of the service academies to get a bowl bid, but I am holding out hope.

I think the AAC is going to be down this year compared to the last few.  UCF for one isn't as good as their ranking would indicate (although I still believe they'll beat Pitt).  

clip

I must have been using data that was from earlier than Week 4. I still had my unsaved spreadsheet up from where I sorted the data so I plugged in the new "SP+" published this morning straight from the new source. Navy did not play this week, but the numbers LOVE Navy all of a sudden [+15.8 Y:Y], so I guess I may have been right that they looked oddly low. Memphis, SMU and Tulane also made big jumps last week with Houston being the only big decline - even Temple only dropped by 0.9 despite my awful projection of improvement. The new conference average ranking is 0.65, a move of +3.69 from last year's final!

For the record, the ACC is 4.55, or 2.64 without Clemson so about 2 points higher. Just by kicking out UConn, the American will jump to 2.85 though!

In summary: the AAC without its worst team is a hair better than the ACC without its best team.  I can believe that.

I wouldn't normally consider the latter, but it is indeed less than a year away from happening Big East! Big East! Big East!

wait what

UConn is kicked out of the American at year-end in order to rejoin the Big East for basketball and all other sports. They intend to be an independent following the UMass model of taking $2 million paydays from the SEC powers each year.

e: I was referring to my subtractions when I described 'latter'

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Wow. American Conference football between two teams that may not see a bowl this year* is such a treat on a Thursday night. Who would've guessed?

*Yes, Tulane will probably beat one or both of the service academies to get a bowl bid, but I am holding out hope.

I think the AAC is going to be down this year compared to the last few.  UCF for one isn't as good as their ranking would indicate (although I still believe they'll beat Pitt).  

clip

I must have been using data that was from earlier than Week 4. I still had my unsaved spreadsheet up from where I sorted the data so I plugged in the new "SP+" published this morning straight from the new source. Navy did not play this week, but the numbers LOVE Navy all of a sudden [+15.8 Y:Y], so I guess I may have been right that they looked oddly low. Memphis, SMU and Tulane also made big jumps last week with Houston being the only big decline - even Temple only dropped by 0.9 despite my awful projection of improvement. The new conference average ranking is 0.65, a move of +3.69 from last year's final!

For the record, the ACC is 4.55, or 2.64 without Clemson so about 2 points higher. Just by kicking out UConn, the American will jump to 2.85 though!

In summary: the AAC without its worst team is a hair better than the ACC without its best team.  I can believe that.

I wouldn't normally consider the latter, but it is indeed less than a year away from happening Big East! Big East! Big East!

wait what

UConn is kicked out of the American at year-end in order to rejoin the Big East for basketball and all other sports. They intend to be an independent following the UMass model of taking $2 million paydays from the SEC powers each year.

Oh I thought you meant Clemson would leave the ACC

[GeorgiaModerate]

Wow. American Conference football between two teams that may not see a bowl this year* is such a treat on a Thursday night. Who would've guessed?

*Yes, Tulane will probably beat one or both of the service academies to get a bowl bid, but I am holding out hope.

I think the AAC is going to be down this year compared to the last few.  UCF for one isn't as good as their ranking would indicate (although I still believe they'll beat Pitt).  

clip

I must have been using data that was from earlier than Week 4. I still had my unsaved spreadsheet up from where I sorted the data so I plugged in the new "SP+" published this morning straight from the new source. Navy did not play this week, but the numbers LOVE Navy all of a sudden [+15.8 Y:Y], so I guess I may have been right that they looked oddly low. Memphis, SMU and Tulane also made big jumps last week with Houston being the only big decline - even Temple only dropped by 0.9 despite my awful projection of improvement. The new conference average ranking is 0.65, a move of +3.69 from last year's final!

For the record, the ACC is 4.55, or 2.64 without Clemson so about 2 points higher. Just by kicking out UConn, the American will jump to 2.85 though!

In summary: the AAC without its worst team is a hair better than the ACC without its best team.  I can believe that.

I wouldn't normally consider the latter, but it is indeed less than a year away from happening Big East! Big East! Big East!

wait what

UConn is kicked out of the American at year-end in order to rejoin the Big East for basketball and all other sports. They intend to be an independent following the UMass model of taking $2 million paydays from the SEC powers each year.

Oh I thought you meant Clemson would leave the ACC

Well, the AAC has an opening....

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Arizona State @ Cal
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma
Northwestern @ Wisconsin
Rutgers @ Michigan
Texas A&M @ Arkansas
Kansas @ TCU
Central Michigan @ Western Michigan
Clemson @ UNC
Ole Miss @ Alabama
UVA @ Notre Dame
USC @ Washington
Indiana @ Michigan State
Wake Forest @ Boston College - This is going to end up badly, isn't it?
Iowa State @ Baylor
Minnesota @ Purdue
Mississippi State @ Auburn
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State
Stanford @ Oregon State
NC State @ Florida State
Kentucky @ South Carolina
Washington State @ Utah - I said two weeks ago that I had no hope here, but what I saw in a UCLA loss was actually dynamic. Hope a fire was lit.
UCLA @ Arizona
Hawai’i @ Nevada
Montana @ UC Davis
Northern Iowa @ Weber State

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

Arizona State @ Cal (Pac 12 After Dark rules: think about who should win, then choose their opponent)

Texas Tech @ Oklahoma
Northwestern @ Wisconsin
Rutgers @ Michigan
Texas A&M @ Arkansas
Kansas @ TCU
Central Michigan @ Western Michigan
Clemson @ North Carolina
Ole Miss @ Alabama
UVA @ Notre Dame
USC @ Washington
Indiana @ Michigan State
Wake Forest @ Boston College
ISU @ Baylor
Minnesota @ Purdue
Mississippi State @ Auburn
KSU @ Oklahoma State
Stanford @ Oregon State
NC State @ FSU
Kentucky @ South Carolina
Washington State @ Utah (see above)
UCLA @ Arizona
Hawai’i @ Nevada

Montana @ Davis
Northern Iowa @ Weber State

[Green Line]

Arizona State @ California

Texas Tech @ Oklahoma
Northwestern @ Wisconsin
Rutgers @ Michigan
Texas A&M @ Arkansas
Kansas @ TCU
Central Michigan @ Western Michigan
Clemson @ North Carolina
Ole Miss @ Alabama
UVA @ Notre Dame
USC @ Washington
Indiana @ Michigan State
Wake Forest @ Boston College
ISU @ Baylor
Minnesota @ Purdue
Mississippi State @ Auburn
KSU @ Oklahoma State
Stanford @ Oregon State
NC State @ FSU
Kentucky @ South Carolina
Washington State @ Utah
UCLA @ Arizona
Hawai’i @ Nevada

Montana @ Davis
Northern Iowa @ Weber State

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Week 5 FBS/FCS matchups:

Friday, September 27th:

Arizona State @ #15 California 10:30 PM EDT ESPN

Saturday, September 28th:

Texas Tech @ #5 Oklahoma Noon EDT FOX

Northwestern @ #8 Wisconsin Noon EDT ABC

Rutgers @ #20 Michigan Noon EDT BTN

#23 Texas A&M @ Arkansas Noon EDT ESPN

Kansas @ TCU Noon EDT FS1

Central Michigan @ Western Michigan Noon EDT CBSSN

#1 Clemson @ North Carolina 3:30 PM EDT ABC will a legend be born?

Ole Miss @ #2 Alabama 3:30 PM EDT CBS

#18 Virginia @ #10 Notre Dame3:30 PM EDT NBC

#21 USC @ #17 Washington 3:30 PM EDT FOX

Indiana @ #25 Michigan State 3:30 PM EDT BTN

Wake Forest @ Boston College 3:30 PM EDT ACCN

Iowa State @ Baylor 3:30 PM EDT ESPN

Minnesota @ Purdue 3:30 PM EDT ESPN2

Mississippi State @ #7 Auburn 7 PM EDT ESPN

#24 Kansas State @ Oklahoma State 7 PM EDT ESPN+

Stanford @ Oregon State 7 PM EDT PAC12

NC State @ Florida State 7:30 PM EDT ACCN

Kentucky @ South Carolina 7:30 PM EDT SECN

Washington State @ #19 Utah 10 PM EDT FS1

UCLA @ Arizona 10:30 PM EDT ESPN

Hawai’i @ Nevada 10:30 PM EDT CBSSN

FCS:

Montana @ UC Davis 4 PM EDT ROOT

Northern Iowa @ Weber State 8 PM EDT

[JGibson]

Week 5 FBS/FCS matchups:

Friday, September 27th:

Arizona State @ #15 California 10:30 PM EDT ESPN

Saturday, September 28th:

Texas Tech @ #5 Oklahoma Noon EDT FOX

Northwestern @ #8 Wisconsin Noon EDT ABC

Rutgers @ #20 Michigan Noon EDT BTN

#23 Texas A&M @ Arkansas Noon EDT ESPN

Kansas @ TCU Noon EDT FS1

Central Michigan @ Western Michigan Noon EDT CBSSN

#1 Clemson @ North Carolina 3:30 PM EDT ABC

Ole Miss @ #2 Alabama 3:30 PM EDT CBS

#18 Virginia @ #10 Notre Dame 3:30 PM EDT NBC

#21 USC @ #17 Washington 3:30 PM EDT FOX

Indiana @ #25 Michigan State 3:30 PM EDT BTN

Wake Forest @ Boston College 3:30 PM EDT ACCN

Iowa State @ Baylor 3:30 PM EDT ESPN

Minnesota @ Purdue 3:30 PM EDT ESPN2

Mississippi State @ #7 Auburn 7 PM EDT ESPN

#24 Kansas State @ Oklahoma State 7 PM EDT ESPN+

Stanford @ Oregon State 7 PM EDT PAC12

NC State @ Florida State 7:30 PM EDT ACCN

Kentucky @ South Carolina 7:30 PM EDT SECN

Washington State @ #19 Utah 10 PM EDT FS1

UCLA @ Arizona 10:30 PM EDT ESPN

Hawai’i @ Nevada 10:30 PM EDT CBSSN

FCS:

Montana @ UC Davis 4 PM EDT ROOT

Northern Iowa @ Weber State 8 PM EDT

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Week 5 FBS/FCS matchups:

Friday, September 27th:

Arizona State

Saturday, September 28th:

#5 Oklahoma

#8 Wisconsin

#20 Michigan

#23 Texas A&M

TCU

Western Michigan

#1 Clemson

#2 Alabama

#18 Virginia

#17 Washington

#25 Michigan State

Wake Forest

Iowa State

Purdue

#7 Auburn

#24 Kansas State

Stanford

Florida State

South Carolina

#19 Utah

Arizona

Nevada

FCS:

Montana

Northern Iowa

[GeorgiaModerate]

Arizona State @ Cal
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma
Northwestern @ Wisconsin
Rutgers @ Michigan
Texas A&M @ Arkansas
Kansas @ TCU
Central Michigan @ Western Michigan
Clemson @ UNC
Ole Miss @ Alabama
UVA @ Notre Dame
USC @ Washington
Indiana @ Michigan State
Wake Forest @ Boston College
Iowa State @ Baylor
Minnesota @ Purdue
Mississippi State @ Auburn
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State
Stanford @ Oregon State
NC State @ Florida State
Kentucky @ South Carolina
Washington State @ Utah
UCLA @ Arizona
Hawai’i @ Nevada

Montana @ UC Davis
Northern Iowa @ Weber State

My home team bias might be getting out of hand.

[Donerail]

My home team bias might be getting out of hand.

Eh, the only home team pick I'd really disagree with you on is BC over Wake (maybe Purdue if Sindelar's still out?). It's... not a great week, all in all.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Arizona State @ Cal
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma
Northwestern @ Wisconsin
Rutgers @ Michigan
Texas A&M @ Arkansas
Kansas @ TCU
Central Michigan @ Western Michigan
Clemson @ UNC
Ole Miss @ Alabama
UVA @ Notre Dame
USC @ Washington
Indiana @ Michigan State
Wake Forest @ Boston College
Iowa State @ Baylor
Minnesota @ Purdue
Mississippi State @ Auburn
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State
Stanford @ Oregon State
NC State @ Florida State
Kentucky @ South Carolina
Washington State @ Utah
UCLA @ Arizona
Hawai’i @ Nevada

Montana @ UC Davis
Northern Iowa @ Weber State

My home team bias might be getting out of hand.

tbf I put mostly easy games (easy because all of the ranked teams are at home mostly lol) so it makes sense. There really weren't a ton of competitive games to choose from this week. In 2 weeks there will be a tonnn of competitive games but I wont be on here Saturday or Sunday so I will have to do things ahead of time lol

[RINO Tom]

Arizona State at #15 Cal
Texas Tech at #5 Oklahoma
Northwestern at #8 Wisconsin
Rutgers at #20 Michigan
Arkansas vs. #23 Texas A&M (Arlington, TX)
Kansas at TCU
Central Michigan at Western Michigan
#1 Clemson at North Carolina
Ole Miss at #2 Alabama
#18 Virginia at #10 Notre Dame ... I want to believe.
#21 USC at #17 Washington
Indiana at #25 Michigan State
Wake Forest at Boston College
Iowa State at Baylor
Minnesota at Purdue
Mississippi State at #7 Auburn
#24 Kansas State at Oklahoma State
Stanford at Oregon State
NC State at Florida State
Kentucky at South Carolina
Washington State at #19 Utah
UCLA at Arizona
Hawaii at Nevada
Montana at UC Davis
Northern Iowa at Weber State

[Dereich]

Arizona State @ Cal
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma
Northwestern @ Wisconsin
Rutgers @ Michigan
Texas A&M @ Arkansas
Kansas @ TCU
Central Michigan @ Western Michigan
Clemson @ UNC
Ole Miss @ Alabama
UVA @ Notre Dame (Make it happen UVA, we all believe in you)
USC @ Washington
Indiana @ Michigan State
Wake Forest @ Boston College
Iowa State @ Baylor
Minnesota @ Purdue
Mississippi State @ Auburn
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State
Stanford @ Oregon State
NC State @ Florida State (Please)
Kentucky @ South Carolina (I will never ever believe in a Muschamp team)
Washington State @ Utah
UCLA @ Arizona
Hawai’i @ Nevada

Montana @ UC Davis
Northern Iowa @ Weber State

[100% pro-life no matter what]

Arizona State at #15 Cal
Texas Tech at #5 Oklahoma
Northwestern at #8 Wisconsin
Rutgers at #20 Michigan
Arkansas vs. #23 Texas A&M (Arlington, TX)
Kansas at TCU
Central Michigan at Western Michigan
#1 Clemson at North Carolina
Ole Miss at #2 Alabama
#18 Virginia at #10 Notre Dame
#21 USC at #17 Washington
Indiana at #25 Michigan State
Wake Forest at Boston College
Iowa State at Baylor
Minnesota at Purdue
Mississippi State at #7 Auburn
#24 Kansas State at Oklahoma State
Stanford at Oregon State
NC State at Florida State
Kentucky at South Carolina
Washington State at #19 Utah
UCLA at Arizona
Hawaii at Nevada
Montana at UC Davis
Northern Iowa at Weber State

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Nice knowing you, Justin Fuente. Move over Coach Pruitt. There's a new #1 on the hot seat.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Nice knowing you, Justin Fuente. Move over Coach Pruitt. There's a new #1 on the hot seat.

What happened to Fuente?

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Nice knowing you, Justin Fuente. Move over Coach Pruitt. There's a new #1 on the hot seat.

What happened to Fuente?

Virginia tech getting destroyed by Duke

[Donerail]

Nice knowing you, Justin Fuente. Move over Coach Pruitt. There's a new #1 on the hot seat.

What happened to Fuente?

Virginia tech getting destroyed by Duke

Plus a losing record last season (including a bad loss to ODU), plus a loss to a very bad BC team this year, plus trailing for much of the game this season against Furman... I doubt Fuente goes anywhere this season b/c his buyout is $15 million, but it's clearly not working out.