2021 College Football Discussion and Pick'em Thread

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Ugh, Miami's trash fans boo their team coming off the field at halftime down 3 and are rewarded with a victory for their trashy behavior. Bowl bound once again 😠 Terrible ending to a basically perfect day.

[NewYorkExpress]

Ohio State, because they're Ohio State and are better than Oregon and whatever garbage champ comes out of the ACC. Actually, if that happens, Cincy gets left out and their fans riot and the school claims a championship anyway.

But I still think Penn State will give Ohio State a fight.

I don't think an undefeated Wake Forest gets in over Cincinnati given how weak the ACC is.

A second Big Ten team, like Michigan State or the Ohio State/Michigan loser, or Oregon if they win the PAC 12 at one loss, or a third one loss SEC team, like Kentucky, might get in over an undefeated Cincinnati if they remain at one loss.

[Fight for Trump]

Ugh, Miami's trash fans boo their team coming off the field at halftime down 3 and are rewarded with a victory for their trashy behavior. Bowl bound once again 😠 Terrible ending to a basically perfect day.

"I think that it will affect the image of our program greatly, but in a positive way."

[Podgy the Bear]

Tennessee is making it a lot more interesting than I expected.

Alabama is supremely overrated.

The 4th quarter changed all of that.

Tennessee has a depleted army.  They hung in there for quite a while, but they just collapsed at the end.  And Alabama beat the spread.

[GeorgiaModerate]

WEEK 8 RESULTS

We have the season's first repeat winner as JGibson took first with 19-6, a game ahead of NY Express.  Full results:

19 JGibson
18 NY Express
17 Donerail
16 Dereich, ExtremeRepublican, GeorgiaModerate
15 Dingo Joe, Illiniwek
12 Terry

There were 6 unanimous picks:

Virginia Tech-Syracuse (wrong)
Buffalo-Akron
BYU-Washington State
Houston-East Carolina
Notre Dame-USC
Virginia-Georgia Tech

And 7 games with a single dissenter (asterisk means the dissenter was right):

Wake Forest-Army
Georgia State-Texas State
Ole Miss-LSU
Louisville-Boston College
Alabama-Tennessee
TCU-West Virginia (*)
Utah-Oregon State (*)

The last two made the difference this week, as JGibson was the one who picked them.

There's now a 3-way tie for first in the overall standings.  Year to date (200 games):

128 Dereich, Donerail, NY Express
123 GeorgiaModerate
119 ExtremeRepublican
117 Terry
109 JGibson
104 Illiniwek
92 Dingo Joe
12 Orwell

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Week 9

Saturday, October 30th

#6 Michigan @ #8 Michigan State Noon EDT FOX

#9 Iowa @ Wisconsin Noon EDT ESPN

Texas @ #16 Baylor Noon EDT ABC

Miami (FL) @ #17 Pittsburgh Noon EDT ACCN

Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech Noon EDT ESPN3

Indiana @ Maryland Noon EDT

#22 Iowa State @ West Virginia 2 PM EDT ESPN+

#1 Georgia vs Florida at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL 3:30 PM EDT CBS

Texas Tech @ #4 Oklahoma 3:30 PM EDT ABC

Florida State @ Clemson 3:30 PM EDT ESPN

Boston College @ Syracuse 3:30 PM EDT ESPN3

Purdue @ Nebraska 3:30 PM EDT ESPN2

TCU @ Kansas State 3:30 PM EDT ESPNU

UL Monroe @ Appalachian State 3:30 PM EDT ESPN+

Wyoming @ San Jose State 4 PM EDT FS2

UTEP @ Florida Atlantic 6 PM EDT ESPN+

#10 Ole Miss @ #18 Auburn 7 PM EDT ESPN

#12 Kentucky @ Mississippi State 7 PM EDT SECN

#19 SMU @ Houston 7 PM EDT ESPN2

#20 Penn State @ #5 Ohio State 7:30 PM EDT ABC

Louisville @ NC State 7:30 PM EDT ACCN

UCLA @ Utah 10 PM EDT ESPN

Virginia @ BYU 10:15 PM EDT ESPN2

Fresno State @ #21 San Diego State 10:30 PM EDT CBSSN

Washington @ Stanford 10:30 PM EDT FS1

[Dereich]

Saturday, October 30th

#6 Michigan @ #8 Michigan State Noon EDT FOX I'm inclined to believe that Michigan is the better team but Harbaugh's overly conservative gameday coaching could (and has!) cost them lots of games that they should win

#9 Iowa @ Wisconsin Noon EDT ESPN

Texas @ #16 Baylor Noon EDT ABC

Miami (FL) @ #17 Pittsburgh Noon EDT ACCN

Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech Noon EDT ESPN3 Goodbye Justin Fuente, VA Tech fans won't be sad to see you go

Indiana @ Maryland Noon EDT

#22 Iowa State @ West Virginia 2 PM EDT ESPN+

#1 Georgia vs Florida at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL 3:30 PM EDT CBS I'll be attending the cocktail party as I do every year. The expectation from others I'm going with is that Florida gives Georgia the best offensive challenge that they have seen this year but get torn to shreds through the air. God willing Georgia has a bad day.

Texas Tech @ #4 Oklahoma 3:30 PM EDT ABC

Florida State @ Clemson 3:30 PM EDT ESPN I don't really think FSU will win this...but I really really really want to believe.

Boston College @ Syracuse 3:30 PM EDT ESPN3

Purdue @ Nebraska 3:30 PM EDT ESPN2

TCU @ Kansas State 3:30 PM EDT ESPNU

UL Monroe @ Appalachian State 3:30 PM EDT ESPN+

Wyoming @ San Jose State 4 PM EDT FS2

UTEP @ Florida Atlantic 6 PM EDT ESPN+

#10 Ole Miss @ #18 Auburn 7 PM EDT ESPN

#12 Kentucky @ Mississippi State 7 PM EDT SECN

#19 SMU @ Houston 7 PM EDT ESPN2

#20 Penn State @ #5 Ohio State 7:30 PM EDT ABC

Louisville @ NC State 7:30 PM EDT ACCN

UCLA @ Utah 10 PM EDT ESPN

Virginia @ BYU 10:15 PM EDT ESPN2

Fresno State @ #21 San Diego State 10:30 PM EDT CBSSN

Washington @ Stanford 10:30 PM EDT FS1


Lots of close matchups on this week. And the Big 10's actual games start.

[NewYorkExpress]

Great schedule this week to make up for last week's poor one.

Michigan (As Dereich said, Michigan is the better team here. Jim Harbaugh wins this game and the Ohio State game, he could lose everything else the rest of the season, and still get off of the coaching hot seat)

Iowa (Yeah, the Hawkeyes didn't look good against Purdue, but all three of Wisconsin's losses- Penn State, Notre Dame and Michigan have come to ranked teams at home. Their win against Purdue was at Purdue. Logic, therefore dictates a pick of the Hawkeyes here.)

Texas (Dave Aranda has done a wonderful job at Baylor again this season, and probably coached his way into the discussion about coaching vacancies at both USC and LSU, and their win over BYU was impressive, but the Bears do not have the talent on the field to keep up with Texas)

Pittsburgh (I'm totally looking forward to the Pitt/Wake Forest ACC Championship Game)

Virginia Tech

Iowa State (Win over a ranked Virginia Tech-which doesn't look as good as it appears at first glance-aside, the Mountaineers just aren't good enough to beat the Cyclones this year)

Georgia (This is Georgia's last serious test before the SEC Championship Game. While Florida is still a decent team, they are a sizable step down in quality from both Kentucky and Auburn. Speaking of the Gators, they've really underperfomed this year, after three New Year's Six bowls in a row. While Dan Mullen isn't going be fired, a bad season next season (the Gators draw LSU and Texas A&M as their SEC West opponents, and have Utah, South Florida, Eastern Washington and Florida State on their non-conference schedule) could make his job status a bit more dicey.)

Oklahoma (The Sooners are overrated, but Texas Tech is mediocre. This won't be close)

Clemson (Until Florida State shows me they can win big games, I will continue to pick against them. As for Clemson, Dabo Swinney is probably regretting not at least sniffing around NFL openings the past couple of years. Maybe he takes a look at some this offseason?)

Syracuse (Two mediocre ACC teams. I'll take the one not on a three game losing streak)

Nebraska (Despite having a losing record, Scott Frost's Cornhusker's have been a pleasant surprise, as I don't think anyone saw them beating Northwestern, or being competitive with Oklahoma, Michigan State or Michigan. They aren't going to make a bowl this season, but if they keep this progress up, they might just do so next season. Them beating Purdue is my big upset pick of the day.)

TCU (Moving to the Big Twelve almost a decade ago hasn't really worked out for TCU, and now the conference is falling apart...bad time to be a Horned Frog)

Appalachian State

San Jose State (Once again, taking the team not currently on a three game losing streak)

Ole Miss (Both Auburn and Ole Miss have been great surprises, leading a dogfight in the SEC West. This could still be the first year Alabama loses the division since 2017 (to Auburn). Are the Tigers the team to deny Auburn the SEC West again (remember, the Iron Bowl still has to be played)?

Kentucky (In my opinion, Mark Stoops has coached himself into consideration for the job openings at USC and LSU)

SMU (Cincinnati needs an SMU win, and a big SMU win at that. This will be the toughest test for the Mustangs until the Cincinnati game on November 20, but they should win this one. Also, the Mustangs's head coach Sonny Dykes, might be coaching himself into consideration for the job openings at USC and LSU).

Ohio State (Can't pull the trigger on the Nittany Lions, not after that nine-overtime embarrassment against Illinois)

NC State

Utah (Good God, the PAC-12 South is embarrassing. Here's hoping the next USC Trojans head coach gets them back to relevancy)

BYU (BYU isn't particularly great, but they are better than Virginia)

San Diego State (I'm wondering right now if the Group of Five will get two spots in the Playoff/New Year's Six. For this to happen, Cincinnati has to make the playoff, and San Diego State has to be eligible for an at-large spot (which will difficult as a group of five team. Since Cincinnati would be making the Playoff in this scenario, they aren't guaranteed a spot. Still, it wouldn't shock me to see an undefeated San Diego State in New Year's Six Bowl if Cincinnati makes the Playoff. As for the Aztecs, Brady Hoke would be a great hire for USC or LSU)

Stanford

[GeorgiaModerate]

NY Express, you're missing a couple of games.

[NewYorkExpress]

Okay, I'm adding picks of Maryland and UTEP. Is that all of the missing games?

[GeorgiaModerate]

Okay, I'm adding picks of Maryland and UTEP. Is that all of the missing games?

Yep, you're good now.

[Donerail]

Week 9

Saturday, October 30

#6 Michigan @ #8 Michigan State
#9 Iowa @ Wisconsin
Texas @ #16 Baylor
Miami (FL) @ #17 Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech
Indiana @ Maryland
#22 Iowa State @ West Virginia
Cocktail party: #1 Georgia vs Florida
Texas Tech @ #4 Oklahoma
Florida State @ Clemson
Boston College @ Syracuse
Purdue @ Nebraska
TCU @ Kansas State
UL Monroe @ Appalachian State
Wyoming @ San Jose State
UTEP @ Florida Atlantic — hoping I'm wrong here for the sake of #Gameday2ElPaso
#10 Ole Miss @ #18 Auburn
#12 Kentucky @ Mississippi State
#19 SMU @ Houston
#20 Penn State @ #5 Ohio State
Louisville @ NC State
UCLA @ Utah
Virginia @ BYU
Fresno State @ #21 San Diego State
Washington @ Stanford

[Catholics vs. Convicts]

Week 9

Saturday, October 30th

#6 Michigan @ #8 Michigan State Noon EDT FOX (I'm no fool. I don't think Michigan is way better than Michigan State. Frankly I think McNamara is not the right qb for this team and things are going to get a lot tougher for him this second half of the season. But Harbaugh gets the boys ready to play in East Lansing. I think they can eek out a tough one here. Have to have at least a little faith.

#9 Iowa @ Wisconsin Noon EDT ESPN People are asking, is Wisconsin back?

Texas @ #16 Baylor Noon EDT ABC

Miami (FL) @ #17 Pittsburgh Noon EDT ACCN

Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech Noon EDT ESPN3

Indiana @ Maryland Noon EDT

#22 Iowa State @ West Virginia 2 PM EDT ESPN+

#1 Georgia vs Florida at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL 3:30 PM EDT CBS

Texas Tech @ #4 Oklahoma 3:30 PM EDT ABC

Florida State @ Clemson 3:30 PM EDT ESPN Why not FSU?

Boston College @ Syracuse 3:30 PM EDT ESPN3

Purdue @ Nebraska 3:30 PM EDT ESPN2

TCU @ Kansas State 3:30 PM EDT ESPNU

UL Monroe @ Appalachian State 3:30 PM EDT ESPN+

Wyoming @ San Jose State 4 PM EDT FS2

UTEP @ Florida Atlantic 6 PM EDT ESPN+

#10 Ole Miss @ #18 Auburn 7 PM EDT ESPN

#12 Kentucky @ Mississippi State 7 PM EDT SECN

#19 SMU @ Houston 7 PM EDT ESPN2

#20 Penn State @ #5 Ohio State 7:30 PM EDT ABC

Louisville @ NC State 7:30 PM EDT ACCN

UCLA @ Utah 10 PM EDT ESPN

Virginia @ BYU 10:15 PM EDT ESPN2

Fresno State @ #21 San Diego State 10:30 PM EDT CBSSN Brady Hoke!!!

Washington @ Stanford 10:30 PM EDT FS1

[GeorgiaModerate]

Officials were wrong to wipe out what would have been a game-winning 2-point play in overtime by Harvard after a replay review awarded Princeton a timeout, the Ivy League said Sunday.
...
The Ivy League said officials made a procedural error because a timeout can be awarded by on-field officials only before the ball is snapped. It is not a reviewable situation.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32465969/ivy-league-says-officiating-mistake-cost-harvard-crimson-ot-victory-princeton-tigers

[Orwell]

Go Green! Go White!

[NewYorkExpress]

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin shoots down rumors that he is considering the job opening at USC.

I can't imagine Tomlin denying this in such strong terms if USC (or LSU for that matter) wasn't interested in him, so there must be interest from USC...

[Greedo punched first]

Of the two BTN games (Indiana @ Maryland, Rutgers @ Illinois), which one will be on the main channel and which one will be aired on the overflow channel? Both games just say BTN, but they’re aired at the same time.

[Donerail]

Of the two BTN games (Indiana @ Maryland, Rutgers @ Illinois), which one will be on the main channel and which one will be aired on the overflow channel? Both games just say BTN, but they’re aired at the same time.

Indiana @ Maryland will be on BTN's alternate feed.

[Fight for Trump]

Of the two BTN games (Indiana @ Maryland, Rutgers @ Illinois), which one will be on the main channel and which one will be aired on the overflow channel? Both games just say BTN, but they’re aired at the same time.

Indiana @ Maryland will be on BTN's alternate feed.

So we can watch the glory of Illinois vs Rutgers LOL. Then again, Illinois beat Penn State, so respect where it's due.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Of the two BTN games (Indiana @ Maryland, Rutgers @ Illinois), which one will be on the main channel and which one will be aired on the overflow channel? Both games just say BTN, but they’re aired at the same time.

Indiana @ Maryland will be on BTN's alternate feed.

So we can watch the glory of Illinois vs Rutgers LOL. Then again, Illinois beat Penn State, so respect where it's due.

Will Illinois go for two on all their TDs against Rutgers?  They had enough practice at it last week.

[Greedo punched first]

Of the two BTN games (Indiana @ Maryland, Rutgers @ Illinois), which one will be on the main channel and which one will be aired on the overflow channel? Both games just say BTN, but they’re aired at the same time.

Indiana @ Maryland will be on BTN's alternate feed.

How do you know? Any links? It just says BTN on each school’s schedule.

[Donerail]

Of the two BTN games (Indiana @ Maryland, Rutgers @ Illinois), which one will be on the main channel and which one will be aired on the overflow channel? Both games just say BTN, but they’re aired at the same time.

Indiana @ Maryland will be on BTN's alternate feed.

How do you know? Any links? It just says BTN on each school’s schedule.

https://btn.com/btn-gamefinder/

[Greedo punched first]

Will anyone watch the Indiana-Maryland game?

[Хahar 🤔]

Yes.

[Greedo punched first]

If you’re going to watch the Indiana-Maryland game, are you going to use the Fox Sports app? It’s the only way I can watch BTN overflow feeds.