2021 College Football Discussion and Pick'em Thread

[NewYorkExpress]

My best guess as to what the committee will do in next week's rankings:

1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Oregon

Just missed: Oklahoma, Michigan, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State.

JW: What is your logic for having Ohio State jump Oregon?

The Committee doesn't seem to be valuing the PAC-12 much at all. I would put Oklahoma ahead of Oregon too, if I were on the committee, but the Commitee doesn't seem to like the Sooners much either.

[GeorgiaModerate]

WEEK 10 RESULTS

Donerail won the week with 19-6, a game ahead of ExtremeRepublican.  Full results:

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

There were 8 unanimous picks:

Ole Miss-Liberty
East Carolina-Temple
Cincinnati-Tulsa
Baylor-TCU (wrong)
Oregon-Washington
Nevada-San Jose State
UTSA-UTEP
Arizona State-USC

And 9 games with a single dissenter (asterisk = dissenter was right):

SMU-Memphis (*)
Miami-Georgia Tech
Texas State-UL Monroe
Michigan State-Purdue (*)
Oklahoma State-West Virginia
Penn State-Maryland
Troy-South Alabama
Fresno State-Boise State (*)
Iowa State-Texas

This week's win increased Donerail's overall lead to four games.  Year to date (250 games):

163 Donerail
159 Dereich
156 GeorgiaModerate, NY Express
153 Terry
152 ExtremeRepublican
133 Illiniwek
132 JGibson
92 Dingo Joe
24 Orwell

[GeorgiaModerate]

Arizona snaps the nation's longest losing streak by beating Cal 10-3.

After Arizona's win, UNLV became the FBS team with the longest losing streak (14 games -- Arizona's streak was 20).  However, the Rebels currently lead New Mexico 31-17 early in the 4th quarter.  If they hang on and win, I'm not sure who will own the longest losing streak.  I don't think there will be any remaining winless FBS teams.

UNLV did win their game, so the longest active FBS losing streak is now 8, shared by Kansas, FIU, and Arkansas State.

[Alben Barkley]

I think I’m done with college football forever. That game last night probably took a couple years off my life and was the most heartbreaking and devastating sporting event I’ve watched since the 2015 Final Four. It was such an ugly game too; our usually solid defense disappeared, the refs screwed us at a pivotal moment, we managed to convert a 4th & 24 anyway but it all collapsed in the most painful way possible. A dream season has become a living nightmare. I’m just done with it. Sick of being Charlie Brown trying to kick Lucy’s football.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Week 11

Saturday, November 13th

#7 Michigan @ Penn State Noon EST ABC

#8 Oklahoma @ #12 Baylor Noon EST FOX

#17 Mississippi State @ #13 Auburn Noon EST ESPN

Syracuse @ Louisville Noon EST ESPN3

Rutgers @ Indiana Noon EST

West Virginia @ Kansas State Noon EST

UCF @ SMU Noon EST ESPNU

East Carolina @ Memphis Noon EST ESPN+

Georgia Southern @ Texas State 3 PM EST ESPN+

Purdue @ #5 Ohio State 3:30 PM EST ABC

#20 Minnesota @ #22 Iowa 3:30 PM EST

UAB @ Marshall 3:30 PM EST ESPN+

Miami (FL) @ Florida State 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Boston College @ Georgia Tech 3:30 PM EST ACCN

Iowa State @ Texas Tech 3:30 PM EST ESPN2

USC @ California 3:30 PM EST

Tulsa @ Tulane 4 PM EST ESPNU

#14 Texas A&M @ #16 Ole Miss 7 PM EST ESPN

#19 NC State @ #9 Wake Forest 7:30 PM EST ACCN

#10 Notre Dame @ Virginia 7:30 PM EST ABC

Arkansas @ LSU 7:30 PM EST SECN

Kansas @ Texas 7:30 PM EST ESPNU

TCU @ #11 Oklahoma State 8 PM EST FOX

Washington State @ #4 Oregon 10:30 PM EST ESPN

Nevada @ #24 San Diego State 10:30 PM EST CBSSN

[Donerail]

Week 11

#7 Michigan @ Penn State
#8 Oklahoma @ #12 Baylor
#17 Mississippi State @ #13 Auburn
Syracuse @ Louisville
Rutgers @ Indiana
West Virginia @ Kansas State
UCF @ SMU
East Carolina @ Memphis
Georgia Southern @ Texas State
Purdue @ #5 Ohio State
#20 Minnesota @ #22 Iowa
UAB @ Marshall
Miami (FL) @ Florida State
Boston College @ Georgia Tech
Iowa State @ Texas Tech
USC @ California
Tulsa @ Tulane
#14 Texas A&M @ #16 Ole Miss
#19 NC State @ #9 Wake Forest
#10 Notre Dame @ Virginia
Arkansas @ LSU
Kansas @ Texas
TCU @ #11 Oklahoma State
Washington State @ #4 Oregon
Nevada @ #24 San Diego State

As for the playoff, I find it difficult to say that UGA and Bama shouldn't be in it — they're head and shoulders above the competition, save maybe Ohio State. Remaining two spots go to the B1G East winner (probably OSU, who've looked better than Michigan and much better than MSU) and the Bedlam winner (probably Oklahoma). Oregon next up if they take care of business + someone slips up badly.

[Ancestral Republican]

I think I’m done with college football forever. That game last night probably took a couple years off my life and was the most heartbreaking and devastating sporting event I’ve watched since the 2015 Final Four. It was such an ugly game too; our usually solid defense disappeared, the refs screwed us at a pivotal moment, we managed to convert a 4th & 24 anyway but it all collapsed in the most painful way possible. A dream season has become a living nightmare. I’m just done with it. Sick of being Charlie Brown trying to kick Lucy’s football.

[7,052,770]

I think I’m done with college football forever. That game last night probably took a couple years off my life and was the most heartbreaking and devastating sporting event I’ve watched since the 2015 Final Four. It was such an ugly game too; our usually solid defense disappeared, the refs screwed us at a pivotal moment, we managed to convert a 4th & 24 anyway but it all collapsed in the most painful way possible. A dream season has become a living nightmare. I’m just done with it. Sick of being Charlie Brown trying to kick Lucy’s football.

I feel your pain. The SEC has got to figure out how to make the talent more equal and the refereeing better.

[Alben Barkley]

I think I’m done with college football forever. That game last night probably took a couple years off my life and was the most heartbreaking and devastating sporting event I’ve watched since the 2015 Final Four. It was such an ugly game too; our usually solid defense disappeared, the refs screwed us at a pivotal moment, we managed to convert a 4th & 24 anyway but it all collapsed in the most painful way possible. A dream season has become a living nightmare. I’m just done with it. Sick of being Charlie Brown trying to kick Lucy’s football.

Sadly, more like the 30th or so. And yet I keep getting my hopes up anyway, sigh.

[NewYorkExpress]

Michigan
Oklahoma (Probably the hardest pick here and I don't feel confident about picking the Sooners at all, but given where they are in the playoff rankings, they need this win).
Auburn
Louisville
Indiana (At this point, for Cincinnati to have any hope to get to the playoff at all, they need both Notre Dame and Indiana to win out)
West Virginia
SMU
Memphis
Georgia Southern
Ohio State (Really tempted to pick the Boilermakers, but Ohio State is far better than Michigan State or Michigan at this point)
Minnesota
UAB
Miami(FL)
Georgia Tech
Texas Tech
Ole Miss
NC State (Wake Forest has been exposed for the frauds that they are)
Notre Dame
Arkansas
Texas (Why is this on the list? I get that we aren't doing Thursday Night's North Carolina/Pittsburgh game, but surely either of the South Carolina/Missouri or Arizona State/Washington games would have been more competitive choices for a pick'em...)
Oregon(See previous comment about Texas/Kansas)
San Diego State

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Texas (Why is this on the list? I get that we aren't doing Thursday Night's North Carolina/Pittsburgh game, but surely either of the South Carolina/Missouri or Arizona State/Washington games would have been more competitive choices for a pick'em...)
Oregon(See previous comment about Texas/Kansas)
San Diego State

How quick we all are to forget. Texas is in a very similar position to where it was in 2016 and Kansas is as well. Combine Texas on a losing slide after a blowout loss to Iowa State and the fact that Kansas almost beat Oklahoma, and you get memes, lots of them. (Not to say it's impossible for Texas to blowout Kansas, but meh)

Oregon vs Washington State is an interesting one as well, Washington State won 2015-2018 while Oregon won close matchup in 2019 and a bit bigger in 2020, but it feels like one of those games where Oregon could slip up, plus Washington State is 4-2 in Conference right now while Oregon is 5-1, so Washington State winning this game would put them atop the Pac 12 North, they will be motivated.

[GeorgiaModerate]

NYE, you've only picked 22 games.

[NewYorkExpress]

NYE, you've only picked 22 games.

Alright, I'll add Tulsa over Tulane and California over USC.

Also, I counted 23, with two missing, so if you could tell me what the third missing game is, that would be appreciated.

[GeorgiaModerate]

NYE, you've only picked 22 games.

Alright, I'll add Tulsa over Tulane and California over USC.

Also, I counted 23, with two missing, so if you could tell me what the third missing game is, that would be appreciated.

TCU-Oklahoma State.

[NewYorkExpress]

Okay. I thought I picked that one.

Anyways, I'm taking Oklahoma State over TCU.

[Donerail]

Texas (Why is this on the list? I get that we aren't doing Thursday Night's North Carolina/Pittsburgh game, but surely either of the South Carolina/Missouri or Arizona State/Washington games would have been more competitive choices for a pick'em...)
Oregon(See previous comment about Texas/Kansas)
San Diego State

How quick we all are to forget. Texas is in a very similar position to where it was in 2016 and Kansas is as well. Combine Texas on a losing slide after a blowout loss to Iowa State and the fact that Kansas almost beat Oklahoma, and you get memes, lots of them. (Not to say it's impossible for Texas to blowout Kansas, but meh)

I appreciate Terry for not making me think about either South Carolina or Missouri football

[NewYorkExpress]

The seat surrounding Florida Head Coach Dan Mullen is now scalding, as Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham and Offensive Line Coach John Hevesy have been fired following the Gators's loss to South Carolina  yesterday.

Does Mullen, whose Gators finished as SEC Runners-up last season to Alabama before losing to Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, make it through the season as head coach? Will he be fired after the season?

[Dereich]

The seat surrounding Florida Head Coach Dan Mullen is now scalding, as Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham and Offensive Line Coach John Hevesy have been fired following the Gators's loss to South Carolina  yesterday.

Does Mullen, whose Gators finished as SEC Runners-up last season to Alabama before losing to Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, make it through the season as head coach? Will he be fired after the season?

Yes. No. He's at risk next year, not this one.

EDIT: Unless Florida loses to Samford. Then all bets are off.

[7,052,770]

I guess the grass wasn't greener on the other side, was it Dan?

[Catholics vs. Convicts]

Week 11

Saturday, November 13th

#7 Michigan @ Penn State Noon EST ABC

#8 Oklahoma @ #12 Baylor Noon EST FOX

#17 Mississippi State @ #13 Auburn Noon EST ESPN

Syracuse @ Louisville Noon EST ESPN3

Rutgers @ Indiana Noon EST

West Virginia @ Kansas State Noon EST

UCF @ SMU Noon EST ESPNU

East Carolina @ Memphis Noon EST ESPN+

Georgia Southern @ Texas State 3 PM EST ESPN+

Purdue @ #5 Ohio State 3:30 PM EST ABC

#20 Minnesota @ #22 Iowa 3:30 PM EST

UAB @ Marshall 3:30 PM EST ESPN+

Miami (FL) @ Florida State 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Boston College @ Georgia Tech 3:30 PM EST ACCN

Iowa State @ Texas Tech 3:30 PM EST ESPN2

USC @ California 3:30 PM EST

Tulsa @ Tulane 4 PM EST ESPNU

#14 Texas A&M @ #16 Ole Miss 7 PM EST ESPN

#19 NC State @ #9 Wake Forest 7:30 PM EST ACCN

#10 Notre Dame @ Virginia 7:30 PM EST ABC

Arkansas @ LSU 7:30 PM EST SECN

Kansas @ Texas 7:30 PM EST ESPNU

TCU @ #11 Oklahoma State 8 PM EST FOX

Washington State @ #4 Oregon 10:30 PM EST ESPN

Nevada @ #24 San Diego State 10:30 PM EST CBSSN

[NewYorkExpress]

New Playoff Rankings Out:

1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Oregon
4. Ohio State
5. Cincinnati
6. Michigan
7. Michigan State
8. Oklahoma
9. Oklahoma State
10. Notre Dame


Other notable:

12: Wake Forest
14. BYU
23. UTSA

[GeorgiaModerate]

We have the first COVID casualty of this year's pick'em.  USC-Cal has been postponed due to COVID cases at Cal.  This will be treated as a "no contest" for this week; if the game is rescheduled and appears in a later pick'em you'll need to pick it again for that week.

[Greedo punched first]

USC-Cal will be the last regular season game. Will it be on the main Pac 12 network or relegated to the Los Angeles/Bay Area regional networks?

[Dereich]

New Playoff Rankings Out:

1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Oregon
4. Ohio State
5. Cincinnati
6. Michigan
7. Michigan State
8. Oklahoma
9. Oklahoma State
10. Notre Dame


Other notable:

12: Wake Forest
14. BYU
23. UTSA

Michigan over Michigan State makes sense in a vacuum…but when combined with Oregon over Ohio State?? I’ve got nothing.

[GeorgiaModerate]

#7 Michigan @ Penn State Noon EST ABC
#8 Oklahoma @ #12 Baylor Noon EST FOX
#17 Mississippi State @ #13 Auburn Noon EST ESPN
Syracuse @ Louisville Noon EST ESPN3
Rutgers @ Indiana Noon EST
West Virginia @ Kansas State Noon EST
UCF @ SMU Noon EST ESPNU
East Carolina @ Memphis Noon EST ESPN+
Georgia Southern @ Texas State 3 PM EST ESPN+
Purdue @ #5 Ohio State 3:30 PM EST ABC
#20 Minnesota @ #22 Iowa 3:30 PM EST
UAB @ Marshall 3:30 PM EST ESPN+
Miami (FL) @ Florida State 3:30 PM EST ESPN
Boston College @ Georgia Tech 3:30 PM EST ACCN
Iowa State @ Texas Tech 3:30 PM EST ESPN2
USC @ California 3:30 PM EST   
Tulsa @ Tulane 4 PM EST ESPNU
#14 Texas A&M @ #16 Ole Miss 7 PM EST ESPN   Toughest one to pick.
#19 NC State @ #9 Wake Forest 7:30 PM EST ACCN
#10 Notre Dame @ Virginia 7:30 PM EST ABC
Arkansas @ LSU 7:30 PM EST SECN
Kansas @ Texas 7:30 PM EST ESPNU
TCU @ #11 Oklahoma State 8 PM EST FOX
Washington State @ #4 Oregon 10:30 PM EST ESPN
Nevada @ #24 San Diego State 10:30 PM EST CBSSN