The twisting, turning path that is the road to the championship in college football continues to amaze. With just two more weeks before the postseason matchups are announced, contenders continue to fall along the way. The committee claimed originally that margin of victory would not be a real factor. Clearly that is not the case.
Ohio State fans had to be ecstatic, they finally played their first real game of the season. On the down side, it turned out be the final game of their campaign to defend their championship. The Buckeyes lose only their second game in two years and both players and fans turn on Urban Meyer. He seem to have that effect on people. Of course, the Buckeyes are still the darlings in the eyes of the committee. Supposedly “body of work” is supposed to be the big indicator. How then does a team play one top 25 team in their first 11 games, lose that game and remain in the top 10?
The SEC East struggled pitifully against what was supposed to be cupcake opponents. I don’t envy coaches who have to get their players to come off of the brutal grind that is the SEC schedule and somehow keep focus and intensity for these horrendous games. I get why they schedule these things, but I think the practice should end. It’s not good for anyone. Fans hate it, players get hurt in games that mean nothing and season ticket holders can’t even give their tickets away. But, if you are going to play those games, you better win them decisively if you want into the playoffs.
LSU seems to be poised to fire head coach Les Miles. They will not hire a better coach than the one they fired. Miles will have no shortage of offers if the Tigers do indeed send him packing. I think Georgia should contact Miles behind the scenes and see if he wants to relocate to Athens. If he says yes, fire Mark Richt immediately. Richt will never be as good a coach as Les Miles.
While technically, my Gators are still in the playoff hunt and would probably make it in if they won the next two games against FSU and Alabama, I must admit that it is hard to imagine that happening with the lackluster offense and kicking woes demonstrated the last three games. The Gators last played a decent game back in October when they dismantled Georgia. But then, FSU lost to Georgia Tech so who knows? Anything is possible in that rivalry game. Beating Alabama seems like a real stretch though.
This is also the final stretch in the Heisman Trophy race. I know that most of you will be shocked to learn this, but I don’t have a vote. If I did, it would go to Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds. Reynolds has rushed for over a thousand yards already with 18 touchdowns. He has also thrown for 652 yards, another five touchdowns and zero interceptions. He has Navy ranked 16th with only a loss to Notre Dame. But, all of that is only a small part of the reason I would be voting for Reynolds. Unlike the parade of prima donnas that normally make up the list of Heisman candidates, this young man joined his team knowing that he would not be leaving early for the NFL if he was successful. He is a soldier. He will voluntarily serve his country when his college football days end. Read the below quote from the Heisman guidelines.
“The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.”
After a disappointing parade of the likes of Johnny Manziel, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston to the podium in New York, this is the chance to actually get it right. Not since Tim Tebow have the Heisman folks had the chance to give their award to someone who has actually earned it both on and off the field like this. At a time when our armed forces find themselves underpaid, under-equipped and under-appreciated, this is an opportunity to say we do recognize true selflessness and sacrifice when we see it. With all due respect to Derrick Henry and Leonard Fournette, Reynolds is what this award was designed to be about.
Alas, the college football season is nearly over. After you gorge yourself on turkey for Thanksgiving, settle in to watch the rivalry games play out. They are always worth the time.