Dear Readers,
I meant to type this down about which teams have surprised me and disappointed me. I must say that Kansas and Washington State are those teams who I didn’t think would have a 3-0 start
In honor of the good folks living and working in Kalamazoo, MI, I ate a cup full of one of my favorite cereals (Rice Krispies) while watching one of my favorite college football teams play. I was cheering for Pittsburgh, who had a 34-13 road win over Western Michigan. I used one of my WWE souvenir cups to eat out of.
I am saddened that Arizona State had to part ways with previous Head Coach Herm Edwards amid NCAA investigations and following a 1-2 start, including a 30-21 upset home loss against Eastern Michigan this past SAT.. Edwards does leave his previous job with an undefeated 4-0 mark against rival Arizona. The RBs coach will take over as the interim head coach.
TAKE CARE ALL!
Sincerely, RICH
RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
(202 all-purpose running yards in the Longhorns’ 41-20 home win over UTSA. Rushed 20 carries, 183 yards, and 3 TDs-of 3,78, and 41 yards.)
2. C.J Stroud, QB, Ohio State
(Passed 22-27, 236 yards, and 5 TDs in the OSU Buckeyes’ 77-21 home win over Toledo. His 55 career passing TDs are sixth-most in school history.)
3. Will Anderson Jr, LB, Alabama
(Produced 5 tackles, 1 TFL/sack, and 1 INT for a 25-yard TD in the Crimson Tide’s 63-7 home win over UL-Monroe.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Alabama
4. Clemson
5. Michigan
6. Oklahoma
7. Oklahoma State
8. Kentucky (9)
9. Mississippi (10)
10. N.C State (OTM)
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):
Arkansas, USC, Wake Forest, Penn State, Tennessee, and Oregon State
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:
As you can see, the top seven remain the same as the only undefeated teams in NCAA Division 1 FBS college football and we had one small change in our rankings, which was #8 Miami having a 17-9 home loss against Texas A&M, who would still be ranked had they held on to have a home win over Appalachian State. That is why I moved Kentucky and Mississippi up a spot…No surprise that Georgia had a blowout win over South Carolina. The Bulldogs are coming off a 48-7 road win over the Gamecocks. This football team scored 24 points in each half. Georgia will have a home game against Kent State (Noon, ESPN+)….I was impressed with Ohio State’s performance in their 77-21 home win over Toledo. The Buckeyes showed why they are ranked #2 in my rankings. Defense really stepped up big against the Rockets offense, who had a great backfield. The OL corp helped this offense put up 763 total yards, which is most since Head Coach Ryan Day got promoted to his current job. This football team will have a home game against Wisconsin this SAT (7:30 PM, ABC). Had the Badgers had a home win over Washington State, Wisconsin would be among my OTMs for sure because they are favored to win the Big Ten West Division….Alabama is #2 in the major polls but #3 in my rankings. The Crimson Tide is coming off a 63-7 home win over UL-Monroe, which made up for their lackluster 20-19 road win over Texas from that week before. No surprise that this football team had a blowout win over one of the weak- links of the SBC. Alabama will have a home game against Vanderbilt, who has a surprising 3-1 mark, this SAT (7:30 PM, SECN)…I decided to move N.C State up from among my OTMs to #10 after their tougher than expected 27-14 home win over Texas Tech. The Wolfpack will breeze through Connecticut this SAT (7:30 PM, ESPN3) before their Oct.1 road game against Clemson, who remains ranked #4 after a 38-10 home win over La Tech. The Tigers will have a road game against Wake Forest, who is among my OTMs, this SAT (Noon, ABC)…The major polls have Arkansas ranked #10 in their rankings but I beg to differ. The Razorbacks overcame a 17-0 deficit to have a 38-27 home win over Missouri State, who has former Arkansas Head Coach Bobby Petrino coming back to campus in over a decade after his firing from that job as the opposing head coach. I know this football team could’ve done better than the final score against the MO-State Bears. It will get tougher for Arkansas. The Razorbacks better not look past their neutral-site game against rival Texas A&M this SAT (7 PM, ESPN) for their Oct.1 home game against Alabama. After their home game against the Crimson Tide, this football team will play three straight road games, including a bye-week before a Nov.5 home game against Liberty….Last week, I mistakenly left USC off among my OTMs in which the Trojans deserve to be after a 41-28 road win over Stanford. This football team is coming off a 45-17 home win over Fresno State. If the real challenges for USC haven’t arrived during their 3-0 start, they have a road game against Oregon State, who are among my OTMs, this SAT (9:30 PM, PAC-12). Remember last season, the OSU Beavers had a 45-28 road win over the Trojans, which marked their first road win over USC since 1960. Could this game be a preview of the Pac-12 Championship Game?.…I said the winner of the Penn State at Auburn would be among my OTMs. The PSU Nittany Lions were impressive with a 41-12 road win over the Tigers, which was better than I expected. I don’t see Penn State losing until they play a road game against Michigan on Oct.15 following a bye-week. This football team will have a home game against Penn State this SAT (Noon, BTN) ..I am not surprised that Tennessee is on a 3-0 start. The Volunteers are coming off a 63-3 home win over Akron to be ranked #11 in the major polls. This football team will have a home game against rival Florida, who is on a current five-game winning streak over Tennessee, this SAT (3:30 PM, CBS) before having a bye-week. Don’t count the Gators out! After that week, it will get tougher for these UT Vols but they have the talent to take on all challenges…After next week, I should be able to allow teams with one loss to be among my OTMS…
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
Florida State Kevin Knowles- Made that game-winning INT (on 1st and 10 with 0:37 remaining) to seal the FSU Seminoles’ 35-31 road win over Louisville. Also produced 3 tackles (2 solo).
Florida State WR Johnny Wison- Received 7 catches, 149 yards,and 2 TDs (10 and 2-each scored in the 4th quarter) in the Seminoles’ road win over Louisville. Also had a 69-yard catch.
Florida State LB Kalen DeLoach- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Seminoles’ road win over Louisville.
Florida RB Montrell Johnson,Jr- Rushed 6 carries, 103 yards, and 1 TD (62 yards) in the Gators’ 31-28 home win over South Florida.
Florida CB Jalen Kimber- Produced 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 INT (39-yard TD), and 1 PBU in the Gators’ home win over South Florida.
Florida LB Brenton Cox Jr- Produced 9 tackles (co-led team; 5 solo),1 TFL, and 2 QB hurries in the Gators’ home win over South Florida.
South Florida RB/RS Brian Battie- 250 all-purpose running yards in the USF Bulls’ road loss against Florida. Rushed 17 carries, 150 yards, and 1 TD (10 yards). Also had a 51-yard carry. Returned 4 kickoffs for 93 yards, including a 28-yard kickoff return.
UCF QB John Rhys Plumlee- 460 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in the Golden Knights’ 40-14 road win over Florida Atlantic. Passed 25-35, 339 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Rushed 20 carries, 121 yards, and 2 TDs (7 and 5). Also had a 36-yard carry.
UCF WR Alec Holler- Received 3 catches for 115 yards, including a 64-yard catch, in the Golden Knights’ road win over Florida Atlantic.
UCF DE Tre’mon Morris-Brash- Produced 6 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL,1 PBU, 1 blocked FG attempt, and 1 QB hurry in the Golden Knights’ road win over Florida Atlantic.
