I hope you are enjoying this portion of the 2020 college football season.
If you are asking me what team is surprising me this season. Arkansas and BYU are among them. Army has improved from 5-8 to 6-1 (with more games to play and will be bowl-eligible).
I can’t believe Liberty is on a 6-0 start, which is their fifth 5-0 start in school history and first 6-0 start since 2008. BYU keeps surprising me since their 55-3 season-opening road win over Navy. I didn’t think Coastal Carolina would be undefeated by now.
Before this season is over, there will be head coaching changes. I predict Syracuse Head Coach Dino Babers will be let go, shown the door, and land a head coaching job with a non-power conference team. Vanderbilt will fire Head Coach Derek Mason
Alabama WR/RS Jaylen Waddle suffered a season-ending (broken leg) injury on the opening kickoff in the Crimson Tide’s 48-17 road win over Tennessee. He made my weekly Heisman Trophy ballot two times this season. I predict Jaylen will leave school early for the NFL Draft.
I was saddened to learn that we won’t have the Holiday Bowl being played. No matter what the outcome of those games are, we have offensive fireworks in those games. That bowl game usually features a Pac-10 team (now Pac-12). The 2nd-best Pac-12 team usually gets that berth against a Big Ten team in the Holiday Bowl when that team isn’t getting a berth in one of those major bowl games.
I enjoy getting feedback from a few of you readers-keep’em coming!sincerely, RICH
RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State(330 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in the Buckeyes’ 52-17 home win over Nebraska. Passed 20-21, 276 yards, and 2 TDs. Rushed 15 carries, 54 yards, and 1 TD of 17 yards. His 13.1 passing yards per attempt lead nation.)
2. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State(Rushed 25 carries, 139 yards, and 1 TD of 32 yards in the OSU Cowboys’ 24-21 home win over Iowa State. His 94 carries and 478 yards are third in the Big 12 among these rushing categories.)
3. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati (305 total offensive yards and 4 TDs responsible for in the UC Bearcats’ 42-13 road win over SMU. Rushed 8 carries, 179 yards, and 3 TDs of 15,32, and 91. Passed 13-21, 126 yards, and 1 TD.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Cincinnati
5. Oklahoma State
6. Ohio State
7. Wisconsin (9)
8. Oregon
9. Michigan (not ranked or mentioned)
10. Marshall (OTM)
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):
BYU, Boise State, Liberty, and Coastal Carolina
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:
No surprise that the top six teams in my rankings remain undefeated after this past SAT…Alabama remains at #1 after a 48-17 road win over rival Tennessee. The Crimson Tide will not miss a beat after losing star WR/RS Jaylen Waddle to a season-ending (broken ankle) injury. Alabama will have a home game against Miss. State this SAT (7 PM, ESPN)…Clemson remains at #2 after a 47-21 home win over Syracuse. I really thought the Tigers would cover the spread and win by more than 30 points but they didn’t but all remains good for these Tigers. Clemson has a home game against Boston College this SAT (Noon, ABC) before that prime time road game and showdown against Notre Dame on Nov.7…Speaking of Notre Dame, some people were saying that #3 Notre Dame was on UPSET-ALERT after a sloppy 12-7 home win over Louisville. The Fighting Irish took advantage of all breaks and exploited all weaknesses of their opponent in a 45-3 road win over Pittsburgh. I knew this game was academic after Notre Dame had a 28-3 halftime lead over the Pitt Panthers, who really have no offense after losing QB Kenny Pickett. The Fighting Irish will have another easy road game against Georgia Tech this SAT (3:30 PM, ABC)….Cincinnati remains at #4 after a convincing 42-13 road win over then-undefeated SMU, who was ranked #10 last week. More challenges await this Cincy football team, who ruined homecoming for those Mustangs. The UC Bearcats will have a home game against Memphis, who owns two wins over Cincy (in consecutive weeks) from last season, this SAT (Noon, ESPN)…Oklahoma State remains at #5 after surviving a hard-fought 24-21 home win over Iowa State. The OSU Cowboys have another tough home game against Texas this SAT (4 PM, FOX)…Ohio State remains at #6 after a 52-17 home win over Nebraska. The Buckeyes have a road game against Penn State this SAT (7:30 PM, ABC)…Speaking of Penn State, the Nittany Lions’ 36-34 upset road loss against Indiana moved them out of my top ten rankings to create another shake-up in my rankings. Penn State was ranked #7 prior to their 2020 season finally kicking off. Boy, those Nittany Lions really miss RB Journey Brown and LB Micah Parsons Regardless, Penn State should’ve beaten Indiana AND I really didn’t think that Indiana QB made it all the way to score on that 2-point conversion and win. The only reason the refs ruled in the Hooisers’ favor was the ball knocked that endzone pylon down on that turf …I will keep Oregon ranked #8-if not higher OR lower- prior to their Nov.7 home game against Stanford…I decided to have Michigan ranked #9 because of their 49-24 road win over Minnesota. The U-M Wolverines really did better than expected and responded each time the Golden Gophers scored or made a mistake. I am convinced Michigan will win and do better than expected before their Dec.12 road game against Ohio State….I moved Wisconsin up from #9 to #7 after their 45-7 home win over Illinois. The Badgers did better with a QB change after QB Jack Croan had to sit out because of a foot injury. This Wisconsin offense needs to find a new RB to get their rushing back up and running. Wisconsin has a road game against Nebraska this SAT (3:30 PM, FS1)…Marshall finally gets ranked in my top ten rankings. The Thundering Herd moves up from my OTMS to #10 after a 20-9 home win over Florida Atlantic. Could’ve done better but I think the Thundering Herd will win out until before they play in the C-USA Championship Game…BYU remains among my OTMs after a 52-14 home win over Texas State. I believe the BYU Cougars will win next week’s game over (at) Western Kentucky (10:15 PM. ESPN) before a Nov.6 road game against Boise State, who I have among my OTMs because the Broncos is the clear favorite to win the MW Mountain Division…Coastal Carolina is among my OTMs because the Chanticleers remain undefeated after a 28-14 home win over Georgia Southern. Some people believe that Coastal Carolina is prone to lose somewhere before this season is over but the Chanticleers are competing to win the SBC East Division. Coastal Carolina will have a road game against upset-minded Georgia State this SAT (Noon, ESPNU)… Liberty is a surprise team who is on a current eight-game winning streak (including a 6-0 start for this season). The Flames are coming off a 56-35 home win over Southern Miss. Liberty has a bye-week before a Nov.7 road game against Virginia Tech…
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
Army, BYU, Clemson, and Liberty- Wins over respective opponents made them bowl eligible this season.
Indiana S Jamar Johnson- Produced 10 tackles (7 solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT (17 yards), and 1 forced fumble in the Hooisers’ 36-35 comeback road win (1 OT) over Penn State.
Penn State QB Sean Clifford- 357 total offensive yards and 4 TDs responsible for in the Nittany Lions’ road loss against Indiana. Passed 24-35, 238 yards, 3 TDs, and 2 INTs. Rushed 17 carries, 119 yards, and 1 TD (35 yards).
Oklahoma State S Tre Sterling- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 8 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 PBU in the OSU Cowboys’ 24-21 home win over Iowa State
Iowa State RB Breece Hall- Rushed 20 carries, 185 yards, and 1 TD (66 yards) in the Cyclones’ road loss against Oklahoma State. Also had a 70-yard carry.
Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson- Received 7 catches, 129 yards, and 1 TD (42 yards) in the Buckeyes’ 52-17 home win over Nebraska.
Clemson S Nolan Turner- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT (24 yards), and 1 PBU in the Tigers’ 47-21 home win over Syracuse.
Miami WR Michael Harley- Received 10 catches, 170 yards, and 1 TD (43 yards) in the Hurricanes’ 19-14 home win over Virginia.
Texas S Chris Brown- Produced 2 tackles (all solo) and 3 PBUs in the Longhorns’ 27-16 home win over Baylor.
Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims- Received 4 catches, 132 yards, and 2 TDs (50 and 61) in the Sooners’ 33-14 road win over TCU.
Oklahoma PK Gabe Brkic- Scored 15 points in the Sooners’ road win over TCU. Kicked 4-6 FGs (including a 40-yard FG) and scored on all 3 XPK attempts.
Michigan DE Kwity Paye- Produced 4 tackles (all solo), 3 TFLs, and 2 sacks in the U-M Wolverines’ 49-24 road win over Minnesota.
Michigan LB Mike Barrett- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Wolverines’ road win over Minnesota.
LSU QB T.J Finley- First career start. Passed 17-21, 265 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT in the LSU Tigers’ 52-24 homecoming win over South Carolina. Also scored a 1-yard rushing TD.
LSU LB B.J Ojulari- Produced 4 tackles (all solo), 3 TFLs/sacks, and 1 QB hurry in the Tigers’ home win over South Carolina.
Alabama WR John Metchie- Received 7 catches for 151 yards, including a 45-yard catch, in the Crimson Tide’s 48-17 road win over rival Tennessee.
Alabama CB Patrick Surtain- Produced 4 tackles (all solo), 1 TFL, and 3 PBUs in the Crimson Tide’s road win over Tennessee.
Alabama S Malachi Moore- Produced 2 tackles (all solo), 1 TFL, 1 fumble recovery (28-yard TD), and 1 PBU in the Crimson Tide’s road win over Tennessee.
Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz- First career start. Passed 20-21, 245 yards, and 5 TDs in the Badgers’ 45-7 home win over Illinois. Completed first 17 pass attempts of his career, including completing all 14 pass attempts in the 1st half.
Notre Dame WR Ben Skowronek- Received 2 catches, 107 yards, and 2 TDs (34 and 73) in the Fighting Irish’s 45-3 road win over Pittsburgh.
Notre Dame CB Nick McCloud- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 INT, and 1 PBU in the Fighting Irish’s road win over Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati LB Jarrell White- Produced 13 tackles (led team; 11 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the UC Bearcats’ 42-13 road win over SMU.
Wake Forest S Nick Andersen- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 9 solo) and 3 INTs in the Demon Deacons’ 23-16 home win over Virginia Tech.
Wake Forest PK Nick Sciba- Scored 11 points in the Demon Deacons’ home win over Virginia Tech. Scored on all 3 FG attempts (including a 46-yard FG).
Auburn S Jordyn Peters- Made that game-winning INT (35 yards; on last play) to seal the Tigers’ 35-28 road win over Mississippi. Also produced 6 tackles (3 solo) and 1 PBU.
Auburn WR Seth Williams- Received 8 catches, 150 yards, and 1 TD (58 yards) over Mississippi. Scored that 58-yard receiving TD (on 1st and 10 with 1:11 remaining) to eventually win this game.
Purdue CB Geovonte’ Howard- Produced 1 solo tackle and 2 PBUs in the Boilermakers’ 24-20 home win over Iowa. Made that game-winning PBU (on 4th and 10 with 1:23 remaining) to win this game.
Purdue WR David Bell- Received 13 catches,121 yards, and 3 TDs (9,11, and 6) in the Boilermakers’ home win over Iowa. Scored that 6-yard receiving TD (on 3rd and 5 with 2:15 remaining) to eventually win this game. Also had a 22-yard catch.
Rutgers LB Olakunle Faturski- Produced 10 tackles (4 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries in the Scarlet Knights’ 38-26 road win over Michigan State.
Rutgers CB Avery Young- Produced 9 tackles (4 solo), 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery in the Scarlet Knights’ road win over Michigan State.
Rutgers P Adam Korsak- Had 6 punts with 38.8 yards per punt in the Scarlet Knights’ road win over Michigan State. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 32-yard punt landing on the 12-yard line.
North Carolina RB Jovante Williams- Rushed 19 carries, 160 yards, and 3 TDs (5,1,and 27) in the Tar Heels’ 48-21 home win over rival N.C State.
North Carolina LB Chazz Surratt- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 INT in the Tar Heels’ home win over N.C State.
Louisville RB Javian Hawkins- Rushed 16 carries, 174 yards, and 3 TDs (9, 70, and 10) in the Cardinals’ 48-16 home win over Florida State.
Louisville WR Tutu Atwell- Received 3 catches, 129 yards, and 1 TD (58 yards) in the Cardinals’ home win over Florida State.
Louisville LB C.J Avery- Produced 12 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 2 PBUs in the Cardinals’ home win over Florida State.
Kansas State RS Phillip Brooks- Returned 4 punts, 189 yards, and 2 TDs (55 and 52) in the K-State Wildcats’ 55-14 homecoming win over rival Kansas.
Nevada QB Carson Strong- Passed 39-52, 420 yards, and 4 TDs in the Wolfpack’s 37-34 comeback home win over Wyoming. Had a 9-yard passing TD (received by WR Romeo Doubs; on 2nd and 5 in 1st OT) to win this game.
UTSA S Antonio Parks- Made that game-winning INT (3 yards; on 1st and 10 with 0:45 remaining) to seal the Roadrunners’ 27-26 road win over La Tech.
UTSA RB Sincere McCormick- Rushed 37 carries, 165 yards, and 3 TDs (2,6, and 45) in the Roadrunners’ road win over La Tech.
MTSU S Gregory Gate- Produced 14 tackles (led team; 8 solo), 1 INT (21 yards), and 1 PBU in the Blue Raiders’ 40-34 road win (2 OTs) over Rice.
Marshall LB Tavente Beckett- Produced 13 tackles (led team; 2 solo), 1 TFL, and 2 QB hurries in the Thundering Herd’s 20-9 homecoming win over Florida Atlantic.
Marshall DE Darius Hodge- Produced 8 tackles (2 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 3 QB hurries in the Thundering Herd’s home win over Florida Atlantic.
Memphis WR Calvin Austin- Received 6 catches, 184 yards, and 1 TD (65 yards) in the Tigers’ 41-29 home win over Temple.
Memphis DT O’Bryan Goodson- Produced 9 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in the Tigers’ home win over Temple.
Memphis NB Rodney Owens- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 INTs, and 1 PBU in the Tigers’ home win over Temple.
Hawaii S Quentin Frazier- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in the Rainbows’ 34-19 road win over Fresno State.
San Jose State LB Kyle Harmon- Produced 14 tackles (led team; 8 solo), 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, and 1 PBU in the SJSU Spartans’ 17-6 home win over Air Force.
UCF RB Greg McCrae- Rushed 25 carries, 162 yards, and 1 TD (from 3 yards out) in the Golden Knights’ 51-34 homecoming win over Tulane. Also had a 54-yard carry.
UCF WR Marlon Williams- Received 9 catches, 174 yards, and 3 TDs (54,7, and 35) in the Golden Knights’ home win over Tulane.
UCF S Richie Grant- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, and 1 PBU in the Golden Knights’ home win over Tulane.
Houston WR Marquez Stevenson- Received 9 catches, 129 yards, and 2 TDs (51 and 24) in the UH Cougars’ 37-21 road win over Navy.
Houston DE Payton Turner- Produced 8 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 blocked XPK attempt in the Cougars’ road win over Navy.
Liberty QB Malik Willis- 442 total offensive yards and 7 TDs responsible for in the Flames’ 56-35 home win over Southern Miss. Passed 24-31, 345 yards, and 6 TDs. Rushed 12 carries, 97 yards, and 1 TD (38 yards). His 7 TDs responsible for is a single-game school record.
Liberty WR Demario Douglas- Received 6 catches, 115 yards, and 1 TD (12 yards) in the Flames’ home win over Southern Miss. Also had a 46-yard catch.
Liberty DE TreShaun Clark- Produced 7 tackles (1 solo), 2 TFLs,1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Flames’ home win over Southern Miss.
Boise State WR Khalil Shakir- Received 7 catches, 123 yards, and 2 TDs (52 and 18) in the Broncos’ 42-13 home win over Utah State.
San Diego State LB Caden McDonald- Produced 8 tackles (2 solo), 3 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and 2 QB hurries in the Aztecs’ 34-6 home win over UNLV.
BYU QB Zach Wilson- Passed 19-25, 287 yards, and 4 TDs in the BYU Cougars’ 52-14 home win over Texas State.
Tulsa LB Zaven Collins- Produced 6 tackles (co-led team; 5 solo), 1 INT (38-yard TD), and 1 forced fumble in the Golden Hurricanes’ 42-13 road win over South Florida.
Louisiana RS Chris Smith- 201 all-purpose running yards in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 24-20 road win over UAB. Returned 4 kickoffs, 160 yards, and 1 TD (100 yards).
Georgia State LB Jordan Strachan- Produced 4 tackles (2 solo), 3 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries (including a 63-yard fumble recovery return) in the Panthers’ 36-34 road win over Troy.
Appalachian State QB Zac Thomas- 298 total offensive yards in the App State Mountaineers’ 45-17 homecoming win over Arkansas State. Passed 16-23, 216 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT. Rushed 7 carries, 82 yards, and 1 TD (60 yards).
Appalachian State RB Daetrick Harrington- Rushed 18 carries, 137 yards, and 1 TD (55 yards) in the Mountaineers’ home win over Arkansas State.
Appalachian State LB D’Marco Johnson- Produced 7 tackles (3 solo) and 2 INTs (including a 44-yard INT return) in the Mountaineers’ home win over Arkansas State.
Coastal Carolina WR Shermari Jones- Received 5 catches for 107 yards, including a 54-yard catch, in the Chanticleers’ 28-14 home win over Georgia Southern.
Coastal Carolina LB Enock Makonzo- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 QB hurry in the Chanticleers’ home win over Georgia Southern.
Charlotte S Ben DeLuca- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 8 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 PBUs in the 49ers’ 38-28 home win over UTEP.
South Alabama WR Kawaan Baker- Received 6 catches, 154 yards, and 3 TDs (80, 16, and 5) in the Jaguars’ 38-14 home win over UL-Monroe.
Army CB Cameron Jones- Produced 4 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT, and 1 PBU in the Black Knights’ 49-3 home win over Mercer.
