Dear Readers,
I am not surprised that the FOX Big Noon Kickoff Show will emanate from State College, PA for the Michigan at Penn State game (Noon, FOX) while ESPN College Gameday will emanate from Athens, GA for the Mississippi at Georgia game.
Before Indiana’s 20-14 home win over Wisconsin, I am glad that there was a moment of silence in honor of former Indiana Head Coach Bobby Knight, who passed away a few days prior to game day. This HOF head basketball coach is one of the greatest characters in the history of sports. His personality got a lot of people intrested in men’s college basketball. The General coached the Hosiers to three national titles (1976, ’81, and ’87) and was a member of that 1960 Ohio State basketball team who won the national title. His 1976 Indiana basketball team finished that season with a 32-0 mark. RIP Coach Knight!
Another hard week I had in determining who should be on my Weekly Heisman Trophy Ballot. For a second straight week, I did consider Florida State QB Jordan Travis to be on this weekly ballot. If the FSU Seminoles win out before the ACC Championship Game, Travis should be expected to win ACC Player of the Year honors. I wish Michigan WR Roman Wilson would have scored a receiving TD (passed by teammate QB J.J McCarthy) to help McCarthy be considered a selection on my weekly ballot. The next four weeks will be intriguing for this annual Heisman Trophy race.
Speaking of the Heisman Trophy, people should know this. All past winners have an official vote, including active players such as USC QB Caleb Williams, who won college football’s top individual national honor last season. With the Trojans having a disappointing 7-3 mark right now and dropping out of the top 25 rankings in the major national polls, I would suggest Williams not to vote himself among up to three players that he is allowed to vote for on his 2023 Heisman Trophy ballot .Since Washington QB Michael Penix Jr led the UW Huskies to victory over his beloved football team, Williams should vote for him. If Oregon beats USC this SAT, he should undoubtedly vote for Oregon QB Bo Nix should Nix put on another great performance. If he should vote for one more player that he went up in a head to head game this season, I would suggest that he vote for Notre Dame S Xaiver Watts, who had 2 INTs (including a 62-yard TD) and 1 fumble recovery in the Fighting Irish’s 48-20 home win over the Trojans a few weeks ago. Remember when someone casts their vote for the Heisman Trophy, a first-place vote is worth three points and I am sure you all know the rest about the voting process.
Just to let you know something I talked about in my Rankings Analysis section, I just got word that James Madison is writing another letter of petitioning the NCAA to allow them to participate in postseason sports, including a bowl game of college football but NCAA transition rules after moving from NCAA Division I FCS to Division I FBS is preventing that move from happening.
We are less than four weeks away from crowning conference champions.
Sincerely, RICH
RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington
(Passed 2230, 256 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT in the UW Huskies’ 52-42 road win over USC. Also scored a 1-yard rushing TD on a QB sneak rushing play. His 3,201 passing yards are fourth-most for a single-season in school history. His 57 career passing TDs are third-most in school history. His 3,201 passing yards lead the nation.)
2. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
(Rushed 33 carries, 137 yards, and 2 TDs of 20 and 1 in the OSU Cowboys’ 27-24 home win over rival Oklahoma. Also had a 35-yard carry. Received 1 catch for 18 yards. Currently on a streak of six straight games with 100 rushing yards. His 1,224 rushing yards lead the nation.)
3. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
(Passed 29-38, 386 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT in the Ducks’ 63-19 home win over California. Also scored 2 rushing TDs-each from 1 yard out. His 235 pass completions are seventh-most for a single-season in school history. His 7 career games with 300 passing yards are fifth-most in school history. His 180.1 pass efficiency rating leads the Pac-12 and fourth nationally.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Michigan
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Florida State
5. Washington
6. Oregon
7. Texas (8)
8. Alabama (9)
9. Penn State (10)
10. Louisville (OTM)
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):
Mississippi, Liberty, James Madison, and Fresno State
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:
As you can see, the top six remain the same but I have to address some elephants in our room…. For a second straight week, Oklahoma, who were ranked #7 in my rankings, suffered a road game loss in a Big 12 conference game, such as the Sooners losing a 27-24 road loss against in-state rival Oklahoma State. This loss moved this Oklahoma football team out of my rankings and I decided not add them among my OTMs because these road losses in back-to-back weeks. Also, this loss cost them a berth in tenth annual college football playoffs and put their hopes of playing in the Big 12 Championship Game in more serious jeopardy. With this loss, teams ranked #8-10 last week moved up a spot in my top ten rankings and allowed one of my OTMs to move into the top ten. Oklahoma will return home for a home game against West Virginia this SAT (7 PM, FOX)…I had Air Force among my OTMs before a disastrous and disappointing 23-3 upset neutral-site loss (in Denver, CO) against rival Army, who came into that game as a 17-point underdog. The Black Knights,who were on a five-game losing streak coming into last week’s game, capitalized on every break and ounce of momentum they had in this win over the AFA Falcons, who were ranked #17 in the AP Sportswriters’ Poll and ESPN Coaches’ Poll, along with being on a13-game winning streak, which tied a school record (1984-85) and included their first 8-0 start since 1985. Nobody thought this Air Force football team would make it to having an 8-0 start and would have lost a game before this past SAT this season. The Falcons, who are still in first place of the MW with an undefeated 5-0 mark in MW conference play, will look to rebound with a road game against Hawaii this SAT (11 PM)…Michigan remains ranked #1 after a 41-13 home win over Purdue. The UM Wolverines are on a current 21-game winning streak in Big Ten conference games, which is a school record, and will finally face a challenge from a ranked team this season. No surprise that this Michigan football team would be undefeated before their upcoming road game against Penn State, who moved up from #10 to #9 after a 51-15 road win over Maryland in my rankings, this SAT (Noon, FOX). Message to the OL corp of this Wolverines offense- this PSU Nittany Lions defense held that UM Terrapins offense to (-48) rushing yards, which means UM’ers have your work cut out for yourselves. Michigan can’t look past Penn State and (at) Maryland (Nov.18) for their Nov.25 home game against Ohio State for the Big Ten East Division title…Defending National Champions Georgia remains ranked #2 after a 30-21 homecoming win over Missouri to remain on a 26-game winning streak (including a 9-0 start this season), which is a school record and the longest active streak in the nation. This 26-game winning streak is also tied for third-longest in SEC history (with Alabama 2015-16). The UGA Bulldogs will play their home-finale game against Miississippi, who remains among my OTMs for a second straight week after holding on to have a 38-35 home win over Texas A&M, this SAT (7 PM, ESPN). If the Ole Miss Rebels win, I have to put them in my top ten rankings…Ohio State remains ranked #3 after a 35-16 road win over Rutgers. The OSU Buckeyes responded by scoring 14 unanswered points (2 TDs) after the Scarlet Knights had a 9-7 halftime lead on them. Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson really stepped up big as the main RB for this offense as he had 208 all-purpose running yards (including rushing 22 carries, 128 yards, and 1 TD) in that game. This football team has a home game against Michigan State this SAT (7 PM, NBC)….Florida State remains ranked #4 after a 24-7 road win over Pittsburgh to remain on a 15-game winning streak (including a 9-0 start this season), which is the third-longest active winning streak in the nation. With that road win over the Pitt Panthers, the FSU Seminoles clinched a berth in the ACC Championship Game. If this football team has a home win over rival Miami this SAT (3:30 PM, ABC), Florida State will be the first-place team in the ACC Championship Game because the ‘Noles completed their ACC conference schedule for this season. Florida State QB Jordan Travis hopes to have one of his main passing targets (either WRs Johnny Wilson or Keon Coleman) back in the starting lineup for this offense. After this home game against the Hurricanes, this football team has two non-conference games left prior to their trip to Charlotte, N.C for the ACC Championship Game….Washington remains ranked #5 after a tough as expected 52-42 road win over USC to remain on a current 16-game winning streak (including a 9-0 start), which is the second-longest active winning streak in the nation (behind National Champions Georgia). After two straight road wins (in back-to-back weeks) in the state of CA, the UW Huskies will return home for a home game against Utah this SAT (3:30 PM, FOX). If this football team beats the Utes while Oregon and Oregon State suffer an upset home loss this SAT, Washington should be able to clinch a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game…Speaking of the Ducks, Oregon remains ranked #6 after a 63-14 home win over California. This football team keeps getting better and better after that road loss against Washington three weeks ago. Oregon has a must-win game to keep their hopes of playing in the Pac-12 Championship Game alive with a home game against USC this SAT (10:30 PM, FOX). This Ducks defense is one of the best in the Pac-12 and will have their hands full with this Trojans offense, led by their defending Heisman Trophy-winning QB Caleb Williams and his great corp of WRs….I chose to move Texas up from #8 to #7 after a dramatic 33-30 home win (1 OT) over Kansas State. At one point in that game, the UT Longhorns had a 27-7 lead over the K-State Wildcats and I can’t believe this game would eventually go into OT after dodging several bullets and almost blowing that home win over Kansas State. If this football team didn’t get a September road win over Alabama, Texas would’ve dropped down a spot or two in my rankings for this week. The ‘Horns should be able to win their next three games, including a road game against TCU this SAT (7:30 PM, ABC) before officially clinching a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game. Should this football team win out before November becomes December, this football team will clinch a first-place berth in the Big 12 Championship Game…Speaking of the Crimson Tide, I chose to move Alabama up from #9 to #8 after a 42-28 home win over LSU after both teams had a bye-week. After this defense put a big hit on LSU QB Jayden Daniels and forced him out that game, there was no doubt that this Alabama football team would win that game and remain on a seven-game winning streak after that home loss against Texas. If ‘Bama has a road win over Kentucky this SAT (Noon, ESPN) and Mississippi loses another SEC conference game, the Tide will clinch the SEC West Division title and likely play Georgia in the SEC Championship Game…I chose to move Louisville up from among my OTMs to #10 after a 34-3 home win over Virginia Tech. After that road loss to Pittsburgh and then a bye-week, the UL Cardinals regrouped to win their next two games, including that road win over the Hokes this past SAT. Should this football team win their next two ACC conference games, including a home game against Virginia this SAT (7:30 PM, ESPN) OR have North Carolina lose their next ACC conference game, the ‘Ville should be able to clinch a second-place berth and play Florida State in the ACC Championship Game. I hope the Cards don’t take the Cavaliers lightly because we all know what happened when Virginia had an upset road win over then-undefeated North Carolina a few weeks ago. Don’t let the Cavs’ 2-7 mark fool anybody…James Madison remains among my OTMs by having a 42-14 road win over Georgia State. Like I said in the last three weeks, the undefeated JMU Dukes are playing every game like it is a bowl game because they are playing in their second year of NCAA Division I FBS college football and can’t participate in postseason action until the 2025 season (or something later) because of NCAA transition rules. This football team, who is ranked #21 in the AP Sportswriters’ Poll, has a home game against Connecticut, who are on a current three-game losing streak after getting their only win of this season, this SAT (2 PM, ESPN+)…Liberty remains among my OTMs after a 56-30 home win over La Tech. The Flames are finally ranked somewhere in a major national poll, such as being ranked #25 in the AP Sportswriters’ Poll. Liberty has two straight home games coming up, including a home game against Old Dominion this SAT (1 PM, ESPN+) before a Nov.25 road game against UTEP… I decided to add Fresno State among my OTMs after their 37-30 home win over Boise State to remain on a three-game winning streak. The Bulldogs lost a lot of talent from last season and haven’t missed a beat to have an 8-1 mark. All the new players, including the new starters, on this football team have grown up fast especially after that 24-19 road loss against Wyoming four weeks ago. Fresno State should win the next three games, including a road game against San Jose State this SAT (10:30 PM, CBSSN) before playing in the MW Championship Game… I can’t wait for the games to be played this weekend.
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
Florida State WR Ja’khi Douglas- Received 6 catches for 115 yards, including a 37-yard catch, in the FSU Seminoles’ 24-7 road win over Pittsburgh.
Florida State CB Fentrell Cypress II- Produced 6 tackles (3 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in the Seminoles’ road win over Pittsburgh.
Florda State P Alex Mastromanno- Had 7 punts with 45.3 yards per punt in the Seminoles road win over Pittsburgh. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 40-yard punt landing on the 9-yard line.
Florida S Jordan Castell- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 1 INT, and 1 PBU in the Gators’ 36-30 home loss (1 OT) against Arkansas.
Florida DE Princey Umanmielen- Produced 6 tackles ( 2 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 1 QB hurry in the Gators’ home loss against Arkansas.
Florida P Jeremy Crenshaw- Had 6 punts with 49.8 yards per punt in the Gators’ home loss against Arkansas. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 58-yard landng on the 7-yard line.
UCF RB R.J Harvey- Rused 20 carries, 164 yards, and 3 TDs (12, 25, and 1) in the Golden Knights’ 28-26 road win over Cincinatti. Also had a 27-yard carry.
UCF LB Walter Yates- Produced 13 tackles (led team; 9 solo) and 1 PBU in the Golden Knights’ road win over Cincinatti.
UCF DE Malachi Lawrence- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 1 QB hurry in the Golden Knights’ road win over Cincinatti.
Florida Atlantic WR/RS LaJohntay Wester- 265 all-purpse running ysards and scored 4 TDs in the FAU Owls’ 45-42 road loss against UAB. Ruched 1 carry for a 3-yard TD. Returned 2 punts for 43 yards, including a 34-yard punt return. His 21 career receiving TDs is a school record.
Florida Atlantic S Jarron Morris- Produced 13 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PBU in the Owls’ road loss against UAB.
Florida Atlantic LB Courtney McBride- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 sack in the Owls’ road loss against UAB.
