2024-25 NCAA Football (Week 11)

Games I saw (some of):

Michigan 15-20 (8) Indiana

With the way Indiana has been trucking people all year long and as middling as the Wolverines have been, I kinda thought this would be an easy one for the Hoosiers. But Michigan does have a pretty good defense and they got into the Hoosier backfield routinely and Indiana found it difficult to convert on 3rd down. But Indiana pulled it out, they made the plays on both sides down the stretch, got the score they needed and I think this is exactly the kind of struggle they needed to make them a better team. Indiana is going to make the playoff--shocker to be sure, but luring in marginal teams is what the 12-team playoff is all about--and matches like this will make them a tougher out. As for Michigan, a flailing season but they're still playing hard and that is good to see. 

(11) Alabama 42-13 (15) Louisiana State

Bama has been up and down but they brought it here. LSU still has a turnover problem, they just can't consistently put enough points on the board to keep up with the gifts they're giving their opponents. I'm lukewarm on QB Millroe but this was one of his classic games. Alabama still on track to make the playoff but I think this result finishes off LSU.

Top 25

Handled their business

(1) Oregon, (2) Ohio State, (5) Texas, (6) Penn State, (7) Tennessee, (10) Notre Dame, (11) Alabama, (12) Boise State, (16) Mississippi, (20) Colorado, (21) Washington State, (23) Clemson, (24) Missouri, (25) Army

Won but did not impress

(8) Indiana. Didn't rack it up, but made the plays they needed to make late and, well, maybe that was more impressive than I'm giving it credit for. 

(9) Brigham Young. Hey, man, you can say they got bailed out by a fluky penalty, but the call wasn't so egregious and they finished the long drive to win it and they deserved it. That said, this game really shouldn't have been close (but Utah plays with pride). 

Bad beat

(15) Louisiana State. Sorry, LSU, you needed to beat Alabama but you didn't. 

Not so good

(3) Georgia. Losing at Ole Miss is forgivable but they got smoked in the 2nd half and it was another poor performance from QB Beck. 

(4) Miami. Looks like they were never in this game, I could forgive a conference L on the road but Miami is bucking for a bye in the playoff and I just don't think this team is good enough.  

(17) Iowa State. Yeah, I was never in on the Cyclones this season and I'm still not. 

(18) Pittsburgh. Pitt is a nice team but probably not a top 25 team. 

Next week's intriguing matches

(17) Clemson @ Pittsburgh (Clemson should be rolling by now but they're not; Pitt is coming off a tough L, should be ready to go this week)

Utah @ (18) Colorado (Utah, too, is coming off a heartbreaker, wouldn't be surprised to see them give the Buffaloes a scare)

(24) Missouri @ South Carolina (the Gamecocks have a lot of nice W's this season, not gonna be an easy out for Missouri)

(6) Tennessee @ (11) Georgia (Okay, both teams need this W, if Beck plays mistake-free, I think UGA is better but we'll see)

My Top 12

1 Oregon

2 Ohio State

3 Texas

4 Brigham Young

5 Penn State

6 Indiana

7 Georgia

8 Notre Dame

9 Alabama

10 Tennessee

11 Southern Methodist

12 Mississippi

(Miami, Boise State, Army, Texas A&M, Colorado still lingering)

2024-25 NCAA Football (Week 10)

Games I saw (some of)

(4) Ohio State 20-13 (3) Penn State

Looks like a close game and the Nittany Lions didn't get blown out, but...I dunno, man, the Buckeyes missed on a coupla big plays that would've made this game a blowout. I'm still in on Penn State for the top 12, I think they'll still be top 10 by the end of the season but they've got a real Buckeye allergy that is still frustrating them. As for the Buckeyes, good strong W on the road in conference against a higher ranked for, big ups for Ohio State.

Louisville 33-21 (11) Clemson

Man, Clemson just never got going in this game. Louisville played well, but I can't help thinking that Clemson could've won if they'd just shown up. But, they had no offense til the 4th quarter and that was too late to matter. Nice win for the Cards, bad L for Clemson, who had been rolling. 

Top 25

Handled their business

(1) Oregon, (2) Georgia, (4) Ohio State, (5) Miami, (7) Tennessee, (13) Indiana, (15) Boise State, (19) Mississippi, (20) Southern Methodist, (21) Army

Bad beat

(3) Penn State. They could be extremely dangerous against anyone except Ohio State.

(18) Pittsburgh. Not ready for the SMU attack. Nice season but I don't see their path to the top 12.

Not so good

(10) Texas A&M. Stomped at South Carolina, I for one was not shocked to see that result.

(11) Iowa State. I was never in on the Cyclones and the L at home to Texas Tech has probably finished off their season.

(11) Clemson. I didn't understand this L to Louisville, thought the Tigers were rolling but they looked stuck in mud this Saturday. 

(17) Kansas State. An L at Houston isn't bad but they're probably out of the top 12 now. 

(24) Illinois. Nice season, Illini, I was already out on you guys, though.

Next week's intriguing matches

(2) Georgia @ (18) Mississippi (Ole Miss is still in the mix....for now; UGA could use another good W)

(21) Colorado @ Texas Tech (Can Tech keep their magic going against the newly restored Buffaloes?)

South Carolina @ (24) Vanderbilt (South Carolina has had some nice W's already this year, they weren't expecting Vandy to be ranked but here they are; to be honest, I like Vandy, but we'll see)

(11) Alabama @ (14) Louisiana State (an undercard match but should be a fun one)

Top 12

I'll go on record now as saying I'm not a fan of the 12-team playoff except that this model should last a while because it becomes a logistical nightmare beyond that. The 4-team system was perfect but the moneyed classes always demand more and *dammit!* I'm gonna watch it, so I'm just as much to blame as the greedy plutocrats. *sigh* 

But here's the problem: in any given season there are only 5-6 teams that are worth watching and I think that's still true this season. Getting to 12 is actually kinda hard. 

1) Oregon

2) Ohio State

3) Georgia

4) Texas

5) Miami

6) Penn State

7) Indiana

8) Brigham Young

9) Tennessee

10) Notre Dame

11) Southern Methodist

12) Alabama

With Notre Dame, Boise State, Army and one of Mississippi/Texas A&M/Louisiana State lingering. I don't see a path for anyone else--and honestly I'm not that excited about anyone below Miami, so...what do we need 12 teams for? (Oh right: more money)