Week 5: You're in a Dogfight

A lot of teams that had great first quarter of the season got smacked in the mouth this week. Some of them survived, some of them did not. College football will always argue that it has the best regular season because every game matters. You can't lose more than one game and win the whole thing. Sure, success looks different for everyone, but some assistant coaches will have long weeks watching the tape and sweating the season ahead.

A Week (4) in Review

Favorite Game: Wake Forest vs Clemson

Wake has to be kicking themselves here. Last year they had the chance to beat Clemson when they were down and they missed. This year they played so much better but the Tigers didn't blink. Give DJ Uiagalelei a ton of credit. Since that magical night in South Bend he has taken a lot of heat for his play, and deservedly so. But today he came out slinging. Clemson's offense relies heavily on their receivers to create separation. When they have Sammy Watkins and Mike Williams they do it with ease. Today DJ threw into some tight windows that he has been avoiding and got the job done. Wake ran the ball a lot better this year against Clemson's vaunted front and Sam Hartman had a game for the ages, but it wasn't enough.

Favorite Uniform: 

For the 214. #PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/uNBpJyq9gj

— SMU FootbaIl (@SMUFB) September 23, 2022

Some fun jerseys this week but also some big misses. I love the white, blue, white with red accents for SMU that they rocked in their loss to TCU. Monochromatic uniforms seems to be the style of choice right now but people keep leaving out their amazing second colors. All the alternative uniforms are what the recruits love, so at least make them look good.

Other Notes from the Weekend

The Chanticleers looked great on Thursday night. The triple option pitch TD was a thing of football beauty. Expand your viewing experience beyond the P5 people... Syracuse is looking decent this year. A big win against the Hoos and we have a great start. I am upset with what UVA's offense has become after last season but I think it's because of them using Clemson's scheme instead of dressing up all the plays with eye candy last year... Michigan looked like they thought the Terrapins would roll over after the terrible start and were just a bit off. Probably thankful they could work out the kinks before they face Iowa's defense (which is really their offense). Tua's younger brother Taulia looked phenomenal and their running backs actually ran the ball well. Maryland ran really tight splits and stopped the Wolverines from getting up-field in a hurry... Tennessee fans had to have a heart attack there at the end but they came through. Hooker is a dog and was chirping at defenders all game, love that in a signal caller. Can they keep this run going? Maybe we all had the wrong UT being "back"... Kentucky was a bit lethargic but it's not really their style to blow people out. Surviving lookahead games is important if you want to run with the big dogs... Kent State, the offensive wagon, hung 22 on the Georgia defense. Georgia still won by a lot but I'm sure that tape will be reviewed all across the south... The Bo Nix experience is a wild ride and Oregon hung on. It's a shame the Pac-12 keeps cannibalizing themselves because they have some really fun football teams... Something about the Wildcats from the Little Apple just makes the Sooners squirm. I'm not sure what it is but a rough night for the Norman faithful. Deuce Vaughn is a delight to watch and you have to catch a Kansas State game... The Red Raiders at home vs Texas for maybe the final time and they let them have it. We all will miss this rivalry... Miami is still a long ways away and the struggles continue in Coral Gables... Kansas is 4-0 and is Lawrence a football town? Daniels keeps rolling and I think we may have a Lamar Jackson Heisman candidate here... What has happened to the Colorado program? UCLA has not looked good this year and the Buffs had nothing for them. Unfortunate timing if realignment keeps happening for a former national championship program... Notre Dame showed some life! I know it's not the season the Irish wanted but the team fights for Freeman and the recruits are coming... The Gophers are the Big Ten West favorites (not saying much)... The App State magical run comes to a close. James Madison has never lost and FBS game and look to compete in the Fun Belt in year 1... I feel amazing about my Ohio State natty pick... Tough luck for Oregon State as they almost upset the Trojans for maybe the final time as Pac 12 running mates. USC survived and we can still hope for a West Coast playoff team... Bad beat for the Razorbacks as they hit the top of the goal post. KJ Jefferson looked good but that secondary made Jimbo look like a wizard... Can anyone tackle anymore? We complain passing stats are so different with all the rule changes but I think rushing stats may be too. I know we want to limit contact in practice but find a way to practice wrapping up and stop going for just the kill shot... I get that the blue bloods get all the high ratings and that is why the networks put the same primetime slots for the same teams every week but I think it would be cool if we mixed it up a bit. The charm of college football is the unique traditions at every spot. I wish GameDay would've gone to Lawrence, Kansas or Corvallis, Oregon this past week and I wish Big Noon was heading down to Waco, Texas this upcoming weekend. I get it but I can also complain...

Favorite Play of the Week

The Beavers have a history of upsetting highly ranked USC teams (see 2006). With the Trojans leaving for the Big Ten here soon Corvallis was ready for one final upset. USC had a ton of issues but got it going on the final drive.

Ever notice how late in games teams can score so much easier? It's because defenses are tired and have to simplify their schemes facing offenses going at break neck speeds. Oregon State actually disguises their defense really well but Lincoln Riley has a perfect simple play schemed up.

• Yellow circle: Oregon State has 5 men on the LOS, two down linemen and three guys on their feet. This goes back to our notes last week that more linemen are playing stood up; it is harder to determine who is rushing.
• 1, 2, 3: The corner we can see (1) is deeper than both the safeties (2,3). All three are looking at Caleb Williams so we can guess it is zone, which is common in end-of-game situations.
• USC is in the shotguns with two receivers on either side. Super basic formation.

• A lot of arrows here. We can see that the two edge players standing up are dropping in coverage and the middle linebacker is blitzing. This is a wrinkle that tries to throw off the blocking scheme. 
• The safety is also bailing and gaining width towards the sidelines. Couple that with the corner staying put and we know it's corner two. Luckily the Trojans assumed they would get cover two and called for it.

• USC runs the same concept to both sides of the field. The slot receivers (2,3) run quick outs and the outside receivers (1,4) run go routes. The out routes pull the corners up and create a window 18-22 yards along the sideline if Caleb can get the ball there.
• #1 is last year's Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison, meaning he was the best receiver in the country. He's also a transfer to USC like Caleb Williams. No doubt Jordan Williams is placed on the right side of the formation since Caleb Williams is right-handed.

• Unreal ball placement by Williams. He gets it over the defenders in front and in before the safety can make it there. Most guys that make this throw play on Sunday's. The safety goes for the kill shot to give Oregon State one final stop.

• Addison makes the catch, avoids the hit, stays in bounds and scores. There's a reason he won the award last year and why he will go high in the draft this year. Ball game.

Week 5 Preview

Favorite Power 5 Game: Kentucky vs Ole Miss

A contrast of styles and two programs on the rise. Two of the top uniforms and the best grass in football. The Grove will be rocking and a matchup of two top 15 teams at noon to start your day. Kentucky wants to be ultra-physical and they have a QB that draft pundits compare physically to Josh Allen (ironic since UK had the pass rusher Josh Allen). Lane Kiffin let's his Braveheart face-painted QB Jaxon Dart cook in a high-octane RPO offense. I like both these coaches and have no idea which style will win out, and that's why it's my favorite game of the week.

Also Worth Watching: Iowa State vs Kansas

Favorite Group of 5 Game: UTSA vs Middle Tennessee

Brutal schedule to start the year for the Road Runners but they are starting to come out of it. They run the ball downhill and use a lot of pre-snap motion to distract people. Frank Harris can sling it and will get some shots in. The Blue Raiders have shored up their defense and should provide a good test to UTSA.

Also Worth Watching: Coastal Carolina vs Georgia Southern

Favorite Player to Watch: Jack Campbell (LB - Iowa) vs Michigan

Can you create a more perfect name for a Midwest linebacker? This guy has everything you want in a middle linebacker. He's a leader, he's intelligent, and he has a nose for the ball carrier. Iowa's offense is... not great. Their best bet against the Wolverines will be to muck things up like Maryland did. Blake Corum couldn't get anything going inside against the Terps but had amazing success bouncing runs outside. Can he do the same against the Hawkeyes? Campbell will have his hands full getting everyone lined up and then meeting Corum at the point of attack. Remember his name because you will hear it often.

Also Worth Watching: Barrett Carter (LB - Clemson) vs NC State

Biggest Game of the Week: NC State vs Clemson

Another big spot for the Tigers. NC State had the thrilling OT victory last year against Clemson and was a playoff dark horse entering the season. Clemson seems to be figuring things out and NC State has righted their own ship. I'm not as high on Devin Leary as a lot of people are but the Wolfpack have no excuses if they don't have their best season in school history this year; the talent is that good. But that's easy for me to say as I don't have to go play in Death Valley this weekend.

Also Worth Watching: Oklahoma State vs Baylor

3 and Out

Season Total: (5-10) -4.7 Units

Spread Picks (2-3) -1.2 Units, O/U Picks (1-3) -2.1 Units, ML Picks (2-4) -1.4 Units

Did we find the rock bottom from which we can build ourselves back up? Please feel free to continue reading and laughing every week.

1st Pick of the Week: u66 (-110) Wake Forest vs Florida State

No fun police coming in. Everyone wants this game to be high scoring and both offenses can put up points. But Florida State has a great pass defense and the Deacons did a lot of their damage through the air this past weekend. Florida State has only hit the 66 once and that was against Louisville. I'll take the under here but cheer against my money.

2nd Pick of the Week: Kansas +3.5 (-125) vs Iowa State

Kansas is a 4-0 home dog versus a dangerous Cyclone squad. If the Jayhawks finally want to be ranked they have to win this one. Kansas runs for over 240 yards a game and Iowa State gives up less than 80. What gives here? I'll take the Jayhawks staying close at least.

3rd Pick of the Week: Temple +20.5 (-120) vs Memphis

I'm not saying the Owls are going to win, I'm just saying they stay within three scores. Memphis has given up some big passing yard games and maybe that can give life to the Owl's aerial attack (see what I did there?). Memphis will put up points so that is a risk, but let's hope Temple can too.