The Color & Pageantry Top 25

College Football

TOP 25

1.      Ohio State, 8-0, 1
2.      Clemson, 7-0, 2
3.      Baylor, 7-0, 4
4.      Texas Christian, 7-0, 5
5.      Louisiana State, 7-0, 6
6.      Michigan State, 8-0, 8
7.      Notre Dame, 6-1, 9
8.      Alabama, 7-1, 10
9.      Stanford, 6-1, 11
10.    Florida, 6-1, 12
11.    Iowa, 7-0, 13
12.    Oklahoma State, 7-0, 15
13.    Oklahoma, 6-1, 17
14.    Utah, 6-1, 3
15.    Memphis, 7-0, 16
16.    Florida State, 6-1, 7
17.    Houston, 7-0, 18
18.    Michigan, 5-2, 19
19.    Toledo, 7-0, 21
20.    Duke, 6-1, 20
21.    North Carolina, 6-1, 23
22.    Ole Miss, 6-2, NR
23.    Temple, 7-0, 24
24.    Mississippi State, 6-2, 25
25.    UCLA, 5-2, NR

OUT:  Texas A&M (14) and California (21)

VOTES: Georgia, Southern Cal, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, California, Northwestern, Louisville, Brigham Young, Boise State, Cincinnati and Oregon.

NEBRASKA ANALYSIS

Nebraska welcomed what would appear to have been a beaten down Northwestern team to Lincoln, with an opportunity to build off an impressive win at Minnesota.  Instead of the Big Red asserting itself and embarking on a road to string some victories together, it was Northwestern who established authority.  In Lincoln.  In fact, the Wildcats are a Hail Mary away from being 3-0 in their last three trips to Memorial Stadium. Nebraska is now 3-5, with losses to Illinois and Northwestern. While I have been in support of Mike Riley, I must make it very clear that this is completely unacceptable. Offensively, there are a multitude of issues. The offensive line is horrible, evidenced by the fact some Wildcat DT had a day Ndamukong Suh would be proud of, throwing around would be 'Husker blockers and defining disruption.  While the staff is quick to play several players at every other position, the staff simply refuses to substitute up front. People, particularly inside, are getting their ass whipped and forcing Tommy Armstrong to run the offense under duress. Of course I am not at practice every day, but I don't think the group is this lacking in talent. Danny Langsdorf is failing miserably in play calling, seeming to attempt without fail, and failing in effort, to be balanced.  Forget that crap.  Run the ball; commit to it, establish an identity.  Not only the 0-2 hole, but the counter, or around the perimeter.  Long passes on third and short, which fail to be executed forcing punts, are inexcusable play calls.  If the staff is not confident to run, then use Armstrong in a run/pass option, placing him and the offense in a position to be successful.  Nebraska must be able to run when they need to, not just when they want to, which they cannot even do. This staff is responsible for this ineptitude. Armstrong, who lives under duress, threw a horrendous pick six, which gave the Cats an early leg up.  Tommy needs to eliminate these critical and costly errors, or he may be in a real battle next spring if not sooner. Zach Darlington, over there on the bench, played brilliant high school football at Orlando Apopka HS, winning a state championship. Top players in Florida are usually pretty good at football.  The defensive unit has shown improvement, but what seemed at the start of the year a strength in the interior defensive line, has turned into a very average group. Players are flat footed, and the secondary is reactive rather than attacking, much less playing the ball.  The Northwestern quarterback, who ain't no JC Watts, got lose for several long runs putting the Cats in scoring position. Once is really not acceptable, but it happened multiple times. The linebackers seemed lost on many occasions, and the safeties, sadly inclusive of Nate Gerry, were awful. It is obvious there are issues the public is not privy to, which many thought would be the case in the aftermath of the Pelini termination, but it is the experience of Riley that was counted upon to control those types of aspects.  Missing a bowl game give consideration to both Riley and his staff, and AD Shawn Echorst, to potentially losing their jobs. It is noted, the Miami team, coached by Al Golden who Eichorst embraced, got blasted 58-0 at home by Clemson. This same UM team defeated Nebraska earlier this year. Arm chair quarterbacks seem to know more about what needs to be done than the coaching staff, which is beyond troubling. I place the staff on notice.

FLORIDA STATE ANALYSIS

Grant Field at Bobby Dodd Stadium

Florida State traveled to Atlanta to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, a team ranked by most in the top 15 prior to the season.  Tech started out strong, but lost to Notre Dame, and was reeling sitting 2-5, with five consecutive losses.  Many in the ACC originally perceived this a a big rivalry, and although the Jackets season had gone off the rails, you knew they would be ready for the Seminoles.  It was a beautiful setting, one you would think the Seminoles would be fired up to showcase their talent in.  But as usual, FSU started lethargic, even with the defense giving FSU some early opportunities.  Horrendous play calling, very poor execution and a significant lack of strength within the red zone doomed FSU.  The Seminoles had ample opportunities to go up by two scores and take Tech out of the game, but the 'Noles were unable to fond paydirt and capitalize on these chances.  Tech played well, particularly on defense, seeming to confuse Nole signal caller Everett Golson.  Up front,  FSU had a rough night, unable to open holes, adequately pass protect and racking up egregious penalties.  On many occasions, receivers were breaking free, but under duress, Golson had to get rid of the ball or did not see over the lineman struggling to pass protect.

On defense, FSU gave up big plays at really bad times. S Derwin James, a highly coveted five star safety who was having a good night, left a man to run lose allowing Tech to convert a fourth and five late. On occasion, the Seminoles stopped Tech cold when it needed to, but then on other instances it failed to do so. It would appear the loss of LB Terrance Smith and safeties Tyler Hunter and Trey Marshall hurt for this matchup, but even still, FSU should have won this game.  Even still, one would thin Roberto Aguayo would be successful on his field goal effort had it not been blocked, but to allow the Tech player to pick up the ball and score to win the game is evidence of the evening. It made all the highlight reels.  Fisher need the blame on this, not adapting the offensive play calling.  There were very few screens, and counter plays to open up what appeared to be congested early throwing lanes for Golson. Most thought FSU would step back a bit this year, but continue to grow and set things up for the next few seasons.  That appears to still be the case. With Syracuse coming in Saturday at noon, I recommend the Seminoles come out fired up to cut wood, rather than sleepwalking for a half similar to previous noon kicks this season.