The Color & Pageantry Top 25

College Football

Top 25

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

OUT:  Duke (20)

VOTES:  Southern Cal, Oregon, Wisconsin, California, Northwestern, Brigham Young, Louisville, Arizona State and Cincinnati.

NEBRASKA ANALYSIS

Nebraska got bludgeoned at West Lafayette as Purdue smashed the formerly strong Nebraska Cornhuskers 55-45 on Halloween, providing the ultimate spook on the fan base. Nebraska, one of the all time winningest teams in college football, got crushed today at pedestrian Purdue (it was 42-16 at one point) in stadium with an announced attendance of @30,000 mostly comprised of Husker fans, which is unacceptable under any circumstances. Yes, Nebraska played the game without starting quarterback Tommy Armstrong, and the team remains saddled with injuries, but the scout team should be able to gain a comfortable victory over lowly Purdue, winners of only one conference game in the last three seasons.  This loss is a low point, on the heels of an embarrassing home loss to Northwestern, which was preceded by some weeks by a one point loss to lowly Illinois. A loss to any of these teams in any given season should me considered a major upset, but to all three in a single season in five alarm troubling. I supported the hire of Mike Riley, but for whatever reasons, and those may be plentiful, the season has become a catastrophe.  There are the on the field issues, most notably turnovers, five of which resulted in 28 Boiler points. Understand Nebraska scored 29 fourth quarter points, and still lost by two scores.  There were other issues. There were players who did not seem to give a crap about getting hit in the face, the lack physicality and the abandonment of a running game (although it seemed to be going good early) and a shocking lack of command of both lines of scrimmage. The offensive line is young and lack some degree of talent (although, there appear to be players not getting on the field that have great promise?) but the failures of the defensive line, considered by most a team strength, are very troubling.  Those are the faults of the coaches, and to some degree the players. Injuries, which continued Saturday with the loss of DeMornay Pierson-El to a gruesome leg injury, have really hurt the 'Huskers. If the coaches identify players who are not giving 100%, and there is evidence looking at film, then they need to be shown the door. Wearing that "N" on the side of your helmet is a privilege, what it represents is of extreme significance to all the the former coaches and players who built this place, and the fans and alumni of the program. Coach Riley seems to pointing some statistical areas of improvement, but I recall former Coach Bill Callahan, who was appropriately fired, being much more concerned  by statistical achievements rather than winning games and preserving historical records (consecutive winning seasons and bowl appearances of on fire heat).  Riley needs to get control of this team right quick. Michigan State is coming to town, and they will punch you in the face.  Riley's 'Huskers, OUR 'Huskers, better not take that lying down.  It will be on national television, and the nation will be watching.  It is time to man up, and grasp the urgency surrounding the state of the program.  The talent to dump the Spartans is on hand, and Memorial Stadium will provide the energy needed, so get this done and put the Big Red on the road back to challenging for not only conference championships, but national championships. We expect that here, and if you don't fit in, hit the road.

FLORIDA STATE ANALYSIS

Early in the week, we learned that Dalvin Cook was out for the Syracuse game, yet another noon kickoff for FSU, for the which the Seminoles have often arrived sleepy. However, as College Gameday heated up, we learned that Seminole starting quarterback Everett Golson would not be available due to concussion issues. Sean Maguire would get the nod at signal caller for FSU.  Before Golson arrived from Notre Dame, Maguire seemed the heir apparent for the job, but Maguire had failed to seize the position in spring or fall practice. However, Maguire knows the offense well, can make the throws and, having lost a close battle to Golson, would be ready to lead the Seminoles without much if any drop off.  Maguire did a fine job, showing command of the offense and opening up the offense with precision in the vertical passing game. Maguire threw for over 300 in the first half, with WR Travis Rudolph, who had inexplicably been hiding on milk carton all season, the main beneficiary. With Cook out, there were concerns regarding the running game, but Jacques Patrick, a true freshman from Orlando Timber Creek, ran with authority all day, gaining 162 yards. Patrick appears quite the compliment to Cook, and given what we witnessed Saturday, could be an integral part of the FSU arsenal moving forward. Syracuse is not an upper echelon squad, but they are improving and are well coached. The Seminole defense gave up some ground, but stopped the Orange when necessary. Niles Lawrence Stample is really having a year, and true frosh Derwin James is going to be a superstar. The Seminoles have really missed Terrance Smith inside.  Nate Andrews returned and made some plays at safety.  FSU just needs to defeat complacency and establish greater consistency on defense, as the unit is borderline elite.  The 45-21 victory over Syracuse represented a decent day, much needed after the offense grounded to a halt at Georgia Tech last week, with the defense having just enough breakdowns to be costly. FSU may have a quarterback controversy, as there is little doubt Maguire graded out extremely high on this day. Looking at tape from GT (also watching in person), it does appear Golson is not getting the ball vertical with consistency, and Maguire excelled at that against Syracuse. There is little doubt Fisher will be be focus on this over this week as the Seminoles travel to Clemson for a monumental game, one FSU cannot lose if it has any playoff aspirations. FSU will underdogs of over a touchdown. I suspect FSU plays very well up in Death Valley, but this Clemson team is playing very well and is, thus far, considered a solid top five team. For FSU to win, Cook will need to get loose and the aforementioned vertical passing game will need to be engaged.  Defensively, FSU will give the offense opportunity to win it.