We are coming off one of the wildest weeks we have ever seen. Upsets galore. Up was down. Black was white. In was out. What could Week 8 have in store for us? Let’s find out.
A+ Coaching Hire Grades
UCLA – Duh. Bob Chesney is a stud. OC Dean Kennedy is a stud. DC Colin Hitschler is a stud. That D is straight nasty. Props to Purdue for doing what they did against them because there hasn’t been a single other QB or RB put up a start worthy game against the Bruins.
Oregon State– Obviously, JaMarcus Shephard has done a fantastic job. But look for Mitch Dahlen to call plays on offense for a blue blood next year. He’s a STAR OC.
Memphis – Silverfield had an established program with all the FedEx money he needed in the AAC, but Charlie Huff, and more importantly, OC Kevin Decker have taken things to another level. They rank fourth in the country in YPG, a full 91 yards more than last year. Decker and his version of the veer-n-shoot will be in the P4 next year. ODU has dropped to 136th in total offense without him this year.
Honorable Mention – North Texas, Kentucky, Northwestern (Chip)
Start ’em If You Got ’em
There are some defenses that you must start just about anyone with a pulse against them. Here they are.
West Virginia– My goodness. I’m convinced DC Zac Alley holds nudes on Rich Rod. The last four weeks have seen opposing QBs average 29 PPG and opposing RB1s have averaged 31 PPG. If that’s not awful enough, eight receivers have gone for at least 15 points over that stretch including three that have gone for 28+. Hell, one of them was even Cody Jackson who has seven points in his four other games combined. Their defense is giving up 7.4 yards per play. However, it actually gets worse than that…Read on.
Colorado State – Clearly DC Tyson Summers did not have the goods on Mora like Alley has on Rich Rod, because he got canned a couple weeks ago at half time. Their defense is giving up a whopping 548 yards per game (last), including a nation’s worst 8.3 yards per play! It somehow has gotten even worse in conference play as they have given up 66, 56, and 59 points over their last three games. Sheesh.
Honorable Mention- UL Monroe, Southern Miss, Stanford
Year of the Rushing Tight End
No, don’t get this warped. There are no Jaylen Samuels or Brock Bowers out there. However, offenses are evolving and using TEs in the run game is becoming more common.
Terrance Carter, Texas Tech – He got two wildcat carries (one for a TD) last week against ASU. He possibly has assumed the short yardage role that Dickey held.
Hunter Tipton, Memphis – He had three goal line carries (one for a TD) against UAB. He’s got mad hops the Tigers may use more often.
Kari Ashley, TCU – This freakazoid TE has four carries in his last two games. He faces WVU this week. See above.
Jordan Anderson, Illinois – The former RB, turned TE, turned back to RB again has a rushing line of 18-63-2 on the season and is one to watch with Valentine out for the season.
Let the Children Sing
It’s time to quit hiding your young studs to save on NIL and keep them out of the portal. Jobs are at stake. These freshmen have the juice. I’m not saying they need to be the full on workhorse, but they need to have a major role in the offense.
Cardae Mack, Arizona State
EJ Crowell, Alabama (assuming health)
Javian Mallory, Miami
JJ Hill, Mississippi State
Derrek Cooper, Texas
Sure, Why Not?
Everyone else has given their opinion on Arch Manning. I’ll give my totally unbiased thoughts. Talk about a guy born on third base. The program provided him with all the resources- an elite D, a strong OL, a monster portal haul at all the skill positions, and a play-caller historically thought of as one of the best in the country. Yet, it still doesn’t work.
This could go one of two ways. He could continue to struggle, Texas falls out of the playoff race, and they make a change at QB. Or, they correct the protection issues (13 sacks the last three games), simplify the scheme to a quick read and go, and the season is salvaged. I will go with the latter. But God, I hope it’s the former.
Cheers and good luck in Week 8!
