🏈 Thoughts on CFB Playoff, Bama vs LSU and Recruiting

[Alabama17Tide]

Three Observations: CFB Playoff Picture, early thoughts on Alabama vs. LSU, and Recruiting | BamaInsider.com

Three Observations: CFB Playoff Picture, early thoughts on Alabama vs. LSU, and Recruiting

The college football playoff rankings will be published for the first time this season on Tuesday, October 30. While Alabama will be ranked number one, who will be number two, three, and four? I’ll outline those thoughts below. Alabama at 8-0 on the season heads into week 10 taking on 7-1 LSU who is a top-five ranked team in what will be the Crimson Tide’s biggest test of the season. I’ll touch on what’s at stake, what’s likely to happen and compare the two teams grad wise. Lastly, I'll touch on Alabama's number one ranked recruiting class. All this, in a special Sunday edition of three observations.

1. College Football Playoffs

I’ll start off by talking about the College Football Playoff Rankings. Tuesday evening on ESPN, the committee will reveal their college football top 25. Alabama who is ranked number one in both the AP and Coaches Top 25 will be at number one. This is a 100% lock entering the final days of October.

So who will be at the number two spot? That is an easy pick as well. Clemson who is coming off a 59-10 win over Florida State and a 41-7 victory over NC State is 8-0 on the season. The Tigers have outscored their last three ACC opponents by a combined score of 163-20.

Led by freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Clemson’s remaining schedule includes Louisville, a potential trap game traveling to Boston College on November 10, Duke, and a rivalry game against South Carolina on November 24. You have another easy pick for the number three spot in the college football rankings with Notre Dame being 8-0 and coming off a 44-22 victory over Navy.

The Fighting Irish three wins over Top 25 teams this season: Beating No. 14 Michigan 24-17, beating Stanford 38-17, and beating No. 23 Virginia 45-23. To end the season, Notre Dame will travel to Northwestern, then host Florida State, take on Syracuse, and travel to Los Angels to take on USC. I could see Notre Dame dropping a game to either Northwestern or Syracuse. What about you?

The number four spot in the playoffs will be the most interesting. LSU at 7-1, Michigan at 7-1, Georgia at 7-1, Oklahoma at 7-1, and Ohio State at 7-1. To open the playoff rankings, you have to think the four spot goes to either LSU or Michigan. The Tigers have a very good resume beating Miami when the Hurricanes were ranked No. 8, then beating No. 7 Auburn, beat No. 2 Georgia, and beat No. 22 Mississippi State.

The Tigers’ only loss comes to No. 22 Florida. Like each of these teams, LSU controls their own destiny, but you have to remember Alabama is next up. Michigan is 7-1 on the season and has key wins over No. 15 Wisconsin and No. 24 Michigan State. The Wolverines’ only loss on the season comes against undefeated Notre Dame.

Here are my college football playoff rankings

1. Alabama 8-0
2. Clemson 8-0
3. Notre Dame 8-0
4. LSU 7-1
5. Michigan 7-1
6. Georgia 7-1
7. Oklahoma 7-1
8. Ohio State 7-1

2. An early look at Alabama vs. LSU

When we looked at “Alabama @ LSU” way back in the preseason, I think it was safe to say we all had that game circled on our calendar and here it is. While the nation expected Alabama to enter this game with a perfect 8-0 record, did anyone expect LSU to be 7-1? LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron now in his third year at the helm has beaten Miami, Auburn, and Georgia all in the same season, that is commendable.

However, Orgeron knows that he needs to beat Alabama and during his recent SEC teleconference, he said that LSU needs to beat Alabama in order to take this program where they need to go. Alabama has been a buzz-saw to play this season with sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa the front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy.

The Crimson Tide are outscoring the opposition 54-15 and enter this next contest against rival LSU as a two-touchdown favorite. What is at stake: A shot to play for the SEC Championship, an opportunity to reach the college football playoffs, and while the same can be said for LSU regarding what is at stake, Orgeron could be the first coach since Les Miles in 2011 to beat the Crimson Tide.

Here are the comparisons between the two teams grading wise.

Alabama’s Offensive Passing Grade: 93.7
Alabama’s Offensive Run Grade: 85.2
Alabama’s Overall Offensive Grade: 97.6
Alabama’s Defensive Passing Grade: 94.4
Alabama’s Defensive Run Grade: 95.9
Alabama’s Overall Defensive Grade: 96.4
Alabama’s Special Team Grade: 80.6

LSU’s Offensive Passing Grade: 74.5
LSU’s Offensive Run Grade: 78.5
LSU’s Overall Offensive Grade: 76.2
LSU’s Defensive Passing Grade: 93.1
LSU’s Defensive Run Grade: 91.2
LSU’s Overall Defensive Grade: 92.8
LSU’s Special Team Grade: 73.0

3. Alabama has the number one ranked recruiting class

The Crimson Tide have the number one ranked recruiting from 2019 going into the remaining days of October. With 22 commitments thus far, Alabama has landed 17 Four-star commitments and recently added Three-star Braylen Ingraham a 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive end from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. How many more commitments will Alabama take? Andrew Bone says don’t worry about the numbers, but could see as many as eight more prospects joining this class.

Following Alabama in recruiting rankings is Texas A&M who has 25 total commitments and they’ve landed two Five-stars. Former assistant coach Mario Cristobal has done a fantastic job at Oregon and has 22 commitments, 16 Four-stars and has the Ducks ranked number three in recruiting just above Clemson and Oklahoma.

 

[Bamabww]

Orgeron could be the first coach since Les Miles in 2011 to beat the Crimson Tide.

Well, maybe the first LSU coach .......

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Orgeron could be the first coach since Les Miles in 2011 to beat the Crimson Tide.

Well, maybe the first LSU coach .......

And...then again...maybe not

 

[Trob]

The first lsu coach since the last lsu coach? Great stat...

 

[No Huddle]

Good times and I hope this repeats.

 

[94 Grad]

I wouldn't rank LSU #4... I don't think they are really that good of a team in all honesty. I would put MIch, Oky and UGA ahead of them...

 

[ColAngus]

UGA ahead of them?

 

[sean]

I wouldn't rank LSU #4... I don't think they are really that good of a team in all honesty. I would put MIch, Oky and UGA ahead of them...

i'm inclined to agree with this.

they have a couple good wins....ok, maybe only ONE good win (vs uga). the others? not so much. they beat miami to open the season. but miami hasn't beaten anybody of value. and they (miami) beat a struggling fsu team by only 1 point. not too impressive in my book. they (lsu) beat a struggling auburn team (who lost to tennessee of all teams) by 1 point. they LOST to florida...who struggled to put up only 13 against miss. state. and then who got beat down by uga.

so, lsu doesn't impress right now. i'd definitely put uga ahead of them, right now. maybe by only a spot, or 2; but definitely ahead of lsu.

AND...i think lsu makes it a game through a quarter...MAYBE a quarter-and-a-half. but if we leave Tua in there longer than half-way through the 3rd? it's gonna get ugly for them. and if i were the Bama Coaches, i'd just turn Tua loose on them in the first half and make them regret all that talk they've been doing the past week or so.

yes, their defense is probably the best the guys will have faced so far. but we've heard that week in and week out. and week in and week out Bama goes out there and does what they do....control the game, control the clock, and control their own destiny.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Funny....though.....Oklahoma is the only team i have concerns about....that QB is unbelievable.....in Heisman race.....him n Tua ....who is going to finish....

 

[TerryP]

Oklahoma is the only team i have concerns about

Their defensive efficiency is worse than Kansas.

Just to be clear here, let me repeat that.

Kansas.

 

[252BAMA]

The first lsu coach since the last lsu coach? Great stat...

The subject WAS LSU.

 

[94 Grad]

Oklahoma is the only team i have concerns about

Their defensive efficiency is worse than Kansas.

Just to be clear here, let me repeat that.

Kansas.

It's not their Defense that worries me.... They are a team that can score to keep up with us even vs a good defense... so things could come down to a few plays here or there that make or break it between Us.... Granted... I don't really care who we play as long as we make it into the playoffs.... so I don't worry too much...

 

[BamaFan334]

I wouldn't rank LSU #4... I don't think they are really that good of a team in all honesty. I would put MIch, Oky and UGA ahead of them...

i'm inclined to agree with this.

they have a couple good wins....ok, maybe only ONE good win (vs uga). the others? not so much. they beat miami to open the season. but miami hasn't beaten anybody of value. and they (miami) beat a struggling fsu team by only 1 point. not too impressive in my book. they (lsu) beat a struggling auburn team (who lost to tennessee of all teams) by 1 point. they LOST to florida...who struggled to put up only 13 against miss. state. and then who got beat down by uga.

so, lsu doesn't impress right now. i'd definitely put uga ahead of them, right now. maybe by only a spot, or 2; but definitely ahead of lsu.

AND...i think lsu makes it a game through a quarter...MAYBE a quarter-and-a-half. but if we leave Tua in there longer than half-way through the 3rd? it's gonna get ugly for them. and if i were the Bama Coaches, i'd just turn Tua loose on them in the first half and make them regret all that talk they've been doing the past week or so.

yes, their defense is probably the best the guys will have faced so far. but we've heard that week in and week out. and week in and week out Bama goes out there and does what they do....control the game, control the clock, and control their own destiny.

How on Earth can you put Georgia ahead of LSU after that butt kicking they threw on the Dawgs? They showed us the blueprint for the SEC Championship. LSU smothered their ass and was rendered helpless the entire game. Please tell me you're not basing this off the Georgia-Florida game where Felipe Franks single handily killed his team's chance at winning.

 

[94 Grad]

How on Earth can you put Georgia ahead of LSU after that butt kicking they threw on the Dawgs? They showed us the blueprint for the SEC Championship. LSU smothered their ass and was rendered helpless the entire game. Please tell me you're not basing this off the Georgia-Florida game where Felipe Franks single handily killed his team's chance at winning.

Was Auburn better then UGA last year when they beat them the 1st time?

UGA played about as poor a game as I've seen them this year (the play calling and execution was pathetic) and LSU maybe their best game to date that day. UGA had wide open WR that Fromm couldn't come close to hitting for some reason. The coaches went away from a running game that LSU didn't seem to have an answer for... Fake FG and fumbles/interceptions...

Looking at both teams, UGA has a much higher ceiling than LSU...

Let's put it this way. If UGA and LSU were to play 10 games vs each other, UGA would win at least 7 of them and more likely 8 or 9.

 

[PurlJam]

[/QUOTE]How on Earth can you put Georgia ahead of LSU after that butt kicking they threw on the Dawgs? They showed us the blueprint for the SEC Championship. LSU smothered their ass and was rendered helpless the entire game. Please tell me you're not basing this off the Georgia-Florida game where Felipe Franks single handily killed his team's chance at winning.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like a line from an adult film. :naughtydevil:

 

[sean]

How on Earth can you put Georgia ahead of LSU after that butt kicking they threw on the Dawgs? They showed us the blueprint for the SEC Championship. LSU smothered their ass and was rendered helpless the entire game. Please tell me you're not basing this off the Georgia-Florida game where Felipe Franks single handily killed his team's chance at winning.

because i'm not basing it off of one game. with the exception of that lsu game, they've beaten every other opponent convincingly.

45-0
41-17
49-7
43-29
38-12
41-13
36-17

there haven't been any close wins from what i can see. if they lose to kentucky this weekend (which i honestly don't see happening), then i'd put lsu ahead of them. and that's even if we beat lsu.

 

[BamaFan334]

How on Earth can you put Georgia ahead of LSU after that butt kicking they threw on the Dawgs? They showed us the blueprint for the SEC Championship. LSU smothered their ass and was rendered helpless the entire game. Please tell me you're not basing this off the Georgia-Florida game where Felipe Franks single handily killed his team's chance at winning.

because i'm not basing it off of one game. with the exception of that lsu game, they've beaten every other opponent convincingly.

45-0
41-17
49-7
43-29
38-12
41-13
36-17

there haven't been any close wins from what i can see. if they lose to kentucky this weekend (which i honestly don't see happening), then i'd put lsu ahead of them. and that's even if we beat lsu.

But who have they played? LSU would have beaten those teams by that as well, and they have minus the loss at Florida. LSU has played a schedule twenty time more difficult than Georgia.

 

[BamaFan334]

How on Earth can you put Georgia ahead of LSU after that butt kicking they threw on the Dawgs? They showed us the blueprint for the SEC Championship. LSU smothered their ass and was rendered helpless the entire game. Please tell me you're not basing this off the Georgia-Florida game where Felipe Franks single handily killed his team's chance at winning.

Was Auburn better then UGA last year when they beat them the 1st time?

UGA played about as poor a game as I've seen them this year (the play calling and execution was pathetic) and LSU maybe their best game to date that day. UGA had wide open WR that Fromm couldn't come close to hitting for some reason. The coaches went away from a running game that LSU didn't seem to have an answer for... Fake FG and fumbles/interceptions...

Looking at both teams, UGA has a much higher ceiling than LSU...

Let's put it this way. If UGA and LSU were to play 10 games vs each other, UGA would win at least 7 of them and more likely 8 or 9.

Florida stopped Georgia seven times in a row on the goal line this past Saturday. They held Georgia in check for about three quarters of the game. Franks missed a wide open receiver on the first play of the game, threw a pathetic interception, and then fumbled on the one yard line to give Georgia six. Franks gave the game to Georgia, and that cannot be disproven. Georgia is nothing special. Georgia went away from the run against LSU because they weren't scoring points and got far enough behind that they had to get the ball downfield. They had like 120 rushing yards, and most of those were in the first half with zero points. Fromm had a bad game, but did you ever think LSU was maybe just that good? They have beaten teams no one outside of their locker room had them picked to beat. I would take LSU 7 out of those 10 times you speak of, because Georgia's defense is susceptible to the pass and definitely the run. Their offense is toast without a running game.

 

[TerryP]

But who have they played? LSU would have beaten those teams by that as well, and they have minus the loss at Florida. LSU has played a schedule twenty time more difficult than Georgia.

All of these "ranked opponents" that's the "resume builders" for LSU look like nothing more than part-time jobs now. Hardly a blimp on my radar.

If we take the four main statistical categories from each side of the ball (giving us eight) UGA leads in five of the eight. They are a better team than LSU.

But, as said many a time before this season started, it was only a dream to think UGA could make it through their schedule undefeated. Kirby just Kirby'd that game.

I'm seeing both teams as being worse than they were last year even with LSU having a better W/L record.

 

[BamaFan334]

But who have they played? LSU would have beaten those teams by that as well, and they have minus the loss at Florida. LSU has played a schedule twenty time more difficult than Georgia.

All of these "ranked opponents" that's the "resume builders" for LSU look like nothing more than part-time jobs now. Hardly a blimp on my radar.

If we take the four main statistical categories from each side of the ball (giving us eight) UGA leads in five of the eight. They are a better team than LSU.

But, as said many a time before this season started, it was only a dream to think UGA could make it through their schedule undefeated. Kirby just Kirby'd that game.

I'm seeing both teams as being worse than they were last year even with LSU having a better W/L record.

Doesn't matter unless you perform and win the game. If you want to ride the Georgia train, that's fine, but I'll take the hungrier team every time and LSU wants it more than Georgia, that's why they kicked their face in. Georgia has looked like a National Championship contender for the last fifteen years or so, but we clearly know how that has ended each and every year. They have had the better team, better athletes, and even some better coaches than all of their competition, but yet they still can't put it together, so excuse me if I just don't buy the "better team" argument. Their statistics are against Austen Peay, Middle Tennessee State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Vanderbilt, and Florida. They struggled against Florida, and Florida is a team in transition. Georgia got beat by the only true team they have played. LSU has played teams with MUCH more talent, regardless of record, and won. We cannot sit here and say that Georgia would have beat Washington, Auburn, Mississippi State, Miami, and LSU if they had that schedule in the first eight game. No way any of us can say that for certain when you look at how their season has been.