Random Football Thoughts (Mostly on College Football)

The season is in full swing for the college game, as well as the NFL. There has been no shortage of surprise or chaos either. Let's examine the happenings of this season.

How I Never Bought the Hype on Auburn
"For some reason, everyone seems to be buying the hype on Auburn this year. I'm not...at least, not yet." -July 1, 2015

"I’m just not buying the hype yet. Auburn is being touted as a title contender. Auburn, who after October 4 last year lost to every ranked team they played. Don’t get me wrong, I think Auburn will beat Louisville…but I’m just not buying Auburn as a championship contender yet." -August 27, 2015

I wrote those two statements nearly two months apart. I was not buying Auburn. Everyone with a voice in the national college football scene was saying Auburn was going to contend for the SEC championship and a subsequent playoff spot. Auburn was voted by the SEC media writers to win the conference, even though, thanks to the quirky voting rules, Alabama was voted in as the winner of the SEC West. Auburn's QB, Jeremy Johnson, was going to battle for the Heisman.

That was then. Now, on September 28, Auburn is 0-2 in the SEC, suffering a crushing loss to LSU and a staggeringly offensively inept loss at home to Mississippi State. The Tigers defeated Louisville to start the season, but an overtime victory, in Jordan-Hare, over FCS opponent Jacksonville State, shook the foundation of the Auburn faithful.

Jeremy Johnson has been nothing close to what was advertised. Gus Malzahn's offense has looked inept and, in some cases, has simply not shown up. LSU crushed Auburn 45-21, showing no mercy in throttling the preseason SEC favorites. Mississippi State then came into Jordan-Hare and completely kept Auburn out of the end zone, even after Auburn had benched Jeremy Johnson in favor of back-up QB Sean White.

And for the record, I called it. I told you I wasn't buying Auburn. That call looks better and better each week.

Goooooo Dawgs! Sic 'em! Woof woof woof woof!
The Dawgs are just awesome! Nick Chubb has been a force to be reckoned with, and he has enough firepower around him that he should stay healthy and fresh all season. QB Greyson Lambert has been the model of near-perfection, completing 33 of his last 35 passes. The Dawgs have a huge test this weekend as Alabama comes to town, but Georgia is projected to be the favorite in every game it plays for the remainder of 2015.

Is Florida chomping off more than they can chew?
The Gators are a difficult team to get a read on. They are 4-0, but they're winning close and winning ugly. They had to come back from two touchdowns behind to beat Tennessee. Three of Florida's next four games are home for Ole Miss, at LSU, and at Jacksonville for the World's Largest Outdoor Non-Alchoholic Fun For the Whole Family Party (Georgia). If they can win one of those three they'll be alright.

Is Ole Miss Really That Good?
The Rebels of Ole Miss went into Tuscaloosa and hung 43 on Alabama. But then they struggled against Vanderbilt. Granted, Vandy is better than most people give them credit for, especially on defense (they held Georgia to 31 points; no one else has kept Georgia under 48). Ole Miss has a trip to Florida this week. That will sort out a lot of the confusion around both teams.

Way Too Early Playoff Prediction
#1 Michigan State vs #4 Notre Dame
#2 Georgia vs #3 Baylor

Meanwhile, in the NFL...
...How 'Bout Those Falcons?
The Atlanta Falcons, yes, those Atlanta Falcons, are 3-0 on the year. This is the same team that didn't win it's third game last season until week ten. They did it in week three this year, obviously. Matt Ryan is still Matt Ice, although he has some problems that a good QB coach should've already sorted through. Ryan has a tendency to throw a lot of televangelist passes, meaning he has the ability to make 70,000 people stand to their feet and cry out "Oh, God!"

The Falcons running game is currently a tad hampered by Tevin Coleman being hurt, but Devonta Freeman is carrying the load well. The WR corps is still beast, though. Julio Jones has 34 catches and nearly 400 yards through just three games. Obviously, I don't expect the undefeated run to last, but these Falcons are capable of winning ten or more games this year, and they should make the playoffs.