College Football Has Lots of Parity Early Head Into Week 3

Parity across college football has never been more obvious after the first two weeks of the season.  Consider this.

The most recent AP Poll came out on Sunday with each of the Power 5 conferences represented. No. 1 Georgia (SEC), No. 2 Michigan (Big Ten), No. 3 Florida State (ACC), No. 4 Texas (Big 12), No. 5 USC (Pac-12). This is the first time since September 24, 2017 that each of the Power 5 conferences are represented in the AP Top-5.

The Pac-12 finally lost some games this past weekend, but it began the 2023 season a perfect 18-0. That is, until Arizona fell to Mississippi State. 18-0. It is the best start to a season by any conference since the FBS/FCS split in 1978.

Eight teams from the Pac-12 were ranked in this week’s Top-25, its most in the history of the AP Poll … including both remaining members of the conference (Oregon State and Washington State).

Three Pac-12 QBs have a Total QBR above 90+: Caleb Williams, DJ Uiagalelei and Michael Penix Jr. The only other quarterback currently doing this is Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

There have been five instances of a quarterback with 400+ passing yards in a game this season. Four of those have been done by Pac-12 players: Penix Jr. (2x), Shedeur Sanders and Cameron Ward.

The SEC lost three non-conference games for the second straight week with Vanderbilt, No. 23 Texas A&M and No. 3 Alabama all losing on Saturday. Those six losses nearly match the total from last season, when the SEC lost seven regular-season non-conference games. There are still seven games against Power 5 opponents on the schedule this season, three this week and the four in-state rivalries on Thanksgiving weekend.

The most noteworthy result for the SEC was Alabama falling to Texas at home and Miami clobbering Texas A/M at Hard Rock.  This is the first time since 2003 that Alabama lost one of its first two games; the Crimson Tide lost their second game that season against Oklahoma and finished 4-9. Plus, it’s the first time since 2002 and Alabama, Florida and LSU all dropped one of their first two games.

The early losses have narrowed the SEC’s path to the College Football Playoff. According to the Allstate Playoff Predictor, the SEC has a 72% chance to sent at least one team to the final four-team Playoff; that’s lower than the Big Ten and Big 12!

We will be discussing all of this later today on Shemon and Sheppard 2-6pm.

What is in a name? This is a question that has been pondered for years. It could mean a standard to live up to. It could mean a less than stellar tradition. Or it could also make you laugh. And not in a disrespectful way. College Football has a history of great names, but the 2023 batch is a really good list. Ranker.com has listed the 50 funniest names in college football from the 2022 season. I thought it'd be fun to take their list and build off it with college football's best names for the 2023 season. There will be no discrimination here. Power 5 or MAC players, if your name is funny it stands on it's own. Your conference's television contract won't gain you any preferential treatment. The barometer is making me laugh, not where you play or how good you are.

Some of the best names in college football that we lost from 2022 to 2023 include Tank Bigsby, Thunder Justice-Keck, and Boogie Knight. For what it's worth Thunder Justice-Keck is an all-time name and should be signed by a CFL or XFL team based on the name alone. Some of the highly rated prospects coming out of high school stick out early in the recruiting process. Whether it's funny or just unique, a name that stands out seems to elevate to profile around a prospect. I'm looking at you, General Booty. The season is still a ways away, but let's start looking at the best names in college football for the 2023 season.

The most famous third-string quarterback in college football. He has a deal with Rock ‘Em Socks producing branded socks and underwear, the boxer briefs  say “Booty” across the back.

Not just a fun name. He is considered to be a top cornerback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Transferred from LSU. Parents are Quincy and Yvonne Cage

Decoldest Crawford has the “perfect NIL deal” with Omaha-based SOS Heating & Cooling. We should be seeing a new ad soon.

Originally he transferred to Penn State, but after Spring Ball he then transferred to Louisville.

Played one game last year, then had season ending surgery.

Made Sauce Gardener's list for Sauciest names in college football. The Thai Curry sauce.

His real name is Nataurean. But I like Phat. 

Third season with LSU. Major is majoring in Sports Administration.

Not his 'real' name. Nickname originated from his great grandmother, who called him "Squirrel" as an infant after he moved simultaneously with a squirrel in her garden.

Transfer from James Madison. Now a starter for the Gamecocks.

Fun name and a solid player. He has been named to the 2023 #BednarikAward watch list.

Since everyone pronounces his first name wrong, he'd rather people just call him 'smoke'.

Came to Ohio State as a running back, but switched to linebacker.

Linebacker Chief Borders spent two seasons at the University of Florida before transferring to Nebraska. It really seems like a lot of guys on this list are transfers.

The fourth-year sophomore is finally healthy after enduring five surgeries since arriving in the program as a walk-on.

Tiger Shanks is Canadian. Has a sister named Maria.

Recognize that last name. His cousin is Jadeveon Clowney.

Living up to that name. Honorable Mention All-ACC (2022)

Didn't just play for Ohio State at Indiana, but registered a sack, too.

This big DL had choices. Lono-Wong turned down offers from Hawaii and Boise State.

Wrap it up with a Florida player. Rowdy is committed to FIU as a TE.

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