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.
Pac-12 Going Out Strong
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.
College football: ACC Dominating the SEC Early
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.
SEC Playoff Chances Decreases
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.
Best Names in College Football
Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, Alabama)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Not just a fun name. He is considered to be a top cornerback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Storm Duck (CB, Louisville)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Originally he transferred to Penn State, but after Spring Ball he then transferred to Louisville.
Shitta Sillah (DE, Boston College)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Played one game last year, then had season ending surgery.
Boobie Curry (WR, Buffalo)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Made Sauce Gardener’s list for Sauciest names in college football. The Thai Curry sauce.
Major Burns (S, LSU)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Third season with LSU. Major is majoring in Sports Administration.
Squirrel White (WR, Tennessee)
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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.
Kavosiey Smoke (RB, Colorado)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Since everyone pronounces his first name wrong, he’d rather people just call him ‘smoke’.
Tiger Shanks (OL, UNLV)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Tiger Shanks is Canadian. Has a sister named Maria.
Power Echols (LB, UNC)
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Living up to that name. Honorable Mention All-ACC (2022)
