Tag: TCU

Texas College Football Rankings Part 2

by Michael Macon, posted in college football, sports 
Kenny Hill leads his team onto the field against Oklahoma Via: TCU Athletics

So, I said every three weeks and clearly that did not happen. Life comes at you fast, but here is my new grantee: I will update these ratings one more time post-bowl season for a final ranking.

For this ranking, I have decided to only give you the top 5 teams. No offense to any program not listed here, but outside of the top five there is not much excitement. (Technically there are six teams here sharing five spots.)

No. 1, TCU

Without a doubt, the Horned Frogs are the best in Texas. Yes, they just were slapped around by Oklahoma, but that does not discredit their body of work this season. They play solid defense and have a strong offense. Gary Patterson continues to be worth every dime TCU pays him, and while the Frogs are out of the playoff picture the Big 12 title is still very much in sight.

E Washington Texas Tech Football
Justin Stockton rushes against Eastern Washingtoon Via: The Spokesman-Review

 

No. 2, Texas Tech/Texas A&M

These two teams have both been a major disappointment to their respective fanbases. For Tech, an improved defense led to hopes of a prosperous season. But kicking woes and an oddly anemic offense at times has sunken those hopes.

We can pretty much say goodbye to Kevin Sumlin, barring a miracle, so that should tell you where the Aggies are at this season. These teams could very well end with the same exact record on the season, so I feel they should share the two spot.

No. 3, Texas

Tom Herman energized the Texas fanbase, but was quickly derailed by Marlyand. Since then, the season has not been much better. The Longhorn offense has been hit by injuries, and has been inept most of the season.

That defense is scary talented, but has not been good enough to carry this team to victory often. Bowl eligibility hangs in the balance with two games left, a rough start for Herman’s tenure.

No. 4, Houston

The Cougars have fallen off following Herman’s departure, but are not a bad team. Ed Oliver is still the best defensive lineman in the country, and the offense can still produce. Mystifying collapses against Memphis and Tulsa have been a major damper on the season, but a win over Number Five SMU gives them the nod to Number Four.

No. 5, SMU

The Mustangs are finally going bowling! The downside to this is you can basically kiss Chad Morris goodbye. The program is far from rebuilt but there is finally hope for the future. The Mustang offense continues to cruise carrying this team. Defensively, the Mustangs struggle a bit allowing Navy to run all over the yard against them last week.

Tune in post bowl season for my final ranking! Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree with these rankings. Enjoy the end of college football season, the most magical time of the year.

Texas college football power rankings, ranked No. 1-11

by Michael Macon, posted in college football

Texas is home to eleven football programs, with five belonging to Power Five conferences. But who is the best in this great football playing state? Check in every three weeks to find out.

Photo via TCU Athletics

No. 1, TCU

Going in to Stillwater and knocking off Oklahoma State was impressive, to put it lightly. The Horned Frogs under Patterson have a strong defensive identity, but the offense is not shabby by any means. Slowing down Oklahoma State’s offense is extremely difficult, but TCU was up to the task. They added another impressive win to their record after besting West Virginia. TCU is in the playoff hunt now, and they are deservedly the best in Texas.

No. 2, Texas Tech

I will admit it, I am biased here. I am a Texas Tech student, but I will try to set aside my bias and defend this rank. Beating Arizona State is a decent win, but breaking Houston’s home winning streak was the best win on the young year. Texas Tech had a shot at knocking off Oklahoma State, but fell just short in the upset bid in a 41-34 defeat. Crushing Kansas is not really impressive, but the team was finally able to win soundly. At times Tech has struggled to do that under Kingsbury, and this shows the team is developing. If the defense really is as improved as early returns indicate, this could be a good year for a program looking to get back to the glory days under Mike Leach.

Kellen Mond being pursued by Keith Holcombe of Alabama (Photo Via: 247Sports)

No. 3, Texas A&M

The Aggies were a national laughingstock after blowing a 34-point lead at UCLA. The Aggies showed heart against Alabama, but were not seriously threatening the Tide. They have a streaky offense with Kellen Mond in his freshman season, but the defense has play-makers and Texas A&M has managed to close out two dogfights against Arkansas and South Carolina.  Between A&M and Texas Tech there is very little separation. The Aggies fall behind the Red Raiders because of their collapse at UCLA, which is just an unfathomable choke.

No. 4, Texas

After a disappointing loss against Maryland at home, the Longhorns are showing some of the talent that their recruiting class rankings promised. While the Longhorns are struggling mightily on offense, the defense has been superb since the Maryland game. Sam Ehlinger might be the new answer at quarterback for Texas after leading a comeback victory over Kansas state. Tom Herman has his work cut out for him, but Texas is moving in the right direction.

Derrick Willies being tackled by Cougar defenders (Via:  The Venture)

No. 5, Houston

You thought I was just going to stick the Power Five teams this high up here didn’t you? Two words whenever Houston is mentioned: Ed. Oliver. This man among boys is the best defensive player in college football. I dare anyone to prove that statement false. I watched as Texas Tech triple-teamed him and he was still able to bring pressure. Houston struggles offensively, but Ed Oliver is good enough to change the game. The rest of the defense is not shabby either, and if the offense can improve Houston could be poised for a run at the AAC title.

No. 6, SMU

SMU has relied on a stellar offense for their success thus far. A deep receiving core led by Courtland Sutton have led the offensive attack. While SMU was dispatched by TCU in a 20-point defeat, the Mustangs put up a good fight early demonstrating the progress Chad Morris has made. SMU still has much more to prove, and losing to Houston showed they still are not ready to compete in the AAC.

UTSA celebrates a touchdown during their upset bid over Baylor (Photo Via: SportsDay)

No. 7, UTSA

Stunning Baylor earns them the seventh spot above the Bears. I would have loved to see the match-up against Houston, but Hurricane Harvey had other plans. UTSA is playing good football, and this could shake up to be one of the best years for the program.

No. 8, Baylor

Man, Baylor is really bad. The winless Bears under new Head Coach Matt Rhule have shown some signs of life, but the program is in shambles. I can’t say I am shaken up about the Bears’ collapse, considering the scandal under the previous regime led by Art Briles. Matt Rhule is trying to do things the right way, but it will be awhile before Baylor is even close to heights it reached just a few years ago.

No. 9, Texas State

A positive for this program are that they played Appalachian State close, and that is something to build on.

No. 10, Rice

Rice is in a rough state, but a win over UTEP gives them the nod to the 10 spot.

No. 11, UTEP

Sorry to anyone who is a big UTEP fan, but they are the worst in Texas as of now. Just an all-around struggling program, UTEP needs a drastic turnaround to leave the cellar of Texas football.

Michael Macon is a contributing writer for The JR Report.

Will non-conference marquee matchups be a thing of the past?

by Michael Macon, posted in college football 
Florida State Seminoles QB Deondre Francois (Photo via Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports)

These first few weeks of college football used to be unwatchable. Now a trend towards scheduling big time out of conference foes has arisen.

For instance, the Alabama Crimson Tide just open up the season against the Florida State Seminoles at a neutral site. Two national championship favorites, two-storied programs, two rabid fan bases. This game had legendary written on all the headlines before the opening kick. And legendary it was, with Alabama eventually claiming victory in a true slugfest.

But was it worth it?

Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois, Heisman hopeful and star of the team, is hurt. Worse still, the injury ends his season forcing Florida State to start a true freshman quarterback.

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Alabama defensive back Ronnie Harrison (15) hits Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois (12) during the second half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Atlanta. Alabama won 24-7. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Would Francois have been hurt playing a lesser opponent?

And did playing Alabama help the Seminoles? Alabama? No, it didn’t. Look at Washington last year. Their weak out of conference schedule doesn’t impact their title hopes at all.

At the end of the day, dominant teams have incentives to just go out and find wins in the non-conference schedule. That is because being undefeated in a Power5 conference guarantees a seat at the table.

The committee could prove me wrong on that point but, the least likely scenario is an undefeated champion being left out. So, is it still worth it to schedule these games? Yes, because despite the risks the decision makers who control scheduling have a lot of reasons to keep rolling out these headliner games.

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Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Corey Coleman (1) catches a touchdown pass over TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Ranthony Texada (11) during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Tough schedules are pretty much necessary

Barring an undefeated season, which seems to just be getting harder since parity is increasing, teams must schedule hard to have a shot at the College Football Playoff.

TCU and Baylor in 2014 have already proven that. Weak non-conference matchups hurt both teams dearly in 2014 keeping both out of the title hunt.

Branding and co-champion shenanigans also factor in but say TCU or Baylor had played a big brand, solid Power5 football team and won. We would likely be wondering when Urban Meyer will win a title as Ohio State, not praising him for winning one with a third-string quarterback.

Baylor played the worst of the worst to start the season 3-0, leaving them as an afterthought in the playoff discussion when they were downed by West Virginia. Washington this past year took a weaker schedule and waltzed into the playoffs. But they benefited from the Big12 champion having two losses.

If Oklahoma had beaten Houston, one could basically guarantee we would have seen the Sooners making another playoff appearance.

Conferences have pushed for mandating their teams to play tougher matchups to boost conference prestige. Perception of conference weakness hurt TCU and Baylor badly in 2014 and has scarred the Big12 for the last several years. On the other side, the SEC used this perception to its advantage for years which has shown a significant impact on the committee.

These games also generate an incredible amount of money as the attendance will always he high consistently leading to sellouts and millions will tune in to watch. Therefore, making ESPN richer and the schools as well.

As always, money talks in collegiate athletics.

Michael Macon is a contributing writer for The JR Report.