The most exciting team in the entire state of Texas is the SMU Mustangs. Everyone has been so wrapped up wondering, “is Texas back?” or trying to figure out what is wrong with Jimbo Fisher and the Texas A&M Aggies and have completely ignored SMU.
Until now.
The Mustangs’ win against Tulsa late Saturday night was the best game of the day. Going into the fourth quarter, SMU was down 21 and needed a late fourth and goal rushing touchdown from Xavier Jones to send the game into overtime.
In double overtime, Tulsa lined up for what would have been the game-winning kick. Not only did Jacob Rainey miss the field goal, but he also got injured. That came into effect in triple overtime when Tulsa had the opportunity to take the lead. The Golden Hurricanes had to send in their backup kicker, Zack Long, who also missed his field goal attempt.
While all SMU needed was three points, they did not seem to care. On the very first play, quarterback Shane Buechele heaved one towards the corner of the end zone and wide receiver James Proche made an incredible catch to complete the Mustangs’ comeback.
With the win, SMU is 6-0 for the first time since 1982. What is even more exciting for the Mustangs is what is ahead. Before an all decisive road matchup with Memphis, the Mustangs host Temple and travel to Houston. Being undefeated for the Memphis game will give SMU a real shot at playing for the AAC Championship.
Most likely getting Cincinnati in that championship game, it could also decide who is going to a New Years' 6 Bowl game. SMU has some ground to make up in the polls, being seven spots behind Boise State, but wins against TCU, Memphis, Navy, and the AAC East champion would give them one of the best G5 resumes we have seen.
After the Red River Shootout this weekend, SMU and their journey will be the most interesting in the state of Texas. The end of the June Jones era had people thinking SMU would return to what they were post death penalty. With a little influence from Chad Morris, Sonny Dykes has the Mustangs back in national prominence.
One team changed in this week’s eight-team playoff, with Florida taking over Auburn’s spot at No. 8. Neither Florida nor Auburn actually looked good in the game and probably don’t deserve to be anywhere near this playoff. It may almost be time to find a way to get a G5 team in here but for now, an eight-team playoff where half of the teams are from the SEC is a reality.
Here is what the eight-team playoff would look like after Week 6:
RULES
Eight teams consisting of five Power 5 champions, best Group of 5 team (if they are ranked in the top 10), two wildcards
If the Group of 5 team is not ranked in the top 10, three wildcards will make it
Power 5 and Group of 5 teams will be ranked No. 1 through No. 6, wild cards number seven and eight
Traditional bracket, No. 1 vs No. 8, No. 2 vs No. 7, etc.
Until College Football Playoff rankings are released, the AP poll will be where standings come from
No. 1 Alabama vs No. 8 Florida
No. 2 Clemson vs No. 7 LSU
No. 3 Ohio State vs No. 6 Georgia
No. 4 Oklahoma vs No. 5 Oregon
The most interesting first-round matchup
Somehow over the past two weeks, I have not thought anything about the Oklahoma-Oregon matchup. Now that I think about it, watching an Oregon defense that only allows 11.5 points per game go up against Jalen Hurts and the Oklahoma Sooner offense would be a lot of fun. The real matchup would be Oklahoma’s first-year offensive line against an Oregon defense that already has 19 sacks. Jalen Hurts and his feet would instantly become a factor, making him find ways to make plays. Yes, the OU defense has improved but it is still not great. Justin Herbert would do just fine.
The most interesting possible championship
This would be the third week in a row in which I put at least one SEC team in the championship, but history shows that it is more than likely. Ohio State’s running game against an Alabama team that gave up 280 rushing yards to Ole Miss would have a field day. J.K. Dobbins is a top-five running back in the country and would run all over the Alabama defense. Mix in Justin Fields and his ability to scramble, and the Crimson Tide would be in real trouble. Tua Tagovailoa and the Alabama offense would no doubt score some points, but the Ohio State run game would control the clock so well that they may be able to upset the Tide.
A team that most likely deserves to be in the playoff
Even though they crushed Auburn, I am still not fully sold on Florida in the SEC East, let alone a playoff spot. Wisconsin would still be a great team to match up with No. 1 Alabama but after dismantling Purdue, Penn State needs some recognition. It is easy to say they have not played anybody real yet, but they have destroyed everyone (except Pitt) by an average of 47.75 points. Their most impressive win has to be the 59-0 road route of Maryland on a Friday night. Watch out for Penn State in the Big 10.
Monday CFB Thoughts
If you can’t tell, I felt really bad for Auburn on Saturday
Remember when we had hope in Tennessee for about 30 minutes?
The NY6 bowl spot for the G5 could go to three or four teams
Iowa State is the most confusing team in the country
Congrats to USF on covering against UConn
Oklahoma State’s loss to Texas Tech pretty much set the Big 12 Championship game in stone
If you know anything about the Pac 12, you know Washington is going to beat Oregon and end the conference's playoff chances
Three words: Red. River. Shootout.
There is college football on a Wednesday
Week 7 is a massive one for college football. The Red River Shootout, a SEC night game in Death Valley, Wisconsin hosts Michigan State, Penn State travels to Kinnick, and even Texas Tech- Baylor. We will find out if some teams are contenders or pretenders after this week in college football.