This college football season has been nothing short of chaotic, with numerous storylines emerging both on and off the field. From players receiving direct payments from schools to coaches being compensated handsomely even when not actively coaching, the drama extends beyond the game itself. Additionally, we have witnessed conflicting legislation in Congress that further complicates the landscape. With all these developments, the actual games being played seem almost secondary. Surprisingly, teams like Indiana are being labeled as new blue bloods, while traditional powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia are not currently leading the SEC rankings. Furthermore, guaranteed playoff bids are causing significant disruptions at the bottom of the playoff brackets. Let’s delve into the strange twists and turns of this college football season.
If the college football postseason were to begin today, the 12-team playoff field would be as follows, starting with the 12th seed: Memphis, Virginia, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas Tech, BYU, Ole Miss, Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M, Indiana, and Ohio State. The top four seeds, which currently include the Buckeyes, Hoosiers, Aggies, and Crimson Tide, would enjoy first-round byes. The initial playoff games would be hosted at the campus of the higher-seeded teams. For instance, Memphis would face Georgia, Virginia would play Ole Miss, Notre Dame would meet BYU, and Oregon would challenge Texas Tech.
Interestingly, Memphis and Virginia might not fit the profile of traditional college football powerhouses. While the Tigers are not even ranked in the top 25 by the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee, they still secure a playoff spot as the top team in the AAC. Virginia's situation is somewhat more justifiable, as they hold the 14th rank, the best in the ACC. However, their inclusion has come at the expense of teams like Texas and Oklahoma, which may not disappoint many fans.
Amid all the talk of underdogs, let’s focus on Indiana. After concluding last season with an impressive 11-1 record and a finish at 8th in the final CFP rankings, anyone doubting the Hoosiers' resurgence should take a closer look at coach Curt Cignetti. Upon his arrival, Cignetti confidently stated, “It’s pretty simple, I win,” showcasing his impressive track record. So far, he has proven his words true by leading the Hoosiers to an unblemished 9-0 record this season, highlighted by a significant victory over Oregon.
Under the leadership of transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Indiana is on a collision course with Ohio State, setting the stage for a high-stakes Big Ten championship game that could further solidify their place in the playoff picture.
It’s worth noting that the college football coaching landscape can change rapidly. Just last season, the Penn State Nittany Lions made it to the CFP and won their first two playoff games. Yet, less than a year later, head coach James Franklin was dismissed following a disappointing three-game losing streak. Franklin is not alone; several notable coaches, including Brian Kelly at LSU, Billy Napier at Florida, and Hugh Freeze at Auburn, have also faced the axe this season. This serves as a stark reminder that postseason appearances do not guarantee job security, as schools may still invest tens of millions to part ways with underperforming coaches.
This season was expected to feature a slew of talented quarterbacks, many of whom were touted for their potential in the NFL. However, the performances have not aligned with the preseason hype. Players like Drew Allar of Penn State, Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, DJ Lagway of Florida, Arch Manning at Texas, and Cade Klubnik from Clemson have all faced challenges. Allar's performance has dipped significantly, culminating in a knee injury that cut his season short. Nussmeier has struggled against ranked opponents, while Lagway has been hindered by turnovers. Klubnik, who threw 36 touchdowns last year, is currently on track for a mere 17 this season. Although Manning is showing improvement, he has yet to meet the lofty expectations attached to his prestigious name.
However, not all hope is lost for quarterback play this season. Mendoza has emerged as a potential top draft pick, while Julian Sayin has revitalized Ohio State's downfield attack. Additionally, Ty Simpson of Alabama boasts an impressive 20 touchdowns against just one interception, showcasing the depth of talent still present in college football.
As the regular season continues through the end of the month, there remains ample opportunity for teams to improve their playoff standings. High-profile teams like Texas, Oklahoma, Miami, and USC are still in contention, while dark horses such as Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Utah could potentially disrupt the playoff landscape. With so much unpredictability, the excitement surrounding college football in 2023 is bound to continue.
