Week in Review: The Noles make their move

Biggest Story of the Week: SEC Shakeup

No one could have seen the season playing out the way it has in the SEC. We haven’t even reached November yet, but teams like LSU, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Texas A&M are out of the National Title picture. Meanwhile, Missouri is undefeated and ranked 5^th and Auburn, who didn’t win a game in the SEC last season, is ranked 11^th and control their own destiny in their path to Atlanta. The only constant is Alabama. The Tide haven’t looked invincible, but they are undefeated, ranked 1^st, and seem to be hitting their stride defensively.

Missouri will all but clinch the SEC East with a win against South Carolina this Saturday, but a loss to the Gamecocks will open up the entire East to just about anyone that isn’t Kentucky. In the West, Alabama is the team to beat obviously, but they still have LSU and Auburn to contend with. How amazing would it be to see a one loss Auburn team against an undefeated Alabama team in the Iron Bowl with a trip to Atlanta, and maybe Pasadena on the line?

Biggest Win of the Week: Florida State over Clemson

In the span of three and a half hours, Florida State went from unproven to front runners. Every year there is that one game, of two really good teams, where one team gets going early and blows the doors off of their opponent. Last year that was Georgia/South Carolina, this year, it was Florida State/Clemson. Florida State isn’t that much better than Clemson, but they were Saturday night, and that is all that matters. The Seminoles capulted to number 2 in the BCS rankings, and I think they can stay there, no matter what Oregon does, as long as they run the table. The ‘Noles still have Miami and Florida to play in the regular season, with perhaps a rematch with Miami in the ACC title game. Now Florida State just has to do is avoid pulling a Florida State and losing to a team that will be playing in a bowl before New Year’s day.

Biggest Loss of the Week: LSU loses to Ole Miss

The Rebels were supposed to have a breakout season in 2013, but coming into their game with LSU, they were still missing that program changing win. They got it on Saturday night at the expense of the title dreams of the Tigers.

Despite losing a great game at Georgia at the end of September, LSU still controlled their own destiny to get to the SEC title game and maybe the national title game if things broke their way. Now, even a win over Alabama won’t get the Tigers to Atlanta. Even worse, LSU still has A&M to contend with so there is a chance that the Tigers could lose four games this season after losing only four game combined over the last two years.

Heisman Winner if the Season Ended Today: Jameis Winston

Not much to say other than you hope he doesn’t spend his off season the same way Johnny Football did last year.

Top 5 Teams:

Alabama

Florida State

Oregon

Missouri

Ohio State

Three Things to Watch for Next Week:

Everyone outside of Columbus, Ohio will be cheering for Penn State: Sometimes in college football, the eye test is valid. The Buckeyes are a good team, but they aren’t on the same level as the top teams in college football. If a four team playoff were in place this year, I wouldn’t mind them so much, because even if they win the Big 10(ish) they would get throttled by the top ranked team in the college football playoff, so no harm, no foul. But we are still a year away from crowning a champion on the field, and there is a chance we could get another dud title game if any of the top teams play the Buckeyes for the title. So, despite the scandals, let’s go Penn State!

Oregon gets tested by UCLA: The Ducks feel slighted because they dropped to number three in the BCS rankings, but they will have their chance to get back in the top 2 by beating ranked teams in their next two games. First up are the UCLA Bruins, led by former Falcons coach Jim Mora Jr. With Stanford on deck, the Ducks better make sure they aren’t looking ahead.

Let Down Saturday?: Florida State, Missouri, and Alabama all get tested this week. The Seminoles host NC State, Missouri hosts South Carolina, and Alabama hosts traditional rival Tennessee. All of these top 5 teams better be ready to play, or we could see more title dreams die this Saturday.