Remember a few weeks back where I wrote a few pieces in consecutive weeks for the first time in a long, long time. Well, due to some circumstances in my college life, I had to take a hiatus. However, I have made my much anticipated return to the blogosphere. During my time off, college football thankfully had a much more eventful schedule than The Athletic Acumen's web traffic. Upsets. New uniforms. Legendary performances. Fresh faces. Better Gameday signs. New Katherine Webb commercials... Does the world need anything more than that? Well, actually, they do. They need a new edition of the Tenacious Ten.
1) Alabama--- Beat Arkansas 52-0
About a month ago, Alabama was dominating football games. Now, they are still dominating football games. An opponent scoring a touchdown in Tuscaloosa these days is about as rare as a frat party without any alcohol. And by rare, I mean nonexistent. No team has scored a touchdown against the Tide in Bryant-Denny Stadium this year. That's incredible; I don't think it can be put in any other way. Minus the Johnny Football performance against them last month, Alabama has been the most boring, consistent, and dominant team in college football. In other words, they have been typical Alabama. AJ McCarron has prevented his team from falling to inferior teams like the rest of the SEC, too. In fact, I'm ready to designate this bunch as Alabama 2.0. The two time national champions not only feature an absolute juggernaut on the field, but now they feature a SMILING AND JOKING NICK SABAN, too! Times are good in T-Town, but with games against LSU and Auburn still ahead on the schedule, the Tide can't book a trip to Pasadena quite yet. There's one thing I've learned in my 18 years on the planet, though, and that's never bet against Nick Saban. That's why I fully expect to see Alabama playing in Pasadena come January 7th.
T2) Oregon--- Beat Washington State 62-38
Just like the Oregon of old, this Oregon team is scoring points quickly and in large quantities, but now they are doing it in pink helmets (Seriously, I'm not sure what other stunts Nike can pull at this point. Other than helmets that remove themselves, cleats and gloves with an Ironman jet propulsion system, shoulder pads with working wings, or jerseys that change colors based on the players moods, I think Oregon has nowhere else to go in terms of uniform design...Also, if those ideas haven't been considered yet, I better get some recognition, Phil Knight). Marcus Mariota should be planning on an early December trip to New York City, as he may be the best person not named Jameis Winston playing college football right now. The Ducks, like Alabama, have their biggest tests still in front of them, but until someone finds a way to slow down Mariota short of murder, I don't like any Pac 12 team's chances of beating the green, yellow, black, white, gray, lighter green, darker gray or pink clad Ducks any time soon.
T2) Florida State--- Beat Clemson 51-14
Read the score above again. Then read it again. One more time just for emphasis. The Seminoles and a redshirt freshman quarterback went into "Death" Valley, and absolutely embarrassed the Tigers (The only thing that died in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday night was Tajh Boyd's Heisman chances. Maybe he can get on a treadmill and shed some of his excess poundage before beach season, as Clemson seems destined to play in some mediocre Florida bowl game after that drubbing). Jameis Winston is better than advertised. Lamarcus Joyner's VCU-like intensity on defense has also proven that the Seminoles have the best defense east (or west) of Tuscaloosa, too. Plus, when you have Jack Nicklaus' grandson (Nick O'Leary) on the roster, your chances of winning and becoming a part of the record books as champions increases tenfold in my books.
4) Ohio State--- Beat Iowa 34-24
Another week of football in Columbus and another Urban Meyer win. Nineteen straight wins is an incredible feat that shouldn't be overlooked, but it seems like it's being dismissed as a medial task by half of the college football universe. That notion is complete bullshit. Paul Finebaum, Mark May, and any other expert ESPN puts in a suit seems to condescend the Buckeyes with such disrespect, it's almost laughable. Hell, even Kirk Herbstreit doesn't defend his alma mater. I don't get it. Braxton Miller, Carlos Hyde, and the 37456897 other offensive weapons the Buckeyes have show week in and week out that they can score on any team in the country. However, the complete lack of depth in the secondary and the weak schedule are crippling this team. At this point, Ohio State should win the Big Ten title even with their less than stellar defensive play. Urban Meyer could start his career at Ohio State 25-0 and not have an opportunity to win a national title. Thanks to all the losses by SEC teams this week, Ohio State's chances of advancing to the superior bowl game in Pasadena this year now look a lot better.
5) Baylor--- Beat Iowa State 71-7
Some things are guaranteed in fall. Another detective drama will be put on the air by CBS. The St. Louis Cardinals will make a deep run in the MLB postseason. I will consume massive amounts of anything that tastes like pumpkin. Most importantly, girls will wear yoga pants, drink pumpkin spice lattés, and wear as little clothing as possible on Halloween. Now, Baylor scoring 60 points every Saturday needs to be added to the list. Baylor, or Oregon South, has clearly established themselves as the best team in the Big 12. Bryce Petty is playing like RGIII pre-ACL injury, Lache Seastrunk is fulfilling all of his self-generated hype, and a much improved defense has made this Baylor team very dangerous. The Bears have arguably the weakest strength of schedule right now in the entire country, though, so difficult tests still lie ahead on their schedule. However, these Bears look like the cream of the crop in a weak Big 12. Look for Art Briles to finally break through and reach the BCS.
6) Missouri--- Beat Florida 36-17
The preseason three horse race between Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida for the SEC East title is now a thing of the past. Missouri has beaten (actually, embarrassed) two of the three injury depleted teams above, and now, they have the Gamecocks in the Battle of the Columbias this Saturday. Maty Mauk didn't miss a beat in stepping in for the injured James Franklin, and with Connor Shaw doubtful for the game Saturday night, Missouri has to be considered heavy favorites this weekend. Plus, with Missouri's offensive and defensive lines playing with the ferocity of actual tigers, it's hard to imagine any team of mere humans beating them. Considering South Carolina's countless problems (incompetence on special teams, the lack of any offensive playmakers outside of Mike Davis, and a defense that fails to show up week in and week out), I see no reason why Missouri doesn't easily handle South Carolina this weekend and continue one of the most unexpected runs in recent college football history. If it does continue, I'm fully prepared to get #GaryPinkelForHeisman trending worldwide.
7) Stanford--- Beat UCLA 24-10
I think somebody somewhat famous once said something about how it's not about failing, but it's how we bounce back from failure that ultimately determines our legacy. Well, Stanford flew flat on their faces against Utah a couple weeks ago. Then, they came back and played actual Stanford football and beat UCLA for the third time in eleven months on their home field (For somebody who has some free time, I'd like to know how often that has occurred in college football. You'll get a S/O in next week's post if you can provide me an answer). Kevin Hogan is still one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country, and as long as the Stanford offensive line continues to manhandle opposing teams, the Cardinal have a great chance to find their way back to the BCS.
8) Texas Tech--- Beat West Virginia
Last month I tweeted something along the lines that said Kliff Kingsbury will soon be one of the best coaches in college football. College football's GQ cover boy seems to be light years ahead of schedule, though. Leading the Red Raiders to this start, while using two different quarterbacks, and being one of the most undisciplined teams in the country just for fun, is a testament to Kingsbury's abilities. Do I actually think Texas Tech is the 8th best team in the country? No, of course not. They turn the ball over WAAAAAAAAAAY (One 'a' for each of the interceptions a Texas Tech quarterback has thrown this season) too much, and they haven't played any team with decent football ability. The Red Raiders might finish the season with 3 or 4 losses, but they're making the rankings because they're currently undefeated. And as last week proved, winning week in and week out in college football isn't a routine task.
9) Auburn--- Beat Texas A&M 45-41
Remember last year when Auburn didn't win a single SEC game? Yep, that actually happened. A team two years removed from winning a National Championship failed to win a single conference game. Now, Gus Malzahn has the Tigers playing the best football in the state of Alabama... Just kidding. In any other state, that might be true because Nick Marshall is doing some special things under center. Last week, Auburn out Johnny Footballed Texas A&M (Speaking of which, Johnny Manziel can't catch a break. His body is quickly becoming a Mr. Potato Head toy, his defense couldn't stop a powder-puff football team, his media attention has been completely stolen by Jameis Winston, and he can't party with Drake because it's football season... Poor guy). All I'm saying is the Iron Bowl at the end of November is suddenly becoming a very intriguing football game. Alabama state police better get Harvey Updyke (Actually, every single one of Alabama's psychotic fans) under 24/7 surveillance because if the Tigers win this year, he might attempt to kill something a little more serious than a tree.
10) Clemson--- Lost to Florida State 51-14
Clemsoning: The act of choking on a national stage when your football team is finally being talked about for it's return to prominence... Yep, classic Clemsoning there, Clemson. The number of national title talks in Clemson, SC this week (Zero) have matched the number of intelligent class discussions in town this week (Zero). Clemson may very well run the table the rest of the way, though, so that's why they still hold on to a position in the Tenacious Ten.
(Three tigers are in the Tenacious Ten this week. I'm not trying to discriminate against other animal teams. It just happens to be a good fall for ferocious beasts of the jungle. Plus we have some Bears, too. If there were some damn lions playing decent football, this would be a really cool and really Wizard of Oz edition of the Tenacious Ten)
Next Team Up: Who the Hell Knows
Miami? LSU? Texas A&M? UCF? Virginia Tech? Miami (OH)? Fresno State? Northern Illinois? Southern Miss? DeVry? The University of Phoenix Online? Really, every team outside of the top six has glaring weaknesses and just about zero chance of winning a national championship at this point. I didn't know who to put in slots 7-10. I just drew teams out of a hat and/or asked friends around campus about who they thought was a decent college football team. The general consensus: Nobody has any clue. For the first time in my life, I might have a better understanding of the WNBA than the NCAA. And I don't like that at all.
J. Nave
(P.S. That section about Missouri might be an attempt to jinx the Tigers and a plea for my Gamecocks to show up and play ACTUAL FOOTBALL...... Or it might be completely serious. Come talk to me Sunday morning)
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