Official 2025 College Football Thread

[GrantDawg]

Ouch, Tennessee. 99 yard interception for a touchdown as the half expires is such a killer.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Ouch, Tennessee. 99 yard interception for a touchdown as the half expires is such a killer.

You're one of probably 2-3 people here that will remember why I was expecting that outcome.

2003, in Knoxville. Claussen fumbles with a few seconds before the half, Georgia goes 93 yards the other way. And what was going to be a 1 point UT lead at the half turned into a 2 TD margin en route to a blowout.

[JPhillips]

D3 RB Montie Quinn rushed for 522 yards and 7 TDs with only one carry after the third quarter.

[Ghost Econ]

Bama spends a lot of their games looking like the most complete team in the country.

But then they have about 2 defensive drivers a game where they look completely checked out.

[GrantDawg]

I have to admit Lane Kiffin calling a time out just before half then telling the ref "I was just clapping" was funny as hell.

[miked]

I'm happy Schiano pulled us out of the Chris Ash disaster era, but the time has come to move on. RU has been terribly coached and last night's defense allowed 700+ yards (400+ on the ground) is a sign that new blood is needed.

[Atocep]

Updated list of head coach openings.

Arkansas
Oklahoma State
Oregon State
Penn State
Stanford
Virginia Tech
UCLA
Florida

[JonInMiddleGA]

Napier gone, Norvell rumored to join him by tomorrow.

[miami_fan]

Good on the UF AD for not risking the possibility of a miracle run by Napier to save his job.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Good on the UF AD for not risking the possibility of a miracle run by Napier to save his job.

But bad on UF for allowing the same guy who thought hiring Napier was a good idea to be involved in hiring his replacement.

(though I am seeing suggestions that the boosters will be driving this process with Stricklin maybe just along for the ride)

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

But bad on UF for allowing the same guy who thought hiring Napier was a good idea to be involved in hiring his replacement.

(though I am seeing suggestions that the boosters will be driving this process with Stricklin maybe just along for the ride)

If that was a consideration then the AD would not have hired Napier because he would have been gone after his first hire, Dan Mullen.

[Atocep]

FSU says they'll evaluate Norvell after the season. Which means they don't have the money to fire him right now and they're hoping either donors step up or he goes on a run and takes pressure off of the AD to fire him.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Atocep

FSU says they'll evaluate Norvell after the season. Which means they don't have the money to fire him right now and they're hoping either donors step up or he goes on a run and takes pressure off of the AD to fire him.

It's a lost season, I imagine they've decided to save a little money & buyout on the next rollover date.

[miked]

Apparently Schiano's buyout is north of 20M. I guess if they were to move on, their last 2 coaches will have walked away with 30M in buyouts.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

It's a lost season, I imagine they've decided to save a little money & buyout on the next rollover date.

From an ESPN article about the situation.

If Florida State made a move away from Norvell, the Seminoles would owe him about $54 million in buyout money. All told, including staff salaries, Florida State would have to pay about $72 million if Norvell and his staff are fired.

I get the feeling Mike Lombardi will have lots of company on his next trip to the Middle East given the money that will need to be paid out for these coaching buyouts.

[JonInMiddleGA]

What looked like just another social media hoax when it first appeared a few days ago now looks like it may actually be true. Longtime official Ken Williamson, crew chief for the Auburn-Georgia game, has reportedly been suspended for the rest of the season. That effectively ends his career as he had told the conference he was planning to retire at the end of the year.

Sources: SEC suspends referee in wake of Georgia-Auburn game - ESPN

[RainMaker]

Haynes King is a really fun college QB.

[Ghost Econ]

Meanwhile Mateer is complete ass

[miked]

Rutgers-Purdue ending was wild. RU ball on the 6 or so with a minute left. Of course after 3 straight bad calls we kick a FG to tie. Purdue gets the ball back, first play the QB has his pass deflected back to him, catches it, takes 2 steps and fumbles, RU recovers. Two plays later a GW FG for RU.

[sovereignstar v2]

Well if this doesn’t summon tarcone back to the board, nothing will

[JonInMiddleGA]

I haven't watched them all that much so if somebody has, just fill me in:
How is the Texas running game SO bad? Are the backs just trash? The OL trash? The playcalling trash?

Or all of the above maybe?

[HerRealName]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I haven't watched them all that much so if somebody has, just fill me in:
How is the Texas running game SO bad? Are the backs just trash? The OL trash? The playcalling trash?

Or all of the above maybe?

From what I've seen, it's the OL. I think it was their C that went out early in the game with an injury.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Meanwhile, we're about 10 game minutes away from the DeBoer narrative turning 180 degrees back in the other direction.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I haven't watched them all that much so if somebody has, just fill me in:
How is the Texas running game SO bad? Are the backs just trash? The OL trash? The playcalling trash?

Or all of the above maybe?

Line hasn't been good but defenses just don't respect Arch to throw downfield so they're stuffing the box.

[HerRealName]

Mizzou was a half yard from hitting a Hail Mary to force OT.

[RainMaker]

That injury to their QB was brutal.

[sovereignstar v2]

Haynes King probably drowning in poon tang

[bronconick]

Last 37 drives for Wisconsin: punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, int, punt, FG (down 24-7 with 2:45 left), punt, int, int, punt, fumble, downs, punt, punt, downs, punt, punt, game, punt, int, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, downs, punt, downs, punt, punt, half, punt

[JPhillips]

I love watching Brian Kelly disappoint.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Haynes King probably drowning in poon tang

Georgia Tech is not exactly known as a haven for hot women.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

I love watching Brian Kelly disappoint.

I remember commenting when they hired Kelly that i didn’t like the hire because he killed a kid. And someone jumped in to say it wasn’t a problem because LSU didn’t use scissors trucks but had anchored supports. I think about that response a lot.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Georgia Tech is not exactly known as a haven for hot women.

That was actually my immediate thought as well fwiw.

They aren't non-existent but probably one of the lowest percentages of any major campus in the South.

[Atocep]

LSU board insiders seem to think Kelly is getting fired.

[GrantDawg]

Yup. Every indication is he is gone.

[GrantDawg]

How about this stat:
"Brian Kelly is the first LSU head coach since Gerry DiNardo to not win a national title.

Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron all won titles at LSU. Brian Kelly will not.

Fun fact, Gerry Dinardo was a Notre Dame alum."
Do they now go after Lane Kuffin? That is a much better job than Florida right now in my opinion.

[bronconick]

David Hale ‪@adavidhalejoint.bsky.social‬


Of note in all this, Scott Woodward’s last 2 football hires - Brian Kelly and Jimbo Fisher - have resulted in $130 million in buyout money and zero playoff berths.[

[Drake]

Originally Posted by bronconick

Last 37 drives for Wisconsin: punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, int, punt, FG (down 24-7 with 2:45 left), punt, int, int, punt, fumble, downs, punt, punt, downs, punt, punt, game, punt, int, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, downs, punt, downs, punt, punt, half, punt

I'm not sure if I'm more impressed by the team's ineptitude of your endurance for recording it.

Also, as an IU alum, it's weird to even be in this thread and actually have a stake in the discussions.

[bhlloy]

Obviously money ultimately talks (salary and investment in the program) but is there an obvious reason I’m missing on the face of it why the LSU job is so much more attractive than Ole Miss when it comes to Kiffin?

Seems to me the LSU job is firmly in the realm of one where expectations are always higher than the actual ability to deliver a consistent winner, especially in the current SEC. Why not stay at the place where a playoff berth and a decent run every 3 seasons actually keeps the fan base happy?

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Obviously money ultimately talks (salary and investment in the program) but is there an obvious reason I’m missing on the face of it why the LSU job is so much more attractive than Ole Miss when it comes to Kiffin?

Seems to me the LSU job is firmly in the realm of one where expectations are always higher than the actual ability to deliver a consistent winner, especially in the current SEC. Why not stay at the place where a playoff berth and a decent run every 3 seasons actually keeps the fan base happy?

Money, access to talent, and history. Pretty much the top 3 things that drive anything and everything to do with college football.

[albionmoonlight]

Still insane that the punishment for sucking as a coach is to get a $50+ million buyout.

If you really wanted to punish the guy, you'd make him coach out the contract.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Why not stay at the place where a playoff berth and a decent run every 3 seasons actually keeps the fan base happy?

I think the quickest way to lose Kiffin as your head coach is to suggest that a playoff berth and a decent run every three seasons will be enough to keep the fan base happy. Nothing about Lane Kiffin says that is where he believes he is at as a head coach. Equally I would suggest that this standard is more appropriate for a school like Florida Atlantic where Lane used to coach than Ole Miss. In hiring Kiffin in the first place, the Ole Miss administration, boosters and fan base seem to see themselves as being much closer to USC and Tennessee than they do Florida Atlantic.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by bronconick

David Hale ‪@adavidhalejoint.bsky.social‬


Of note in all this, Scott Woodward’s last 2 football hires - Brian Kelly and Jimbo Fisher - have resulted in $130 million in buyout money and zero playoff berths.[

And yet somehow he's still employed (so far).

I don't remember who it was I saw in the past few days -- Danny Kannel maybe? somebody along those lines at least IIRC -- point out the growing absurdity of ADs responsible for horrible decisions retaining their jobs while multiple 8 figure buyouts are being paid.

Has to be one of the most consequences-optional jobs in sports lately.

[RainMaker]

Does Kelly get another big job? Stories coming out of LSU make it seem like just about everyone hated him and the sentiment wasn't far off at Notre Dame either.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Does Kelly get another big job? Stories coming out of LSU make it seem like just about everyone hated him and the sentiment wasn't far off at Notre Dame either.

Probably, but maybe not a premier job. That was most likely his last big contract. Then again, he might just want to be an A-hole on TV somewhere.

[bronconick]

Maybe Sparty? He did start in Michigan way back when.

[JPhillips]

It's possible that the Buckeyes will finish the season undefeated without playing anyone ranked in the Top 25.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

It's possible that the Buckeyes will finish the season undefeated without playing anyone ranked in the Top 25.

You mean that finishes the regular season ranked I guess?
If so, that's not THAT unusual, or at least not unique.

2018 Clemson fits that description, literally the first team I checked. Only played 2 teams ranked at the time they played them, neither was ranked by season's end.

Unless maybe you're shocked it happens to a team playing a B10 schedule? (which might be more reasonably surprising I suppose but I wouldn't be entirely shocked if an example could be found)

[JPhillips]

Yeah, at the end of the regular season.

It's more just a weird outcome given that they will have played the pre-season 1,2,12, and 14 teams.

[Lathum]

Washington has a good shot to win their next three vs Wisconsin, Purdue, and UCLA. Not exactly a murders row but they are just outside the top 25 currently and those three wins could get them in at 9-2 heading in to the Oregon game. I they beat Oregon, a big IF, that gets them in for sure. If they go in to that game ranked, say, 21, a close loss may keep them in.

[Passacaglia]

Looks like I've dropped the ball on doing these playoff pictures this year. Here we go, based on AP Ranking:

1. Ohio State
2. Texas A&M
3. Georgia Tech
4. BYU

5. Indiana
12. Navy

6. Alabama
11. Miami

7. Georgia
10. Vanderbilt

8. Oregon
9. Ole Miss

First few out: 5-2 Notre Dame, 7-1 Texas Tech, 6-2 Tennessee, 7-1 Virginia, 6-1 Louisville, 7-1 Cincinnati

By conference: SEC 5, B1G 3, ACC 2, B12 1, American 1

Feel free to check my work on this. Memphis is ranked higher than Navy (by one spot), but I put Navy in as the conference champion since they have the better conference record. FYI, Memphis and Navy play on 11/27, then the conference championship game is the week after in which they could play again, then the week after that is Army-Navy.