The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

Looks like as long as the Lobos take care of business, then you should be in! Team seems like it's really clicking despite a slightly tougher schedule - hopefully there's not a Sam Houston State popping up out of nowhere in these last two games!

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

Looks like as long as the Lobos take care of business, then you should be in! Team seems like it's really clicking despite a slightly tougher schedule - hopefully there's not a Sam Houston State popping up out of nowhere in these last two games!

No Sam Houston State but #1 Alabama and the defending national champions haha thanks for the check in!

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)



What a cool week this will be nationally. #3 New Mexico at #2 Alabama and #4 Iowa at #1 Michigan- all unbeaten. Clemson also will play one-loss UNC in a big-time matchup. This could completely flip the CFP field upside down depending on what happens.



Purdue was good but as I said in the recap, they couldn't run and also loved to turn it over. Reggie Young has emerged to legend status lol three interceptions (I only user'd one of them). Other guys on my defense would have a lot of picks but only he catches them most of the time. Nealy struggled again early but Adams kept our offense moving. By the second half, we were scoring often with a solid mix of run/pass. Another factor was our pass rush really picked up in the second half. Senior end Michael Patton recorded his 45th career sack- a new school record. Even more impressive that I not once ever user'd a sack of his. A great win and now we go onto the biggest game in the entire nation this season at Bama. 11-0!

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)



I go into my Alabama game more below. But, other than that, it seems like CFP contenders have came into the picture with the final spot really coming down to New Mexico and Iowa.



Yeah, Alabama confirmed my suspicion that Washington and Texas were not true 99's whether from injury or playcalling. Alabama's offense did not miss. A near perfect performance over a defense that really slowed down some other powerful offenses. Alabama's defense was more of the star though. Their two defensive ends were the fastest ends I have ever played against (really). Nealy has 93 speed, and they seemed faster. We gave up 9 sacks and only managed one scoring drive. The running game was pretty useless too thanks to their MLB's (cameo by Steve Fulton). A tough loss but we still realistically have a chance of getting into the CFP dependent on what Iowa does in the BIG10 title game.

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)



This year's Conference Championships should be interesting. Clemson, for the third time in four years, lost to rival South Carolina (this time 49-21) and have jeopardized their playoff hopes. However, a win against Syracuse, who also has had their number, could secure a spot. Alabama needs to continue forth with a potential win over Florida, Michigan and Iowa get a rematch. If Iowa wins, there would be a good argument to include both of them in the CFP. Arkansas and Texas will rematch an earlier game the Razorbacks won. It doesn't seem likely either get in the CFP. Finally, Washington can finish their late end rally with a Conference win. Still, unlikely they make the CFP.

None of the G5 title games are as captivating as other years but James Madison has a chance to be one of the first FCS-introduced programs to win a title and potential move to Independent. They lost to NC State earlier in the year. Also, the Sun Belt has two big-time winning teams in the wake of New Mexico's absence.

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)



1. Alabama (13-0)
This one is probably the easiest to decide. They are the only unbeaten, have defeated an insane seven Top 25 opponents three Top 10s. Led by QB Bryce Young, RB Trey Saunders, and the best defense in football.

2. New Mexico (11-1)
The Lobos end up here after Clemson's week 14 loss to rival South Carolina and Michigan's annual Big Ten title game upset. The Lobos had two Heisman finalists this year with the QB duo of Cedric Nealy and RB Jordan Adams. Their only loss was a 31-7 smacking by #1 Alabama in Week 13.

3. LSU (10-2)
The Tigers have quietly moved up the rankings in Luke Fickell's second year as coach. Though their team stats don't jump, they have beaten two Top 15 programs while only losing an early season to UCF and then later onto #1 Alabama.

4. Texas (10-3)
Texas had a very honorable year and finished strong with a Big 12 championship. It gave them their only ranked win of the year (avenging an early season loss to Arkansas). An OT loss to Nebraska and last second FG by New Mexico were their other losses. 3 losses is too many for CFP this year but one could only wonder if things would've swung slightly different.

5. Michigan (12-1)
The Wolverines annual undefeated season ruined in the Big 10 title game. Before then, the Wolverines looked for real with QB Cade McNamara and five top 25 victories. With Iowa's second loss to Nebraska in Week 14, Michigan might still get the nod.

6. Washington (10-3)
In Brian Brohm's first year as HC replacing a retired Chris Petersen, he led the Huskies to a PAC12 championship. That did not come without losses to Utah, USC, and New Mexico.

7. Wisconsin (10-2)
Wisconsin had multiple opportunities to make an outside case for the CFP but their loss to Iowa State ultimately did them in. Nothing else about their season screams their bidding.

8. Iowa (11-2)
If Iowa had not blown a game to Nebraska a week after their Michigan loss, they might be in the CFP now. Even though they upset Michigan to win the Big 10 championship, there is not much about their resume that asserts them.

9. Clemson (12-1)
Though #9 in the rankings, Clemson looks like a clear 2-seed. They have dominated all year with their only loss coming in a rivalry game. Led by QB Taisun Phommachanh and RB Chez Mellusi, the Tigers should have punched their ticket

10. Ole Miss (8-4)
A good season for the Rebels but there is no case for them here.

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

Of course Clemson and Michigan would lose the final two weeks of the season to make a selection as hard as possible. It is hard to keep either out and with Iowa's two losses- I don't think they should get in.

My opinion:

1) Alabama
2) Clemson
3) Michigan
4) New Mexico

Thoughts?

[moose141]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

Agree on the seeding with Tyro.

Bama, Michigan, Clemson, UNM. Time for you to go out and get your revenge on the Crimson Tide! Even with the Michigan loss, they still have too many quality wins to be left out, and Clemson is very solid, though I think Michigan should be ahead of them, not that it matters as they'll play each other either way.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

I'm in favor of that seeding as well, and I think the Lobos will fare much better against Bama the second time around!

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

Agree on the seeding with Tyro.

Bama, Michigan, Clemson, UNM. Time for you to go out and get your revenge on the Crimson Tide! Even with the Michigan loss, they still have too many quality wins to be left out, and Clemson is very solid, though I think Michigan should be ahead of them, not that it matters as they'll play each other either way.

Yeah, I agree. It is a neutral site so won't make much difference for who's 2 and 3. Ready for a rematch haha

I'm in favor of that seeding as well, and I think the Lobos will fare much better against Bama the second time around!

I know what to expect this time around. No outside running and definitely no scrambling. Have to find a way to pressure their QB or else they will pick us apart. Thanks for the input!

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

Some QB Grad Transfer and Follower-Created Player Updates:

Ohio State QB transfer Justin Clement (93) will be heading to USC

4* FS Sandro York will be signing with New Mexico



Notre Dame blew RB Josh Grimes redshirt on 1 carry for 2 yards

Washington honored WR Deuce McCallister's redshirt

Pitt's WR Devonte Willis sophomore season finished with 30 catches 400 yards 4 TDs

Penn State's SS Terry Godboy sophomore season saw 42 tackles 2 picks before he was injured for the year

Alabama's LB Steve Fulton finished his freshman year with Freshman All-American honors, All-SEC 2nd team, 54 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 TD




For anyone interested in putting in a player for the 2024 class-
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[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)



Well, our year ended in the first round of the CFP. We played Alabama much better the second time around but could not help but to shoot ourselves in the foot. We had three possessions into their result in two interceptions and one missed field goal. We limited Bryce Young much more this time around but now it was Trey Sanders who torched us. 31-21 is a respectful loss to such a good team. The big difference was the offensive lines.

Looking back, everyone had great years for a significant increase in competition. Nealy's one flaw will always be his randomly inaccuracy. It goes without saying that Reggie Young is the team MVP with an incredible defensive stat line. He personally saved us on multiple occasions.



Two first-team All-Americans is pretty good. Really thought Jordan Adams should have got at least second team but he did not. Reggie Young unsurprisingly took home multiple awards and finally Patton got recognized after leading the nation in sacks for a third straight year. No stat leaders personally jumped off- not even Heisman RB Sean Dollars (Oregon).



I think for the first time so far, things ended up just right. Clemson and Michigan got to battle out and Alabama finally won the title with definitely the best team. Interesting to see that 3/4 of the ranked G5 teams did not qualify for their conference championship. Alabama's team defensive stats is by far the best put up so far and that was with playing NINE ranked opponents. Historically excellence. The SEC finished the year with an average ranked of 9.5! That's crazy.

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)

[Tyro11]

Re: The Great Realignment (NCAA 14)



Four teams assert themselves into a P5 including the ol Lobos and 2022 champs Purdue. BYU relegates all the way down into the G5.

We also had the best recruiting class in the country. Looking over at my signees, this class is VERY good. Bryan Jordan might be the best QB prospect I have seen in a long time. Also, signed Sandro York (follower-created prospect). Tons of talent here.

Other interesting recruiting rank was San Diego having a Top 30 class for the second year in a row. Wonder if that will ever lead to anything. Ole Miss signed Ohio State QB transfer Justin Clement.

No big coaching changes other than Ryan Day being fired at Ohio State. Not surprising considering they have underachieved maybe more than any other team. At least some other programs had one big year.

This is a good team to open Big 12 play with. Only one non-senior/junior starter. Tons of returning starters. Very deep. Offensive line will be a weak point again. Excited for the season.