Pac-12 College Football Playoff Chances Entering Week 2

2019 UW Football Washington Huskies

College football week one was a mixed-bag of results for the Pac-12 Conference. Not counting Arizona’s tough humiliating loss to Hawaii, the Pac-12 went 8-3 in week one. Not bad. The conference did, however, see the Oregon Ducks fall to Auburn, potentially hurting the chances of having a Pac-12 College Football Playoff representative.

Fortunately there’s a lot of football to be played. Oregon is by no means eliminated from the playoff, and most of the other conference contenders took care of business appropriately.

Pac-12 teams enter week two with no big headline non-conference matchups outside of Nebraska vs. Colorado. There are, however, huge games in California vs. Washington and Stanford vs. USC. Both of these will have conference and College Football Playoff ramifications.

That said, here are the teams will the best chances of being a Pac-12 College Football Playoff representative entering week 2.

1. Utah Utes

Utah’s defense looked scary good against BYU. Limiting the Cougars to 300 yards total (208 yards passing, 92 yards on the ground), the Utes were stifling, exciting and showed why they’ll be what carries Utah through the season.

A defensive battle for much of the game, Utah scored twice off interceptions returned for touchdowns. The first came with 10:17 left in the first half, and the other with 12:25 left in the fourth. While both were crucial, the second came moments after the Utes executed a 3-play, 22 yard touchdown drive after recovering a fumble. The back-to-back scored put Utah up 30-6 and the game away for good.

If Utah’s defense is as tenacious as they looked against BYU, their lofty expectations to win the Pac-12 may be justified. And if Zack Moss can carry the offensive load, they may very well be the conference’s best shot at a Pac-12 College Football Playoff team.

2. Washington Huskies

Give credit where credit is due. There were plenty of questions surrounding Washington quarterback Jacob Eason heading into week one. A Georgia transfer who beat out Jake Haener, some questioned Chris Petersen’s decision to roll with Eason at QB. He has the arm talent, but are the other skills there? A 349 yard, four touchdown performance was his answer.

Now, this was against Eastern Washington. They’re a decent program but shouldn’t compete with the best of the Pac-12. Still, Eason’s outstanding debut can’ be ignored. The quarterback was impressive.

More impressive, however, was Washington’s defense. They held the Eagles to just 63 yards on the ground and despite no turnovers they commanded much of the game. The Huskies and Eason now face the tough task of navigating California’s not-so-secret secondary in week two. If they’re able to take care of the Golden Bears, the confidence surrounding this team will improve.

3. Oregon Ducks

Oregon should have won their game against Auburn. For much of the contest they were the better team. Unfortunately for the Ducks and the rest of the Pac-12, almost doesn’t cut it and the Tigers emerged victorious. Despite the loss, however, Oregon showed the nation it can compete with the big boys once again. Their defense was impressive, offensive line powerful, and with a little less conservative play calls the Ducks could have run away with the game.

Yet Oregon will now need nearly flawless performances the rest of the year. Unless Auburn finds itself in the SEC Championship Game, Oregon’s shot at being a Pac-12 College Football Playoff representative rests in their ability to run the table.

After how they played against the Tigers, that’s not impossible. The talent is there and what mistakes were made were more mental than physical.

4. Stanford Cardinal

If Stanford is going to represent the Pac-12 in the College Football Playoff, they’re going to need a big win over USC on Saturday night. Dispatching the Northwestern Wildcats in a classic Stanford way, the Cardinal looked impressive on defense but shaky on offense. Quarterback K.J. Costello was precise but unremarkable, and running back Cameron Scarlett was simply serviceable.

Fortunately Stanford flashed an impressive defense, forcing three fumbles (recovering two) and coming away with two INTs. With Costello still questionable for their game against USC, it’s clear Stanford’s defense must lead the way. For the Cardinal to have any shot at the College Football Playoff they’ll need to grind it out and hope a star emerges on offense.

5. Washington State Cougars

The Pac-12 North may eat itself alive this year, and not because there is a lack of talented teams. The problem in the North may be that there are too many quality teams for any to emerge with a record impressive enough to qualify a Pac-12 College Football Playoff team.

That’s exactly what could happen to the Washington State Cougars, who once again showed why Mike Leach’s offense is a godsend for quarterbacks looking to pad their stats. Quarterback Anthony Gordon completed 29-of-35 passes for 420 yards and five touchdowns. While this came against New Mexico State, those are still numbers you can’t ignore.

More impressively, Washington State’s defense forced three turnovers and held the Aggies to just seven points. Regardless of opponent that’s an impressive effort. The Cougars now face another low-level opponent before an interesting matchup against Houston that should be a great barometer for just how good Washington State could be. They’re still in consideration for being a Pac-12 College Football Playoff team, but they need to show a little more first.

6. USC Trojans

Most Pac-12 insiders understood the dangers of Fresno State vs. USC. The Bulldogs were a good team in 2018, Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford knows the Pac-12 and there were still plenty of uncertainties surrounding USC. Would they finally be able to live up to the talent on their roster?

For some that begins with a resounding yes. Running back Vavae Malepeai burst onto the scene with a 23 carry, 134 yard performance and was complimented by an explosive effort from Stephen Carr (6 carries for 56 yards, 6 receptions for 43 yards). Wide receiver Tyler Vaughns also impressed, catching 11 balls for 150 yards.

But the bad news for USC is that they lost starting quarterback J.T. Daniels for the season, paving way for true freshman Kedon Slovis to command the offense. A three-star prospect, Slovis will be immediately tested against Stanford’s defense. If USC is to make a College Football Playoff statement early on, this Stanford game is it.

Top 5 College Football Playoff Storylines Heading Into Week Two

Week 1 might have lacked many high profile matchups, but it was full of fireworks. Alabama and Clemson took care of business, Jalen Hurts inserted himself into the Heisman race, and multiple Power 5 schools lost to inferior opponents. How’s that for College Football Playoff drama?

Week 2 is highlighted with two spectacular games that will have CFP implications, Texas A&M vs. Clemson and LSU vs. Texas. The winners of both games will take giant leaps forward toward the CFP. Let’s take a look at the Top 5 CFP storylines heading into Week 2.

Can Jalen Hurts build upon his strong debut?

https://youtu.be/SjuDLVxnXI8

Last week, I said I had no idea what to expect out of Jalen Hurts at Oklahoma. I had doubts that Hurts could be the third straight Oklahoma quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy. However, Hurts was in a good situation with Lincoln Reilly calling plays. To put it nicely, Hurts took my doubts and shoved them right up my candy-ass. Hurts was spectacular against Houston, going 20/23 for 332 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 interceptions. He also ran for 176 yards and 3 TDs. I’m not an expert, but it looks like Hurts catapulted himself into the Heisman race. Hurts will have another chance to impress this Saturday night against South Dakota.

Can Jimbo Fisher exact revenge on Clemson and ruin their chances for a repeat?

It’s time for Jimbo Fisher to earn the big bucks. If you’re paid like a top coach, it’s time to win like a top coach. Fisher will have a chance at a signature win this Saturday as Texas A&M strolls into Memorial Stadium to take on the defending College Football Playoff Champion, Clemson. Last year, A&M was on the verge of an upset over Clemson in College Station, but a failed 2-point conversion ended up being the difference as Clemson escaped with a 28-26 win. If Fisher can pull off the upset, it will be A&M’s biggest win since Johnny Football defeated Alabama in 2012.

Will LSU or Texas move into the playoff conversation with a win?

Top 5 College Football Playoff Storylines Heading Into Week Two

Saturday night is going to rocking as the #6 LSU Tigers invade Austin to take on the #9 Texas Longhorns. The matchup to watch is Joe Burrow versus Sam Ehlinger at quarterback. Take your pick as to who you want under center because both QBs can sling it all over the field. In Week 1, Burrow threw for 278 yards and 5 TDs while Ehlinger threw for 276 yards and 4 TDs. The x-factor is Ehlinger’s running ability. If Ehlinger can move the chains with his legs, it opens up a new dimension to Tom Herman’s offense. Circle this game because the winner will have a huge nonconference win on their resume when the playoff rankings come out.

Can USC survive with a true freshman quarterback?

Week 1 was bittersweet for the Men of Troy. USC beat Fresno State, but it came at a price. Starting quarterback JT Daniels tore two ligaments in his knee, ending his season. Now, USC turns to true freshman Kedon Slovis. Congratulations, Kedon, on the job. Let’s take a look at his prize. In his first start, Slovis takes on Stanford under the lights at the Coliseum on Saturday night! Having the game at home will help the young signal-caller, but Stanford has beaten USC in 8 of their last 12 meetings. It’s a tall task for Slovis, but not impossible.

Is Jeremy Pruitt on the hot seat if he loses to BYU?

Top 5 College Football Playoff Storylines Heading Into Week Two

I’m not a Tennessee football historian, but losing to Georgia State at home in Week 1 has to be in the Top 3 worst losses for the program. No one expects Tennessee to make the College Football Playoff, but it’s inexcusable and frankly, embarrassing, to lose to Georgia State at home. Now, Tennessee welcomes BYU to town on Saturday night. Jeremy Pruitt is in his first must-win game as head coach of the Volunteers. If the Volunteers fall at home once again, Pruitt’s coaching seat won’t just be hot. It will be in flames.

What are your top storylines for the CFP in Week 2? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 2 As it Should Be

College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 2 Ap Poll

Making the College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 2 As it Should Be was a little more difficult than usual this week. It seemed the theme for Week 1 in college football was “eating cupcakes”. The majority of the teams from the preseason top 10 had non-competitive games. There were only a handful of good matchups. So, we weren’t able to gain a ton of information on the College Football Top 10. However, we did learn that the future is bright at Auburn with Bo Nix at quarterback. Oregon is a team that may be able to creep back into the conversation. Florida State has no chance of making the top 10 in 2019. The transfer portal has benefited college football. Jalen Hurts is must-see tv, and it would have been a crime for him to be stuck in Alabama behind Tua. Justin Fields and Jacob Eason would still be at UGA. Ohio State and Washington would not be nearly as good.

I could not be any more excited to see the matchups in week 2.

The Rules: No Bias, No Bull

There is no more unbiased ranking out there than Unafraid Show’s College Football Top 10 Rankings Week 2. I get criticized from time to time by people who only want to see the college football world through the lens of the AP Poll. These rankings are not going to look like the AP Poll. Open your eyes to see a different view of evaluating the top 10. Most polls including the College Football Playoff Committee give college blueblood teams a massive “benefit of the doubt.” I don’t believe in that. Teams are ranked by the correct criteria: quality wins, schedule played, and dominance. After the preseason rankings, only games played matter. No consideration is given for future games.

I re-rank the top 10 every Sunday from scratch. The previous week’s rankings do not factor into the next week. So, the rankings will change, sometimes drastically every week because we will have new information. So make sure to come back.

There are two Power 5 games in the books, but neither one affected my college football preseason top 10.

College Football Top 10 Rankings Week 2:

10. Washington Huskies (1-0)

Last Week: 47-14 (W) vs Eastern Washington

After one game Huskies fans are excited about the possibilities with Jacob Eason at QB. Chris Pedersen’s defense looks good despite losing their top four players to the NFL draft. They have a cupcake “SEC- like” non-conference schedule. So moving up the College Football Top 10 won’t be easy until conference play unless they show extreme dominance. The Pac-12 north will be a dog fight for the Huskies.

9. Michigan Wolverines (1-0)

Last Week: 40-21 (W) vs Middle Tenn State

Michigan just trampled MTSU. If there is something to be learned from this game it is that Jim Harbaugh seems to willing to open up the offense more. I’m praying that predictable running plays on most first downs will be a thing of the past. If Shea Patterson is allowed to push the ball downfield more often Michigan will actually have a shot to beat Ohio State.

Check out our Pac-12 Football Podcast, Pac-12 Apostles:

8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Last Week: 35-17 (W) at Louisville

Those who watched Notre Dame and Louisville past the 1st quarter got a good feel for how much fun their matchup with Georgia will be. The Fighting Irish defense is talented and disciplined. Ian Book looked about the same as he did last year. His best asset is his running ability, but he can make most of the throws and correct reads to make ND a top tier team.

7. Texas Longhorns (1-0)

Last Week: 45-14 (W) vs LA Tech

Another game in the long list of tune-up games for the top teams. Sam Ehlinger was polished and poised. The Longhorns look like the team I picked to crash the College Football Playoff. Tom Herman has done a wonderful job. The only things that stand in the way of Texas and the top 4 is Oklahoma and LSU. And LSU is the easier of those opponents.

6. Georgia Bulldogs (1-0)

Last Week: 30-6 (W) vs Vanderbilt

If you read the top 10 last week, you know I had Texas ranked ahead of Georgia. I still believe they are better. However, Texas played LA Tech while Georgia played a conference game (even though Vandy is not a notable opponent). Schedules and wins will always trump cakewalks. Jake Fromm did look really good but we will get a real feel for this team against Notre Dame.

5. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)

Last Week: 45-21 (W) vs FAU

It was hard for me to gather an accurate assessment for the Buckeyes. Justin Fields had a field day in what looked like a glorified scrimmage. His receivers were often open by 10+ yards and he was never under duress or had to fit balls in small windows. However, they were extremely dominant and no one else played anybody either. So, they stay in the top 5 of the College Football Top 10 as it should be.

4. Auburn (1-0)

Last Week: 27-21 (W) vs Oregon

Competition and schedules matter. This ranking feels a little high. But at this point, Auburn has played the toughest schedule in the nation and they won. It wasn’t pretty at times but Oregon is a team I expect to finish highly ranked. The hype surrounding Auburn’s defensive line is warranted. Bo Nix is going to be a top tier quarterback. He’s a program changing player. Auburn will be a real threat for the SEC championship for the next three years.

3. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0)

Last Week: 49-31 (W) vs Houston

JALEN HURTS was phenomenal. He had great games at Alabama, but nothing like this. He threw for 3 TDs and rushed for another three in the same game. Lincoln Riley is an offensive juggernaut. It is scary what he can to with athletic big arm quarterbacks. The bad news is that Oklahoma’s defense doesn’t look any better than it did last season. It is still porous. The Sooners dominated the game but against a top tier offense, it will be a shootout.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)

Last Week: 42-3 (W) vs Duke

Alabama just leaned on Duke until the dam broke. Once it broke it seemed like the Tua led offense could have scored 70. Maybe Saban didn’t want the game to get too far out of hand so people don’t keep about their embarrassing non-conference schedule. Truthfully they don’t deserve to be in the top 5 until they win some SEC games. However, they are so freaking dominant that you can’t keep them out. I feel bad for their fans that for the last two seasons. After this season they will have had to watch 8 games out of 24 games be non-competitive. I believe that is why Bama got their doors blown off by Clemson last year in the national championship. They were not battle-tested. Same problem this season, but can Nick Saban overcome that?

1. Clemson Tigers (1-0)

Last Week: 52-14 (W) vs Georgia Tech

Clemson is so good at pretty much every position. Trevor Lawrence had a terrible game and they still won by 38. He finished with 168 yards, 1 touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Dabo Swinney needs to get in Lawrence’s ear because he was pressing way too much. He will need to be better next week because Texas A&M comes to town and 205 yards from Travis Etienne alone may not be enough. It will be hard to find a scenario where an undefeated or 1-loss Clemson doesn’t make the College Football Playoff or is not atop the College Football Power Rankings.

College Football Preseason Top 10 Rankings 2019-20

College Football Preseason Rankings 2019-20

The Rules: No Bias, No Bull

There is no more unbiased ranking out there than Unafraid Show’s College Football Preseason Top 10 Rankings. I get criticized from time to time by people who only want to see the college football world through the lens of the AP Poll. These rankings are not going to look like the AP Poll. Open your eyes to see a different view of evaluating the top 10. Most polls including the College Football Playoff Committee give college blueblood teams a massive “benefit of the doubt.” I don’t believe in that. Teams are ranked by the correct criteria: quality wins, schedule played, and dominance. After the preseason rankings, only games played matter. No consideration is given for future games.

I re-rank the top 10 every week from scratch. The previous week’s rankings do not factor into the next week. So, the rankings will change, sometimes drastically every week because we will have new information.

There are two Power 5 games in the books, but neither one affected my college football preseason top 10.

Despite the Florida Gators being ranked #8 in the AP poll, they looked nothing like a top 10 team. In fact, the Gators looked more like a team that will finish with 3-4 losses this season.

College Football Preseason Top 10 Rankings:

10. Washington Huskies

The Huskies entire season rests on one man’s shoulders, Jacob Eason. Chris Pedersen always has his defense ready to roll. They have a cupcake “SEC- like” non-conference schedule. Navigating the brutal Pac-12 North schedule plus USC and Utah won’t be easy. But, if they can come out with undefeated or 1 loss against Oregon (if they beat Auburn) the Huskies have a shot at the CFB Playoff.

9. Michigan Wolverines

Is this the year Michigan and Jim Harbaugh finally get over the O-H-I-O mountain? If not, the Wolverine faithful will start to grow impatient. It is hard to imagine a world where they win the Big Ten and don’t finish the committee’s top 4. Jim Harbaugh has to prioritize the offense and scoring points more. He thought he could win with a great defense and mediocre offense, but those days in college football are over. Just ask Les Miles…

8. Oregon Ducks

Are the Oregon Ducks back? We shall see Aug. 31 against Auburn. Anything but a win for the Ducks will throw a wet blanket over the Pac-12’s playoff chances in 2019. There is a lot of buzz surrounding Justin Herbert and the Ducks offensive line. Now they have to go prove the analyst correct. Mario Cristobal has an opportunity to put his stamp on the program this season.

Check out our Pac-12 Football Podcast Pac-12 Apostles:

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Their berth in the College Football Playoff in 2018 means the Fighting Irish are back consistently in the national conversation. Their schedule always puts them in a position to get in the CFB Playoff. Games against Georgia, USC, Michigan, and Stanford won’t be easy. The next step is to win their first national championship since 1988.

6. Georgia Bulldogs

Every year “experts” say this is Georgia’s year to knock off Alabama. Will it happen? It sure seems like they have the firepower to do so. But, the Bulldogs have to get that killer instinct and will to want it just a little more than Alabama. They can’t get to looking too far down the road on their schedule because Notre Dame will be looking for revenge to their 20-19 loss in 2017.

5. Texas Longhorns

There is only one thing standing in way of Texas… Oklahoma. Their QB Sam Ehlinger sets the tone for this team with his rushing and passing. Coming into the season, the Big 12 has two of the five best teams in college football. We should be talking about the Big 12 getting two teams in the playoff this season. They will get a ton of national respect if they can knock off LSU on 9/7.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

New coach, same old Buckeyes. And I mean that in a good way. Confidence is really high in Ohio State because Ryan Day got to test drive the car last year and he didn’t crash it. The team is still supremely talented with a Charmin non-conference so unless their dominance is spectacular they will have a hard time moving up the rankings until Big ten play.

3. Oklahoma Sooners

Lincoln Riley has made everyone a believer since he took over head coaching duties after Bob Stoops retirement. I am not an Oklahoma fan but part of me is rooting for them because of Jalen Hurts. He deserves praise for the way he handled the situation with Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama. He deserves to be handsomely rewarded for that.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama is Alabama. They are well-coached and supremely talented. However, their non-conference schedule is so bad that truthfully they don’t deserve to be in the top 5 until they win some SEC games. I feel bad for their fans that for the last two seasons. After this season they will have had to watch 8 games out of 24 games be non-competitive. I believe that is why Bama got their doors blown off by Clemson last year in the national championship. They were not battle-tested. Same problem this season, but can Nick Saban overcome that?

1. Clemson Tigers

Dabo Swinney has turned Clemson into the class of college football. They are big, fast, physical, and extremely likable (except to South Carolina and Bama fans). Trevor Lawrence is back under center and he gives them a chance to repeat as champs. Clemson plays their ACC schedule plus Texas A&M and South Carolina. It will be hard to find a scenario where an undefeated or 1-loss Clemson doesn’t make the College Football Playoff or is not atop the College Football Power Rankings.

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Top 5 College Football Playoff Storylines Heading Into Week One

College football is back. Thank the lord! I couldn’t watch another cornhole and spikeball tournament on ESPN2. I need college football back in my life and that’s exactly what we’re getting this weekend. Fans received an amuse-bouche of football with a few games last weekend including Miami vs. Florida, but Week 1 starts the road to the College Football Playoff (CFP).

Every week this season, we’ll look at the Top 5 CFP storylines heading into the weekend. We’re a long way from the first 2019 College Football Playoff rankings, which will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. However, every game matters so let’s kick it off with Week 1.

Are we destined for Alabama vs. Clemson In The National Championship?

This college football season feels a lot like when the Cavs and Warriors met in four straight NBA Finals. The question was not “if” they would play in the NBA Finals, but “how” would they get there. Alabama and Clemson are the two best teams in college football right now. There’s nothing to debate here. Alabama and Clemson have the two best coaches, Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney, and two best quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence, in the country. Both teams will be double-digit favorites every game with the exception possibly coming in the final game of the regular season when Alabama travels to Auburn. If the Crimson Tide and Tigers meet in the championship, it would be the fifth straight year those two teams met in the College Football Playoff with three of those coming in the national title game. Bama should roll through Duke and Clemson should dominate Georgia Tech in Week 1.

Who is the third-best team in the country?

Is there a consensus third-best team in the country behind Clemson and Alabama? Most fans and experts would choose Georiga as the third-best team in the country. Who can blame them? Georgia has lost three games in the regular season the past two seasons with one of those losses coming to Alabama in the SEC Championship game. Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs will be very good this year. It all starts with the return of third-year quarterback Jake Fromm. Remember the name, D’Andre Swift. The junior running back rushed for 1,049 yards and 10 TDs last season while splitting time with Elijah Holyfield. It’s Swift’s backfield now. If all goes according to plan, the Bulldogs are on a collision course with Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.

Can Jalen Hurts become the third straight Oklahoma quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy?

Jalen Hurts on Oklahoma / Alonzo Adams

The Jalen Hurts Era at Oklahoma begins Sunday night in Norman against Houston. Hurts has not been a starting quarterback since 2017 when he was at Alabama. Lucky for Hurts, he’s going to a coach in Lincoln Riley who happens to be the best play-caller in the nation. It’s safe to say that Riley has a more versatile offensive strategy at Oklahoma than Hurts’ former coordinators at Alabama. Riley also has two straight quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, who have won the Heisman Trophy. Can Hurts make it three for three? To be honest, I have no idea what to expect out of Hurts. Can he throw the ball for more than 4,000 yards as Mayfield and Murray did over the past two seasons? Only time will tell if Hurts fits into Riley’s explosive offense.

The game with most the College Football Playoff implications in Week 1 is Oregon vs. Auburn

The marquee game of Week 1 with the most CFP implications on the line is #11 Oregon vs. #16 Auburn at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday night. Oregon’s 2019 expectations are very high thanks to the return of senior quarterback Justin Herbert. In 28 starts, Herbert and the Ducks offense have averaged 38.3 points per game in his 28 starts. They’ll need every point on Saturday as Auburn’s defense is coming off a season where it ranked 28th nationally allowing 361.9 yards per game and seventh holding teams to just 17.1 points per game. Coach Guz Malzahn believes this year’s defense could be the best defense he’s ever had during his tenure thanks to Nick Coe, Derrick Brown, and Marlon Davidson. Not to add any more pressure, but the entire Pac-12 conference is rooting for Oregon. This is the Ducks’ chance to put their conference on the playoff radar versus arguably the best conference in the nation.

Can Michigan Finally Win The Big Ten Title Under Jim Harbaugh?

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

If there has ever been a year for Michigan to win the Big 10 Conference, it’s 2019. Urban Meyer is no longer at Ohio State. Trace McSorley is not at Penn State. Wisconsin is still not back to their 2017 form where they went 13-1. Michigan State is average. There are no more excuses for Michigan. Returning quarterback Shea Patterson is in for a treat as new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis will implement an up-tempo, no-huddle, speed-in-space offense. For Jim Harbaugh, it’s time to win the Big 10 and beat Ohio State.

What are your top storylines for the CFP in Week 1? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Pac-12 Football Preseason Power Rankings 2019-20

Preseason Pac-12 Power Rankings

Welcome to the Pac-12 Preseason Power Rankings. A team from the Pac-12 has a real chance to make the College Football Playoffs in 2019. The conference starts off with five teams in the preseason AP Poll. Oregon, Washington, and Utah all start the season ranked inside the AP top 14. The conference has a chance to quiet all the outside noise about money and tv deals, and the Pac-12 network by winning a national championship. Join and participate in the new Pac-12 Sports Subreddit for all your Pac-12 news, info, and smack talk.

Pac-12 Preseason Power Rankings:

The Pac-12 Power Rankings will available on Unafraid Show every Monday morning. Make sure you send your comments and grievances to immad@unafraidshow.com.

12. Oregon State Beavers

The Beavers should be markedly better in Jonathan Smith’s second season as head coach. Oregon State returns their top passer, running back, wide receiver, and top nine tacklers from last season. They finished 2018 with a 2-10 record and lost nine games by 17 points or more, so truthfully, there is nowhere to go but up. The best thing they have going is Sophomore running back Jemar Jefferson. He finished 4th in the conference in running as a freshman last year with 1,414 yards. Fans should expect another 2-10 season, but the games should be much more competitive.

11. Colorado Buffaloes

Mel Tucker’s first season as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes should not be a bad one. He did not inherit a full rebuild like Jonathan Smith at Oregon State. Tucker returns veteran QB Steven Montez who has won big games. And they have the best offensive weapon in the conference WR Laviska Shenault.

The Buffaloes started last season 5-0 with wins over Nebraska, UCLA, and Arizona State. The back half of their schedule was much tougher, but losing seven games in a row seems more of a loss of confidence and focus than just being terrible.

10. Arizona Wildcats

The biggest wildcard in the Pac-12 is the Wildcats. On paper, this team looks very average. Their players don’t have a ton of recruiting stars behind their names, but when they play as a team they can be a force. If QB Khalil Tate can rekindle the magic from his sophomore season that landed him on magazine covers before last season, the Wildcats will make a bowl game. The combination of Tate and RB JJ Taylor in the read-option can a nightmare for defenses. But, can head coach Kevin Sumlin convince Tate not to worry about proving his passing abilities to NFL scouts and just play to his strengths?

9. Arizona State Sun Devils

A year ago so many people were questioning the hiring of Herm Edwards as ASU head coach. They said he was too old, hadn’t coached recently, and his “NFL model” would not work. Then the Sun Devils went 7-6, made a bowl game, and did a helluva job recruiting. Now all the critics are silent. Herm and his staff will have their hands full in the Pac-12 starting a freshman at QB. But they return eight starters including the 2018 Pac-12 leading rusher Eno Benjamin (1,642 yards, 16 TDs) who should make life a little easier.

8. Washington State Cougars

I am still irritated that the Cougars magical 11-2 season last year was not rewarded with a New Years’ Six Bowl game. They were passed but by the bowl selection committee for teams ranked lower and the conference didn’t make a big deal about it. They just took the scraps and stayed quiet about it.

Mike Leach’s ‘Air Raid’ offense gives Pac-12 teams fits when he has a good QB. Last year Gardner Minshew came out of nowhere to be an NFL draft pick after transferring from East Carolina. Can Leach recreate that magic with grad transfer Gage Gubrod or Anthony Gordon at QB? Word on the street is that Gordon has the edge for this job. Hence the #8 spot on the Pac-12 Preseason Power Rankings 2019. The Cougs also have Max Borghi who is expected to have a breakout season in 2019.

7. UCLA Bruins

Call me crazy, but this is the team I picked to win the Pac-12 south. I expect the Bruins to be much improved in 2019. Chip Kelly proved he is a great football coach in 2018. He is known for his up-tempo style, but by seasons end the Bruins were in three tight end sets running smashmouth football winning games. He adjusts his offense to whatever will win. The Bruins started the youngest team in the nation in 2018. Their 2-deep was full of lineup freshman and sophomores.

I expect that with a full offseason of work Chip will have a new wrinkle and magic trick up his sleeve. He made it to a national championship and won a ton of games with guys like Daron Thomas and Jerimiah Masoli at QB. So, he should be able to have success with expected sophomore starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

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6. Cal Golden Bears

There is only one thing that can keep Cal from back-to-back bowl games, quarterback play. If Cal could have switched QBs with ANY team in the conference they would have won 10 games in 2018. Cal’s defense was just devouring offenses. They only gave up more than 20 points six times in 2018. The Golden Bears held USC and conference champion Washington to a combined 24 points last season. Their defense returns seven starters including the best secondary in the Pac-12 and top 5 in the nation.

QB Chase Garbers is no longer a freshman and should be much better in 2019. If he plays really well, Cal could shock the Pac-12 world. I wanted to put them higher on the Pac-12 Preseason Power Rankings but the north division is just stacked.

5. USC Trojans

USC should have enough motivation to right the ship in 2019. They had their first losing record since 2000 and only the 3rd one since I have been alive (1981). The Trojans are playing for well-like head coach Clay Helton’s job. And they are being absolutely disrespected nationally. USC only got one vote in the preseason AP poll and are behind Appalachian State and Army.

QB JT Daniels should make huge strides in 2019 because he is throwing to the 2nd best WR core in the nation. The combination of St. Brown, Vaughns, and Pittman is special. USC is not short on talent, so anything besides a Pac-12 south title is a failure.

4. Utah Utes

The Pac-12 media (except me) is in love with Utah and even picked them to win the conference. The Utes are well-coached, play hard, and have a three clear cut 1st-2nd round NFL players (Zack Moss, Jaylen Johnson, and Leki Fotu). But, their Achilles heel this year will be their QB play. They play a very favorable conference schedule but have to play USC and Washington on the road. Tyler Huntley is back healthy at QB. He is a solid QB but Utah will need him to be special to manage 10 wins out of this schedule.

3. Stanford Cardinal

2018 was a huge disappointment for David Shaw and the Stanford Cardinal. Their 9-4 record looked fine on paper. But they could have been 11-2. Their inability to run the football with Heisman candidate Bryce Love was surprising. However, they did get some good news. They found out they have a sure-fire NFL QB in KJ Costello.

The thing I love about Stanford is that their schedule is always good. They don’t schedule themselves 2-3 easy non-conference game. But that could ultimately be their undoing in 2019. The Cardinal have Northwestern, at USC, at UCF, Oregon, and Washington in the first six weeks of the season, with no open week. OUCH!

2. Washington Huskies

The defending Pac-12 champions only return two starters on what was one of the nation’s best defenses in 2018. Their defense will still be well-coached but there will be a natural dip when you lose five starters to the NFL draft. Chris Petersen does believe he has an upgrade at QB in Georgia transfer Jacob Eason.

The Huskies have a very easy non-conference schedule so navigating the brutal Pac-12 north will be the only thing that stands between them and another Rose Bowl and potential CFB Playoff berth.

1. Oregon Ducks

There can be no excuses for the Mario Cristobal and Oregon in 2019. The Ducks have an NFL 1st round QB in Justin Herbert, the best OL in the nation, and a very solid defense. It all starts on Aug. 31against Auburn in the most important game a Pac-12 team will play this season. This game will determine the national respect of the Pac-12 in 2019.

Their road schedule (Stanford, Washington, USC, Arizona St) is tough, but they avoid Utah with the schedule rotation.

This is the season the Ducks must prove they “are back” as a national championship contender. They have a real shot at the CFB Playoff if they beat Auburn and don’t lose more than 1 Pac-12 game. However, undefeated would guarantee them a spot.

Check back every Monday for the Pac-12 Power Rankings.

Preseason AP Poll has 5 Pac-12 Teams, USC Disrespect, Offensive Breakout Players, Most Important Players, Coaching Hot Seats

Preseason AP Poll has 5 Pac-12 Teams, USC Disrespect, Offensive Breakout Players, Most Important Players, Coaching Hot Seats

Episode 4 of the Pac-12 Apostles Podcast, George Wrighster, and Ralph Amsden was heated. The preseason AP Poll came out and it featured five Pac-12 teams but there was still massive disrespect for USC in the mainstream sports media. Fans don’t realize how big of an effect the preseason polls have on the College Football Playoff rankings. There were countless cases in 2018. Eleven of the top 25 teams in the 2018-19 Preseason AP Poll didn’t even finish ranked. In 2017, nine didn’t finish ranked. In 2016, 13 didn’t finish ranked. Commonly, those early-season matchups that were so hyped up turned out to be nothing burgers, but they did affect the CFB Playoff committee rankings.

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Jeremy McCarthy wrote an article on Unafraid Show about the 12 breakout Pac-12 Players and the Apostles discuss where he got it right and where he went wrong.THE 12: There are many players that are crucial to their team and entire Pac-12’s success. We rank them from 1-12. There are defensive lineman, offensive lineman, running backs, a wide receiver, quarterbacks on the list.

CASTING STONES: When will media members stop asking about what coaches are on the hot seat? Do they really expect answers to “how many wins it will take for a coach to keep his job?”

USC’s Athletic Director Lynn Swann was asked that about Clay Helton recently and of course, he gave a nothing answer.

Send us an email with your thoughts on the Pac-12 Podcast: immad@unafraidshow.comVisit: https://unafraidshow.com

CFB Preseason Polls are Worthless and Mess Up the Playoff Rankings

Preseason Polls hurt the ranking throughout the season SEC, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, Pac-12

Polls judge everything in college football. Teams are ranked from the preseason till after the national championship.

We all love to discuss the and debate when the College Football Preseason Polls come out. I even do them for Unafraid Show. However, I have come to find a major flaw in the polling system that ultimately affects the CFB Playoff. We all want the four (or eight in a perfect world) best teams playing for the championship. College Football Preseason polls make that nearly impossible to achieve because they distort the rankings and data for the rest of the season. Eleven of the top 25 teams in the 2018-19 Preseason AP Poll didn’t even finish ranked. In 2017, nine didn’t finish ranked. In 2016, 13 didn’t finish ranked. Commonly, those early season matchups that were so hyped up turned out to be nothing burgers, but they did affect the CFB Playoff committee rankings.

What is the purpose of preseason polls if they are so incredibly wrong. The goal is to find the four best teams in the nation and let them fight it out for the national championship. However, that is nearly impossible to get right because the preseason polls give miss information that only further convolutes the process of determining who the best four teams are for the College Football Playoff. If you are not convinced yet, I have proof.

This will be a journey down the rabbit hole so please hang on tight and keep and an open mind. The polls regularly reflect the voters desire to be right about their preseason selections rather than looking at the data objectively. Here are a few glaring examples of the head-scratchers:

The College Football Preseason Poll Proof

1. Wisconsin went into the 2018-19 season ranked #4. In the week four poll, Wisconsin was 2-1 and ranked #18 with wins over New Mexico and Western Kentucky. The team they lost to, BYU (2-1) was ranked #24. And the team that beat BYU was Cal (3-0), who was unranked. How on earth does that make sense?

2. Texas trashed Georgia in their bowl game yet Georgia finished above Texas in the final AP poll. Georgia is talented and was a sexy pick for the College Football Playoff after started #3 in the preseason? They both finished the season with the exact same amount of wins (2) over top 25 teams, and they have a head to head matchup.

3. Northwestern finished 8-1 in the Big Ten and only got 13 votes in the preseason poll.

4. Stanford came into the season ranked #13. They won their bowl game to finish the season 9-4. So how did the Cardinal finish unranked while seven other teams with at least four losses were ranked? Stanford’s only losses were to top 25 teams: Notre Dame, Utah, Washington, and Washington State. Three of those teams finished in the top 14.

SEC Preseason AP Poll Magic

5. Early in the season that LSU had two top 10 wins (Miami, Auburn). Those wins propelled LSU from #25 in the AP Poll to #5. Neither Miami or Auburn finished ranked. So, those two wins weren’t nearly as good as they were portrayed publicly. That eventually set up an “epic top 5 showdown” between Alabama and LSU. Alabama won the game 29-0, and LSU got a quality loss. The Football Playoff Committee then still had the Tigers ranked #7.

6. Now let us look at Florida. They came into the season unranked. At the end of the regular season, the Gators finished #10 in the country but only beat one team that finished in the top 25. In week six they beat the “#5 team” in the nation LSU which we just learned about. The next week they beat 3-4 Vanderbilt and were ranked #9. That set up a top 10 showdown with #7 Georgia. Georgia won, so adding that to their preseason hype only magnifies the SEC table thumping.

7. Kentucky finished the regular season at #10 in the nation despite only beating one team (Florida) that finished the season in the top 25

There were so many more examples, but you get the point. This is not a knock on LSU, Georgia, Kentucky, or Florida. All are talented teams that had great seasons. However, they are just prime examples in 2018 of how preseason polls manipulate the rankings and end up leaving the SEC overhyped. They ultimately only ended up judged from games they played against themselves.

Fans Deserve Better: A Great Solution

Imagine a world where there are no preseason rankings, and polls start after week four. There would have been information on teams that came into the season with so much hype. We would have already known Miami, FSU, USC, TCU, Auburn, and Wisconsin weren’t as good as advertised. Teams that beat them would get credit, but wouldn’t falsely rise so far in the polls. Starting the rankings after four weeks would create a much more accurate representation of schedule strength and conference strength. Right now we rank teams before they have played a down of football. We have seen time and time again that a top 5 talented team doesn’t make them a top 5 team.

Also, if the preseason polls were eliminated, college football fans would get much more of what they really want and deserve; great games. Teams would no longer have the luxury of preseason top 5 rankings while playing a cupcake non-conference schedule. You would see many more teams trying to put big names on their schedules early in the season to propel them to the playoffs. Fans would respond to that by eliminating the attendance problems many schools are facing. And viewership who certainly increase. All of which leads to more money for everyone except the student-athletes who are actually generating the money, but I digress.

Get rid of preseason polls and Make College Football Greater.

Colson Yankoff vs Washington, Pac-12 Stadiums Ranked, Recruits Leaving Pac-12 Country

Colson Yankoff vs Washington, best Pac-12 stadiums Ranked, Recruits Leaving Pac-12 Country, Pac-12 Podcast
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In Episode 3 of the Pac-12 Apostles Podcast, they deal with George Wrighster’s tweet about Colson Yankoff that sent Washington Huskies fans into a tailspin. They rank the best Pac-12 stadiums and tell everyone what is going on with recruits leaving Pac-12 states for other conferences.

Colson Yankoff is a former QB for Washington who transferred to UCLA.  Huskies coach Chris Petersen refused to grant a waiver allowing Yankoff to appeal to the NCAA for immediate eligibility at UCLA. Both Ralph and George hate the hypocrisy in the NCAA system. The NCAA claims the players are student-athletes who need to be protected but regularly treats them like employees. It is ridiculous that coaches can move as they please from school to school, but the players have restrictions. (0:00-11:59)

Recruiting matters in college football. The teams with the most talent have the best chance to win the CFB Playoff and National Championship. There are 64 recruits in the 2020 class with either 4-5 stars who live in Pac-12 states or neighboring states. With the exception of the Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies, the conference is falling behind in the recruiting rankings for the class of 2020. The early signing period is not until December, but the USC Trojans are ranked between 60th and 68th depending on which recruiting site you like. (12:00- 23:41)

The greatest Pac-12 podcat in all the land also ranks the best Pac-12 stadiums from #12 to #1. Will the historic sites get the top spots, or will the stadiums with the biggest home-field advantage prevail? (23:42-End)

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Pac-12 Apostles: State of the Conference, Predictions, Preview Podcast

Pac-12 Apostles Podcast Ep 2

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George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden return for the second installment of UnafraidShow.com’s Pac-12 Apostles Podcast. In this episode, the guys discuss the critical nature of the 2019 season for the Pac-12 conference, as well as the responsibility of the fans to help keep the conference from becoming irrelevant before the tv deal is up in 2024. The conference is falling financially behind the other power 5 conferences. So, winning a national championship or two before 2024 is paramount to the future of the Pac-12.

One of the biggest potential changes for the upcoming season in the Pac-12 is the proposed 9 am kickoff times for a small selection of games meant to air on Fox. George and Ralph discuss the pros and cons of early kickoffs and debate whether or not there will ultimately benefit from the change (14:00-31:38).

Pac-12 Apostles Podcast North and South Predictions

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George and Ralph revealed their preseason predictions for where the Pac-12 North teams will finish. Oregon, Washington, and Stanford have been the class of the Pac-12 for the last decade. But, both of the apostles believe Cal is a well-coached team on the rise. (31:39-1:01:11).,

The media picked Utah to win the conference at Pac-12 Media Day. However, neither George or Ralph picked them to win the south division. The apostles’ predictions for the Pac-12 South teams caused a big disagreement. They could not be further apart on the predictions for the UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans, and Arizona QB Khalil Tate. (1:01:12-End).

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