Published Sep 14, 2021
Three-Point Stance: Playoff chances, hot seats, impact transfers
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Mike Farrell  •  Rivals.com
Rivals National Columnist

Rivals national columnist Mike Farrell is here with the playoff chances of undefeated Top 25 teams, the next big program coaches who could be fired and more transfer portal impact players.


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1. College Football Playoff chances

The season is only a couple of weeks old but with so many upsets already why not gauge the playoff chances of each undefeated Top 25 team with an explanation. Fun, right?

Alabama: 100% — We all know Alabama is as strong as ever and even if the Tide somehow lost two games the committee would get them in.

Georgia: 50% — It all depends on if two SEC teams are let in again so a 50-50 chance isn’t bad, but that offense worries me.

Oklahoma: 75% — The Sooners can’t stumble even once, but despite the Tulane game I think they run the table as the offense gets stronger and stronger.

Oregon: 60% — One loss and maybe they are in. The Pac-12 stinks and gets no favors but if the Ducks can beat UCLA twice that might do it.

Iowa: 5% — It’s a nice early story but the Hawkeyes don’t have the offense to run the table or even finish with one loss. And beat the East champion? Nah.

Texas A&M: 5% — With Haynes King out they have no chance with Zach Calzada despite that great defense. Okay they have a slight, slight chance.

Cincinnati: 0% — Even though the Bearcats will be Power Five soon enough, a Group of Five team is simply not getting in.

Penn State: 35% — This might be low actually as I like what I see from a developing offense and underrated defense. A loss to Ohio State would kill all chances as the Buckeyes get all the committee favors.

Florida: 30% — UGA has a much better chance of being that second SEC team but you can’t count out Florida if they can beat the Dawgs.

Notre Dame: 20% — The pollsters love the Irish, but this is not an undefeated or one-loss team with that offense and a strange defensive gameplan.

UCLA: 35% — Beat Oregon twice and everyone else and you’re in. That isn’t easy.

Virginia Tech: 5% — The Hokies would have to run the table and beat Clemson. Doubtful.

Coastal Carolina: 0% — See Cincinnatti above.

Ole Miss: 5% — The offense is fun but the defense will let down a few times.

Arizona State: 5% — The Sun Devils just don’t have the horses to push past UCLA or Oregon.

Arkansas: 0% — It’s a fun story so far but there’s no way on earth this team can win 11 games.

Auburn: 0% — The Tigers are off to a good start but the same reason holds true as for Arkansas.

BYU: 0% — The only independent making it in any year before expansion is Notre Dame.

Michigan: 15% — Ahhh, intriguing. But with that conservative offense the Wolverines will stumble at least three times.

2. Who has the hottest seat now?

Clay Helton is gone and gone early this season. So now that the king of the Hot Seat is out, what big program coaches will move up? No, Syracuse, Purdue and some others don’t count count. And Jim Harbaugh leaves when he wants to leave.

Mike Norvell, Florida State Too soon? That loss to Jacksonville State was simply horrendous and killed all momentum from the Notre Dame game. If things go south this season he could get just as long as Willie Taggart.

Manny Diaz, Miami Alabama destroyed the Canes. App State nearly beat them. They might want to make a run at Mario Cristobal while they can.

Scott Frost, Nebraska The Illinois loss looks worse than ever but a couple of cupcake wins have taken him out of the spotlight for now. But he’s in trouble.

Jimmy Lake, WashingtonWay too soon right? He’s way over his head at Washington and you could argue that no legit team has looked worse in two games. Remember, the Huskies were preseason Top 25.

Herm Edwards, Arizona State Keep winning because a losing streak with that NCAA investigation would be a nice excuse for the powers that be to move on.

3. Impact transfers

And once again, I look at players from the transfer portal who have impacted college football this past weekend in a big way.

QB Anthony Brown (Oregon)

Brown guided the Ducks to the biggest win of the weekend over No. 4 Ohio State. The former BC Eagle had more than 300 yards of total offense and threw for two touchdowns. Perhaps more importantly he did not turn the ball over in what may become a program-defining win for Mario Cristobal.

RB Chez Mellusi (Wisconsin)

The former Clemson RB had his second consecutive game with more than 100 yards, this time going for 144 on 20 carries and a TD in the Badgers' win over Eastern Michigan. He's come out of the gates strong as the No. 1 back in Madison and looks like he's primed for a big season.

WR Demetris Robertson (Auburn)

Robertson appears to have finally found a home in Auburn after a couple of underwhelming seasons at Georgia. The former five-star recruit had three touchdowns in the Tigers' dismantling of Alabama State.

QB Jack Coan (Notre Dame)

While he didn't have the same impressive stats against Toledo as he did against Florida State, the former Wisconsin signal-caller had arguably the most notable moment of the weekend. After dislocating his finger and putting it back in place he threw the game-winning touchdown a few seconds later. He was an efficient 21-for-33 for 239 yards and two TDs against a frisky Rockets team. Freshman Tyler Buchner was impressive as well leading to more intrigue.

WR Wandale Robinson (Kentucky)

Robinson had more than 100 yards in the air and more than 70 on the ground leading Kentucky to a huge win over Missouri. The Nebraska transfer has become a weapon.

OL Wanya Morris (Oklahoma)

It's time to give the offensive linemen some love. Morris anchored a Sooner line that powered the offense to 277 rushing yards and 347 passing yards en route to a 76-0 victory over Western Carolina. Tennessee sure misses Morris after the showing it had against Pittsburgh.

OL Obinna Eze (TCU)

Sticking with the offensive line, Eze was fantastic against a strong Cal defense, helping Zach Evans run for 190 yards, and getting the Horned Frogs over 500 total yards of offense. The former Memphis tackle has been great in his first two games for TCU.

QB Bailey Zappe (Western Kentucky)

Despite the loss, Zappe put up huge numbers for the second straight week, this time against Army. The former Houston Baptist QB went 28-for-40 with 435 yards and three TDs in the Hilltoppers' close defeat to the Black Knights.

WR Samori Touré (Nebraska)

One of the top FCS transfers in the offseason, Touré had his first big game for the Cornhuskers. While he only had two catches, each went for 68 yards and a score, helping to break the game open for Nebraska against Buffalo.

QB Terry Wilson (New Mexico)

Wilson led the Lobos to a win over their intrastate rival New Mexico State, throwing for 382 yards and three TDs. The former Kentucky QB has New Mexico at 2-0, and if he keeps up his stellar play, could have the Lobos in the mix in the Mountain West.