Three-Point Stance: Best offenses, negative headlines, predictions
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Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s Three-Point Stance is here with some thoughts on the top offenses in college football, some negative headlines you would have never expected and predictions for the weekend.
1. THE SIX BEST COLLEGE OFFENSES
Last week I looked at the top defenses in college football with most of them being in playoff contention. This week, I take a look at my top six offenses, and many are on the outside looking in of the playoff discussion.
1. Oklahoma – This is the most dangerous offense in college football, and quarterback Kyler Murray is a big reason why. The running game is underrated and the passing game is off the charts. The Sooners are averaging 48.9 points per game and no one has shown the ability to stop them at all.
2. Alabama – The passing game is the key to the Alabama offense, something we haven’t said in forever. Tua Tagovailoa is impossible to stop and makes no mistakes, and the Crimson Tide receivers are amazing. Alabama is averaging 54.1 points per game, which leads the nation.
3. Clemson – Trevor Lawrence is the most talented quarterback in the nation, Travis Etienne is the best running back around and the young receivers can’t be stopped. Clemson put up 59 points on Florida State and averages 44.1 points per game.
4. Ohio State – Some are complaining about Ohio State's short passing game but the offense has not been the problem at all as the Buckeyes can put up points on anyone. Despite the loss to Purdue, Ohio State averages 40 points per game overall and has a very efficient offense.
5. Texas Tech – The second Big 12 team in the top six, the Red Raiders are tough to stop despite a freshman quarterback in shotgun. Texas Tech averages 42.3 points per game, which is impressive playing a Power Five schedule.
6. Syracuse – There’s a reason Syracuse is having such a good season and it’s the offense. It doesn’t seem to matter who the quarterback is, the Orange just put up points. Cuse averages 43.6 points per game.
2. SURPRISING NEGATIVE HEADLINES
Yesterday I focused on some headlines that would surprise many at the beginning of the season but it was more on the positive side. Here are some negative headlines that would have shocked people in August.
Miami trails Virginia Tech,Virginia and Pitt in the ACC Coastal – The ‘Canes were supposed to take the next step this year and easily win the ACC Coastal but they not only trail Virginia Tech, their biggest competitor, but also Virginia and Pitt. There’s no way anyone could have foreseen this.
Seminoles are fifth in their own division – Fifth? No one really expected Florida State to challenge Clemson in year one under Willie Taggart but fifth is a little low behind teams like Boston College and Syracuse. Things are really bad at Florida State right now.
TCU is last in the Big 12 – A 1-4 conference record and tied with Kansas State and Kansas for last in the division is unexpected for sure. Some thought TCU would challenge for the Big 12 title.
USC is sitting at .500 – With so much talent on the roster, no one would have expected the Trojans to be at .500 right now with some awful losses. Clay Helton is on the hot seat for sure.
Missouri is winless in the SEC – Some people, like me, picked Missouri to be a sleeper contender in the SEC East. That doesn’t look so smart now as the Tigers are 0-4 in conference and have zero chance of making a splash. The Missouri offense has been a massive disappointment.
Auburn is out of contention in SEC West – There were big expectations for Auburn this season and some figured the Tigers would challenge Alabama in the SEC West. Forget all of that and now Gus Malzahn is on the hot seat despite a new contract last year.
Wisconsin can’t win the Big Ten West – Okay, the Badgers can still win it, but it will take some luck. No one would have expected the playoff-contending Badgers to be a distant second in the Big Ten West at this stage and tied with Iowa and Purdue for second place.
3. WEEKEND PREDICTIONS
Here are some of the games that interest me this weekend and a prediction on who will win.
Alabama vs. LSU – This should be a good game for a little while. LSU has a good defense and might be able to slow down Alabama for a bit but, in the end, the Crimson Tide win by a couple of touchdowns.
Georgia vs. Kentucky – Kentucky has a good defense that could keep the Wildcats in the game for a little bit but ultimately the Bulldogs pull away and win this by a touchdown or two.
Penn State vs. Michigan – This is a tough one to call and it should be a good game to watch. In the end, Michigan wins because its defense will bottle up Trace McSorley and company.
West Virginia vs. Texas – This game meant a lot more before each team took a bad loss but it’s still important. The way the Texas defense played last weekend, I’ll take West Virginia in this high-scoring game.
Notre Dame vs. Northwestern – This could be a tough game for Notre Dame as Northwestern is playing with a lot of confidence. However, the Irish find a way to win in the end.
Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech – This should be a high-scoring affair with the Sooners just having too much firepower and winning the game by double-digits.
Pitt vs. Virginia – Can you believe this is an important game for the ACC Coastal? Virginia takes this one by a field goal.
Texas A&M vs. Auburn – I don’t know why I’m interested in this game but I am and I think the Aggies take it.
Iowa vs. Purdue – The Boilermakers had their chance as did the Hawkeyes and both took losses last weekend. Iowa wins this one big.