Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s thought-provoking Three-Point Stance is here with Saturday Shine and Saturday Shame from the weekend, as well as Bobby Petrino’s firing.
MORE: Teams that will benefit from Louisville situation | CFB Playoff breakdown
1. Petrino needed to go
It was time to fire Bobby Petrino at Louisville.
After a seventh straight loss in a 54-23 drubbing at the hands of Syracuse, Louisville was a team that just wasn’t competing with anyone anymore and was mailing it in. Petrino had a good run at Louisville in his two stints as head coach and exits with a 77-35 overall record which is impressive. But with Jeff Brohm out there at Purdue and the team giving up on the coach, the timing was right.
The defense was historically bad in giving up 66 points to Georgia Tech, 56 to Wake Forest and 77 to Clemson before giving up 54 to Syracuse. The Cards are winless in conference, 2-8 overall and have given up more than 100 points more in conference than the next closest team in their division.
Yes, he had Heisman winner Lamar Jackson and a few good seasons, but this year’s version of Louisville football was a joke.
Now it’s Brohm or bust.
CARDINALSPORTS.COM COVERAGE: Petrino Era is over at Louisville | 2019 Recruits React | Current players react | Tyra reacts | All eyes on Brohm
SATURDAY SHINE
Clemson – This was the toughest test left for Clemson this season and the Tigers made it look easy on the road. The defense was outstanding and this game wasn’t very close.
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson – In his first game north of Virginia, the cold weather meant nothing to Lawrence and neither did the blitz, as he was 8-for-8 when BC brought blitz pressure.
Alabama – It wasn’t always pretty but the defense dominated once again and the Tide were never really threatened by Mississippi State.
Oklahoma offense – This offense, which averages nearly 10 yards a play, is unstoppable and showed that again against Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State offense – The offense did what it wanted against a poor Oklahoma defense and never slowed down. The two-point play to win it was open as well; it was just a poor throw.
Georgia – The defense played very well, the running game is strong with D’Andre Swift healthy again and this game wasn’t close.
Notre Dame – Brandon Wimbush looked solid, the defense came to play and the Irish easily handled a Florida State team that should be more of a test.
Dexter Williams, Notre Dame – Williams was awesome against Florida State, rushing for more than 200 yards and two scores, and he keeps the Notre Dame rushing attack strong.
Michigan – Rutgers isn’t a tough test but Michigan continues to roll, especially on defense and looks tough to beat in the Big Ten.
Ohio State defense – The offense struggled and for a change the defense made the difference for the Buckeyes in the win over Michigan State.
Texas offense – The Longhorns were clicking on many cylinders on offense in the win over Texas Tech. Those wide receivers are something special.
West Virginia – TCU isn’t a very good football team but West Virginia still looked impressive in the rout.
Washington State – The Cougars continue to impress me and are hanging around for a potential playoff spot if some things go their way.
Tennessee – This was a big win for Tennessee over a Kentucky team still reeling from the loss to Georgia. There is a lot to be excited about down the line in Knoxville.
Penn State – Penn State showed toughness and grit in coming back from the Michigan loss to handle Wisconsin.
Northwestern – The Big Ten West champs. That’s right, against many odds Pat Fitzgerald has led his team to the division title over favored Wisconsin and Iowa with a key win against the Hawkeyes.
Pitt rushing game – Pitt looks legit after a horrible start to the season. The defense is playing better and the running game was amazing, amassing nearly 500 yards.
Florida – The Gators didn’t look great throughout the game but came from behind for a key victory for Dan Mullen and company. Feleipe Franks was booed and responded well.
Iowa State – The Cyclones are legit and Baylor was the latest victim. Since Brock Purdy took over, this has looked like a new team.
Arizona State – The Sun Devils are bowl eligible and Herm Edwards is getting the last laugh after many questioned his hiring.
Syracuse – ‘Cuse is 8-2 and marching towards a top 10 ranking under Dino Babers with one of the best offenses you’ll see.
Wake Forest – Wake handled NC State with ease in a game it was supposed to lose.
SATURDAY SHAME
Boston College – BC hasn’t beaten a top five team at home and had no chance against Clemson. Yes the Eagles lost their quarterback, but would it have mattered when they couldn’t run the ball at all?
Oklahoma defense – This defense is a joke and half the time it looks like some players aren’t even giving a full effort. The Sooners have no chance to win the Big 12 if they don’t improve the defense no matter how good the offense is.
Oklahoma State defense – Just like almost every other Big 12 team, the lack of tackling and how easy the Cowboys give up big plays is alarming.
Auburn – This is not a good football team and Georgia showed it again on Saturday.
Florida State – Shouldn’t the ‘Noles be a threat to someone? Notre Dame is a good team but FSU couldn’t do much of anything against a backup quarterback.
Michigan State – The offense is putrid and gave the Spartans zero chance of pulling the upset against Ohio State.
Texas Tech – The Red Raiders had a chance to beat Texas and have played well with some good teams but they keep losing close games.
LSU – Beating Arkansas by seven points is not impressive, not in any fashion.
Kentucky – What happened? From SEC East contenders to losing badly to Tennessee, things have fallen apart quickly.
Wisconsin – I still can’t believe some had this team as a playoff contender. The Badgers look awful in so many aspects.
Virginia Tech – The Hokies just can’t stop anyone and Bud Foster’s reputation is taking quite the hit this season.
South Carolina – The Gamecocks blew numerous leads to a weak Florida offense and made Franks look like a star at times. And that’s not easy to do.
USC – Clay Helton has to be the next coach fired right?
Miami – A preseason playoff contender to 5-5 awfulness, Miami has taken a major step backwards.
NC State – It should be able to handle Wake Forest right?
