It was dubbed separation Saturday, and it certainly lived up to the name.
Ten of the top 14 teams played each other to kick off November. It had never happened before in the history of college football. So what did we learn? Well, a lot. Here are the takeaways from Saturday.
1. Texas is the least respected, great-résumé team in the country
Texas is so confusing. It feels like they are judged differently and more unfairly than almost anyone in the country. Hand up, that includes me. Texas has been underwhelming in comparison to their, and everyone else’s, preseason expectations. The amount they spent on the roster and the hype they had coming were higher than ever. And that’s saying something for Texas. The Longhorns are 7-2, and they have horrible losses to Florida at home and Oklahoma in Dallas. It’s hard to wrap your head around those losses.
Those back-to-back losses by six total points shouldn’t overshadow the wins, though, and four of the seven wins they’ve had so far this season have come against ranked opponents. They entered the year with the hardest schedule in the country and they’ve managed to get through it nearly unscathed. Whether or not a 9-3 Texas team deserves to get in the CFP is not for me to decide, but I will say four top 25 wins is deserving regardless if they lose in Baton Rouge next week.
2. Kalen DeBoer deserves way more respect than he’s getting
The disrespect and hate that Alabama gets as a program isn’t anything new. People will forgive you for a lot of things, but success isn’t one of them. That’s fine. Alabama is, and should be, used to that especially since Nick Saban announced his retirement.
I’m not here to dissuade anyone from hate watching the Crimson Tide. I am, however, here to go to bat for Kalen DeBoer. At what point does that man start getting some of the respect he deserves? Following DeBoer’s 31-13 win over LSU, his third in three years, the numbers should speak for themselves.
He’s 22-8 all-time against top 25 teams. He’s 8-2 against coaches named Lanning, Sarkisian, Kiffin and Smart. And barring any shocking meltdown down the stretch, Alabama should make the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive year. Maybe that massive $87.5 million extension wasn’t so crazy after all. Maybe Greg Byrne absolutely nailed hiring Saban’s replacement.
3. Tennessee’s best season in 28 years is still on the table
For whatever reason, Tennessee continues to be overlooked by everyone, yet they are three wins away from earning a spot in the College Football Playoff once again. Even more impressive, they may find themselves in Atlanta for the SEC championship before the playoff even begins. If either or both of those things happen, this Tennessee team will be in line for the best season they’ve had in 28 years regardless of how full the trophy case is at the end of the season.
Saturday night’s win over Kentucky was incredibly dominant and it gives Tennessee their second win over a team currently ranked in the top six. What’s even more impressive is that they won those two games by 44 combined points. Their two losses? Both to top 25 teams and by a combined six points. It’s time to stop sleeping on Tennessee.
4. LaHeisman hype is very real
LaNorris Sellers did it again. This time he did it with one leg. Don’t look now, but South Carolina has won four straight games and their quarterback is playing better than arguably anyone in the country. He currently has 24 touchdowns and 2,700 yards of offense.
He also has this moment from Saturday’s win against Texas A&M. Sports, man.
5. Don’t dance on the graves yet
I will once again say the line I’ve been saying all year – the more we watch, the less we know. And this time, the meaning of it is rooted in optimism for some of the teams currently being buried by the media and fans. The latest Allstate Playoff Predictor numbers haven’t dropped yet this Sunday morning. However, there are several teams that should not be counted out just yet, and that includes three-loss LSU.
Kentucky and South Carolina should also be included in that list. Remember that despite their losses to Tennessee and Alabama, they still have one of the best résumés of any team in the conference. South Carolina had some very ugly early-season losses to Alabama and their blown lead extravaganzas against Mississippi State and Kentucky. But they’ve caught fire and with potential No. 1 Georgia still on the schedule, there’s a chance that they could get in if they win out.
But, back to LSU. The Tigers don’t have a single win over a ranked opponent this season. However, they are one of just two current contenders with multiple ranked opponents still on their schedule (Georgia). If LSU can win, and win convincingly, against two potential top 10 teams in Texas and Tennessee, then the door is not completely shut. They would definitely need some chaos and help around them, though.
