Spartan recognition
Overlooked? Michigan State really doesn’t mind
1 Michigan State embraces this whole underdog thing. The Spartans were a long shot to beat No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday, but apparently no one told Mark Dantonio’s squad, which held the Buckeyes to just 132 yards of total offense during a stunning 17-14 win that shook up both the Big Ten and College Football Playoff races.
2 The loss stings, but not as much as Ezekiel Elliott’s comments. The Ohio State running back vented his frustration after the loss, taking aim at the coaching staff for its inability to properly use him in crunch time (he only had 12 carries). He added that he’s leaving school early for the NFL next season.
3 Iowa gets no respect, no respect, I tell ya. The Hawkeyes are quickly becoming college football’s equivalent of Rodney Dangerfield — getting no respect despite an 11-0 record and clinching a spot in the Big Ten Championship game. The playoff selection committee believes they’re a strong team, but does anyone else?
4 LSU’s tailspin could spell trouble for Les Miles. After starting the season with seven consecutive wins, the Tigers have quickly dropped their last three games in ugly fashion — getting outscored 99-47. The calls for Les Miles’ job are getting louder, raising the question: Is this it for the Mad Hatter in Baton Rouge?
5 A win’s a win, but Florida has major issues. Florida has been one of the biggest surprises of 2015, but as good as this team has been there is no denying the Gators are a different team with Treon Harris at quarterback. Harris, who replaced suspended starter Will Grier, struggled during wins over Vanderbilt, South Carolina and FAU.
6 Just when you think things can’t get any worse for South Carolina ... For a program going through one of its worst seasons since 1999, including the early resignation of legendary coach Steve Spurrier, losing 23-22 to The Citadel — an FCS foe — took things from bad to worse.
7 About that $3 million raise … In an effort to keep their coaches, officials from Memphis and Houston approved raises that would pay Justin Fuente and Tom Herman $3 million apiece per season. In response, the Tigers and Cougars both lost, effectively ending the schools’ playoff hopes.
8 Big Game Bob does it again. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops tore down and rebuilt the Sooners coaching staff last season to help the program compete with the likes of Baylor and TCU. It appears to have worked as OU toppled both teams, setting them up with a legitimate shot at a playof semifinal spot.
9 Let’s not be so quick to write off Baylor. Oklahoma handed Art Briles’ team its first loss of the season and many thought that was it for the Bears. But a tremendous showing in a win over Oklahoma State puts this team back in the thick of things in the Big 12 title race and maybe the College Football Playoff semifinal race.
10 The market for head coaches continues to grow. Iowa State fired Paul Rhoads on Sunday, making the Cyclones the ninth team from a Power 5 conference to have a coaching vacancy and the 12th school that will be looking for a new coach this offseason with more expected in the coming weeks.