A receding Tide
Alabama’s latest slip out top 5 continues a trend
So much about Nick Saban’s 17 seasons at Alabama represents unprecedented success in college football that even the slightest dip in performance is notable.
For any other program, seemingly permanent residence in the top 10 of Associated Press Top 25 college football poll going on nine consecutive seasons would be celebrated. For the Crimson Tide, it’s a sign of slippage.
No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Michigan held their places atop the AP poll Sunday, with Florida State moving up to No. 3 and Texas vaulting into the top five at No. 4 after beating ’Bama. The Tide dropped seven spots to No. 10, keeping their streak of consecutive appearances in the top 10 alive at 128.
Look a little closer. From 2009-2020, the season of Alabama’s sixth and most recent national championship under Saban, the Crimson Tide appeared in the AP poll’s top five a jaw-dropping 88% of the time. Not only was that the best mark in college football over that span, but next best wasn’t even close: Ohio State appeared in the top five 50% of the time.
Reality check is in no rush to declare the dynasty dead, but it is fair to say that Alabama is in a rut.
NO. 1 GEORGIA (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. South Carolina, Saturday
Mekhi Mews, a 5-8 walk-on receiver, has been the Bulldogs’ breakout star during two blowouts.
Ranked: Based purely on results, a voter could bump the Bulldogs down. But not doing so is OK.
NO. 2 MICHIGAN (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. Bowling Green, Saturday.
The Wolverines have not yet gotten RB Donovan Edwards (18 carries, 46 yards) going as the complement to Blake Corum.
Ranked: See Georgia.
NO. 3 FLORIDA STATE (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
at Boston College, Saturday.
The Seminoles seemed to already have a No. 1 receiver in Johnny Wilson, but the spring addition of Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman gave them an even better option.
Could be No. 1.
Ranked:
NO. 4 TEXAS (2-0) Next: Reality check:
vs. Wyoming, Saturday.
Freshman LB Anthony Hill could be this season’s Harold Perkins. Hill has similar explosive athleticism to the LSU star who became a major impact player in his first year. Ranked: Could also be No. 1.
NO. 5 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (3-0) Next:
Reality check:
at Arizona State, Sept. 23.
The much-maligned defense has been better the last two weeks (24 points allowed), but between the huge leads the Trojans have had and the weak opposition, it is hard to gauge progress.
Just right.
Ranked:
NO. 6 OHIO STATE (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. Western Kentucky, Saturday.
The Buckeyes rank 114th in the country in third-down conversions at 30.4%.
Too high.
Ranked:
NO. 7 PENN STATE (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
at Illinois, Saturday.
The Nittany Lions have scored at least 30 points in nine straight games, the longest streak in the nation.
Little low.
Ranked:
NO. 8 WASHINGTON (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
at Michigan State, Saturday.
Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk have combined for 696 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns.
About right.
Ranked:
NO. 9 NOTRE DAME (3-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. Central Michigan,
There is always another tight end at Notre Dame. Holden Staes is a little different variety, not quite as big but more explosive.
Little low.
Ranked:
NO. 10 ALABAMA (1-1) Next:
Reality check:
at South Florida, Saturday.
QB Jalen Milroe wasn’t good enough to beat Texas. He might be good enough to beat most of the other teams on the Tide’s schedule.
This is fine.
Ranked:
NO. 11 TENNESSEE (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
at Florida, Saturday.
QB Joe Milton and the Vols’ passing game didn’t click against Austin Peay.
About right.
Ranked:
NO. 12 UTAH (2-0) Next: Reality check:
vs. Weber State, Saturday.
Utes have absorbed some early losses the last two years before rolling to Pac-12 titles.
A little low.
Ranked:
NO. 13 OREGON (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. Hawaii, Saturday.
Ducks’ pass rush was key against Texas Tech, getting four sacks.
Just right.
Ranked: NO. 14 LSU (1-1) Next: Reality check:
at Mississippi State, Saturday.
After using dynamic pass rusher Perkins mostly to do things other than rush the passer against Florida State — without much success — how much will LSU tinker with that plan going forward?
Too high.
Ranked:
NO. 15 KANSAS STATE (2-0) Next:
at Missouri, Saturday.
Reality check: The Wildcats have had an uneventful and highly effective two weeks.
Too low.
Ranked:
NO. 16 OREGON STATE (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. San Diego State, Saturday.
RB Damien Martinez’s 9.96-yard average per carry is the highest in the Power Five.
Little low.
Ranked:
NO. 17 MISSISSIPPI (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. Georgia Tech, Saturday.
QB Jaxson Dart, who struggled late last season and faced a challenge from transfers to keep his starting job, has responded so far with a 206.57 passer rating.
Ranked: Too high.
NO. 18 COLORADO (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. Colorado State, Saturday.
Colorado and Utah are the only teams in the country with two Power Five victories.
Too low.
Ranked:
NO. 19 OKLAHOMA (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
at Tulsa, Saturday.
A solid but unspectacular performance against SMU makes this still mostly a mystery team until Big 12 play starts.
Too high.
Ranked:
NO. 20 NORTH CAROLINA (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. Minnesota, Saturday.
Tar Heels showed they have another star in RB Omarion Cooper (234 yards vs. App State) to go with QB Drake Maye.
Too low.
Ranked:
NO. 21 DUKE (2-0) Next: Reality check:
vs. Northwestern, Saturday.
Blue Devils got a well-deserved break with Lafayette coming to town after the Clemson victory.
Just right.
Ranked:
NO. 22 MIAMI (2-0) Next: Reality check:
vs. Bethune-Cookman, Thursday.
New offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has unlocked the 2021 version of QB Tyler Van Dyke.
Just right.
Ranked:
NO. 23 WASHINGTON STATE (2-0) Next:
Reality check:
vs. Northern Colorado, Saturday.
QB Cam Ward seems to have taken a step forward in his second year with the Cougars after transferring up from FCS.
Just right.
Ranked:
NO. 24 UCLA (2-0) Next: Reality check:
vs. North Carolina Central, Saturday.
Took freshman QB Dante Moore about half a game to become entrenched as the starter.
Just right.
Ranked:
NO. 25 IOWA (2-0) Next: Reality check:
vs. Western Michigan, Saturday.
Four offensive touchdowns in two games and still perfect. Same as it ever was so far for the Hawkeyes.
Ranked: Too high.