USA TODAY International Edition
LSU stakes case as 2 seed
Remember the days of yesteryear when we could count on defensive slobberknockers in the Southeastern Conference and shootouts in the Big 12 and – suddenly, we’re living in a bizarro world where Oklahoma has a defense and LSU does not.
But LSU’s fabulous offense is why the Tigers are moving up in the Football Four bracket. Oklahoma’s surprisingly stout defense is why the Sooners are firmly wedged into the field, as well. Who’d ever have thought either of those would happen? But isn’t it fun?
Meanwhile, as we officially cross the midpoint of the college football season, Clemson seems to still be good. Alabama, too. Ohio State, which didn’t play this week, remains the most impressive team this committee has seen.
It’s time to talk about Wisconsin, which has shut out four of its six opponents, and maybe Penn State, too. And oh, hey Georgia, what was that?
As always, remember we pick the bracket as if the season ended today.*
Football Four
1. Ohio State – The Buckeyes took the weekend off. Halfway through the season, Ohio State looks formidable in every facet.
2. LSU – After winning a shootout against Florida, the Tigers move up a couple of seeds in the bracket. Is Joe Burrow your Heisman frontrunner? Is LSU the SEC West’s best?
3. Oklahoma – Does Okla
homa have a defense? Surprisingly, yes. And yeah, it matters. It’s just possible the Sooners are closer to a complete package than in recent years.
4. Alabama – Does Alabama’s defense have some issues? Yes. Does it matter? Have you seen Tua Tagovailoa and all of his wonderful toys? It might not matter.
Four More**
5. Clemson – Remember all that concern about the Tigers after the scare at North Carolina? Yeah, never mind. Clemson’s fine.
6. Wisconsin – This defense is scary good. That Oct. 26 date at Ohio State cannot get here soon enough.
7. Penn State – It wasn’t easy at Iowa City, but maybe it’s just that Iowa City does strange things to teams. Penn State is a Big Ten East factor.
8. Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish probably have a ceiling below the bracket, but they notched a win against Southern California.
A Few More After That***
Oregon – The Ducks might forever ponder losing that 15- point lead in the opener against Auburn. The Ducks are packing a mean defense.
Georgia – The Bulldogs got beat at home by a mediocre South Carolina bunch playing with a third- string quarterback. It’s juuuuust possible the Dawgs were a tad overrated. But they’re still very much alive – if they win out.
Florida – The Gators didn’t quite have enough to win a shootout in Baton Rouge, but that previously pedestrian offense looked pretty good against the Tigers.
Auburn – Took the weekend off, and next weekend the Tigers are at Arkansas ( so it’s almost the same) before hitting the road to Baton Rouge and LSU. * The season is not over today. ** Don’t be worried that your team sits just outside the cut. This is a weekly snapshot. And what do we know, anyway?
*** See the previous note, but it’s OK to be slightly concerned or very angry. But what do we know, anyway?