PRESS PICKS: CFB welcomes Big 10 back to the fold
STAFF REPORT
It almost feels like we are starting over again.
The Big 10 becomes a part of the 2020 college football lexicon this weekend with seven games. The league will be celebrated by all the big networks and, providing there is no outbreak of COVID-19, will be applauded for “getting in the game.”
But is it fair to automatically include them into the talk of the playoff?
Big 10 fans say, “of course.” But there have already been several interesting outcomes in the other conferences to contend that a Power 5 conference has the pull to get what it wants.
As the weekend begins, only 12 are still undefeated and among Power 5 leagues, only four teams are without a blemish. Granted, those teams were expected to be undefeated at this point (Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Oklahoma St) and one of those will be eliminated in a couple of weeks when the Tigers face the Irish.
Ohio State gets an automatic bid until they don’t, meaning they are assumed to be in the playoffs if they finish undefeated and possibly with just one loss (stay away from Purdue). This is despite playing the least amount of games among the expected Power 5 entries, no offense to the Pac 12.
While the ACC, SEC and Big 12 have been sweating it out for the last 4-5 weeks, these teams have been “practicing” and getting ready for their abbreviated season. They haven’t had to deal with the possible upsets or poor officiating. Yes, it all plays a role.
So, get ready for the debate. It’s not going to be pretty.
In the standings, Doug Amos took over sole possession of first place with a solid week. He leads Graham Dunn by two picks.
2020 Standings (Last Week)
1. Doug Amos 93-31 (10-3) .750
2. Graham Dunn 91-33 (8-5) .734
3. Michael Butler 88-36 (7-6) .710
Tim Gayle 88-36 (9-4) .710
5. Barry McKnight 84-40 (9-4) .677
6. Rick Hendrick 83-41 (9-4) .669
7. Mike Peacock 82-42 (8-5) .661
8. Darrell Puckett 76-48 (10-3) .513
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket & Troy Trojans Network)
93-31 (10-3) .750
Eufaula at Sidney Lanier – Eufaula
Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore – Wetumpka
Sylacauga at Holtville - Sylacauga
Trinity at Childersburg – Trinity
Alabama at Tennessee - Alabama
Auburn at Ole Miss - Auburn
Georgia St at Troy – Troy
South Carolina at LSU - LSU
Kentucky at Missouri – Missouri
Oklahoma at TCU – Oklahoma
Baylor at Texas – Texas
Iowa St at Oklahoma St – Oklahoma St
Michigan at Minnesota – Michigan
Penn St at Indiana – Penn St
La.-LaFayette at UAB – UAB
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports)
91-33 (8-5) .734
Eufaula at Sidney Lanier – Eufaula
Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore – Stanhope Elmore
Sylacauga at Holtville - Sylacauga
Trinity at Childersburg – Trinity
Alabama at Tennessee - Alabama
Auburn at Ole Miss - Auburn
Georgia St at Troy – Troy
South Carolina at LSU - LSU
Kentucky at Missouri – Kentucky
Oklahoma at TCU – TCU
Baylor at Texas – Texas
Iowa St at Oklahoma St – Oklahoma St
Michigan at Minnesota – Minnesota
Penn St at Indiana – Penn St
La.-LaFayette at UAB – UAB
Michael Butler (WTLS 106.5 FM/1300 AM & Tallassee Times)
88-36 (7-6) .710
Eufaula at Sidney Lanier – Eufaula
Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore – Wetumpka
Sylacauga at Holtville - Sylacauga
Trinity at Childersburg – Trinity
Alabama at Tennessee - Alabama
Auburn at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Georgia St at Troy – Troy
South Carolina at LSU - LSU
Kentucky at Missouri – Kentucky
Oklahoma at TCU – Oklahoma
Baylor at Texas – Texas
Iowa St at Oklahoma St – Iowa St
Michigan at Minnesota – Michigan
Penn St at Indiana – Penn St
La.-LaFayette at UAB – UAB
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports & Montgomery Independent)
88-36 (9-4) .710
Eufaula at Sidney Lanier – Eufaula
Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore – Wetumpka
Sylacauga at Holtville - Sylacauga
Trinity at Childersburg – Trinity
Alabama at Tennessee - Alabama
Auburn at Ole Miss - Auburn
Georgia St at Troy – Troy
South Carolina at LSU – South Carolina
Kentucky at Missouri – Kentucky
Oklahoma at TCU – Oklahoma
Baylor at Texas – Texas
Iowa St at Oklahoma St – Oklahoma St
Michigan at Minnesota – Michigan
Penn St at Indiana – Penn St
La.-LaFayette at UAB – UAB
Barry McKnight (SportsRadio 740 /Voice of Troy Trojans)
84-40 (9-4) .677
Eufaula at Sidney Lanier – Eufaula
Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore – Wetumpka
Sylacauga at Holtville - Sylacauga
Trinity at Childersburg – Trinity
Alabama at Tennessee - Alabama
Auburn at Ole Miss - Auburn
Georgia St at Troy – Troy
South Carolina at LSU - LSU
Kentucky at Missouri – Kentucky
Oklahoma at TCU – Oklahoma
Baylor at Texas – Texas
Iowa St at Oklahoma St – Oklahoma St
Michigan at Minnesota – Minnesota
Penn St at Indiana – Penn St
La.-LaFayette at UAB – UAB
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA of Montgomery Biscuits)
83-41 (9-4) .669
Eufaula at Sidney Lanier – Eufaula
Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore – Wetumpka
Sylacauga at Holtville - Holtville
Trinity at Childersburg – Childersburg
Alabama at Tennessee - Alabama
Auburn at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Georgia St at Troy – Troy
South Carolina at LSU - LSU
Kentucky at Missouri – Kentucky
Oklahoma at TCU – TCU
Baylor at Texas – Texas
Iowa St at Oklahoma St – Oklahoma St
Michigan at Minnesota – Michigan
Penn St at Indiana – Penn St
La.-LaFayette at UAB – UAB
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports)
82-42 (8-5) .661
Park Crossing vs Lee – Lee
Carver vs. Lanier (Thur) - Carver
Calera at Wetumpka – Wetumpka
Catholic at Trinity – Catholic
Thomasville at Montgomery Academy – Thomasville
Georgia at Alabama - Alabama
Auburn at South Carolina - Auburn
Eastern Kentucky at Troy - Troy
Kentucky at Tennessee – Tennessee
Texas A&M at Miss St – Texas A&M
Ole Miss at Arkansas – Ole Miss
Pitt at Miami, Fla – Miami
Central Fla at Memphis – Central Fla
Cincinnati at Tulsa – Tulsa
Darrell Puckett (formerly of WAKA CH 8/Alabama News Network)
76-48 (10-3) .513
Eufaula at Sidney Lanier – Eufaula
Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore – Stanhope Elmore
Sylacauga at Holtville - Holtville
Trinity at Childersburg – Trinity
Alabama at Tennessee - Alabama
Auburn at Ole Miss - Ole Miss
Georgia St at Troy – Troy
South Carolina at LSU - LSU
Kentucky at Missouri – Kentucky
Oklahoma at TCU – Oklahoma
Baylor at Texas – Texas
Iowa St at Oklahoma St – Oklahoma St
Michigan at Minnesota – Michigan
Penn St at Indiana – Penn St
La.-LaFayette at UAB – La LaFayette