🏈 🔵 Why Alabama Will Create Shockwaves Ahead Of Selection Sunday
Can the Crimson Tide upend Georgia to sneak into the four-team bracket for a national title shot?
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My College Football Stock Report
Trending Upwards:
Eli Drinkwitz
Since taking over Missouri during the COVID-19-hindered slate, Eli Drinkwitz has steadily curated the Tigers’ program into a formidable SEC force.
After two consecutive 6-7 campaigns, Drinkwitz led the starving program to its first 10-win season since 2014 when Missouri represented the league’s East division in the conference title bout against Alabama.
The Tigers currently reside at No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings and are almost a shoo-in for a New Year’s Six Bowl bid under the fourth-year head coach’s lead.
Jaydon Blue
As the third running back option on the Longhorns’ depth chart, Jaydon Blue hadn’t received double-digit carries in a single outing more than once throughout his squad’s first 11 games.
However, the sophomore bruiser warranted 10 carries in Texas’ decisive 57-7 victory over Texas Tech, exploding for 121 yards and a touchdown.
With Blue’s yards-per-carry clip amounting to over a 12-yard gain, his season average now stands at 6.7 yards per attempt. Moving forward, Blue’s 191-pound frame will likely morph into a cornerstone in Steve Sarkisian’s spread system.
Colston Loveland
Michigan’s most reliable target remained steady in the Wolverines’ most monumental matchup of the season against Ohio State, helping the maize and blue cling to a 30-24 triumph in the Big House.
Loveland hauled in five receptions for 88 yards in the go-around for a 17.6 yards-per-catch average.
The outing helped the sophomore end the campaign by securing at least one catch in every regular season showing. Additionally, the athletic weapon concluded the year second in receiving yards among all Big Ten tight ends.
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Trending Downwards:
TCU
Needing a victory to secure bowl eligibility just a year removed from earning a spot in the national championship, the Horned Frogs surrendered 42 first-half points to Dillon Gabriel and Oklahoma’s high-octane offense.
Despite a 22-point third-quarter output and a 344-yard passing showing from quarterback Josh Hoover, Sonny Dykes’ defense ultimately gave up 607 total yards behind 7.7 yards per play.
The loss now places TCU in rarified air, making Dykes’ squad the only team in college football history to miss out on the postseason altogether just 12 games removed from a title berth.
Spencer Rattler
Despite standing as the No. 4 passer in the SEC with 3,186 total yards, South Carolina gunslinger Spencer Rattler proved to be no match for Clemson’s heralded front seven led by edge weapon TJ Parker.
Rattler completed only 50% of his throws for 112 yards and one interception, falling to the Tigers 16-7 at Williams-Brice Stadium in front of the Gamecocks faithful.
Shane Beamer’s offensive line failed to consistently protect the future NFL talent all year, allowing 41 sacks behind an injury-ridden lineup. The 3.42 sacks per game tally ranked South Carolina No. 118 nationally in sacks allowed.
North Carolina’s Defense
In a season-ending rivalry bout with NC State, Mack Brown’s Tar Heels sluggishly began the matchup by giving up 26 points before the break.
Opposing signal caller Brennan Armstrong compiled 334 yards and three touchdowns, and running back KC Concepcion posted totaled 186 all-purpose yards behind 18 touches offensively.
The measly showing by North Carolina’s backend moved the 8-4 group to No. 95 in total defensive ranks, defined by allowing over 405 yards each game.
My Conference Championship Weekend Top 25:
Transfer Portal Spotlight:
Riley Leonard | Quarterback, Duke
In the wake of Mike Elko’s decision to take over the reins at Texas A&M, prized quarterback prospect Riley Leonard decided to enter his name into the transfer portal to conclude a stellar three-year stint at Duke.
Leonard started just seven matchups as a junior but excelled as a dual-threat in defining victories over Clemson and Northwestern.
The Alabama native completed nearly 60% of his passing attempts for about 160 yards per game through the air, but his skillset uniquely puts opposing front sevens in conflict through his ability to tuck it and scramble.
With 352 yards on the ground, Leonard averaged 6.1 yards per carry with four scores, making Riley arguably the most attractive quarterback to enter the portal yet.
This past summer, when I interviewed Leonard on Duke’s campus, I knew the gaudy 6’4” upperclassman had all the intangibles to become a superstar. The moxie, dedication to film, and unteachable will for his teammates all immediately stood out just seconds after meeting him.
Whoever lands Leonard is not only going to end up getting a great player but a special person and a locker room culture driver.
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My Top Battle Of The Weekend
Bo Nix vs. Dominique Hampton
At the regular season’s conclusion, no quarterback has lit up the stat sheet more than Oregon gunslinger Bo Nix.
The Auburn transfer finished the regular season with a 78.6% completion percentage for the highest conversion rate through the air in college football history over a 12-game span.
Additionally, Nix posted 3,906 yards passing for over 325 per game, defined by 37 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
However, in the PAC-12 Championship, Nix will once again be tested by one of the league’s most feared backend staples in Dominique Hampton.
As a senior, Hampton has flown from sideline to sideline, putting together 89 tackes in the second level with two interceptions and four passes deflected.
Both players’ strengths, highlighted by Nix’s vision and decision-making paired with Hampton’s discipline and speed should be on full display in Friday’s top-5 conference championship bout.
Hot Prediction Heading Into Championship Weekend
Alabama Edges Out Georgia, Creates Unprecedented College Football Playoff Shakeup
Despite needing a 4th-and-31 prayer from Jalen Milroe to Isaiah Bond to narrowly escape Jordan-Hare Stadium with a victory, the Crimson Tide have appeared to be a team of destiny after losing to Texas at home in week two.
Since the LSU matchup where Nick Saban’s bunch closed out a decisive home battle with a 42-28 win, Milroe’s legs have become a focal point in coordinator Tommy Rees’ gameplan.
That day, the physical quarterback toted the rock 20 times for 155 yards and four touchdowns. Similarly, against Auburn, Milore totaled 18 carries for 107 yards, effectively giving the Crimson Tide an additional backfield weapon.
Alabama’s complex game plan centered around Milroe’s dual-threat capabilities should give defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann fits and a new wrinkle compared to what the Bulldogs have seen against most SEC drop-back passers.
Milroe’s athleticism paired with Dallas Turner’s leadership and physicality on defense will prove to be too much for Georgia in Atlanta, allowing for a wild selection Sunday left in the hands of the College Football Playoff Committee.
If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by email at adam@brenemanmedia.com.
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Shoutout to Connor Krause for helping to write this newsletter and putting it together!
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