2025 College Football Season

[temptation]

7 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

Say's the guy that started the whole thing by showing a photo of last season's bowl game and bragging about a coach still serving out his punishment for rules infractions.  You are that little canine.....

Just stating facts.  Just a simple comparison of two current head coaches and programs and where they stand in 2025.

DeBoer about to lose 2-3 games with 3-4 times as many 5 stars as Sherrone, yet Moore's squad is "on the struggle bus."

Not my rules.

Edited November 19, 2025 by temptation

[Komets2727]

How many 4 stars does Michigan have Temp? Betting it is well over 25. As far as Alabama goes, probably still going to the CFP, Clemson is terrible, Dabo needs to go, who else did you want to comment on about being on the struggle bus? It doesn’t change the facts that Michigan has struggled for 2 years since they cheated.

[temptation]

50 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

How many 4 stars does Michigan have Temp? Betting it is well over 25. As far as Alabama goes, probably still going to the CFP, Clemson is terrible, Dabo needs to go, who else did you want to comment on about being on the struggle bus? It doesn’t change the facts that Michigan has struggled for 2 years since they cheated.

Michigan will be fine.

Go get the B10s third consecutive natty.

[23andCounting]

On 11/18/2025 at 10:18 AM, Coach Nowlin said:

 

Sentiment from folks not near South Bend 

 

Yet everyone knows, with 100% certainty, that they are one of the best 12 teams in the country, probably Top 6. Probably the best team in the SEC if they were in the SEC. Is what it is. It's not "getting away with something." In past years, the media has been hard on the Irish. They know a good team when they see one. Can't wait for Freeman to hoist the trophy. 

[23andCounting]

On 11/18/2025 at 7:48 PM, temptation said:

You know, when every week mattered and you had to be PERFECT.

Michigan was the best team in the country in 2023, no one is questioning that. But you really think "playing to be perfect" every week matters more than blowing through a playoff with 12 strong teams looking to knock each other off their perch? C'mon, certainly The Temp doesn't believe that.

[temptation]

48 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Michigan was the best team in the country in 2023, no one is questioning that. But you really think "playing to be perfect" every week matters more than blowing through a playoff with 12 strong teams looking to knock each other off their perch? C'mon, certainly The Temp doesn't believe that.

That is what used to make college football unique and why I preferred it over the NFL (I still do).  You could lose 40-45% of your games in the NFL and still hoist the Lombardi trophy.  In college football, with the four team playoff and even back to the BCS era and before, every weekend WAS a playoff game.

One loss?  Ok cool.  2-3 losses?  A death sentence.

I like that we are in the third week of November and basically 20 teams are still in the running for 11 spots but am I supposed to believe that Notre Dame should be ranked ahead of Miami?  Why even play the game?

Why does WHEN you lose matter more so than HOW you lose or to WHOM you lose?

Back to my Michigan example, they entered the 2023 Ohio State game at 11-0 and it was widely speculated that losing that game would have knocked them out of the top four thus eliminating ANY chance of them making a run for the national title despite their 11-1 record?  They squeaked by in a game that was in doubt until under a minute to go.  Why not just move "The Game" to September so they can have plausible deniablity like Notre Dame does this year?

I'd mofify the current approach and move the second weekend games to college campuses also.  Reward your top 4 seeds with an additional home game as opposed to the bye, which we saw last year was anything BUT an advantage.

End of rant.

Edited November 20, 2025 by temptation

[temptation]

Other than for bragging rights, what does the OSU/Michigan game mean to the Buckeyes this year?  They are obviously in the playoff and you could make the argument that sitting in 3rd in the major conferences is an advantage as the loser of each conference championship game is going to have an additional blemish on their resume.

The Buckeyes' top two WR's are banged up.  Do you get em ready for the Michigan game or play the long game knowing the national title is the ultimate prize?

They obviously proved last year that they can still achieve their ultimate goal, even with a Thanksgiving weekend loss and a home playoff game as opposed to a bye.

I am already hearing some "so what's" from some of my Buckeye friends if they somehow lose next Saturday.  Rivalries are what makes college football great.

Edited November 20, 2025 by temptation

[23andCounting]

@temptation

Good stuff. You make some pretty good points about the 4-team playoff versus the 12-team. Let me answer a couple of questions that you presented: 

Why should Notre Dame be ranked ahead of Miami? You already know the answer, pretty simple. Notre Dame looks better than they did in Week 1, can't say the same for Miami. There has to be some stock into how you are playing right now. As it looks, one could conclude that Miami over Notre Dame was a one off, an upset. Ohio State lost to Michigan last season, but we all knew they were the best team in the country. Why wasn't Michigan ranked ahead of Ohio State if head to had "has" to matter? We could do this all day long. 

I guess I like the 12-team playoff for no other reason that if Notre Dame loses, I can admit it was because they weren't the best team. If it were a 4-team playoff, possibly knocking ND out, you'd have to listen to me for the next 10 months spewing about how Notre Dame might have been the best team in the country based on how they were playing in the latter half of the season. With the 12-team playoff, we don't have to listen to the Group of Five claim "National Champions" because they had an undefeated season like Central Florida did in 2017. Yeah, there are drawbacks, like SEC faithful whining because they think all their 2-loss teams should be ranked ahead of everyone else. But in the end, it's a better route to finding a TRUE champion. 

[temptation]

35 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

@temptation

Good stuff. You make some pretty good points about the 4-team playoff versus the 12-team. Let me answer a couple of questions that you presented: 

Why should Notre Dame be ranked ahead of Miami? You already know the answer, pretty simple. Notre Dame looks better than they did in Week 1, can't say the same for Miami. There has to be some stock into how you are playing right now. As it looks, one could conclude that Miami over Notre Dame was a one off, an upset. Ohio State lost to Michigan last season, but we all knew they were the best team in the country. Why wasn't Michigan ranked ahead of Ohio State if head to had "has" to matter? We could do this all day long. 

I guess I like the 12-team playoff for no other reason that if Notre Dame loses, I can admit it was because they weren't the best team. If it were a 4-team playoff, possibly knocking ND out, you'd have to listen to me for the next 10 months spewing about how Notre Dame might have been the best team in the country based on how they were playing in the latter half of the season. With the 12-team playoff, we don't have to listen to the Group of Five claim "National Champions" because they had an undefeated season like Central Florida did in 2017. Yeah, there are drawbacks, like SEC faithful whining because they think all their 2-loss teams should be ranked ahead of everyone else. But in the end, it's a better route to finding a TRUE champion. 

I guess I just prefer perfection.

15-0.

[23andCounting]

11 minutes ago, temptation said:

I guess I just prefer perfection.

15-0.

Sometimes not likely in a season of parity. 

[Coach Nowlin]

16 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Sometimes not likely in a season of parity. 

And that is why I love the NFL more than NFL minor league system called P4 NCAA, any given game in the NFL, all 32 teams have the ability to win.   The 53 man rosters of talent dictates this.  That cannot be said in a 4 team or 12 team playoff system.    

I think having multiple losses at the highest level of the game of Football and become a Lombardi Championship hoister is not a negative, however, I understand each folk is different on how they consume the entertainment preferences of American Tackle Football 

[temptation]

2 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

And that is why I love the NFL more than NFL minor league system called P4 NCAA, any given game in the NFL, all 32 teams have the ability to win.   The 53 man rosters of talent dictates this.  That cannot be said in a 4 team or 12 team playoff system.    

I think having multiple losses at the highest level of the game of Football and become a Lombardi Championship hoister is not a negative, however, I understand each folk is different on how they consume the entertainment preferences of American Tackle Football 

See your point and I am not naive enough to believe the following statement is factually true, especially in the era of NIL but I have also always like the fact that in college you play for the name on the front of the jersey and in the pros you play for the name on the back.

You get to choose your path in college.  Your pro path is chosen for you.

[Coach Nowlin]

1 hour ago, temptation said:

See your point and I am not naive enough to believe the following statement is factually true, especially in the era of NIL but I have also always like the fact that in college you play for the name on the front of the jersey and in the pros you play for the name on the back.

You get to choose your path in college.  Your pro path is chosen for you.

how much longer can you say that with a half way straight face?   If you are talking Purdue Basketball then I agree, but if that statement was remotely true then why was there 883 total players in 2024 transfer into a P4 school?  

And your path in not always chosen by you:   You enter into contracts with schools and if you do not perform, you can lose your spot on the team and your coach at P4 school will not renew your contract and tell you to hit the portal. 

So that sentiment was true bout 3 to 4 years ago ish, and beyond, but I don't think the data supports that anymore.   

[Bash Riprock]

5 hours ago, temptation said:

Other than for bragging rights, what does the OSU/Michigan game mean to the Buckeyes this year?  They are obviously in the playoff and you could make the argument that sitting in 3rd in the major conferences is an advantage as the loser of each conference championship game is going to have an additional blemish on their resume.

The Buckeyes' top two WR's are banged up.  Do you get em ready for the Michigan game or play the long game knowing the national title is the ultimate prize?

They obviously proved last year that they can still achieve their ultimate goal, even with a Thanksgiving weekend loss and a home playoff game as opposed to a bye.

I am already hearing some "so what's" from some of my Buckeye friends if they somehow lose next Saturday.  Rivalries are what makes college football great.

you make some solid points in your last 2 posts.  (see, I can agree)  

The game would take on much more significance if OSU already had a loss during the season.  But you are right...a blemish now, unless a blowout, would not drop them out of the top 4.  (certainly not out of the playoffs)  Indiana on the other hand being a newcomer, does not have OSU's grace.  If they are upset by PeeEww, then they would drop certainly out of the top 4 and I believe would be on the road in the playoffs, assuming they remain.  

Rivalry games used to be awesome at the end of the season...but perhaps it is time to move them earlier in the season, if you really want each team to give out their best.  Certainly top teams already in the playoffs.

Edited November 20, 2025 by Bash Riprock

[temptation]

1 hour ago, Bash Riprock said:

you make some solid points in your last 2 posts.  (see, I can agree)  

The game would take on much more significance if OSU already had a loss during the season.  But you are right...a blemish now, unless a blowout, would not drop them out of the top 4.  (certainly not out of the playoffs)  Indiana on the other hand being a newcomer, does not have OSU's grace.  If they are upset by PeeEww, then they would drop certainly out of the top 4 and I believe would be on the road in the playoffs, assuming they remain.  

Rivalry games used to be awesome at the end of the season...but perhaps it is time to move them earlier in the season, if you really want each team to give out their best.  Certainly top teams already in the playoffs.

And its only one year of data but last year proved that there really was no advantage of being in the top 4...quite the opposite actually.

[Bash Riprock]

57 minutes ago, temptation said:

And its only one year of data but last year proved that there really was no advantage of being in the top 4...quite the opposite actually.

Always a debate of getting a bye (and resting) is worth the cobwebs that can form when not playing.  Coach, I wonder if the NFL has data about the benefit of being top seeds and getting byes?  Not saying that is an apple to apple comparison.

[temptation]

16 hours ago, Bash Riprock said:

Always a debate of getting a bye (and resting) is worth the cobwebs that can form when not playing.  Coach, I wonder if the NFL has data about the benefit of being top seeds and getting byes?  Not saying that is an apple to apple comparison.

I would also like to see the regular season data at both levels when it comes to playing after a bye.

Maybe I am using a small sample size but it always seems to me like teams come out flat more often than not when it was spun as a "week to get healthy."

Personally, I always liked the consistency and maintenance of a regular schedule, but I cannot speak for everyone.

I am a creature of habit.

[Coach Nowlin]

Draft season coming soon 

Ohio State.  1-2-10. 

 

Oregon QB over IU 

First Big board Ive seen 

 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47027232/2026-nfl-draft-rankings-jordan-reid-top-prospects-players-positions

[Bash Riprock]

1 hour ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Draft season coming soon 

Ohio State.  1-2-10. 

 

Oregon QB over IU 

First Big board Ive seen 

 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47027232/2026-nfl-draft-rankings-jordan-reid-top-prospects-players-positions

There it is coach....Mendoza needs to come back for his senior year and complete his MBA!!!!

In all seriousness, he projects only 3 QB's in the first round.  As you said earlier, not a deep draft for QB's.

[Bash Riprock]

4 hours ago, temptation said:

I would also like to see the regular season data at both levels when it comes to playing after a bye.

Maybe I am using a small sample size but it always seems to me like teams come out flat more often than not when it was spun as a "week to get healthy."

Personally, I always liked the consistency and maintenance of a regular schedule, but I cannot speak for everyone.

I am a creature of habit.

i just have flashbacks of being in the old RCA Dome, watching the #1 seed Colts go down to wildcard team Pittsburgh, who ended up winning the Super Bowl.  I believe that was the year the Colts were like 15-0 and sat players to rest, blowing their undefeated regular season.  They then got a 2nd week of rest being the #1 seeded team with a bye.  They promptly came out in the playoff game, well rested and healed up....and played like crap, losing a close game.  Ugh!!

[Coach Nowlin]

1 hour ago, Bash Riprock said:

i just have flashbacks of being in the old RCA Dome, watching the #1 seed Colts go down to wildcard team Pittsburgh, who ended up winning the Super Bowl.  I believe that was the year the Colts were like 15-0 and sat players to rest, blowing their undefeated regular season.  They then got a 2nd week of rest being the #1 seeded team with a bye.  They promptly came out in the playoff game, well rested and healed up....and played like crap, losing a close game.  Ugh!!

Wasn't that Mike Tomzack QB?   for Pitt vs Harbaugh for Colts?? 

[Bash Riprock]

31 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Wasn't that Mike Tomzack QB?   for Pitt vs Harbaugh for Colts?? 

No...it was Peyton vs Ben.  That was the game that Pittsburgh pretty much dominated, but Colts hung in....I was sitting on the end of the field when Bettis fumbled near the goalline and football picked up by Colts cornerback Nick Harper (playing with injury due to being stabbed in the knee area by his wife) and he had one man to juke (Ben) and couldn't do it.  Should have been an easy scoop and score.  Pittsburgh won 21-18 as Vanderjagt badly missed a 47 yd FG attempt w/21 secs left. Still nightmares....The Colts were never in synch during the game...always playing from behind...yet still had a chance if not for those 2 plays.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs05/news/story?id=2293484

Harper, who injured his right knee in the first half of Sunday's game, came within moments of scoring the winning touchdown for the Colts in the fourth quarter. He picked up Jerome Bettis' goal-line fumble with 21 seconds remaining and looked headed for the highly improbable score, but Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tumbled, reached out a hand and made a saving tackle at the Indy 42.

 

 

[PHJIrish]

The CFP Selection Committee said the reason Notre Dame is ranked ahead of Miami is that Miami's two losses were to unranked teams, and Notre Dame's losses were to two ranked teams.

[Bash Riprock]

 

[Komets2727]

12 hours ago, Bash Riprock said:

 

I have said all along that Kiffin’s ego would not allow him to stay at Ole Miss. Tea leaves are hinting that I am right…