Every week during the season, New York Post online sports editors Justin Terranova and Marc Raimondi go toe-to-toe on the latest hot topics in college football.
This week, they tackle Texas A&M-Alabama fallout, Louisville’s loss to Syracuse and who the new No. 1 should be.
How shocked should we be about Alabama’s loss to Texas A&M?
Terranova: Pretty shocked. But there was one big hint that this was possible and I won’t take credit for it since many analysts have already pointed it out. But, LSU found some success offensively by spreading Alabama out and Texas A&M did the same thing except they were much more capable of exposing it. By the time Alabama made any adjustments it was already 20-0 and the Aggies did just enough to hold on for the upset.
Raimondi: A&M was most capable of exposing it for one big reason: Johnny Manziel. But we’ll get to him in a second. I think people realized Alabama was not unbeatable after the LSU game. It took a late AJ McCarron touchdown pass to allow the Crimson Tide to survive in Baton Rouge. The luster was off after that. Texas A&M might not have the defense LSU does, but it has a much better offense. Therefore, the answer is: not incredibly shocked.
Does beating the top-ranked team in the country make freshman Johnny Manziel a shoo-in for the Heisman?
Raimondi: OK, I know I jump on a new Heisman Trophy bandwagon every week. Geno Smith, Collin Klein and even Manti Te’o have been my favorites. Those three are old hat now, though. Johnny Football is the man. C’mon, when was the last time a quarterback played that well against a Nick Saban defense? Probably when he was coaching the Dolphins. Manziel should be the first freshman ever to win the Heisman.
Terranova: The actual last time was Nov. 26, 2010 when Cam Newton led Auburn back from a 24-0 deficit to beat Alabama on their way to a national title. But I understand Marc’s point, as Newton was on his way to a Heisman and had a spectacular year. There is a difference, though. Newton won a national championship and if Klein, whose numbers are behind Manziel’s but still amazing, has Kansas State a win away from a title it would be a tough call even if the Texas A&M freshman is doing it against tougher competition in the SEC.
Nothing to do with the questions, but here’s a cool video of Texas A&M returning to campus following the big win.
So who’s No. 1 now – Oregon, Kansas State or Notre Dame?
Terranova: This is tough. Oregon has the most style points, Notre Dame has had the toughest schedule and Kansas State is actually No. 1 in the BCS standings. If the question is simply — who is the best team? — then I have to go with Oregon. I just can’t see Kansas State winning a track meet with them and the Ducks’ defense is good enough to slow down Notre Dame’s inconsistent offense.
Raimondi: When it comes to the postseason and championship games, it worries me when a team gives up as many points as Oregon does. Gun to my head, I still think Alabama is the best team in the country. But with these three choices, I have to agree with you. I maintain still that Kansas State is a paper tiger. And Notre Dame has dodged so many bullets it’s only a matter of time before they get caught. Chip Kelly’s Ducks are the No. 1 team in the country, at least right now. They are absolutely explosive.
Will Syracuse’s upset of Louisville save Doug Marrone’s job?
Raimondi: Probably. Win or lose that game, I was in favor of giving Marrone another year anyway. He’s only had one winning season, but it takes time to change the culture. What’s most disturbing is how much success Rutgers has had this year. The two teams recruit from the same pool of talent. But hey if Marrone does get the axe, I’m sure Sean Payton will give him a gig wherever he ends up next year.
Terranova: I completely agree. The Orange are 5-5 and have been in every game. Marrone took over a program in disarray (nine wins from 2005-’08) and has crept them toward respectability. He deserves a couple of more years at least to complete the job.
Can a team that no one is talking about sneak into the national title picture if one of the top 3 slip up?
Terranova: There are two teams that could play for the national title game besides the three unbeatens: Georgia or Alabama, but they would need two of the top three to slip up. Those two teams will be playing for the SEC title (unless Alabama loses to Auburn), but I just don’t see a way they jump any unbeatens. The good news is Kansas State (at Baylor), Notre Dame (at USC) and Oregon (vs. Stanford, at Oregon State, Pac-12 championship) all have significant hurdles left.
Raimondi: Texas A&M must be kicking itself. It lost to Florida and LSU by a combined seven points this season. If one of those goes the other way, the Aggies would be right in the thick of the national title picture. That ship has sailed, though, and I can’t envision another team busting into the elite. But I wouldn’t be shocked seeing Kansas State, Notre Dame or Oregon getting tripped up. Part of me hopes there is a shake up. An Oregon-Kansas State national title game has no juice.