We are already in the 8th week of the 2024 season. I haven’t been able to write any highlights this season (lol), but that’s only because I’ve been spending so much time on podcasts… However, I was unable to record the podcast this week because I caught a cold, so I would like to briefly transcribe the highlights of this week.
#5 University of Georgia @ #1 University of Texas
For the past two weeks in a row, teams in the top five have played against each other (#2 Georgia vs. #4 Alabama in Week 6, #2 Ohio State vs. #3 Oregon in Week 7) ), teams in the top five will compete against each other again this week. The University of Texas, ranked No. 1 in the United States, will play the University of Georgia, ranked No. 5 in the United States, at home.
University of Texas starts this seasonSEC(The team belongs to the Southeastern Conference), and the University of Texas’ athletic director (AD) said that a major reason they moved from the Big 12 Conference to the SEC was to be able to compete against a super-powerful school like the University of Georgia. I was professing it. There are many strong players in the SEC, and if we can host them, tickets will sell and the concession stands inside the stadium will be well stocked. Furthermore, the reason is that if people gather, the economy around the stadium will grow, which can be expected to have a large business effect.
However, of course, such games are meaningless unless we win. The University of Texas came to the SEC with such determination and is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation.Steve Sarkisian(Steve Sarkisian) In his third year as coach, the University of Texas has already improved to this point. The University of Georgia is the perfect opponent to further test that ability.
The University of Georgia is a team that is said to have a strong defense. How effective will Coach Sarkisian’s offense be for this team? QBQuinn EwersThe same goes for (Quinn Ewers)’s arm, WR.Isaiah Bond（Isaiah Bond）、WRryan wingo（Ryan Wingo）、TEgunner helm(Gunnar Helm) and others are looking forward to their success.
On the other hand, the University of Georgia has joined the ranks of winning teams after winning two consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022. As a team that could always aim to win the national championship, they came to be counted as one of the strongest teams in the SEC, along with the University of Alabama, which had previously won multiple national championships.
In fact, the four games Georgia has lost since 2021 are all to Alabama, meaning they have not lost to any other team in the past four years. While it is true that they are weak against Alabama, they are extremely strong against other teams.
However, this year we haven’t been able to feel as strong as the University of Georgia in recent years, and in particular, we have been extremely strong in 2021 and 2022, so it seems that some fans feel that they are not satisfied with their current strength.
Meanwhile, they will be playing against the University of Texas, but if they lose this game, not only will they suffer their second loss of the season, but the fact remains that they will also lose to a team other than Alabama. If that happens, you might end up with the impression that things are going downhill at Georgia University.
If that happensrecruitingThis will be a headwind for the University of Georgia. It is no exaggeration to think that the presence or absence of team strength depends on recruiting ability. How many good people you can recruit is a matter of life and death when it comes to team development. The University of Georgia has boasted one of the top recruiting rates in the nation, especially over the past five years.
Meanwhile, if we lose to the University of Texas and the Texas University brand overtakes the Georgia University brand, there is a scenario where we will immediately fall behind in the recruiting war and our strength will be absorbed by other teams. It’s not inconceivable.
University of Alabamanick saban(Nick Saban) Former coach retires, the next GOAT in the college world is the University of Georgia.Kirby Smart(Kirby Smart) I’m often asked if it’s Coach Smart, but if we lose here to the University of Texas and suffer our second loss, Coach Smart’s charisma and the University of Georgia’s brand will decline. I think it’s an exaggeration to say this, but it could be a match that could subtly change the positions of the University of Texas and the University of Georgia.
It looks like this will be a match to keep an eye on not only for this year’s future, but also for the future changes in the power balance.
Other matches
#7 University of Alabama @ #11 University of Tennessee
A lively game between teams in the SEC, nicknamed “The 3rd Saturday in October.”
The University of Alabama suffered an unexpected loss to Vanderbilt University two weeks ago, and the following week, last week, they narrowly defeated the University of South Carolina, so things aren’t looking very good. On the other hand, the University of Tennessee also suffered an upset against the University of Arkansas two weeks ago, and last week they struggled against the University of Florida and managed to win in OT, so both teams’ recovery the following week after suffering an upset did not go that well. I didn’t.
Both have already suffered one loss, and there is no doubt that the one who loses will be one step removed from the SEC title race and even the playoff race. This is a home game for the University of Tennessee. Two years ago, the University of Tennessee suffered a dramatic upset when a fan broke off a goal post and sent it into the Tennessee River. What will happen this year?
#6 University of Miami @ University of Louisville
NowACCIn the (Atlantic Coast Conference), along with the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Miami is still undefeated and is ranked 6th in the nation. So far, they have not been able to hold any opponents at bay in non-conference games, but they have been able to overcome them with extremely narrow wins in their last two conference games (Virginia Tech and University of California).
QB who is a promising star at Miami Universitycam ward(Cam Ward) is alive and well.heisman trophyHis name has also been mentioned as a candidate. Louisville is a team with high offensive power, so there is a high possibility that this game will be a shootout. If that happens, it can be said that the fate of the team will naturally depend on Ward’s skill.
Although the University of Louisville is an unranked team, it is also their home game, and the University of Miami will need to be very careful not to be swept off their feet.
#8 Louisiana State University @ University of Arkansas
Louisiana State University had fallen in the rankings after losing to the University of Southern California in the opening game, but since then they have continued to win, and last week they beat Mississippi State University, which was in 9th place, and have finally jumped into the top 10.
As mentioned above, the University of Arkansas took away the gold star from the University of Tennessee two weeks ago, but last week was a bye week with no games. Has the momentum from the Tennessee game continued after the bye week, or has it cooled off?
#12 Notre Dame @ Georgia Tech
Notre Dame, ranked 12th in the nation, has five wins and one loss so far. Although they suffered an unexpected loss to Northern Illinois University in the early stages, they have continued to rack up wins since then. Last week, they defeated Stanford 49-7. QB in this gameriley leonard(Riley Leonard) seems to be getting better with 229 yards and 3 TDs (1 TD on the run).
However, Georgia Tech is a team to be reckoned with. He has 5 wins and 2 losses so far, but he is a transfer student QB from Texas A&M University.haynes king(Haynes King) has performed so far with 8 TDs and 1 INT with few mistakes. Additionally, the team has decided to wear all-white gear from top to bottom for this match, and will their enthusiasm show in the results?
Ice Jackets ❄️#StingEm 🐝 pic.twitter.com/bE2TZ6Ytkr
— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) October 18, 2024
University of Nebraska @ #16 University of Indiana
Indiana University is one of the teams that has surprised the public this season. They are currently on an undefeated streak with no losses in six games. This is the first time since 1967 that Indian University has started with a record of 6 wins and 0 losses. I think you can see just how outstanding their progress is, but their offense, which has continued to score over 40 points in the last five games, is the real deal. The real question is whether this will work against the Nebraska defense.
The University of Nebraska has 5 wins and 1 loss so far this season and is close to entering the rankings. Expected QBdylan raiola(Dylan Raiola) hasn’t been able to maintain the buzz he had right after the start, but his defense is leading the team. If they can win this game and get their sixth win, they will qualify for a bowl game, but if that happens, it will be Nebraska’s first bowl game appearance since 2016.
East Carolina University @ #23 Military Academy
The military academy, which has been ranked for the first time since 2020, currently has five wins and no losses. Also, counting from last year, they are currently on a 10-game winning streak, which is the longest ongoing record in the FBS. They are also currently the only team in the FBS to always score a TD on their first drive. It will be interesting to see if they can score a TD on their first possession against East Carolina.
Charlotte @ #25 Naval Academy
Along with the military academy mentioned above, the Naval Academy is also undefeated despite being a military academy. This is the first time since 1945 that both military academies have been ranked at the same time. It is also the first time since 1979 that the Naval Academy has gone 6-0, meaning both academies are having a historic first half. The highlight is their run offense. Pay attention to their ground power, which ranks second in the nation with an average of 295.6 yards per game.
#24 University of Michigan @ #22 University of Illinois
Last year’s national champion, the University of Michigan, has already suffered two losses and is in a dire situation. We have come this far with a tough offense, especially with no passing offense, but the University of Illinois we will be facing this time is a team that is in good shape with a record of 5 wins and 1 loss due to their strong defense. The University of Illinois will be wearing special uniforms to commemorate the 100th anniversary of their home stadium, Memorial Stadium.
The time has come…#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/ROn1wBNrlk
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 17, 2024
I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not these vintage-looking uniforms are cool or not (lol), but we can expect many fans to come to the home stadium to take on the University of Michigan.
University of Colorado @ University of Arizona
The highlight of this game is the WR of Arizona University.Teitairoa Macmillan(Tetairoa McMillan) and the University of Colorado dual-wielding teamtravis hunter(Travis Hunter) matchup. Both players are likely to play an active role in the NFL world someday, but this matchup may become something that will be talked about in the future.
Ball State University @ Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt, who had the upset of the century to defeat Alabama two weeks ago, defeated Kentucky the following week, and has now won two SEC games in a row. If they win this week’s non-conference game against Ball State, they will be 5-2, and in some cases, it is not a dream to be ranked. If that happens, it will be the first such feat since 2008.
