Thoughts of the Day: September 8, 2021

A few thoughts to jump start your Wednesday morning:

GATORS NO. 9 IN COACHES, REMAIN NO. 13 IN AP Obviously, the coaches were more impressed with Florida’s 35-14 season-opening win over Florida Atlantic than were the Associated Press voters. The Gators moved up two spots to No. 9 in the Coaches Top 25 Poll but they remained at No. 13 in the AP Poll despite losses by then No. 9 North Carolina and then No. 12 Wisconsin. Leaping ahead of the Gators were former No. 18 Iowa and No. 19 Penn State while UF remained stuck at No. 13.

The Coaches Top 25: 1. Alabama 1-0; 2. Georgia 1-0; 3. Ohio State 1-0; 4. Oklahoma 1-0; 5. Texas A&M 1-0; 6. Clemson 0-1; 7. Notre Dame 1-0; 8. Cincinnati 1-0; 9. FLORIDA 1-0; 10. Iowa State 1-0; 11. Oregon 1-0; 12. Iowa 1-0; 13. Penn State 1-0; 14. Southern Cal 1-0; 15. Texas 1-0; 16. UCLA 2-0; 17. Wisconsin 0-1; 18. Utah 1-0; 19. Coastal Carolina; 20. Ole Miss 1-0; 21. Virginia Tech 1-0; 22. North Carolina 0-1; 23. Oklahoma State 1-0; 24. Miami 0-1; 25. Arizona State 1-0

The Associated Press Top 25: 1. Alabama 1-0; 2. Georgia 1-0; 3. Ohio State 1-0; 4. Oklahoma 1-0; 5. Texas A&M 1-0; 6. Clemson 0-1; 7. Cincinnati 1-0; 8. Notre Dame 1-0; 9. Iowa State 1-0; 10. Penn State 1-0; 12. Oregon 1-0; 13. FLORIDA 1-0; 14. Southern Cal 1-0; 15. Texas 1-0; 16. UCLA 2-0; 17. Coastal Carolina 1-0; 18. Wisconsin 0-1; 19. Virginia Tech 1-0; 20. Ole Miss 1-0; 21. Utah 1-0; 23. Arizona State 1-0; 24. North Carolina 0-1; 25. Auburn 1-0

ZACHARY CARTER SEC CO-DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK Florida defensive end Zachary Carter, who had three sacks for -25 yards and a forced fumble in the Gators’ 35-14 win over Florida Atlantic, was selected SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week.

Carter attributes his fast start to determination to improve from last season.

“I had a solid year, but I just know that it was a lot of plays I left out there on the field,” Carter said Tuesday, adding that he dedicated himself in the offseason, changed his eating habits so he could get leaner, faster and stronger and put in extra reps every day so he could be more explosive when the ball is snapped.

When the Gators face South Florida at Raymond James Stadium, it will be a homecoming for Carter, who played his high school football at Tampa Hillsborough. He’s of six scholarship players from Tampa on the Florida roster.

COLE CUBELIC (SEC NETWORK/ESPN RADIO) ON FLORIDA VS. ALABAMA “I do not think Florida can beat Alabama with Emory Jones. Florida has a better chance of beating Alabama with (Anthony) Richardson in the game.”

IF THE PLAYOFF WERE HELD TODAY

It’s still early in the season and much can change when it comes to the College Football Playoff over the next three months but if the playoff were held today under the current four-team format, the SEC would have half the teams.

Semifinals: 1. Alabama vs. 4. Oklahoma; 2. Georgia vs. 3. Ohio State

If the playoff were expanded to the proposed 12-team format in which the top six conference champs are automatic bids, this is how it would play out (using Coaches Poll):

Top 6 Conference champs: Alabama (SEC), Ohio State (Big 10), Oklahoma (Big 12), Cincinnati (American), Clemson (ACC), Oregon (Pac-12)

At-large: Georgia (SEC), Texas A&M (SEC), Notre Dame (Independent), FLORIDA (SEC), Iowa State (Big 12), Iowa (Big Ten)

Automatic byes: 1. Alabama, 2. Georgia, 3. Ohio State, 4. Oklahoma

First round games on campus: 12. Iowa at 5. Texas A&M; 11. Oregon at 6. Clemson; 10. Iowa State at 7. Notre Dame; 9. Florida at 8. Cincinnati.

COUNTDOWN TO FIRING DAY: WEEK ONE Extinct Species List

Les Miles: Too many Title IX issues got him fired at Kansas. Randy Edsall: He announced he’s retiring at the end of the year. UConn said thanks for offering but why not just quit now? Translation: You’re fired. Good riddance.

On Life Support

Scot Loeffler, Bowling Green: The blowout loss to Tennessee was just the beginning of a very long season. If he wins four games he should be coach of the year in the Mac and Cheese.

Scott Frost, Nebraska: If he loses to Buffalo this week he may not make it through September. Nebraska fans are already thinking the September 18 game with Oklahoma in Norman will be a dial-a-score loss. He needs six or seven wins and that’s going to be extremely difficult.

Walt Bell, UMass: UMass is a 37.5-point road dog to Boston College this week. Will he still be around when the Minutemen play Rhode Island and Maine back-to-back?

Tom Arth, Akron: That September 18 game with something called Bryant can’t get here fast enough. It’s the only game on the schedule the mighty Zips can win. Aubrin cold-cocked them 60-10 last week.

Endangered Species List Ed Orgeron, LSU: The NCAA, Title IX and that loss to UCLA are giant storm clouds on the horizon. If the Tigers lose four this year (possible) does he survive with all this baggage?

Dino Babers, Syracuse: He got a win over Ohio U. He only needs five more to remain gainfully employed.

Chip Kelly, UCLA: He’s off to a 2-0 start with a win over LSU. Things are looking up.

Clay Helton, Southern Cal: One win down, nine to go and they can’t fire him even though they’re dying to give him the pink slip.

Thomas Hammock, Northern Illinois: He went for the win with a 2-point conversion and got it in a paycheck game against Georgia Tech. That counts for something. Anything close to .500 and he’s got a job next year.

Dana Dimmel, UTEP: He has two wins already. If he can get to four he can probably stop sweating. If he were to get to five they’ll tear up the old contract and give him another one with a raise and extension.

Checking for a pulse Dana Holgorsen, Houston: When you’re the highest paid Group of Five coach they expect you to win. So far he hasn’t delivered but the $8 million buyout may save his hide. Geoff Collins, Georgia Tech: That loss to Northern Illinois didn’t help things. After Kennesaw State there are back-to-back games with Clemson and UNC. Patience is wearing thin at the trade school on North Avenue.

Marcus Arroyo, UNLV: He’s oh-fer his UNLV career (0-6 last year, 0-1 this year). He’s not going to get a win this month (Arizona State, Iowa State, Fresno State looming). The clock is ticking.

Hoping He Would Just Up and Leave Jim Harbaugh, Michigan: The schedule says 10-2 or 11-1. One of those losses will be to Ohio State which will make the alums wish he would just pack his bags and find someplace else to coach.

OVER, UNDER, AROUND AND THROUGH THE SEC Alabama (1-0): Quarterback Bryce Young, who threw for four touchdowns in his first collegiate start against Miami, was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week. Placekicker Will Reichard, who kicked three field goals and five extra points was the Special Teams Player of the Week … Basketball: Texas Tech transfer guard Nimari Burnett has reportedly suffered a serious knee injury.

Arkansas (1-0): Saturday’s game with Texas at Reynolds Stadium in Fayetteville is a standing room only sellout.

Auburn (1-0): Wide receiver Demetris Robertson, who transferred from Georgia, said he came to Auburn because he was “trying to play for a program where it fits me best.” After 42 catches for 443 yards and three TDs in three years at Georgia, Robertson caught three passes for 28 yard in his Auburn debut.

Georgia (1-0): Kirby Smart confirmed that redshirt freshman Carson Beck is the No. 2 quarterback behind JT Daniels … Safety Christopher Smith whose 74-yard interception return was the game’s only touchdown in Georgia’s win over Clemson, was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Nose tackle Jordan Davis was Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week.

Kentucky (1-0): The Wildcats host Missouri in their first SEC game of the year Saturday. A year ago, Mizzou beat UK, 20-10, prompting HBC Mark Stoops to tell Chris Doering of the SEC Network, “We’ll be better prepared this year” … Center Luke Fortner was SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play against Louisiana-Monroe … Basketball: John Calipari revealed that despite being vaccinated, he tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer, which is why he was absent on the recruiting trail and for the NBA Draft.

LSU (0-1): Injured and out for Saturday’s game with McNeese State are starting offensive tackles Austin Deculus and Cam Wire, wide receiver Jontre Kirkland and defensive ends Soni Fonua and Ali Gaye. Free safety Jay Ward is questionable. Out for the season is linebacker Jared Small ... Kevontre Bradford, who transferred to Oklahoma during the summer, is enrolled once again at LSU. There are reports that he is hoping to play this season.

Mississippi State (1-0): Starting right guard Kwatrivous “Dollarbill” Johnson was arrested for malicious mischief Monday. He was released on $482.50 bond and is due in court on October 5.

Missouri (1-0): Shawn Robinson, who began the 2020 season as Mizzou’s starting quarterback, switched to safety this year. In his first game as a safety against Central Michigan, Robinson had four solo tackles including a sack for a 7-yard loss.

Ole Miss (1-0): Tom Luginbill of ESPN, himself a former quarterback in his playing days at Georgia Tech, was highly impressed with Ole Miss QB Matt Corral vs. Louisville. On a Birmingham radio show Tuesday morning, Luginbill said, “If people are comparing Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma QB) to Matt Corral, Rattler is not even in his league” … Placekicker Caden Costa, who kicked three field goals and four extra points against Louisville, was SEC Co-Freshman of the Week.

South Carolina (1-0): Quarterback Luke Doty, who missed the season opener, says he is close to 100 percent and could be available for Saturday’s game at East Carolina. In Doty’s absence, former grad assistant Zeb Noland threw four touchdown passes … Redshirt freshman linebacker Debo Williams was selected SEC Co-Freshman of the Week.

Tennessee (1-0): Center Cooper Mays, who sprained an ankle against Bowling Green, should be available for Saturday’s game with Pitt. Wide receiver Jimmy Calloway, who missed the Bowling Green game, is expected to play Saturday.

Texas A&M (1-0): Defensive end Michael Clemons, who was suspended after an offseason arrest, will be available for Saturday’s game at Colorado. Defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, who also was arrested in the offseason, remains suspended. Injured corner Myles Jackson is practicing and may play Saturday while placekicker Caden Davis, who missed the opener, will be back … Left tackle Kenyon Green was named SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week.

Vanderbilt (0-1): Football Scoop is reporting that Vanderbilt is shaking up its offensive staff after one game and a horrible showing in a 23-3 loss to D1AA East Tennessee State. Quarterbacks coach Joey Lynch, who was hired off the Colorado State staff, will assume a greater role in the offensive game planning, essentially taking over the coordinator’s role from David Raih, who came to Vandy from the Arizona Cardinals.

ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Sam “Bam” Cunningham, the former Southern Cal All-America fullback who is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, passed away Tuesday. In 1970, Cunningham ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns as fully integrated Southern Cal blasted Bear Bryant’s lily-white Alabama Crimson Tide, 42-21, at Legion Field in Birmingham. A year later, Alabama had black players on scholarship for the first time. During the 10-year period from 1971-80, Bryant and Alabama went 107-13, winning eight SEC and three national championships. Jerry Claiborne, a former Bryant player (at Kentucky) and assistant (at Texas A&M and Alabama), remarked about Cunningham’s brilliant game against Alabama, “Sam Cunningham did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than Martin Luther King did in 20 years.” That was not some casual statement. That Bryant would embark on wholesale integration of Alabama’s football team in 1971 ran quite contrary to Governor George C. Wallace, whose 1970 gubernatorial campaign is still remembered as one of the most racist political campaigns in US history. Bryant’s decision to integrate was thought to be outright defiance against a governor who had stood at the door of the University of Alabama in 1963 vowing “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” when two black students arrived on campus to enroll. Integrating the football team was a huge step in helping a state confront its racist past.