Tag: NCAAF

Ohio State’s win vs. Penn State wasn’t good enough to take LSU’s No. 1 spot

The best we can hope for is LSU vs. Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

Going into Ohio State’s top-10 matchup against Penn State on Saturday, there was talk of the Buckeyes reclaiming their No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings if they blew the Nittany Lions out.

Although the Buckeyes won, 28-17, some unexpected mistakes against its highest-ranked opponent to date suggests it should stay stay in the No. 2 spot behind LSU, assuming the Tigers wreck Arkansas, the only SEC team without a conference win, on Saturday night.

For the first time this season, Ohio State briefly looked beatable — even as Penn State also beat itself late in the game — in its smallest margin of victory this season. However, it did clinched the Big Ten East with the win and will have a shot at the conference title in a couple weeks.

Overall Saturday, the Buckeyes fumbled four times and lost three. Two lost fumbles in the third quarter led to Penn State scoring drives and allowed the Nittany Lions back into the game.

They entered Week 13 with 14 fumbles on the season, eight lost, for an average of 1.4 per game. After they jumped out to a 21-0 lead early in the third quarter, running back J.K. Dobbins and quarterback Justin Fields fumbled on back-to-back drives — and that was after Fields’ first-quarter fumble and turnover.

Now, Penn State’s defense is still one of the best in the country, and obviously, the Buckeyes were able to survive with an 11-point win. But they should need more than that to leap over LSU in the CFP rankings in Week 14.

Comparing the top-2 teams

The top-2 teams clearly have two of the most powerful and explosive offenses in the nation, and they’re led by Heisman Trophy candidates: LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and Ohio State’s Fields and Dobbins.

Going into Week 13, the Tigers and Buckeyes had similar offensive stats. LSU was second nationally in yards per game with 556.0 and third with 7.64 yards per play, while Ohio State was fourth at 541.7 and sixth with 7.26 yards per play. But Ohio State was No. 1 in scoring offense with 51.5 points per game and leads the country with 69 offensive touchdowns, while LSU was No. 2 with 47.8 points per game and third with 60 offensive touchdowns.

Defense is where the Buckeyes have the largest edge. Led by another Heisman candidate in defensive end Chase Young, Ohio State entered Week 13 at No. 1 in scoring defense (9.8 points per game), in yards per play (3.52) and in yards per game (216.4).

The Tigers’ defense isn’t at the level fans have come to expect and gave up an average of 5.39 yards per play ahead of their Week 13 game against Arkansas. They were also tied for No. 48 nationally with opponents putting up 367.8 yards per game and No. 44 with 23.8 points per game.

They crushed Ole Miss last week by three touchdowns, but they also gave up 37 points. Even against then-No. 3 Alabama earlier this month — LSU’s best win of the season so far — they had a 33-13 halftime lead and ended up winning, 46-41.

LSU’s record is slightly stronger and entered Week 13 ranked No. 1 with wins against three teams currently ranked by the CFP committee, and it should get credit for beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Ohio State’s record was ranked No. 2 ahead of this week — though that could change after Saturday — and it now also has wins against three teams in the CFP rankings.

The “eye test” helps Ohio State

The Buckeyes’ advantage to counter LSU’s schedule has been the so-called “eye test,” or which team simply looks better. They’re clearly the most balanced team in college football and, for the most part, have plowed through their opponents.

Though against a tougher schedule, LSU had a seven-point win over Texas, a three-point win over Auburn and then that five-point win against Alabama.

The fewest points Ohio State had previously won by was 24 twice (Florida Atlantic and Michigan State), and they never looked beatable at any point this season. Until the third quarter against Penn State.

And however brief that moment of weakness was, it seems like it might have been enough to keep Ohio State in the No. 2 spot, as LSU will surely destroy the worst team in the SEC on Saturday night.

Of course, the best we can hope for is that LSU and Ohio State will play each other in the College Football Playoff semifinals or national championship game and end this discussion in 60 minutes. But until then, the Tigers at No. 1 and Buckeyes at No. 2 sounds just right.

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Chase Young is back to stunning college football fans after dominating Penn State

Chase Young’s return did not disappoint.

Chase Young returned to the field for Ohio State on Saturday in the Buckeyes’ 28-17 home win over Penn State, and he made quite the statement as he helped his team clinch the Big Ten East.

Young served a two-game suspension for violating the NCAA’s arbitrary rules regarding a small loan he received (and paid back) reportedly so his girlfriend could travel to Pasadena to see Ohio State play in the Rose Bowl.

Prior to the suspension for the Buckeyes’ games against Maryland and Rutgers, Young was in the Heisman Trophy conversation. And based on his performance against the Nittany Lions, that suspension might not and should not keep him from being a finalist.

Young entered Saturday’s game second in the nation with 13.5 sacks on the season. And with his three sacks against Penn State to bring his total to 16.5, he broke the school’s single-season sacks record. He passed Vernon Gholston’s record of 14.0 from 2007, and, again, this is after Young missed two games this season.

He also had nine total tackles, five solo and four for loss, and two forced fumbles in the Buckeyes’ Week 13 win.

Ohio State fans were thrilled to have him back on the field for a big win, and college football fans in general returned to being in total awe of possibly the best player in the country this season. And NFL fans are practically drooling over him.

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Western Carolina QB had the saddest sequence in unequal matchup vs. Alabama

This had the potential to be awesome, until it didn’t.

This could have been a good play. It could have been a wildly wacky play. Instead, it was a terribly sad play that summarizes what FCS teams must feel like playing one of the best in the FBS.

The Western Carolina Catamounts took on Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, and it went exactly as you might expect. The Crimson Tide had a 38-0 lead at the half, and in the first 10 minutes, they kicked a field goal, scored a 57-yard touchdown when quarterback Mac Jones connected with wide receiver DeVonta Smith and had an 81-yard pick six against Catamounts quarterback Tyrie Adams thanks to defensive back Xavier McKinney.

But to its credit, Western Carolina had a couple solid moments but just couldn’t come close to sustaining them. And even if their fans got their hopes up watching the beginning of this play from Adams, their excitement was quickly crushed.

Early in the second quarter on 3rd-and-9 from Alabama’s 37-yard line as pressure closed in, Adams threw the ball, which was then batted down by McKinney. But rather than hitting the ground, it landed right back in Adams’ hands, and he took off running toward the left sideline.

But as McKinney tackled him, Adams fumbled, and it was recovered by defensive back Patrick Surtain II. The Crimson Tide scored on their next drive to take a 24-0 lead, capitalizing on one of three Western Carolina turnovers. Adams also threw two interceptions on back-to-back drives.

This game is in no way fair with Alabama being a 58-point favorite against a 3-8 team that’s eighth among nine Southern Conference squads.

But still, Adams’ accidental pass to himself looked like it could have evolved into something awesome, until it didn’t.

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Alabama football welcomes Tua Tagovailoa back to campus in sweet video

Tua Tagovailoa returned to campus Friday after having surgery on his hip for a season-ending injury.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to Tuscaloosa after having “successful” hip surgery Monday in Houston, following a season-ending injury in the Crimson Tide’s win over Mississippi State last Saturday. He is expected to make a full recovery, but it’s possible that was the last time fans will see him playing in an Alabama uniform.

Tagovailoa greeted his teammates Friday ahead of their team dinner and game against Western Carolina on Saturday in Week 13. And they were thrilled to see him, along with coach Nick Saban, who even posed for a selfie with the recovering quarterback.

The Crimson Tide’s Twitter account shared a touching video of Tagovailoa’s return and his teammates’ reactions Friday night.

More via 247Sports.com:

“It was really good last night,” Saban said Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. “He came to the team dinner. He’s always very positive. Great spirit. Really good to have him back. He wanted to come to the game today, so we’ll see how that goes.”

Via Tagovailoa’s Instagram account

The Crimson Tide also decorated Tagovailoa’s scooter to give it a personal touch. The junior quarterback has documented much of the support he’s received on his Instagram stories.

Via Tagovailoa’s Instagram account
Via Tagovailoa’s Instagram account

With Tagovailoa out for the season, sophomore quarterback Mac Jones is stepping up as the starter. Jones also filled in against Arkansas when Tagovailoa was recovering from an ankle injury earlier this season.

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College Football Betting Guide: 5 Best Big Game Bets – Week 13

Breaking down the five best big college football games for Week 13; including college football picks, betting odds and more

What’s going to happen in the five biggest games in Week 13 of the college football season?

– Contact/Follow @PeteFiutak

It’s the week before THE WEEK when we get all the big rivalry games – or, at least, most of the big ones – all crammed into one giant final full regular season Saturday. But there are still five very, very big games …

If you’re looking to get in on the sports betting action this weekend, be sure to sign up with BetMGM to take part in any of these games or other action on the schedule.

5. UCLA at USC

Photo Credit: Melissa Majchrzak – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: USC -13.5, o/u: 65

Why You Should Bet On UCLA: Can USC stop Joshua Kelley? The UCLA running back took over last season with 289 yards and two scores in the win over the Trojans, and he’s been every bit as good over the back half of this year. The ground game has been just good enough to pound it out again on a USC defense that’s been fine, but can and will give up yards to anyone who commits to the ground attack.

Why You Should Bet On USC: He might not be Joe or Tua or Jalen, but Kedon Slovis has been as hot as any quarterback in the country over the last few games, throwing for 838 yards and eight touchdowns in his last two outings, and with 15 touchdown passes in his last four. UCLA has been hit-or-miss when it comes to getting into shootouts, but USC is far better equipped to go up and down the field in a hurry.

Prediction: Playing for its bowl eligibility life, UCLA will make this a battle and keep it within the 13.5, but USC’s passing game will take over with Slovis throwing for four touchdowns in the win.
– CFN Full UCLA vs. USC Game Preview & Prediction

4. Pitt at Virginia Tech

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: Virginia Tech -3.5, o/u: 45.5

Why You Should Bet On Pitt: The Panthers have the nation’s best pass rush, and the Virginia Tech offensive line is just mediocre enough to have problems on the key downs. The run defense will be everything for Pitt – Virginia Tech is 6-0 when rushing for over 140 yards.

Why You Should Bet On Virginia Tech: There’s no real Pitt running game that can rise up and take over a game. The Hokies have a killer pass rush, too, and it should be able to get to Kenny Pickett and an inconsistent Panther passing attack that’s going to sputter way too often on the road. Virginia Tech can handle Pitt’s pass rush better than the other way around.

Prediction: Virginia Tech will run a little bit, Pitt won’t. The two defenses will take over in a fun fight, but the HOKIES will pull out the win – and cover – at home to be in a position to take the Coastal next week against Virginia.
– CFN Full Pitt vs. Virginia Tech Game Preview & Prediction

Looking to place a bet on this game or others? Get some action in the game at BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!

3. Texas at Baylor

Photo Credit: Jerome Miron – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: Baylor -5.5, o/u: 58.5

Why You Should Bet On Texas: Just how down is Baylor after its epic collapse against Oklahoma? It’s been a disappointing year for the Longhorns, but there’s still a sliver of a shot it can make the Big 12 Championship Game with a win this week. Thanks to both the legs and arm of Sam Ehlinger, Texas is among the best teams in the country at keeping the chains moving. Baylor is good on third downs, but the Longhorns have the ability to control the tempo on the road.

Why You Should Bet On Baylor: The Bears’ pass rush should be able to get to Ehlinger enough to be a big problem. There were issues getting to Jalen Hurts last week, but overall the defense is still the best in the Big 12, Charlie Brewer is still among the league’s most effective quarterbacks, and the team should be able to bomb away on a beleaguered Texas secondary, the BU D should be able to take care of the rest.

Prediction: Baylor will get over last week’s clunker and get the win it needs to not only get into the Big 12 Championship Game, but also back into the College Football Playoff picture. Brewer will have a big game as the BEARS win and cover.
– CFN Full Texas vs. Baylor Game Preview & Prediction

2. Texas A&M at Georgia

Photo Credit: John Reed – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: Georgia -13, o/u: 44

Why You Should Bet On Texas A&M: This is the exact type of Georgia team that fits what the Aggies need. There isn’t a ton of pop and explosion, it likes to go a bit slow and deliberate, and it’s not going to come out and throw for 400 yards and wing it all over the yard. The A&M secondary has been amazing – no one has completed more than 46% over the last four games. Jake Fromm might be terrific, but he’s not throwing for big yards and he’s been a bit erratic this year – his receiving corps isn’t helping.

Why You Should Bet On Georgia: Texas A&M isn’t going to get any easy chances. Georgia might not be LSU when it comes to putting up the big offensive numbers, but Fromm isn’t screwing up. He threw three picks in the loss to South Carolina, and that’s it. Defensively, the Dawgs aren’t allowing anything against the run – A&M’s Kellen Mond has to be perfect. He’s been okay this year, but not good enough.

Prediction: A&M stays in the game for a full four quarters to cover the 13, but Georgia gets ahead early and never trails.
– CFN Full Texas A&M at Georgia Game Preview & Prediction

1. Penn State at Ohio State

Photo Credit: Noah K. Murray – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: Ohio State -18.5, o/u: 57

Why You Should Bet On Penn State: The pass rush has to get to Justin Fields early, and it has to be relentless. The Buckeyes have faced a better schedule than it’s getting credit for. It dealt with a terrific Wisconsin defensive front and won easily, but it had problems keeping the Badgers out of the backfield. The Nittany Lions come in waves to get behind the line and will easily be the biggest test yet for a Buckeyes offense that hasn’t had to deal with even the slightest bit of adversity.

Why You Should Bet On Ohio State: Ohio State already had the No. 1 defense in college football, and now it gets back a rested and ready Chase Young off of his two-game bull(bleep) suspension. On the other side, the Nittany Lions secondary – even helped by the great pass rush – isn’t doing anything special. Minnesota, Pitt and Iowa were all able to throw without a problem, and Fields will be able to bomb away.

Prediction: This is where the Buckeyes flex a little muscle. Penn State is good, but it doesn’t have the consistent offensive pop to keep up. Ohio State pulls away in the second half to cover. 
– CFN Full Penn State vs. Ohio State Game Preview & Prediction

Now that you know what you need to know, head over to BetMGM and get some action in any — or all — of these games for Week 13 of college football.

For more coverage on Week 13’s College Football slate of sports betting action, be sure to check out CollegeFootballNews.com. And for more sports betting tips and picks, be sure to access SportsbookWire.com.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Can undefeated LSU, Ohio State and Clemson win out?

As the only unbeaten teams left, they’re headed toward perfect regular-season records.

College football is down to just three undefeated teams going into Week 13: LSU, Ohio State and Clemson. Minnesota and Baylor dropped off the list last week with losses to Iowa and Oklahoma, respectively, so now we’re left with this trio.

Although we’ve looked at just the upcoming week’s opponents for unbeaten teams, it’s late enough in the season to expand that a little to the end of the regular season and the conference championship games. (We’ll also dig deeper into that in a few weeks.)

Will any of the three undefeated teams lose in Week 13? Probably not, especially considering one of them is off. And it’s looking increasingly likely that all three will enter bowl season with perfect records.

So here are our predictions for how the three remaining undefeated teams will play in Week 13 and beyond. They’re based on their upcoming opponents, how they’ve played so far, the College Football Playoff rankings and ESPN’s Football Power Index projections.

(All games are on Saturday unless otherwise noted.)

No. 1 LSU Tigers 10-0

Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Wins: Georgia Southern, Texas, Northwestern State, Vanderbilt, Utah State, Florida, Mississippi State, Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss
Chance of winning out: 44.4 percent
Week 13 game: Arkansas (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Undefeated after Week 13: Yes

LSU closes out its regular season against Arkansas and then Texas A&M, two teams it shouldn’t have trouble beating. The Razorbacks have yet to win an SEC game this season, and they’re certainly not going to do it against the top-ranked team in the nation as 42.5-point underdogs. The Tigers have 98.7 percent chance to beat Arkansas and an 84.7 percent chance to take down the Aggies, both of which sound about right.

What is a little puzzling is that LSU still only has a 44 percent chance to of winning out, according to ESPN’s FPI. It’s a metric that includes conference championship games when they’re applicable, so for the Tigers, it goes beyond the next two weeks. Georgia clinched the SEC East last week with a win over Auburn, and if LSU can win this week, it will lock up the SEC West. Presumably, the Tigers’ relatively low chance to win out is because of this likely conference matchup, but it’s not exactly clear why.

LSU’s high-powered offense is led by Heisman Trophy front-runner Joe Burrow, who leads the nation with a 78.6 completion percentage and has 38 touchdowns compared with just six interceptions. As a whole, the Tigers’ offense is second in the country to Oklahoma with an average of 556.0 yards per game and second to Ohio State with an average of 47.8 points. Sure, Georgia’s defense is only giving up 267.2 yards per game (No. 6 nationally), and the Bulldogs have some excellent wins on their schedule. But all this is to say it seems like the Tigers should have a higher chance to win out at this point — at least slightly more than 50 percent, even if they are headed toward a game against the No. 4 team.

No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 10-0

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Wins: Florida Atlantic, Cincinnati, Indiana, Miami (Ohio), Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Maryland, Rutgers
Chance of winning out: 56.4 percent
Week 13 game: Penn State (Noon ET, FOX)
Undefeated after Week 12: Yes

The Buckeyes close out the regular season against No. 8 Penn State and No. 13 Michigan, two of the toughest teams on their schedule. However, nothing suggests they won’t plow over both teams like they’ve done against every other opponent so far this season. They’re 18.5-point favorites at home against the Nittany Lions with an 83.9 percent chance to win this weekend. They also have a 77.4 percent chance of beating Michigan on the road. And for the record, their chance of winning out seems awfully low too.

With the nation’s No. 1 defense (216.4 yards/game, 3.52 yards/play) and the No. 4 offense (541.7 yards/game, No. 6 with 7.26 yards/play), Ohio State is looking like the most balanced team in the country. And with quarterback Justin Fields, running back J.K. Dobbins and defensive end Chase Young — who returns to the field after a two-game suspension from the NCAA — the Buckeyes have three of the best and most explosive players in college football on their roster.

However, they might not be able to lose to either team — or eventually in the Big Ten championship game — and still make the College Football Playoff. But that doesn’t seem likely anyway with a team of this caliber — though they do have the most challenging remaining schedule of the the teams on this list.

No. 3 Clemson Tigers 11-0

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Wins: Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Charlotte, North Carolina, Florida State, Louisville, Boston College, Wofford, NC State, Wake Forest
Chance of winning out: 88.5 percent
Week 13 game: Bye
Undefeated after Week 13: Yes (duh)

Clemson is off in Week 13 before closing out the season against South Carolina, a 4-7 team that upset Georgia in October and lost to Appalachian State in November. So really, who knows what could happen here?

Following a rocky start to the season, the Tigers have found their groove and are absolutely destroying every opponent in their path, and they currently have a 92.6 percent chance to beat South Carolina. This could be a blowout — it will probably be a blowout — or the Gamecocks could flirt with pulling off another stunner. Either way, Clemson should still win the ACC without much difficulty.

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Penn State vs. Ohio State: Can either team lose and still make the CFP?

Ohio State is a big favorite at home against Penn State in Week 13.

Welcome to Before The Snap, For The Win’s college football show where we’ll break down the sport’s trending storylines, examine each week’s biggest matchups and track the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy races.

In the highly anticipated Big Ten showdown this week between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 8 Penn State, which team needs the win more? Which team could take a loss and keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive? Both? Neither?

The Nittany Lions, somewhat unexpectedly, lost earlier this month to then-No. 17 Minnesota, but they still have a chance to be a one-loss Big Ten champion, which would almost certainly lead to a playoff invitation this year.

James Franklin, Ryan Day (USA TODAY Sports)

However, lose to Ohio State and it’s probably over for them, barring some catastrophic meltdown in multiple other conferences. The playoff committee has never included a two-loss team, and for that to happen for the first time, that team would probably have to be a two-loss conference champ. If Penn State falls to the Buckeyes, that’s likely the end of its playoff hopes.

Even though Ohio State enters this game with a perfect 10-0 record, it probably can’t afford to lose either. Losing to Penn State would keep the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten championship game, meaning they’d likely be fighting for that fourth playoff spot against other one-loss teams, which might have a conference championship card to play.

So perhaps it’s possible that, despite their difference records, neither team could survive a loss an still make the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State is an 18.5-point favorite at home against Penn State on Saturday (Noon ET, FOX).

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WATCH: LSU LB Michael Divinity absent from team because of ineligibility

Tigers are and will continue to be without starting linebacker Michael Divinity because the junior has been and will remain ineligible.

LSU is the best college football team in the country, sitting atop the USA Today Amway Coaches Poll, the AP Poll, and the College Football Playoff rankings. But the Tigers are and will continue to be without starting linebacker Michael Divinity because the junior has been and will remain ineligible.

The Monday before LSU visited Alabama, Tigers (10-0, 6-0 SEC) head coach Ed Orgeron announced that Divinity had left the team “for personal reasons.” On the SEC conference call Wednesday in Week 12, Orgeron confirmed that the athlete was simply not allowed to play by athletic department rules.

“He is unable to play, and it will be a while until he’s able to play. He will not be eligible,” Orgeron said.

Ineligibility can stem from academic issues and from team rules violations, such as multiple positive drug tests. USA Today confirmed with multiple sources that Divinity tested positive for a fourth time for marijuana just before the Nov. 4 announcement that he would not play versus the Crimson Tide (9-1, 6-1 SEC).

According to LSU’s Athletic Department Assistance Program’s Substance Abuse Policy, a fourth failed drug test warrants “a suspension from 50% of countable contests,” including postseason games.

Orgeron said Wednesday that the only game that there is even a chance that Divinity returns for would be the National Championship Jan. 13.

“If there’d be a championship game, maybe he may be eligible for that,” Orgeron said. “Up until then, Mike will not be eligible to play.”

LSU LB Divinity absent from team because of ineligibility, not a personal decision to leave

Tigers are and will continue to be without starting linebacker Michael Divinity because the junior has been and will remain ineligible.

Tigers are and will continue to be without starting linebacker Michael Divinity because the junior has been and will remain ineligible.

Can Alabama make the College Football Playoff without Tua Tagovailoa?

Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending injury, which means Alabama has to turn to backup Mac Jones to close out the season.

Welcome to Before The Snap, For The Win’s college football show where we’ll break down the sport’s trending storylines, examine each week’s biggest matchups and track the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy races.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was carted off the field with a hip injury in the second quarter of the Crimson Tide’s blowout win over Mississippi State on Saturday. The Heisman Trophy candidate had successful surgery Monday, and “he’s in good spirits and he’s doing well,” coach Nick Saban told reporters Wednesday.

Tagovailoa’s injury is a huge loss for Alabama and college football fans (whose teams don’t play the Crimson Tide), so how will that impact the team’s shot at making the College Football Playoff for a sixth straight year?

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Despite losing their starting quarterback, the Crimson Tide’s chance to make the playoff actually went up a little. According to ESPN’s Playoff Predictor, they have a 44 percent chance to make the playoff, which is up from 40 percent last week and fourth-highest after Ohio State (86 percent), LSU (85 percent) and Clemson (84 percent).

However, they’re still No. 5 on the latest CFP rankings behind Georgia, but the Playoff Predictor, which gives the Bulldogs a 39 percent chance to make it, is likely anticipating a loss in the SEC championship game, which would then drop the team out of the top four.

Alabama sophomore quarterback Mac Jones is expected to take over for Tagovailoa. Jones started late last month in the Crimson Tide’s 48-7 win over Arkansas while Tagovailoa was recovering from an ankle injury, but that game, plus a handful of other plays in blowout wins, doesn’t seem like a large enough sample size to judge how well Jones could play against a team like Auburn, which is looking to play the spoiler in Alabama’s season.

This season, Jones has completed 45-of-65 passes (69.2 percent) for 566 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Against the Razorbacks, he went 18-for-22 for 235 yards and three touchdowns, but it’s hard to judge his performance and potential from one game against a team that’s currently 0-6 in the SEC.

Alabama has an all-star group of receivers in DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III, not to mention insanely athletic running back Najee Harris, who can help Jones as he transitions into that starting spot. But it’s still unclear whether he can lead the Crimson Tide to wins against Western Carolina on Saturday and Auburn in the regular-season finale.

If Alabama wins out and finishes 11-1, it needs to hope LSU wins the SEC championship game while other contenders, such as Oklahoma, Oregon or Penn State, lose again.

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