Brian’s College Football Top 5: Week 9

Photo from Kennesaw State Athletics

Before we start the top 5, I have two delightful dishonorable mentions for the group.

First is Florida State, who went from “Preseason Top 10” to “ineligible for a bowl game” before November.

That’s remarkable failure.

Second is Kyle McCord, who threw 5 interceptions Thursday night against Pitt, including 3 first half pick-sixes.

A disastrous performance.

Although, funny!

And now, here’s the full top 5.

5. Indiana Hoosiers

The MVP’s of these lists.

The Hoosiers got College Gameday to come to town, faced a tough Washington team without starting QB Kurtis Rourke, and won easily.

Say what you want about the schedule. I don’t care.

This team is good.

4. Southern Methodist Mustangs

SMU lost the turnover battle to Duke 6-0.

That’s right.

SMU turned the ball over 6 times.

Duke turned it over 0 times.

SMU still won the game.

That seems almost impossible, to be honest.

But hey, it happened!

3. Tulsa Golden Hurricane

UTSA was beating Tulsa 20-0 at one point.

They were beating Tulsa 35-7 at one point.

They were beating Tulsa 42-24 going into the 4th quarter.

They lost to Tulsa 46-45.

The Roadrunners had a 99.9% win probability on Saturday.

But Tulsa knows that 99.9% ain’t 100%.

2. Texas A&M Aggies

LSU was up 17-7. A&M had a good run, but it looked like the magic was running out.

And then coach Mike Elko pulled a Brian Tenerowicz playing CFB 25 masterclass, and pulled his starting QB for struggling and put in backup QB Marcel Reed.

Reed only threw two passes (2/2 with 70 yards), but he ran for 62 and 3 touchdowns, as A&M beatdown LSU to get yet another win, and hold first place in the SEC.

The job Mike Elko has done in year one has been absolutely remarkable, an A&M has earned the respect of the college football world.

This program isn’t a circus anymore.

1. Kennesaw State Owls

Kennesaw State, by eye test, arithmetic, whatever you want to use really, was the worst team in college football.

But that worst team in college football controlled the clock, took care of the football, and defeated Liberty to get their first ever FBS win and ended Liberty’s 17 game regular season win streak.

A fantastic moment for the Owls and for longtime head coach Brian Bohannon, who has been in charge of the Owls since 2013.

The only way is up.