North: College football never disappoints
As we near the end of the college football season, things just keep getting more interesting.
Ohio State, the defending national champions, are currently ranked eighth. The Buckeyes lost to No. 6 Michigan Spartans this weekend, 17-14.
With a game against Michigan on the horizon, the Buckeyes looked and acted like a sinking ship. Star running back Ezekiel Elliott took shots at his coach, Urban Meyer, and the coaching staff over his lack of carries and not putting the team in a position to win.
After their first loss in 24 games, Elliott claimed he had played his last game at the Horseshoe, while quarterback Cardale Jones stated he was going pro.
Meyer can't be happy with his players, who were talking about going pro while still wearing their college uniforms with a game left on the schedule.
Elliott hurt his reputation and his stature with his comments, while Jones should have kept his mouth shut. And J. T. Barrett, who was a Meyer favorite, became a team divider and distraction with a DUI arrest.
I thought Meyer performed one of the great coaching jobs in history winning the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship, but this year his Buckeyes never developed a rhythm as he played musical chairs at quarterback. Off-the-field distractions with team captain Barrett contributed to the great Michigan State squad (10-1) proving to be too much for the Buckeyes.
I recently said that Iowa would win the Big Ten by beating Ohio State in the Big Ten championship. Well, now it looks like it will be against Michigan State.
I do think Iowa would have been better off playing Ohio State because Michigan State is well coached by Mark Dantonio and will prove to be a tough opponent.
The Mike North real college poll picks are:
No. 1. Iowa (11-0): They are undefeated and have played a better schedule than people think. Who thought they would be 11-0?
No. 2 Clemson (11-0): Clemson has been great all season. By now they usually have figured out a way to lose, but this year looks different.
No. 3 Michigan St. (10-1), thanks to its outstanding coach for beating Ohio State.
No. 4 Oklahoma (10-1): Alabama at 10-1 is loved by the mainstream media, but doesn't belong here because they are in the overrated SEC and have a garbage schedule.
Look for more fun to come in college football.
Program notes:
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