Wednesday, January 12, 2022

What's next for college football? Rankings, grades and an intensified SEC rivalry

Another season of college football is officially in the books, but eager fans are already looking at what's next. Look no further. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
usatoday.com

Sports
Wednesday, January 12

Another season of college football is officially in the books.

And although Georgia star linebacker Nakobe Dean has barley had enough time to swap out the wrong championship hat for the right one, let alone process the Bulldogs first national championship in 41 years, eager college football fans are already looking forward to what's next. Look no further. 

Despite losing to Georgia Monday in the College Football Playoff championship game, Alabama gets the nod as the team to beat come fall of 2022, earning USA TODAY Sports' No. 1 ranking in our way-too-early glimpse at next season's Top 25. Ohio State is No. 2, while the new champs land at No. 3. Sorry, Bulldogs.

But Monday night may have been just the beginning in the Georgia-Alabama rivalry, writes Dan Wolken. With Georgia under head coach Kirby Smart now validating its program as a worthy foil to Alabama and coach Nick Saban, the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide could go back and forth a few more times before it's all said and done. 

The Georgia Bulldogs prepare to hike the ball during first quarter of the College Football Playoff championship game on Jan. 10, 2021.
The Georgia Bulldogs prepare to hike the ball during first quarter of the College Football Playoff championship game on Jan. 10, 2021.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Smart, however, can relish a big payday along with his big win, taking home an extra $200,000 in bonues for Monday night's victory. He's not the only coach cashing in. Public-school college football head coaches topped $1.8 million in bonuses from bowl games, the College Football Playoff and final poll rankings. Ka-ching! 

Speaking of coaches, the votes are in for the final USA TODAY Sports AFCA college football coaches poll this season. The Bulldogs were the unanimous choice at the top of the coaches poll with the Crimson Tide at No. 2, but unanimity didn't apply to the CFP semifinal losers — Michigan and Cincinnati — when it came to the top four. (We are looking at you, Steve Sarkisian and Dino Babers 👀) 

REPORT CARDS: Handing out season grades for every college football team in 2021

It's worth noting that USA TODAY Sports handed Sarkisian's Longhorns an 'F' on its report card this season after suffering its longest losing streak since 1956. Ouch. Babers' Syracuse Orange fared only slightly better, earning a C in our season grades for every college football team. Georgia and Cincinnati earned an A+, while Alabama and Michigan took home an A.

The Dawgs also earned the top spot in our final USA TODAY Sports NCAA Re-Rank 1-130, followed by the Tide. At the other end of the spectrum, Connecticut should be glad it's basketball season now as the 1-11 Huskies ranked last out of 130 teams.

But before we get too ahead of ourselves, Georgia is the undisputed national champion after defeating Alabama 33-18. Let that soak in. And take comfort Alabama. The 2021 Bulldogs finished just below 2020 Crimson Tide when we ranked all college football national champions since 2000.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played his final game Sunday.
Big Ben on playoff game vs. Chiefs: 'We don't have a chance'
"We're probably not a very good football team," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said before Pittsburgh Steelers headed to play Kansas City Chiefs.
See ballots of every coach in final college football poll
Georgia coach Kirby Smart greets Alabama coach Nic
Rams sign 37-year-old safety out of retirement ahead of playoffs
Los Angeles Rams free safety Eric Weddle (32) on t
LeBron James compares Lakers to Tom Brady's Super Bowl-winning Bucs
LeBron James (6) celebrates the win over the Dalla
NFL mock draft: Where do top QBs land in first round?
Matt Corral of the Mississippi Rebels looks to pas
MLB player surprises elementary school students as substitute teacher
Cardinals outfielder Harrison Bader set career hig
Aaron Rodgers give promising update on toe injury
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was re
Netflix behind-the-scenes PGA Tour docuseries features A-list of stars
Soccer star Trinity Rodman named to USWNT roster for first time
Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, center,
Pitcher retires with 200 wins, 3 World Series rings
FILE - Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester
Season grades for every college football team from A+ to F
Michigan State defensive end Jacub Panasiuk (96) c
Rams star known more as white receiver than WR despite record season
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs wi
Kyrie Irving could play in home games for the Nets for a small price
Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving watches during the fir
US prosecutors charge Texas man with supplying drugs to Tokyo...
Blessing Okagbare, center, competes in the 100-met
12-year-old lands fish that sets two world records
Brady Hyre (left), 13, and Nicholas Fano, 12, hold
 
FOLLOW US
FB TW IG

Problem viewing email? View in browser

Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights Privacy Notice Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy Feedback

No comments:

Post a Comment

Blake Lively's co-star Brandon Sklenar defends her amid Baldoni claims

Blake Lively's other male "It Ends with Us" co-star defended her after she filed a sexual harassment complaint against Justin ...