AP Top 25 Takeaways: Tide out; Fab frosh; Underdog uprising
Alabama lost to Mississippi and LSU won over Arkansas. The Crimson Tide is out of the College Football Playoff race. Bryce Young will finish his college career on the side stage. If the CFP format changes to 12 teams, Alabama could still be in the hunt. The current format is set to end in 2024. It could be replaced by a 12-team format by 2026. Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State would be a shoe-in for the playoff every year. They would seem to be the favorites even in their down seasons.
Harold Perkins helped LSU upset Alabama last week and against Arkansas on Saturday. Perkins was a huge recruiting win for Brian Kelly. He was sick with the flu before the game. He is one of the best defensive players in the SEC.
Vanderbilt beat Kentucky to end a 26-game SEC losing streak. The Commodores are taking baby steps under coach Clark Lea. UConn beat Liberty to reach six wins and bowl eligibility. The last time Uconn beat a ranked team was in 2015. Without a conference affiliation, U Connecticut is not guaranteed a bowl bid.
Virginia's season is in ruins. Tyler Van Dyke is a candidate to try to get back on the field in 2023. Iowa is the favorite to win the Big Ten West title. UCF is pointed toward a return to the New Year's Six. The Knights beat No. 16 Tulane and are looking good to host the American Athletic Conference championship. They will play the winner of the regular-season finale between Cincinnati and Tulana.
