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Lane Kiffin will get the prospect to snap one of many extra fascinating streaks in faculty soccer.
The brand new Mississippi coach faces his outdated boss, Nick Saban, when the Rebels tackle No. 2 Alabama on Saturday in Oxford. Saban final week improved to 20-0 when going through groups led by one in every of his his former assistant coaches. The Crimson Tide hammered Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M crew.
Kiffin labored as offensive coordinator for Saban from 2014-2016, serving to the Crimson Tide win a nationwide title. Fittingly for a coach who has had a risky profession, Kiffin’s time with the Tide ended the week earlier than one other nationwide championship.
Regardless of the awkward departure, Kiffin had a bit enjoyable with Saban this week, telling the ”Dan Patrick Present” he did not assume the ”aged” 68-year-old coach may cowl him one-on-one,
Saban mentioned Kiffin was in all probability proper.
”I assume what I’d ask is, when he is my age, what’s he going to do?” Saban instructed reporters. ”I do not know, it is a bit little bit of an obstacle to be my age and have had a hip substitute, however I nonetheless delight myself on my skill to cowl. I simply do not assume I can cowl him.”
On the sector, Alabama-Ole Miss has an opportunity to be a enjoyable matchup between two high-scoring groups, with an fascinating aspect story. It’s hardly the marquee occasion on a schedule that features 4 sport matching ranked groups – two within the Southeastern Convention and two within the Atlantic Coast Convention.
Plus, a Pink River Showdown heavy on desperation.
BEST GAME
No. 19 Virginia Tech at No. 8 North Carolina.
There are sexier video games on the schedule, most notably No. 7 Miami at No. 1 Clemson, however Hokies-Heels might be one of the best guess to supply 4 quarters of aggressive soccer.
The Tar Heels try to begin 3-0 for the primary time since 2011. The Hokies are 2-0, regardless of taking part in every of their video games with a skinny roster due to COVID-19 points. Virginia Tech has but to have quarterback Hendon Hooker or defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton take part on sport day, and final week beat Duke with out its high 4 cornerbacks.
That might be lower than perfect towards North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and proficient receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome.
Virginia Tech operating again Khalil Herbert, a switch from Kansas, is coming off a college report 357 all-purpose yards towards Duke.
The Hokies beat the Tar Heels in six overtimes final season.
HEISMAN WATCH
Miami quarterback D’Eriq King is the choose right here for the second time in three weeks, however this time it is severe.
The Hurricanes will attempt to show themselves worthy Atlantic Coast Convention contenders towards the league’s five-time champion, Clemson.
King has accomplished 67 % of his passes and accounted for seven touchdowns with out an interception in an offense that may spotlight his arm or his legs.
If the senior King can lead Miami to an upset towards the No. 1 crew within the nation – and towards Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the presumptive Heisman favourite – it may vault him to the highest of the leaderboards.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
0-3 – Oklahoma has misplaced two straight video games and goes into its sport towards Texas making an attempt to keep away from beginning 0-3 within the Huge 12 for the primary time since 1998. The Longhorns additionally misplaced final week, making this the primary Pink River Showdown with each groups coming off a loss since 2014.
29.25 – Yards per reception for Kansas State operating again Deuce Vaughn. Sure, operating again. The 5-foot-5, 168-pound freshman has eight catches for 234 yards. The Wildcats play at TCU.
41-9 – Common rating in Georgia’s three-game profitable streak towards Tennessee. The No. 14 Volunteers, driving an eight-game profitable streak, look to make a press release towards the third-ranked Bulldogs in Athens.
371.4 – No. 15 BYU’s yardage differential by means of three video games, greatest within the nation by far. The Cougars have performed one of the best competitors, however they led the nation in whole offense (585.7) and whole protection (214.3). BYU hosts UTSA on Saturday.
UNDER THE RADAR
Temple at Navy.
Houston has gotten numerous consideration for beginning its season so late due to three video games being known as off because of opponents’ COVID-19 issues.
With much less consideration, the Owls nonetheless haven’t performed a sport both. Temple delayed the beginning of its season early within the ramp as much as cope with COVID-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania.
The Owls lastly kick off towards a Navy crew that has been blown out twice, sandwiched round a giant comeback victory towards Tulane.
HOT SEAT
Fascinating week for Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher. No. 4 Florida involves School Station to face the Twenty first-ranked Aggies.
A&M did not put up a lot of a struggle towards No. 2 Alabama final week, however this looks like a extra lifelike measuring stick for Fisher’s rebuild.
He’s in season three of a 10-year contract. Florida’s Dan Mullen is in season three with the Gators, who appear like legit contenders within the SEC East. Anticipating a signature victory of types for Fisher towards Florida would not appear to be an excessive amount of to ask.
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Comply with Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and pay attention at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/
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Extra AP faculty soccer: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25
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