The Long Road to Glory. A Ryne Scott Journey- CFB26

[Deuce2223]

AROUND THE NATION REPORT

With the arrival of Week 10 We get our first look at the CFP Bracket and the CFP Top-25 Rankings..


TOP-25

#1 (9-0) Alabama
#2 (8-1) Georgia
#3 (8-1) Oregon
#4 (7-2) USC
#5 (7-2) Texas
#6 (8-1) Louisville
#7 (8-1) Ole Miss
#8 (8-1) Duke
#9 (8-1) SMU
#10 (9-0) Texas
#11 (8-1) Boise State
#12 (8-1) UNC
#13 (8-2) Oklahoma
#14 (8-1) UCLA
#15 (8-1) UNLV
#16 (7-3) Notre Dame
#17 (7-2) Michigan State
#18 (7-2) Miami
#19 (8-1) Colorado
#20 (7-2) Tulane
#21 (7-2) Texas Tech
#22 (7-2) Cincinnati
#23 (6-3) Penn State
#24 (6-3) Ohio State
#25 (7-2) Florida

*-Ole Miss was #1 but lost to Texas in Week 10.

* Miami was #5 but lost to Florid State in Week 10

* Cincinnati had climbed to #13 but lost to Michigan State who was unranked at the time.

* Ohio State was #11 before losing to Minnesota in Week 10.

KEY WEEK 11 MATCHUPS

#1 Alabama will face #2 Georgia in Week 11
#7 Ole Miss will hope to rebound against #13 Oklahoma on the road
#12 UNC will put it's playoff hopes on the line @ Clemson in Week 11
#15 UNLV moved up 5 spots after beating San Jose State. The Rebels could clinch a spot in the MWC title game with a win over Air Force in Week 11


BRACKET PROJECTIONS

#1 Alabama vs the Winner of #9 SMU/#8 Duke

#2 Georgia vs the Winner of #10 North Texas/#7 Ole Miss

#3 Oregon vs the Winner of #11 Boise State vs #6 Louisville

#4 USC vs the Winner of #5 Texas vs #12 UNC

HEISMAN TALK

SR QB Devon Dampier (Oklahoma)- The Utah Transfer has thrown for 2081 yds with 21 TD and 3 INT well also rushing for 390 yds with 7 TD so far his season.

SR QB Roco Becht (Alabama) The Former Iowa State transfer has thrown for 2597 yds with 29 TD and 2 INT this season.. He has has 158 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.

JR RB Antwan Raymond (Notre Dame) The former Rutgers transfer has 897 yds rushing with 17 TD and 205 receiving yards and 2 TD

JR QB Dane Moore (Oregon).. One of 2 players who didn't transfer to make the Top-5. Moore has thrown for 2152 yds with 21 TD and 3 INT after throwing for 3936 yds with 35 TD and 1 INT last season. Moore also has 7 rushing toucdowns and 284 yds on the ground.

SR QB Alonza Barnett III (James Madison). Barnett III has thrown for 2546 yds with 16 TD and 2 INT this year well also rushing for 676 yds with 9 TD's.

[Deuce2223]

McGraw doesn't have the great attributes or stats, but he's getting the most important stat. Ws

you have a set time frame you want to stay in Las Cruces, or is it fluid at the moment?

HIs Overall is low because his Awareness is also low (69) but he has a decent arm (91 THP) and has my highest grade of throwing on the run (78) and is only 1 point lower then Smith on Throwing under Pressure (76 vs 75)

I really thought Smith would be my guy,, but I don't know why I throw so many picks.

Honestly I thought I might stay at New Mexico State for awhile and potentially build the up to becoming a 3 or 4 times MWC Champ and then mabye moving them to the Pac-12 but the fact they are already a (74/74/74) there is a part of me that wouldn't be opposed to taking over a team Missouri State or South Alabama who are both in the low 60's and I wouldn't mind heading to the American and trying to beat North Texas/Tulane or the Sun Belt and turn the jaguars into a powerhouse a a potential spot in the SEC someday. However there is also a offer I got in 1 sim that I am not sure I could pass up .. I have a list of like 5 or 6 schools I would like to potentially play with during this run through and 1 of those schools came up..

[Deuce2223]

AGGIES RUN WILD OVER UTEP IN i-10 BATTLE

GAME RECAP

Oregon Transfer Jayden Limar didn't play much in his final home game at Aggie Stadium recording just 3 carries for 30 yds on Senior day, but the Senior RB made up for it tonight with his biggest game of the season helping NMSU and Coach Sanchez move to 4-0 in rivalry matchup's as the Aggies picked up their 8th win of the season.

NMSU took a early (21-14) lead behind a trio of touchdown pass's from Nick McGraw and then dominated the 2nd half with 4 rushing touchdowns and over 200 yds finishing the day just 7 yards shy of a 300 yard performance.

Bryan Jackson got things going early with a pair of scores including his longest run of the day (19 yds) but then it was all Limar as the former Duck had (5) 20+ yard runs to close out the game including a 35 yd touchdown late in the 4th Quarter that pushed him over 200 yds on the day.

UTEP would scrape together a last minute score snapping the 2nd half shutout by the Defense that had picked off SR QB Skyler Locklear (78 Ovr) twice.

Locklear finished the game 22/51 (43%) for 338 yds with the 3 TD and 2 INT.

FINAL SCORE NEW MEXICO STATE-49 UTEP-21

KEY AGGIES
QB N. McGraw-16/26 (61%) 174 yds 3 TD, 14 yds rushing
RB J. Limar-24 carries 203 yds 2 TD 3 rec 21 yds
RB B. Jackson-16 carries 76 yds 2 TD
WR TJ Pride-7 rec 75 yds 2 TD
WR L. Poutasi-4 rec 60 yds 1 TD
WR D. Faupel-2 rec 18 yds
LB S. Aupiu-6 Tackles 1 INT
FS N. Mitchell-5 Tackles 1 INT


UP NEXT

The Aggies will close out the regular season with a trip to Wyoming to take on the (6-4) Cowboys with a a spot in the Mountain West Championship on the line. as both teams are (6-2) in Conference play after the Cowboys upset both San Jose State (49-24) and Air Force (28-16) in the past 2 weeks.

Wyoming is lead by JR QB Zach Mundell (75 Ovr) who has thrown for over 3000 yds with 35 TD and just 5 INT.

[Deuce2223]

AGGIES HISTORIC SEASON CONTINUES

GAME RECAP

The New Mexico State Aggies made history this past week as they beat Wyoming to claim a spot in the Mountain West title game in their first year in the new look Mountain West. The win also gave NMSU #9 on the season setting themselves up for a chance to win 10 games in a single season a feat that has only been done twice in school history (1960 when they went a perfect 11-0 and 2023 under Coach Krill).. The win also pushed NMSU into the Top-25 ranking for the first time since that historic 1960 season.

The Aggies jumped out to a early (7-3) lead in the 1st Quarter as Bryan Jackson scores his 19th touchdown of the season but Jackson would later leave the game never to return. Wyoming battled back to lead (13-10) at the half despite losing starting QB Zach Mundell. The Cowboys would extend their lead to (20-10) midway through the 3rd Quarter as backup QB Ethan Washington broke free for a 46 yd touchdown run.

With both teams star players still on the sidlines, New Mexico State would battle back in the 4th as McGraw finds TJ Pride on a pair of touchdowns (19 yds and 16 yds) to give the Aggies the lead (24-20) but Wyoming again answers back with a big touchdown run as SR RB Terron Kellerman goes 42 yds to the house to give the Cowboys the (27-24) lead with under 5 minutes to play in the game. A Quick 3 and out would give the Aggies the ball back but after a pair of short runs and a incomplete pass, the Aggies were forced to settle for a 50 yd FG by FR Vince Maze who knocks it down to tie the game up (27-27) with 112 to play in the game.

When Wyoming retook the field Mundell but the JR QB's return was short lived as he throws a INT to FS Quinten Reddish as the Aggies take over inside the 20 yd line. The winning drive didn't come without some drama for Aggie fans though. Facing a 1st and Goal, QB Nick McGraw is sacked and lands hard on his throwing arm and is forced to leave the game. After a Bryan Jackson 7 yd run takes it back to the 2 yd line to set up a 3rd and goal, backup QB Parker Award would find 4* FR Lamont Poutai for the game winner on a 2 yd slant..

FINAL SCORE NEW MEXICO STATE-34 WYOMING-27

KEY PLAYERS
QB T. McCraw-22/42 (52%) 334 yds 2 TD 1 INT
QB P. Awad-1/1 2 yds 1 TD
RB J. Limar-18 carries 76 yds
RB B Jackson-3 carries 18 yds 1 TD
WR TRJ Pride
WR L. Poutasi
WR D Faupel
FS Q. Reddish-1 INT

[Deuce2223]

INSIDE SCOOP WITH COACH SCOTT

Good evening and welcome to Aggie Hour.. Tonight we are joined by Offensive Coordinator Ryne Scott to talk about the Aggies Historic season just a few hours away from playing in the schools first ever Mountain West Championship.

Coach it's been an amazing season.. You guy's are (9-3) Overall (7-2) in MWC play and ranked in the Top-25 for the first time since 1960, with a chance to add to this historic season..

Scott-

Yeah I got to be honest it's a bit of a shock. We knew going into the season we landed some pretty amazing talent in the Portal. Bryan Jackson (1037 yds 19 TD) and Jayden Limar (622/7 rushing 428/2 receiviing) have been a huge part of our offense combining for over 2000 yds and 28 touchdowns. We knew LP (Lamont Poutasi) was going to be special but we didn't expect the type of season he had (72 rec 1106 yds 10 TD) especially with the other guy's we had around him (Pride 50/688/4), Faupel (52/611/5) and Harris (38/479/2).. Despite how his season ended we also can't forget about the impact that Akili Smith Jr had on this program too despite his INT #'s (2431 yds 12 TD/17 INT). but also how well the team rallied behind Nick McGraw (1109 yds 11 TD 2 INT).

Coach speaking of Nick and Bryan.. Both players were hurt during the Wyoming game. Are they healthy and ready to go in the rematch with the Rebels on Saturaday?

Scott-

Yeah right now the doctors have cleared both to play and we will need them, if we got any chance at pulling off a victory.. As of now it appears we will be without SR RG Hayden Harlan (72 ovr) and SR DT Enzo-Pierre Tayou (71 ovr).

Coach.. The school has only won 10 games twice in it's lifetime and only once since you were alive and is ranked for just the 2nd time in school history. You are a big part of that success and reports are despite this being just your first full year as OC, that several schools have expressed interest in you helping to rebuild their program.. Can you comment or confirm any of this.

Scott

"Yeah it's true as of right now I have been offered South Alabama and Rice as well as Nevada.. However with reports of Sherrone Moore's firing at Michigan as well as Kyle Whittingham's retirement from Utah there has been rumblings that several schools could have potential openings as those 2 schools look to fill those bigtime vacancies.. To be honest though I love it here.. I never thought my career and time as a Aggie could potentially end this soon.. It's honestly not something I really want to focus on. We got UNLV and then our Bowl game to worry about first."

Coach. Let's talk about UNLV.. You guy's lost to them last year in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise and then again this season, making Coach Sanchez and yourself 0-2 lifetime against his former team. The Rebels are currently ranked #10 in the CFP rankings and have a chance to make the playoffs with a win.. They are 10-1 this season and have won 9 straight games since their Week 2 loss to Texas. THE MWC Championship is essentially a home game for them.. What do you think your chances are?

Scott-]

Coach Mullen is a Bear Bryant Finalist for a reason. Anthony Coloandrea (86 ovr) is one of the best dual threat QB's in the nation (3141 yds 26 TD 3 INT, 578 yds 4 TD rushing).. They have a 1000 yd rusher in former Fresno State transfer Rayshon Luke (1055 yds 14 TD) and a trio of WR's who have been making plays led by SR Deajon Reynolds (803 yds 9 TD). But it's not just their Offense. Their Defense gives up just 22 points a game and lead the MWC in Sacks (24) and INT's (14)

Coach, the playoffs have chance the meaning of most of the bowl games. The MWC Champion typically goes to the LA Bowl and currently has you guy's projected to face Arizona.. Do Bowl games still matter?

Scott

"I think they still matter.. When guy's come to Las Cruces I don't think anyone in their right might ever thinks we will play for a National Championship. The reality is only 12 teams get the opportunity to do that and out of those 12 probably only 8 of them even have a chance most years. I think UNLV is a great team and has played a great season but to say that as a potential #10 seed they could win 4 straight games against the top teams in college football I doubt it. So yeah Bowl games still matter.. It gives these kids a chance to play 1 more game with their teammates and friends. It gives family members and fans a opportunity to come and support them and the school around the holiday season and for some of these kids it's a 1 more opportunity to showcase their skills either for the NFL scouts or a potential transfer portal school.

Coach speaking of the portal. .The NCAA put a cap on the # of players a school can lose to 7 in 2025. Do you think that is a fair # or do you believe it should be more or less

Scott

"I think 7 or 8 is probably a pretty fair #. For most schools that's a 10th of their roster. I think limiting the # has changed the stance on the players who are typically joining. Most of the time it's guy's who are looking for more PT or maybe a chance to chance a Championship. There are still kids who might look at it for a chance to chase NIL money but I feel like most schools are doing a pretty good job of getting money into the hands of players. We did a great job last year landing several guy's and giving them a opportunity to start and they are a big reason why we are where we are today but on the flip side of that coin those players have now showed their worth to other programs who might be have openings including schools they came from. Oregon could very likely lose Dante Moore to the NFL which could open the door for Smith to return to the Ducks.. Or we could see a school come in and swoop up Nick after the type of year he had with the opportunity to be the clearcut #1 guy next season. Quentin Reddish was huge for us this season coming over from Virginia Tech finishing with 89 Tackles and coming up with 2 key INT"s that helped us secure wins. But now he is being recruited by other programs who have seen what he can do.

Coach.. We are out of time.. Thanks for being here and not matter what the future holds. Good luck...

[Deuce2223]

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK PREVIEW

This year's Championship Week will feature 4 teams who have already secured a spot in the Playoffs and 4 other teams who are still fighting for a chance to move off the bubble and secure themselves a seed.

SEC
#1 (11-1) Georgia will face off against #17 LSU in the SEC Championship with the #1 Seed on the line, well fellow SEC members #7 (9-3) Texas and #9 (10-2) Alabama sit at home waiting to see the outcome of other games to see their final seeding.

BIG TEN
#2 (11-1) Oregon will square off against #16 (9-3) Michigan State. Like the Bulldogs, the Ducks are just playing for a Top-4 seed and a chance for a "Bye" Week well loss would likely slide them out of the Top-4.

Like Texas and Alabama UCLA's set at the playoff table is set as the Bruins jump from #14 to #8 in the final week season despite 2 late season loss's to Oregon and USC. The Bruins will just have to wait and see if they are hosting in Round 1 or traveling. Speaking of (10-2) USC, the Trojans find themselves sitting ranked #3 and by not playing this week probably have secured themselves a Top-4 seed and a "Bye" week

BIG 12
#4 (11-1) SMU will take on #24 (9-3) Nebraska in a week 4 rematch in with the Mustangs pulled off a (46-45) victory.. Like Georgia and Oregon, SMU is playing for a Top-4 seed.as a loss definitely see them drop in the rankings.

ACC

A week 13 loss to NC State knocked UNC from #5 to #12 as they dropped to (10-2) on the season however with a matchup against #15 (9-3) Florida State still in play for the ACC Championship, both teams still have a outside chance at getting in.

#5 (10-2) Miami like USC is sitting pretty.. The Hurricanes don't have to play this week and at worst will likely host the #12 seed, but could also very likely jump into the Top-4 with 3 of of the teams ranked ahead of them playing.

AMERCIAN
This year's American is a exact rematch of last year's title game with the same thing on the line for both teams. The winner will be in the CFP.. #6 (12-0) North Texas is the last remaining undefeated team in the country and would love to get revenge against #11 (10-2) Tulane who won last year's matchup and spot in the playoffs.

MOUNTAIN WEST
#10 (11-1) UNLV will take on #22 (9-3) New Mexico State with 1 thing on their mind.. This game means so much for both teams as both are looking to make history for their schools. Can Coach Sanchez finally beat his former team and knock the Rebels out of the playoffs?

PAC-12

#14 (10-2) Boise State saw their Top-10 ranking disappear with a late Week 12 loss to San Diego State.. Now the Broncos are clinging to hopes of a playoff spot as they head to the Pac-12 Championship in their first season in the league as they will take on (7-5) Oregon State. just 2 weeks after handing the Beavers a (51-7) thumping on "The Blue"

CUSA
#20 (10-2) James Madison made the playoffs last season after finishing in the Top-12 but this year the Dukes will have to settle for a CUSA title as they take on (8-4) Charlotte.

MAC

#23 (11-1) Temple will take on (9-3) Ball State for a chance to win a MAC title their first year back in the MAC. Temple won the regular season matchup (25-20).

SUN BELT

(10-2) Georgia Southern will take on (10-2) UAB... UAB won the regular season matchup (42-34) back in Week 7

[redsox907]

Rice and Nevada would both be great rebuilds

[Deuce2223]

AGGIES COME UP SHORT IN UPSET BID!!

After coming up short last season in the Mountain West Championship against Boise State, UNLV now takes the keys to the kingdom as the Rebels as Coach Sanchez now falls to 0-3 against his former team. Well the loss is bitter sweet for New Mexico it is big for the conference as it proves that despite not having Boise State as it's flagship team , the conference champion can still have a shot at the CFP playoffs as the Rebels secure a Top-12 seed with their 12-1 finish.

Both teams struggled to get things going as the first quarter comes to a close still tied at (0-0) but it was New Mexico State who would take the lead in the 2nd Quarter and go into the locker room up (14-10) as the Aggies Defense held UNLV and QB Anthony Colandrea in check. The Rebels however would open up the 3rd Quarter with a huge play as Colandrea finds Daejon Reynolds down the sideline for a 50 yd pass and catch score to take the lead (17-14).

The Rebels Defense would then hold NMSU to a FG as the game goes into the 4th tied (17-17) Both teams would trade turnovers on downs to start the 4th, The Aggies would retake the lead with 4 minutes to play in the game as FR Vince Maze connects from 42 yds out to make it (20-17) but after keeping the Rebel ground game in check for 3 and 1/2 Quarters, Rayshon Luke finally broke free for a pair of 1st down runs.. It look like the Aggies might hold the Rebels to a FG and potentially force Overtime but facing a 3rd and 8, Colondrea tucks the ball and goes 13 yds for the 1st down to keep the drive alive and with 1:18 to play the Rebels punched in the final score of the game as backup RB Kamran Williams dives in from 2 yds out giving the Rebels the lead

New Mexico State still armed with 1 timeout need a touchdown to win as a FG wouldn't matter McGraw was out of magic as the Aggies turn the ball over on downs as McGraw goes 0/4 on the final drive of the game.

FINAL SCORE UNLV-24 NEW MEXICO STATE-20

KEY PLAYERS
QB N. .McGraw-18/36 (50%) 262 yds 1 TD
RB B. Jackson-15 carries 76 yds 1 TD
WR L. Poutadi-5 rec 70 yds
WR D. Faupel-3 rec 46 yds
WR TJ Pride-1 rec 18 yds
TE G. Harris-6 rec 103 yds
TE C. Jensen-3 rec 25 yds 1 TD

QB A. Colandrea-19/34 (55%) 268 yds 1 TD, 12 carries 37 yds
RB R. Luke-18 carries 60 yds 1 TD, 3 rec 21 yds
RB K. Williams-6 carries 18 yds 1 TD
WR D. Reynolds-4 rec 85 yds 1 TD
WR R. Jackson-4 rec 63 yds
WR D. Irvin Jr-5 rec 59 yds
TE J. Beasley II-3 rec 40 yds

[Deuce2223]

MEAN GREEN EARN TOP-4 SEED/SEMINOLES SNEAK IN AT #12

Conference Championship week offered a few upsets which led to some surprising decisions by the selection committee this year.

2 upsets that didn't happen was #1 Georgia defeating LSU (34-27) to secure the #1 seed and #2 Oregon defeating Michigan State (30-7) to secure the #2.

However when #20 Nebraska pulled off the upset defeating #4 SMU (41-17) the committee had to make a decision. They could've just moved #5 Miami up but instead they rewarded #6 North Texas the (39-31) winner over #11 Tulane in the American Conference the #4 seed.

#15 Florida State also pulled off a upset of sorts as they took down #12 UNC (34-10) to win the ACC title and earn a 3 spot bump in the rankings as they are handed the #12 seed with their win.

"FSU opened up their season with loss's vs Notre Dame in Week 0 and on the road @ Alabama in Week 3 but have since gone 10-1 including a win over #5 Miami on the road. I believe they deserve a shot at the Natty"

The committee's interesting decisions didn't end there though. Despite the loss, the committee left Tulane at #11 and in the playoffs despite 3 loss's, well moving SMU down from #4 to #9 with their loss taking away a chance to at least host a 1st round game..

"We want teams to not feel like playing in their conference championship is a punishment so these decisions come with mixed results.. SMU didn't play a impressive game.. Should they have at least stayed at #8? Probably, but at the same time Tulane played N. Texas very tough up to the very end and I believe they didn't deserve to be knocked out"

With Tulane in that meant that CUSA Champion James Madison would not be making a return trip as the Dukes finish the season (12-2)

Here is the final Bracket pairings.

#5 (10-2) Miami vs #12 (10-3) FSU. Winner will face #4 (12-1) North Texas in the Cotton Bowl

#9 (11-2) SMU vs #8 (10-2) Alabama . Winner will face #1 (12-1) Georgia in the Orange Bowl

#11 (10-3) Tulane vs #6 (9-3) Texas.. Winner will face #3 (10-2) USC in the Fiesta Bowl

#10 (12-1) UNLV vs #7 (10-2) UCLA.. Winner will face #2 (12-1) Oregon in the Peach Bowl.

[Caesar]

Three G6 schools in the CFP with North Texas getting the fourth seed is crazy