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Texas A&M Football

Around CFB: The Hatter is out and the Herman chase is on

September 26, 2016
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And your first entry into the Tom Herman Sweepstakes is LSU.

How else does one interpret LSU’s firing of coach Les, a recruiting guru but offensive goober?

Herman is a good recruiter and an offensive wiz. So, it would seem obvious that he’d be the first candidate LSU should call. But according to Herman that call hasn’t come. Not yet, anyway.

"I can say unequivocally nobody has contacted me," Herman told the Houston Chronicle on Sunday. “You know my stance. I'm never going to comment about another job during the season. It's not fair to our players, it's not fair to whatever university these reports are about. It's not fair to anybody.”

Some would say it’s not fair for LSU to fire Miles, a coach who posted a 114-34 record in Baton Rouge and led the Tigers to a national championship in 2007.

But the SEC is demanding. Phil Fulmer won a national championship for Tennessee and was fired less than 10 years later. Gene Chizik won one at Auburn and was fired two years later. Auburn also canned Tommy Tuberville just a few years after an undefeated season.

USATSI Tom Herman is likely to emerge as the top candidate at LSU and a number of other looming vacancies.
Now, consider Herman, who is 17-1 at Houston. That record features victories over five ranked teams, including Florida State in last season’s Chick-fil-A Bowl and Oklahoma in this year’s opener.

LSU may consider Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, who the Tigers tried to lure last season. If not Fisher, then maybe Louisville’s Bobby Petrino or even Art Briles — offensive coaches all.

But to be sure, LSU will strongly consider Herman. Of course, so will any other big-name program that may have a coaching vacancy. That list could include Auburn, USC and Texas.

If nothing else, LSU has gotten a head start on them.

Heisman leaders


Here’s a weekly look at how I would vote for the Heisman Trophy if my ballot was due now:

1. Lamar Jackson, Louisville, QB: Action Jackson passed for 417 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 62 yards and two TDs in a 59-28 victory over Marshall. Jackson has accounted for at least five touchdowns in every game. He’s passed for 1,330 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 526 yards, which is more than LSU’s Leonard Fournette, Florida State’s Dalvin Cook and Georgia’s Nick Chubb. Next: at Clemson on Saturday

2. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, RB: The versatile McCaffrey rushed for 138 yards in a 22-13 victory over UCLA. He’s rushed for 436 yards and three touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 119 yards and a score while facing legitimate competition (Kansas State, USC, UCLA). McCaffrey is averaging 145.3 rushing yards, which is second in the nation. He’s also second in the nation in all-purpose yardage. Next: at Washington on Saturday

3. Greg Ward, Houston, QB: He did what a Heisman contender is supposed to do against an overmatched opponent — put up big numbers in little time. Ward passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another while playing just one series into the third quarter of a 64-3 victory over Texas State. In 2 1/2 games, Ward has passed for 936 yards and five touchdowns and has rushed for three TDs. He’s 12th in the nation in total offense. Next: vs. Connecticut on Thursday night

4. J.T. Barrett, Ohio State, QB: The Buckeyes were off last week. In their most recent game, Barrett passed for 152 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-24 victory over Oklahoma. He’s passed for 650 yards and 10 TDs with only one interception. He also has rushed for 159 yards and three TDs. Next: vs. Rutgers on Oct. 1

5. Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State, RB: The Aztecs were open last week, but Pumphrey still leads the nation with 599 rushing yards. He posted consecutive 200-yard rushing performances against Cal and Northern Illinois. Next: at South Alabama on Oct. 1

Myles watch


A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is nearing the quarter-mile mark (440 yards) of lost yardage inflicted on the opponent for his career. Through sacks, other tackles for loss, blocked kicks, interception returns and penalties drawn, he entered the season with 322 yards of field position taken away.

Here’s a breakdown on Garrett’s career production (reduction), including this season’s statistics.

Via sacks: 160

Via other TFLs: 46

Via blocked FG: 65

Via blocked punt: 3

Via INT return: 4

Via penalties drawn: 76

Via fumble recovery/return: 3

Total: 357

Predicted playoff participants


(After week four)

1. Louisville: No team in the country has been more impressive. The Cardinals are explosive on offense and solid on defense.

2. Alabama: The defending national champs just keep on rolling. But is it worth mentioning that three of their four wins have come against opponents with a combined 4-8 record?

3. Michigan: That 45-28 win over Colorado looks better after the Buffaloes upset Oregon. The Wolverines have scored at least 45 points in every game.

4. Stanford: The Cardinal isn’t sexy, but keeps beating “power five” opponents. The greatest test — perhaps for the whole season — comes this week at Washington.



Wish I was: Tom Herman. Not only is his Houston team sixth in the nation, but he’s undoubtedly the most desired target for major programs that will be searching for a new coach. Herman may be the most sought-after coach since Florida hired Urban Meyer. He could command a Nick Saban-like salary.

Glad I’m not: Kansas Defensive Coordinator Clint Bowen. It’s bad enough his defense allowed 43 points to Memphis in its last game, but before that the Jayhawks allowed 37 points to Ohio. That’s the Ohio which was beaten by Texas State. Now, here comes Texas Tech, which is averaging 61 points per game and leads the nation in passing. The Red Raiders are a threat to score 80 unless Kliff Kingsbury opts to take it easy on Kansas coach David Beaty for old times' sake.

Best upcoming games


Louisville at Clemson: A matchup of Top 5 teams and Heisman contending quarterbacks (Louisville’s Jackson and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson). The winner has an inside track to claiming the ACC Atlantic Division.

Stanford at Washington: This clash between the No. 7 Cardinal and No. 10 Huskies likely determines which will finish first in the Pac-12 North. Sure, there is much more work to be done, but these two seem like the class of the division since Oregon lost to Colorado.

Wisconsin at Michigan:
Everyone is taking seriously No. 8 Wisconsin after the Badgers' complete dismantling of Michigan State last week. Michigan hasn’t really been challenged. The Badgers are seventh in the nation in scoring defense. Michigan is fourth in scoring offense. Something’s got to give.

Tennessee at Georgia: Tennessee finally avenged all those losses to Florida. Now the Volunteers can take aim at another rival, and Georgia was pathetic in a loss to Ole Miss last week. As good as the Vols seemed and as bad at Georgia appeared, it doesn’t really matter. The team that wins between the hedges has a leg up in the SEC East race. Yeah, Georgia still has to play Florida. But Tennessee still has to play Alabama and Texas A&M.

North Carolina vs. Florida State: Actually, this could be a preview of the ACC championship. 12th ranked Florida State remains in the Atlantic Division chase, though the Seminoles need somebody to beat Louisville. North Carolina has won three in a row to solidify its role as a strong contender in the Coastal Division.
 
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