First off let me say it was so depressing writing week 8 for this blog title. The regular season is absolutely flying by. Don’t be sad reader, it’s just a reminder to enjoy each Saturday. Now to business.

I alluded to it on the podcast this week but this is my Kliff Kingsbury Memorial fraudulent coaches list. I know what you’re thinking, Mike why Kliff Kingsbury? My hatred for Kliff Kingsbury started when he started being praised as this offensive guru and up and coming coach. I felt like I was taking crazy pills. Texas Tech couldn’t stop a nosebleed during his tenure at Tech but the media kept hyping this guy up. Then Kingsbury was being linked to the USC job and then when he got the Arizona Cardinals job. His ability of failing upwards is extremely respectable but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. I decided to tier the coaches using that tier maker website. Without further ado here’s the list;

First off you have the S tier also known as the Gene Chizik tier. Remember when Gene Chizik parlayed a mediocre Auburn head coaching career into a Cam Newton national championship then becoming one of the highest paid coaches in the sport? I remember. My top tier of coaches is reserved for two guys who I have grown to dislike. Both Lane Kiffin and Mike Gundy have won nothing over the course of there careers. Somehow Lane Kiffin gets linked to every open job in the SEC and you never hear a whisper about Mike Gundy’s job. To me Kiffin is as overrated as it gets. His teams put up gaudy numbers early in the season against the clown college of Mississippi then when the going gets tough Kiffin’s team comes up short.

The A tier is characterized by coaches who I think hurt their team. Mario Cristobal is pretty self explanatory go watch the ending of the Georgia Tech game. Hugh Freeze I’ve spoken about several times on the podcast. Nobody likes to throw teenagers under the bus more than Hugh yet somehow he has this reputation for a program builder.

B tier is characterized by coaches who have been very consistent. Coaches who can get their teams into big games. But they don’t win those big games. Ryan Day has won one playoff game (Covid season). Lincoln Riley and James Franklin have never won a playoff game. Ryan Day plays it so safe in big games. 4th and short against Michigan last season he punts instead of taking a risk and going for it. Lincoln Riley gets praised for an offensive genius but he can’t figure out how to manage the clock it’s remarkable.

Hot seat tier speaks for it self. I think all of those guys could be out of a job this offseason. Mike Norvell in particular, how the hell can you let Florida State be so volatile? Hot seat tier you can call it the Kevin Sumlin tier. Hopefully all these men have great buyouts negotiated in their contracts.

Now for the picks. Last week we went 3-4 -1.31. Totally wrong on the Red River and Kentucky but maybe we should have gotten Pitt. For the season we’re 15-18 -2.1 units. We need to rally and by we I mean me.

Alabama @ Tennessee +3 o/u 57

Both of these teams come limping into this game at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee has not been playing well. They eeked out a win at home against Florida and the week before lost to Arkansas. Bama is not much better recently. They lost to Vandy and should have lost yo South Carolina. The tide have real issues on defense while Tennesse’s offense has been struggling. I’ll bank on Bama’s quarterback play and take the Tide -3.

Georgia @ Texas -5 o/u 57

Another potential game of the year candidate. I truthfully cannot makes heads or tails of this Georgia team. The defense hasn’t been dominant and Carson Beck has not yet lived up to his first overall pick potential. On the other hand we still haven’t seen Texas in a battle this season. I’ll take UGA +5.

Iowa @ Michigan State +6.5 o/u 39.5

Disclaimer. I read Tyler’s blog but I am not stealing his pick. I also love the Hawkeyes. Kaleb Johnson is having a great season for Kirk Ferentz. Aidan Chiles the quarterback for Michigan State has a lot of talent but turns the ball over a lot. Not a good combo when facing this solid Iowa team. Give me the Hawkeyes -6.5.

Kansas State @ West Virginia +3 o/u 55.5

K-State played a thrilling game with Arizona last weekend. Avery Johnson came through on the road for the Wildcats. Road games have tripped up K-State this season. They survived against Tulane and Colorado but got mauled at BYU. With all that said this is as much a fade Neal Brown pick as anything. Here’s a stat for you.

I’ll take KSU -3.

LSU @ Arkansas +2.5 o/u 57

LSU is coming off a super emotional win at home under the lights in Death Valley. Ole Miss let that game slip away. Arkansas fresh off a bye under the lights at home? With a potentially fully healthy Taylen Green? Sheerin says Wooooo Pig. I like Arkansas +2.5 and if you’re feeling bold bet the money line as well.

You can find Nick on Twitter @YNWA9623, Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our fall of podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. The store is live, and Little Ed has been in the lab cooking up some can’t miss items for you fans. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon!