On Wednesday’s version of The Audible, Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel welcomed The Athletic’s latest school soccer author, Ralph Russo, handy out “September Superlatives” for one of the best and worst of the primary month of the season. You may hearken to their complete dialog, or learn their choices beneath.
September Heisman winner
Bruce: Colorado’s Travis Hunter. He’s eighth within the nation at over 112 receiving yards per sport and has 46 catches for 561 yards and 6 touchdowns. He additionally has two interceptions, 16 tackles, three go breakups and compelled a fumble close to the purpose line that saved the Buffs in an additional time win over Baylor. Nobody has ever performed the variety of snaps per sport that Hunter has performed and made as many large performs, particularly later in video games. He’s an enormous cause why the Buffs are 4-1 and within the race for the Huge 12’s Faculty Soccer Playoff spot.
Ralph: Hunter. A very distinctive participant whose abilities can transcend Colorado in all probability not being a top-10 workforce. He’s a lockdown nook for an improved protection whereas being on tempo for a 100-reception, 1,000-yard receiving season whereas enjoying greater than 100 snaps per sport. We’ve actually not seen something like this.
Stew: Hunter is the right reply, however simply to be completely different I’ll go along with Boise State operating again Ashton Jeanty, who’s a lot deserving. By 4 video games the man is averaging 211 yards per sport, a jaw-dropping 10.3 yards per carry and he’s scored 13 touchdowns. He could have a shot, too, if Boise stays a CFP contender.
Sport of the yr
Bruce: As a lot as I’m tempted to say NIU-Notre Dame due to what it meant to the Huskies and after Thomas Hammock’s emotional postgame response, I can’t ignore the fireworks present in Tuscaloosa final week. Jalen Milroe was wonderful and 17-year-old Ryan Williams in all probability was much more spectacular. It felt like a heavyweight battle.
Ralph: USC at Michigan. I didn’t need us to all say Georgia–Alabama, however that’s the clear selection. Trojans at Wolverines within the Huge Home was the TV government’s dream realized. A quintessential helmet sport that had momentum swings, lead adjustments and a late landing to win it for Michigan.
Stew: I coated USC-LSU in Vegas, and it was the proper method to begin the season. We acquired our first trace that Lincoln Riley is in reality able to fielding a good protection. Miller Moss confirmed he can march a workforce down the sphere for a game-winning TD. And Brian Kelly misplaced one more season-opener, then pounded a desk afterward.
Most stunning workforce
Bruce: BYU. Kalani Sitake’s workforce was picked within the preseason to complete thirteenth within the Huge 12. The Cougars’ D is salty, rating No. 16 within the nation in yards per play allowed. QB Jake Retzlaff nonetheless may be cold and warm, however he could make some spectacular throws and is nimble sufficient to burn defenses. BYU’s 38-9 rout of No. 20 Ok-State was one in all its greatest performances in years. Can they stick with it?
Ralph: Duke. First-year coach Manny Diaz needed to piece collectively a roster of not precisely probably the most sought-after gamers within the portal after Mike Elko left after simply two years. The competitors hasn’t been the hardest and the Blue Devils have gained shut video games towards Northwestern, UConn and North Carolina. Not precisely a gauntlet. However contemplating preseason expectations, Duke attending to a bowl sport can be exceptional.
Stew: Indiana. I assumed Curt Cignetti may make some noise in his first season, however nothing like this. The Hoosiers aren’t simply 5-0 for the primary time since 1967; they’re crushing individuals. They’ve scored 40-plus factors in 4 straight video games. Is it the hardest competitors? No, however IU went 3-24 within the Huge Ten the final three years. That is astounding.
Most disappointing workforce not named Florida State
Bruce: Ole Miss. As a lot as I’m tempted to say Kansas since KU is 1-4 and with no wins over FBS opponents, the Rebels’ displaying final week was dismal. This can be a workforce I assumed was a nationwide title contender, not only a Playoff workforce. They blew out unhealthy groups early, then confronted Kentucky and misplaced to a 15 1/2-point underdog at dwelling. Kentucky had simply 18 factors in its first two SEC video games and was making its first highway journey of the season, whereas Ole Miss had gone over 600 yards in every of its first 4 video games. However Lane Kiffin’s workforce managed simply 353 yards and 17 factors. Was {that a} fluke or is that this workforce not really prepared for prime time?
Ralph: Virginia Tech. A dark-horse Playoff workforce already has three losses, albeit three shut ones towards Vanderbilt (a killer), Rutgers and Miami (a heartbreaker). Coach Brent Pry’s Hokies nonetheless have an opportunity to be in ACC rivalry, however the concept this program was able to take a big step ahead has dimmed.
Stew: On the present, I initially stated Auburn, however Ralph talked me out of it upon realizing the Tigers are No. 20 in SP+ and will nonetheless flip it round. I named Lance Leipold the No. 2 coach within the nation final spring and had Kansas in my preseason Prime 25, so I discover it fairly disappointing that the Jayhawks are 1-4.
Coach of the 12 months
Bruce: Kalen DeBoer. Hats off to Curt Cignetti who has talked massive from the second he was employed at Indiana and backed all of it up to this point, however I’ll go along with DeBoer, the man who has seamlessly changed the best coach of all-time. Simply take a look at how primed Bama was to leap throughout Georgia. They couldn’t have been extra prepared for that sport. His 5-1 document towards Prime 10 opponents speaks volumes.
Ralph: Curt Cignetti. Coach of the yr usually goes to the workforce that almost all exceeds expectations. However it’s not simply that Indiana is 5-0, it’s how. The Hoosiers are crushing the whole lot of their path with a bunch of James Madison imports. That actually does communicate to teaching and preparation.
Stew: Josh Heupel. Not solely is Tennessee the No. 4 workforce within the nation after stomping their first 4 opponents, however Heupel is refuting the knock that his groups are solely about his offense. The Vols are profitable with a dominant defensive position that’s helped it rank No. 2 nationally in dashing protection (1.6 yards per carry). This isn’t 2022 Tennessee.
Most impactful coordinator rent
Bruce: I’ve to go along with USC’s D’Anton Lynn, who has led the dramatic enchancment within the Trojans’ woeful protection and introduced hope again to USC. Statistically, the Trojans haven’t been nice throughout the board. They’re No. 71 in yards allowed per play at 5.47. However they ranked No. 104 final yr at 6.1, they usually’re tackling significantly better and look extra sound. They’re No. 11 in third down protection. That’s nearly 100 spots higher than No. 109 final yr. They’re No. 12 in purple zone protection — up from No. 119.
Ralph: Pitt OC Kade Bell. Pat Narduzzi went towards tendency and handed the offense over to a 31-year-old coach from Western Carolina who has unleashed the Panthers in a method we’ve hardly ever seen from them. Bell took over an offense that ranked 87th within the nation final yr at 5.33 yards per play. The Panthers’ numbers are a bit of inflated by video games towards Kent State and Youngstown State, however they at the moment rank sixth within the nation at 7.8 yards per play.
Stew: Former Boise State (and Arizona State and NFL) head coach Dirk Koetter did nicely because the Broncos’ interim OC in 2022 earlier than stepping apart, however after Spencer Danielson turned the full-time head coach this season, he introduced again Koetter. All he’s performed is assist Boise enhance from 32.2 factors per sport to 48.5.
Preseason prediction you already remorse
Bruce: Florida State getting a bye within the CFP. They’ve been a dud on each side of the ball, particularly on offense the place they rank No. 126 in scoring and haven’t scored greater than two TDs in any of their 5 video games. They’re No. 83 in yards allowed per play and No. 124 in third down protection. They only acquired whipped at SMU, 42-16. The ‘Noles seem like they’ll be lucky if they will win 4 video games this season.
Ralph: Any person I do know thought Wisconsin was a superb longshot CFP decide. Good grief.
Stew: Why on earth did I persuade myself that FSU may lose almost everyone to the NFL, reload and win the ACC once more? That’s to not say I ought to have seen this whole implosion coming, however man, I let the model bias get to me. Don’t simply assume a college can reload due to its helmets and recruiting rankings.
Nationwide champ decide as of at present
Bruce: Ohio State. Nobody has come near testing them. I think Oregon in Eugene will, however seeing the Buckeyes up shut is spectacular with all their firepower on offense and athletes on all three ranges of the protection.
Ralph: Joyful to stay with Ohio State. The one factor that has modified for me is the group of groups that I contemplate nationwide title contenders may now embody Tennessee and will now not embody Oregon.
Stew: Nonetheless Georgia. Have been this final season (or any earlier than it) I’m positive I’d have panicked after final week’s Alabama sport and jumped ship to another person. On this new system, although, all of the Dawgs should do is get into the CFP. In the event that they do, they are going to be — at worst — the second-most proficient workforce, however way more battle-tested (three Prime-10 foes) than Ohio State.
Photograph of Travis Hunter: Mike Watters / Imagn Photos
