Reflections on an Early September Saturday: AP Voter Dilemmas
As we dive into the college football season, here are 18 contemplative thoughts on a dramatic early September Saturday that challenged AP voters to reconsider their rankings entirely.
- 1. After two weeks of intense competition, I feel quite certain that Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas deserve their spots as the top three teams in the nation. Beyond that, however, I find myself in a guessing game just like everyone else. Several highly ranked teams faced unnerving challenges against lesser opponents, and one top-five team experienced a shocking home defeat to Northern Illinois University (NIU) as a staggering 28-point favorite.
- 2. This season was anticipated to be the turning point for Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame, a potential resurgence towards national title contention. Instead, it led to yet another disheartening Week 2 home loss against a Group of 5 opponent. (Hello, 2022 Marshall, meet 2024 NIU.) Freeman had already fortified his roster with a strong veteran defense, complemented by the addition of esteemed offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock from LSU and transfer quarterback Riley Leonard from Duke. However, on Saturday, Leonard struggled significantly, completing only 20 of 32 passes for 163 yards, coupled with two interceptions against a MAC rival. NIU capitalized on one of those errors, allowing them to control the ball for five minutes before nailing a last-minute field goal to stun the Irish with a score of 16-14.
- 3. From the very beginning, Freeman has been in a position of constant evaluation, as if he were auditioning for a job he has already secured at the young age of 35, following Brian Kelly’s departure. After a challenging first year, Freeman seemed to be gaining traction. Yet, Saturday’s game was a devastating blow, draining the momentum gained from Notre Dame’s season-opening victory at Texas A&M. This defeat raised long-buried questions about the stability of Freeman’s program. While it’s still possible for Notre Dame to reach the 12-team Playoff, they must fervently hope that Saturday’s setback is merely an aberration.
- 4. For a team like NIU, the prospect of a national title may be a distant dream, but claiming a victory at Notre Dame Stadium as a significant underdog surely feels monumental. Thomas Hammock, the head coach and a former star running back for NIU, was visibly emotional during his postgame interview with NBC. The program has seen its fair share of highs over the last twenty years, particularly during the Jordan Lynch era in 2012-13, yet this triumph stands out as their most remarkable achievement to date. Prior to the season, I wouldn’t have predicted that a MAC team could represent the Group of 5 in the CFP, but it’s hard to envision another G5 team achieving such a pivotal nonconference victory this season.
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