An SB Nation college-football column praised D’Anton Lynn’s Penn State defense and Georgia, but said Matt Campbell’s fan support could suffer after Penn State squandered a 17-point lead at home to Wisconsin; it also questioned Mike Elko after Texas A&M’s two SEC losses.
Through three and a half quarters against Wisconsin, the Badgers managed 160 yards on 51 plays (3.13 per play), with three turnovers and three drives producing no positive yardage; they scored touchdowns on their final two drives. The writer said Penn State’s four three-and-outs repeatedly sent the defense back onto the field, while noting concerns about its pass rush against pass-heavy teams such as USC. The column also cited Georgia’s wins by 63-3, 70-20, 45-17 and 41-3, saying its tougher test would come against Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Ole Miss from Oct. 10 through Oct. 31.
The writer said Campbell should not be fired and noted that first-season records for coaches at Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame and Miami ranged from 5-7 to 8-4. Still, the column said Penn State’s blown 17-point lead and struggling offense could hurt fan goodwill; a 9-3 season with wins over USC or Michigan could help. Elko’s Texas A&M lost to Kentucky 31-21 and LSU 35-6 after reaching 11-0 last season. The writer considered 7-5 plausible, with Arkansas and The Citadel next and a tougher schedule afterward.
