PRESS PICKS (Week 12): Talking heads form a line for debate for CFP poll
STAFF REPORT
Greg McElroy has had it.
The former University of Alabama quarterback and current ESPN talking head was in fine form on Tuesday during his weekly appearance on the playoff poll reveal show. His goal - negate any conversation regarding the best “one loss” team in the current College Football Playoff poll.
He spent the better part of two hours arguing his case regarding the team most deserving of the No. 6 spot. In his opinion, Texas should be ahead of Alabama which should be ahead of Oregon.
He also covered his bases as a former Bama quarterback and how that does not apply when he’s doing his job.
Just don’t tell that to “mediot” Stewart Mandel, who has been antagonistic for several years. Based on his comments, Mandell thinks McElroy is a mouth piece for Nick Saban.
It’s what we do this time of year… baseless, useless conversation that can turn personal.
And so the circle of CFP life goes on. Sing along with Elton John. It’s what ESPN wants… debate… fighting…angst… viewership and then more debate.
It’s what all of this is for - create conversation. There is no problem with that but to rile up the masses on something that will - more than likely - will take care of itself by the end of the season since these teams will face one another at some point in time.
McElroy’s point is the committee is using one set of guidelines for one team and something different for another. Heading into this week, there are six teams with one loss. That number may increase or drop depending on outcomes of the games on Saturday.
Fans may love this. It keeps everybody on point. But how much are they willing to put up with this constant whining? It’s doubtful the World’s Greatest Sports Network will take a poll.
Graham Dunn continues his lead the panel after 10 weeks.
2023 Overall Standings (Last week)
1. Graham Dunn 131-34 (12-3) .793
2. Doug Amos 130-35 (13-2) .788
3. Tim Gayle 126-39 (11-4) .764
Wesley Lyle 126-39 (12-3) .764
5. Mike Peacock 125-40 (13-2) .758
6. Lindsey Bonner 122-43 (12-3) .739
7. Rosie Langello 120-45 (12-3) .727
Michael Butler 119-46 (11-4) .721
9. Barry McKnight 101-64 (8-7) .612
10. Rick Hendrick 101-64 (11-4) .612
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports/WTLS/Voice of Alabama State Hornets)
131-34 (12-3) .793
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Carver
Homewood at Pike Road - Pike Road
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Holtville
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Faith
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Auburn
Ole Miss at Georgia - Georgia
Tennessee at Missouri - Missouri
Florida at LSU - LSU
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Michigan
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - North Carolina
Iowa St at BYU - BYU
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket)
130-35 (13-2) .788
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Carver
Homewood at Pike Road - Pike Road
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Headland
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Faith
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Auburn
Ole Miss at Georgia - Georgia
Tennessee at Missouri - Missouri
Florida at LSU - LSU
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Penn St
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - North Carolina
Iowa St at BYU - Iowa St
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports/Montgomery Independent)
126-39 (11-4) .764
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Carver
Homewood at Pike Road - Pike Road
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Holtville
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Elmore County
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Auburn
Ole Miss at Georgia - Georgia
Tennessee at Missouri - Missouri
Florida at LSU - LSU
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Michigan
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - North Carolina
Iowa St at BYU - Iowa St
Wesley Lyle (River Region Sports & al.com)
126-39 (12-3) .764
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Carver
Homewood at Pike Road - Pike Road
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Headland
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Faith
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Arkansas
Ole Miss at Georgia - Georgia
Tennessee at Missouri - Tennessee
Florida at LSU - LSU
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Michigan
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - North Carolina
Iowa St at BYU - Iowa St
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports)
125-40 (13-2) .758
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Carver
Homewood at Pike Road - Pike Road
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Headland
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Faith
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Auburn
Ole Miss at Georgia - Georgia
Tennessee at Missouri - Missouri
Florida at LSU - LSU
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Penn State
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - Duke
Iowa St at BYU - BYU
Lindsey Bonner (Sports Director - WAKA Ch. 8)
122-43 (12-3) .739
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Carver
Homewood at Pike Road - Pike Road
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Holtville
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Elmore County
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Arkansas
Ole Miss at Georgia - Georgia
Tennessee at Missouri - Missouri
Florida at LSU - LSU
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Michigan
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - Duke
Iowa St at BYU - BYU
Rosie Langello (Sports Director - WSFA Ch. 12)
120-45 (12-3) .727
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Carver
Homewood at Pike Road - Pike Road
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Headland
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Elmore County
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Arkansas
Ole Miss at Georgia - Georgia
Tennessee at Missouri - Missouri
Florida at LSU - LSU
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Michigan
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - North Carolina
Iowa St at BYU - BYU
Michael Butler (WTLS 106.9&94.7 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
119-46 (11-4) .721
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Carver
Homewood at Pike Road - Pike Road
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Headland
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Faith
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Arkansas
Ole Miss at Georgia - Ole Miss
Tennessee at Missouri - Tennessee
Florida at LSU - LSU
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Michigan
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - North Carolina
Iowa St at BYU - Iowa State
Barry McKnight (SportsRadio 740 /Voice of Troy Trojans)
101-64 (8-7) .612
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Briarwood
Homewood at Pike Road - Homewood
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Headland
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Faith
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Auburn
Ole Miss at Georgia - Georgia
Tennessee at Missouri - Missouri
Florida at LSU - LSU
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Penn St
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - Duke
Iowa St at BYU - Iowa State
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA Montgomery Biscuits)
101-64 (11-4) .612
Briarwood Academy at GW Carver - Carver
Homewood at Pike Road -Homewood
Alabama Christian at Houston Academy - Houston Academy
Headland at Holtville - Holtville
Elmore Co at Faith Academy - Faith
Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
Auburn at Arkansas - Auburn
Ole Miss at Georgia - Georgia
Tennessee at Missouri - Missouri
Florida at LSU - Florida
Miss St at Texas A&M - Texas A&M
Michigan at Penn St - Penn St
Utah at Washington - Washington
Duke at North Carolina - North Carolina
Iowa St at BYU - BYU