Skip to main content
Join

Daily briefing: On Georgia and close games, Oklahoma’s vacancy and the Heisman race

Ivan Maiselby:Ivan Maisel•12/02/21•

Ivan_Maisel

KirbySmartLewisCine
Georgia safety Lewis Cine and coach Kirby Smart have had just one game decided by single digits this season, and that was the opener. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ivan Maisel’s “Daily Briefing” for On3:

Can Georgia handle stress?

This is what Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have to worry about: They haven’t had to fight for survival in the fourth quarter. The Dawgs haven’t even trailed in the second half all season. I’ve been thinking that’s an asset, but what happens if they meet up with crunch time? Georgia is a 6.5-point favorite over an Alabama team that leaked oil throughout November. What the Crimson Tide has that the Bulldogs don’t, what they have proven in their struggle to win their past three SEC games, is no matter how dire the circumstances, they refuse to rattle. They refuse to lose. How will Georgia respond in a tight game?

Joe Castiglione is on the clock

Boy, is Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione in a pickle. In the three days since Lincoln Riley left for USC, the Sooners have had five players enter the transfer portal and seven recruits decommit, including junior quarterback Malachi Nelson, a southern California native who threw in with Riley and the Trojans. Castiglione is making a decision that will affect Sooner Football for years, so making a reasoned, well-thought-out decision is paramount. Yet every hour that passes brings more fallout from Riley’s departure. Castiglione always has been able to see the big picture, and no one has more respect among athletic directors. Take all the time you need, Joe, and hurry up.

What about him … or him … or him for the Heisman?

The Heisman Trophy candidates will make their final statements Saturday before the polls close Monday. I will cast my 35th Heisman vote next week, and this season is highly unusual in that I have no idea how I will fill out my ballot. Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III had my vote until the Ohio State game. I’m enamored with quarterbacks Kenny Pickett of Pitt and Bryce Young of Alabama. I watched what Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson did Saturday, which is pretty much what Crimson Tide outside linebacker Will Anderson has done for the second half of the season. I love watching Jordan Davis play on the defensive front for Georgia. I’ll be watching closely Saturday.