Matt Hinton

Writer, Mississippi native, football obsessive. Previously: Grantland, CBS, Dr. Saturday, et al. Inquiries: mreadhinton at gmail, etc.

[Saturday Down South @SatDownSouth]

Here it is, y'all!

@MattRHinton's opus... THE Ultimate SEC Preview for 2025 🏈 https://t.co/rr1XDdkPGd

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

again were these people alive for the BCS? everyone and their mother *despised* the BCS because its formula sometimes spit out results that contradicted the human polls. now we can't leave it up to humans because some feelings got hurt. get off the bubble or get over yourself.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

only this dumbass sport could ignite a legitimacy crisis over a perfectly legitimate outcome https://t.co/oYR0UwK49Q

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

Is there a better way to choose a playoff field?

Under fire, the CFP selection committee’s future (and the format) seems ripe for change under the SEC and Big Ten’s control.

“We’ve introduced this really subjective ranking process that is unnecessary.”

https://t.co/UtX4U5NU2D

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

you'll never find a more foolproof precedent than "don't lose to Vandy"

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

100% manufactured prefab "controversy" just to have one

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

As we argue about SMU or Alabama for the final playoff spot today, let's be thankful we're talking about 2- and 3-loss teams for what's possibly the 12th seed and a road playoff game.

Not picking between two conference champs with one loss between them for one of four tickets.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

I'm probably the least cynical person here about the committee's process. even last year when they screwed FSU, a decision I strongly disagreed with, I still saw it as a good-faith call because there was a positive case for Bama. not this year. cannot justify it.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

shouldn't even need to be said but dumping SMU for a 3-loss SEC team that spent the weekend watching from the couch would be a huge mistake. none of those teams is compelling enough to set a precedent that qualifying for your conference championship game isn't worth it.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

@HoagMichael well, he will eventually. I'm just saying he's in that category of legit talent, by no means just a volume guy who goes in the 7th round and is never heard from again.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

obviously you can't call Ashton Jeanty underrated but it really must be emphasized more how much of his production he creates himself. national leader in missed tackles forced by a mile. per PFF he's run for more yards *after contact* than all but two other FBS backs have total.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

@HoagMichael Ward is much more gifted than a stat padder. so gifted in fact that his biggest drawback is he makes too many dumb plays because he thinks he can do anything. reminds me a lot of Jameis Winston... who of course pulled of the Heisman/national title/no. 1 overall sweep.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

@lambdinj with the exception of an undefeated BYU, I wouldn't be surprised if Boise wound up with a first-round bye over the Big 12 champ

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

6.0 yards per attempt after contact. no other RB with 50 carries is close.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

@cfb_ultimate that would be one of the borked scenarios, yes. I'm at least two weeks away from wading through potential tiebreakers.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

plenty of ways for this to get borked but the straightforward chalk scenario in the SEC now is the winner of Georgia/Tennessee vs. the winner of A&M/Texas in the championship game

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

time for Dabo to spruce up that transfer portal speech

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

14-3. the Bermuda Triangle of the SEC.

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

South Carolina's record under Shane Beamer in home games that kick off at 7 pm or later: 13-3

South Carolina's record under Shane Beamer in all other games: 11-18

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

SMU is legitimately good but this is the time of year when you can start predicting games based strictly on factors like "does Pitt seem good enough to be 8-0?"

[Matt Hinton @MattRHinton]

I just need to see Nico Iamalavea play one complete game against a real opponent before I believe in Tennessee. all of the other pieces are there.