As the new season appears over the horizon, preseason rankings become commonplace. From award watchlists to predictions, analysts compile these lists seemingly on a weekly basis. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, on the strength of a breakout season, in the minds of many, should figure in. A recent award list featuring the senior sparked conversation on social media.
Why Trinidad Chambliss’ Ranking on On3’s Top 100 List Sparked Outrage
With the specificity of a surgeon, fans and media will scour articles for lists. Clark Brooks from ON3 published his Top 100 players in college football list. He listed Chambliss as No. 45 on his list. Social media did not hesitate to voice displeasure.
“A Heisman contender, with the second-best preseason odds, sitting at No. 45 is definitely a choice one can make,” wrote Jake Thompson, who covers Ole Miss for On3. According to covers.com via Yahoo Sports, Chambliss is a top-three Heisman candidate, behind Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr and Texas signal-caller Arch Manning. The outrage towards Brooks continued to grow.
“Holy crap, @clarkbrooks_On3 doesn’t have Trinidad Chambliss in his top 10? WHAT AN IDIOT,” shouted Ari Wasserman, who also works for On3.
Chambliss led the SEC with 3,937 yards. Additionally, his yards per attempt (8.8) ranked among the best in the country. His omission from the top 10 baffled onlookers.
“Again… how is Trinidad Chambliss not in the top 10?” states Blain Crain, who, like Wasserman and Thompson, also writes for On3. If you look at Chambliss’ season, you will see production and results.
Former head coach Lane Kiffin left to take the LSU job before the playoff. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding took over in the big seat. All Chambliss did was account for six total touchdowns, zero interceptions, and win two playoff games before falling in the CFP semifinal to Miami.
Looking at the rest of the list, you see players who may not enjoy a similar season ahead. For instance, a South Carolina edge rusher plays on a team that probably will not factor into the CFP. Under those circumstances, any production that he could enjoy would be muted by his team’s possible lackluster performance.
Additionally, Ole Miss’ schedule should definitely bring even more attention to Chambliss. Over a five-game period, Chambliss and the Rebels face LSU, Florida, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Texas.
If Mississippi can win four of those games, while the quarterback plays well, it could solidify the outrage surrounding the list. For an encore, can Chambliss replicate last year when he held the No. 5 spot in the PFSN CFB QB Impact Rankings?
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