Florida made a HUGE statement in the Swamp defeating formally undefeated Auburn in a sloppy, turnover-ridden game. Good start for the Gators to the toughest four-game stretch of any team in the company, culminating in Jacksonville against Georgia. Jonathan Taylor also made a huge statement, and definitely cemented himself as the best running back in college.
Since I still like this format better than the "Fake-Heisman" format for updating college football games, I am going to keep it, at least for awhile.
Game of the Week
Virginia Tech 42 - Miami - 35. This game certainly did not start out as the Game of the Week as Virginia Tech rushed out to a 28-0 lead behind 3 interceptions and a fumble recovery in Miami's first four drives. Then, Miami made the change at quarterback to N'Kosi Perry, who went 28-47 for 422 yards and 4 touchdowns. Miami's Perry threw a 25 touchdown to Jeff Thomas, followed by a 2 point conversion run by Deejay Dallas to close Virginia Tech's lead to 35-29. On Miami's next possession, Dallas scored on a 62 yard touchdown run to tie the game at 35. Bubba Baxha then missed the extra point, taking the wind out of the sails of Miami's contest. Virginia Tech furthered Miami's despair by scoring at touchdown with 1:03 remaining to take a touchdown lead. Miami drove down the field, and had two chances from the Hokie 10 yard line to tie the game, but both Perry's passes fell incomplete.
Best Team Performance
Florida Gators. Florida, hosting then number 6 ranked Auburn, defeated the previously undefeated Tigers (Plainsmen, War Eagle?) at home 24-13, solidifying themselves as a top ranked team that could challenge for the SEC championship. Florida's defense is a true force, and if the offense can be consistent and not turn the ball over, this team could be good.
Least Impressive Team Performance
Iowa Hawkeyes. I would love to place UCF here as they fell to Cincinnati for their second loss of the season, but Iowa scored 3 points for their first loss of the season in a 10-3 defeat at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines. The Big 10 still has a number of players at the national level, but Iowa is no longer one of them.
Most Impressive Individual Performance (Offense)
Jonathan Taylor, RB - Wisconsin. Yes, it was in a 48-0 blanking of Kent State, but Taylor rushed for 186 yards and 4 TDs on 19 carries, and gained 29 yards and scored another TD on 3 catches.
Jonathan Taylor, RB - Wisconsin. Yes, it was in a 48-0 blanking of Kent State, but Taylor rushed for 186 yards and 4 TDs on 19 carries, and gained 29 yards and scored another TD on 3 catches.
Most Impressive Individual Performance (Defense)
Kwity Paye, DL - Michigan Wolverines. Paye's 2 1/2 sacks against Iowa, was the most of the Wolverines' 8 sacks on the day, to go with 3 interceptions. Each of the sacks and forced turnovers were important because the Wolverines offense could only muster 10 points in the 10-3 victory over previously-undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes.
Most Impressive Individual Performance (Special Teams)
Blanton Creque, K - Louisville Cardinals. His 41 yard field goal with 1:02 left in the game secured the final margin of Louisville's 41-39 win.
Goat of the Week (Player Edition)
Jarren WIlliams, QB - Miami Hurricanes. Williams was 4-7, with 3 interceptions against Virginia Tech, as the Hokies opened up a 28-0 lead on the Hurricanes, resulting in Williams being pulled for N'Kosi Perry.
Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)
Manny Diaz - Miami Hurricanes. Still cannot figure out Miami's quarterback situation, and now the defense seems less aggressive too.
Breakthrough Performance
Freddie Swain, WR - Florida Gators. The Gators wide receiver was seemingly missing from the offense with Feleipe Franks under center, only to now have been found by Kyle Trask. His 6 catches for 146 yards and a TD have allowed the Sultan to breakthrough this year.
Finally
Khalil Tate, QB - Arizona Wildcats. Tate, the oft-injured dynamic QB for the Wildcats, was outstanding, throwing for 404 yards and 3 TDs with a 75% completion rate in Arizona's 35-30 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes.
Impact Injury
Kyle Trask, QB - Florida Gators. Injured his knee, but returned against Auburn. If he is hobbled at all against LSU, this Florida offense is a completely different team.
Team Rising
Team Falling
Player(s) to Watch
Cam Akers, RB - Florida State Seminoles. After the first few games I wanted to start a "Free Cam Akers" Campaign. However, Florida State has been playing better the last two games (this week was a bye), and most of that is because of Akers. Florida State could eventually help determine the ACC title, even if they are not involved in the title race themselves.
My New Favorite Player
Jett Duffey, QB - Texas Tech Red Raiders. The junior quarterback, who was given the reins in the Oklahoma loss, made the most of his opportunity against the 21st ranked Oklahoma State Sooners. Duffey went 26-44 for 424 yards and 4 TDs, and, HIS NAME IS JETT DUFFEY.
Players of the Week (Just Week 2)
5. Joe Burrow, QB - Louisiana State Tigers - Burrow was 27-38 for 344 yards and 5 TDs, in LSU's 42-6 win over Utah State.
4. Khalil Tate, QB - Arizona Wildcats. See above.
3. Jett Duffey, QB - Texas Tech Red Raiders. See above.
2. N'Kosi Perry, QB - Miami Hurricanes. See above.
1. Jonathan Taylor, RB - Wisconsin Badgers. See above.
Predicted Playoffs/Championship Match Ups
Alabama (1) v. Clemson (4)/ (2) Ohio State v. (3) Oklahoma
I have switched Oklahoma and Ohio State, which does not affect the matchups one bit. This is how I feel things are now, not a prediction on the future, especially since the SEC West is a loaded gauntlet for anyone, even Alabama. LSU/Georgia are threats, and in fact, one of them could make the playoffs easily, even if one of the other three (Clemson, Ohio State and Oklahoma) does not falter.
Remaining Unbeatens
Alabama, Appalachian State, Baylor, Boise State, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Memphis, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, SMU, Wake Forest, Wisconsin
Remaining Winless Teams
Akron, New Mexico State, Rice
Rant(s) of the Week
I hate fans that yell-and-scream to argue about something when they do not know the rules and are absolutely wrong in their argument because of their ignorance.
Last Week's Trivia Answer
The question(s) was/were: Alabama's Tua Tagavailoa broke the Alabama career record for TDs responsible for when he hit 80 this week against Mississippi (he since flew past that mark in the game). Whose record at 80 TDs responsible for did he break? Bonus question, who is third in Alabama history?
The answer is A.J. McCarron. Bonus answer is the current starting quarterback at Oklahoma, Jalen Hurts
Match up(s) to Watch
6. San Jose State v. Nevada - Now, this may not seem like an important game this weekend, but boy should it be fun. San Jose State has a prolific air attack behind quarterback Josh Love, and Malik Henry, formerly of Florida State and Last Chance U fame will make his first start for Nevada.
6. San Jose State v. Nevada - Now, this may not seem like an important game this weekend, but boy should it be fun. San Jose State has a prolific air attack behind quarterback Josh Love, and Malik Henry, formerly of Florida State and Last Chance U fame will make his first start for Nevada.
5. Florida State v. Clemson - Ordinarily this game looks like a mis-match, but Florida State has played much better in its last two games and comes into this game off a bye, whereas Clemson has looked less than stellar the last few weeks, as well. This could be interesting, at least.
4. Appalachian State v. Louisiana - This game is tonight, between unbeaten Appalachian State and 4-1 Louisiana. Appalachian has an opportunity to challenge Boise State as the best team outside of the Power 5 if they can stay undefeated.
3. Cornell v. Harvard - Harvard attempts to start its Ivy campaign off 2-0.
2. Oklahoma v. Texas - The Red River Rivalry is Texas, and Sam Ehrlinger's chance to prove they are a good team, and spoil Oklahoma's chance for the playoffs.
1. Florida v. LSU - If it is good enough for ESPN's GameDay, it is good enough for me - at least given that only one of these teams can come out unscathed, while both have the chance to show us if they are for real or not. I wrote this last week about Auburn-UF, and it applies equally to this game. Except, we know LSU's offense is way more prolific than Auburn's. If the Gators can slow down Burrows and company, this game could vault Florida in everyone's minds. If LSU can keep Burrows protected, it could be a long day for Florida.
Trivia Question of the Week
This week's question comes to me from Ryen Russillo on the SVP podcast by way of Sinickal: What was the most recent college football champion to win its first championship, and what year was it?
This week's question comes to me from Ryen Russillo on the SVP podcast by way of Sinickal: What was the most recent college football champion to win its first championship, and what year was it?
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