College football delivered a mostly quiet day on Saturday.
It was Sunday that caused the chaos – early Sunday, when Utah survived a scare from Arizona, 40-39, in the desert in a game that began at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Advertisement
The Utes remained undefeated – just one of two in the country (UCLA) – after doing just enough in the final quarter Saturday in Tucson, keeping them in first place in our Top 10.
But back to that ho-hum Saturday. Sure, Maryland upset Wisconsin (is Luke Fickell’s job in jeopardy again?); Dabo Swinney’s Clemson team lost at home to Georgia Tech previously 2-7; and Wake Forest — Wake Up! — throttled SMU in a victory that vaulted them into our Top 10. But otherwise, much of what was expected materialized a day after the unexpected — a four-hour plane stop on the ground across the country.
It might have been better for USC to stay home in Los Angeles. Indiana probably burst the Trojans’ playoff bubble. Also in the Big Ten, Oregon steamrolled Michigan in what was shaping up to be a horror season for the Wolverines, and Iowa continued to keep its playoff hopes alive (you never know!).
In the SEC, Georgia reigns supreme, Kentucky’s magical season took another blow from Florida, and Tennessee (Texas A&M), Alabama (Vanderbilt) and Texas (LSU) survived ugly road games to stay in position for the playoffs. In the ACC, Wake and Miami appear headed to the championship game in Charlotte.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, in the Group of Six playoff race, Boise State outlasted Oregon State in a 46-41 matchup in Idaho, and UNLV upset New Mexico and coach Jason Eck. The Broncos are in control of the G6 playoffs.
Let’s move on to the Top 10!
1. Utah Utes
This week: beat Arizona 40-39
Next week: at TCU
The Utes needed late-game heroics on offense and defense to survive in a close game in the desert. Quarterback Devon Dampier ran for 100 yards and threw for over 200 yards and Daniel Bray had the game of his life – rushing for 197 yards. Utah and coach Morgan Scalley didn’t arrive in Tucson until around 12:30 a.m. Saturday after the ground flight shutdown Friday forced cancellations. It didn’t matter that night.
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier runs for a touchdown during the first half of a win over Arizona.
(Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
2. Georgia Bulldogs
This week: beat Missouri 48-21
Advertisement
Next week: South Carolina
The Bulldogs seem terribly angry since their stunning home loss to Auburn on October 17. Kirby Smart’s team outscored its next three opponents 117-36, including a huge 48-21 victory over Missouri on Saturday. Quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for 252 yards and the Bulldogs saw two rushers eclipse 65 yards in the victory. The defense stymied a Missouri offense that converted 18 percent of its third downs.
3. UCLA Bruins
This week: beat Illinois 22-14
Next week: in Michigan
Holding a tight lead in a Friday night game, the Bruins were able to stop Illinois, driving for the tying score, twice: one on downs and the other on an interception that they turned into a field goal. Ty Dieffenbach bounced back from a shoulder injury during the game to throw two touchdowns and Wayne Knight ran for 56 yards. WR Aidan Mizell also had a second straight day of 150+ receptions.
Advertisement
4. Indiana Hoosiers
This week: beat USC 27-13
Next week: in Washington
Backup quarterback Grant Wilson, a seventh-year senior, threw for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hoosiers against the Trojans. While Wilson is one of the best stories in college football, IU’s defense was the real hero on Saturday. They had an interception and a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
5. Notre Dame fighting the Irish
This week: beat Boston College 41-7
Next week: vs. SMU
Any disappointment stemming from the Irish’s stirring victory a week ago against Miami was quickly brushed aside. The Irish led 31-0 at halftime in a comprehensive victory over the Eagles. Notre Dame RBs Jonaz Walton and Nolan James Jr. combined for over 210 yards and two scores. If the Irish want to win playoff games, they’ll need that rushing attack to stay nasty.
Advertisement
6. Miami Hurricanes
This week: beat Duke 36-25
Next week: vs. Virginia Tech
The Hurricanes erupted in the second half to turn a three-point lead at the break into a blowout victory with their two high-profile transfers from Duke leading the way in beating their former team. Former Blue Devils players Cooper Barkate and Darian Mensah connected eight times for 134 yards. Mensah dominated his former teammates, completing 30 of 41 attempts as Miami rebounded impressively from the loss at Notre Dame.
7. Awaken the demon deacons of the forest
This week: beat SMU 49-7
Next week: at Georgia Tech
Don’t you pay attention to the deacon demons? Better start. Jake Dickert, who will surely be a hot name in coaching cycles (his new contract won’t stop the offers), is making Wake Forest roar. The Deacs led 42-0 at one point and completely smothered the Mustangs with a total of 275 yards. Wake QB Gio Lopez ran for 34 yards and two touchdowns, threw for another and wasn’t even needed in the second half.
Advertisement
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
This week: beat Vanderbilt 21-6
Next week: vs. Chattanooga
It was far from pretty, but the Crimson Tide defense led the way in this one, stifling the Commodores to the tune of 12 rushing yards and a 13% clip on third-down attempts. Despite its two losses, Alabama put itself in position to be a top four seed in the 12-team playoff and a first-round bye. With the kind of defense on display Saturday in Nashville and shifty quarterback Keelon Russell, Bama might be able to make some noise in the playoffs.
9. Texas Longhorns
This week: beat LSU 22-21
Next week: vs. Arkansas
Arch Manning threw three interceptions. But he also scored the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of his first-ever college game in his home state. The win keeps the Longhorns’ playoff hopes alive. Thanks to the Texas defense, which picked off Sam Leavitt three times and limited LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s offense to three three-and-outs on four fourth-quarter drives.
Advertisement
10. Iowa Hawkeyes
This week: beat Purdue 28-7
Next week: at Illinois
Iowa’s path to the playoffs seems very clear: Beat Illinois and Nebraska to end the season and you’re there (probably). The Hawkeyes bounced back from losses to Minnesota and Ohio State by beating their last three opponents 82-17. They have something to cook up with quarterback Hank Brown, who scored a touchdown through the air and on the ground and had just nine incompletions against the Boilermakers.
Gn headline
