It’s honestly pretty crazy to believe that we’re already in week 11 of the college football season, but here we are. The season is beginning to wind down, but that doesn’t mean we were spared the usual fantastic action. This week contained yet another energetic and entertaining slate of games. Some of the Top 25 teams had smooth sailing, while others hit some roadblocks and had to grind their way to a win. And some just straight-up lost!
So on that note, let’s talk about some of these games!
Michigan isn’t missing a beat without Harbaugh
Even with all the controversy that has surrounded Michigan this year, the Wolverines proved that it isn’t big enough to bother them.
They proved, yet again, that they are more than capable of playing at their highest level even when their head coach isn’t patrolling the sidelines. And that talent and skill were on full display during their 24-15 win over now-No. 13 Penn State.
The Wolverines dominated in the trenches and made life completely miserable for Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar. Allar failed to complete 50 percent of his passes, going 10-for-22, and he only threw for 70 passing yards. He did throw a touchdown, but that was in garbage time when Michigan basically had the game wrapped up.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy only threw eight passes for the entire game, but he didn’t really need to do a whole lot. That’s just how well the defense and the running game performed. Speaking of that, the Wolverines’ rushing attack simply could not be stopped throughout the day. They piled up a whopping 227 yards on the ground, and star running back Blake Corum accounted for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
I was a little skeptical as to how the Wolverines would perform on the road against a then-top-10 team without their head coach, but they proved that it wasn’t going to be a problem. I have to give props to interim coach Sherrone Moore. He concocted a masterful gameplan that took advantage of Penn State’s weaknesses and led the Wolverines to a resume-building win.
Michigan is still undefeated. Things just keep chugging along in Ann Arbor.
Texas doesn’t deserve a spot in the College Football Playoff
I know. Kinda spicy.
However, if Texas wants to be taken seriously by the committee as a College Football Playoff contender, it can’t exactly get away with beating a mediocre TCU team by just three points. I understand they were in Fort Worth, but in all honesty, the Longhorns should have won this game big.
Quinn Ewers had a good game, but he didn’t play particularly great. He went 22-for-33 with 317 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw an interception late in the first quarter. Running back Jonathan Brooks had another great game, rushing for over 100 yards and a score. Star wideout Xavier Worthy racked up 10 receptions for 137 yards.
However, TCU kept fighting and fighting, and stuck with the Longhorns throughout the game. Quarterback Josh Hoover recovered well from a rough first half, throwing for over 300 yards and tossing two scores in the second half. Savion Williams had his way with Texas’ secondary, hauling in 11 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown.
Texas was up 26-6 near the end of the third quarter. Teams that should be legitimately considered for CFP contention should not nearly give up a 20-point lead in one quarter against a lesser opponent. Assuming things stay mostly the way they are now, Texas likely will not get a spot in the final four.
However, this is college football. Crazier things have happened. And if Texas is one of the teams that is considered for that final spot, which it likely will be, the committee should be very hesitant to include the Longhorns.
Washington-Utah is a sneaky contender for game of the year
This game had a fantastic ending, but the way it started didn’t seem to give any indications of a contender for game of the year. Three straight punts ensued on three straight possessions, two for the Utes and one for the Huskies.
However, Michael Penix Jr. ran in for a 2-yard score, and then the fireworks really started.
After Penix Jr.'s scamper for six, Utah running back Ja’Quinden Jackson answered with a 2-yard touchdown. Grady Gross nailed a 41-yard field goal for Washington, but Bryson Barnes threw his first touchdown of the day to give Utah a 14-10 lead.
However, Penix Jr. and the Washington offense simply went right down the field and ended their drive with a dime from Penix Jr. to star wideout Rome Odunze for a 34-yard score. Bryson Barnes proceeded to one-up that connection, hitting Sione Vaki for a 53-yard touchdown. Running back Dillon Johnson gave the Huskies the lead right back, but Ja’Quinden Jackson ran for his second score to give the Utes the lead back heading into halftime.
Then, late in the third quarter, Washington made a big defensive play by picking off Bryson Barnes, right when Utah was driving deep in Husky territory.
Seems like your normal football, play, right? Wrong!
Barnes was picked off by Tuputala Alphonzo at Washington’s 23-yard line, and he proceeded to take it back all the way to Utah’s 1-yard-line. He was ready to celebrate the pick-six, the end zone was right there…and he fumbled. And Utah recovered, saving an already bad play from becoming even worse.
But it gets even wackier.
Utah sets up at its own 1-yard line. Ja’Quinden Jackson takes the handoff, and…runs right into several Washington defenders, who tackle him in his own end zone for a safety.
The score remained 35-28, leading up to Utah’s final drive with 1:32 left in the fourth quarter and a chance to win the game. However, the Huskies’ defense stood strong, not letting the Utes get past their own 18-yard line, and picking off Barnes on 4th and 10 to finally end this strange, epic game.
So just your normal, everyday football shenanigans ensued in this one.
Carson Beck (and Georgia) look better with each passing week
I have been vocal here with my feelings of skepticism regarding Georgia’s offense without Brock Bowers. I initially thought that Carson Beck and the offense would struggle without him.
Well, they proved otherwise during their four-game stretch without Bowers, and now that he’s back, the rest of the country better watch out for what’s coming.
Beck was an efficient 18-for-25 with 306 yards for two touchdowns, and even though he did throw an interception, he did not let that error bother him whatsoever. Bowers had a relatively quiet game, as he only caught three passes for 34 yards. However, he did catch a touchdown, and his impact on the game was felt in a big way.
And while the passing offense was good, the running game was even better, as Kendall Milton ran all over the Rebels to the tune of 127 yards and two scores. Daijun Edwards added 59 more yards and two scores on the ground. Ole Miss just could not stop the Georgia offense, and on the rare occasion that the running game was bottled up, Beck and his supporting cast took matters into their own hands.
As I said, the rest of the nation needs to watch out. Georgia now looks a lot more like the world-breaking, game-wrecking force that it has been for the past couple of seasons.
Kyle McCord delivered his best game of the year
This. This is what every Ohio State fan has been waiting for.
Now, I know what you might be thinking. It’s against Michigan State, who cares, right? However, this performance cannot be taken lightly, even though it’s just one game.
For this game, McCord was exceptional, going 24-for-31 with 335 yards and three touchdowns. And what’s even better is that he didn’t turn the ball over once. And his connection with Marvin Harrison Jr. was as prolific as it’s ever been. Harrison Jr. caught seven passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
McCord was simply on another level in this game. He looked poised in the pocket, and when he was flushed out, he maintained his composure and was able to make plays. He made his throws with confidence and consistency. He looked confident and in control of the offense throughout the night.
If McCord can keep up performances like this, the Buckeyes can reach new heights. Because there is absolutely no denying that this team is already elite. But if McCord can use this performance to elevate his game consistently, Ohio State will be a nightmare to try and defend.
And last but not least…
Another week, another outstanding Bo Nix performance
It’s become basically routine at this point.
During this game, Nix absolutely carved up a porous USC defense to the tune of 412 yards and four touchdowns. The only reason this game was close was simply because of USC’s offense. When Caleb Williams is under center, the Trojans will always have a fighting chance.
But Oregon is simply the better team. And it proved as such in this one. There’s a reason that Oregon is the sixth-best team in the nation and USC is unranked. And the entire Oregon offense was firing on all cylinders against this bad Trojan defense.
Nix had an unreal game, that’s not being questioned. However, as I said, everyone contributed. Bucky Irving had another great game, as he ran for 118 yards and a touchdown. Troy Franklin piled up 147 yards on two catches. Tez Johnson caught seven passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Terrance Ferguson also got in on the action, hauling in six catches for 60 yards and a score.
Caleb Williams did play well, but he wasn’t earth-shatteringly incredible like he seems to be most weeks, as he barely completed 50 percent of his passes. He also only threw one touchdown.
At this point, USC’s CFP chances are over. We know this. Caleb Williams’ Heisman chances are over. We also know this. There are simply too many players in front of him who have been playing better over the course of the season.
And one of those players is Bo Nix. Nix is now my Heisman favorite, as he has more total touchdown passes and fewer interceptions than Michael Penix Jr. Regardless of that, however, it will be a fascinating race over the last few weeks of the season.
Elms' Essentials: Week 12
