As every week proves, football is a game of inches, and several programs needed just that much to avoid defeat in week 11 of college football. Every team in the top ten held serve last week, as Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss cruised to decisive victories. Ole Miss crushed the Citadel 49-0. Meanwhile, Marcel Reed and the Texas A&M Aggies continue their march toward the SEC title, putting up a balanced performance against Missouri, and the Crimson Tide rolled to their eighth consecutive win. Before we examine this week’s games, let’s take one final look at last week’s surprises and upsets.
College Football Week 11 Recap
Saturday Spotlight: BYU at Texas Tech
An underlying curiosity heading into this game would be what would happen if Texas Tech can generate points early and forces BYU’s Bear Bachmeier to win from the pocket? Now, we have our answer.
After scoring 13 unanswered points to open the contest and go into halftime, the Red Raiders also did a good job of limiting BYU’s rushing attack.
Bachemeier and LJ Martin, who have been prominent reasons for BYU’s success, were completely shut down by Texas Tech. They combined for 47 yards on 21 carries (2.2 yards per rush). And from the pocket, Texas Tech constricted everything to the short and intermediate area. BYU’s longest play of the day went for 21 yards.
For Texas Tech, Cameron Dickey carried the load offensively, running through BYU’s front seven for 121 yards. Jacob Rodriguez was also terrific, leading all players in tackles. The win proves to be another notch on the belt for Texas Tech’s defense; which, despite how good they are, gets slighted for the conference they play in. This effort by them to nullify BYU’s passing and running game is a big statement. The Cougars’ undefeated season is over, but still very likely these teams meet again in the Big 12 championship.
Upset Special: Wake Forest Over Virginia
A sneaky rivalry proves to be one that undoes the Virginia Cavaliers’ run in the top-15 of the polls. After surviving a scare at home against a fledgling Washington State team, the Cavaliers had been on upset watch for a few weeks. After all, they only managed to squeak by North Carolina with a one-point win last month. Last week’s game against Wake Forest was a low-scoring fistfight between two opportunistic defenses with effective running games.
J’Mari Taylor led all runners with 98 yards for the Cavaliers. Unfortunately, that didn’t translate to points on the board for Virginia. The Cavaliers could only muster three field goals on the afternoon. Prior to leaving with an injury, Chandler Morris was ineffective from the pocket, completing just three passes for 19 yards.
His replacement, Daniel Kaelin, lost two fumbles in a one-score game that proved to be the difference. Carlos Hernandez’s 88-yard punt return touchdown gave the Demon Deacons the early 7-6 lead that they never relinquished. Fortunately, the Cavaliers do stay ranked at No. 19, yet when Morris will return under center is still a mystery at this point.
Who Helped Themselves the Most in Week 11?
It has to be Julian Sayin. After a few weeks of not being sure where he stood amongst the Heisman contenders, he’s started to take steps forward into a legitimate conversation. Granted, he plays with an elite team and can be deemed another face in a talented crowd, he has started to separate himself in the last few weeks.
Sayin has thrown for 300 yards or more in four out of his last five games, throwing for over 80 percent in four of those games. He has thrown 14 touchdowns to only one interception in that span. When you look at the five best teams in the country according to the rankings, you can make the case that Sayin has been the quarterback in this group over the last month.
Marcel Reed hasn’t done enough to elevate himself as a Heisman contender, and the award at this point boils down to Sayin and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. With his next two games against UCLA and Rutgers, Sayin could add more feathers to his Heisman cap before facing Michigan at Ann Arbor to put the finishing touches on a great year. Sayin helped himself the most last week with yet another eye-opening performance.
College Football: Week 12 Spotlight and Upset Special
Saturday Spotlight: Texas vs. Georgia
The biggest game of the week must be Texas versus Georgia, which hence why it’s the Saturday Spotlight. There’s so much talent on the field that, undoubtedly, the NFL scouts will flock to this game in Athens. The big question is how Arch Manning will hold up against a fearsome Georgia pass rush. Texas will need a big game from Ryan Wingo, creating explosive plays.
Look for Georgia to try to establish the run early with Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens to open up some big play-action opportunities to Zachariah Branch. If Georgia wins, they have Charlotte next week and then end the season with Georgia Tech. Assuming they win out, Georgia would be a lock to make the College Football Playoff even if they don’t play in the SEC title game.
As for Texas, it would allow them to make a closing statement for their bid at the CFP. The conference title game looks less likely than Georgia, but they also have a date with Texas A&M. If Texas beats Georgia and Texas A&M in two of their last three games, that’s worthy of a CFP bid. A lot to look for in this week’s Saturday Spotlight.
Upset Special: Pittsburgh Over Notre Dame
In a big college football game this week that features two freshman quarterbacks, the Pittsburgh Panthers will beat the Fighting Irish. College GameDay rolls into Pittsburgh to see the Panthers take on Notre Dame. When the networks are trying to tell you something, believe them. At 7-2 (5-1 in the ACC), Pittsburgh is tied for first place in its conference, overtaking Miami and Louisville.
Pittsburgh is a heavy underdog at home this week, but there’s a way they can win. While Notre Dame’s offense has picked up in recent weeks, Pittsburgh has the personnel to give Notre Dame trouble. Their base 4-3 defense with their big linebackers is predicated on stopping the run and filling the gaps that Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love can exploit. Their linebackers are experienced and can also disrupt passing lanes over the middle. Between Braylan Lovelace, Rasheem Biles, and Kyle Louis, they have intercepted four passes this season.
Also, since stepping in as the starter, Mason Heintschel has provided the Pittsburgh offense with a spark and has eclipsed the 300-yard mark in four of his last five starts. Heintschel just needs to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers, Kenny Johnson and Raphael Williams, and let them do the rest, while also limiting mistakes and forcing CJ Carr to carry the offense on his shoulders. With two big meetings ahead of them with Miami and Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh wins a nailbiter 24-21.
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