College Football Top Ten (Week 6): Saturday Shuffle

What a Saturday! Three Top Ten teams lost and there were some near upsets. One team fell out of the top ten (Auburn) and the was a newcomer. It gets more intense each week with the pressure mounting and teams jockeying for a playoff spot. Right now, three teams have separated themselves from the pack. Here is the latest Top Ten:

1) Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) defeated Arkansas Razorbacks 65-31

Another game that was over by halftime (41-14). Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was terrific, going 10-13 for 334 yards with four touchdowns. He has clearly established himself as the leading Heisman candidate. Running back Damien Harris eclipsed 100 yards rushing (7.4 yards/carry). Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end Irv Smith Jr each had over 100 yards receiving. The defense did it’s job holding the Razorbacks offense in check. Coach Nick Saban won’t like giving up late touchdowns but he needs something to complain about… I mean … teachable moments.

Next game- Missouri Tigers

 

2) Georgia Bulldogs (6-0) defeated Vanderbilt Commodores 41-13

The Bulldogs took care of an overmatched Commodore team. Quarterback Jake Fromm finally aired the ball out and the results were good (17-23 for 276 yards and three touchdowns.) Running back by committee churned out 219 yards. The defense was it’s normal stingy self. Vanderbilt’s offense had a hard time moving the ball.

Next game- at #10 LSU Tigers

3) Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0) defeated Indiana Hoosiers 49-26

The Buckeyes were tested early by the Hoosiers but pulled away in the second half. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins was electrifying, going 33-44 for 455 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Wide receiver Parris Campbell had 142 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The defense survived a shaky first half but dominated Indiana in the second half.

Next game- Minnesota Golden Gophers

4) Clemson Tigers (6-0) defeated Wake Forest Demon Deacons 63-3

The Tigers beat the Demon Deacons on the road in resounding fashion. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was good in his return (20-25 for 175 yards and two touchdowns). The day belonged to the rushing attack. Running backs Travis Etienne, Lyn-J Dixon and Adam Choice each went over 125 yards. The defense dominated a Wake Forest offense that managed only 11 first downs the entire game.

Next game- #20 North Carolina State Wolfpack

5) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-0) defeated #24 Virginia Tech Hokies 45-23

The Fighting Irish went to Blacksburg and beat a tough Hokie team. Quarterback Ian Book was good enough, going 25-35 for 271 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Running back Dexter Williams was the show with 178 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Miles Boyd had over 100 yards receiving. The defense bent but never broke. They gave up some yards but just two touchdowns.

Next game- Pittsburgh Panthers

6) West Virginia Mountaineers (5-0) defeated Kansas Jayhawks 38-22

It wasn’t pretty but the Mountaineers managed to get the win. Quarterback Will Grier had good numbers (28-41 for 332 yards and four touchdowns) but made some poor decisions (three interceptions) that kept the game closer than expected. Running back Leddie Brown gained over 100 yards with a touchdown. The defense was very good, limiting the Jayhawks offense and creating three turnovers.

Next game- at Iowa State Cyclones

7) Penn State Nittany Lions (4-1)

Bye week

Next game- Michigan State Spartans

8) UCF Knights (5-0) defeated SMU Mustangs 48-20

The Knights crack the Top Ten with an easy victory over the Mustangs. Quarterback McKenzie Milton was average for his standards, going 18-34 for 278 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Running back Adrian Killins ran for 113 yards and a touchdown. The defense stuffed SMU’s rushing game, making them one dimensional and easy to contain.

Next game- at Memphis Tigers

9) Oklahoma Sooners (5-1) lost to #19 Texas Longhorns 48-45

The Sooners lost a heartbreaker to Texas in the storied Red River rivalry. Quarterback Kyler Murray did what he could, accounting for 396 total yards and five touchdowns (one interception). Wide receiver Marquise Brown had 131 yards and two touchdowns. The defense simply could not stop the Longhorns offense.

Next game- at TCU Horned Frogs

10) LSU Tigers (5-1) lost to #22 Florida Gators 27-19

The Tigers could not overcome the turnovers and fell to the Gators in the Swamp. Quarterback Joe Burrow had a poor performance (19-34 for 191 yards with two interceptions and a fumble lost). Running back Nick Brossette had 95 yards and two touchdowns. The defense played well enough to win.

Next game- #2 Georgia Bulldogs