October 9, 2024
CFB InsiderGargantuan Week of Football
Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia - For his clutchness and 252 yards passing and 56 rushing…and for leading the ‘Dores to a win over #1 ranked Alabama 40-35 in Nashville. All Pavia did was lead the ‘Dores to their first ever win over a #1 team in the history of the program.
Houston QB Zeon Chriss - In his first start, Chriss completed 15 for 18 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, ran it 11 times for 97 yards, including a 71-yard TD before the half, and led the Cougars to a 30-19 win over TCU. This win was the first Big 12 win for the Cougars in 2024 and Willie Fritz’s first Big 12 AND road win at U of H.
Texas A&M DE Nic Scourton - He’s been getting better and more comfortable in the Aggie defense week after week. He racked up three solo tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2.5 TFL in the Aggies 41-10 smashing of #9 ranked Missouri in College Station.
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I knew it. I just absolutely knew it. When the CFB schedule looks like it might be lacking, in some sense, that’s when the most chaos takes place. Week Six of the 2024 season will go down in history as the 1000% epitome of that statement. There was only one game of ranked teams on the schedule, yet…
Vanderbilt upset #1 ranked Alabama 40-35
#4 Tennessee lost to Arkansas 19-14
#8 Miami, FL needed every single second in a comeback to beat Cal 39-38
Those are just the ones that stood out in week six, so let’s dive into the whole weekend and then preview a gargantuan week seven in college football. GARGANTUAN!
Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Vanderbilt - I mean, it couldn’t be any other team, right? For the first time in the history of the program, the ‘Dores beat a number one team and it wasn’t just any old team. It was a win over ALABAMA in Nashville 40-35 that shook the foundation of the 2024 college football season. That win over Georgia that week prior had people feeling some kind of way about the Tide, but after Diego Pavia and Clark Lea were done with the Tide, it felt like, well, a different kind of wave overcoming the Alabama program. My first coaching mentor George MacIntyre, Vanderbilt head coach in the late 1970s-early 1980s, would often tell me a story about how Bear Bryant walked into the ‘Dores locker room back in 1982 to congratulate Coach Mac and Vandy after it had LOST by just three to the Tide in Tuscaloosa. Coach Mac bled gold and black and this one would’ve meant a ton to him. Since three straight years of ties, ending in 1960, Vandy had only beaten the Tide on the field twice. Make it now three times.
Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week (Tie) - Houston - The Cougars struggled out of the gate of the 2024 season, but U of H head coach Willie Fritz and the Cougars put together a performance worth recognition in a 30-19 win over the TCU Horned Frogs. It was the first win for the Cougars in Fort Worth over TCU since our good friend Andre Ware beat TCU on his way to the 1989 Heisman Trophy. QB Zeon Chriss stepped into the starting lineup and, like a starting pitcher, threw eight brilliant innings and closer QB Donovan Smith finished the game with a strong ninth inning.
Texas A&M - This week was REALLY difficult, so I made it a tie. The Cougars were amazing in the win over TCU, and the Aggies were DOMINANT in a 31-point victory over the previously ranked #9 Missouri Tigers. QB Connor Weigman returned, but the story was the run game and the OL. RB Le’Veon Moss had 12 carries for 138 yards and three TD, while Amari Daniels had two TD. Weigman was HIGHLY efficient, completing 18 passes on 22 attempts for 276 yards. Plus, the Aggies defense had Missouri turned in knots all day long.
So, it’s a TIE…but I’m not done.
Arkansas - How can I leave out the Hogs after beating the formerly #4 ranked Tennessee Volunteers in Fayetteville? I CAN’T leave Sam Pittman’s Hogs out of this conversation. What a defensive effort the Hogs put forth! They held the Volunteers to 14 points, 40 points below their 2024 season average, scoring 19 to overtake the Volunteers. Even though QB Taylen Green went out injured, freshman RB Braylen Russell led the charge in the second half with eight carries for 62 yards in the Hogs massive upset win.
Texas Bowl Player of the Week - Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia - The New Mexico native is only 5-10…ish, but on Saturday against the Tide, he was ten freakin’ feet tall! He completed 80% of his passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 56 yards as well. But, more so, it was his confidence and his command of the offense. He made every right decision. When he stepped into the huddle, the ‘Dores’ offense felt like it could do anything. It also was about clutch moments. Up by two, with under three minutes remaining in the third quarter, staring a 4th and two in the face, Pavia launched deep for the end zone, allowing WR Junior Sherrill the opportunity to run under a perfect rainbow toss for the unexpected score. That play was one of the best plays of a wonderful weekend and a key in the 40-35 win.
Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week - Arizona State RB Cam Skatteboo - Skatteboo totaled 201 yards of total offense on 27 touches and a touchdown in the Sun Devils 35-31 come-from-behind win over the Kansas Jayhawks. The Sun Devils are 4-1 for the first time in three years and the co-Big 12 Offensive player of the week is a big reason why. It’s so fun to say his name, but it’s even more fun to watch him go OFF in big games as he’s done a few times in 2024 already.
National Team of the Week - Minnesota - The Golden Gophers faced USC for the first time in 13 years and the first time as a conference opponent ever. They hadn’t beaten the Trojans since 1955, as the Trojans won the last five in a row. But, that streak ended as QB Max Brosmer ran a QB sneak into the end zone to take a 24-17 late in the game. When true freshman soon-to-be superstar Koi Perich intercepted USC QB Miller Moss’ last gasp throw for the end zone, an eruption of joy brought Golden Gopher fans onto the field in droves.
Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - Syracuse - The Orange are no strangers to Friday night football, but they’ve never played out on the west coast in a Friday Night game like this before. Led by Kyle McCord’s outstanding performance (see below) and RB Lequint Allen’s game-winning TD in overtime, the Orange left Las Vegas 44-41 winners…unlike many of us that leave Sin City having lost…a lot.
National Player of the Week - Oregon DE Jordan Burch - He’s putting together an All-American season and was dominant against B1G foe Michigan State on Saturday night. He racked up four tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2.5 TFL. In addition, he recovered a fumble in Oregon’s 31-10 win in Eugene. Burch was my player to watch in this game, so I thank him for making me look like a genius :)
Honorable mention National Player of the Week - Syracuse QB Kyle McCord - The Syracuse gunslinger put together one for the record books on Friday night. He completed 40 for 63 for 355 yards and three TDs in a 44-41 win over UNLV on the road on a Friday night. Ridiculous numbers and an outstanding win for McCord.
Quick Kudos
…to UL-Monroe and its 4-1 start to the season. The Warhawks knocked off formerly undefeated James Madison 21-19. Keep in mind that this is a James Madison team that scored 70 (!!) on North Carolina.
…to Sam Houston and Texas State. These two were both asked to go on the road on a Thursday night just five days after meeting up at NRG Stadium the previous Saturday. Both head coaches K.C. Keeler and G.J. Kinne were well aware of the challenges they faced as a result, but Sam Houston hammered UTEP in El Paso 41-21 and Texas State beat Troy 38-17.
…to Miami, FL. The Camback was the term used for a Cam Newton-led comeback win in 2010 when the future Heisman winner led Auburn to an Iron Bowl win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa after trailing 24-7 in the first half. Well, The Camback, Part II took place in Berkeley where 2024 Heisman front-runner Cam Ward led Miami, FL back from 35-10 and 38-18 to a 39-38 scintillating win on the Left Coast.
…to San Jose State WR Nick Nash for throwing the game winning TD in a 35-31 win over Nevada, which moved the Spartans to 4-1 on the season.
…to Billy Napier and Florida for finding a way to eliminate the UCF run game and win a big one in Gainesville 24-13.
…to Texas Tech. Don’t look now but Joey McGuire’s Red Raiders are 3-0 in the Big 12 after a 28-22 win over Arizona in Lubbock.
…to Oregon RB Jordan James who ran for 166 yards and one TD in Oregon’s big win against Michigan State. Now, it’s on to Ohio State. Oh boy.
…to Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. His numbers are sick, but it’s gotten to a point where he is must-see TV every weekend for me, no matter what. I will watch his game from a hotel bathroom if I have to because he's been that RIDICULOUS lately. He played a half against Utah State and racked up 186 yards and three tuddies on 13 carries. What? Stupid numbers.
…to Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith for his one hand TD catch against Iowa. Sublime!
…to Wisconsin for putting up 52 points in a B1G game. Wow!
…to Pitt QB Eli Holstein and head ball coach Pat Narduzzi for leading Pitt to a fifth consecutive win on the road at North Carolina.
…to Navy and Army for getting to 5-0 in dominant fashion beating Air Force and Tulsa on the road, respectively. Go America!!
…to Tulane for putting up 71, yes SEVENTY ONE in a win over UAB
…to a surprising 4-2 U Conn team that forced a fumble on fourth and goal from the three yard line on the last play of the game to beat Temple in Storrs, CT.
…to Indiana and head coach Curt Cignetti. As he said, he wins, just Google him. I did and it said the Hoosiers are 6-0 into the bye week. What a heck of a first season for Cignetti in Bloomington.
…to West Virginia for heading into Stillwater and beating Oklahoma State by 24 in a key Big 12 game.
Week 7’s Big games
#2 (5-0) Ohio State at #3 (5-0) Oregon - It’s old B1G traveling to new B1G for the next Game of the Year candidate. Ohio State really hasn’t been tested this year and has bludgeoned every opponent to death. Oregon has been challenged and hasn’t played extremely well, but the Ducks have not tripped on themselves as Alabama, Tennessee and Missouri did last week. Now, put this game in Eugene and it has the making of an all-timer for the new conference foes.
#1 (5-0) Texas v. #18 (4-1) Oklahoma - Dallas - The Longhorns and the Sooners both had last week off. Texas got some rest and basked in the glow of the #1 and #4 teams in the nation losing. Meanwhile, Oklahoma had extra time to recover from the slobberknocker win in the rain against Auburn. The Sooners needed that win desperately, but was it enough to figure out all that ails them before taking on the number one ranked Horns? They better hope so because this team in orange and white is outstanding.
#9 (5-1) Ole Miss at #13 (4-1) LSU - This game may fly under the radar because of the two other games listed above, but last year’s contest in Oxford may have been the Game of the Year in the SEC. Ole Miss veteran QB Jaxson Dart will have to outdo new LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, but he did that to 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels last year. However, this one is in Baton Rouge. IT’S SATURDAY NIGHT IN HAPPY VALLEY, FOLKS!