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When potential Kinder’s Texas Bowl matchups were released throughout the national media landscape during the last month of the CFB season, I remembered thinking that Baylor and LSU would be a ROCK STAR event. Both teams won eight games. Baylor was hotter than fish grease. LSU had moments in the top ten during the 2024 season. Both are local teams with strong fan/alumni bases in Houston.

 

Quite frankly, it seemed almost too good to be true. As a result, I started looking at alternate potential matchups of Big 12 and SEC teams. But, in the end, Baylor v. LSU won out and that was about as awesome as it could be for the New Year’s Day Kinder’s Texas Bowl.

 

Midway through the season it appeared as if the Bears would be home for the holidays but then a decent offense turned on the juice and became one for the best in the Big 12. The Bears, following the lead of its offense, won six in a row, scoring 37 or more points in five of the six wins. LSU wasn’t quite as hot, but finished with strong all-around performances against bowl teams Vandy and Oklahoma to get to 8-4 on the season.

 

These two programs love being here in Houston, love the stage of New Year’s Day and will show up to COMPETE. That can’t always be said about bowl teams at any level or game so it’s time to rock. It’s Big 12 vs. SEC, it’s Baylor v. LSU. Dadgum…LET’S GO!

 

Baylor Offense v. LSU Defense

 

Baylor Offense

Offensive coordinator - Jake Spavital

Passing Offense - 246.0 ypg (42nd in the nation)

Rushing Offense - 188.5 ypg (33rd)

Total Offense - 434.5 ypg (T24th)

Scoring Offense - 34.7 ppg (T19th)

 

Key Players to Watch

QB #13 Sawyer Robertson - The Bears offense took off like a rocketship in the middle of the 2024 season as Robertson established himself as the Alpha leader for this offense/program.

 

RB #30 Bryson Washington - There are very few running backs in America as HOT as Washington was at the end of the season - four straight 110+ yard games and nine rushing TDs in those four games.

 

TE #1 Michael Trigg - Trigg is a weapon in the passing game as more of an F-TE/WR than he is an in-line Y-TE, finished the season third on the roster with 30 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns.

 

LSU Defense

Defensive coordinator - Blake Baker

Passing Defense -  205.9 ypg (44th in the nation)

Rushing Defense - 146.6 ypg (T64th)

Total Defense - 352.5 ypg (51st)

Scoring Defense - 23.8 ppg (T57th)

 

Key Players to Watch

DE #35 Sai’vion Jones - Long, athletic and an edge setter, Jones can frustrate the Baylor tackles/tight ends with his length and power.

 

LB #18 Greg Penn III - Wears the number 18 on the defensive side of the ball, which tells you the impact that he has on this defense and it’s his last one in the purple and gold.

 

LB #40 Whit Weeks - One of the unsung heroes for this defense, he’s really come out of nowhere to become one of the top three defenders in purple and gold. He finished the year with 1st team All-SEC honors.

 

Football Takeover’s Keys to the Game - Baylor Offense v. LSU Defense

1. Washington’s Run - The Bears season took on a completely different outlook when Bears OC Jake Spavital decided to get Washington the ball more often than the first half of the year. He runs taller and bigger than his listed height and weight, but he’s got another gear that helps this explosive offense.

 

2. Pitch and Catch - Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson played in just six games in 2023 and it looked like he was destined to be just a backup behind Toledo transfer Dequan Finn in 2024. But, Robertson took over the offense in a 31-3 win over Air Force in week three and never looked back. He can be effective on the ground, but, outside of the Houston game, he turned the passing offense into an air juggernaut with his strong arm and downfield production.

 

3. Turn it into a trenches game - LSU doesn’t have quite the firepower on its defensive line as it’s been in the past, but it’ll still have an advantage in the length, size and athleticism department in this contest. It’s imperative that the LSU front dictate running lanes and funnel the ball to the Tigers’ stud linebackers, as good a group as Baylor has faced all season long.

 

LSU Offense v. Baylor Defense

 

LSU Offense

Offensive Coordinator - Joe Sloan

Passing Offense - 315.3 ypg (8th in the nation)

Rushing Offense - 116.6 ypg (107th)

Total Offense - 431.9 ypg (27th)

Scoring Offense - 29.3 ppg (T54th)

 

Key Players to Watch

QB #13 Garrett Nussmeier - I’m stoked to see Nussmeier who has all kinds of talent and arm acumen. The Tigers star gunslinger announced his return to LSU for 2025 back in late November.

 

RB #29 Caden Durham - The freshman provides nearly all of the run game production and he’s got a shot to make more noise against a solid-but-not-SEC Baylor defense.

 

OT #71 Tyree Adams - All-American, future 1st round pick Will Campbell opted out for the 2025 NFL Draft, so Adams has a great opportunity to get a jump on a 2025 starting position before a handful of stud transfers arrives.

 

Baylor Defense

Defensive coordinator - Matt Powledge

Passing Defense - 227.6 ypg (85th in the nation)

Rushing Defense - 155.2 ypg (78th)

Total Defense - 382.8 ypg (83rd)

Scoring Defense - 25.3 ppg (70th)

 

Key Players to Watch

LB #2 Matt Jones - The sixth year player earned 1st team All-Big 12 honors for Baylor as he was 2nd on the team with 103 tackles.

 

LB #11 Keaton Thomas - The young buck was a dynamic playmaker for the Bears defense, earning 1st team All-Big 12 honors as well, leading the team with 107 tackles - this is one of the best linebacker duos in the nation.

 

S #3 Devyn Bobby - Dudes from DeSoto can PLAY and Bobby is a playmaker in this defense - three picks and 66 tackles on the season.

 

Football Takeover’s Keys to the Game - LSU Offense v. Baylor Defense

1. Throw to Run - Baylor’s defense has seen some explosive offenses, but like Nuke Laloosh says in Bull Durham “They haven’t seen my heat”. Fastball throwing star QB Garrett Nussmeier can be Matt Powledge’s worst nightmare if the Baylor defense doesn’t get in the pocket to make him move off the spot. Let him throw from a clean pocket? Baylor’s defense will get massacred.

 

2. The stars are gone, but not forgotten - One thing that Baylor does have going for it, though, is that LSU’s starting star tackles are both moving on to the NFL. Will Campbell and Emery Jones are future top 50 picks and have locked down the edges for the past three seasons. Neither will play in this one, putting the focus on some inexperienced tackles, namely talented, but young, Tyree Adams.

 

 

3. See ball, Get ball - Watching Baylor LBs Matt Jones and Keaton Thomas is as fun as it gets. Smart. Tough. Fast. Good size. Patience. They’re extremely patient and run to the ball when they know. As such, they create all kinds of mayhem. This is a difficult test for the two 1st Team All-Big 12 honorees because of the diversity in this LSU offense with Caden Durham toting the rock and Nussmeier throwing the ball. I love watching this duo of Bears’ linebackers.

Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates

Kansas RB Devin Neal  - Over the past three weeks, the Jayhawks beat three straight ranked teams, but this last one wouldn’t have taken place with one of the best individual offensive performances in college football this year. In the Jayhawks win over Colorado, Neal ran 37 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns; that makes seven in the last three games. Plus, he had 80 yards receiving on four catches, with one TD - a total of 287 yards and four TDs in Kansas 37-21 win over #23 Colorado.

 

Auburn WR Cam Coleman - The true freshman torched Texas A&M throughout the Tigers’ four overtime win on the Plains. He finished with seven catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Nearly every single catch was of the highlight variety as Coleman showed exactly why he was one of the most sought after pass catchers in the 2024 recruiting class.

 

Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins - The 31-28 win over Utah was buoyed by one of the most talented wide receivers in the Big 12. Higgins finished with nine catches for 155 yards and a touchdown and kept Iowa State’s Big 12 Championship game hopes alive, nearly single handedly.

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Rivalry Week is finally here and one of the greatest of all-time gets renewed for the first time in 13 years. Oh, yeah, and Texas and Texas A&M are playing for a spot in the SEC Championship game. It already had intrigue just because it’s the first time these hated rivals have met since 2011. Now, it’s the most important game in the SEC in week 14, and maybe the nation, with SEC Championship game stakes at hand.

 

With UT/A&M leading the way, this should be a wild and fantastic Rivalry Week after what was one of the wildest weeks of the year last week in week 13. We’ll look back at week 13, then look ahead to week 14, in addition to trying to figure out the potential Texas Bowl participants

 

Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Oklahoma - Anyone that said they saw the Sooners beating Alabama was just fooling themselves. Anyone that said they saw Oklahoma blowing out the Crimson Tide was lying to everyone. NO ONE saw the Sooners pulling off a 24-3 win over Alabama, but that’s exactly what head coach Brent Venables’ team did on Saturday night.  QB Jackson Arnold and true freshman RB Xavier Robinson both ran for 100+ yards and Robinson had two TDs. LB Kip Lewis had another pick six and the Sooners got to bowl eligibility with their sixth win.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week - Florida - The Gators have gotten better and better in the 2024 season and that rise has coincided with the rise of true freshman D.J. Lagway. With Lagway under center, the Gators upset #9 Ole Miss 24-17 in the Swamp as the defense picked off Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart twice and took advantage of every break to grind out a win. Head coach Billy Napier got a vote of confidence two weeks ago and the Gators responded by beating LSU and Ole Miss in back-to-back weeks.

 

Texas Bowl Player of the Week - Kansas RB Devin Neal  - Over the past three weeks, the Jayhawks beat three straight ranked teams, but this last one wouldn’t have taken place with one of the best individual offensive performances in college football this year. In the Jayhawks win over Colorado, Neal ran 37 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns; that makes seven in the last three games. Plus, he had 80 yards receiving on four catches, with one TD - a total of 287 yards and four TDs in Kansas 37-21 win over #23 Colorado.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week  - Arizona State’s triplets - The Sun Devils continued their improbable run to a potential Big 12 Championship game/CFP opportunity. QB Sam Leavitt threw for 247 yards and a touchdown, while RB Cam Skattebo ran for 147 yards and three TD and WR Jordyn Tyson had another brilliant game, catching nine passes for 125 yards in a 28-23 win over #14 BYU. These three have been incredible throughout the entire season, but, in particular, the past two months. A win over Arizona in the finale will put Arizona State, somewhat improbably, in the Big 12 Championship game.

 

National Team of the Week - SMU - The Mustangs have gone from ACC newcomer to ACC powerhouse and that was evident in SMU’s blowout victory in Charlottesville over UVa. QB Kevin Jennings threw for 323 yards and a pair of TDs but the defense starred, holding UVa without points until the four minute mark of the fourth quarter. SMU locked up a spot in the ACC Championship game as a result as the Mustangs aim to win its conference title in two different conferences in two years.

 

Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - Notre Dame - The Irish hammered Army right out of the gate and never stopped. RB Jeremiyah Love had just seven carries but he averaged nearly 20 yards per carry and had two touchdowns as well in the 49-14 win over #19 Army. The Irish defense made Army work for every single yard and slowed the Army offense unlike at any point in the 2024 season. Notre Dame is playing as well as any team in the nation right now. USC is up next!

 

National Player of the Week - Illinois WR Pat Bryant - What an ending in Rutgers! With fourteen seconds remaining on fourth down and 13, Illinois QB Luke Altmyer hit his #13 Bryant for an improbable 40-yard TD to give Illinois its eighth win of the year. Bryant was tremendous, yet again, seven catches for 197 yards and one unreal TD. Bryant has been brilliant all year, but this was his best performance of a great season.

 

Honorable mention National Player of the Week - Cal QB Fernando Mendoza - The Cal gunslinger completed 25 of 36 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in a comeback win over rival Stanford. He led a comeback from down 21-7, driving Cal 98 yards in 11 plays for the game winning TD. In fact, he threw two TD to Jonathan Brady in the last ten minutes to lead Cal to a win and bowl eligibility.

 

Quick Kudos

…to Kansas for not giving up on the season when the Jayhawks were getting blasted for underachieving through the first eight weeks of the season. Then, the Jayhawks beat Colorado, a third win over a ranked team in as many weeks.

 

…to Arizona State for staying on this miraculous run. Even though the Sun Devil faithful celebrated just a few seconds early, they had plenty to celebrate.

 

…to Auburn for beating Texas A&M in four overtimes.

 

…to Miami, FL’s defense for keeping Wake Forest off the board in the second half. FINALLY, it showed up before it was too late.

 

…to Penn State for hanging on for a one point win against Minnesota.

 

…to Ohio State for putting Indiana right back in its place, so to speak.

 

…to Kennesaw State for a second FBS win in the last five weeks.

 

Week 14’s Big games

#3 (10-1) Texas at #15 (8-3) Texas A&M - Yeah, this one is big, like REALLY BIG! It’s the first time that the two Texas rivals have met since 2011 and the winner earns a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. It’s the hottest ticket in the nation and for good reason.

 

#18 (8-3) South Carolina at #17 (9-2) Clemson - This matchup didn’t look like much more than just a sexy rivalry game to end the season, but after the CFP rankings came out on Tuesday night, a playoff opportunity could be in play for the winner. South Carolina can’t play in the SEC Championship game, but a win could catapult them into the conversation for an at-large playoff bid. A Clemson win, a Miami loss and the Tigers would head into the ACC Championship game…with a strong win over a strong SEC squad.

 

Texas Bowl Potential teams

Big 12 candidates

(7-4) Baylor - Dave Aranda’s squad is one of the hottest teams in the nation and a trip to Houston would be super fun because…the Bears OFFENSE is lights out.

(7-4) Texas Tech - The Red Raiders were in the bowl just two years ago and it was entertaining as all get out.

(7-4) TCU - The Horned Frogs were supposed to be in the Texas Bowl in 2020, but COVID…so let’s bring them back four years later. Like TT and Baylor, the Horned Frogs can put up points in bunches.

 

SEC candidates

(7-4) LSU - Any time that the Texas Bowl can have a shot at LSU, the Texas Bowl will take LSU. An 8-4 LSU team might be pulled in a different direction though, so we’ll see what happens.

(6-5) Florida - The Gators got to bowl eligibility last week and have a true freshman star QB from just outside the Houston area. I’m intrigued.

(6-5) Arkansas - It was supposed to be Arkansas-TCU in 2020, so I’m all for bringing it back in 2024…without the COVID.

 

(6-5) Oklahoma - The Texas Bowl has never truly had a shot at the Sooners, but now in the SEC, Oklahoma might be a great fit, regardless of winning at LSU or not.

Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe - LSU is still trying to tackle him after an incredible performance, Milroe’s first in Baton Rouge. Suffice to say, it was not HIS Death Valley. He ran for 185 yards on just 12 carries, a whopping 15.4 yards per carry, which put him top four in team single-game history. He also threw for 109 yards on 12 of 18 passing. Milroe accounted for four rushing touchdowns for the second time in his career, leading the Tide to a 42-13 win over LSU on the road.

 

Ole Miss DE Princely Umanmielen - The Rebels star pass rusher was all over Georgia QB Carson Beck. He finished with two sacks, one of them a strip sack, five tackles and now has six sacks in his last three games. He slipped past blockers, ran under them, ran past them, powered through them and had one the best games of his career in the rain in Oxford

 

Ole Miss DE Jared Ivey - He and Umanmielen were flat out unblockable in the big upset over Georgia. Ivey registered seven tackles, two sacks, one strip sack, two PBU, one of which ended up in an interception. He’s now ninth all-time on the Ole Miss career listing for sacks with 16. The two Ole Miss stars combined for four sacks, two strip sacks, 12 tackles, two PBUs and held Georgia to 10 points, three over the last 50 minutes or so of game action.

 

Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell - Campbell is another in a long line of stud linebackers in Tuscaloosa and he took his game to an even higher level on Saturday in Baton Rouge. He finished the game with 12 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, one strip sack, a PBU and a QB hurry in the Tide’s 42-13 win.

 

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson - the talented Sun Devils pass catcher had himself a night in a key spot in a tremendous back and forth game against UCF. Tyson caught a nine yard pass to give the Sun Devils a 28-24 lead late in the third quarter. Then, he snatched one from 13 yards out for the game winner. He finished with seven catches for 99 yards and those two REAL MAN tuddies.

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The SEC had the spotlight on Saturday with GameDay in Baton Rouge and a top 16 matchup in Oxford, but those two games didn’t really deliver the way that we’ve grown accustomed to this season.

 

But, the ACC? Upset city. Top notch games all day long. Georgia Tech ended Miami’s undefeated season and if the Yellow Jackets can beat Florida in a bowl game, it’ll be the State of Florida champions in 2024. Virginia upset Pitt. Boston College came from behind to snap its losing streak in a win over Syracuse.

 

So, let’s break down what we saw in week 11 and preview what may not be the prettiest slate in week 12 on paper. But, we know that those are the weeks that deliver some of the classic games we always remember. Who’s on UPSET alert this Saturday? Shoot, everyone SHOULD BE; it’s that time of year!

 

Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Alabama - Whenever LSU and Alabama collide, it’s typically one of the five most compelling games of the entire season. But, Saturday’s night classic got sidetracked by a Crimson wave that rolled right through Baton Rouge, perhaps on its way back to the SEC Championship game. Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide put together its best 60 minute, three dominant phase performance all season long, at the exact right time. QB Jalen Milroe was more Derrick Henry than Tua Tagovailoa in this one and he led the Tide to a win over the seemingly hapless Tigers in Death Valley.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week - Ole Miss - The discussion surrounding the Ole Miss program usually starts with QB Jaxson Dart and the dynamic, explosive offensive unit. But, the true star in Oxford is the Rebels’ Land Shark defense, especially a dominating, DOMINATING defensive line. Two weeks after posting nine sacks against Oklahoma in Oxford and eight against Arkansas, the Rebels posted five against Georgia, the number three team in the country at the time. Jared Ivey, Princely Umanmielen and Suntarine Perkins are as scary a trio rushing the QB as there is and their efforts led to a resounding 28-10 win over Georgia, the first over Georgia since 2016 and just the second in 28 years.

 

Texas Bowl Player of the Week - Alabama QB Jalen Milroe - LSU is still trying to tackle him after an incredible performance, Milroe’s first in Baton Rouge. He ran for 185 yards on just 12 carries, a whopping 15.4 yards per carry, which put him top four in team single-game history. He also threw for 109 yards on 12 of 18 passing. Milroe accounted for four rushing touchdowns for the second time in his career, leading the Tide to a 42-13 win over LSU on the road.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week (tie) - Ole Miss DE Princely Umanmielen - The Rebels star pass rusher was all over Georgia QB Carson Beck. He finished with two sacks, one of them a strip sack, five tackles and now has six sacks in his last three games. He slipped past blockers, ran under them, ran past them, powered through them and had one the best games of his career in the rain in Oxford

 

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Ole Miss DE Jared Ivey - He and Umanmielen were flat out unblockable in the big upset over Georgia. Ivey registered seven tackles, two sacks, one strip sack, two PBU, one of which ended up in an interception. He’s now ninth all-time on the Ole Miss career listing for sacks with 16. The two Ole Miss stars combined for four sacks, two strip sacks, 12 tackles, two PBUs and held Georgia to 10 points, three over the last 50 minutes or so of game action.

 

National Team of the Week - Georgia Tech - The Ramblin’ Wreck has had some high moments in 2024, but perhaps nothing quite like the high from beating #4 ranked Miami and ruining the Hurricanes regular season on Saturday. QB Haynes King returned to play and rotated with fellow QB Aaron Philo throughout the game. Both QBs threw TDs and King ran 20 times for 93 yards and a touchdown in the 28-23 win. The Tech defense generated big plays late in the game to help hold the powerful Miami offense to just 23 points.

 

Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - U Conn - It’s not so much the win over UAB, although that was incredibly impressive, but Jim Mora’s Huskies are 7-3, their best record in years. After a tough 2023, the Huskies have rebounded with a strong season and an upcoming bowl…and a potential nine win campaign.

 

National Player of the Week (tie) - Penn State DE Abdul Carter - The most talented player in the B1G turned up the heat on new B1G member Washington. Carter sacked Washington QBs twice, registered four TFLs and had six total tackles in the runaway win over the Huskies.

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Penn State TE Tyler Warren - Nittany Lions offensive coaches love to find ways for Warren to impact the game. He threw the ball twice. He ran the ball three times, scoring two TDs and he caught eight passes (led the Nittany Lions) for 75 yards as well. Warren and Carter make Penn State must see football for certain.

 

Honorable mention National Player of the Week - Cal QB Fernando Mendoza - In a 46-36 win over Wake Forest, Mendoza threw for 385 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in Cal’s first ever ACC win. He accounted for 436 yards in the ten point win on the east coast and the Bears’ fifth win.

 

Quick Kudos

…to UCLA for another B1G win, this time over 6-3 Iowa in the Rose Bowl.

 

…to Ohio State true freshman WR Jeremiah Smith for his ninth TD, breaking an Ohio State school record.

 

…to Texas QB Quinn Ewers for a five TD day against undermanned Florida in Austin.

 

…to Indiana for TEN wins in a row and 10-0 for the first time in school history. Head coach Curt Cignetti and crew get the weekend off before a massive, MASSIVE game at Ohio State in two weeks.

 

…to BYU for winning the Holy War in Salt Lake City and staying undefeated in the Big 12.

 

…to Notre Dame for scoring 52 against Florida State…I mean, what’s happened to the Noles?

 

…to Boise State star Ashton Jeanty for another 200 yard game in 2024. His 209 yard rushing performance against Nevada was his FOURTH 200-yard game of the season. WOW!

 

…to Kansas for its most complete game of the year and a HUGE win over Iowa State 45-36

 

…to Coach Prime and Colorado for their seventh win on the year and a big one on the road against Texas Tech

 

…to Missouri for a huge comeback, 20 points in the fourth quarter to beat Oklahoma.

 

…to Tulane for a DOMINANT win over Temple - WOW, the Green Wave just continue to roll under first year head coach Jon Sumrall.

 

…to Jacksonville State for completing a Hail Mary to tie the game against La. Tech, missing the extra point to send to OT, then surviving OT to stay undefeated in CUSA.

 

Week 12’s Big games

 

#7 (8-1) Tennessee at #2 (7-2) Georgia - The Dawgs are coming off of a crushing defeat in Oxford, MS, getting manhandled for the first time in YEARS. Tennessee has started to find its groove, relying on RB Dylan Sampson, but the status of QB Nico Iamaleava will be a storyline to watch leading up to this massive game with HUGE SEC/College football playoff implications.

Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart - Dart had 515 yards passing on 25 of 31 passing and SIX touchdowns in a 63-31 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville. He was the first QB in SEC history to throw for 500 yards and six TD against a conference opponent.

 

Ole Miss WR Jordan Watkins - Watkins was the recipient of Dart’s big day. Had eight receptions for 254 yards and five touchdowns. He set an SEC record for receiving touchdowns in a game and he set an Ole Miss record for receiving yards in a game.

 

Baylor RB Bryson Washington - The Bears rode the broad shoulders of Washington to a 37-34 win over TCU. He ran for a career-high 196 yards on 26 carries and FOUR touchdowns. No Bear had rushed for four TDs since 2011 and no Bear had rushed for 196 yards or more since 2016.

 

Houston QB Zeon Chriss - The redshirt freshman was the first Cougar passer ever to complete 100% of his passes 11 of 11 (minimum of ten attempts) in a game. He was just the 13th QB ALL-TIME to achieve the feat in FBS. Furthermore, he completed those 11 passes in driving rain for 103 yards and a touchdown, in addition to 75 rushing yards and a TD.

 

Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo - Perhaps no RB in the nation, not named Ashton Jeanty, has done more this year than Skattebo. In beating Oklahoma State, he accounted for 274 total yards and three touchdowns in ASU’s win over the Cowboys.

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Week ten didn’t initially appear to have quite the panache of other weeks, but the ranked teams and undefeated teams kept getting knocked off.

 

#10 Texas A&M lost to South Carolina

#3 Penn State was handed its first loss

#11 Iowa State lost for the first time all year on a late Texas Tech TD in the rain

#12 Clemson lost at home to Louisville for the first time ever

#17 Kansas State was upset in Houston, by Houston

#18 Pitt fell from the ranks of the undefeated

#24 Illinois lost to a surging Minnesota squad.

 

Yeah, CFB is consistent about one thing - its unpredictability - and week 11 should follow right along. So, let’s review week ten and move on and preview week 11.

 

Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Houston - At the outset of the season, I was fairly certain that it would be a long season for first year Cougar head coach Willie Fritz. He took over a Houston program that needed a reset for sure, but Fritz has coached his guts out this year getting the Cougars to four wins, including last week’s upset win over #17 Kansas State. The Cougars were down 19-10 heading into the fourth quarter, but after a Maliq Carr TD reception, QB Zeon Chriss ran 41-yards to the house with just over two minutes to play for the 24-19 win.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week - South Carolina - The Texas Aggies came to Columbia on a seven game winning streak, but that’s where it ended because South Carolina opened a can of you-know-what on Mike Elko’s crew Saturday night. QB LaNorris Sellers and RB Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders were nearly un-tackleable, as the Gamecocks registered 530 total yards and 44 points in the 44-20 win.

 

Texas Bowl Player of the Week (tie) - Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart - Dart had 515 yards passing on 25 of 31 passing and SIX touchdowns in a 63-31 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville. He was the first QB in SEC history to throw for 500 yards and six TD against a conference opponent. It was clearly Dart’s best game of his career. But, he had some help.

 

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Ole Miss WR Jordan Watkins - Watkins was the recipient of Dart’s big day. Had eight receptions for 254 yards and five touchdowns. He set an SEC record for receiving touchdowns in a game and he set an Ole Miss record for receiving yards in a game. It was clearly Watkins’ best game of his career.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week - Baylor RB Bryson Washington - The Bears rode the broad shoulders of Washington to a 37-34 win over TCU. He ran for a career-high 196 yards on 26 carries and FOUR touchdowns. No Bear had rushed for four TDs since 2011 and no Bear had rushed for 196 yards or more since 2016.

 

National Team of the Week - Ohio State - It’s never pretty against Penn State, but it’s always a win, well, at least lately, it’s been. The Buckeyes rolled into Happy Valley with some question marks and answered most of them as they beat the #3 ranked team in the nation in its own building. There were only two games of ranked teams but no game was as ballyhooed as this one and the Buckeyes won said ballyhooed contest against Penn State 20-13.

 

Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - Syracuse - The Cuse scored three points in the first half one week after getting destroyed at Pitt. However, after trailing 21-3 midway through the third quarter, QB Kyle McCord and RB Lequint Allen led the Orange back to a 38-31 win in overtime to give Syracuse a 38-31 win and a 6-2 record through eight games.

 

National Player of the Week - Washington LB Carson Bruener - The Huskies pulled off a big win against the USC Trojans in Seattle and Bruener led the way. He finished with 12 tackles, picked off two passes and had two pass breakups as well. The Huskies somehow withstood significant roster change in 2024 to succeed in the B1G and Bruener made sure the Huskies picked up another conference win (and over a former Pac-12 team too)

 

Honorable mention National Player of the Week - SMU RB Brashard Smith - The SMU Mustangs have one of the most dangerous offenses in the country and Smith is one of the main reasons why. He lit up formerly undefeated Pitt with 161 yards rushing and two touchdowns, tacking on 21 yards receiving and a receiving TD. His efforts helped lead SMU to a dominating 48-25 win over the #18 ranked Pitt Panthers.

 

Quick Kudos

…to Miami WR Xavier Restrepo for his three TD receptions (eight receptions for 146 yards) in a 53-31 win over Duke.

 

…to North Carolina and RB Omarion Hampton for reaching career highs of 265 all purpose yards and FIVE tuddies in a win over Florida State. He also rushed for 100+ yards for the seventh consecutive 100-yard rushing game. Tar Heel DL Beau Atkinson had a 3.5 sack/4.5 TFL day as well.

 

…to Rice for a big win over Navy waiting it out for a five hour long weather delay

 

…to Hawai’i for pulling a major upset against Fresno State AT Fresno State

 

…to Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson ran for 135 yards and three touchdowns as the Hawkeyes overwhelmed the Wisconsin Badgers 42-10.

 

…to Baylor, Dave Aranda, Bryson Washington and Isaiah Hankins for a TREMENDOUS win over TCU. Washington turned into Walter Abercrombie and Lache Seastrunk combined and Hankins won the game with a 33-yarder at the buzzer.

 

…to DeShaun Foster and UCLA for rebounding from some tough losses in a win over Nebraska.

 

…to Indiana for a dominating win, yes, another one, over Michigan State 47-10. Sparty rolled out to a 10-0 lead, but the Hoosiers scored the last 47 points in their ninth win. It’s the first time the Hoosiers have been 9-0 in the history of the program. Curt Cignetti just wins, google him.

 

…to Joey McGuire and the Texas Tech Red Raiders for ending the undefeated campaign of the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames 23-22.

 

…to Louisville for beating Clemson tor the first time in school history…in Clemson, no less.

 

Week 11’s Big games

#2 (7-1) Georgia at #16 (7-2) Ole Miss - The last time the Bulldogs were on an opposing ranked team’s campus, they ROLLED Texas, but this Ole Miss program is primed for a win over a big-time opponent. That’s the one thing missing from this program’s resume.

 

 

#11 (6-2) Alabama at #14 (6-2) LSU - This game ALWAYS delivers and even though these two teams aren’t top ten teams as in past years, the loser of this game will more than likely be eliminated from playoff contention. THAT alone puts a ton of pressure on these two teams in Baton Rouge, where LSU won on an overtime two point play two years ago.

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!