That sound you hear? That was the current rankings being blown up. It seems like every year we get one Saturday with multiple crazy endings and unexpected results, and yesterday certainly filled the bill for 2016. Let’s start by going over the upsets.
Things We Learned in College Week 11
Pitt 43, #2 Clemson 42
I’m so glad Auburn-Georgia ended in time for me to catch the last five minutes or so of this one. It was probably the most exciting five minutes of football I’ve seen this year. With Clemson up by eight, meaning a field goal would all but seal the deal, Deshaun Watson threw a pick in the end zone. Pitt’s Saleem Brightwell not only caught the ball but returned it 70 yards. James Conner scored for Pitt, with a stiff arm worthy of Leonard Fournette, but the two-point conversion attempt failed. Clemson got the ball back and started driving, but the Tigers were stopped on fourth-and-one with 58 seconds on the clock. Pitt could only shorten the field goal attempt to 48 yards, but kicker Chris Blewitt nailed it. (Blewitt had, earlier in the game, had a 53-yard attempt blocked AND missed a PAT).
Another impressive thing from this game? Despite throwing three picks, Deshaun Watson threw for 580 yards, breaking the ACC single-game record.
Iowa 14, #3 Michigan 13
Just in the last few minutes (which is all I caught), Michigan had several chances to win this game. When Kenny Allen made a 51-yard field goal with under six minutes to play, I figured the game was over. Surely the defense could hold Iowa off the board for two, maybe three possessions. When Iowa went three-and-out, my theory looked good. Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight got the ball back and threw only his fourth pick of the season, but Iowa’s C.J. Beathard replied in kind. Michigan went three-and-out, and wait! A punt from the Michigan 18, an eight-yard return, and a questionable facemask penalty on Michigan, and Iowa was set up at the Wolverines‘ 36 yard line. The Hawkeyes got enough yardage to make the field goal attempt just 33 yards, and their kicker hit it. Game over.
And here’s an eerie coincidence from the weekend. The last time #2, #3, and #4 all went down in one week was in October of 1985. Michigan, ranked #2, lost to Iowa 12-10 on a last second field goal. Michigan’s quarterback? Jim Harbaugh.
#20 USC 26, #4 Washington 13
USC took the lead midway through the second quarter, and never relinquished it. Washington quarterback Jake Browning threw an uncharacteristic two interceptions, as did USC’s Sam Darnold. The Trojans managed just 113 rushing yards- unimpressive, until you consider that Washington had just 17. I didn’t manage to stay up for this game, but it looks to have been a strange one.
The SEC
Another low-scoring battle in the SEC. For the second week in a row, an SEC game kept me entertained from start to finish. This week, however, the result was unexpected. Just three weeks ago, Auburn beat then-#17 Arkansas 56-3. Against unranked Georgia, they managed a paltry single touchdown and gave up 343 yards of total offense. In the second half, the Tigers didn’t get a single first down. Georgia won without scoring an offensive touchdown.
Speaking of the Razorbacks, a week after upsetting Florida, they pretty much no-showed against LSU. Five minutes into the second quarter, LSU was already over 200 yards of offense. Running backs Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice combined for 350 yards and five touchdowns.
Big Ten
Sparty On. Michigan State 49, Rutgers 0 is exactly the kind of result I would have expected in late August, when we all still thought the Spartans would be good. Where did this come from?
Hoosiers Progressing. I watched Indiana-Penn State and was really impressed by Indiana. They’ve improved tremendously, especially on defense. The game was closer than the score would indicate.
Gopher Hole. Minnesota‘s loss to Nebraska all but takes them out of the running in the Big Ten West. I’ll have a full article on the Gophers later in the week.
Big Twelve
Scoring streak. Oklahoma‘s Dede Westbrook scored a touchdown in his seventh straight game yesterday, the longest active streak in FBS.
That’s all for this week. I doubt next weekend will match this one in terms of chaos, but you never know. Have a great week everybody, and remember to thank a veteran!
Main Photo:
