It’s that time again! Here are my Week 13 Midweek Musings:
Kentucky
I didn’t watch the Wildcats’ blowout of UT-Martin, but a couple of things stood out in the box score. First of all, three different players attempted passes. Those players were 1/6 for nine yards, 1/2 for eight yards, and 0/3. That’s right, Kentucky completed TWO passes for 17 yards in a game they won 50-7.
Of course, they also rushed for a school-record 462 yards.
Michigan
Speaking of school records, quarterback Shea Patterson broke one too. Patterson became the first Michigan player to throw at least four touchdowns in back-to-back games. Not bad when you consider he plays for the alma mater of one Tom Brady. The 9-2 Wolverines have their flaws, but they’ve progressed tremendously since having their doors blown off against Wisconsin.
Washington State
Another quarterback broke a record in a wild game between the Cougs and Oregon State. WSU’s Anthony Gordon completed 50 of 70 pass attempts for 606 yards, six scores, and three picks. He broke the Pac-12 single-season record with his 44th touchdown and ended the game with 45. Washington State won, 54-53.
I don’t want to overlook Oregon State, either. They’ve been a Pac-12 doormat for a few years, but have looked to be turning a corner in the last few weeks. However, becoming bowl-eligible is a long shot, as they would have to beat Oregon on the road next week. Which brings me to…
Oregon
The Ducks probably weren’t going to leap into the top four, but they definitely won’t after falling to the unranked Sun Devils, 31-28. The Committee dropped Oregon from #6 all the way to #14.
The good news for Oregon is that they should get some players back from injury for the Oregon State game this week. Center Jake Hanson, receiver Jaylon Redd, and running back CJ Verdell missed all or part of the Arizona State game, but all three are expected to be available this weekend.
LSU
It was basically academic, but LSU punched their ticket to the SEC Championship game with their 56-20 win over Arkansas. It was another outstanding game for Heisman front-runner Joe Burrow, who threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns. Clyde Edwards-Helaire carried six times for an average of 31.3 yards each and found the end zone three times.
This weekend, the Tigers will attempt to get revenge on Texas A&M for their seven-overtime loss a year ago. The AP has a preview of the game here.
Tennessee
Their season got off to a terrible start, but the Vols’ win over Missouri makes them bowl-eligible. I’m really impressed with the way this group stuck together; despite the results; at no point did it look like the players were giving less than 100%. That’s a huge credit to the senior leadership on the team.
Oklahoma
It was far from the Sooners’, or Jalen Hurts‘, best game of the season. Hurts missed several open receivers, lost a fumble deep in TCU territory, and threw a pick-six. But the team’s 366 rushing yards (including a team-leading 173 from Hurts), and a solid effort from the defense allowed the Sooners a four-point win.
Cincinnati
The Bearcats clinched a spot in the AAC title game with their win over Temple. A large part of that win was a blocked extra point returned 98 yards for a touchdown by… Coby Bryant.
Miami
The only thing keeping this season from being a complete disaster for the ‘Canes is the fact that they’re bowl-eligible. That’s a small consolation after a loss to Florida International. Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, et al. must have been apoplectic watching that game, covered by LWOS here. To add insult to injury, the win also makes FIU bowl-eligible.
It’s coach Manny Diaz‘s first year in Coral Gables, so I can’t imagine his job is in jeopardy yet, but we’ve seen two coaches fired partway through Year Two this season. That could be a storyline to watch in 2020.
Those are my Week 13 Midweek Musings. Happy Thanksgiving everybody- enjoy the food and football!
