2022-23 College Football: Week 10 Review
This week re-emphasized why college football might be the most exciting sport on the planet. The top team in the AP Poll battled the top team in the College Football Playoff Rankings. Another two teams in the top ten fell. The Big Ten and Big 12 conference title pictures just got even more complicated. Half of the ACC was determined and the team that clinched lost. There were massive amounts of chaos and I am absolutely here for it. There will likely be a lot of movement in the AP and College Football Playoff Rankings once they're released on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively. Here's a breakdown of what we just witnessed.
*Note- From here on, I'll continue to be using the AP Poll when talking about the ranked teams. I know that everyone else will be using the College Football Playoff rankings. For example, Tennessee is #1 in the CFP Rankings, but I have them listed as #2 like they are in the AP Poll. I'm sticking with the AP Poll for the sake of consistency on my end.
Regardless of the results, I was planning on discussing the Tennessee-Georgia game. Once this one finished, there was no way I couldn't talk about this game. After how little offense there was in the first half, I thought we were destined for another low-scoring affair in Baton Rouge. Jayden Daniels and the Tigers struck first with a touchdown in the second quarter before Will Reichard kicked two field goals to bring Alabama within one going into halftime. The third quarter wouldn't be any more fruitful. Another Reichard field goal and a touchdown run from Josh Williams put the Tigers ahead 14-9 with 15 minutes left. Something got into the two sides in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide started with an early touchdown run to take the lead 15-14 after a failed two-point conversion. The Tigers responded with a field goal to regain the lead, but Bryce Young connected on a 41-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-17 lead. Daniel threw his second touchdown pass of the night with a short pass to lead once again 24-21 with 1:47 left. This would be more than enough time for Young and the Alabama offense to move down the field to set up Reichard for his fourth field goal of the night, forcing overtime with the game tied at 24. Alabama, aided by a pass interference call in the endzone, scored to begin the overtime period, taking the 31-24 lead. LSU wasted no time scoring as Daniels scrambled for 25 yards to put the Tigers one point away from tying the game. That's when Brian Kelly made the decision to go for two points instead of going for the tie. Daniels took the snap, rolled to his right, and found Mason Taylor from two yards out as he fell into the endzone. The stadium erupted as the Tigers completed the upset as the fans poured onto the field. This win has huge implications for both the conference title and the playoffs. LSU now controls its destiny in the SEC West, holding wins over Ole Miss and Alabama. It also puts a huge damper on Alabama's chances of making the playoff as no two-loss team has ever qualified. LSU proved that their top-ten ranking in the CFP poll wasn't a fluke. While there's still an outside chance they get in, the hope is still alive in Baton Rouge.
Upset of the Week- Notre Dame 35, #5 Clemson 14 (Notre Dame, IN)
It's a good thing Syracuse lost to Pittsburgh to help Clemson clinch the ACC Atlantic because that was about the only good thing to happen to them on Saturday. After holding their hand so close to the fire on numerous occasions, the Tigers finally got burnt. Aside from their win over Georgia Tech to start the season and their win over Boston College a few weeks ago, Clemson has struggled against teams like Wake, NC State, Florida State, and Syracuse. They were fortunate to be just talented enough to overcome it. In this one, the Fighting Irish didn't play the cleanest game, but they played well enough to get the job done. Notre Dame held DJ Uiagalelei and Will Shipley in check for three quarters, leading 14-0 through three quarters. They blocked another punt, returning it for a touchdown in the first quarter. They took an interception 96 yards to the house in the fourth quarter. They led 28-0 before Clemson decided they wanted to score too and by then it was too late. While Drew Pyne didn't play the best game of his career, he didn't really need to. It was the duel rushing attack of Logan Diggs (114 yards) and Audric Estime (104 yards, TD) that did more of the work. It was pure domination from the Notre Dame defense for the better part of 60 minutes and it resulted in a huge upset that likely killed any hopes of the ACC being represented in the College Football Playoff. At least Clemson still has the ACC Championship to look forward to.
Other Notable Games
#1 Georgia 27, #2 Tennessee 13 (Athens, GA)
If it's a Saturday, that means the Mailman is sure to deliver. In what was considered the biggest game of the season, Stetson Bennett delivered the goods, outdueling Hendon Hooker to get Georgia a huge win and likely putting them in the top spot when the CFP Rankings are released on Tuesday. Bennett threw for 257 and two touchdowns while also running for one more from 13 yards out. Hooker was held without a touchdown and threw an interception in Tennessee's first loss of the season. Neither team ran the ball very well and Brock Bowers was held in check for most of the game. I don't think this loss completely ends Tennessee's season but not that they're likely to miss the SEC Championship Game, it won't help their chances as Georgia is looking to repeat as champions.
#21 NC State 30, #20 Wake Forest 21 (Raleigh, NC)
Now that they're out of the running for the division, there is still plenty to play for in the ACC. It's all about bowl placement as two preseason hopefuls in the Atlantic try to turn things around. Wake Forest was trying to shake off their big loss to Louisville last week. NC State was turning to a true freshman under center for the first time since Philip Rivers was their quarterback. MJ Morris had come in last week to lead a comeback win over Virginia Tech and he was lights out this week against the Demon Deacons. The true freshman threw for 210 yards and three scores as he outplayed Sam Hartman, the veteran for Wake Forest. Hartman, after a tough week last week, threw three interceptions to go with his two touchdowns. The NC State defense allowed almost 400 yards through the air, but kept the Wake Forest ground game under control, allowing just 17 yards on 25 attempts.
Texas 34, #13 Kansas State 27 (Manhattan, KS)
Getting Adrian Martinez back was likely to be a huge spark for the Wildcats and while he played well, it was all about the attack of Quinn Ewers and Bijan Robinson in Manhattan. Texas did all of their damage in the first half as Ewers threw for two touchdowns and Robinson ran for another to lead 31-10 at halftime. Kansas State fought hard in the second half to keep things close, but a fumble from Martinez on their final drive ended the comeback big short. Martinez finished with over 380 yards of total offense and two touchdowns, though he'll likely remember the two turnovers more. Robinson ended with 209 yards on 30 touches out of the backfield for the Longhorns. The victory helps to keep Texas alive in the race for the Big 12 Championship as they fight with Kansas State and Baylor for the final spot.
Washington 24, #24 Oregon State 21 (Seattle, WA)
I've been riding on the Huskies' hype train for the last few weeks while the pollsters in the Associated Press have been higher on Oregon State. Things came to a head this week as the two squared off. While they likely won't be in the conference title game but were firmly in the mix coming into the week. Through three quarters, the Beavers and Huskies traded touchdowns with Oregon State leading 21-14 with the fourth quarter left to play. Wayne Taulapapa scored an early touchdown in the fourth quarter, his second of the game, to tie things at 21 and nothing would change for most of the quarter. After the Beavers held onto the ball for over five minutes, Washington embarked on an 18-play, 82-yard drive that would set them up with a 22-yard field goal to take the lead with 0:08 left. Oregon State tried to pull off a lateral play to win the game, but they'd lose the ball and the game to take themselves out of the PAC-12 race.
Kansas 37, #18 Oklahoma State 16 (Lawrence, KS)
A week after the Cowboys were dismantled by Kansas State, they completed the Kansas gauntlet with a battle in Lawrence against a Kansas team that was looking to become bowl eligible. Without Spencer Sanders leading the charge, this was going to be a tall task. What Oklahoma State didn't know was that they were about to enter the Devin Neal show. The Kansas running back finished with 334 yards of total offense (224 rushing, 110 receiving) and ran for a touchdown in what turned into another lopsided game for Oklahoma State. Jason Bean had almost 300 yards of offense himself, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another. The Cowboys dropped their third game in their last four, while the Kansas faithful tore down the goalposts after their team won its sixth game to clinch their chance to go bowling for the first time since 2008.
My Top 6
1. Georgia (9-0, W 27-13 #2 Tennessee) (+1)
Though they might not have the most Top 25 wins or been the most consistent team in the country, there's no denying that they might have the biggest win of the season. Georgia now needs just one more conference win to return to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. More importantly, they'll likely find themselves at the top of the CFP Rankings after beating Tennessee in a convincing fashion. I'm back on board with the Bulldogs.
2. Ohio State (9-0, W 21-7 Northwestern) (-1)
There really isn't too much the Buckeyes can do about the weather conditions after a sloppy game at Northwestern. The wind was a major factor in the struggles of CJ Stroud. He finished with more rushing yards than passing yards as a second-half push propel Ohio State over the edge. Their schedule hasn't been the toughest to this point. They have two wins over currently ranked teams (Notre Dame, Penn State) and neither is ranked very high. It'll likely come down to their season-ending visit from Michigan.
3. Michigan (9-0, W 52-17 Rutgers) (+1)
After trailing at halftime 17-14 to Rutgers, the Wolverines outscored them 38-0 in the second half to run away with the game. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards each ran for 109 yards, Corum scored twice, and JJ McCarthy threw for two more touchdowns in the win. Michigan is another team that hasn't faced too many tough tests with a lone win over Penn State serving as their only win over a ranked team. They have Illinois and Ohio State to finish the season and will really need that win over Ohio State to secure their spot in the playoff.
4. TCU (9-0, W 34-24 Texas Tech) (+1)
The Big 12 is theirs to lose after Kansas State's loss. Now, everyone else in the conference has at least two losses while the Horned Frogs remain undefeated. They've played a few tight games as of late, beating Texas Tech by ten on Saturday. Max Duggan threw for two touchdowns and Kendre Miller picked up 158 yards and a touchdown. TCU needs a win over Texas next week to secure their spot in the conference title game, likely taking out Texas in the process. They control their destiny with huge games coming up in the next two weeks.
5. Oregon (8-1, W 49-10 Colorado) (+3)
Oregon probably benefitted the most of any team this week as both Clemson and Alabama fell down the rankings. Bo Nix dominated the Colorado defense all afternoon, scoring four times as they had no answer for the Ducks' offense. Oregon remains at the top of the conference as the only perfect team in conference play. While they won't face USC during the regular season, they still have two huge games against Utah and Oregon State. Nix has played himself into contention for the Heisman in my eyes and could be making huge leaps up the board after rough games from Hendon Hooker and CJ Stroud.
6. Tennessee (8-1, L 27-13 #1 Georgia) (-3)
While the loss kills their chances of making it to the conference championship game, they still have a shot at the playoff. I tend to value conference championship wins, so that doesn't play well for them from my perspective. Should Georgia lose in the SEC Championship Game and one of Ohio State and Michigan certain to lose, they could find themselves in the mix. They'll benefit from a weaker end to the season with just Missouri, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt remaining. They still have plenty to play for in the final three weeks.
The Rest of My Top 25
7. UCLA (8-1, W 50-36 Arizoan State) (+2)
Not having Zach Charbonnet didn't seem to matter as Dorian Thompson-Robinson finished with four total touchdowns. The Bruins ran for 402 yards and five touchdowns in the win over Arizona State.
8. USC (8-1, W 41-35 California) (+2)
Cal made it close in the fourth quarter but it was not enough to overcome Caleb Williams' five touchdowns and the Trojans' offense. USC remains right in the middle of the fight in the PAC-12.
9. LSU (7-2, W 32-31 (OT) #6 Alabama) (+9)
After not quite knowing what to make of the Tigers in previous weeks, it really looks like LSU is going to the SEC Championship Game. Shame on me for second-guessing their #10 ranking.
10. Ole Miss (8-1, BYE) (+1)
Not only did Ole Miss watch its chances of winning the division dwindle down further, but they'll also now be in for a war with an angry Alabama. They better be ready because this could get ugly.
11. Clemson (8-1, L 35-14 Notre Dame) (-5)
They'll have their chance to win the ACC Championship, but there's no doubt this one stings. It likely means the ACC is out of CFP and only one team will get a New Year's Six bowl game.
12. Utah (7-2, W 45-20 Arizona) (-)
With two conference losses, I think they're likely out of the race unless they beat Oregon in two weeks. The Utes will have two very favorable games as they make a push for a good bowl game.
13. North Carolina (8-1, W 31-28 Virginia) (-)
Though they had their hands full with Virginia, this is the first time I've truly thought that UNC has a chance of beating Clemson. All they need is a win to secure their spot in Charlotte for the ACC crown.
14. Alabama (7-2, L 32-31 (OT) #15 LSU) (-7)
I know there's no way Alabama drops this low in any rankings this week. This loss is going to hurt their chances a lot with it growing more likely they'll miss the conference title game.
15. Penn State (7-2, W 45-14 Indiana) (-)
Quarterback trouble for Indiana and four scores on the ground propelled the Nittany Lions to a blowout win. There aren't too many negatives from this win other than Sean Clifford not throwing a touchdown.
16. Tulane (8-1, W 27-13 Tulsa) (+4)
The Green Wave got the job done to set up a huge battle that will likely decide the regular-season champion in the AAC. They ran for 357 yards in a solid effort over Tulsa.
17. NC State (7-2, W 30-21 #20 Wake Forest) (+5)
MJ Morris has burst onto the scene in a good way and revitalized NC State's season. He outdueled a veteran QB to keep the Wolfpack in the hunt for a big bowl game.
18. Washington (7-2, W 24-21 #24 Oregon State) (+3)
The Huskies are keeping their heads above water as they try to stay in the PAC-12 race. They got a huge win over Oregon State to propel them into the AP Top 25 while validating my position.
19. Texas (6-3, W 31-24 #13 Kansas State) (+9)
I still can't help but think about how differently Texas' season would've gone if Ewers had stayed healthy. He and Bijan Robinson dominated Kansas State to keep their hopes alive in the crowded Big 12.
20. Kansas State (6-3, L 31-24 Texas) (-6)
While Adrian Martinez's return didn't end in a win for the Wildcats, it was still a good performance. They need some help to reach the conference title game with a trip to Baylor coming next week.
21. UCF (7-2, W 35-28 Memphis) (+5)
Three TDs from Mikey Keene and 151 yards and a touchdown from RJ Harvey got the job done against Memphis. UCF hasn't played a more meaningful game in a while than they will next week.
22. Liberty (8-1, W 21-19 Arkansas) (+1)
They didn't score in the second half, but three touchdowns in the first half from Johnathan Bennett would be enough for Liberty. They stopped Arkansas short on a two-point conversion to get the win.
23. Notre Dame (6-3, W 35-14 #5 Clemson) (+7)
After starting 0-2, Notre Dame has won six of its last seven, including wins over the two highest-ranked teams in the ACC. They look to be turning it around with a strong ground game and stifling defense.
24. Illinois (7-2, L 23-15 Michigan State) (-7)
What once looked like a surefire victory in the Big Ten West has suddenly turned into a huge cluster. Illinois outplayed Michigan State in pretty much every aspect, except for the scoreboard.
25. Oklahoma State (6-3, L 37-16 Kansas) (-9)
This is the second-straight week that the Cowboys have been embarrassed on the road. While they were without their starting quarterback, they've fallen off quite a bit in recent weeks.
The Next 5
26. Kentucky (6-3, W 21-17 Missouri) (-2)
It's rare that I drop a team out of the Top 25 despite winning, but I had to make an exception this week. Will Levis got back on track with three touchdowns to rebound from his tough performance last week.
27. Cincinnati (7-2, W 20-10 Navy) (+2)
The Bearcats still have a date with Tulane to look forward to but they must worry about East Carolina and Temple. Should Cincinnati find themselves with one conference loss at the end, they could get in.
28. Kansas (6-3, W 37-16 #18 Oklahoma State) (NR)
The fans in Lawrence went nuts as their team clinched a bowl game for the first time in almost a decade and a half. Devin Neal was all over the place as Kansas upset Oklahoma State by three touchdowns.
29. Wake Forest (6-3, L 30-21 #21 NC State) (-9)
Dropping them this far is a bit harsh, but it seems the Demon Deacons have lost their swagger. The team that came so close to beating Clemson has now lost three games and has little left to play for.
30. Coastal Carolina (8-1, W 35-28 Appalachian State) (NR)
The Sun Belt has some hidden gems within its ranks and Coastal Carolina has quietly been its best. They secured a huge win over Appalachian State last week and need just one more to win the division.
Week 11 Preview
1. #22 UCF v. #16 Tulane (New Orleans, LA)
The week's most intriguing game comes from the AAC as Tulane looks to remain perfect in the conference while UCF looks to keep their momentum going two weeks after beating Cincinnati. The winner will likely be in the conference title game and in a prime position to play on New Year's Day.
2. #4 TCU v. #18 Texas (Austin, TX)
With losses by Clemson and Alabama, the Horned Frogs jump into the top four and sit in the best position in the Big 12. This test on the road in Austin will be one of their biggest yet with a win likely securing their spot in the game at AT&T Stadium.
3. #10 Alabama v. #11 Ole Miss (Oxford, MS)
The Crimson Tide are likely out of the race for the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff, so they're going to be furious when they travel to Oxford. Ole Miss had an extra week to prepare for Alabama, though they likely weren't preparing for an Alabama loss.
4. #24 Washington v. #6 Oregon (Eugene, OR)
Washington kept their hopes alive in the PAC-12 hunt with a win over Oregon State. Though they still have time left, going to Oregon to face the conference-leading Ducks is going to make or break their season as a loss is likely to eliminate them.
5. Purdue v. #21 Illinois (Champaign, IL)
All Illinois needed to do was beat Michigan State to set up this week for a chance to win the division. Now that they've lost, they opened the door for four other teams to leapfrog them and win, with Purdue being one of the teams that could take control with a win over the Illini.
6. #23 Kansas State v. Baylor (Waco, TX)
Baylor and Kansas State both sit tied at 4-2 in conference play entering this game. With a win and a Texas loss, the victor of this game jumps into second place in the conference and controls their destiny in a likely meeting with TCU on December 3rd.
7. #1 Georgia v. Mississippi State (Starkville, MS)
A battle of the bulldogs will descend upon Starkville this week as the new #1 team in the country looks to repeat as champions in the SEC East. All it takes is a win for Georgia to get the job done against a strong, albeit struggling, Mississippi State team.
8. Ball State v. Toledo (Toledo, OH)
The top spot in the MAC West could be all but decided should Toledo win this game against the team right on their heels. The Rockets are coming off of a bye week and Ball State picked up a big win over Kent State to keep pace in the division.
9. San Jose State v. San Diego State (San Diego, CA)
Things in the Mountain West continue to get interesting and two teams trying to stay in line with Fresno State will meet in San Diego. The Aztecs have been nearly unbeatable at home this season while San Jose State's offense has been lethal in conference play.
10. Rice v. Western Kentucky (Bowling Green, KY)
While UTSA and North Texas are at the top of the C-USA standings, these two teams are in the middle of the tight race for second place with the Mean Green. The winner will practically be eliminated from contention in what should be a tough fight.
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