The last college football weekend in October provided quite a few memorable moments as teams began to separate themselves in their respective conferences.
Winners
Auburn/Wisconsin. We now have a couple two-loss teams that have outside chances at making the College Football Playoff. Auburn’s losses are to Clemson and Texas A&M which should help if the Tigers are able to win out. Likewise, the Badgers face a similar situation after beating at top-10 Nebraska team and with losses to Michigan and Ohio State, they will have a shot at redemption if they can make it to the Big 10 Championship Game.
Lamar Jackson. You may as well just UPS the Heisman Trophy to Jackson’s Louisville residence today because no one else is winning it. After struggling against Virginia, The Cardinals needed late-game heroics to stay on the outside of the playoff picture. Jackson was up to the task as he found Jaylen Smith with 13 seconds to go to secure the much needed win for Louisville.
The Apple State. Washington and Washington State appear to be on a collision course for the Pac-12 title and the winner of that game later in November will likely play for the conference title. The Huskies look to be heading for the College Football Playoff if they remain perfect but it’s time to put the country on notice that there’s some good football being played in the land of Nirvana.
Oklahoma State. The Cowboys helped end West Virginia’s perfect season and looked like a real contender for the Big 12 title in doing so. OSU has escaped the horrible memories of losing to Central Michigan on a senseless Hail Mary early in the season and look like a team to contend with down the stretch although a difficult schedule still awaits.
Clemson. The Tigers continue to play with fire week after week but after a last-minute victory over Florida State, they have all but punched at ticket to he playoffs despite these heart-wrenching games.
Losers
Texas. Even when they win a game they find a way to screw the conference they hold so near and dear to their hearts. The Longhorns knocked off previously unbeaten Baylor on Saturday (a victory that will likely not salvage Charlie Strong’s job) which likely erased the Big 12 from the playoff picture all together which would mean the conference would not have a representative for the second time in three years.
Tennessee. They say if you play with fire, you’re going to get burned and the Tennessee train has fallen off the rails and is headed for a giant lake. The pre-season darlings of the SEC have now lost three straight conference games, including the latest debacle against a below average South Carolina team. Things have gotten so bad that leading rusher Jalen Hurd has decided to transfer leaving fans to wonder what is next for their beloved Vols.
Missouri. Just two years ago, Missouri was busy winning its second straight SEC East crown. All of a sudden, it seems like an eternity ago after the Tigers dropped their 11th straight conference game on Saturday to the Kentucky Wildcats. UK had TWO different backs rush for over 175 yards and Mizzou’s defense is now one of the worst in the country in this category despite being in the top 5 in the nation a year ago.
Illinois. We knew the Illini were not good but an embarrassing 40-17 loss to Minnesota has led fans to wondering if Lovie Smith is simply there for one last pay check. Illinois is 2-6 on the season and it’s hard to fathom Smith getting much momentum going on the recruiting trail considering how bad this season has been.
Kansas. They lost another football last week to the shock of exactly no one. The latest comedic loss came at the hands of Oklahoma in a 56-3 drubbing. When things are going poorly for your college football program, just be glad you don’t cheer for a team of fictional birds.
