College football wrap-up: What we learned in Week 6
Week 6 was a prove-me Saturday. While much of the college football landscape remains unchanged, some dark horses saw their playoff dreams die, or at least become extremely sleepy.
Houston is out. Tennessee is out. Miami is out. North Carolina is out. Louisville, who didn’t even play, is probably out. These are not small events.
The class of playoff contenders is thinning rapidly, and that’s a good thing, because it adds more intrigue to the biggest games and leaves more room for chaos elsewhere.
We’re nearing the halfway point of the season, and here’s what we learned in Week 6: Photo: Ed Mulholland
Houston is out. Tennessee is out. Miami is out. North Carolina is out. Louisville, who didn’t even play, is probably out. These are not small events.
The class of playoff contenders is thinning rapidly, and that’s a good thing, because it adds more intrigue to the biggest games and leaves more room for chaos elsewhere.
We’re nearing the halfway point of the season, and here’s what we learned in Week 6: Photo: Ed Mulholland
Butch Jones ran out of voodoo magic
Tennessee almost pulled it off — they almost won a game in which they had seven turnovers. In all honesty, Tennessee had some claim to beat Texas AM Saturday, despite the turnovers — their offense was tremendous, particularly in the second half, amassing 684 yards overall — and for a moment, it appeared they might just have another miracle in them.
Tennessee came back in voodoo-magic fashion with a fumble before Texas AM could score a game-winning touchdown, and then was the recipient of a wicked shank on a game-winning field goal attempt. The Vols cashed in everything to get to overtime, but ultimately came up short.
Don’t count out Tennessee for the College Football Playoff yet. While it’s unlikely, they’re back in business should they beat Alabama next week.
Maybe Jones has some more magic in the cabinet back in Knoxville. Photo: Jerome Miron
Tennessee came back in voodoo-magic fashion with a fumble before Texas AM could score a game-winning touchdown, and then was the recipient of a wicked shank on a game-winning field goal attempt. The Vols cashed in everything to get to overtime, but ultimately came up short.
Don’t count out Tennessee for the College Football Playoff yet. While it’s unlikely, they’re back in business should they beat Alabama next week.
Maybe Jones has some more magic in the cabinet back in Knoxville. Photo: Jerome Miron
Charlie Strong is done in Texas
We don’t know when the hammer will fall, but it will fall eventually — it has to after Texas lost to Oklahoma Saturday in the Red River Shootout.
Last year, Strong kept his job because of a win against the Sooners, so given the fact that not much has changed, you can surmise that the same sort of ultimatum was on Saturday’s contest.
The vultures are circling in Austin and Strong needs a miracle or mercy to get to a fourth year. Photo: Tim Heitman
Last year, Strong kept his job because of a win against the Sooners, so given the fact that not much has changed, you can surmise that the same sort of ultimatum was on Saturday’s contest.
The vultures are circling in Austin and Strong needs a miracle or mercy to get to a fourth year. Photo: Tim Heitman
Miami is close, but The U isn’t back yet
That was a classic Miami-FSU rivalry game, but the result was the same as it had been for the six years prior thanks to a blocked extra point with under two minutes remaining — FSU 20, Miami 19.
You can’t take anything away from Miami’s effort in the game — they weren’t built for that contest.
They will be soon, though. Real soon.
Miami dominated the early goings of that game, but ultimately they faded in the trenches and the banged up but talented and exceptionally coached Seminoles found just enough to steal a win.
Miami is young and usefully talented, but Mark Richt needs his team — particularly his defense — to be both at the same time. The team was working on thin margins and you could see them wear down in the second half Saturday.
Miami clearly has good coaching and the players. They have an identity too — one that the school’s fanbase can easily get behind.
The U is looming, but it’s not back yet. Photo: Steve Mitchell
You can’t take anything away from Miami’s effort in the game — they weren’t built for that contest.
They will be soon, though. Real soon.
Miami dominated the early goings of that game, but ultimately they faded in the trenches and the banged up but talented and exceptionally coached Seminoles found just enough to steal a win.
Miami is young and usefully talented, but Mark Richt needs his team — particularly his defense — to be both at the same time. The team was working on thin margins and you could see them wear down in the second half Saturday.
Miami clearly has good coaching and the players. They have an identity too — one that the school’s fanbase can easily get behind.
The U is looming, but it’s not back yet. Photo: Steve Mitchell
Jim Harbaugh and Jabrill Peppers are ruthless
Here’s how I imagine Jim Harbaugh addressed his team before the Rutgers game.
[Drinks full glass of cold whole milk]
[Belches, wipes lip]
”Alright men, the head coach of that team over there used to work for the team down south and they’re wearing red… Treat this like The Game.”
Michigan then proceeded to lay a beat-down so effusive on Rutgers that the Scarlet Knights might want to consider shutting down the program for a bit.
Harbaugh, in particular, was ruthless. It was as if he had an elaborate prop bet going that would pay him $1 million should Rutgers not get a first down (they ended the game with two, but it was touch-and-go for a while).
Michigan ended up winning 78-0, the largest margin of victory between two Power Five teams this millennium (13 years to the day of Oklahoma’s 77-0 whoopin’ of Texas AM).
Harbaugh clearly used the game as a Jabrill Peppers Heisman brochure. It worked — Peppers was spectacular in a week where Lamar Jackson didn’t play. Photo: Ed Mulholland
[Drinks full glass of cold whole milk]
[Belches, wipes lip]
”Alright men, the head coach of that team over there used to work for the team down south and they’re wearing red… Treat this like The Game.”
Michigan then proceeded to lay a beat-down so effusive on Rutgers that the Scarlet Knights might want to consider shutting down the program for a bit.
Harbaugh, in particular, was ruthless. It was as if he had an elaborate prop bet going that would pay him $1 million should Rutgers not get a first down (they ended the game with two, but it was touch-and-go for a while).
Michigan ended up winning 78-0, the largest margin of victory between two Power Five teams this millennium (13 years to the day of Oklahoma’s 77-0 whoopin’ of Texas AM).
Harbaugh clearly used the game as a Jabrill Peppers Heisman brochure. It worked — Peppers was spectacular in a week where Lamar Jackson didn’t play. Photo: Ed Mulholland
There’s no room to doubt Washington
If you don’t believe the Huskies are for real, you need to alert me to the way you reach your alternate reality.
Washington has done nothing but prove they’re one of the nation’s best teams in the first six weeks of the season and that they are highly deserving of a spot in the playoff, even if every one of the teams they beat isn’t necessarily a blue-chip. (Looking at you, 2016 Stanford Cardinal…)
U Dub will have to earn it, but after putting up 70 on Oregon Saturday, they’re flying high.
That game at Utah on Oct. 29 has a big feel to it. Photo: Troy Wayrynen
Washington has done nothing but prove they’re one of the nation’s best teams in the first six weeks of the season and that they are highly deserving of a spot in the playoff, even if every one of the teams they beat isn’t necessarily a blue-chip. (Looking at you, 2016 Stanford Cardinal…)
U Dub will have to earn it, but after putting up 70 on Oregon Saturday, they’re flying high.
That game at Utah on Oct. 29 has a big feel to it. Photo: Troy Wayrynen
Notre Dame is looking down the pipe at a losing season
Yes, Notre Dame, the team that some thought might be able to make the College Football Playoff, is looking like a team that won’t even make a bowl this year.
There’s something to be said for playing in downright ridiculous conditions in Raleigh, but the loss to N.C. State stands nonetheless.
Notre Dame is now 2-4 on the season — where are the other four wins that would be needed for bowl eligibility? It’s hard to find them on that schedule, and that means that for the first time since 2007, Notre Dame could end the season with a losing record. Photo: Matt Cashore
There’s something to be said for playing in downright ridiculous conditions in Raleigh, but the loss to N.C. State stands nonetheless.
Notre Dame is now 2-4 on the season — where are the other four wins that would be needed for bowl eligibility? It’s hard to find them on that schedule, and that means that for the first time since 2007, Notre Dame could end the season with a losing record. Photo: Matt Cashore
Oregon doesn’t look to fare much better
Mark Helfrich isn’t getting the job done. He’s a good man and a solid recruiter, but it’s clear he’s not a head coach of a marquee program, which is what Oregon can be with its Nike money.
Two words sure to get Oregon back to competing for Pac-12 titles: Lane Kiffin. Photo: Troy Wayrynen
Two words sure to get Oregon back to competing for Pac-12 titles: Lane Kiffin. Photo: Troy Wayrynen
Houston’s playoff chances took a fatal hit, and so did Louisville’s
Houston losing to Navy shouldn’t have come as a major shock — Navy is an exceptionally coached team that runs a triple-option system that’s really difficult to scheme for and beat.
Should Houston have won? Of course. Is it baffling that they lost? No.
Houston is now playing for a New Year’s Six bowl (though Boise State and Western Michigan deserve a chance for that spot as well).
The real loser of the matchup was Louisville, who after their loss to Clemson really, really needed their late-season matchup with Houston to have playoff implications for both teams. With Houston out of the running for the CFP (they are out of the running, don’t let anyone tell you different) Louisville no longer has a springboard game to the playoff. Any chance the Cardinals make it come from Clemson’s failures and a grand scenario of weird.
Sorry Lamar, you deserve better. Photo: Tommy Gilligan
Should Houston have won? Of course. Is it baffling that they lost? No.
Houston is now playing for a New Year’s Six bowl (though Boise State and Western Michigan deserve a chance for that spot as well).
The real loser of the matchup was Louisville, who after their loss to Clemson really, really needed their late-season matchup with Houston to have playoff implications for both teams. With Houston out of the running for the CFP (they are out of the running, don’t let anyone tell you different) Louisville no longer has a springboard game to the playoff. Any chance the Cardinals make it come from Clemson’s failures and a grand scenario of weird.
Sorry Lamar, you deserve better. Photo: Tommy Gilligan
Big 12 loses, but Baylor wins
The Big 12 doesn’t deserve a spot in the College Football Playoff — that was made abundantly clear, again, Saturday.
The Texas-Oklahoma game was a tire fire, Oklahoma State needed a furious comeback to beat Iowa State, and TCU needed Kansas to miss a last-second field goal to win (Kansas has not won an FBS game since Nov. 2014).
The big winner of the week in the Big 12 was idle Baylor, whose near-loss to Iowa State was, in a way, vindicated by Oklahoma State, and who now sits as one of two undefeated teams in the conference and the only viable playoff team from the league (if that's a thing that exists, sorry West Virginia).
If they can win out (big if) the Big 12 might be able to backdoor their way into the field of four. It’s a longshot, but that’s the best shot the Big 12 has now. Photo: Raymond Carlin III
The Texas-Oklahoma game was a tire fire, Oklahoma State needed a furious comeback to beat Iowa State, and TCU needed Kansas to miss a last-second field goal to win (Kansas has not won an FBS game since Nov. 2014).
The big winner of the week in the Big 12 was idle Baylor, whose near-loss to Iowa State was, in a way, vindicated by Oklahoma State, and who now sits as one of two undefeated teams in the conference and the only viable playoff team from the league (if that's a thing that exists, sorry West Virginia).
If they can win out (big if) the Big 12 might be able to backdoor their way into the field of four. It’s a longshot, but that’s the best shot the Big 12 has now. Photo: Raymond Carlin III
Michigan State is cashed
What happened to the Spartans? After beating Notre Dame, Michigan State has crumbled. Saturday was the worst example yet — a 31-14 home loss to BYU that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.
The team that was supposed to take on Ohio State (who put in a C effort against Indiana Saturday) or Michigan isn’t going to put up much of a fight at all.
Can we fast forward through every Big Ten game that doesn’t include Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, or Nebraska? Photo: Mike Carter
The team that was supposed to take on Ohio State (who put in a C effort against Indiana Saturday) or Michigan isn’t going to put up much of a fight at all.
Can we fast forward through every Big Ten game that doesn’t include Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, or Nebraska? Photo: Mike Carter
Worst losses of the week
Texas Tech 38 - Kansas State 44: The Red Raiders lose despite gaining 257 more yards than Kansas State. That’s a terrible omen.
Virginia Tech 34 - UNC 3: You’re never going to get the LSU job that way, six-pack Larry…
Cincinnati 9 - UConn 20: Big win for Bob Diaco and the dogs, but what’s going on with the one-time premier program of the American? Tommy Tuberville needs to lock it up before that seat warms up. Photo: Bob Donnan
Virginia Tech 34 - UNC 3: You’re never going to get the LSU job that way, six-pack Larry…
Cincinnati 9 - UConn 20: Big win for Bob Diaco and the dogs, but what’s going on with the one-time premier program of the American? Tommy Tuberville needs to lock it up before that seat warms up. Photo: Bob Donnan
Heisman watch
Lamar Jackson - QB - Louisville
Jake Browning - QB - Washington
Jabrill Peppers - ATH - Michigan
(That’s it for now.) Photo: Troy Wayrynen
Jake Browning - QB - Washington
Jabrill Peppers - ATH - Michigan
(That’s it for now.) Photo: Troy Wayrynen
Coaches feeling the heat
Charlie Strong - Texas
Mark Helfrich - Oregon
Dan Mullen - Mississippi State
Paul Johnson - Georgia Tech
Sean Kugler - UTEP
Rod Carey - Northern Illinois Photo: Mike Dinovo
Mark Helfrich - Oregon
Dan Mullen - Mississippi State
Paul Johnson - Georgia Tech
Sean Kugler - UTEP
Rod Carey - Northern Illinois Photo: Mike Dinovo
Coaches on the rise other than P.J. Fleck:
Gus Malzahn - Auburn: A total reversal of fortune. Auburn looked awesome against Mississippi State in a complete-game effort. The arrow points up in Auburn for the first time in a while.
Dave Clawson - Wake Forest - The Deacs are one win away from bowl eligibility. Let that sink in.
Willie Taggart - USF - 5-1 on the year, with the only loss to FSU is going to get you noticed.
David Beaty - Kansas - Almost beat TCU at home. That’s impressive.
Chris Creighton - Eastern Michigan - Getting that program to four wins is a modern miracle. Get out while you can, Chris.
Nick Rolovich - Hawaii - Bowl eligibility this year? Not out of the question. Photo: Jeremy Brevard
Dave Clawson - Wake Forest - The Deacs are one win away from bowl eligibility. Let that sink in.
Willie Taggart - USF - 5-1 on the year, with the only loss to FSU is going to get you noticed.
David Beaty - Kansas - Almost beat TCU at home. That’s impressive.
Chris Creighton - Eastern Michigan - Getting that program to four wins is a modern miracle. Get out while you can, Chris.
Nick Rolovich - Hawaii - Bowl eligibility this year? Not out of the question. Photo: Jeremy Brevard
