Two big prime-time games completely failed to live up to the hype. What about the rest of the slate? Here’s how week eight in college football went down:
Things We Learned In College: Week Eight in College Football
Oklahoma State 13, Texas 10 (OT)
Texas is one of the most hot-and-cold teams we’ve seen in a long time. Against Maryland in Week One, the offense was clicking on all cylinders while the defense allowed 51 points. Against both USC and Oklahoma, they kept the score much closer than expected. Still, Oklahoma State’s top-ranked offense should have given the Longhorns fits. On their third possession, the Cowboys went 96 yards for a touchdown. It would be their only one of the day. Texas got to Mason Rudolph regularly, and while he threw for 282 yards, none of his passes went for scores. The Cowboys were held with a 100-yard receiver as well. Discipline was a big part of Oklahoma State’s success; the team took their first penalty late in the fourth quarter, with just two in the entire game.
As for the OSU defense, they did a better job stopping the run than did the Longhorns. Texas ran for just 42 yards. Horns quarterback Sam Ehlinger threw for 241 yards and one INT, and 12 different players caught at least one pass from him. The OSU defense also won the game, as Ramon Richards picked off Ehlinger in overtime.
One player that stood out in this game was Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson. He was everywhere on defense. Jefferson had 14 total tackles- a season high for him- and has had at least six in every game this season.
Louisville 31, Florida State 28
This has been a season to forget for the Seminoles, and yesterday’s game didn’t help matters. Florida State was just outside the red zone, with 2:33 left to play in a tie game, when quarterback James Blackman fumbled. Louisville recovered and marched down the field to kick a field goal with five seconds left.
These things happen – especially when you have a true freshman quarterbacking your team. This season may have to be chalked up to a learning experience for the ‘Noles, who will need to win four of their last five just to get bowl-eligible. (This is where the hurricane-related cancellation of the Louisiana-Monroe game really hurts). Their last five opponents are Boston College on the road, Syracuse, at Clemson, home against Delaware State, and at Florida.
Oklahoma 42, Kansas State 35
There must be some big sighs of relief this morning in Norman. K-State led 21-10 at the half, and it took a long Rodney Anderson touchdown with seven ticks on the clock to seal the deal for the Sooners.
Oklahoma has had to deal with quite a few blown leads this season, not that it’s hurt them in the long run. It looks like doing things the other way around works out ok too.
LSU 40, Ole Miss 24
No Leonard Fournette, no problem for the Tigers. Derrius Guice rushed for 276 yards, averaging over ten yards per carry, and a touchdown. Danny Etling completed nine of 13 pass attempts for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, you read that right- two hundred yards and two touchdowns on just nine completed passes. Put another way, the Ole Miss defense could use some work.
Miami 27, Syracuse 19
This was one of the most impressive jobs of tearing a ball away from someone seen on the field, and it was a quarterback doing it to a defensive end. On third-and-ten, Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey had his pass batted down and intercepted by Miami DE Demetrius Jackson. Dungey ripped it out of his arms and ended up at the bottom of a pile holding on to it. Syracuse ball, first down.
Surprise of the Week
Last week had enough surprises for a month. But this week, the surprise is Notre Dame’s 49-14 upset of USC. More surprising than the result was the lopsidedness of the game. Sam Darnold did not do himself any favors with a few early mistakes against the Irish, but at the same time the USC offensive line did not give him much protection either. Meanwhile the Notre Dame offensive line dominated and the Irish ran for 377 yards in the game, averaging 8.0 yards per carry. Both Joshua Allen and Brandon Wimbush eclipsed 100 yards on the day.
So that was week eight in college football. Remember to check later today for the LWOS Top 25! Thanks for reading and have a great week.
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