To say this college football season has been dramatic would still feel like a disservice to just how wild this season has been.
What would be a year of college football without crazy upsets and big conference standing shakeups? Those can be expected, but a big-time university being accused of a sign-stealing scandal nine weeks into the season, just before playoff time, is a different type of drama.
This week’s around college football leads off with the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan handles Penn State amid scandal
With no Jim Harbaugh for at least the remainder of the season, the Wolverines still sat atop the Big Ten with a record of 9-0 entering Week 11.
Penn State on the other hand suffered its first and only loss to Ohio State in Week 7. Both teams entered the game battling for a chance at the Big Ten championship.
Even with Penn State nabbing a small 3-0 lead at the end of the first, the Nittany Lion would find very little offensive success the whole day. Sophomore quarterback Drew Allar went 10-for-22 with just 70 yards passing, his only touchdown coming in garbage time.
Michigan, on the other hand, would utilize its passing game only eight times. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy would finish just 7-for-8 with just 60 yards. The offensive action would come from none other than the Michigan run game.
Headlined by Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, the Wolverines would finish with 227 yards rushing, 145 of those yards coming from Corum.
Penn State would have no answer to Michigan, as head coach James Franklin’s big game blunders continue to bleed through his solid Penn State tenure. Penn State now stands 3-17 against top-10 teams under Franklin.
Michigan remains the team to beat in the Big Ten, with all eyes turning to the final matchup of the season where Michigan will battle Ohio State.
Alabama punches ticket to SEC Championship
Just a few months ago, the college football world turned on Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, who had suffered a home loss to a good Texas team. Now, after a win against Kentucky, Alabama will be back in the SEC Championship, along with a good opportunity at a College Football Playoff appearance.
The story of the game would be quarterback Jalen Milroe, who after being benched early in the season, has completely transformed his game. Milroe finished his day against Kentucky with a career-high six touchdowns — three rushing and three passing.
While Milroe and Alabama surged, the Wildcats simply stood no chance.
Kentucky, after a strong start to the season in which they found themselves undefeated, has lost four of their last five, falling to 6-4 on the season.
On the other hand, Saban has clinched his 10th SEC Championship appearance, with all signs pointing towards another Alabama-Georgia rematch, of course bearing anything drastic.
Georgia makes a statement against Ole Miss
Speaking of Georgia, the Bulldogs also happen to find themselves in the best stretch they’ve had all season. The success wouldn’t stop with No. 9 ranked Ole Miss coming to town.
Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss would get the scoring started on the day, giving Ole Miss what would be their only lead of the night at 7-0. Judkins would tie the game back up at 14 before the wheels would fall off.
Georgia would counter with four touchdowns on their first four drives, jumping ahead to a 28-14 halftime lead.
The night for Georgia was filled with highlight moments, including the return of star tight end Brock Bowers, who came down with a touchdown during Georgia’s rout of the Rebels.
“I think that (Georgia) offense is overlooked,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said. “It’s a defensive-made team, people think. But that’s a really good offense.”
Kiffin’s comments were justified. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck continues to have a great year, as he added 306 yards and two touchdowns to his stat line. Running back Kendall Milton out of Fresno, California, ran for 127 yards over just nine attempts, and he would finish his day with two touchdowns as well.
Overall, nine Georgia players would finish with a reception, and Georgia moved to 10-0 on the season. Their meeting with Alabama in the SEC championship appears more possible with each passing week.
Jayden Daniels has his Heisman moment and leads LSU to victory
There is no other way to start this section than by stating Jayden Daniels cemented himself as one of the top-tier talents in the nation on Saturday.
Daniels had the night of his life, as he finished the game with 606 total yards. Through the air, Daniels was efficient going 17-for-26 with 372 yards in the air and three touchdowns. On the ground, he was just as, if not even more dangerous.
Daniels would ultimately run the ball 12 times as he gained a total of 234 yards on the ground, including his longest run of the night which was an 85-yard touchdown run.
Florida ultimately had no answer for what LSU head coach Brian Kelly claimed confidently was the best player in college football.
“Unless the Heisman is just about popularity,” Kelly said. “If you want to be the most popular, then fine, but he is the best player in college football.”
The Gators, based on the numbers, had a solid day offensively, finishing with 488 yards behind a solid game from Graham Mertz.
Nonetheless, the Gators were overpowered by the now 7-3 Tigers. Florida now sits at .500 with the possibility of missing out on a bowl game with a tough final two games ahead of it.
Washington keeps on surviving in battle against Utah
After their big win against the Oregon Ducks, further propelling their playoff chances, Washington has won every single game by only 10 points or less.
A win is a win, but it also makes for great storytelling, and the stories continued against a tough Utah team.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. continues to deliver. While this might not be his most efficient game, he would still finish with 332 yards and two touchdowns.
The real story, without question, would be the late-game efforts from Washington’s defense.
Utah was having their way, scoring on four straight possessions in the first half. In the second half, they would only be able to cross midfield once.
Washington would have a chance to push the lead to 10 late, but a blocked kick from Utah would give them one last shot. Quarterback Bryson Barnes would ultimately throw an interception on a desperation throw.
The Huskies now sit at 10-0, which has only been hit one other time in the school’s history — in 1991 when Washington shared the title with Miami.
The path to the playoff is still clear, but the Huskies will have to travel to take on No. 12 Oregon State, before wrapping up their season at home against Washington State.
“It’s all the work we’ve put in,” Penix said. “We’re right where we saw ourselves at. We just have to continue to keep working.”
