And now, 20 ideas from Week 4, the place Colorado conjured fairly a Thirtieth-anniversary tribute of Kordell Stewart’s Hail Mary to beat Michigan, whereas Michigan itself earned the most important win of the weekend.
1. Saturday’s USC-Michigan thriller was a three-hour commercial for New School Soccer. Two marquee manufacturers that will have beforehand solely met in a Rose Bowl, enjoying an intra-conference Massive Ten sport in September with Playoff implications for each groups’ resumes, in addition to these of their opponents. And it got here right down to the tip, with the 18th-ranked Wolverines (3-1) prevailing 27-24 after their protection thwarted the Eleventh-ranked Trojans’ (2-1) last-minute drive.
Listening to Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson name a Massive Ten sport on CBS in any case these years at Alabama and LSU nonetheless feels unnatural. However right here’s guessing their bosses — who forked over $350 million a 12 months for the rights to Massive Ten showdowns like this one — will likely be lighting cigars when the scores arrive Tuesday.
Can’t consider we’re caught with this sport after we could possibly be watching SC play Cal in entrance of 40,000 empty seats.
— Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) September 21, 2024
2. The precise motion on the sector was the furthest factor from new and fashionable. This was a circa Nineteen Seventies Massive Ten duel. Michigan, incapable of finishing a ahead cross this season, ran the ball and ran it some extra. USC’s protection, which has improved mild years below new coordinator D’Anton Lynn, performed admirably for a lot of the day, however the Wolverines popped just a few large runs, most significantly Kalel Mullings’ 63-yard sprint to arrange the go-ahead landing with 37 seconds left. USC quarterback Miller Moss, who managed to throw three TDs regardless of going through fixed duress, couldn’t get into field-goal vary.
Trojans followers ought to nonetheless really feel inspired. They’ve a legit protection now, one which had eight tackles for loss Saturday and made quite a few open-field tackles. Their two largest video games down the stretch, Penn State and Notre Dame, are at residence. Michigan, in the meantime, salvaged a season that threatened to show dire if the Wolverines misplaced twice in September.
GO DEEPER
USC let Michigan off the hook, and now the Trojans’ margin for error is slim
3. Excluding quarterbacks, Colorado’s Travis Hunter is essentially the most sensational participant I’ve seen come by school since Christian McCaffrey was at Stanford. And that was eight years in the past.
Saturday evening in opposition to Baylor, the receiver/cornerback caught seven passes for 130 yards, his fourth 100-yard sport to start out the season, then sealed his staff’s 38-31 win by forcing a fumble in extra time simply as Bears working again Dominic Richardson was about to cross the purpose line. Per ESPN, he’s the primary participant to perform each feats in a sport in no less than 20 seasons.
I can’t think about there’s a extra excellent participant within the nation this season. However Heisman winners are inclined to play on nice groups, and the Buffs, which wanted a Shedeur Sanders Hail Mary to power extra time in opposition to a ho-hum foe, usually are not that. I’m skeptical Hunter will stay within the nationwide dialog as soon as his staff is not in rivalry for something important. However he must be.
4. Two years in the past, Tennessee rose to No. 1 within the CFP rankings with a bend-but-don’t-break protection that finally broke. This Vols protection just isn’t that one.
The sixth-ranked Vols (4-0) went 19 straight quarters (courting to final season) with out permitting a landing earlier than No. 15 Oklahoma (3-1) tacked on two within the fourth quarter of Tennessee’s 25-15 win in Norman. The protection compelled three turnovers and notched 11 tackles for loss. Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who threw a 66-yard landing, might not be as absolutely fashioned as 2022 Hendon Hooker, nevertheless it doesn’t matter. With a powerful speeding assault and a now-dominant protection, Tennessee is as well-equipped to contend for an SEC title as anybody.
Had a little bit one thing further. pic.twitter.com/5R09sSlFb9
— Tennessee Soccer (@Vol_Football) September 22, 2024
5. Oklahoma lastly has a protection to make its followers proud — however, for the primary time in many years, it has an issue at quarterback. After watching sophomore Jackson Arnold commit three first-half turnovers, and with OU down 19-3, Brent Venables pulled the previous five-star signee. Arnold, thoughts you, was purportedly so proficient that All-Massive 12 starter Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon, however Arnold’s but to cross for 200 yards in a sport this season. Arnold’s alternative, true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., led OU to 2 fourth-quarter touchdowns, nevertheless it was too little, too late.
Venables’ protection is robust sufficient to hold with the most effective groups within the SEC, however his offense is many miles behind. Quarterback arguably wasn’t even his largest downside. However it’s going to be his largest headache going ahead.
6. America’s most well-known nephew obtained his first profession begin Saturday, and it went precisely as you’d anticipate. Texas’ Arch Manning largely picked his spots in opposition to overmatched Louisiana-Monroe, throwing a 56-yard completion to Isaiah Bond and a 46-yarder to Matthew Golden. He additionally threw two interceptions. However the top-ranked Horns (4-0) have been firmly in management all through their 51-3 rout. Manning, who completed 15 of 29 for 258 yards, two TDs and two picks, is dripping with expertise, however there are moments the place he reminds you he’s in his first 12 months on the sector.
Quinn Ewers, a fourth-year junior, will get his job again as quickly as he’s wholesome, however man is it good to be Steve Sarkisian and have each guys.
GO DEEPER
What we discovered from Arch Manning’s first school begin
7. Have been one to select a theme music for soccer within the state of North Carolina this season, it might be Inexperienced Day’s traditional “Wake Me Up When September Ends.”
Clemson put up 45 factors within the first half in opposition to NC State en path to a 59-35 win, turning into the second staff in three video games to hold 50 on the Wolfpack. (They misplaced 51-10 to Tennessee.) Extra gorgeous, James Madison went to Chapel Hill and scored 53 within the first half en path to a wild 70-50 win over host North Carolina. Simply two weeks earlier, this identical James Madison staff — which misplaced head coach Curt Cignetti and plenty of of its prime gamers to Indiana this offseason — squeezed previous Gardner Webb 13-6.
In the meantime, usually stout Appalachian State has losses of 66-20 to Clemson and 48-14 to South Alabama. The excellent news for the state: Basketball practices start quickly.
GO DEEPER
How JMU, a former ladies’s educating college, grew to become a school sports activities disruptor
8. In December 2018, North Carolina introduced again nationwide championship coach Mack Brown — by then, out of teaching for 5 years — in hopes he might replicate his first stint at UNC, when the Tar Heels notched three 10-win seasons from 1993-97. It has not occurred. There was a High 25 season in 2020, a division title in 2022 and plenty of highlights from NFL QBs Sam Howell and Drake Maye. However the widespread thread has been horrific defenses. After journeyman Gene Chizik couldn’t repair it the previous two seasons, Brown turned to ex-Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins, whose protection allowed eight performs of 20-plus yards.
Brown, 73, informed reporters afterward, “I’m at fault, one hundred pc.” In the meantime, Inside Carolina reported that Brown informed his staff within the postgame locker room he would “stroll away and step down if he was the issue.” Brown later informed ESPN he will likely be again within the workplace Sunday, however you may see the place this is likely to be heading come season’s finish.
9. Since a humbling 34-3 loss to then-No. 1 Georgia to start out the season, Clemson (2-1) has scored no less than 45 first-half factors in consecutive video games (in opposition to Appalachian State and NC State) for the primary time in Dabo Swinney’s 16-year tenure. Quarterback Cade Klubnik broke a 55-yard landing run on the opening collection Saturday in opposition to NC State and cruised from there. The 2 opponents’ defenses have admittedly been uncovered of their different video games, nevertheless it’s not just like the Tigers will likely be going through Georgia each week.
So long as Clemson’s offense is stronger than it’s been the previous few seasons, the Tigers can win the ACC.
Miami outgained USF 592 yards to 365 in a 50-15 win on Saturday. (Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Pictures)
10. However Miami (4-0) stays the favourite. Quarterback Cam Ward, who has moved to the highest of most sportsbooks’ Heisman odds, went 24 of 34 for 404 yards, three TDs and one INT (which his receiver bobbled) within the eighth-ranked Hurricanes’ 50-15 win at USF (2-2). Ward, a Washington State switch who makes seemingly each throw seem easy, seems to be like he’s having a blast enjoying with Miami’s plethora of explosive playmakers, together with receivers Isaiah Horton (eight catches, 108 yards Saturday) and Xavier Restrepo (six catches, 99 yards), former Houston receiver Samuel Brown (76-yard TD) and former Oregon State working again Damien Martinez (36-yard catch and run).
11. Longtime Pac-12 followers could miss their convention, however they don’t probably miss going through Utah’s protection. The Twelfth-ranked Utes smothered No. 14 Oklahoma State so totally within the first half in Stillwater that Mike Gundy benched veteran quarterback Alan Bowman to start out the second half. He finally returned and threw two late TDs earlier than Utah (4-0) held on, 22-19. The Utes, preseason Massive 12 favorites, are as soon as once more coping with a Cam Rising harm cleaning soap opera. He was a pregame scratch with a hand harm. Utah’s offense struggled with out him, save for working again Micah Bernard, who ran for a career-high 182 yards.
Utah should be the category of the Massive 12, however not if it has to undergo one other weekly “Will he or gained’t he” season with its star quarterback.
12. Three of the Massive 12’s 4 newcomers failed to achieve a bowl final season, however now they’re beginning to come to life. BYU (4-0) delivered an sudden 38-9 beatdown of No. 13 Kansas State late Saturday, highlighted by a 30-yard fumble return for a landing and a exceptional 90-yard Parker Kingston punt return that started with him muffing the punt and going backward and ended with him vomiting on the bench in exhaustion. And Cincinnati (3-1), which went 3-9 final season, blanked Houston 34-0. The Bearcats ought to in all probability be 4-0 proper now however blew a 27-6 lead in opposition to Pittsburgh two weeks in the past.
The most effective of that 2023 class should be UCF (3-0), which was off this week however will get a showcase alternative subsequent week when it hosts Colorado.
13. Revitalized Vanderbilt almost pulled off a top-10 highway upset however fell to No. 7 Missouri 30-27 in extra time on a missed discipline purpose. It was poetic, given Mizzou (4-0) may need put the sport away sooner if not for 3 missed discipline targets in regulation. The Tigers, which beat Boston School 27-21 at residence final week, are in all probability not the No. 7 staff within the nation, nevertheless it additionally looks like they haven’t absolutely jelled but. Working again Nate Noel went for 199 yards Saturday, however the passing sport has not been as explosive as anticipated. Quarterback Brady Cook dinner is averaging 7.4 yards per try, down from 9.0 final season, regardless of the presence of All-America receiver Luther Burden III.
GO DEEPER
No. 7 Missouri holds on whereas Vanderbilt will get one other intestine punch in double OT thriller
14. Hugh Freeze had implausible runs at Ole Miss and Liberty, however he’s flailing at Auburn (2-2). Two weeks in the past, quarterback Payton Thorne threw 4 interceptions in a 21-14 residence loss to Cal, after which Freeze pivoted to freshman Hank Brown. Saturday, Arkansas got here to city. Brown threw three first-half picks, inflicting Freeze to pivot again to the veteran Thorne. His personal decide allowed the Razorbacks (3-1) to go up two scores and finally win 24-14. After which, Freeze mentioned, “I do know there’s individuals open, and I do know that we’re working the soccer. We’ve obtained to discover a man who gained’t throw it to the opposite staff.”
And whose job is that?
We’re approaching the purpose that he’s thrown so many QBs below the bus , that perhaps nobody needs to play for him?? His offense helped me tremendously put numbers up once I blew my shoulder out…. However why is it another person’s fault each time there’s a loss ?? … however when there’s… https://t.co/ADJoR1BzYJ
— Bo Wallace (@bowallace14) September 22, 2024
15. Solely two groups within the nation have already procured two High 25 wins: Tennessee … and Illinois. The shocking Illini (4-0), ranked twenty fourth, went to Lincoln and took down No. 22 Nebraska 31-24 in extra time, with Bret Bielema’s protection sacking Huskers quarterback Dylan Raiola thrice on their one extra time possession. Granted, Illinois’ accomplishment comes with the caveat that Kansas, ranked on the time of their Week 2 sport, has now misplaced three straight, however nonetheless, the long-struggling program hasn’t notched two High 25 wins in a season since its 2007 Rose Bowl season.
And now the Illini can strive for a 3rd one subsequent Saturday evening at No. 10 Penn State.
16. Iowa was not the one Massive Ten staff to show you may win a giant sport with out passing the ball. The Hawkeyes (3-1) went to Minneapolis and took again Floyd of Rosedale with a 31-14 win over the hated Gophers (2-2). Quarterback Cade McNamara handed for simply 62 yards. However Iowa’s offense is not dreadful this season because of its highly effective speeding assault. Kaleb Johnson carried 21 instances for a career-high 206 yards and three touchdowns Saturday. He’s now averaging 171.3 yards by 4 video games. Kirk Ferentz’s finest groups have no less than had an above-average quarterback, so the 2024 version may not be capable of crash the CFP, nevertheless it shouldn’t be so laborious to observe week to week.
Rutgers will host its Massive Ten opener in opposition to Washington on Friday. (Peter Casey / Imagn Pictures)
17. It’s a brand new day at Rutgers (3-0), as evidenced by how the Scarlet Knights earned their 26-23 highway win at Virginia Tech (2-2). Rutgers’ 23-7 fourth-quarter lead evaporated, with the Hokies tying the sport with 4:35 left. The followers at Lane Stadium got here to life because the Knights took over on offense. On the snap, Virginia Tech’s protection got here after Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. So he threw a fast display screen to Ian Robust, who broke it 63 yards to arrange a go-ahead discipline purpose. Then Robert Longerbeam intercepted Kyron Drones to seal the result.
Only a clutch efficiency throughout for Greg Schiano’s staff, which welcomes Washington for a giant Friday evening sport this week. SHI Stadium will likely be rocking.
18. We marvel if the SEC workplace would take into account calling in a preemptive mercy rule for Mississippi State. Every week after falling 41-17 at residence to Toledo, the Bulldogs (1-3) fell 45-28 at residence to much-maligned Florida (2-2). Making issues worse, Jeff Lebby’s staff misplaced beginning quarterback Blake Shapen to a season-ending shoulder harm.
And making issues means worse than that? Mississippi State’s subsequent two video games are highway journeys to face No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Georgia. Who pulled this prank?
19. The factor about Group of 5 groups is they will swing wildly from week to week. Northern Illinois (2-1), off final week after upsetting Notre Dame, got here again to earth with a 23-20 extra time loss at residence to Buffalo. Toledo (3-1) adopted up its blowout at Mississippi State with a mistake-strewn 26-21 loss at Western Kentucky. And Memphis (3-1), which started dreaming of a CFP berth after profitable at ACC foe Florida State, is 0-1 within the AAC after falling 56-44 to Navy.
Nonetheless, the AAC’s latest member, Military, is now 2-0 in convention play after routing Rice 37-14. Jeff Monken’s groups did not make a bowl sport the previous two seasons, however the Black Knights hammered an athletic FAU staff 24-7 per week earlier. And subsequent week they go to 1-3 Temple.
20. Lastly, was it actually simply two seasons in the past that TCU performed within the nationwide championship sport? Sonny Dykes’ Horned Frogs are 7-9 since then, with Saturday marking a brand new low level. Within the Battle for the Iron Skillet, rival SMU hammered TCU 66-42. Dykes, previously SMU’s coach, obtained ejected within the third quarter after drawing two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties whereas protesting a doubtful holding name that worn out an extended Horned Frogs landing.
However Dykes wasn’t alone in inflicting embarrassment for TCU. On Friday, TCU’s social staff posted a weird parody video ripping the ACC for placing the sport on The CW. This prompted each the ACC and The CW to troll the Horned Frogs after SMU’s win.
— The CW (@TheCW) September 22, 2024
School soccer in 2024 means trolling an opponent over its convention’s TV contract. In hindsight, maybe TCU would have most well-liked the sport was not on tv anyplace.
(High picture of Travis Hunter: Andrew Wevers / Getty Pictures)
