Mandel’s Last Ideas: Don’t blink! Bama-Georgia simply one other NIL-era basic

And now, 20 ideas from school soccer’s Week 5, the place, for those who blinked, you missed a 75-yard landing.

1. I hold ready for school soccer to go the way in which of BlackBerry and Blockbuster as so many have predicted. However this bizarre factor retains occurring. When these groups full of fantastic athletes step onto the sector and play one another, it’s as in the event that they don’t understand NIL offers and a much bigger Faculty Soccer Playoff are ruining the game.

As a substitute, they provide us classics like No. 4 Alabama 41, No. 2 Georgia 34.

2. Few may have seen Kirby Sensible’s Bulldogs, winners of 42 consecutive regular-season video games, going to Tuscaloosa and falling behind 30-7 at halftime. However as soon as that occurred, even fewer may think about Georgia quarterback Carson Beck morphing into Patrick Mahomes within the fourth quarter and placing the Bulldogs on prime, 34-33. After all, Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe, who produced practically 500 yards of offense himself, wanted just one play to reclaim the lead. He went deep to tremendous freshman Ryan Williams, who caught, spun and ran for a 75-yard landing. After which one other freshman, cornerback Zabien Brown, picked off Beck in the long run zone to seal the win for Alabama.

PANDEMONIUM IN BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM 🤯

Georgia scored 19 unanswered factors to take its first lead of the sport with 2:34 left within the fourth.

Then Jalen Milroe solutions with a 75-yard landing cross to Ryan Williams.

🎥 @AlabamaFTBLpic.twitter.com/hrLKHtwziA

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 29, 2024

It’s exhausting to say what the loss means for Georgia (3-1, 1-1 SEC), which confirmed troubling indicators on offense and protection throughout that disastrous first half, then utterly flipped itself after halftime. Beck completed with a career-high 439 passing yards, however he additionally dedicated 4 turnovers. Sensible, who’s by some means now 1-6 towards the Tide, has some points to determine, particularly earlier than his crew’s Oct. 19 journey to No. 1 Texas.

However I do know precisely what it means for Alabama.

3. In his warp-speed search final January to rent Nick Saban’s successor, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne pursued two candidates: Florida State’s Mike Norvell and Washington’s Kalen DeBoer. Eight months later, Norvell is presiding over a 1-4 FSU crew that simply misplaced 42-16 to SMU. DeBoer simply beat the No. 2 crew within the nation and is now 29-3 as a Energy-conference coach.

Milroe, who had an up-and-down first season because the starter underneath former offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, is flourishing within the artistic, explosive offense that helped Washington attain the nationwide title recreation final season. He’s helped, little doubt, by the arrival of Williams (six catches, 177 yards) but additionally by OC Nick Sheridan’s play calling. The Tide’s second landing got here when working again Jam Miller went into movement simply earlier than the snap, then beat his defender to the nook on a wheel route.

DeBoer and Sheridan went too conservative within the second half, serving to Georgia get again in it. However as quickly as Alabama fell behind, they went proper to a deep ball straight out of the Michael Penix Jr.-to-Rome Odunze playbook.

Bama followers needs to be feeling giddy about their new Ball Coach.

4. Mark Stoops is already the winningest coach in Kentucky historical past, however he’s by no means loved a much bigger victory than Saturday’s 20-17 escape at No. 6 Ole Miss. The Wildcats, staring down the barrel of a possible 2-3 begin, earned this system’s highest-ranked street win since 1977. Stoops has himself fairly a protection. Two weeks in the past, it held then-No. 1 Georgia to 13 factors. This time, it shut down a Rebels offense that averaged 55 factors towards 4 overmatched foes to begin the season.

I wouldn’t depend out Lane Kiffin’s crew simply but. However after eight months of bravado about Ole Miss’ NIL warfare chest and upgraded roster, Rebels followers is perhaps understandably pissed off with such an underwhelming efficiency.

“I’m gonna be sore tomorrow.” — Mark Stoops pic.twitter.com/JttSioSmZa

— KSR (@KSRonX) September 28, 2024

5. All Hugh Freeze needed for Christmas was a quarterback who wouldn’t throw it to the opposite crew, and for 56 minutes towards Oklahoma, the Auburn coach acquired his want. The Tigers have been closing in on a 21-16 win. However wouldn’t you recognize it, Payton Thorne threw a 63-yard choose six to place the Sooners up 24-21, then acquired sacked thrice on Auburn’s final two possessions. 5 weeks in, the Tigers (2-3, 0-2 SEC) have already misplaced three Energy 4 dwelling video games, whereas averaging 16.3 factors in these contests.

It’s a much-needed win for Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 SEC) coming off its humbling 25-15 dwelling loss to Tennessee. In his first profession begin, freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. broke a 48-yard landing run and accomplished a 60-yard cross.

6. First, the officers in Friday evening’s Virginia Tech-Miami recreation determined the Hokies had caught a game-winning Hail Mary regardless of a Miami defender working away with the ball. Then, after seven minutes, with what may hardly be thought-about “indeniable proof,” replay officers overturned the decision, handing the seventh-ranked Canes a 38-34 victory. If Miami (4-0, 1-0 ACC) winds up being a CFP bubble crew, that call may put it excessive.

I didn’t count on the Hokies (2-3, 0-1) to provide the house crew such a scare, however three Cam Ward turnovers led on to 14 factors, and Miami’s protection struggled to cease the run. The Canes dwell and die with their star quarterback, who threw for 4 touchdowns and ran for one more to avoid wasting the day.

7. No. 13 USC (3-1, 1-1 Huge Ten), trailing Wisconsin 21-10 on the half, circled and outscored the Badgers 28-0 from there to win its first Huge Ten dwelling recreation, 38-21. Lincoln Riley’s crew at all times appears to have a distinct receiver erupt with every recreation, and this week it was sophomore Ja’Kobi Lane, who had 10 catches for 105 yards and two TDs. Subsequent up comes a really B1G October for the Trojans, who sandwich a house showdown towards No. 9 Penn State with sizable journeys east to face Minnesota and Maryland.

8. Like Alabama’s Williams, Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith appears like a professional in a freshman’s physique. He had a 19-yard landing run and a one-handed catch he became a 17-yard rating within the Buckeyes’ 38-3 win at Michigan State (3-2, 1-1). Their protection allowed simply 246 yards, notched 4 sacks and compelled three turnovers. No. 3 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0 Huge Ten) has but to be examined, however could possibly be over the subsequent two weeks because it faces Iowa (OK, in all probability not), then visits a top-10 Oregon crew.

OH MY. 😱

Jeremiah Smith is HIM.

📺 Peacock | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/qA9KvH9WI4

— NBC Sports activities (@NBCSports) September 29, 2024

9. Penn State out-Bielema’d Bret Bielema in its 21-7 win over Illinois. The ninth-ranked Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0 Huge Ten) dominated within the trenches on either side, dashing for 239 yards on 44 makes an attempt whereas holding the Nineteenth-ranked Illini (4-1, 1-1) to only 34 yards on 32 makes an attempt. It nonetheless took till late within the fourth quarter for Penn State to place the sport away, due partially to 2 missed discipline targets and a failed fourth-and-3 conversion when it handed up a brief discipline purpose attempt. James Franklin might must make a change at kicker. Sander Sahaydak is now 3-of-9 on discipline targets.

10. It appears just like the Huge 12 race goes to flip itself on its head from one week to the subsequent. Arizona (3-1, 1-0 Huge 12) went to Salt Lake Metropolis and shut down No. 10 Utah, 23-10. The Utes (4-1, 1-1) had misplaced two dwelling video games in 4 years. However this was additionally their third straight recreation with out quarterback Cam Rising, who simply can’t keep wholesome, and it’s clearly taking its toll. Isaac Wilson threw two picks, and the Utes ran for simply 84 yards.

That doesn’t imply Utah can’t nonetheless win the Huge 12. However so may Arizona. And so may…

11. No want for a Hail Mary or goal-line strip this week. Colorado (4-1, 2-0 Huge 12) went to UCF and housed the Knights 48-21 for essentially the most spectacular efficiency of the two-year Deion Sanders period. UCF (3-1, 1-1) got here in averaging 6.8 yards per dashing try, fourth-best nationally, however managed simply 4.0 towards CU’s much-improved protection. And Travis Hunter did his factor, catching 9 passes for 89 yards and a TD and making a diving interception, after which he struck the Heisman pose. Onerous to argue with him.

As of this second, the highest of the Huge 12 is a three-way tie between the Buffs, BYU (5-0, 2-0) and Texas Tech (4-1, 2-0). Naturally.

TRAVIS HUNTER HITS THE HEISMAN POSE AFTER THE INTERCEPTION 🏆👀@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/Qc9W0pzJbM

— FOX Faculty Soccer (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

12. Additionally hanging a Heisman pose Saturday evening: Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty, who went off in a 45-24 rout of Washington State to the tune of 259 yards and 4 touchdowns. The man is unimaginable. On his first rating, a 64-yard run, he shook off no less than six tacklers earlier than hitting the gasoline. On the third, a 59-yard run, it defied physics how he stayed upright all the way in which to the tip zone.

In his 4 video games in September, Jeanty averaged 211.3 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He’s in a league of his personal amongst working backs nationally.

13. On Tuesday, UNLV beginning quarterback Matthew Sluka abruptly left the crew resulting from an alleged $100,000 NIL promise that by no means arrived. Whereas we nonetheless don’t know whether or not that provide was ever actual, we do now know the Rebels (4-0) will probably be OK with out him. Sluka’s alternative, Campbell switch Hajj-Malik Williams, ran for 119 yards and accomplished 13 of 16 passes for 3 touchdowns in a 59-14 rout of Fresno State (3-2). UNLV, which is 13-5 in two seasons underneath Barry Odom, had beforehand misplaced six straight conferences with the Bulldogs.

Programming alert: Boise State visits UNLV on Friday, Oct. 25. However earlier than we get to that, the Rebels host a Friday evening recreation towards Syracuse this week.

14. No. 16 Notre Dame (4-1) nonetheless appears to be discovering its means on offense, nevertheless it discovered sufficient Saturday to place down No. 15 Louisville 31-24. The Irish dug themselves an early gap, fumbling the opening kickoff to arrange a straightforward landing for the Cardinals (3-1), then scored 21 first-quarter factors … then went quiet for two-plus quarters. Quarterback Riley Leonard ultimately delivered, hitting Jeremiyah Love for a 32-yard landing to go up 31-17, and the protection acquired a late cease. Leonard completed 17-of-23 passing for 163 yards and no picks, his most effective efficiency of the season up to now, although he’s but to hit 200 yards passing in a recreation.

15. It’s outstanding what an impression Curt Cignetti is having on Indiana soccer simply 5 video games into his tenure. The Hoosiers are 5-0 for the primary time since 1967 after a 42-28 win over Maryland (3-2, 0-2 Huge Ten). It additionally marks this system’s first five-game successful streak in 37 years. Regardless of throwing two interceptions, quarterback Kurtis Rourke led IU to its fourth straight 40-plus-point efficiency.

Granted, the Hoosiers’ schedule to this point has been gentle (FIU, Western Illinois, at UCLA, Charlotte and Maryland), however allow them to take pleasure in this. This system has received as many as eight video games solely as soon as within the final 30 years (2019).

16. Rutgers’ arduous, decade-long climb to Huge Ten respectability hit a brand new milestone Friday evening when the second-largest crowd in SHI Stadium historical past watched the Scarlet Knights down Huge Ten newcomer Washington, 21-18. Rutgers, which received 26-23 at Virginia Tech six days earlier, is 4-0 for the primary time since 2012 within the previous Huge East. Greg Schiano’s crew acquired outgained 521-299 however acquired assist in the type of a number of drive-killing Washington penalties and three missed discipline targets.

Rutgers depends closely on star working again Kyle Monangai (25 carries, 132 yards) and doesn’t have a lot margin for error. However with no Ohio State, no Michigan, no Penn State and no Oregon, the schedule lends itself to an eight-win kind season (or higher).

17. A yr after successful 10 video games and reaching its convention championship recreation, Oklahoma State is off to a 0-2 begin in Huge 12 play after falling 42-20 at No. 23 Kansas State (4-1, 1-1 Huge 12). Quarterback Alan Bowman threw two picks, and the Cowboys dashing assault stays ho-hum regardless of returning Doak Walker winner Ollie Gordon II, who managed a modest 76 yards on 15 makes an attempt — his fourth consecutive sub-100-yard efficiency. Okay-State itself wanted a bounce-back win after final week’s blowout loss at BYU. The Wildcats have an off week earlier than visiting Colorado.

18. The Florida State circus present took final week off, then got here roaring again with even sillier materials. The Noles fell to 1-4 (1-3 within the ACC) with a 42-16 drubbing by convention newcomer SMU (4-1, 1-0). Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw three interceptions, together with an 82-yard fourth-quarter choose six that prompted Norvell to show to backup Brock Glenn. Who didn’t full a cross.

Think about if I’d advised you 13 months in the past, when SMU acquired its invite to the ACC, that it might beat Florida State 42-16 in its first yr within the convention. And it wouldn’t appear shocking.

Florida State’s season summed up in a play. pic.twitter.com/OIrusEagWe

— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) September 29, 2024

19. Many anticipated Duke to tail off after shedding head coach Mike Elko to Texas A&M and Leonard to Notre Dame, however as a substitute, first-year coach Manny Diaz has the Blue Devils off to a 5-0 begin. Down 20-0 within the third quarter to rival North Carolina (3-2, 0-1 ACC), Duke stormed again to win 21-20, claiming the Victory Bell for the primary time since 2018. Senior working again Star Thomas exploded for 166 yards on 30 carries, his third straight 100-yard recreation, and caught a 29-yard landing.

20.  I don’t need to alarm anybody, however there’s a brimming chance that Military and Navy may play one another for the AAC convention championship per week earlier than Military-Navy recreation, in Military’s first yr within the convention.

Each academies are off to 3-0 begins within the AAC (and 4-0 general). The Black Knights have received all of their video games by no less than 17 factors, the newest a 42-14 rout at Temple, and have received eight in a row courting to final season. Quarterback Bryson Each day ran for 152 yards and three TDs. Navy, off to its greatest begin since 2017, went to UAB and received 41-18, thanks to 2 70-plus-yard Blake Horvath TD throws.

As we all know, the 2 faculties spend twelve months a yr making ready to beat the opposite. That might show significantly helpful this season.

(Photograph of Jalen Milroe working previous Malaki Starks: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Photographs)