Mandel’s Remaining Ideas: Dillon Gabriel’s legend grows after 2024’s newest top-five basic

And now, 20 Remaining Ideas from a outstanding faculty soccer Saturday that noticed three top-10 groups go to additional time and two others play an all-time basic.

1. Standard pundit knowledge again in August held that preseason No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Ohio State had been in a category of their very own this season. Possibly that can nonetheless show true come January. All we all know as of mid-October, although, is that Iowa State and Indiana are undefeated, however the Bulldogs and Buckeyes should not.

2. No. 3 Oregon 32, No. 2 Ohio State 31 was even higher than marketed, full with seven lead adjustments, a profitable onside kick by the Geese (6-0, 3-0 Large Ten) and a fireplace hose of massive performs from each groups’ ability gamers. It was determined in weird vogue, when Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, determined to drive his crew into vary for a game-winning area objective, took off operating and seemingly misplaced monitor of time, failing to get down earlier than the clock went to 0:00. Third-year Oregon coach Dan Lanning secured the signature win that had beforehand eluded him, whereas Ohio State’s Ryan Day dropped his fourth consecutive sport towards a top-five opponent.

I’d say there’s an honest likelihood they may meet once more in a few months.

3. In his fifty fifth profession begin throughout three faculties, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel made the nation’s top-ranked protection look mortal, ending 23 of 34 by way of the air for 341 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. He and his receivers linked on 5 passes of 25-plus yards. He additionally had a fourth-quarter 27-yard landing run and led his crew to a go-ahead area objective with 1:47 left. He now ranks third on the FBS profession passing yards leaderboard (16,655), however the sixth-year senior not often will get his identify talked about among the many high quarterbacks within the sport. Given the stakes and the stage, this felt like a transformative efficiency a la Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. in final yr’s mid-October Washington-Oregon basic.

 

4. Ohio State’s Day didn’t pursue Gabriel when he entered the portal final winter, ultimately touchdown Kansas State’s Howard as a substitute. Statistically, Howard, too, had an ideal sport (28 of 35 for 326 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions), helped by gifted receivers Jeremiah Smith (9 catches, 100 yards and a landing) and Emeka Egbuka (10 catches, 93 yards, one TD). However the fifth-year senior’s lack of composure on the Buckeyes’ closing drive was regarding.

Howard fell down on the primary play for a 9-yard loss. He recovered to finish 4 consecutive passes, however after Smith was referred to as for offensive go interference with 22 seconds left, Howard wasted an excessive amount of time earlier than getting the snap off, threw two incompletions, then (actually) ran out the clock. Ohio State (5-1, 2-1 Large Ten) will want extra from him if it nonetheless hopes to contend for a nationwide championship.

5. Some years, you’re fortunate to get one top-five matchup through the common season. Because of the newly expanded mega-conferences, we’re going to get our third already subsequent week when No. 1 Texas (6-0, 2-0 SEC) hosts No. 5 Georgia (5-1, 3-1).

The Longhorns cruised previous Oklahoma 34-3 in Saturday’s Crimson River Showdown regardless of a modest 199 passing yards from Quinn Ewers in his first motion since Sept. 14. Texas acquired explosive performs from rising operating again Quintrevion Wisner and freshman receiver Ryan Wingo, and the Sooners’ injury-riddled offense stood no likelihood towards Texas’ D. Brent Venables’ crew (4-2, 1-2 SEC) could possibly be in for a tough second half of the yr.

Georgia dealt with one-win Mississippi State 41-31 however hasn’t seemed fairly proper since its first-half debacle towards Alabama two weeks in the past. Quarterback Carson Beck threw for 459 yards but in addition tossed two interceptions, whereas Mississippi State freshman QB Michael Van Buren Jr. threw for 3 touchdowns and led three 75-plus-yard drives within the second half. Georgia faces just a bit step up in competitors subsequent week.

6. LSU’s Brian Kelly has nonetheless but to lose an evening sport at Tiger Stadium, whereas Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin has nonetheless but to win a giant street sport, after No. 13 LSU’s (5-1, 2-0 SEC) dramatic 29-26 additional time win over No. 9 Ole Miss (5-2, 1-2). The Tigers trailed all the night time till quarterback Garrett Nussmeier fired a last-minute, 23-yard landing to ship the sport to additional time after which, one play after Rebels kicker Caden Davis drilled a 57-yard area objective, hit Kyren Lacy for a game-winning 25-yard rating.

Out of the blue LSU has motive to consider it could possibly attain the CFP. In the meantime, probably the most hyped Ole Miss crew in a era is now dealing with lengthy odds, which should be irritating to all of the donors who kicked in all these tens of millions to assist Kiffin improve the roster. One other 9-3 common season by Kiffin would really feel like a giant letdown.

7. Coming off final week’s beautiful loss at Vanderbilt, No. 7 Alabama wanted a last-second interception to outlive three-touchdown underdog South Carolina, 27-25. Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe’s three turnovers didn’t assist issues, however Alabama’s protection is the larger concern. It has now allowed 11 touchdowns in its final 12 quarters, with South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers throwing landing passes of 36 and 31 yards Saturday. The one silver lining: cornerback Domani Jackson. He left with an harm within the first half, got here again and made the game-sealing interception.

Kalen DeBoer’s crew might want to play significantly better than it has the final couple of weeks if it hopes to win at No. 8 Tennessee subsequent week.

8. Which isn’t to say the Vols (5-1, 2-1 SEC) are an offensive juggernaut proper now. Per week after dropping 19-14 at Arkansas, Josh Heupel’s crew acquired shut out within the first half earlier than rallying to a 23-17 additional time win towards Florida (3-3, 1-2). The Vols got here again from a 10-0 deficit to take a 17-10 fourth-quarter lead earlier than Gators freshman quarterback DJ Lagway threw a game-tying 27-yard landing go to Chimere Dike with 29 seconds remaining. Tennessee in the end gained on a walk-off landing in additional time.

The Vols know they’ll depend on their protection, in addition to operating again Dylan Sampson (27 carries for 112 yards and three TDs, together with the game-winner), however their passing sport has been largely a non-factor.

Lagway, in the meantime, could possibly be taking on Florida’s passing sport after starter Graham Mertz left Saturday’s sport with a decrease leg harm. He was later seen on the sideline on crutches.

9. Penn State went throughout the nation and survived a 33-30 additional time thriller towards USC. Quarterback Drew Allar threw three interceptions however was lights-out on a game-tying 75-yard drive that discovered the top zone with 2:53 left. In the meantime, tight finish Tyler Warren placed on a historic efficiency on the Coliseum, tying an FBS document for his place with 17 catches for 244 yards and a landing. USC coach Lincoln Riley inexplicably failed to make use of any of his three timeouts on a Trojans drive that ended with Miller Moss throwing an interception with 5 seconds left in regulation.

It was a giant win for Penn State’s James Franklin, whose crew now has a wonderful shot to achieve its first Large Ten title sport in eight years. Whereas Riley’s crew, which fell to 3-3 (1-3 Large Ten), now finds itself within the hunt for an Alamo Bowl berth.

10. Credit score the place credit score’s on account of Iowa’s offense, which is formally now not a punching bag below the route of first-year coordinator Tim Lester. The Hawkeyes (4-2, 2-1 Large Ten) smoked visiting Washington 40-16. The nation’s second-leading rusher, Kaleb Johnson, carried 21 occasions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Cade McNamara solely accomplished eight passes, however one was a 33-yard landing.

Between a robust speeding assault, a protection that produced 4 sacks and two turnovers, 4 made area objectives and, after all, a 61-yard Rhys Dakin punt, Kirk Ferentz’s two hundredth profession win at Iowa adopted his absolute ultimate method.

11. No. 22 Pittsburgh (6-0, 2-0 ACC) survived a scoreless second half to carry off Cal 17-15 and safe its first 6-0 begin since Dan Marino’s senior season of 1982. Freshman quarterback Eli Holstein, the savior of Pitt’s offense this season, was ineffective towards the Bears, however the protection rose up, notching six sacks (three by defensive finish Jimmy Scott) and holding Cal (3-3, 0-3) to 1.6 yards per speeding try. The Panthers are off subsequent week earlier than coming into the meat of an ACC schedule that features journeys to SMU and Louisville and a house date towards No. 10 Clemson.

12. No. 14 BYU (6-0, 3-0 Large 12) placed on yet one more defensive clinic in its 41-19 rout of Arizona (3-3, 1-2), forcing 4 turnovers by Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita and limiting Arizona’s potent offense to 4.6 yards per play. The Cougars, ranked sixteenth nationally in scoring protection (15.8 factors per sport), beforehand beat SMU 18-15 and Kansas State 38-9.

In the meantime, No. 11 Iowa State (6-0, 3-0) is off to its greatest begin since 1938(!) following a 28-16 win at West Virginia (3-3, 2-1). On an evening when his father, Anthony, was inducted into the West Virginia Sports activities Corridor of Fame, Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht was a stable 18 of 26 for 265 yards, together with a 60-yard landing go.

Even midway by way of the season, it appears like half the Large 12 might nonetheless win the convention, however BYU and Iowa State have been probably the most spectacular to date.

13. When you went to mattress early Friday night time, you missed Arizona State’s 34-year-old head coach, Kenny Dillingham, be part of a mosh pit of celebrating Solar Devils followers on the sector after ASU’s (5-1, 2-1 Large 12) 27-19 upset of No. 16 Utah (4-2, 1-2), the highest-ranked foe the Solar Devils have crushed in 5 years. Stud operating again Cam Skattebo broke 50- and 47-yard landing runs within the second half. Large 12 media picked Dillingham’s Arizona State crew to complete dead-last within the Large 12 after consecutive 3-9 seasons. As an alternative, the Solar Devils look able to profitable the entire thing.

On the flip aspect, seventh-year Utes quarterback Cam Rising can’t catch a break. Within the first collection of his first begin after lacking three video games with a hand harm (after lacking all of final season with a knee harm), Rising injured his leg and was by no means himself, finishing simply 16 of 37 passes and throwing three interceptions. Utah was the preseason favourite in the identical Large 12 ballot. A title sport journey appears unlikely.

14. In some way, Colorado performs in a wildly entertaining sport each week. Nevertheless it doesn’t at all times find yourself on the suitable aspect of it. Regardless of dropping two-way star Travis Hunter and receivers Jimmy Horn Jr. and Omarion Miller to accidents, Colorado (4-2, 2-1 Large 12) took a 28-24 lead on Kansas State with three minutes left. Then its protection fell asleep on a 50-yard Avery Johnson landing go, Shedeur Sanders couldn’t convert a fourth-and-6, and the Wildcats (5-1, 2-1) prevailed 31-28. Each groups are amongst eight within the Large 12 which are both 3-0 or 2-1 in convention play. However Deion Sanders must get Hunter and his different receiving stars again to have an opportunity at contending.

15. One other week, one other 200-yard speeding efficiency for Boise State’s Heisman frontrunner Ashton Jeanty. He ran for 217 yards on 31 carries and likewise caught a 5-yard landing go because the Seventeenth-ranked Broncos (5-1, 2-0 MWC) gained 28-7 at Hawaii (2-4, 0-2). It was Jeanty’s third 200-yard speeding sport and fifth with no less than 186 this season. At his present tempo, Jeanty would attain 2,704 yards if Boise State reaches its convention championship sport. That will break Barry Sanders’ FBS single-season document of two,628 yards, although Sanders acquired his in 11 video games.

16. Even after its huge win towards Alabama, Vanderbilt (4-2, 2-1 SEC) was a close to two-touchdown underdog forward of its journey to Kentucky (3-3, 1-3). The Commodores by no means trailed en path to a 20-13 victory. They could simply crack the Prime 25 on Sunday. Conversely, Mark Stoops’ crew dedicated 12 penalties and misplaced two turnovers regardless of coming off an idle week. Even with a top-10 win at Ole Miss two weeks in the past, the Wildcats have been a disappointment this season.

17. Has second-year Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell lastly figured issues out? The Badgers (4-2, 2-1 Large Ten) have exploded the previous two weeks, first blowing out Purdue 52-6 at house, then going to Rutgers and rolling 42-7. Thoughts you, the Scarlet Knights (4-2, 1-2) got here in permitting 15.8 factors per sport. In a profession efficiency to this point, Oklahoma switch operating again Tawee Walker ran 24 occasions for 198 yards and three touchdowns, whereas the Badgers protection held Rutgers star Kyle Monangai to 72 yards on 19 carries. Clearly, these previous two opponents should not on the extent of Alabama and USC, which each whipped Wisconsin, however the back-to-back dominant performances present the fan base with a much-needed supply of optimism.

18. Just one crew within the nation is already 5-0 in convention play: Military (6-0 total), which joined the AAC this season after 20 years as an unbiased. The Black Knights cruised 44-10 towards UAB (1-5, 0-3) for his or her tenth straight win and third straight 40-plus-point output. Quarterback Bryson Day by day ran for 4 touchdowns and accomplished a 50-yard landing go.

Military has already performed 5 league video games as a result of it faces Air Power, Notre Dame and Navy (in a nonconference sport) over the again half of the season, nevertheless it might get to 6-0 as quickly as subsequent week towards East Carolina (3-3, 1-1). The following-closest crew, Navy, is 3-0 in convention play.

19. Whereas Military and Navy are each undefeated, Air Power is having a depressing season. The Falcons (1-5, 0-3 Mountain West), which got here into the yr with the least returning manufacturing within the nation, fell 52-37 to New Mexico (2-4, 1-1), their fifth straight loss, all by double digits. It’s jarring to see from 18th-year coach Troy Calhoun, who has not had a dropping season since 2018. However the switch portal period makes it significantly harder for the service academies in a rebuilding season. New Mexico, below first-year coach Bronco Mendenhall, took 29 transfers this offseason. Air Power, like Military and Navy, had none.

20. Lastly, Purdue could have earned the ethical victory of the week. The Boilermakers (1-5, 0-3 Large Ten) got here in having misplaced 4 consecutive video games by no less than 17 factors, fell behind No. 23 Illinois 27-3 after which stormed again to take a 43-40 lead with 46 seconds left in regulation. The Illini (5-1, 2-1) prevailed 50-49 in additional time after Purdue went for 2 and didn’t get it, however the Boilers gave their followers two causes for hope. One was redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Browne, who threw for 297 yards and ran for 118 instead of the injured Hudson Card. Additionally, head coach Ryan Walters, who fired offensive coordinator Graham Harrell two weeks in the past, turned his personal offensive play caller Saturday.

Which is fascinating given Walters is a career-long defensive coach.

(Photograph: Ali Gradischer / Getty Photos)