Results of Last Week's Games to Watch
1. #9 Michigan State Spartans @ #3 Ohio State Buckeyes
This pivotal game in the hunt for the national championship was close from the very beginning, which is surprising considering the fact that Spartans' backup quarterback Tyler O'Connor had to play in place of injured starter Connor Cook. Both defenses played arguably the best they had all season and made it seem inevitable that neither team would reach 20 points. After no scoring in the opening quarter, both teams managed to get into the endzone once in the 2nd quarter. Ohio State jumped out to a 14-7 lead on a 1 play touchdown drive set up by a fumble on a Michigan State punt return. The Spartans evened the score on their next drive which lasted for 6 1/2 minutes and ended with a short TD run.
The Buckeyes' usually potent offense was held to a whopping 27 yards in the 4th quarter, giving the Spartans every opportunity to end their rival's 22 game winning streak. Late in the final minutes of regulation, Michigan State fought their way to the Ohio State 23 yard line, setting up a 41 yard field goal. Spartans kicker Michael Geiger had missed a 43 yarder earlier in the game, but now had an opportunity to be a hero. Geiger made the kick with plenty of room to spare and began celebrating. He held his left arm straight out and swinging his other arm in circles, making it look he was strumming an electric guitar, all while running down the field. Ohio State players, coaches, and fans could only hang their heads in disappointment.
Final Score: Michigan State 17 Ohio State 14
2. Western Michigan Broncos @ Northern Illinois Huskies
Yet again, the Broncos and the Huskies were battling for a spot in the MAC Championship Game late in November. And, just like last year, the result was still in doubt well into the final quarter of play. The Huskies held a slim 14-10 lead going into the half, but the 3rd quarter was all Broncos. After a field goal cut the deficit to 1, Western Michigan's defense forced the Huskies to punt on their next possession. One play after that, Broncos quarterback Zach Terrell lofted a pass to standout wide receiver Corey Davis who grabbed it cleanly and raced down the sideline for a 72 yard TD. Western Michigan went for 2 in an effort to take the all-important 7 point lead, but two Northern Illinois defenders converged on the ball carrier and stopped him short of the goal line.
On the ensuing drive, the Huskies faced a 3rd down, deep in their own territory. Northern Illinois quarterback Ryan Graham zipped a pass to an open receiver, giving the Huskies a much needed 1st down. That drive ended in a touchdown thanks to the speed of running backs Joel Bouagnon and Jordan Huff. Now it was the Huskies turn to go for 2, since they wanted to be ahead by at least a field goal. Just like the Broncos, they failed. Going for 2 is risky business, huh?
The Northern Illinois defense stiffened in the 4th, allowing only 67 yards. However, after one failed drive, the Broncos punter pinned the Huskies right in front of their goal line. The Northern Illinois offense was unfazed. Two plays after a long 44 yard run by Huff, Ryan Graham completed a deep pass to star receiver Kenny Golladay who then outran the Broncos' safety to the endzone. The Broncos tried to mount a game-tying drive but were stopped on 4th down by a determined Huskies defense. Soon, Head Coach Rod Carey, his staff, and the players were celebrating a win that put them one step closer to a 6th straight MAC West Division title.
Final Score: Northern Illinois 27 Western Michigan 19
Most Exciting Game of the Week
#18 TCU Horned Frogs @ #7 Oklahoma Sooners
Coming into this game, many people thought TCU would be no match for Oklahoma, especially because the Horned Frogs were playing without their two greatest weapons on offense, quarterback Trevone Boykin and wide receiver Josh Doctson, who had been sidelined due to injury. Nobody, including myself, thought this game would be close. Oh, how wrong we were.
Second-string quarterback Foster Sawyer got off to a good start tossing a 37 yard TD pass to wide receiver Kolby Listenbee. However, the rest of his time on the field was unproductive as he threw two interceptions and failed to lead his team to a single point. In the meantime, Oklahoma scored 23 unanswered points on the arm of quarterback Baker Mayfield and the legs of running back Semaje Perine. Unfortunately, Mayfield suffered an apparent head injury and was forced to leave the game at halftime. Backup Trevor Knight was the quarterback with a helmet on coming back out from the locker room. TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson knew this was just the opportunity the Horned Frogs needed.
Knight was unprepared to face the bright lights and the TCU defense was able to quickly force a punt. Better yet, the punt was botched and the Horned Frogs recovered the ball at the Sooners' 26 yard line. One play later, running back Aaron Green provided the spark the TCU offense needed. Green got the handoff, but quickly found an unblocked defender directly in front of him. Not wanting to be stopped in the backfield, he zigged to the right, zagged to the left to avoid a second defender, and sped into the endzone for an exhilarating touchdown.
The entire team came back to life after this game-changing play, but Oklahoma came up with a resounding response 4 possessions later. Shortly after another interception thrown by Foster Sawyer, Semaje Perine tore down the field on a 72 yard TD run, in spite of a injury he suffered earlier in the game that caused him to limp into the endzone.
The Sooners were now leading by a score of 30-13, but they were unable to score the rest of the game. TCU was struggling mightily on offense, so Patterson put 3rd-string quarterback Bram Kohlhausen in the game. It took Kohlhausen a few drives to get comfortable, but he played spectacularly once he did. With 9 minutes left in the game, he completed a pass to wide receiver Kavontae Turpin who bounced off a defender and bolted down the field for a 86 yard TD.
The Horned Frogs' defense came up with an interception on the ensuing drive and gave the ball right back to their offense. 5 plays later TCU narrowed the deficit to 7 on a field goal by Jaden Oberkrom. Now only 6 minutes remained, and the TCU defense needed to force another punt. They did so in determined fashion, forcing a three-and-out. Two minutes had since ticked off the clock and the Horned Frogs would be guaranteed only one more chance to tie or win the game. Green, Kohlhausen, the offensive line, and the wide receivers went to work, driving the ball down to the Oklahoma 14 yard line. But now they faced a 3 and 8, and were fast running out of chances. Kohlhausen caught the shotgun snap and lofted a risky pass to wide receiver Emanuel Porter who was being covered by two different defenders in the endzone. Fortunately, Porter had a height advantage and used it perfectly to snag a pivotal touchdown pass.
An easy extra point would send the game to overtime but Patterson and his players wanted to win the game in regulation and were confident they could do so. TCU came out in a five wide receiver formation, spreading the Oklahoma defense out as far as they could. After the snap, Kohlhausen rolled out of the pocket, forcing Oklahoma senior safety Steven Parker to stop covering his assigned receiver go after the quarterback to prevent him from having a clear path to run into the endzone. Kohlhausen saw that his intended target, wide receiver Shaun Nixon, was now open in the endzone. Just as Kohlhausen threw the ball, Parker leaped high into the air and batted the ball away.
Steven Parker landed on his feet a hero. His teammates embraced him and together they triumphantly walked onto the sideline. TCU's desperation onside kick failed and Oklahoma was soon the victor of this rollercoaster game.
Thankfully, Mayfield passed concussion tests and should be ready to play against rival Oklahoma State this Saturday.
Second-string quarterback Foster Sawyer got off to a good start tossing a 37 yard TD pass to wide receiver Kolby Listenbee. However, the rest of his time on the field was unproductive as he threw two interceptions and failed to lead his team to a single point. In the meantime, Oklahoma scored 23 unanswered points on the arm of quarterback Baker Mayfield and the legs of running back Semaje Perine. Unfortunately, Mayfield suffered an apparent head injury and was forced to leave the game at halftime. Backup Trevor Knight was the quarterback with a helmet on coming back out from the locker room. TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson knew this was just the opportunity the Horned Frogs needed.
Knight was unprepared to face the bright lights and the TCU defense was able to quickly force a punt. Better yet, the punt was botched and the Horned Frogs recovered the ball at the Sooners' 26 yard line. One play later, running back Aaron Green provided the spark the TCU offense needed. Green got the handoff, but quickly found an unblocked defender directly in front of him. Not wanting to be stopped in the backfield, he zigged to the right, zagged to the left to avoid a second defender, and sped into the endzone for an exhilarating touchdown.
The entire team came back to life after this game-changing play, but Oklahoma came up with a resounding response 4 possessions later. Shortly after another interception thrown by Foster Sawyer, Semaje Perine tore down the field on a 72 yard TD run, in spite of a injury he suffered earlier in the game that caused him to limp into the endzone.
The Sooners were now leading by a score of 30-13, but they were unable to score the rest of the game. TCU was struggling mightily on offense, so Patterson put 3rd-string quarterback Bram Kohlhausen in the game. It took Kohlhausen a few drives to get comfortable, but he played spectacularly once he did. With 9 minutes left in the game, he completed a pass to wide receiver Kavontae Turpin who bounced off a defender and bolted down the field for a 86 yard TD.
The Horned Frogs' defense came up with an interception on the ensuing drive and gave the ball right back to their offense. 5 plays later TCU narrowed the deficit to 7 on a field goal by Jaden Oberkrom. Now only 6 minutes remained, and the TCU defense needed to force another punt. They did so in determined fashion, forcing a three-and-out. Two minutes had since ticked off the clock and the Horned Frogs would be guaranteed only one more chance to tie or win the game. Green, Kohlhausen, the offensive line, and the wide receivers went to work, driving the ball down to the Oklahoma 14 yard line. But now they faced a 3 and 8, and were fast running out of chances. Kohlhausen caught the shotgun snap and lofted a risky pass to wide receiver Emanuel Porter who was being covered by two different defenders in the endzone. Fortunately, Porter had a height advantage and used it perfectly to snag a pivotal touchdown pass.
An easy extra point would send the game to overtime but Patterson and his players wanted to win the game in regulation and were confident they could do so. TCU came out in a five wide receiver formation, spreading the Oklahoma defense out as far as they could. After the snap, Kohlhausen rolled out of the pocket, forcing Oklahoma senior safety Steven Parker to stop covering his assigned receiver go after the quarterback to prevent him from having a clear path to run into the endzone. Kohlhausen saw that his intended target, wide receiver Shaun Nixon, was now open in the endzone. Just as Kohlhausen threw the ball, Parker leaped high into the air and batted the ball away.
Steven Parker landed on his feet a hero. His teammates embraced him and together they triumphantly walked onto the sideline. TCU's desperation onside kick failed and Oklahoma was soon the victor of this rollercoaster game.
Final Score: Oklahoma 30 TCU 29
Thankfully, Mayfield passed concussion tests and should be ready to play against rival Oklahoma State this Saturday.
Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 13
1. #13 Florida State @ #12 Florida Gators: 10/28 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
Florida State is out of the ACC Championship race after their loss to Clemson a few weeks ago, but has a good chance to take down the Gators, who just had an overtime scare against the lowly Florida Atlantic Owls. Will the Seminoles notch a win in this heated rivalry game or will the Gators find a way to get back on track?
My pick: Can't go against my Gators!
2. #6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ #9 Stanford Cardinal
Notre Dame needs to play well in this game to bolster their playoff resume in the eyes of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. Right now, the Irish are on the outside looking in and need a resounding victory over a tough Stanford team to even have a chance at getting the 4th and final spot in the playoffs. The question is: can they do it?
My pick: Notre Dame in a close one. In other words, not enough to get them into the top 4
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