Results of Last Week's Games to Watch
1. #19 Florida Gators @ #14 Tennessee Volunteers
This game was very simply a tale of two halves. The first half went very well for the Gators and very bad for the Volunteers. Tennessee's entire team looked like they were sleepwalking. Offensive ineptitude, egregious dropped passes, and sluggish defense made the Volunteers look like a high school team. Meanwhile, the Gators scored 21 points on three impressive drives that included excellent long completions and timely screen passes. Florida held a 21-3 lead at the half and looked to have this rivalry game well in hand.
Much to the surprise of everyone attending or watching this game, Tennessee came out in the 2nd half looking like a completely different team. Quarterback Josh Dobbs started to look like the talented senior he is and his receivers finally found a way to wash the butter off their hands. Running back Jalen Hurd caught Tennessee's first touchdown after a Florida defender blew the coverage. On the drive after Florida's third 3 and out of the half, Dobbs found wide receiver Ethan Wolf who stretched out as far as he could to snag the ball before stumbling into the endzone. Florida's offense continued to sputter due in equal parts to suddenly predictable play calling and a reinvigorated Tennessee defense. The Volunteers took the lead on a long pass down the sideline that was juggled then caught by wide receiver Jauan Jennings who took it the rest of the way for a 67 yard touchdown. Tennessee never looked back.
Final Score: Tennessee 38 Florida 28
Most Exciting Game of the Week
#10 Texas A&M Aggies vs. #17 Arkansas Razorbacks
Played annually in Cowboys Stadium, this hard-fought rivalry never ceases to be filled with excitement. A close game is almost a given.
Arkansas' first scoring opportunity was set up by a fumble by Texas A&M on a punt return. Quarterback Austin Allen found wide receiver Keon Hatcher for 15 yard TD to give the Razorbacks the early lead. Early in the 2nd quarter, Arkansas was the guilty party in the fumble department. A faulty handoff between Allen and running back Dominique Reed resulted in an easy recovery by A&M. 3 plays later, Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight made an excellent move on a designed quarterback run and dashed 42 yards for a touchdown.
This run seemed to touch off a powder keg of explosive plays. Running back Rawleigh Williams III of Arkansas broke off a 55 yard run that set up a short field goal. The Aggies responded with a field goal of their own after a long pass completion from Knight to top wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones. The back and forth battle continued as Arkansas moved 75 yards in only 5 plays using a good mix of running and passing plays. Williams capped the drive off with a 7 yard TD run.
Only 90 seconds remained in the half but that was more than enough time for the Aggies. 3 plays after a key 3rd down pass from Knight to wide receiver Josh Reynolds, Knight evaded the entire defense again on a 48 yard touchdown run that looked even easier than the first one. The game was tied at 17 at halftime.
The third quarter seemed short due to a very long drive by Arkansas. The Razorbacks traveled down the field slowly but effectively, taking 14 plays to reach the Aggies 2 yard line. Arkansas is the sort of team built specifically to dominate goal line situations and their fans were expecting them to have few problems getting the ball in the endzone. The Aggie defense had other things in mind. 1st down: Williams stopped at the 1. 2nd down: Allen stopped on a quarterback sneak. 3rd down: Allen brought down centimeters from the goal line.
Now uneasiness and doubt began to cross the faces of the Arkansas coaches and players. Still believing they would find a way to score a touchdown, the Razorbacks went for it on 4th down. Allen handed the ball to receiver Keon Hatcher who attempted to run around the left side of the mass of defenders in the center of the field. But defensive back Armani Watts was having none of that and tackled Hatcher well short of the goal line.
Two plays later, the momentum of the game swung even further away from the Razorbacks. Knight lofted a perfect pass down the right sideline to Reynolds who had a step on defensive back DJ Dean (meaning he was one stride ahead of him). Reynolds caught the ball in stride, outran Dean's tackle attempt, and ran untouched for a 92 yard touchdown.
The last six plays had changed the game completely and Arkansas was not resilient enough to respond effectively. On Arkansas' next drive, defensive end Daeshon Hall sacked Allen and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Aggies. Three plays later, Knight completed his 2nd touchdown pass of the game to receiver Christian Kirk. I knew from the looks on their faces, Arkansas would not be winning this game.
Final Score: Texas A&M 45 Arkansas 24
With their blend of gritty defense and lightning-fast offense, Texas A&M poses a serious threat to Alabama. As does Tennessee. This could be a really good year!
Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 5
1. #3 Louisville Cardinals @ #5 Clemson Tigers: 10/1 at 8 p.m. on ABC
This is a highly anticipated matchup of two of the best teams in the nation. Louisville rocketed from #10 to #3 in the poll after an stunning 62-20 beat-down of Florida State in which Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson put up 5 total touchdowns. Clemson has faced a slightly easier road to a 4-0 record, but have a very talented and experienced team lead by senior quarterback Deshaun Watson. Will Clemson maintain their dominance over the ACC with a huge win spurred on by their loyal fans or will Louisville slay another giant and continue their quest for a championship.
My pick: Louisville
2. Oklahoma Sooners @ #21 TCU Horned Frogs: 10/1 at 5 p.m. on FOX
Will TCU earn a key home victory that will secure their place in the heart of the battle for the Big 12 Conference Championship or will Oklahoma snatch a desperately-needed win that will pull them out of the tailspin they have found themselves in?
My pick: TCU!!
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