Results of Last Week's Games to Watch
1. North Carolina State Wolfpack @ #3 Clemson Tigers
The Tigers held a 10-3 lead at the half due to a quick touchdown drive at the tail end of the 2nd quarter. That lead didn't last long thanks to the fast NC State defense. On the first play of the drive, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson's pass was intercepted by defensive back Mike Stevens and returned 28 yards for an NC State touchdown. Adding to the frustration on offense, the next two Clemson drives each ended in another turnover. The first time, a botched handoff led to a lost fumble. The second time, Watson completed a 21 yard pass to top receiver Mike Williams who then promptly let the ball get knocked out of his hands which was recovered by the defense. After the Williams fumble, the Wolfpack got the ball deep in Clemson territory but couldn't gain a first down. When the resulting field goal was missed by kicker Kyle Bambard, the Tigers had dodged a major bullet.
This time, Watson led his team all the way to the endzone, scoring the touchdown himself on a short run. The Wolfpack responded by going on a long TD drive of their own, powered by the well placed passes of quarterback Ryan Finley and a great run by running back Matthew Dayes. Clemson's next drive looked very promising but they drove themselves into a ditch with two consecutive holding penalties. The Tigers punted and gave the ball back to the Wolfpack with more than 6 1/2 minutes remaining. Much to the dismay of the fans in orange, NC State advanced slowly but surely down the field, using up all of the clock and set themselves up for a potential 33 yard game winning field goal. With the ball being in the middle of the field, Bambard had a straight shot to be a hero. The hold was good and the kick ... terrible! The ball sailed way to the right and the Clemson coaches, players and fans were ecstatic. The game would continue in overtime.
Clemson got the first possession and put it to good use. The Tigers overcame a false start and a holding penalty to get the ball to the 1 yard line. On the next play, Watson let the shotgun snap slip past his fingers but was able to recover it. Showing his well-known resiliency on the next play, Watson fired a low pass that was caught mere inches from the turf by wide receiver Artavis Scott for a touchdown. Needing a touchdown to stay in the game, Finley decided to air it out on the first play of the drive, throwing a long pass into the endzone. But a defensive back Marcus Edmond, the same guy who came up with a game winning tackle against Louisville, ran in front of the intended receiver. Edmond secured the ball and his teammates dashed onto the field and dog piled on top of him.
The fans rushed the field and head coach Dabo Swinney gave another passionate postgame interview surrounded by wild cheering fans.
Final Score: Clemson 24 NC State 17
Most Exciting Game of the Week
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes @ #8 Wisconsin Badgers
Every week, College Gameday, the nation's premier pregame show, chooses a game to attend. The game must be a top 25 matchup with high stakes for both teams. They bring their elaborate set to a site near the stadium or on campus and thousands come to show their support for the home team. Sometimes the game turns out to be a one-sided affair but that certainly wasn't the case this time.
The first half was dominated by Wisconsin. The Badgers defense seemed to be everywhere, severely limiting the production of an usually electric Buckeyes offense led by dynamic quarterback J.T. Barrett. The Buckeyes did manage to scratch and claw into the redzone twice, but the Badgers prevented them from getting into the endzone each time. On the other side of things, the Ohio State defense kept the Buckeyes in the game. Wisconsin barged their way into the redzone three times, but Ohio State only gave up one touchdown. Combined with a field goal, the Badgers scored 16 points in the first half, while the Buckeyes had only managed six. Ohio State's chances to continue their undefeated season seemed quite tenuous at this point.
But as is the case in so many games, the second half was a different story. Ohio State's first drive, which looked very promising, ended in an interception. However, the Buckeyes would turn their setback into a great opportunity when their defense forced a three and out. The resulting punt gave the ball back to the Buckeyes just inside Badgers territory. Ohio State's drive was slow but just effective enough to get the job done. The Buckeyes converted two 4 and 1 scenarios thanks to the power and determination of running back Mike Weber and his blockers.
Late in the drive, a pass interference penalty was called on Wisconsin defensive back Sojourn Shelton in the endzone, giving Ohio State the ball at the 2 yard line. Two plays later, Barrett ran it in himself to cut the Badgers lead down to three.
The Badgers offense, headlined by freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook and running back Corey Clement, had been stagnant for the entire quarter. Things went from bad to worse, when Hornibrook's pass was intercepted by Ohio State defensive back Gareon Conley on the third play of the drive. Getting the ball in even better position than last time, Barrett got his team into the redzone on the third play of the drive when he fired a blazing pass to wide receiver Noah Brown. Three plays later, Barrett scored another touchdown on the ground from eight yards out.
With 14 minutes left to play, Ohio State had all the momentum. But the Badgers stole it right back with a 36 yard completion from Hornibrook to wide receiver Jazz Peavy early in the drive.
On 7 of the next 8 plays, Wisconsin ran the ball, pushing the Ohio State defense backwards in a hurry. Fullback Austin Ramesh blasted his way into the endzone on the 8th play and the Badgers had the lead once again.
Down by 3 and with time at a premium, Barrett knew the time to score was now. Four plays into the drive he was sacked, but then threw an awesome pass to receiver Dontre Wilson for 43 yards on the very next play. But the Badgers defense clamped down and forced the Buckeyes into a chance to tie it. Kicker Tyler Durbin nailed a 31 yard field goal and the score was deadlocked at 23.
Almost 4 minutes remained and Wisconsin had plenty of time to score on the final possession of the game. The Badgers reached midfield but their drive was stalled when offensive lineman Brett Connors was hit with a holding penalty. A third down pass by Hornibrook fell incomplete and overtime was assured.
Ohio State got the ball first in overtime, and the drive started off well with a 10 completion from Barrett to running back Curtis Samuel. The next play was not so great: a 5 yard false start penalty on the offense. Not fazed, Barrett came back with a 12 yard completion to receiver James Clark. Unfortunately, a Buckeyes lineman was tagged with a 10 yard holding penalty on the next play and the Buckeyes had to do the moonwalk once again. Showing his resiliency, Barrett fired two perfect passes on the next two plays, the second a 7 yard touchdown pass to Noah Brown.
Hornibrook knew he had his work cut out for him: score a touchdown or lose the game. On 2nd and 10, Hornibrook avoided a potential sack and threw off balance. Somehow, Wisconsin receiver Robert Wheelwright caught the ball to set the Badgers up inside the 10 yard line. Long-time Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell urged his defense to stand their ground. After stopping Clement twice for no gain and forcing an incompletion, the Buckeyes were one play away for a victory. On 4th down, the Ohio State defensive line busted through the gaps and were bearing down on the quarterback. Hornibrook saw that none of his receivers were open and was sacked by Tyquan Lewis.
The Buckeyes streamed out onto the field and filled the air with shouts of jubilation.
Barrett's teammates congratulated him on another fantastic game that proved he is one of the best leaders in college football.
Final Score: Ohio State 30 Wisconsin 23 (OT)
Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 8
1. #17 Arkansas Razorbacks @ #21 Auburn Tigers: 10/22 at 6 p.m. on ESPN
A resurgent Auburn looks to score a top 25 victory that will restore the Tigers to national relevancy while the Razorbacks are hoping to build off their big victory over Ole Miss last week.
My pick: Auburn
2. #6 Texas A&M @ #1 Alabama Crimson Tide: 10/22 at 3:30 on CBS
For weeks now, the consensus has been that the Aggies have the best chance to knock off Alabama. They have a dynamic quarterback in Trevor Knight, a great running back in Traveon Williams, an imposing defense, and are well rested after a bye week. Can they do it? I cannot describe how much I want them to.
My pick: Texas A&M!!!
Extra Point
Ball State Cardinals @ Buffalo Bulls
Bulls quarterback Tyree Jackson had his best game this season, throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. The Bulls held a 14-7 lead at the half, due to a strong first half defensive showing. In the 2nd half, Cardinals running back James Gilbert got cranking. His quick feet keyed the Ball State offense to score 24 straight points while the Buffalo suddenly started to struggle. The Bulls managed a late touchdown but they fell short in a 31-21 loss.
Two Point Conversion
Another crazy finish caught my eye this week. The annual rivalry game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders went into overtime. After a pair of touchdowns in the first overtime, the Blue Raiders got the ball first in the second overtime. Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill led a touchdown drive, but the extra point was blocked by Western Kentucky tight end Deon Yelder. Now the Hilltoppers could score a touchdown with an extra point and win the game. An 11 yard completion by quarterback Mike White to Taywan Taylor and four scampers by running back Anthony Wales got the Hilltoppers into the endzone. The ensuing extra point by Western Kentucky kicker Skylar Simcox was good and the Hilltoppers secured bragging rights for another year.
Final Score: Western Kentucky 44 Middle Tennessee 43 (2OT)
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