Results of Last Week's Games to Watch
1. #19 Michigan Wolverines @ #2 Penn State Nittany Lions
The stadium where this very important Big Ten game occurred is known as Happy Valley, and I can assure you that opposing teams are not happy to play here. On Saturday night, fans were clad all in white, waving thousands of white streamers attached to wands. Over 110,000 fans are squeezed inside the stadium and there were so many streamers that it looks like a blizzard is going on! To stay this is a tough environment to play in would be like saying the wind is cold in Antarctica.
The scoring got started in a hurry on Penn State's first possession. After a six yard completion by quarterback Trace McSorley, the Nittany Lions unveiled a unexpected play that caught the Michigan defense off guard. Super talented running back Saquon Barkley caught a direct snap and faked like he was going to run to the right. The Michigan defense took the bait after which Barkley cut back to the left and sped into open grass.
Sixty-nine yards later, Barkley raced into the endzone for a touchdown that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Michigan's ensuing drive ended quickly when quarterback John O'Korn was sacked by defensive lineman Curtis Cothran on 3rd down. Penn State got the ball back and wasted no time in doing something with it. A 23 yard scamper by McSorley and a 35 yard completion to receiver Mike Gisicki got the ball into the redzone. Barkley scored on the next play with a 15 yard touchdown run and this game appeared to be heading to the city of No Contest.
Fortunately for college football purists, the roles would soon reverse. Late in the first quarter, a McSorley pass was intercepted and returned 20 yards, setting the Michigan offense up with good field position. Using a good mix of running plays and short passes, the Wolverines marched down the field in 11 plays and scored a touchdown on a 4th and Goal rush by running back Karan Higdon. But the Michigan kicker missed the extra point and the Wolverines had only cut the lead to 14-6.
The scoring got started in a hurry on Penn State's first possession. After a six yard completion by quarterback Trace McSorley, the Nittany Lions unveiled a unexpected play that caught the Michigan defense off guard. Super talented running back Saquon Barkley caught a direct snap and faked like he was going to run to the right. The Michigan defense took the bait after which Barkley cut back to the left and sped into open grass.
Sixty-nine yards later, Barkley raced into the endzone for a touchdown that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Michigan's ensuing drive ended quickly when quarterback John O'Korn was sacked by defensive lineman Curtis Cothran on 3rd down. Penn State got the ball back and wasted no time in doing something with it. A 23 yard scamper by McSorley and a 35 yard completion to receiver Mike Gisicki got the ball into the redzone. Barkley scored on the next play with a 15 yard touchdown run and this game appeared to be heading to the city of No Contest.
Fortunately for college football purists, the roles would soon reverse. Late in the first quarter, a McSorley pass was intercepted and returned 20 yards, setting the Michigan offense up with good field position. Using a good mix of running plays and short passes, the Wolverines marched down the field in 11 plays and scored a touchdown on a 4th and Goal rush by running back Karan Higdon. But the Michigan kicker missed the extra point and the Wolverines had only cut the lead to 14-6.
The teams then traded punts. Penn State had a chance to extend their lead on their next drives, but a dropped pass by Barkley soon led to a turnover on downs.
The Wolverines took this opportunity and went on a drive fueled by two medium length completions by O'Korn. Michigan running back Ty Isaac blasted his way into the endzone on the final play of the drive and the score became 14-13.
Penn State fans were now getting restless, sensing the tide was turning. However, the Nittany Lions would grab the momentum right back on their next possession. Trace McSorley proved how valuable he is by completing 3 passes for a total of 65 yards, guiding his team into the redzone once again.
McSorley capped the drive off with a 3 yard touchdown run that gave Penn State all the momentum heading into the half.
The rest of the game was all Penn State. The Nittany Lions continued to shred the Wolverine defense by scoring 3 more touchdowns. On the other side, Michigan offense's earlier successes ended as the Penn State defense began to prove that their offense isn't the only reason why they #2 team in the nation. The game ended in resounding fashion soon after the Wolverines' final attempt to scrape together some points ended in a turnover on downs.
This victory keeps Penn State locked in prime position in the hunt for a playoff spot and sets up one heck of a game between the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes.
Final Score: Penn State 42, Michigan 13
2. #11 USC Trojans @ #13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Billed as a virtual playoff elimination game, this showdown had all the ingredients to be an instant classic like many other games in the lore of this great rivalry. But would the ingredients combine to form a delicious helping of college football?
Notre Dame received the opening kickoff but quickly went three-and-out. USC soon had control of the ball and were hoping to take advantage of it. USC started in shotgun formation with quarterback Sam Darnold ready to make something happen. Unfortunately for him, the snap was too high and Darnold just barely got his fingertips on it. The ball spun wildly through the air as Notre Dame defensive lineman Tevon Coney, unblocked in the chaos, crashed into the quarterback. In the end, the ball ended up hitting the ground close to Coney and he dove on it to secure the turnover.
This disaster of a start for the Trojans would only get worse as Notre Dame would get on the scoreboard three plays later with a touchdown pass by quarterback Brandon Wimbush.
The rest of the first half continued in much the same fashion. Notre Dame's offense fired on all cylinders while Sam Darnold and USC could hardly do anything right. The Fighting Irish would score three more touchdowns in the first half while the most noteworthy thing Darnold accomplished was to throw an interception.
The rest of the first half continued in much the same fashion. Notre Dame's offense fired on all cylinders while Sam Darnold and USC could hardly do anything right. The Fighting Irish would score three more touchdowns in the first half while the most noteworthy thing Darnold accomplished was to throw an interception.
In the 2nd half, things went a little better for USC, as Darnold passed for 2 touchdowns the first two times his team had the ball. However, it mattered little in the end because Notre Dame responed each time with touchdowns of their own. The stingy Notre Dame defense kept USC off the scoreboard the rest of the game, stamping out any hope for a comeback.
Notre Dame is sure looking like a true playoff contender but their schedule doesn't get any easier. The question is: Can the Fighting Irish continue on their winning ways or will they be tripped up in the end?
Final Score: Notre Dame 49, USC 14
Most Exciting Game of the Week
#25 Memphis Tigers @ Houston Cougars
A pivotal battle in the American Conference, this game would prove which team was one of the toughest cats in the conference. Haha. Cat humor.
Anyways, the first half was dominated by Houston. The Tigers offense, averaging 40 points per game in their previous contests, couldn't manage to score a point as their possessions were plagued by turnovers and three-and-outs. Houston capitalized by scoring 17 points, a respectable advantage but not large enough to erase the possibility of a comeback.
Houston quickly went three-and-out to start the third quarter, giving Memphis just the opportunity they needed. Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson shook off the terrible start and started to look like himself. Ferguson used 6 passes, including one that drew a pass interference penalty on the defense, to lead his team inside the Houston 5 yard line.
Two plays later, running back Patrick Taylor Jr. rumbled into the endzone to get the Tigers onto the scoreboard.
The Cougars roared back with a productive drive of their own. Houston reached the redzone after 7 plays, the most notable of which were a 15 yard rush by running back Dillon Bardin and two completions by quarterback Kyle Postma for 35 yards. It took the Cougars 6 more plays to reach the endzone, needing a 4th down conversion to keep the drive alive. The score was now 24-7 and the pressure was now solidly back on the Memphis offense to keep the game close.
Ferguson didn't need to lift a finger, however, when the Tigers' speedy kick returner Tony Pollard took the ensuing kickoff back for a game-changing 93 yard touchdown.
The scoring kept on going a rapid pace as both teams scored a touchdown on their next possession. Houston still maintained a 31-21 lead with just a little over 1 quarter to play. The Cougars had the ball next and began to construct what looked to be another long scoring drive. But their plans were soon upended. Defensive lineman Tito Windham was tired of Houston scoring at will against him and the Memphis defense. Windham evaded the offensive lineman blocking him, ran toward Postma and knocked the ball out of the quarterback's hands before Postma threw it. Fellow Memphis defender John Tate recovered the fumble and the Tigers took a big step toward shrinking the deficit even further.
Memphis scored yet another touchdown on their next drive, as the Tigers offense continued to prove they could move the ball down the field almost at will. Patrick Taylor Jr. tallied his 3rd touchdown run of the day 9 plays into the drive to get his team within 3.
Houston's success on offense did not end either. Thirteen plays later, the Cougars scored again on an 8 yard touchdown pass from Postma to receiver Stephen Dunbar.
As you would expect, Memphis wasn't done scoring. Riley Ferguson continued to be red-hot, torching the Houston defense like he was burning hay.
An exceptional 52 yard completion from Ferguson to top receiver Anthony Miller, plus a personal foul penalty on Houston, moved the ball 57 yards on 1 play. One snap later, Patrick Taylor Jr. scored his 4th TD of the day.
Taking a cue from the offense, Memphis' defense stepped up once again and forced Houston to punt on their next drive. It was almost inevitable that the Tigers would score again, and sure enough they did. A 21 yard pass from Ferguson to receiver Sean Dykes went for a touchdown and the Tigers had their first lead of the day: 42-38!
Yes, folks, that means they scored 42 points in one half of play.
The Cougars ended up having two tries to construct a game-winning drive, but each opportunity ended in a turnover. Houston fans were soon leaving the stadium with a sour taste in their mouths as Memphis players and fans were just beginning to revel in a comeback victory that was one of the most impressive of the season.
Final Score: Memphis 42, Houston 38
Houston quickly went three-and-out to start the third quarter, giving Memphis just the opportunity they needed. Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson shook off the terrible start and started to look like himself. Ferguson used 6 passes, including one that drew a pass interference penalty on the defense, to lead his team inside the Houston 5 yard line.
Two plays later, running back Patrick Taylor Jr. rumbled into the endzone to get the Tigers onto the scoreboard.
The Cougars roared back with a productive drive of their own. Houston reached the redzone after 7 plays, the most notable of which were a 15 yard rush by running back Dillon Bardin and two completions by quarterback Kyle Postma for 35 yards. It took the Cougars 6 more plays to reach the endzone, needing a 4th down conversion to keep the drive alive. The score was now 24-7 and the pressure was now solidly back on the Memphis offense to keep the game close.
Ferguson didn't need to lift a finger, however, when the Tigers' speedy kick returner Tony Pollard took the ensuing kickoff back for a game-changing 93 yard touchdown.
The scoring kept on going a rapid pace as both teams scored a touchdown on their next possession. Houston still maintained a 31-21 lead with just a little over 1 quarter to play. The Cougars had the ball next and began to construct what looked to be another long scoring drive. But their plans were soon upended. Defensive lineman Tito Windham was tired of Houston scoring at will against him and the Memphis defense. Windham evaded the offensive lineman blocking him, ran toward Postma and knocked the ball out of the quarterback's hands before Postma threw it. Fellow Memphis defender John Tate recovered the fumble and the Tigers took a big step toward shrinking the deficit even further.
Memphis scored yet another touchdown on their next drive, as the Tigers offense continued to prove they could move the ball down the field almost at will. Patrick Taylor Jr. tallied his 3rd touchdown run of the day 9 plays into the drive to get his team within 3.
Houston's success on offense did not end either. Thirteen plays later, the Cougars scored again on an 8 yard touchdown pass from Postma to receiver Stephen Dunbar.
As you would expect, Memphis wasn't done scoring. Riley Ferguson continued to be red-hot, torching the Houston defense like he was burning hay.
An exceptional 52 yard completion from Ferguson to top receiver Anthony Miller, plus a personal foul penalty on Houston, moved the ball 57 yards on 1 play. One snap later, Patrick Taylor Jr. scored his 4th TD of the day.
Taking a cue from the offense, Memphis' defense stepped up once again and forced Houston to punt on their next drive. It was almost inevitable that the Tigers would score again, and sure enough they did. A 21 yard pass from Ferguson to receiver Sean Dykes went for a touchdown and the Tigers had their first lead of the day: 42-38!
Yes, folks, that means they scored 42 points in one half of play.
The Cougars ended up having two tries to construct a game-winning drive, but each opportunity ended in a turnover. Houston fans were soon leaving the stadium with a sour taste in their mouths as Memphis players and fans were just beginning to revel in a comeback victory that was one of the most impressive of the season.
Final Score: Memphis 42, Houston 38
Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 9
1. #2 Penn State Nittany Lions @ #6 Ohio State Buckeyes
This game is of monumental importance due to the fact that both teams are solidly in the playoff discussion. Will the Nittany Lions follow up their victory over the Wolverines by defeating Michigan's rival on the road in a hostile environment? Or will the Buckeyes prove their early season loss to Oklahoma will be just a blip in the radar at the end of the season?
My pick: Ohio State, obviously! O-H-I-O!!
2. #14 NC State Wolfpack @ #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Although this matchup won't be headlining the weekend, it is no less important. If Notre Dame can keep winning, they will be in the playoffs at season's end. Will the Wolfpack stake their own claim to a playoff spot at the expense of the Fighting Irish? Or will Notre Dame prove they will play like champions on Saturday?
My pick: Notre Dame
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