Results of Last Week's Games to Watch
1. #6 TCU Horned Frogs @ #5 Oklahoma Sooners
A game that pitted the two best teams in the Big 12 Conference turned out to be very one-sided.
Oklahoma possesses the best offense in the nation as quarterback Baker Mayfield and his squadron of receivers have made mincemeat of opposing defenses since the first game of the season. The Sooners began this game with a productive drive that ended in a great 49 yard field goal by kicker Austin Seibert.
The Horned Frogs responded in excellent fashion with a drive that was as fast as it was exhilarating. Quarterback Kenny Hill completed a pass to wide open running back Kyle Hicks who zigged and zagged his way down the field for a 62 yard gain. TCU found the endzone on the next play when running back Darius Anderson broke through the defensive line and ran in for a 13 yard touchdown.
But not about to disappoint the home crowd, the Sooners offense was getting set to light up the scoreboard. Mayfield completed 3 of 4 passes during the drive for 63 yards, the bulk of which came on a 46 yard completion to CeeDee Lamb. Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson zoomed into the endzone for a 15 yard TD and the Sooners led 10-7.
The Horned Frogs hopped into the redzone on the ensuing possession after just 4 plays but could not break into the endzone. Backup kicker Ryan Graf came up to attempt a 25 yard field goal, which I found strange because starting kicker Jonathan Song appeared to not be injured. Graf made the 25 yarder but it was called back after a false start penalty on TCU. The ball was moved back 5 yards due to the penalty and Graf went on to miss the 30 yarder.
It's never a good idea to come up empty in the redzone against the Sooners and the Horned Frogs paid dearly for it. Baker Mayfield again completed 3 of 4 passes, this time for a total of 80 yards! The last completion was a brilliantly placed pass to tight end Grant Calcaterra who caught it in the back of the endzone for an awe-inspiring touchdown. Mayfield's 1st touchdown pass of the day proved why he is one of, if not the best, quarterbacks in the nation.
Mayfield continued to be red-hot the rest of the first half, while the TCU offense was cold as ice most of the time. Oklahoma scored touchdowns on 3 of their next 4 possessions while TCU could muster only 7 points in that span. All 3 of Oklahoma's touchdowns involved running back Rodney Anderson. The first was a 25 yard touchdown run by Anderson. The next 2 were completions from Mayfield to Anderson, where the speedy running back made sweet moves after the catch to score eye-catching touchdowns.
The score at the break saw Oklahoma holding a massive 38-14 lead and the 2nd half would do little to change that.
Final Score: Oklahoma 38, TCU 20
2. #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ #7 Miami Hurricanes
Also vying for the position of the most highly anticipated matchup of the weekend was this showdown in south Florida. Notre Dame and Miami are longtime rivals, having competed in a series of very important and sometimes contentious games in the 80's and 90's. Just how important were the games in that time frame? Well, the winners of Notre Dame vs. Miami in '87, '88, and '89 went on to WIN the national championship!
After a break of many years, this matchup had returned to being nationally relevant and one team used the opportunity wisely.
The best way to illustrate how the game went is to describe what has become known as the Miami turnover chain. The turnover chain is a golden and diamond-studded piece of hardware awarded, albeit temporarily, to a member of the Miami defense who secures a turnover.
No one kept the turnover chain for long on Saturday, as there were plently of turnovers to go around. Three different players were given the chain in the first half alone, as 3 Miami defenders snagged an interception. Shortly after Miami took a 7-0 lead, Jaquan Johnson grabbed the first interception off Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush. Two plays later. the Hurricanes extended the lead when quarterback Malik Rozier used a couple nifty moves to score a 15 yard touchdown.
Early in the 2nd quarter, Miami's lead became 17-0 after a field goal by Michael Badgely. Later in the quarter, defensive back Malek Young intercepted a pass, setting up the Miami offensive with a very short field. The Hurricanes would be held to a field goal but their lead extended to 20.
Wimbush kept on struggling mightily which became most apparent when he was intercepted again late in the half by freshman defensive back Trajan Brady. Brady raced down the right sideline and returned the interception for a touchdown, giving Miami a 27-0 lead at the half.
Defense for Miami continued to be strong in the 2nd half, holding Notre Dame to a grand total of 8 points. Overall, it was like a gale-force wind had come into the stadium and blown the Fighting Irish all the way back to Indiana.
Final Score: Miami 41, Notre Dame 8
Most Exciting Game of the Week
#15 Oklahoma State Cowboys @ #21 Iowa State Cyclones
Both teams were coming off a disappointing loss and were looking to bounce back and keep themselves in the race for the Big 12 title.
Scoring came at a steady pace in the 1st half. Each team scored 3 touchdowns, knotting the score up at 21 all going into halftime. The biggest development came when Iowa State's quarterback Kyle Kempt got injured at the end of the Cyclones' 2nd to last drive of the half. Quarterback duties for Iowa State the rest of the way would have to be shared between running quarterback Joel Lanning and pocket passer Zeb Noland.
Action in the 2nd half got started in a hurry during the opening drive by the Cowboys. The usual suspects, quarterback Mason Rudolph and running back Justice Hill, fueled the drive. During the drive, Rudolph completed 4 of 5 passes for 50 yards while Hill's 4 carries for only 8 yards eventually caused the Cowboys to stall in the redzone. Oklahoma State kicker Matt Ammendola converted the resulting field goal but Iowa State now had a chance to take the lead.
Despite being a backup, Zeb Noland performed admirably well, completing 3 of 4 passes for 25 yards. Aided by a total of 25 yards of penalties assessed against the Cowboys, this was enough to get the ball into the redzone for the Cyclones. Iowa State running back David Montgomery ran the ball on the next 2 plays, bull rushing his way into the endzone for a touchdown on the 2nd.
With Iowa State now leading 28-24, the teams traded punts on the next 2 possessions. One minute remained in the 3rd quarter when Oklahoma State's next productive drive began. As he has countless times this year, Rudolph threw a pass over the middle to a wide-open receiver. Receiver Jalen McCleskey caught the ball and used his speed to reach the left side of the field and tightrope the sideline all the way down to the 1 yard line. After this 81 yard gain, Justice Hill barrelled his way into the endzone to give Oklahoma State a 31-28 lead.
On the Cyclones' ensuing drive, Noland picked up where he left off, completing each of his first 3 passes to get the Iowa State offense down to the Oklahoma State 28 yard line. On the resulting 1st and 10, Montgomery gained 6 yards on a running play after which running quarterback Joel Lanning entered the game. Lanning caught the shotgun snap on the next play, but instead of running, he threw the ball towards the endzone where top receiver Allen Lazard was locked in tight coverage. Lazard was close to the sideline and the defensive back was all over him. Despite this, Lazard managed to tip the ball away from the defender and caught the ball with his other hand for the touchdown. Iowa State fans pumped their arms and jumped up and down with wild abandon.
Oklahoma State's next drive ended in a field goal that brought the Cowboys within 1. Iowa State responded with a touchdown drive powered by more stellar play by Noland and another touchdown run by Montgomery.
With their opponents now leading 42-34, Oklahoma State knew they had to act fast. Rudolph proved he is the leader of this team by remaining cool, calm, and collected. He started off the drive with a 22 yard completion to star wide receiver James Washington.
Rudolph connected with his receivers on 2 of his next 3 passes and, aided by a 22 yard run by Hill, the Cowboys looked to be headed for the endzone again. A 30 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcell Ateman confirmed my suspicions. Oklahoma State went for 2 and cashed in on a short run by Hill.
Unexpectedly, the Cyclones went three-and-out on their next possession and the Cowboys would make them pay. Rudolph remained dominant against the Iowa State defense, making sure his team would take the lead with yet another touchdown drive.
Now trailing 49-42, Iowa State's offense didn't get moving again until their last chance drive at the end of the 4th quarter. Despite reaching the Oklahoma State 4 yard line, Iowa State came up short of the comeback when Noland's pass was intercepted in the endzone.
The faithful and resilient Iowa State fans soon left the stadium, bravely stomaching another heartbreaking loss. Despite this defeat, Iowa State is still playing their best football in years and I'm sure their loyal fan base will have a lot to cheer about in the future.
Final Score: Oklahoma State 49, Iowa State 42
Scoring came at a steady pace in the 1st half. Each team scored 3 touchdowns, knotting the score up at 21 all going into halftime. The biggest development came when Iowa State's quarterback Kyle Kempt got injured at the end of the Cyclones' 2nd to last drive of the half. Quarterback duties for Iowa State the rest of the way would have to be shared between running quarterback Joel Lanning and pocket passer Zeb Noland.
Action in the 2nd half got started in a hurry during the opening drive by the Cowboys. The usual suspects, quarterback Mason Rudolph and running back Justice Hill, fueled the drive. During the drive, Rudolph completed 4 of 5 passes for 50 yards while Hill's 4 carries for only 8 yards eventually caused the Cowboys to stall in the redzone. Oklahoma State kicker Matt Ammendola converted the resulting field goal but Iowa State now had a chance to take the lead.
Despite being a backup, Zeb Noland performed admirably well, completing 3 of 4 passes for 25 yards. Aided by a total of 25 yards of penalties assessed against the Cowboys, this was enough to get the ball into the redzone for the Cyclones. Iowa State running back David Montgomery ran the ball on the next 2 plays, bull rushing his way into the endzone for a touchdown on the 2nd.
With Iowa State now leading 28-24, the teams traded punts on the next 2 possessions. One minute remained in the 3rd quarter when Oklahoma State's next productive drive began. As he has countless times this year, Rudolph threw a pass over the middle to a wide-open receiver. Receiver Jalen McCleskey caught the ball and used his speed to reach the left side of the field and tightrope the sideline all the way down to the 1 yard line. After this 81 yard gain, Justice Hill barrelled his way into the endzone to give Oklahoma State a 31-28 lead.
On the Cyclones' ensuing drive, Noland picked up where he left off, completing each of his first 3 passes to get the Iowa State offense down to the Oklahoma State 28 yard line. On the resulting 1st and 10, Montgomery gained 6 yards on a running play after which running quarterback Joel Lanning entered the game. Lanning caught the shotgun snap on the next play, but instead of running, he threw the ball towards the endzone where top receiver Allen Lazard was locked in tight coverage. Lazard was close to the sideline and the defensive back was all over him. Despite this, Lazard managed to tip the ball away from the defender and caught the ball with his other hand for the touchdown. Iowa State fans pumped their arms and jumped up and down with wild abandon.
Oklahoma State's next drive ended in a field goal that brought the Cowboys within 1. Iowa State responded with a touchdown drive powered by more stellar play by Noland and another touchdown run by Montgomery.
With their opponents now leading 42-34, Oklahoma State knew they had to act fast. Rudolph proved he is the leader of this team by remaining cool, calm, and collected. He started off the drive with a 22 yard completion to star wide receiver James Washington.
Rudolph connected with his receivers on 2 of his next 3 passes and, aided by a 22 yard run by Hill, the Cowboys looked to be headed for the endzone again. A 30 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcell Ateman confirmed my suspicions. Oklahoma State went for 2 and cashed in on a short run by Hill.
Unexpectedly, the Cyclones went three-and-out on their next possession and the Cowboys would make them pay. Rudolph remained dominant against the Iowa State defense, making sure his team would take the lead with yet another touchdown drive.
Now trailing 49-42, Iowa State's offense didn't get moving again until their last chance drive at the end of the 4th quarter. Despite reaching the Oklahoma State 4 yard line, Iowa State came up short of the comeback when Noland's pass was intercepted in the endzone.
The faithful and resilient Iowa State fans soon left the stadium, bravely stomaching another heartbreaking loss. Despite this defeat, Iowa State is still playing their best football in years and I'm sure their loyal fan base will have a lot to cheer about in the future.
Final Score: Oklahoma State 49, Iowa State 42
Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 12
1. #20 NC State Wolfpack @ Wake Forest Deacons
Wake Forest is fresh off of scoring 54 points in a blowout win over Syracuse while N.C. State just defeated Boston College after losing 2 in a row. Will the Wolfpack claw their way to a 2nd straight road win, making this their best season in recent memory? Or will Wake Forest notch a win over a top 25 team?
My pick: NC State
2. Western Michigan Broncos @ Northern Illinois Huskies
Will the Huskies show they are truly back to being one the best teams in the Mid-American Conference with a convincing home win? Or will Western Michigan channel the confidence gained from last year undefeated regular season to show up strong on the Huskies' turf?
My pick: NOTHERN ILLINOIS
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