10 things we learned about college football this weekend
Notre Dame came up big and Florida got a signature win this past weekend in college football. Here are 10 things we learned in college football this week.
Notre Dame came up big when it counted
The Irish have earned their share of statement wins during coach Brian Kelly’s tenure, but Saturday’s double-overtime win over top-ranked Clemson could be a defining moment for a program eager to win its first national championship since 1988. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly leads his team out of the tunnel to face visiting Clemson at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
Path to the playoff still clear for Clemson
Clemson saw its streak of 39 consecutive regular-season wins snapped with the loss to Notre Dame, but the Tigers are by no means out of the playoff picture. If Dabo Swinney’s team runs the table, including a win in the ACC championship potentially against the Irish, it likely will to open the door to a Clemson return to the semifinals for the fifth consecutive year. Notre Dame defensive linemen Kurt Hinish (41) and Jayson Ademilola (57) pressure Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
Justin Fields makes his case for the Heisman
Ohio State is 3-0 so far this season thanks in large part to quarterback Justin Fields, who is off to a phenomenal start for the Buckeyes. The junior has completed 86% of his 82 pass attempts for 908 yards with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. Fields unloads a 33-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against Rutgers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Ohio State won, 49-27.
Dan Mullen gets his signature win at Florida
Dan Mullen has won 24 of his first 30 games since arriving at Florida in 2018, including three wins over top-10 teams, but he had not beaten rival Georgia in two previous tries. That changed Saturday after Kyle Trask threw for 474 yards and four touchdowns in a dominant win over the Bulldogs. Mullen and his daughter Breelynn celebrate winning the 2019 Orange Bowl after the Gators beat the University of Virginia on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
USC avoids letdown to remain Pac-12 favorite
SC appeared to sleep-walk its way through the first 57 minutes of its game against Arizona State. The Trojans had to score two touchdowns in the final three minutes to overcome a 13-point deficit and salvage a crucial win in the opener. USC quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) passes the ball to Markese Stepp (30) during the first half against Arizona State at Los Angeles Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles.
Indiana, Northwestern remain a pleasant surprise in the Big Ten
Indiana, Northwestern remain a pleasant surprise in the Big Ten
Description: The Hoosiers haven’t played this well since the mid-1980s and Northwestern is 3-0 for the first time since 2015 thanks to a stingy defense that is holding teams to 12 points per game this season. Indiana head coach Tom Allen, top right, celebrates with Devon Matthews (1) after a fourth-quarter interception against Michigan at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
Michigan, Penn State continue to disappoint
The two teams are a combined 1-5 and looked underwhelming in losses Saturday to Indiana and Maryland, respectively. It’s a far cry from both teams starting the season ranked in the top 20 during preseason polls. Indiana defensive back Jamar Johnson (22) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
Texas A&M remains a playoff wild card
The Aggies are 5-1 with four winnable games ahead of them and could finish 9-1, staying in the mix for a top-four spot depending on what happens in the next few weeks. Ainias Smith (0) of the Texas A&M Aggies rushes for a touchdown in the first quarter while defended by Grant Morgan (31) of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Kyle Field on Oct. 31, 2020 in College Station, Texas.
Bedlam could determine the Big 12 champion
The Big 12 championship picture could clear up a bit when Oklahoma State and Oklahoma meet on Nov. 21 during their traditional rivalry series. Oklahoma State owns wins over Iowa State and Kansas State, and a win over the Sooners would set it up for a shot at its first title since 2011. Oklahoma State running back LD Brown (0) carries the ball to the Kansas State 2-yard line during the second half at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
BYU, Cincinnati thrill fans by staying undefeated
BYU and Cincinnati remained perfect Saturday with wins over Boise State and Houston, respectively, giving both teams' fans hope of a possible trip to a New Year’s Six Access Bowl if not a shot at the College Football Playoff semifinals. BYU wide receiver Neil Pau'u pushes across the goal line ahead of Boise State safety Tyreque Jones (21) to score for the Cougars in the third quarter on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.