Around the CFB World Week Nine

Headlines

1. Little Apple, Big Upset

The first big domino in the College Football Playoff picture fell when Kansas State topped Oklahoma 48-41, putting a major dent in Oklahoma’s playoff outlook. K-State won two critical battles, turnovers and time of possession, capitalizing on two Sooner turnovers and holding the ball for 38 minutes compared to Oklahoma’s roughly 22 minutes. At one point the Wildcats were up twenty points, only to see the Sooners attempt a furious comeback in the fourth quarter.

2. Biggest, Baddest, Buckeyes

Even after Wisconsin was upset a week earlier by Illinois, the matchup against Ohio State looked promising. Early in the third quarter it looked like a game with Wisconsin down just 10-7. However, the Buckeyes proved why they are one of the nations elite going on to win 38-7. The star was defensive end Chris Young who had four sacks and two forced fumbles in the win.

3. The Full Miles

Les Miles added another crazy win to his resume, this time against Texas Tech. With 13 seconds remaining, KU’s field goal attempt, which would have given the Jayhawks the lead, was blocked by Texas Tech. Tech picked up the lose ball and then fumbled it, with Kansas recovering and two seconds remaining on the clock, and another chance to kick the field goal. On the second attempt, there was no chaos, as the kick went through the uprights for the 37-34 win, the first Big 12 win on the year for the Jayhawks.

Taillines

1. Most decidedly not back

Even with two losses, both to top-10 teams, the Longhorns looked very much alive to finish out the season on a high note. That plan came to a halt in a 37-27 loss to TCU. Even with a banged up team, UT actually took a lead into the half but scored just ten points over the final two periods.

2. Rivalry not really renewed

Michigan-Notre Dame was a game worth circling before the season. This time of the year, not so much. The Wolverines won the game 45-14, holding a 17-0 lead entering the half and scoring 21 fourth quarter points to pull away from the Irish.

3. Teasing Tigers

One of the most confusing teams of the 2019 season are the Missouri Tigers. At home the Tigers have solid wins against West Virginia, South Carolina and Ole Miss. The road is a different story where the Tigers are 0-3. In the latest installment, Mizzou was whooped by Kentucky 29-7 in Lexington by the Wildcats.

Notes

• Another week, another game in Clemson returning to form. The Tigers took care of Boston College in a 59-7 win. Trevor Lawrence had three touchdowns and no turnovers. Travis Ettiene had three rushing scores.
• It wasn’t the most dominant win, but Penn State remained undefeated with a 28-7 win at Michigan State. Sean Clifford threw for all four PSU scores, as the Nittany Lions scored 28 unanswered to start the game.
• Oregon continues to distinguish itself as the team to beat in the Pac-12. Although the Ducks led Washington State for most of the game, a Cougar touchdown with one minute to go had Mike Leach’s squad poised for victory. In response, Justin Herbert would lead the Ducks down field and set up Camden Lewis for a 26 yard game winning field goal at the gun, giving Oregon a 37-35 win.
• If Texas is not back, Nebraska is most certainly not back. In the loss to Indiana, the Huskers took a four point lead into the half only to be outscored 22-10 in the second half, losing 38-31.
• The surprise undefeated teams of 2019, SMU, Appalachian State, and Minnesota remained unbeaten with wins over Houston, South Alabama, and Maryland, respectively.