Week seven was one word, weird. Yes, there were comebacks and breakthrough performances. But there were also some upsets. Here are my winners and losers:
Winners:
- LSU Tigers: Wide receiver D.J. returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown. Clutch defensive plays and kicker Connor Culp’s two field goals helped LSU hold off the Auburn Tigers 27-23. If you can figure LSU out, please let me know.
- California Golden Bears: Quarterback Ross Bowers threw for a touchdown and had a rushing touchdown. The defense had nine sacks and caused seven turnovers including five interceptions as the Bears dominated the Washington State Cougars 37-3. Great win for Cal and first year head coach Justin Wilcox.
- Syracuse Orange: Quarterback Eric Dungey threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns. Kicker Cole Murphy’s go-ahead 30-yard field goal helped the Orange stun the Clemson Tigers 27-24. It’s Orange’s first win against the number two team in the country in 13 tries, what a win for them and coach Dino Babers.
- West Virginia Mountaineers: Quarterback Will Grier threw for 352 yards and five touchdowns including the go-ahead to tight end David Sills with just over 3:30 minutes left as West Virginia came back to defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 46-35.
- Texas A&M Aggies: Quarterback Kellen Mond rushed for a touchdown. Kicker Daniel LaCamera had four field goals as the Aggies tamed the Florida Gators 19-17, keeping head coach Kevin Sumlin off the hot seat.
- Virginia Cavaliers: Quarterback Kurt Benkert threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns as the Cavaliers defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 20-14. The Cavs are quietly 5-1, their best start since 2007.
- North Texas Mean Green: Quarterback Mason Fine’s 22-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rico Bussey Jr. in the final seconds capped off a 98-yard drive as they defeated the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners 29-26.
Losers:
- Clemson Tigers: Losing key guys to injury, and the defense’s inability to slow down Syracuse’s offense cost the Tigers in their shocking loss. The defending champs aren’t out of the playoff picture by any stretch. The good news, they get two weeks off to heal up before their next game against Georgia Tech.
- Washington State Cougars: Turnovers and quarterback Luke Falk being sacked nine times were the Cougars’ undoing in their loss to California. It’s going to be a tough hill to climb for the Cougars to get back in the playoff hunt.
- Auburn Tigers: Questionable play-calling on offense cost Auburn as they couldn’t put away LSU.
- Washington Huskies: The Huskies just couldn’t get their offense going in their loss to Arizona State. The Huskies aren’t out of the playoff picture either but they can’t afford another loss.
- Texas Tech Red Raiders: Missed field goals came back to bite the Red Raiders in their loss to West Virginia.
- San Diego State Aztecs: The Aztecs were only 5 for 16 on third downs and the defense not being able to get off the field cost the Aztecs in their loss to the Boise State Broncos 31-14. This puts a damper on the Aztecs’ hopes for a New Year’s Six Bowl berth.
- Tennessee Volunteers: The Vols were stopped on the goal line in the closing seconds, losing a heartbreaker to the South Carolina Gamecocks 15-9. Sending coach Butch Jones’ job security in upheaval.
Storylines Going Into Week Eight:
Memphis meets Houston. Oklahoma State travels to Texas. Iowa State battles Texas Tech. Louisville plays Florida State. Can Syracuse upset Miami?
Michigan State is on upset alert as they host Indiana. UCF will try to keep their New Year’s Six bowl hopes alive at Navy. Oklahoma goes to Kansas State.
Auburn will try to rebound against Arkansas. USC goes to Notre Dame in their annual meeting. Michigan will try to slow down Sequon Barkley and Penn State.