Week five saw statement games, upsets and some craziness. Here are my winners and losers.
Winners:
- Washington Huskies: Quarterback Jake Browning threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Myles Gaskin rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns as the Huskies pummeled the Stanford Cardinal 44-6. I picked the Huskies, but didn’t expect a beat down. The Huskies have early control of the Pac 12 North.
- Tennessee Volunteers: This seems to be a pattern with the Vols, get down early and make a comeback. They scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, as quarterback Josh Dobbs’ Hail Mary pass to wide receiver Jauan Jennings as time expired, helped the Vols defeat the Georgia Bulldogs 34-31 in a thriller. Maybe we should call them, the Cardiac Vols.
- Michigan Wolverines: In a traditional blue collar Big Ten affair, the Wolverines overcame three missed field goals. Key defensive stops late helped Michigan hold off the Wisconsin Badgers 14-7.
- Clemson Tigers: They gave up a 28-10 lead, but quarterback Deshaun Watson’s go-ahead touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Leggett with just over three minutes left gave the Tigers a 42-36 win over the Louisville Cardinals in an ACC Atlantic shootout. The win gives the Tigers an early edge in that division.
- Oklahoma Sooners: The Sooners did just enough as they were able to defeat the TCU Horned Frogs 52-46 in an early Big 12 battle.
- Western Michigan Broncos: Quarterback Zach Turrell threw for three touchdowns. Running back Jarvion Franklin rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns as the Broncos defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 49-10. Row that boat, Broncos are now 5-0.
Losers:
- Stanford Cardinal: Being 2 for 12 on third downs and held to just 29 rushing yards cost the Cardinal in their loss to Washington.
- Louisville Cardinals: Despite a furious comeback, questionable play calling on offense late deterred the Cardinals from a chance at a win against Clemson. They’re not out of the ACC Atlantic division or the playoff though.
- Wisconsin Badgers: Though their defense kept Michigan’s offense at bay for the most part, quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s three interceptions stalled drives for the Badgers in their loss to the Wolverines.
- Florida State Seminoles: Despite having nearly a ten minute advantage in time of possession, three missed field goals and giving up a game-winning field goal were the Noles’ undoing in their loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels 37-35. The loss snapped the Noles’ 22-game home win streak. Looks like there are issues in Tallahassee. As for the Heels, the Noles are the highest ranked team they’ve beaten since 1996.
- San Diego State Aztecs: The Aztecs just couldn’t get their offense going in their loss to the South Alabama Jaguars 42-24.
- Texas Longhorns: The defense gave up 555 total yards in their loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys 49-31. Unfortunately for Texas, their defense let them down again.
- Michigan State Spartans: The Spartans were upset by the Indiana Hoosiers 24-21, it’s their first loss to the Hoosiers since ’06.
Storylines Going Into Week Six:
In the ACC, Virginia Tech goes to North Carolina. Old in-state rivals clash as Miami hosts Florida State
In the SEC, LSU meets Florida. Tennessee faces another tough test as they travel to Texas A&M. Alabama plays Arkansas
In the Pac 12, Colorado battles USC. Washington plays a reeling Oregon. UCLA collides with Arizona State
An intriguing match-up in the American, South Florida hosts East Carolina.
In the Big 12, bragging rights and perhaps jobs are on the line as Texas and Oklahoma battle in their annual Red Rivalry in Dallas.