The Michigan Wolverines walked into Ohio Stadium as underdogs by greater than a landing. They have been largely with out the providers of star tailback and Heisman candidate Blake Corum. Their coordinators on either side of the ball have been new this season. And they have been going through a Buckeyes group that vowed revenge after dropping to this system they name That Team Up North final season.
As if that wasn’t sufficient, the Wolverines trotted out underclassmen at quarterback and working again, respectively — J.J. McCarthy and Donovan Edwards — in opposition to an Ohio State protection that had been retooled with a brand new scheme and coordinator particularly to win this recreation.
Despite all of this, the Wolverines nonetheless smacked OSU in the mouth, 45-23, for their first win in Columbus since 2000. It was the biggest margin of victory in America’s most intense rivalry in video games on the Shoe since 1976.
With McCarthy throwing for 263 yards and accounting for 4 whole TDs, and with Edwards dashing for 216 yards and two TDs on 21 carries, Michigan laid declare to the title of the perfect football program north of the Mason-Dixon line. Now, with a Big Ten title to defend for the second 12 months in a row, the eyes of the South should marvel if that is going to be the group to beat with convention title video games upon us.
On the opposite facet of this rivalry, the Buckeyes’ loss leaves room for a group ready in the wings.
Does Michigan deserve consideration for No. 1?
RJ Young reacts to the Michigan Wolverines beating the Ohio State Buckeyes in The Game.
The Dawgs dispatched the Yellow Jackets with a workmanlike win. Stetson Bennett tried simply 18 passes for 140 yards because the Dawg protection held Tech scoreless in the second and third quarters.
The query for the Wolverines now’s whether or not they can summon this type of efficiency in the Big Ten Championship Game and presumably the College Football Playoff — notably in the event that they match up in opposition to Georgia.
The Horned Frogs left little question about their prowess in the Big 12 with their 48-point win in opposition to the Cyclones to complete the common season undefeated. With a win in the Big 12 title recreation, they’ll make their first journey to the CFP.
Caleb Williams placed on a present with 4 whole TDs whereas dipping, dodging and spinning away from the ND protection — even placing the Heisman pose simply earlier than halftime — en path to a dominating win.
Williams set this system file for TDs in a season with 44.
No. 6 USC takes down No. 15 Notre Dame
RJ Young reacts to USC’s win over Notre Dame, and ponders the Heisman case for Trojans QB Caleb Williams.
The e-book on C.J. Stroud can be marked by two obvious omissions. If he seems to the NFL, he’ll go away as one of the completed gamers in Ohio State historical past, however with out a win in opposition to Michigan or a visit to the Big Ten title recreation.
Without Heisman contender Hendon Hooker, the Vols offense put up 513 yards of offense because the protection discovered its kind. After giving up 63 to South Carolina final week, they held the Commodores to zero.
Bryce Young appeared just like the reigning Heisman winner, finishing 20 of 30 passes for 343 yards with three TDs and an INT in the Tide’s win over their in-state rival.
The Ducks gave up 21 unanswered factors in the fourth quarter to the Beavers, squandering an excellent passing efficiency from quarterback Bo Nix. The signal-caller completed 27 of 41 for 327 yards with two TDs in the loss.
Oregon State stuns No. 9 Oregon
RJ Young discusses how good the Beavers’ protection appeared close to the tip of their beautiful victory over Oregon.
The Fighting Irish could not cease Williams or the USC dashing assault. They’ll should take solace in realizing they beat the ACC champion — whether or not it is North Carolina or Clemson.
The Gamecocks fought again from a double-digit deficit at halftime to defeat the Tigers for the South Carolina state title and finish Clemson’s 40-game profitable streak at Death Valley.
Going into the ACC title recreation, Clemson’s probabilities of making the playoff are dashed, with the hope of a New Year’s Six bowl bid nonetheless to play for.
Despite getting simply 60 yards from quarterback Ben Gulbranson, who additionally threw two INTs, the Beavers earned their first win in opposition to a top 10-ranked Oregon group in the CFP period.
Behind the legs of Jordan Travis, the Seminoles knocked off their hated in-state rival to punctuate an excellent season for Mike Norvell with their first win in opposition to the Gators since 2016. Travis accomplished 13 of 30 passes for 270 yards with a TD.
The time period “overrated” was coined for video games like this one. After the CFP committee ranked LSU No. 5, the Bayou Bengals responded by dropping to an A&M squad that has woefully underachieved.
However, LSU will get an opportunity to redeem itself in the SEC title in opposition to Georgia on Saturday.
LSU, Clemson knocked off
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RJ Young reacts to the South Carolina Gamecocks’ upset of Clemson, and Texas A&M’s stunner vs. LSU.
Quarterback Cam Rising was frighteningly environment friendly in opposition to the league’s worst group, finishing 17 of 19 passes for 234 yards with three TDs. Running again Ja’Quinden Jackson added 117 rush yards and three TDs on simply 10 carries.
The Gamecocks knocked off one other top-10 group in the CFP rankings in consecutive weeks for the primary time whereas ending the Tigers’ 40–recreation residence profitable streak in Death Valley.
The Longhorns completed their season on a excessive — three wins higher than 2021 — and gave themselves a chance to get 9 wins for the primary time since 2018.
The Boilermakers took full benefit of Iowa’s loss to Nebraska to punch their ticket to the Big Ten title recreation for the primary time in college historical past. Biletnikoff Award semifinalist Charlie Jones caught 4 passes for 143 yards with a TD in the win.
Drake Maye and the Tar Heels got here up quick for the second week in a row in opposition to an ACC opponent. They will look to stamp their season with a tenth win in opposition to the perfect program in their league for the final decade in Clemson in the convention title recreation.
With the win, the Green Wave earned the best to host the convention title recreation in opposition to the Bearcats subsequent weekend and snapped Cincy’s 32-game profitable streak at Nippert Stadium.
The Rebels have been held to only six factors in the second half of their loss, the primary for Lane Kiffin in opposition to Mike Leach in the Egg Bowl.