Generally it’s the sleepy Saturdays that get you.
The traps have been clear: Maryland has been leaking oil the final 5 weeks. They’ve misplaced inexplicably and embarrassingly. Ames is at all times a tough place to play for any extremely ranked convention opponent. And Oregon State, with moist climate at house, had as a lot of a purpose to be ticked off as any crew within the nation concerning how Washington helped convey the tip of the Pac-12. The mark of an awesome crew is seeing the traps and never getting caught in them. That’s what Michigan, Texas, and Washington did on this penultimate Saturday of the common season.
The Wolverines notched win No. 1,000 within the course of, and triumphed for the second time with out Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines. They wanted two safeties and a Taulia Tagovailoa fumble ultimately zone to do it, however they took benefit of the breaks they received and performed complementary football to bail out a passing offense that wasn’t giving a lot in the way in which of explosive outputs (once more).
Nick Wass/AP
There have been questions on how Texas would fare with out Jonathan Brooks, however they received greater than sufficient offense from their different talent gamers and one other huge defensive effort from T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy on the within to win. Sweat’s blocked further level within the second half was returned for 2 factors, and helped Texas acquire some a lot wanted respiration room. Washington held on whereas taking Oregon State’s greatest punches all night time when their very own passing sport failed to attach in depressing situations. You’d assume Washington could be used to taking part in within the rain, however they seemed out of kinds all through. None of that issues so long as you win, although.
These wins protect a hefty quantity of drama coming down the stretch. No stakes want be defined for undefeated Michigan vs. undefeated Ohio State. However Texas nonetheless has its Playoff hopes alive and Washington continues to be unblemished with the Apple Cup and a possible tilt with Oregon within the Pac-12 championship sport all however assured. It’s all as a result of no traps received sprung at the moment.
SI High 10
1. Georgia
These totally different Dawgs proceed to show that they are going to win with offense, though their protection didn’t play half dangerous within the 38–10 drubbing of Tennessee. Carson Beck, at this level, is a licensed good quarterback, and provides Georgia a dimension they haven’t had the previous few years.
2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes are taking part in actually good football. Whereas Michigan has taken up all of the vitality and headlines within the Huge Ten as of late, their huge sport subsequent week will decide the nationwide title aspirations for each groups, simply correctly.
3. Florida State
On senior day in Tallahassee, Jordan Travis’s serious-looking leg damage was a heartbreaking manner for the Noles to finish their house season. Whereas their Playoff hopes are one factor, Travis’s well being and wellbeing are one other.
4. Michigan
The Wolverines performed their second sport in opposition to an opponent with a pulse on Saturday and the outcomes have been the identical: not a lot passing sport however sufficient protection to win. Will that be sufficient in opposition to Ohio State?
5. Texas
The Longhorns haven’t seemed as explosive over the previous few weeks on offense, however they maintain successful. And for a Texas program that lengthy lacked this killer intuition once they didn’t have their greatest, it’s an enormous step in the suitable route.
6. Washington
Bless the rains down in Corvallis. They gave Washington fairly the quantity of adversity. However Oregon State bowed down ultimately as UW’s dream season continues.
7. Oregon
Possibly the Geese have one thing to show, as a result of they maintain burying groups. Little doubt about it in opposition to Arizona State at the moment. Now, Oregon State beckons.
8. Alabama
The Tide had FCS UT-Chattanooga at house at the moment. No sweat, on to the Iron Bowl.
9. Louisville
The Cardinals needed to outlast Miami in an in depth sport, however regardless of some sloppy play, their faint hope at a Playoff berth stays.
10. Missouri
The Tigers survived Florida at house because the Gators took them to the wire. However Mizzou has proved this season they’re a unique crew than they’ve been in years previous.
SI gamers of the week
Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia, T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
- Bell threw for a landing and caught a landing along with 90 yards receiving and 34 yards speeding. An all-around nice day for the wideout.
- What Sweat (and his defensive position cohort Murphy) do can not typically be measured on the statsheet, however these guys are the rationale Texas’ protection has a innovative this season for sure.
Did you see that?
-The turnover props are excellent:
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) November 19, 2023
- Darude got here to Columbia to play “Sandstorm” dwell. It didn’t disappoint:
Darude!! pic.twitter.com/mmPS5SxAOU
— GamecockCentral.com (@GamecockCentral) November 19, 2023
- Chip Kelly is each opponent who has to play Caleb Williams:
— no context school football (@nocontextcfb) November 19, 2023
- Talmage Gunther working out along with his child on senior day is the healthful factor you have to see at the moment:
core reminiscence: working out with Dad on his Senior Day🥹 pic.twitter.com/DIzq9v277s
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 18, 2023
- Jordan Travis.
Jordan Travis, from his hospital mattress, reacts to his fellow #FSU QB Brock Glenn’s first TD as a Seminole pic.twitter.com/UVeYznIXK6
— Zach Blostein (@ZBlostein247) November 19, 2023
