Week 9 - Sunday Storylines
Death Valley dumpster fire, Big Game Lane and Bama survives a scare.
Instant Replay
What did we just watch?
Death Valley dumpster fire - Death Valley is supposed to be where opposing teams’ dreams go to die. But on Saturday night, it was only the Tigers’ CFP hopes that went up in smoke.
Texas A&M was frighteningly good on Saturday night as they rolled Brian Kelly’s bunch 49-25. The defensive line ate Garrett Nussmeier alive. Marcel Reed ran like a gazelle through the LSU defense. And KC Concepcion had a RIDICULOUS punt return touchdown.
This Aggies’ team is legit, y’all.
Big Game Lane Kiffin - Lane Kiffin chirped at an OU defender as he did the postgame presser after leading Ole Miss to a big-time 34-26 road win in Norman.
I like to make fun of Kiffin plenty, but he’s done an excellent job of getting this team ready to play this year. QB1 Trinidad Chambliss was effective, finishing with 315 yards and one touchdown, while chipping in 50 rushing yards.
John Mateer had some moments, but he lacked his usual spark. I thought Pete Golding did a nice job of dialing up an effective game plan to limit Mateer’s ability to break off big plays.
Walkin’ in Memphis - Through three quarters, 18th-ranked USF had given Memphis all they could bargain for. The Bulls were gouging Memphis in the run game and looked destined to take control of their American Conference title game fate.
Then the fourth quarter happened.
Memphis rattled off 17-straight fourth-quarter points and stormed back for an improbable victory. USF had one last chance to answer, but came up short on a lengthy field goal attempt.
Did Memphis win this, or did USF lose it? It was a bit of both, but I think USF choked this one away. Great teams find ways to close out games, and today, USF could not get it done.
Memphis is now the frontrunner for the G5 College Football Playoff spot. And that’s pretty dang fun if you ask me!
Vandy wins a nail-biter - Vanderbilt needed every bit of its defense and a little Diego Pavia magic to outlast a visiting Missouri team 17-10.
Pavia was relatively tame by his standards, but punched in the final touchdown that won the game for the ‘Dores. He still found a way to make enough big plays and escape rushes that kept Vandy in some drives. He’s such a fun player to watch.
For Mizzou, this one is going to sting in more ways than one. Not only did the Tigers lose the game, but they lost their starting quarterback to a dislocated ankle injury. No bueno. You hate to see that for someone like Pribula.
With the win, Vandy continues to push the CFP envelope. Talk to your kids about Vanderbilt being in the playoff, y’all.
Bama survives a scare - Alabama needs a few creative Ryan Grubb playcalls and a timely interception to upend a frisky but flawed South Carolina team 29-22.
South Carolina took a 22-14 early fourth-quarter lead, thanks to a dazzling play by LaNorris Sellers. But Bama answered with a game-tying touchdown drive and later strip-sacked Sellers for a turnover.
With the ball and one more bite at the apple, the Crimson Tide did not disappoint. In a big spot, Grubb dialed up a diabolical fake reverse, which saw Germie Bernard take it to the house for the game-winning touchdown.
Alabama is CFP-bound and could be a handful for any team that stands in its way.
Quick Hits
Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby should be ashamed of how he and his team performed down the stretch against Texas. Blowing a 17-point, fourth-quarter lead is unacceptable. Have some damn shame.
UW QB Demond Williams Jr. was a DEMON once again. He made life hell for the Fighting Illini defense, breaking ‘em off for 280 yards, four touchdowns, and 66 yards on the ground. He’s such a fun player to watch.
A week after fumbling on the goal-line against Cal, UNC came up short once again, this time to UVA. The Tar Heels put up an admirable fight, but got stoned on the one-inch line on a two-point conversion attempt in the 17-16 loss.
Kent State knocked off Bowling Green to win a MAC game. Wut?
BYU did it again…this time knocking off Iowa State 41-27. The Cougars are undefeated and look primed to dance with Texas Tech (or maybe Houston?) in the Big 12 title game. What a wild time.
Kansas State drilled Kansas 42-17 to win the Sunflower Showdown. Kansas State QB Avery Johnson outplayed Jaylon Daniels thoroughly. These two teams traded vibes in recent weeks, which is sort of strange to admit.
Don’t look now, but Houston (yes, Houston) is now 7-1 (4-1) after knocking off Arizona State on the road. Willie Fritz has done a heckuva job finding a quarterback and turning things around down in H-town.
A round of applause to former Westside High School quarterback Cole Payton, who led NDSU to a rout over rival SDSU. That man finished with 243 passing yards, 137 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns. You get the game ball, Mr. Payton.