Sooners’ stumble shakes up title race
Four of the top five teams in the country kicked off their games at noon Eastern on Saturday, which suggests that allwere expected to roll.
No. 2 Clemson, No. 4 Penn State and No. 5 Georgia all did just that. Then therewas No. 3 Oklahoma. The Sooners and Iowa State provided some early drama and the first really big upset of the season. Then No. 13 Miami and Florida State played another classic, with theHurricanes finally getting some satisfaction inthe series. And Mark DantonioandMichigan State scored yet another victory for little brothers.
Thoughts, takedowns and takeaways from Week 6 of the college football season.
1. Themental gymnastics that begin after an upset in college football can strain the brain. Does Oklahoma’s loss to Iowa State kill the Big 12’s College Football Playoff hopes? Andwhat does it mean for No. 10 Ohio State? The Buckeyes lost decisively at home to the Sooners.
2. Too much ball left to play to make any kind of definitive statement, but a reminder: Ohio State lost at hometoaVirginiaTech team that went 6-6 in 2014 and went on to win the national championship. Clemson lost at home to a Pitt team that won eight games before winning it all last season.
3. It’s a bad loss for Oklahoma — the first loss by a top-10 team to an unranked team this season — but not necessarily a deal-breaker when it comes to making the playoff.
4. Iowa State coach Matt Campbell seemed like a home run hire for Iowa State and so far is still very promising.
5. Cyclones quarterback-turned-linebackerJoel Lanning had a performanceGordie Lockbaum would have been proud of. Google Gordie Lockbaum. We’ll wait.
6. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is now1-4 against Michigan State (1-2) and Ohio State (0-2) after the Spartans took down big brotherWolverines for the eighth time in 10 games.
7. Michigan State looked on the verge of collapse after a terrible 2016 season (3-9) andmiserable offseason. The only reason for optimism was coach Mark Dantonio, and wouldn’t you know it, the Spartans are 4-1.
8. The Spartans still look limited offensively, but they are not about to fade away in the tough Big Ten East.
9. Michigan will fall out of the AP top 10. No. 11 Washington Statewill likely be in for the first time since 2003 .
10. No. 8 TCU is the lone remaining unbeaten team in the Big 12 after beating No. 23West Virginia , but it certainly feels as if the Big 12 could getmessy with not a lot of separation between about six teams.
11. West Virginia quarterbackWill Grier came up on the short end of another close game against a good team (Virginia Tech in the opener), but the Florida transfer’s play has been even better than advertised.
12 Now that Miami has cleared that Florida State hurdle, the ‘Canes could be ready to roll. Miami plays only twomore road games, getting No. 21 Notre Dame and No. 16 Virginia Tech at home.
13. Florida State is the best 1-3 teamin the country. Does that help ‘Noles fans?
14. Clemson lost Kelly Bryant to a sprained ankle in a routine victory againstWake Forest. TheTigers play at Syracusenext Friday soifBryant needs a game off that should be a good week to rest.
15. The biggest remaining game in the Atlantic Coast Conference: Clemson at No. 24 North Carolina State on Nov. 4.