Back in business: Badgers run wild following layoff
Despite 2 canceled games, they still look like legitimate contenders for Big Ten title
Notre Dame avoids a letdown. It wasn’t easy, but a battered and bruised Notre Dame team managed to avert a collapse after its thrilling win over Clemson lastweek bydispatchingupset-minded Boston College Saturday. The Irish needed another strong performance out of quarterback IanBookas the offense picked up a tired defense tomove a step closer to a playoff semifinal spot.
Oregon is Pac-12’s best playoff semifinal candidate.
Oregon is a perfect 2-0 despite needing a second-half rally to get past Washington State during the weekend. Mario Cristobal’s Ducks are physical up front, leading the Pac-12 in rushing, but with a limited schedule that is lacking quality games, Oregon needs to win and win big to impress the College Football Playoff selection committee.
No rust onWisconsin as Badgers put Big Ten on notice.
Wisconsin sure didn’t look like a team that hadn’t played in close to amonth as the Badgers ran over, around and through the Michigan defense, torching theWolverines for 341 yards rushing in a dominant win. While there is little room for error for Wisconsin, which had to cancel two games due to a COVID-19 outbreak, the Badgers could be the best team in the BigTen not named Ohio State.
Indiana remains Ohio State’s toughest regular-season test. Nobody outside of Bloomington likely thought Indiana would wind up the feel-good story of the Big Ten, but that’s exactly what the Hoosiers have become after blanking Michigan State to improve to 4-0. Tom Allen has his team believing it can do the impossible and that’s good because that’s what it may take to knock off Ohio State this upcomingweek in Columbus.
Kyle Trask could be the next QB to win the Heisman.
Florida Trask continued his torrid performance this season by throwing six more touchdowns passes during a rout of Arkansas. The Gators standout has 28 touchdowns through six games and is on pace for one of the most impressive seasons by a Gators quarterback. Ifhecontinues to playat anelite level, the senior should be a Heisman Trophy finalist.
alive with It hasn’t been easy for Manny Diaz and the Hurricanes, who found themselves down 13 players for Saturday’s game at Virginia Tech due to COVID-19 issues. Miami trailed at the half for the second consecutive week and needed another stellar second-half performance fromquarterback D’Eriq King to keep any chance of earning a spot in the ACCchampionship game alive.
Miami keeps ACC hopes another comeback.
North Carolina could shake up the ACC race. Sam Howell threw for 550 yards and six touchdowns as North Carolina overcame a 21-point deficit in the second half to power past Wake Forest.
The Tar Heels are set to face Notre Dame and Miami during the next three weeks and while an ACC title seems out of the reach for Mack Brown’s team, North Carolina is dangerous enough to pull off an upset ortwo, shakingupthe championship race.
Being a USC fan isn’t for the faint of heart. Vavae Malepeai scored with 23 seconds left in the game as the Trojans needed another late scoring drive in the final minute to defeat Arizona and remain perfect at 2-0. It’s the second consecutive week during which Clay Helton’s team needed a late rally to pull out awin, scoring 13 points in the final three minutes against Arizona State lastweek.
Never punt on Boise State. Colorado State learned this lesson the hard way Fridaynight after BoiseState blockedthree Rams punts and returned them for touchdowns during a 52-21 win. The Broncos have blocked four kicks through four games this season and are among the best in the nation in that category.
In a year of surprises, Tulsa could be the biggest in the AAC.
The Golden Hurricane may have been picked to finish ninth intheAmericanAthleticConference, but the team sure isn’t playing like it so far. Tulsa has pushed through multiple game cancellations due to COVID to win four games, including upset victories over ranked teams UCF and SMU. Tulsa faces Cincinnati during its regular-season finale and could take down one more team to earn a spot in the AAC championship game.