(20) Virginia 9, Miami 17

In the first matchup of week 7, the Hurricanes were able to down the Cavaliers on Friday night. Miami got on the board first after sophomore QB N’Kosi Perry connected with junior RB DeeJay Dallas for a 17-yard touchdown reception. After two field goals by kicker Brian Delaney, Virginia was within one at 7-6 at the start of the fourth quarter. A 19-yard field goal by Hurricanes kicker Turner Davidson gave Miami a 10-6 advantage, but Virginia would answer with another field goal for their last score of the game. A 3-yard touchdown run by Perry with just over two minutes to go in the 4th would secure the victory for Miami. Despite having 326 total yards of offense, Virginia was not able to get in the endzone as they fall to 4-2 on the year. With their second straight loss, the Cavaliers are looking to bounce back next week against Duke.

(13) Oregon 45, Colorado 3

Justin Herbert put together a strong performance with 2 touchdowns, 261 yards and 18 completions on 32 attempts. He would have the Ducks up big at the end of the first half at 24-3 after a 7-yard touchdown reception by senior TE Jacob Breeland, 2 rushing touchdowns by WR Jaylon Reed and RB Cyrus Habibi-Likio and a 32-yard field goal by Camden Lewis. And just like the first half, it would be all Oregon in the second half. Herbert would connect with Reed for a 13-yard touchdown pass and Habibip-Likio would have two more rushing touchdowns to finish the Ducks’ rout of the Buffaloes. Sophomore RB CJ Verdell didn’t get in the endzone in this win, but he still finished with a team-leading 171 yards on 14 carries. This combined with 4 forced interceptions would contribute to Oregon improving to 5-1 on the season.

(1) Alabama 47, Texas A&M 28

Quarterback stud Tua Tagovailoa would throw his first interception of the season against Texas A&M, but his 4 touchdowns and 293 yards would outshine that small blemish in Alabama’s victory. The Aggies struck first with a 1-yard touchdown run by junior Kellen Mond, but two touchdowns by Alabama (31-yard touchdown reception by WR Jaylen Waddle & a 47-yard touchdown reception by WR DeVonta Smith) would give the Crimson Tide a 14-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Texas A&M would tack on two more field goals in the second quarter, but a 35-yard field goal by Alabama kicker Joseph Bulovas and a 16-yard touchdown reception by RB Najee Harris would put Alabama up 24-13 at the end of the first half. Another field goal by Bulovas, a 33-yard touchdown reception by WR Henry Ruggs III, a 2-yard rushing touchdown by RB Brian Robinson Jr., and a blocked punt return by WR Tyrell Shavers (talk about spreading the ball around) would help Alabama keep their streak of 40+ ppg in every game this season.

Florida State 14, (2) Clemson 45

Clemson would get their 21st straight victory in their rout over Florida State. Clemson would rack up 42 points before the Seminoles would get their first score of the game. QB Trevor Lawerence got his squad up early after a 3-yard touchdown pass to RB Travis Etienne, and Lawerence himself would have an 8-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to put the Tigers up 14-0. Two touchdown receptions by sophomore WR Justyn Ross would push Clemson’s advantage to 28-0 at the end of the first half. A 29-yard touchdown run by WR Amari Rodgers and a 38-yard interception return by CB Derion Kendrick would add to Clemson’s damage. Florida State would finally get on the board after QB Alex Hornibrook found sophomore WR Tamorrion Terry for a 64-yard touchdown pass. A 40-yard touchdown run by sophomore RB Khalan Laborn would be nowhere near enough to help the Seminoles overcome a powerful Clemson team that stays undefeated at 6-0.

South Carolina 20, (3) Georgia 17

In a double-overtime thriller that nobody saw coming, the Gamecocks were able to stun the crowd in Georgia with a battle of field goals. South Carolina would take an early 7-3 lead after freshman QB Ryan Hilinski connected with senior WR Bryan Edwards for a 46-yard touchdown pass. Junior RB D’Andre Swift would give Georgia the lead in the second quarter after a 1-yard touchdown run, but a 49-yard field goal by kicker Parker White and a 53-yard interception return by DB Israel Mukuamu (who had 3 interceptions in this game, yeah, I know, 3), would give South Carolina a 17-10 lead at the end of the first half. Quarterback Jake Fromm would tie the game after a 6-yard touchdown pass to WR Demetris Robertson with less than 2 minutes to go, which would eventually force overtime. Fromm’s interception woes continued past regulation after he was picked off by Mukuamu for the third time (told you), but a missed field goal by arguably one of the best kickers in the country Rodrigo Blankenship would be all the talk at the end of this game. Georgia was handed their first loss of the season in heartbreaking fashion, despite having 450+ yards of offense.

(6) Oklahoma 34, (11) Texas 27

Oklahoma’s defense along with a strong performance by Jalen Hurts helped lift the Sooners over Texas Tech in the Red River Shootout. Oklahoma struck first with a 1-yard touchdown reception by WR CeeDee Lamb. A 49-yard field goal by kicker Cameron Dicker as time expired in the 2nd quarter would put Texas on the board with a 10-3 deficit. The Longhorns would tie the game in the third quarter after a 4-yard touchdown run by Roschon Johnson. Hurts would find Lamb again for a 51-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, and that combined with a 34-yard field goal by kicker Gabe Brkic would give Oklahoma a 20-10 lead. Texas QB Sam Ehlinger would have a 2-yard rushing touchdown as time expired in the 3rd quarter to cut the Longhorns deficit to 20-17. Hurts and Lamb would connect for the third time for a 27-yard touchdown pass to extend their lead. Another field goal by Dicker and another touchdown run by Ehlinger wouldn’t be enough for Texas to overcome Oklahoma. The Sooners stay undefeated at 6-0 and Texas was handed their second loss of the season at 4-2.

(16) Michigan 42, Illinois 25

Michigan dominated this game early, going up 28-0 in the second quarter after 2 rushing touchdowns (by RB Hassan Haskins and RB Zach Charbonnet) and two passing touchdowns by QB Shea Patterson (caught by TE Nick Eubanks and TE Luke Schoonmaker). Illinois got on the board with less than a minute to go in the second quarter on QB Matt Robinson’s only touchdown pass of the day to WR Josh Imatorbhebhe for 23-yards. Illinois would have the only scoring plays in the third quarter with a 50-yard field goal by kicker James McCourt and a 1-yard touchdown run by Robinson, which would cut their deficit to 28-17. The Fighting Illini would get even closer in the fourth quarter after a 1-yard touchdown run by RB Dre Brown, and after a successful 2-pt conversion Michigan’s lead was cut to 28-25. But Michigan would run away with the lead after a 5-yard touchdown reception by WR Donovan Peoples-Jones and Patterson’s 2nd rushing touchdown of the day. Despite the late surge by Illinois., the Michigan defense would hold them to only 64 rushing yards. That defense is going to have to show up again next weekend if the 5-1 Wolverines want to beat undefeated Penn State.

(23) Memphis 28, Temple 30

Temple continues to play upset this season with their narrow victory over Memphis. Temple jumped ahead early, building a 16-0 lead after 3 field goals by kicker Will Mobley and a 1-yard rushing touchdown by RB Jager Gardner. Memphis would try to cut their deficit after a 14-yard touchdown pass from QB Brady White to WR Damonte Coxie, putting them down 16-7 in the second quarter. But Temple would answer with a 12-yard touchdown reception by WR Isaiah Wright, pushing their lead to 23-7. Memphis would end the first half with a 25-yard touchdown run by RB Kenneth Gainwell, but they would need more to overcome their deficit of 23-14. They would inch closer to taking the lead after a 23-yard touchdown run by RB Kylan Watkins, cutting Temple’s lead to 23-21. Quarterback Branden Mack would give the Owls some breathing room in the 4th quarter after a 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Branden Mack. Memphis would continue their hopes for a comeback after a 3-yard touchdown reception by TE Tyce Daniel. But the Temple defense would step up (despite allowing over 400+ yards of offense) and hold off Memphis for the win as both teams leave with a 5-1 record on the season so far.

Michigan State 0, (8) Wisconsin 38

Wisconsin got their 4th shutout win of the year with their rout of Michigan State. The Badgers’ defense held MSU to 149 total yards of offense, including an underwhelming 30 total rushing yards. Wisconsin’s run game would have no problem as they would finish with a combined 222 yards on the ground, led by RB Jonathan Taylor (no surprise there) with 88 yards and 2 touchdowns. Taylor didn’t slow down from last week’s effort, opening Wisconsin’s scoring effort with a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Quarterback Jack Coan would only have one passing touchdown on the day, and that would be to WR Quintez Cephus for 19-yards. A 29-yard field goal by kicker Collin Larsh would have Wisconsin feeling comfortable with a 17-0 lead at the end of the first half. Taylor would have his second touchdown of the day with a 1-yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter. Linebacker Zack Baun would pick off MSU QB Rocky Lombardi for a 34-yard interception return, and to add insult to injury, WR Kendric Pryor would have a 66-yard touchdown run to finish the Badgers’ continued dominance. Wisconsin cruised to their 6th victory of the season as Michigan State falls to 4-3.

Washington State 34, (18) Arizona State 38

The Sun Devils continue to be a factor this season in their narrow victory over the struggling Washington State Cougars. Washington State did have an early lead, going up 10-0 in the first quarter after a 35-yard touchdown pass from QB Anthony Gordon to WR Travell Harris and a 33-yard field goal by kicker Blake Mazza. ASU would cut their deficit in the 2nd quarter after a 40-yard touchdown reception by WR Brandon Aiyuk, but a 2-yard touchdown reception by WR Dezmon Patmon would boost the Cougars lead back to 10 at 17-7. Daniels would find Aiyuk again for an 86-yard touchdown pass, and a 31-yard field goal by Christian Zendejas would even the score at 17 at the end of the first half. The Sun Devils would get their first lead after a 32-yard touchdown run by RB Eno Benjamin, giving them a 24-17 advantage. But a 2-yard touchdown reception by WR Easop Winston Jr. and a 2-yard touchdown run by RB Max Borghi would give WSU the lead back at 31-24. Daniels would connect with Aiyuk for his 3rd touchdown of the day with a 33-yard pass to tie the game at 31 in the 4th quarter. A 31-yard field goal by kicker Blake Mazza would give the Cougars a 34-31 lead with just over 2 minutes, but a 17-yard touchdown run by Daniels with 34 seconds to go would seal the victory for ASU as they improve to 5-1.

(25) Cincinnati 38, Houston 23

The now 5-1 Cincinnati Bearcats would hold off Houston for back-to-back victories. A 13-yard touchdown run by QB Desmond Ridder and a 75-yard touchdown reception by WR Rashad Medaris would give Cincinnati a 14-3 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. Houston would cut their deficit with a 50-yard touchdown pass by QB Bryson Smith to WR Jeremy Singleton, but a 15-yard touchdown reception by TE Joshua Deguara would give the Bearcats a 21-10 advantage at the end of the first half. Houston would have the only scoring play in the third quarter with a 69-yard touchdown pass hauled in by WR Marquez Stevenson, cutting Cincinnati’s lead to 21-17. Cincinnati would try to build some distance in their lead with an 11-yard touchdown reception by RB Michael Warren II, but QB Clayton Tune would connect with TE Christian Trahan for a 6-yard touchdown pass to keep their deficit at 5. A 32-yard field goal by kicker Sam Crosa and a 2-yard interception return by LB Perry Young would seal the victory for Cincinnati as Houston falls to 2-4.

Texas Tech 30, (22) Baylor 33

In a double-overtime battle, Baylor was able to overcome Texas Tech. The first half was all field goals, with 2 by Texas Tech and 1 by Baylor, giving Texas Tech a 6-3 lead at the end of the first half. Baylor QB Charlie Brewer would score the first touchdown of the day on a 4-yard run in the third quarter, and RB Sarodorick Thompson would answer with his own 4-yard rushing touchdown to give the Red Raiders a 13-10 lead. Charlie Brewer would have his 2nd rushing touchdown of the game in the third quarter, giving Baylor the advantage at 17-13 at the end of the third quarter. A 30-yard rushing touchdown by Thomspon and a 19-yard field goal by Baylor kicker John Mayers as time expired in regulation would send this game to overtime. Another rushing touchdown by Brewer and a 2-yard touchdown reception by WR T.J. Vasher would then send the game into 2nd overtime at 27-27. But RB JaMycal Hasty would give Baylor the win after a 5-yard touchdown as Baylor stays perfect at 6-0.

Hawai’i 37, (14) Boise State 59

Boise State dominated Hawai’i late Saturday night as they continue to succeed under the radar at 6-0. After leading 14-7 at the end of the first half, Boise State was looking to run away with the lead in the 2nd quarter. And after a 38-yard field goal by Eric Sachse, a 33-yard touchdown reception by WR Khalil Shakir and a 13-yard touchdown run by RB Robert Mahome the Broncos had a 31-7 lead. The Rainbow Warriors cut their deficit to 31-14 at the end of the first half after a 21-yard touchdown reception by WR Marquise Stovall. BSU would continue to build their lead in the second half after two passing touchdowns by two different QBs (Chase Cord for 42 yards and Jaylon Henderson for 25 yards). Cord would connect again as time expired in the 3rd quarter for an 8-yard touchdown pass to RB George Holani. Hawai’i would have three touchdowns in the second half including a 50-yard touchdown pass by backup QB Chevan Cordeiro, but it wouldn’t be enough to stop a lights-out BSU offense that put up over 500 combined yards.

(15) Utah 52, Oregon State 7

The Utes absolutely dominated in every sense of the word in their victory over Oregon State. Utah came out hot right out of the gate with a 91-yard touchdown run by RB Zack Moss and two 20+ yard touchdown passes by QB Tyler Huntley. And on the other side of the ball, the defense forced a 64-yard interception return while holding the Oregon State offense to only 217 total yards on offense, including 48 total rushing yards. 3 more rushing touchdowns and a 42-yard field goal by kicker Jadon Redding would complete the blowout victory for Utah. Now 5-1 Utah finished with over 500 yards of total offense and they’ll need to stay hot if they want to beat an under the radar Arizona State next Saturday.

Louisville 62, (19) Wake Forest 59 

The newly ranked Wake Forest was handed their first loss in a wild game over Louisville. Louisville had a 21-7 lead in the first quarter, including an explosive 100-yard kickoff return by sophomore RB Hassan Hall. Wake Forest would try to come back in the second quarter after a 31-yard touchdown reception by WR Sage Surratt and a 1-yard touchdown run by RB Cade Carney, but a 32-yard field goal by Louisville would give the Cardinals a 31-21 advantage. Surratt would try to help his team with his 3rd touchdown pass of the day in the 3rd quarter, cutting their deficit to 38-28. Louisville would answer with an 8-yard touchdown run by Hall. Despite 4 touchdowns in the fourth quarter and 668 yards of total offense, Wake Forest would come up just short of the win and fall to 5-1.

(10) Penn State 17, (17) Iowa 12

Penn State narrowly escaped their first loss of the year in a close victory over Iowa. Despite only having two field goals to show for their offensive effort in the first half (one for 47-yards and one for 24-yards), Iowa was only down 7-6 at halftime after a 22-yard touchdown reception by WR KJ Hamler. The only scoring highlight in the third quarter was a 33-yard field goal by kicker Jake Pinegar, pushing their lead to 10-6. A 5-yard touchdown run by RB Noah Cain would give the Nittany Lions some breathing room with a 17-6 lead. The Hawkeyes would attempt to come back with a 33-yard touchdown pass from QB Nate Stanley to WR Brandon Smith, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Nittany Lions stay undefeated at 6-0 and Iowa falls to 4-2.

(7) Florida 28, (5) LSU 42

A much-anticipated matchup did not disappoint. A back-and-forth battle early on led the game to be tied at 21 at the end of the first half. This scoring effort for LSU would include two short passing touchdowns from QB Joe Burrow and a 39-yard touchdown run by RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire. For Florida, QB Kyle Trask would connect 3 times for 3 short touchdown passes, one each to WR Trevon Grimes, RB Lamical Perine, and WR Van Jefferson. Trask would find Jefferson again in the 3rd quarter for a 2-yard touchdown pass, but that would end their scoring efforts for the day. The Tigers would have two rushing touchdowns, including a 33-yard run by Tyron Davis-Price and a 5-yard run for Edwards-Helaire’s second touchdown of the game. Burrow would seal the deal with a 54-yard touchdown pass to WR Ja’Marr Chase in the 4th quarter. The Tigers stay perfect at 6-0 and hand the Gators their first loss of the year ar 6-1.

USC 27, (9) Notre Dame 30 

A 3 score 2nd quarter would be a crucial factor in the Irish’s win over USC. Notre Dame would erase an early 3-0 lead by USC with a 10-yard touchdown pass by Ian Book, a 51-yard touchdown run by WR Braden Lenzy and a 45-yard field goal by kicker Jonathan Doerer. giving the Irish a 17-3 lead at the end of the first half. A 27-yard field goal and a 38-yard touchdown pass by QB Kedon Slovis would put USC back in a one-score game at 20-13. Doerer would expand Notre Dame’s lead with a 43-yard field goal in the 4th quarter, but the Trojans would answer with a 5-yard touchdown reception by WR Tyler Vaughns. Quarterback Ian Book had an 8-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth to give the Irish a 10 point lead. And despite a 2-yard touchdown run by RB Markese Step with just over a minute to go, the Irish would walk away winners with a 5-1 record.

Fan Review: This weekend was full of all-around excitement. Two double overtimes, an upset for a top 3 team, battles between powerhouses, and impressive performances by the Heisman frontrunners. As we get deeper into the season and get more matchups within the top 25, it’s almost guaranteed that this excitement and entertainment will continue.

Player Of The Week: LSU QB Joe Burrow. Burrow has been impressive every week so far and is showing no signs of slowing down. He’s putting up big numbers every week to help carry his squad to an undefeated record and is still not getting the credit he deserves. Burrow has rightly asserted himself into the Heisman conversation and is a force to be reckoned with.

Next Week’s Best Matchup: (16) Michigan vs (7) Penn State. After a slow start to the season, Michigan has picked up the pace and is looking to prove themselves as a strong opponent. An undefeated Penn State team is likely the biggest test of their season so far, and this game is sure to be a battle and I am expecting a narrow victory for Michigan.

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