Week 7 Analysis: The Film Doesn’t Lie

Week seven was full of surprises and three top-10 teams lost. Chip Kelly got the Bruins their first win of the season and Scott Frost is still winless at Nebraska after a fourth quarter meltdown at Northwestern. College football officially lost its best defensive player when Ohio State’s Nick Bosa decided to leave the program to focus on his rehabilitation. Alabama continues to dominate and Ohio State looked vulnerable for the first time all season long. Continue to expect the unexpected in the month of October as we move closer to the first release of the College Fooball Playoff Rankings.

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish had a hard time running the ball on offense, but still pulled out the win to remain undefeated. Sophomore signal-caller Ian Book threw for 264 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Fighting Irish’s defense held the Panthers’ offense scoreless in the second and fourth quarter.

ACC

Boston College: The Eagles’ offense racked up 430 total yards and scored 38 points for the win. Sophomore quarterback Anthony Brown threw for 179 yards and a touchdown. Running backs David Bailey and wide receiver Ben Glines combined for 219 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. The Eagles’ defense held the Cardinals’ offense scoreless in the second half.

Clemson: The Tigers had a bye-week.

Duke: Junior quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 206 yards, three touchdowns and an interception and the Blue Devils won their first conference game of the season. The Blue Devils’ defense forced three turnovers and held the Yellow Jackets’ offense scoreless in the first and third quarter.

Florida State: The Seminoles had a bye-week.

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets couldn’t overcome three costly turnovers and lost their third conference game of the season. Georgia Tech’s defense forced three turnovers and held Duke’s offense scoreless in the second and fourth quarter.

Louisville: The Cardinals’ offense continues to struggle and finished with 47 yards on the ground for the team’s fourth-straight loss. Sophomore signal-caller Jawon Pass threw for 170 yards and an interception Louisville’s defense forced two turnovers.  Louisville is still winless in conference play this season.

Miami: Senior quarterback Malik Rosier threw for 170 yards and an interception. The Hurricanes couldn’t overcome three turnovers and lost their first conference game of the season. Miami’s defense intercepted three passes and held Virginia’s offense scoreless in the first and third quarter.

NC State: The Wolfpack had a bye-week.

North Carolina: The Tar Heels’ offense racked up 522 total yards, but it wasn’t enough and the team lost their second-straight conference game. Junior quarterback Nathan Elliott threw for 147 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore running back Michael Carter rushed for 165 yards and junior tight end Carl Tucker had 123 receiving yards.

Pittsburgh: The Panthers didn’t have enough offense and was limited to 14 points in road loss to the Fighting Irish. Pittsburgh’s defense held Notre Dame’s offense to 80 yards on the ground and forced two turnovers. Sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 126 yards.

Syracuse: The Orange had the a bye-week.

Virginia: Junior quarterback Bryce Perkins threw three interceptions and the Cavalier’s offense was held to 98 yards through the air, but the team still got their second conference win. Virginia’s defense held Miami’s offense scoreless in the first and third quarter.

Virginia Tech: The Hokies’ defense gave up a ton of yards on the road, but forced two turnovers and the team got their third conference win of the season. Junior quarterback Ryan Willis threw for 221 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons had a bye-week.

Big 10

Illinois: The Fighting Illini’s offense struggled to run the ball, scored only seven points and finished with 69 yards on the ground to lose their second conference game of the season. Senior quarterback A.J. Bush threw for 170 yards. Illinois’ defense couldn’t stop the run and got steamrolled for 227 yards.

Indiana: The Hoosiers have lost three of their last four conference games. Indiana’s offense struggled to run the ball and finished with 67 yards on the ground and scored only 16 points. Sophomore signal-caller Peyton Ramsey threw for 263 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Iowa: The Hawkeyes’ racked up 479 yards of total offense and scored 42 points to get the road win. Junior quarterback Nate Stanley threw for 320 yards, six touchdowns and an interception. Tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant combined for eight catches, 208 yards and three touchdowns. Iowa’s defense held Indiana’s offense scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Maryland: The Terrapins’ offense rumbled for 290 yards on the ground to earn their second conference win. Freshman quarterback Kasim Hill threw for three touchdowns and senior running back Ty Johnson rushed for 132 yards and a score. Maryland’s defense forced five turnovers and held Rutgers’ offense scoreless during the first three quarters.

Michigan: The Wolverines’ offense racked up 441 total yards and scored 38 points to remain undefeated in conference play. Junior signal-caller Shea Patterson finished with 214 total yards and senior running back Karan Higdon rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown. Michigan’s defense held Wisconsin’s offense scoreless in the first and third quarter.

Michigan State: The Spartans’ offense piled up 418 total yards in the upset road win over the Nittany Lions. Junior signal-caller Brian Lewerke threw for 259 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Senior wide receiver Felton Davis hauled in eight catches for 100 yards and two scores. Michigan State is now 2-1 in conference play.

Minnesota: The Gophers played the Buckeyes tough for three quarters, but lost their third-straight conference game. Minnesota’s defense limited Ohio State’s offense to 92 yards on the ground. Freshman quarterback Zack Annexstad threw for 218 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Freshman running back Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns and junior wideout Tyler Johnson added had eight catches for 119 yards. Minnesota remains winless in conference play.

Nebraska: The Huskers are 0-6 for the first time ever after their second-straight overtime loss to the Wildcats. The offense racked up 482 total yards and scored 31 points. True freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez threw for 251 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Senior running back Devine Ozigbo rushed for 159 yards and two scores.

Northwestern: The Wildcats’ offense racked up 487 total yards and won their second-straight conference game. Senior quarterback Clayton Thorson threw for 455 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Senior wider receiver Flynn Nagel caught 12 passes for 220 yards and two scores.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes came out sluggish in this game, but played well enough in the second half to remain unblemished on the season. Ohio State’s offense racked 504 total yards. Sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins threw for 412 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Junior wide receiver K.J. Hill hauled in nine passes for 187 yards and two scores. The Buckeyes’ defense forced three turnovers and held Minnesota’s offense scoreless in the second half.

Penn State: Senior signal-caller Trace McSorely broke Penn State’s all-time passing yardage record and finished the game with 192 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Miles Sanders rushed for 162 yards and a score. Penn State’s defense held Michigan State’s offense to 123 yards on the ground, but it wasn’t enough and the Nittany Lions lost their second-straight conference game.

Purdue: The Boilermakers’ offense racked up 611 total yards and scored 46 points to get the road win. Senior quarterback David Blough threw for 377 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Senior running back D.J. Knox rushed for 150 yards and wide receivers Issac Zico and Rondale Moore combined for nine receptions, 228 yards and three touchdowns. Purdue’s defense held Illinois’ offense scoreless during the last three quarters.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights’ offense finished with 179 total yards, including eight yards through the air to remain winless in conference play. True freshman quarterback Artur Sitkowski threw no touchdowns and four interceptions. True freshman running back Isaih Pacheco rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Wisconsin: The Badgers lost their first conference game of the season. Wisconsin’s offense struggled to throw the ball and finished with 100 yards through the air. Junior signal-caller Alex Hornibrook threw two interceptions and sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for 101 yards.

Big 12

Baylor: The Bears’ offense struggled to run the ball and finished with 88 yards on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Charlie Brewer threw for 240 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Baylor’s defense held Texas’ offense scoreless in the second half. Baylor now has two conference losses.

Iowa State: The Cyclones’ offense racked up 498 total yards and scored 30 points to get their second-straight conference win. True freshman signal-caller Brock Purdy threw for 254 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Junior running back David Montgomery rushed for 189 yards and a score. Junior wideout Hakeem Butler caught six balls for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Kansas: The Jayhwaks had a bye-week.

Kansas State: The Wildcats beat their first Power 5 team of the season and snapped a three-game conference losing streak. Sophomore signal-caller Skylar Thompson finished with 210 total yards and junior running back Alex Barnes rushed for 181 yards and four touchdowns.

Oklahoma: The Sooners had a bye-week.

Oklahoma State: The Cowboys’ offense couldn’t put up a touchdown until the fourth quarter and the team has now dropped three of their last four conference games. Senior quarterback Taylor Cornelius threw for 184 yards and two interceptions. Oklahoma State has lost three of its’ last four conference games.

TCU: The Horned Frogs’ offense racked up 411 total yards but couldn’t overcome three costly turnovers and now have lost two of their last three conference games. Sophomore quarterback Shawn Robinson threw for 290 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Senior wideout KaVontae Turpin hauled in six passes for 120 yards and a score.

Texas: The Longhorns scored 23 points in the first half, but was flat the rest of the game and nearly got upset. True sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger left the game early with a undisclosed injury and didn’t return. Junior signal-caller Shane Buechele filled in and threw for 184 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Freshman running back Keaontay Ingram rushed for 110 yards and junior receiver Collin Johnson caught 11 passes for 132 yards and a score. The Longhorns are now the Big 12’s only undefeated team in conference play.

Texas Tech: Kliff Kingsbury has his bunch playing a lot better this season. The Red Raiders’ defense forced three turnovers and held the Horned Frogs’ offense scoreless in the first and third quarter. Sophomore signal-caller Jett Duffey threw for 190 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also added 83 yards on the ground and a rushing score.

West Virginia: The Mountaineers scored a season-low 14 points, finished with only 154 total yards and lost their first game of the season. West Virginia’s offense was held scoreless the entire second half. Senior quarterback Will Grier threw for 100 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Pac 12

Arizona: The Wildcats’ offense struggled to run the ball, racked up 318 total yards and lost their second conference game of the season. Sophomore quarterback Rhett Rodriguez threw for 226 yards and a touchdown.

Arizona State: The Sun Devils had a bye-week.

California: The Golden Bears’ offense scored one touchdown, couldn’t overcome five turnovers and the team lost their third-straight conference game. California’s offense was held scoreless in the first half and fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Mcllwain threw for 168 yards and two interceptions.

Colorado: The Buffaloes suffered their first loss of the season. Colorado’s offense rushed for just 95 yards on the road and was held scoreless in the first and third quarter. Junior quarterback Steven Montez threw for 170 yards and an interception.

Oregon: Junior quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns and the Ducks climbed back into the Pac-12 North race with the overtime home win over the Huskies. Freshman running back CJ Verdell rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown. Junior receiver Dillon Mitchell hauled in eight passes for 119 yards and a score.

Oregon State: The Beavers had a bye-week.

Stanford: The Cardinal had a bye-week.

UCLA: The Bruins’ offense scored 37 points and the team got their first win of the season. Freshman signal-caller Doran Thompson-Robinson threw for 141 yards and senior running back Joshua Kelley rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns.  UCLA’s defense limited California’s offense to seven points and 310 total yards.

USC: The Trojans’ offense struggled to run the ball, but the team took control of the Pac-12 South with the win over the Buffaloes. True freshman quarterback JT Daniels threw for 272 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Junior receiver Michael Pittman Jr. hauled in five passes for 144 yards and two scores.

Utah: The Utes’ offense racked up 495 total yards, including 230 on the ground and the team got their second-straight conference win. Utah’s defense limited Arizona’s offense to 72 yards on the ground and scoreless in the first half. Junior signal-caller Tyler Huntley threw for 201 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Washington: The Huskies’ offense racked up 437 total yards, but the team lost their first conference game of the season. Senior quarterback Jake Browning 243 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Washington is officially out of the race for the College Football Playoff.

Washington State: The Cougars had a bye-week.

SEC

Alabama: The Crimson Tide’s offense racked up 564 total yards and scored 39 points to remain undefeated. True sophomore signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Receivers Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith combined for seven catches, 247 yards and two scores. Junior cornerback Saivion Smith had two interceptions. Alabama’s defense held Missouri’s offense scoreless during the last three quarters.

Arkansas: The Razorbacks lost their sixth-straight game and remains winless in conference play. Arkansas’ offense struggle to throw the ball, but junior signal-caller Ty Storey threw for 122 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore running back Rakeem Boyd rushed for 109 yards and a score.

Auburn: The Tigers’ offense piled up 448 total yards and but couldn’t overcome three turnovers and lost at home to the Volunteers. Junior quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw for 322 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Auburn’s defense limited Tennessee’s offense to 70 yards on the ground.

Florida: The Gators’ offense racked up 576 total yards, including 292 on the ground and scored 24 points in the second half to pull out the road win. Sophomore quarterback Feleipe Franks threw for 284 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Georgia: The Bulldogs couldn’t overcome multiple turnovers, scored only 16 points and lost their first game of the season. True sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm threw for 209 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Georgia’s offense struggled to run the ball and finished with 113 yards on the ground in the road loss.

Kentucky: The Wildcats had a bye-week.

LSU: The Tigers got their first win against an AP Top-2 team for the first time since 2011. The Tigers offense racked up 475 total yards and scored 36 points. LSU’s defense forced four turnovers and held Geogia’s offense scoreless in the first half. Junior signal-caller Joe Burrow threw for 200 yards and sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for 145 yards. Sophomore receiver Justin Jefferson caught six passes for 108 yards.

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs had a bye-week.

Missouri: The Tigers lost their third straight conference game to remain winless in league play. Missouri’s offense struggled and finished with 212 total yards, including 70 on the ground. Senior quarterback Drew Lock threw for 142 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Ole Miss: The Rebels’ offense racked up 611 total yards, scored 37 points and the team got their first conference win of the season. Senior quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw for 387 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also added 141 yards on the ground and a rushing score.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks’ offense struggled to run the ball and finished with 76 yards on the ground and the team lost their third conference game of the season. Junior quarterback Jake Bentley threw for 223 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Tennessee: The Volunteers’ offense finished with 398 total yards and scored 30 points to pull off the upset win on the road. Sophomore signal-caller Jarrett Guarantano threw for 322 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Tennessee’s defense forced three turnovers and held Auburn’s offense scoreless in the third quarter.

Texas A&M: The Aggies’ offense racked up 458 total yards and scored 26 points on the road to get the win. True sophomore quarterback Kellen Mond threw for 353 yards and a touchdown. Texas A&M’s defense forced two turnovers and held the Gamecocks’ offense scoreless in the first half.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores lost their third-straight conference game to remain winless in league play. Senior quarterback Kyle Shurmur threw for 229 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Vanderbilt’s defense held Florida’s offense to 13 points in the first half and forced three turnovers.