Week 8 Analysis: The Film Doesn’t Lie

The third Saturday in October was full of surprises as we all watched Ohio State lose big at Purdue and Michigan handle Michigan State fairly easy. LSU continues to look like the best one-loss team in the nation and Washington State made a huge jump in the Associated Press Poll after its’ win over Oregon. The PAC-12 is not out of the Playoff hunt and it’ll be interesting to see what the Committee has in store for everyone on Tuesday October 27.

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish had a bye-week.

ACC

Boston College: The Eagles had a bye week.

Clemson: The Tigers dominated from the start and racked up 471 yards of total offense and scored 41 points to remain unblemished on the season. True freshman signal-caller Trevor Lawrence threw for 308 yards and a touchdown. True sophomore running back Travis Etienne finished with three rushing scores. Sophomore receiver Tee Higgins caught eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Clemson’s defense forced three turnovers and held NC State’s offense scoreless for the first three quarters.

Duke: The Blue Devils’ struggled to run the ball and finished with only 58 yards on the ground. Junior quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 240 yards, a touchdowns and two interceptions. Duke lost its’ second conference game of the season.

Florida State: The Seminioles’ offense racked up 471 total yards and scored a season-high 38 points to earn their second conference win of the season. Junior quarterback Deondre Francois threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns. True sophomore running back Cam Akers finished with two rushing scores. Senior receiver Nyqwan Murray hauled in eight passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. Florida State’s defense held Wake Forests’ offense scoreless in the second and third quarter.

Louisville: The Cardinals had a bye-week.

Miami: The Hurricanes had a bye-week.

NC State: The Wolfpack struggled on offense and finished with 297 total yards in the lopsided loss in the Textile Bowl and are no longer unbeaten. Senior quarterback Ryan Finley threw or 156 yards and two interceptions. NC State’s secondary got torched for 380 yards.

North Carolina: The Tar Heels’ offense racked up 500 total yards, scored 37 points and went into overtime, but it wasn’t enough and the team lost their third-straight game. Junior signal-caller Nathan Elliott threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Antonio Williams rushed for 116 yards and a score.

Pittsburgh: The Panthers had a bye-week.

Syracuse: The Oranges’ offense finished with 546 total yards and scored 40 points for the overtime win. Senior quarterback Eric Dungey threw for 225 yards and freshman signal-caller Tommy DeVito finished with 181 yards through the air, three touchdowns and an interception. Receivers Jamal Custis and Nykeim Johnson combined for 12 catches, 264 yards and two scores.

Virginia: The Cavaliers’ defense forced two turnovers and held Dukes’ offense scoreless in the first half to get the road win. Junior quarterback Bryce Perkins threw for 189 yards and a touchdown. He also had two rushing scores. Virginia is now 3-1 in conference play.

Virginia Tech: The Hokies had a bye-week.

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons struggled to run the ball and lost their third conference game of the season to remain winless in ACC play. True freshman signal-caller Sam Hartman threw for 227 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Big 10

Indiana: The Hoosiers’ offense racked up 554 total yards, but it wasn’t enough as the team lost their fourth conference game of the season. Sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey threw for 236 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Freshman running back Stevie Scott rushed for 138 yards and two scores.

Illinois: The Fighting Illini struggled on offense, couldn’t overcome five turnovers and lost their third conference game of the season. Quarterbacks A.J. Bush and MJ Rivers combined for 90 yards through the air and three interceptions. Junior running back Reggie Corbin rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Iowa: The Hawkeyes’ defense dominated, scored on a fumble recovery and got their first shutout of the season for their sixth win. Junior quarterback Nate Stanley threw for 86 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Maryland: The Terrapins struggled on offense and was held scoreless the entire game and lost their second conference game of the season. Maryland finished with only 68 yards on the ground. Freshman quarterback Kasim Hill threw for 47 yards and an interception.

Michigan: The Wolverines’ defense dominated and the team snapped a 17-game losing streak on the road to AP Top 25 teams. Junior quarterback Shea Patterson threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns and senior running back Karan Higdon finished with 144 yards on the ground.

Michigan State: The Spartans’ offense had their worst game of the season, was held scoreless in the first half and fourth quarter and finished with 94 total yards. Michigan State’s only touchdown of the game came on a trick play.

Minnesota: The Golden Gophers’ offense racked up 474 total yards, but it wasn’t enough and they lost their fourth-straight game to remain winless in conference play. Freshman quarterback threw for 214 yards and an interception. Junior receiver Tyler Johnson caught 11 passes for 184 yards.

Nebraska: The Huskers’ offense finished with a season-high 659 total yards and the team snapped a school-record 10-game losing streak to get Scott Frost his first win with his alma mater. True freshman signal-caller Adrian Martinez threw for 276 yards, rushed for 125 yards and finished with four total touchdowns. Senior running back Devine Ozigbo rushed for 152 yards and two scores. Senior wideout Stanley Morgan Jr. hauled in 10 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.

Northwestern: The Wildcats’ defense held the Scarlet Knights’ offense scoreless in the first and fourth quarter to get their fourth conference win of the season. Senior signal-caller Clayton Thorson threw for 150 yards and true freshman running back Isaiah Bowser rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes’ offense only scored six points in five red zone trips and was held to a season-low 20 points, including three in the first half for their first loss of the season. Sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins threw for 470 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Junior receiver K.J. Hill caught nine passes for 105 yards.

Penn State: The Nittany Lions finished 417 yards of total offense. Senior signal-caller Trace McSorley threw for 220 yards and an interception. He also added 107 yards on the ground and two scores. Penn State’s defense forced three turnovers.

Purdue: The Boilermakers defeated an AP Top-Two team for the first time since 1984 and snapped the Buckeyes’ 12-game win streak. Purdue’s defense limited Ohio State’s offense to 76 yards on the ground. Junior Markus Bailey had 15 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights struggled mightily on offense and finished with 188 total yards for their seventh-straight loss of the season. True freshman quarterback Artur Sitkowski threw for only 81 yards. Rutgers have yet to beat a team from a Power 5 Conference.

Wisconsin: The Badgers rebounded from last week’s loss and finished with 545 yards of total offense and scored 49 points for the win. Junior quarterback Alex Hornibrook threw for 188 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Running backs Jonathan Taylor and Taiwan Deal combined for 270 yards on the ground and two scores.

Big 12

Baylor: The Bears had a bye-week.

Iowa State: The Cyclones had a bye-week.

Kansas: The Jayhawks’ defense got torched and the team lost their fourth-straight game to remain winless in conference play. Senior quarterback Peyton Bender threw for 221 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Kansas couldn’t overcome two costly turnovers.

Kansas State: The Wildcats had a bye week.

Oklahoma: The Sooners took advantage of their bye-week and 536 yards of total offense and scored 52 points to get the win. Junior quarterback Kyler Murray threw for 213 yards and four touchdowns. Running backs Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks combined for 278 yards on the ground and three scores. Oklahoma’s defense held TCU’s offense scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma State: The Cowboys had a bye-week.

TCU: The Horned Frogs struggled on offense and finished with 275 total yards and lost their third conference game of the season. Sophomore quarterback Michael Collins threw for 142 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Texas: The Longhorns had a bye-week.

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders’ offense racked up 553 yards and 48 points for their third conference win of the season. True freshman quarterback Alan Bowman threw for 408 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Junior wideout Antoine Wesley caught nine passes for 155 yards and a score.

West Virginia: The Mountaineers had a bye-week.

Pac-12

Arizona: The Wildcats’ offense finished with 520 total yards, but couldn’t overcome three turnovers and lost their second-straight conference game. Sophomore quarterback Rhett Rodriguez threw for 231 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Sophomore running back J.J. Taylor rushed for 154 yards and a score. Senior receiver Shawn Poindexter caught six balls for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Arizona State: The Sun Devils’ offense racked up 437 total yards, but came up short and lost their third conference game of the season. Arizona State’s defense held Stanford’s offense scoreless in the first and fourth quarter. Senior quarterback Manny Wilkins threw for 333 yards and an interception.

California: The Golden Bears dominated from the start, snapped a three-game losing steak and won their first conference game of the season. California’s offense racked up 539 total yards and scored 49 points. Freshman quarterback Chase Barbers threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Senior running back Patrick Laird rushed for 193 yards and two scores. California’s defense held Oregon State’s offense scoreless in the first half and fourth quarter.

Colorado: The Buffaloes struggled on offense and lost their second-straight conference game. Junior quarterback Steven Montez threw for 144 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Colorado’s defense held Washington’s offense scoreless in the first quarter an forced two turnovers.

Oregon: The Ducks struggled to run the ball on offense and finished with 65 yards on the ground in their second conference loss of the season. Junior quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 270 yards and a touchdown. Oregon’s defense intercepted two passes.

Oregon State: The Beavers lost their fifth-straight game and remains winless in conference play. Oregon State couldn’t run the ball on offense and finished with 95 yards on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Jack Colletto threw for 104 yards and an interception. The Beavers couldn’t overcome two costly interceptions.

Stanford: Sophomore signal-caller K.J. Costello threw for 231 yards and a touchdowns and the Cardinal won their third conference game of the season. Junior receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside caught seven balls for 91 yards and a score. Stanford’s defense limited Arizona State’s offense to 84 yards on the ground and forced three turnovers.

UCLA: The Bruins’ offense finished with 460 total yards and the team won their second-straight conference game. Senior quarterback Wilton Speight threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Joshua Kelley rushed for 136 yards and a score.

USC: The Trojans struggled on offense and finished with 205 total yards, including 73 on the ground and the team lost their second conference game of the season. True freshman quarterback JT Daniels threw for 89 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Junior receiver Michael Pittman Jr. hauled in four passes for 107 yards and a score.

Utah: The Utes’ offense racked up 541 total yards and scored 41 points and won their third-straight conference game. Junior signal-caller Tyler Huntley threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns. Junior running back Zack Moss finished with 136 yards on the ground. Utah’s defense forced two turnovers and held USC’s offense scoreless in the second and third quarter.

Washington: The Huskies defense continues to impress and held Colorado’s offense to 263 total yards, scoreless in the second half and 13 points for their fourth conference win of the season. Senior signal-caller Jake Browning threw for 150 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Senior linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven had an interception.

Washington State: The Cougars got off to a fast start and scored 27 points in the first half for the win and took the lead in the PAC-12 North Division. Washington State’s offense racked up 400 total yards. Senior signal-caller Gardner Minshew threw for 323 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Washington State’s defense held Oregon’s offense scoreless in the first half.

SEC

Alabama: The No. 1 Crimson Tide scored 42 points in the first half and finished with 545 total yards on offense to remain undefeated. True sophomore signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa threw for 306 yards and four touchdowns. True freshman receiver Jaylen Waddle hauled in four passes for 117 yards and a score. Alabama’s defense limited Tennessee’s offense to 31 yards on the ground and scoreless in the first and fourth quarter.

Arkansas: The Razorbacks played their best defense of the season and pitched a shutout to snap a six-game losing streak. True freshman quarterback Connor Noland threw for 124 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Arkansas’ defense forced two turnovers.

Auburn: The Tigers’ offense racked up 484 total yards, scored 31 points and snapped a two-game conference losing streak. Junior quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw for 215 yards and a touchdown and freshman running back JaTarvious Whitlow finished with 170 yards on the ground.

Florida: The Gators had a bye-week.

Georgia: The Bulldogs had a bye-week.

Kentucky: The Wildcats looked impressive on defense and held the Commodores’ offense scoreless during the last three quarters to earn their fourth conference win of the season. Sophomore quarterback Terry Wilson finished with 109 total yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Kenny Snell Jr. rushed for 169 yards and a score.

LSU: The Bayou Bengals dominated on defense, intercepted four passes and limited the Bulldogs’ offense to 59 yards through the air to win their fourth conference game of the season. Junior quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 129 yards and an interception. LSU’s defense held Mississippi State’s offense scoreless during the last three quarters.

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs struggled on offense and finished with 260 total yards, scored only three points and lost their third conference game of the season. Senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald 59 yards and four interceptions, but had 131 yards on the ground.

Missouri: The Tigers offense racked up 646 total yards and scored 65 points to snap a three-game losing streak. Senior signal-caller Drew Lock threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Larry Roundtree rushed for 118 yards and three scores. Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and receiver Jalen Knox combined for 11 catches, 263 yards and four touchdowns.

Ole Miss: The Rebels’ offense finished with 447 total yards, but it wasn’t enough and the team lost their third conference game of the season. Senior quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw for 324 yards and a touchdown. Junior receiver A.J. Brown caught 10 balls for 155 yards and a score.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks had a bye-week.

Tennessee: The Volunteers struggled on offense and finished with 258 total yards and scored 21 points for their third conference loss of the season. Senior quarterback Keller Chryst threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Junior receiver Jauan Jennings caught six passes for 102 yards.

Texas A&M: The Aggies had a bye-week.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores struggled on offense and finished with seven points, 284 total yards, including 68 on the ground and remain winless in conference play. Senior quarterback Kyle Shurmur threw for 216 yards and a touchdown. Vanderbilt’s defense held Kentucky’s offense scoreless in the first and third quarter.