College Football, Week 7 – Orange wave overwhelms Alabama

The 7^th day of the university championship offered us several exceptional matches, with crazy scenarios, exceptional performances, and incandescent atmospheres. All of this was notably gathered at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, where Tennessee offered a prestigious victory against Alabama.

Crazy night for Tennessee

• (6) Tennessee (6-0) 52 – (3) Alabama (6-1) 49

We had high expectations for this game between two teams in SEC form, and we weren’t disappointed. Vols and Tide went blow for blow until the end, and at the end of a fabulous match, Tennessee offered their first victory over Alabama since 2007.

Pumped up by a stadium on fire, the Vols started well and even made a small gap in the first half (28-10). But led by 2021 Heisman Trophy winner – Bryce Young – the Crimson Tide managed to gradually come back and even lead 49-42 in the 4^th quarter. Then Tennessee was able to find the resources to seek victory, on a field-goal at the buzzer which capsized Neyland Stadium in madness. The Vols fans took to the field to celebrate with their players, then they continued the party in the city, with a little memory as they managed to get the posts out with them…

Who says great match says great performances. On the side of Tennessee, two players particularly distinguished themselves. QB Hendon Hooker notably won his most resounding victory by throwing for 385 yards and 5 touchdowns (1 INT). And the majority of the aerial damage was done by WR Jalin Hyatt, who finished with 207 yards and a quintuple. Thanks to this signature match, Hooker enters the conversation for the Heisman trophy. Opposite, the winner of the last edition, Bryce Young, was also excellent with 455 yards and 2 touchdowns. RB Jahmyr Gibbs also showed up with 103 yards and a hat-trick on the ground.

This success also allows the Volunteers to remain undefeated and establish themselves as favorites in the SEC conference. The road remains long, including a trip to Georgia in a few weeks, but Tennessee has taken center stage.

TCU emerges as new Big 12 favorite

• (13) TCU (6-0) 43 — (8) Oklahoma State (5-1) 40

While Tennessee and Alabama gave us a fabulous show, two other teams fought an epic battle: TCU and Oklahoma State. A match that has long seemed within reach of the Cowboys – who notably led up to 24-7 in the 2^th quarter – before the Horned Frogs restart the game. And it was finally necessary to wait for the second extension for TCU to emerge victorious.

Back after 1 game away, QB Max Duggan did a lot of good for TCU. Better and better over the game, he finished with 286 yards and 2 touchdowns in the air and 57 yards and 1 other touchdown on the ground. He thus won his duel with Spencer Sanders (245 yards in the air, 68 on the ground, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception).

If this first loss of the season is not the end for Oklahoma State, it reduces the chances of hoping to participate in the playoffs. And that leaves TCU the only undefeated team in the Big 12.

Wolverines and Rebels continue their march forward

• (5) Michigan (7-0) 41 – (10) Penn State (5-1) 17
• (9) Ole Miss (7-0) 48 – Auburn (3-4) 34

A sure bet in the championship since the start of the season, Michigan faced an important test this weekend. Penn State thus arrived undefeated and above all very solid on the ground, the specialty of the Wolverines. Despite dominating Jim Harbaugh’s players, the Nittany Lions held onto a 1-1 scoreline^time halftime, but they were shattered afterwards. The fault of a decidedly too powerful ground game on the part of the Wolverines. In total, Michigan gained 418 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in this sector. Donovan Edwards (173 yards, 2 TD) and Blake Corum (166 yards, 2 TD) feasted. And Michigan’s defense has also been very good, limiting Penn State to 268 offensive yards.

Another program that continues its perfect course without making too much noise, Ole Miss disposed of Auburn on Saturday. Lane Kiffin’s team did not offer their best game, especially defensively on the ground (301 yards and 4 TDs conceded), but the attack was particularly effective in this same sector. Like Michigan, the Rebels walked on their opponent running for 448 yards and scoring 3 touchdowns. Three players finished with more than 100 yards on the ground, including QB Jaxson Dart, who added 3 touchdowns to the pass.

Utah offers USC and relaunches the Pac-12

• (20) Utah (5-2) 43 – (7) USC (6-1) 42

Beaten by UCLA last week, the Utes risked seeing their season end (competitively) with another setback this weekend. But by dint of fighting and well helped by a huge audience, Utah managed a small miracle by offering the Trojans. Until 48 seconds from the end, the Utes never led in this game, and they went for broke in the end. Because after scoring a touchdown to return to 1 point from USC, the coach decided not to ensure overtime but to play for the win by attempting a 2-point conversion. A paying choice that shook the stadium.

Utah QB Cameron Rising had a huge game, with 415 yards and 2 touchdowns in the air, but also 60 yards and a hat-trick on the ground. A performance necessary to respond to 381 yards and 5 touchdowns from Caleb Williams for USC.

This victory revives Utah in the Pac-12 conference, in particular because they now have a « tiebreaker » on the Trojans.

Syracuse’s dream season continues

• (18) Syracuse (6-0) 24 – (15) NC State (5-2) 9

Without their QB Dean Leary, who will not play again this season, NC State is no longer the same team. In the hard offensively this weekend, the Wolfpack has finished with only 255 yards. A godsend for Syracuse, which got away with a great victory despite a game that was not always clean.

But the main thing is there for one of the surprise teams at the start of the season. And thanks to this success, the 6^th in 6 days, the Orange made their best start to the season since 1987.

Other important results

• (1) Georgia (7-0) 55 – Vanderbilt (3-4) 0
• (4) Clemson (7-0) 34 – Florida State (4-3) 28
• (22) Kentucky (5-2) 27 – (16) Mississippi State (5-2) 17
• Oklahoma (4-3) 52 – (19) Kansas (5-2) 42

The best performances of the week

passes

1. Michael Penix Jr (Washington): 36/44, 516 yards, 4 TD
2. Kyle Vantrease (Georgia Southern): 38/64, 578 yards, 4 TD – 1 INT
3. Cameron Rising (Utah): 30/44, 415 yards, 2 TD

Races

1. Blake Watson (Old Dominion): 18 carries, 256 yards, 3 TD
2. Chris Rodriguez Jr (Kentucky): 30 carries, 196 yards, 2 TDs
3. Carson Steele (Ball State): 32 carries, 179 yards, 3 TDs

Receptions

1. Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee): 6 receptions, 207 yards, 5 TDs
2. Tyrone Howell (UL Monroe): 9 receptions, 244 yards, 3 TDs
3. Dalton Kincaid (Utah): 16 receptions, 234 yards, 1 TD