College Football Superlatives from Kramer's Korner: An Unexpected Star Is Born

Adam KramerNov 9, 2014

With 5-star weapons scattered all over the field, Alabama called on a lineman turned tight end—a 304-pound hulking human being who looked far too large to be running free down any football field—at a time when it needed a big play.

As bizarre as it looked from where we were seated, the entire sequence played out perfectly.

Brandon Greene had never caught a pass until Saturday night. In fact, not long ago, he was the nation's No. 12 offensive tackle recruit. He bounced back and forth between the offensive line and tight end, and he's been used as a blocker regardless of where he's played throughout his young collegiate career.

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Against LSU, however, that all changed. Greene got loose on a play that also featured true freshman lineman Cam Robinson—an even larger human being known for his blocking—decoying on a screen pass.

The result of the play was a 24-yard gain, perhaps the most important 24 yards of Alabama's season. Although a personal foul was called, negating some of the enormous gain, Alabama scored only a few plays later when DeAndrew White caught the go-ahead touchdown.

LSU couldn't mount any offense when it got the ball, and the game ended on a failed throw into the end zone.

With unlimited options at Lane Kiffin's disposal, Greene was the one he targeted. For a team that has relied so heavily on its star power—a recruiting and development factory unmatched by any other—it was this curious, outstanding play call that helped spark a road victory.

As a result, the Crimson Tide will hang around in the College Football Playoff conversation a bit longer. In fact, with a loss from its rival Auburn, Alabama will likely move into the updated top four Tuesday night when the selection committee unveils its latest Top 25.

For Alabama to stay in this mix, it will rely on top-shelf talents such as Amari Cooper, Landon Collins, Robinson, T.J. Yeldon and many others. Ultimately, these players will dictate just how the latest chapter of Alabama football is written.

On one play, however, in the biggest moment imaginable, the powerhouse broke script. And a 304-pound man still searching for a position took up the entire spotlight.

As for the awards, Vine-worthy moments and necessary tweets featuring televisions in swimming pools, here are observations from Week 11.

Offensive Player of the Week: J.T. Barrett, Ohio State

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 8: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a five-yard touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 8, 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Joe

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

On the road and operating against one of the nation's best defenses, J.T. Barrett made it look easy at times. Ohio State's redshirt freshman quarterback didn't just find success against Michigan State; he dismantled the Spartans and put on an absolute clinic.

Although he completed only 16 passes, Barrett threw for 300 yards. He added 86 rushing yards on 14 carries and had five total touchdowns. For further perspective on this offensive output, please take note of the following.

"
OSU points against MSU, tonight: 49. M points against MSU, Hoke era: 43.
— mgoblog (@mgoblog) November 9, 2014"

Dominant Defender: Gerod Holliman, Louisville

LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 27: Gerod Holliman #8 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball after intercepting a pass during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 27, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

It is somewhat shocking that Gerod Holliman hasn't found his way into this section prior to Week 11. The nation's leader in interceptions added three more to his resume against Boston College. He also finished the game with a pass breakup, four tackles and one tackle for loss.

Holliman has now picked off 13 (!!!) passes this season, just one shy of the FBS record. Ole Miss defensive back Senquez Golson is second nationally with nine interceptions, while the next closest player on this list has six INTs.

More startling than the number itself is Holliman's interception game log, which is far more active than any interception log you've seen in recent memory.

Date	Opponent	Number of Interceptions
09/01/14	Miami	1
09/06/14	Murray State	0
09/13/14	Virginia	2
09/20/14	Florida Int'l	2
09/27/14	Wake Forest	1
10/03/14	Syracuse	1
10/11/14	Clemson	0
10/18/14	N.C. State	1
10/30/14	Florida State	2
11/08/14	Boston College	3

Video Game Box Score

— The Boise State-New Mexico game was an offensive thing of beauty. The Broncos came back and won despite giving up 28 first-quarter points, although the overall numbers from this one were staggering. In total, there were 109 points and 1,285 yards. Perhaps most amazing about this game, however, is that New Mexico State ran for 505 yards...and still lost by double digits.

"
And they didn't win. In fact, they lost by double digits. pic.twitter.com/aNpwwPaAgf
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) November 9, 2014"

— After falling behind 14-0 to Southern Miss, Marshall responded. Oh, did it respond. With less than one minute left in the first quarter, the Thundering Herd finally scored on a Rakeem Cato touchdown pass. Including this score, Marshall outscored the Golden Eagles 63-3 in the final 46 minutes. And in the last four second halves, Marshall has outscored its opponents 108-13.

Anti-Video Game Box Score

— Iowa marched 76 yards on 12 plays and scored a touchdown on its first drive against Minnesota. On its last drive of the day, it went 81 yards on nine plays for a score. While these may seem like positive developments, the drives in between against Minnesota tell a rather different tale. Proceed with caution.

"
What a delicious sandwich. pic.twitter.com/wHZEIC8tVX
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) November 8, 2014"

— It was not a great Saturday for the Stoops family from a box score/results standpoint. Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Kentucky's Mark Stoops each suffered massive defeats, losing to Baylor and Georgia by, well, a lot. In total, the Stoops bros were outscored 111-45 and outgained in total yardage 1,103 to 672.

— And finally, there's no further context needed for this one. Behold the saddest drive chart of the weekend, which says a lot given the relative sadness to be found.

"
FINAL Indiana drive chart vs. PSU: punt punt punt punt punt punt interception punt punt punt missed field goal punt punt interception downs
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 9, 2014"

Biggest Surprise

In the box score, this play is listed as a 100-yard fumble return for Oregon's Joe Walker, which is strange enough without further context. But if you watched this play unfold, you know that this necessary Ducks touchdown was far more complex than that.

Utah wide receiver Kaelin Clay was gone. He beat the Oregon defense with relative ease, and the Utes looked to be up 14-0 on one of the nation's top teams as the second quarter got underway. And then, at about the 1.5-yard line, he dropped the ball as he started his celebration early.

It was clear as day, and the chaotic turn allowed Walker to pick the ball up and go 100 yards as cameramen frantically tried to determine what had just occurred.

The Ducks ended up winning the game in comfortable fashion with a late surge, although one can't help but wonder how different things might have looked.

Best Moment

As card-carrying media members, we are not supposed to show favoritism toward any player, coach or team. With that nonsense taken into full consideration, how can you not love Minnesota coach Jerry Kill?

It's his overall demeanor, the way he's dealt with his epilepsy out in the open and the fact that he's a tremendous and vastly underrated football coach. Somewhat quietly, Kill has made Minnesota a contender once again. And along the way, on occasion, he has celebrated this long voyage with dance.

After beating Iowa into a pulp, Kill decided it was time to break out the moves yet again.

For the Highlight Reel

Myles Jack cannot be human. He must instead be some sort of linebacker robot, one that was accidentally given running back programming as a rogue scientist's final elaborate exit from his company. That is the only feasible explanation.

Regardless of what the circumstances were to create UCLA's remarkable weapon, Jack showed the nation (again) his incredible range of skills on his 28-yard touchdown scamper against Washington.

There's a stiff arm, a spin move and somehow he manages to stay in bounds while displaying the balance of a 185-pound scatback. Bless this faulty and aggressive programming.

If the College Football Playoff Started Today... (or Why I Hate Your Team)

This is becoming increasingly difficult.

Although the picture will continue to evolve over the coming weeks—especially with Mississippi State-Alabama on deck in Week 12—the College Football Playoff conversations are becoming a bit more authentic.

Before we get to that game, however, we have to select four playoff teams and enrage the masses not invited to the party. Remember: If your team is not mentioned below, it’s a personal attack on you and your rooting interests. There can be no other explanation.

1. Mississippi State

2. Florida State

3. Oregon

4. TCU

4.1. Alabama (It's that close.)

Five Leftovers to Chew on

1. After beating Iowa State, Kansas fans stormed the field. They ripped down the goal posts. They celebrated, finally, after years upon years of unsatisfying results. While this was happening, the field-storming police arrived and poked fun, which is to be expected. After all, it is Iowa State, and the field-storming police never sleep. But this judgment is always so strange. For starters, these are college kids. And if someone feels like celebrating—and can do so without anyone getting injured—who are we to say otherwise? Let young people act like young people.

2. There's a very real possibility that Duke will finish the regular season with an 11-1 record, and no one seems to care. After beating Syracuse 27-10 on the road in Week 11, the Blue Devils will close with Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Wake Forest, all at home. Let's say for the sake of getting weird that Duke wins out in the regular season and beats unbeaten Florida State in the ACC Championship Game. Is Duke a playoff team? If not, the Blue Devils would be awfully close. Yes, this is a real-life scenario you should consider.

3. It's amazing that Urban Meyer still needs to win marquee games in order to reinforce his status as an elite coach. When you look at what he's been able to do with a completely rebuilt offensive line and a redshirt freshman at quarterback, the 2014 season might be some of Meyer's finest work yet. There's still work to be done—and a spot in the College Football Playoff still seems unlikely—but kudos to Meyer and the Buckeyes for bouncing back after one of this season's most perplexing losses.

4. On the topic of quality coaches, kudos to Charlie Strong and the Texas Longhorns. Our expectations of this national power have certainly shifted greatly, as seen by a celebration over a good (but not great) West Virginia squad. But this is the very beginning. As Strong attracts more talent to the program—and he will do just that in the not-too-distant future—the product will continue to blossom. In the meantime, celebrate the small victories accordingly. (Also, all that dad strength can't be easy to lift upward.)

5. I know putting running backs in the Heisman discussion is no longer the "proper" thing to do, but are we really going to just ignore Melvin Gordon? Yes, Wisconsin has two losses, but the Badgers' two losses are a product of having a limited passing attack. Without Gordon, who knows where this team would be? With three games remaining, Gordon has rushed for 1,501 rushing yards and scored 21 total touchdowns. If he goes for 2,000 yards—and even if he doesn't—I hope he at least makes the trip to New York. He's earned it.

Your Unexplainable 15-Play, 33-Yard Drive of the Week

Years from now, when all of Earth's secrets are unlocked, scientists will tirelessly attempt to explain one final incredible event:

How did Wyoming take 15 plays and nearly eight minutes to go 33 yards?

"
Wyoming's 15-play, 33-yard drive pic.twitter.com/ZgNZybd59x
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) November 8, 2014"

Don't bother trying to explain the events above. That's for our future scientists to sort out.

Bizarre and Spectacular Sequence of the Week

Some moments are so superb that they can't possibly be fit in one play.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that "superb" can also refer to overall entertainment value, not the overall quality of play—or, in this instance, plays.

North Carolina State and Georgia Tech delivered a three-part masterpiece. First came the interception-turned-fumble, which bounced off a foot and into the arms of Quayshawn Nealy. Nealy ran it back—looking like he might go the distance—until he was tackled and stripped by Jaylen Samuels. N.C. State recovered the fumble, getting unexpected life.

Two plays later, quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw a pick-six.

Fin.

Michigan-Northwestern Told Through Magic Vines

Did you, for whatever reason, not see Michigan and Northwestern play football this weekend? If so, that was probably well planned on your end. Excellent work.

A 0-0 game at half finally saw points (finally) in the final 30 minutes, although the 10-9 final score pretty much says it all. Here's a brief summary in two Vines. Anything more, and you've invested too much in this game.

First, there was this, the anti-highlight reel play of the weekend.

And then there was this two-point conversion attempt by Northwestern that could have won the game. It did not.

Now let us never speak of this game again.

That One Time Gus Johnson Confused Ron Jeremy and Ron Burgundy

Live television is unbelievably difficult. Gus Johnson is wonderful at his job. Those two things are important, and they're also why we're going to allow him this mulligan for confusing Ron Burgundy of Anchorman with a person who, well, isn't Ron Burgundy.

That One Time a Game Was Delayed Due to a Grill Fire

This, as far as I'm aware, was the first time this season a game was delayed due to a grill fire in the concessions. You knew Fordham and Bucknell would get a shoutout this week—you just never knew it would happen like this.