Bleacher Report's College Football Ultimate Guide to Week 8
This is the part of a weekly college football preview where the author tells you how magnificent the next Saturday will be. It’s up to the author—in this exact portion of the piece—to build the appropriate hype for the games ahead, doing so with care and enthusiasm. His editor demands it; otherwise, it will be sent back.
So allow me to tell you that Week 8 of the college football season is gargantuan in scale. It’s the biggest weekend in the history of sports and life.
Don’t bother hunting down the schedule; we’ll get to that shortly. Just know that this is the greatest lineup of games any sport has ever seen. Now, run right through that screen door and into the sunlight to embrace this magnificent truth.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Well, perhaps it’s not the best slate of games ever. Perhaps it’s not even the best slate of games of this month. After a loaded Week 7, however, Week 8 seems like one of those Saturdays that could produce unexplainably weird results. The way this season has gone, it seems reasonable.
It may not have the hype or the plethora of Top 25 matchups, but these are often the weekends that provide unexpected, wall-to-wall entertainment. Don’t sleep on college football; you know better.
As for the games to watch, one to avoid, the wide receiver doing wizard things and some thoughts on Ohio State’s rich-program problem, let’s get to it.
The Buffet: Previewing the Top 5 Games of Week 8
5. Western Kentucky at LSU (Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
If you are at all surprised that Western Kentucky made the buffet, don’t be. That’s not to say that the Hilltoppers are a lock to pull an upset that would result in countless broken Louisiana flat screens, but this team is dangerous. Keep the remote out of reach.
With one loss on the year, Western Kentucky has found an offense. And if you have not watched quarterback Brandon Doughty work, you have missed out. This season, Doughty has thrown for 24 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The Hilltoppers have won six games thanks in large part to his presence. He can take a game over.
LSU knows all about this. After all, no one takes over a game quite like running back Leonard Fournette. In Week 7, Fournette ran for a ho-hum 180 yards and two touchdowns against an excellent Florida defense. It’s incredible how his absurdity is now almost assumed.
But LSU also found a bit of a passing game, and Brandon Harris suddenly looks comfortable. If he can continue to grow, the Tigers will continue to be in the playoff conversation. Still, before Alabama, LSU has to get by Western Kentucky.
This may not be the most taxing stop on the schedule, but the Tigers had best be careful.
4. Clemson at Miami (Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC)
If Al Golden wants to make an emphatic case to keep his job, a win over Clemson won’t hurt that cause. In fact, results like these are precisely what the Hurricanes have lacked since he took over.
As a result, the weekly banners demanding his firing are flying high. Here was the latest bit of air messaging.
"Today's anti-Al Golden banner courtesy of @PrimeCityC #Hokies pic.twitter.com/gOn1vs7kpt
— PhillyHokie (@PhillyHokie007) October 17, 2015"
In a 30-20 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday, the formula was there. Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya was excellent, throwing for 296 yards and two touchdowns. The Miami defense also forced four turnovers, which would be a solid trend to carry onward. This will be slightly more challenging now that linebacker Raphael Kirby, the team’s leading tackler, is out for the year.
Clemson, meanwhile, has done exactly what it has needed to since beating Notre Dame. The Tigers followed up a win over Georgia Tech with a 34-17 win over Boston College. And while we’ve spent a great deal of time talking about Deshaun Watson and this offense, the Clemson defense has been the key cog.
This game feels strange. It feels like Miami could surprise. Then again, that feeling has been wrong before. Clemson is the more talented team, but the Hurricanes have the quarterback to make it a game.
Regardless, the banners will be flying high. Seriously, isn’t this getting expensive? I’d love to know their budget.
3. Utah at USC (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
Give USC credit. It has not packed up shop and and looked ahead to being coached by USC savior Jon Gruden. (Please note: This is not actually going to happen, probably. But let’s start the rumor regardless.)
The Trojans played hard last week; this part is very real. Although they lost to Notre Dame 41-31, the fight was evident. Interim head coach Clay Helton did his best Ed Orgeron impression and pushed the Irish to the brink. He did so thanks in large part to a heavy dose of offense.
This week, USC comes home to play one of the nation’s elite teams. Utah and Arizona State played close for a while on Saturday, although running back Devontae Booker, having been held in check the entire game, uncorked two long touchdown runs in the fourth to seal it.
Utah finds itself in a wonderful position. Two months into the year, and the Utes—with a manageable schedule laid out before them—are suddenly eyeing the playoff. And yet, this game, like a few other high-profile matchups this week, feels like anything but a given.
USC has absolutely nothing to lose and a wealth of individual talent. It’s a dangerous spot for the opposition. Oh, and Las Vegas has made the Trojans the favorite at bet-taking establishments.
Keep an eye on this one.
2. Texas A&M at Ole Miss (Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Oh, this one had potential. In an alternate universe, both Texas A&M and Ole Miss won last Saturday, prompting ESPN’s College GameDay to pick up its things and sprint immediately to Oxford, Mississippi, for one of the games of the year.
But that did not happen. Texas A&M’s undefeated season was undone by Alabama, and more specifically, three passes that Nick Saban’s defense took back the other way for a touchdown.
"It's virtually impossible to win when you are giving away 21 points and four interceptions total," head coach Kevin Sumlin told reporters after the game. "Whatever offense you're running, it's hard to win when you play that way. … When you play a quality football team like that, particularly defensively, your mistakes are amplified."
The Aggies made a push to make it a game before halftime, but the 41-23 score at home certainly was a setback, something Ole Miss knows plenty about following a loss to Memphis as a double-digit favorite.
Defensively, the Rebels were carved apart—especially after the first quarter—allowing the Tigers to total nearly 500 yards. Offensively, quarterback Chad Kelly still played a respectable game minus the two interceptions. The main problem? Ole Miss finished with just 40 rushing yards on 24 carries.
Who can bandage wounds best? The SEC West can still be had with some breaks, although it has to start somewhere. Here, for example.
1. Tennessee at Alabama (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
This was supposed to be the year that this lovely, hate-heavy rivalry got an injection of new energy. A few early losses for Tennessee have tempered that sentiment some, although this game is still extremely meaningful for both. And there’s always that magnificent hate.
Alabama’s destruction of Texas A&M, as documented above, was another step in the right direction. The secondary is making plays, and running back Derrick Henry has taken to this full-time running back role better than anyone could have anticipated. His 236 yards, many of which came in the first half, changed the perception of the game entirely.
The one major advantage Tennessee has heading into the week is the time off. As has been a theme in recent years, Alabama must play an opponent coming off a bye.
I'm not saying there is a conspiracy in the works, but maybe you should email your local politician regardless, Alabama fans.
"Re: Alabama's schedule. This is pretty remarkable. Note that no other SEC team has more than 10 games. pic.twitter.com/z7EIuShCR9
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) October 15, 2015"
Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs was brilliant in his team’s win against Georgia, throwing for 312 yards, running for 118 yards and scoring five touchdowns. This brand of quarterbacking has given the Alabama defense fits in recent years; Dobbs certainly is capable of making it another long day in the film room.
The Vols, however, also have to deal with Henry, which will not be an easy task. This year, they’re allowing more than 170 yards on the ground per game on 4.61 yards per carry.
Tennessee has the offensive formula to push Alabama to the brink. The Crimson Tide have the offensive formula to make sure that doesn’t happen. Should be fun and hate-filled, per usual.
Sad Scoreboard Game of the Week: Missouri at Vanderbilt (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
If you fancy points being scored in copious amounts, here's a game you should avoid. In fact, even if low-scoring games are your thing, I’m not sure this is the one you want to watch, either.
Just run, friend.
Missouri has scored nine points in the past two games. Vanderbilt has scored a gaudy—well, it is by such reserved standards—27 points the last two times out. Both teams play above-average defense; both offenses have spent much of the season looking like lost puppies.
The only major redeeming quality of this matchup is that it could produce some very odd score. Perhaps a 3-2 game. Or maybe, somehow, both teams will head into overtime tied at 0-0 or 11-11. Things will be undoubtedly strange.
Scratch that. Maybe you should watch this game just to say you actually did.
One-on-One Matchup of the Week: Laremy Tunsil vs. Myles Garrett
There’s a distinct possibility that the next two No. 1 overall picks in the NFL draft are going head-to-head on Saturday. Sure, that’s an ambitious declaration. But do yourself a favor and watch Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil and Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett just in case.
After sitting out seven games because of NCAA matters, Tunsil will make his season debut for a team in desperate need of some offensive line assistance. Even with the injury concerns coming into the year—along with the NCAA stuff—Tunsil is widely regarded at one of the top prospects at the position and one of the nation’s best juniors overall. (Chances are he says goodbye after the season.)
Welcoming him back will be the most destructive force currently operating on the defensive side. Although the Aggies fell to Alabama on Saturday, it was through no fault of their star. Garrett logged another sack, pushing his yearly total to 8.5. He also has 11.5 tackles for loss.
We’re getting ahead of ourselves, but NFL teams are already salivating over what he can do off the edge.
Oh, this will be fun. It’s wonderful to have Tunsil back on the field. Now we get to watch two of the sport’s great forces literally collide.
A Reminder to Watch Baylor Play Every Week Because Corey Coleman Is a Sorcerer Capable of Magical Powers
A few weeks ago I highlighted Baylor wideout Corey Coleman for his statistical destruction. He has followed that up with, well, more statistical destruction. In six games this season, Coleman has scored 16 touchdowns.
This is a real stat and a single-season record for the Bears. IT'S OCTOBER. HE HAS PLAYED SIX GAMES.
But this young man isn’t about the numbers. In fact, it’s the nuances to his game that make him one of the most exciting players in college football. Just look at him last week against West Virginia, creating new science.
"Corey Coleman's footwork against WVU was insane. Slowed this clip down, check out the hurdle. pic.twitter.com/4B8qQkthD2
— Max Olson (@max_olson) October 19, 2015"
With Baylor playing Iowa State this weekend as an enormous favorite, Coleman will probably score and do something that defies gravity.
Don’t miss it.
Parting Shot: On Ohio State’s First-World Problem and Making the Right Call
Urban Meyer made it official Tuesday. He announced that he was making a change at quarterback.
Cardale Jones has been benched in favor of J.T. Barrett—the young man many, including myself, thought would start when the season began.
"J.T. has earned the right to start Saturday at Rutgers," Meyer told reporters. "It was a difficult decision."
Think about this for a moment. The nation’s No. 1 team just benched its national championship-winning quarterback who is without a loss in his career. Jones’ next regular-season defeat will be his first. He still has more rings than losses. It's staggering.
And yet, given the way Ohio State’s offense has evolved, struggled and had to absorb losses, the move makes perfect sense. It comes at the perfect time. And as a result, there has not been an ounce of backlash to a historically unprecedented decision. Strangely, it feels right.
When Barrett was in the game against Penn State last week, there was a sense of unpredictability and explosiveness the team has lacked with Jones taking the majority of the snaps. In the red zone, it was even more apparent.
Jones hasn’t played heinous outside of a few wayward throws. The play-calling hasn’t helped him out, either. Given the way the team will rely more on the H-backs and misdirection—and less on downfield passes—this is the move that had to be made.
The role Jones plays moving forward will be fascinating. Meyer will still find ways to get him involved, and just the threat of his arm will keep coordinators in the office after hours. He will play a significant role at some point.
He won’t disappear into the deepest depths of the roster. There is still some flash left in this giant machine. Just watch.
Still, the change was strange news to hear and process. It’s strange to even write about. The Buckeyes just benched the mortar-armed, national championship-winning quarterback two months into an undefeated season as the No. 1 team. Things like this don't normally happen, and no one really seems to have noticed.
It’s good to be king.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
