Bleacher Report's College Football Ultimate Guide to Week 11
Over the past four weeks, we have abandoned the script. The college football gods, having found the case of seasonal Schnapps tucked away in the basement, decided to replace ordinary finishes with moments so unfathomable that they still don’t feel real.
It’s no longer a question of how or why. Instead, it’s a matter of who and when. When will that next batch of heartbreak and euphoria be served? Whose heart will be broken? At this rate, just assume it’s imminent and hope it's not yours.
Think about what has transpired over the past month. We watched a team snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat with a walk-off blocked punt, although “blocked” is a relative term in this instance.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
The following weekend, we witnessed a game-winning field-goal attempt from one of the sport’s best kickers batted down and returned for a game-deciding touchdown as the clock fell asleep.
Seven days later, a team executed a lateral-packed final play that resulted in a game-ending score that should not have counted. (It did.) The officials were suspended within 24 hours; T-shirts are now being passed around the country celebrating the win.
And then this past Saturday, we watched Arkansas pull off a desperation lateral on fourth down against Ole Miss that would have been called off at recess. Too ridiculous.
This outlandish conversation led to a touchdown. That touchdown led to a game-winning two-point conversion.
Somewhat seamlessly, we are now primed to anticipate the absurd. This is where we are. If the conclusions of the past month have taught us anything, it’s that there’s really no good time to change the channel or leave your seat.
That theme should carry on into Week 11, where a glorious lineup of games awaits.
From Alabama’s road encore to the Big 12’s next enthralling chapter to the most uncelebrated star operating today, here is a preview of the week ahead.
Just prepare for the weird.
The Buffet: Previewing the Top Five Games of Week 11
5. Arkansas at LSU (Saturday, 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Alabama broke Leonard Fournette on Saturday, limiting college football’s cheat code to just 31 yards on 19 carries. Prior to that game, LSU’s magnificent tailback had not run for fewer than 150 yards on a single Saturday.
Truth be told, there was nowhere to run. Alabama’s front seven, as much as it has been praised since February, was somehow better than advertised. The Tigers, despite showing some life in the second quarter, could not muster enough. LSU lost 30-16, and it didn’t even feel that close.
But this is a new week, and it’s still mighty important despite the loss. Playing at home, LSU will welcome one of nation’s hottest offenses to Baton Rouge, which is not something I expected to type before the season began.
In the past three weeks, Arkansas has scored 170 points. I repeat: Arkansas—yes, that Arkansas—is averaging almost a point per minute in recent games.
The latest effort, of course, was a 53-52 win over Ole Miss that featured a great deal of madness and not much defense. Quarterback Brandon Allen, very quietly putting together a solid season, threw for 442 yards and six touchdowns. He has shed that “game manager” label quite nicely.
Points will likely continue to matriculate with great vengeance, and I feel very confident saying that Fournette will run for at least 32 yards this weekend. However, that’s about all I feel confident saying about this game. It could be wild.
4. Washington State at UCLA (Saturday, 10:45 p.m. ET, ESPN)
I did not anticipate that Washington State and UCLA would be one of Week 11’s most watchable games before the season began. And when the Cougars lost to Portland State in Week 1, I essentially punted all interest on this until further notice.
But here we are. Not only does this taste of Pac-12 goodness belong in the mix, but it has a chance to be one of the weekend’s most entertaining games.
Washington State seemed destined for irrelevancy after that loss to start the year, although it responded with a glorious bang. After giving Stanford everything it could handle in Week 9—missing a last-second field goal that would have given the Cougars the upset—Mike Leach’s team took care of Arizona State on Saturday. Quarterback Luke Falk was again superb.
Leach then followed up this win with a glorious Leach-ian soundbite. With the talk of the Sun Devils stealing signs in previous games, the ol’ pirate couldn’t help himself.
"Leach says the Cougs didn't change anything schematically after the 1st Q, "except for all the calls we stole from Arizona State." #GoCougs
— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessaMcIntyre) November 8, 2015"
On the other sideline, UCLA is coming off a 41-0 shutout of Oregon State. Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen was excellent, throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception in his last three games.
Injuries have completely rewritten the Bruins’ season, although that doesn’t mean the rest of the season is lost. There is much to play for—starting at home this week.
Watch these quarterbacks go to work; things should move fast.
3. Memphis at Houston (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Oh, it had so much potential. It still does, of course. But with both teams undefeated headed into Week 10, we anticipated Houston-Memphis as the Group of Five Super Bowl.
Then Navy made the voyage to Memphis and absolutely dismantled those plans.
The Tigers’ 45-20 loss certainly takes some of the shine off this particular matchup, but don’t let that curb the enthusiasm. There is still a great deal at stake from a conference and reputation standpoint. Heck, there’s a New Year’s Day bowl game out there for the taking.
Houston held up its end of the bargain (barely). The Cougars held on to beat Cincinnati 33-30 in a game that never felt comfortable for the favorite. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. tossed two more touchdowns and ran for 119 yards. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the quarterback on the other sideline, Gunner Kiel, threw for 523 yards and four touchdowns.
Perhaps even worse news is that this defense will now be asked to slow down Paxton Lynch, who has been superb for Memphis all season. Then again, Memphis will also have to play defense. The result could be lots and lots of points.
Plus, who doesn’t want to watch the two best young coaches in the sport go after each other for a few hours?
2. Alabama at Mississippi State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
The Great Alabama Destruction Machine was fully functional last weekend—crushing skulls, consuming souls and destroying worlds. But there is no time to celebrate the devastation. There is a road that must be navigated, and the path leads right through lovely Starkville, Mississippi.
Well, perhaps we can speak of that dominance some. Behind its wonderful defense and workhorse running back, Alabama steamrolled a team that came into Week 10 without a blemish. Derrick Henry finished with a high school-esque box score: 38 carries, 210 yards and three touchdowns.
"All you heard about was Fournette," Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland told reporters following the game. "You heard about Derrick, but all you heard about was Fournette the whole week. Derrick came out and made a statement. He ran the ball. That's what grown men do. He's a grown man, and the offensive line made holes for him to do what he had to do."
But that was last week. And now Mississippi State is in a supreme position to take advantage of this swing of emotion. The Bulldogs have very quietly tiptoed past landmines to seven wins. After beating Missouri in Week 10, Dan Mullen's group is in a position to generate more national noise.
Quarterback Dak Prescott has accounted for 25 touchdowns and only one interception. He also presents a great threat to a defense that has been susceptible to this kind of duality before—although this group is mighty different. (More on Prescott in a bit.)
Many assume Alabama to be invincible, which is understandable. But this is a very dangerous spot.
1. Oklahoma at Baylor (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC)
The first Big 12 domino tumbled last week, and now the madness is set in motion. Once all the points are posted for in this game—and goodness, there will be a plethora of end-zone visits—the shape of the conference will change once again.
Jarrett Stidham made his Baylor debut in place of the injured Seth Russell last Thursday, and he was absolutely brilliant. The tools were evident from the very first throw. But perhaps bigger than the tools or the numbers was how comfortable he appeared playing at Kansas State. Throwing for 419 yards and three touchdowns in your first road start will suffice quite nicely.
Still, his team did not exactly dazzle. As well as Stidham performed, the Fightin’ Bill Snyders had a chance to tie at the end. Baylor came away victorious, the only thing that matters, although concern rightfully exists. Here comes Oklahoma.
The Sooners’ loss to Texas earlier this year could go down as one of the more puzzling results we’re dealt all season. Since that game, Oklahoma has outscored its last four opponents 232-50. Granted, those teams were Kansas State, Texas Tech, Kansas and Iowa State. This one poses a bit more of a threat.
The importance and magnitude of this matchup should entice you to watch, but there’s so much more than that. Baylor wideout Corey Coleman already has 20 receiving touchdowns. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has 33 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
The winner of this game will leave with national-championship hopes and Heisman possibilities.
Let’s do this.
The Rivalry That Is Still Strangely Captivating: Oregon at Stanford (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
It doesn’t generate the same football sensations as it once did—those years these two contrasting styles clashed with everything on the line—but the game still owns special football real estate. And for one team in particular, there is a lot to gain or lose.
Stanford is still very much in the College Football Playoff conversation. Unlike previous Stanford teams, however, this version thrives on offense. Through 10 weeks, the Cardinal are averaging more than 37 points per game, nearly a full 10 points higher than they did a season ago.
Oregon’s playoff hopes were engulfed in flames early, although a healthy Vernon Adams Jr. at quarterback changes everything. The Ducks are by no means fixed, but there are enough playmakers on offense to push just about anyone.
Don't be surprised when this turns into a good ol' fashioned shootout.
The Game That Suddenly Isn’t Completely Terrible: Georgia at Auburn (Noon ET, CBS)
A few weeks ago, this game was borderline unwatchable even for the program's most passionate following. Turmoil, poor play and general disinterest prompted most to simply ignore these teams. But now, with some momentum bottled, Georgia and Auburn will touch gloves in a game that is ripe with storylines.
No, these seasons have not gone as planned. But the Bulldogs are attempting to extinguish known fires and the Tigers are looking to build off some positive recent developments.
Jovon Robinson, after arriving with such incredible expectations, delivered for Auburn in its victory over Texas A&M. He looks like a star. Georgia running back Sony Michel produced a similar output against Kentucky last week.
If the running backs aren't enough, perhaps the possibility of message board bedlam will entice you to watch. The losing team's fanbase will engulf the Internet in flames and proclaim this loss the end of it all.
Now, that's a sell.
Large Human Being to Watch This Week: A'Shawn Robinson (Alabama, DL)
On his official university bio, A’Shawn Robinson is listed at 312 pounds. That seems like an important bit of information before you watch the following.
Roll the tape…
Yes, that is an enormous human jumping over a group of enormous humans to block an extra point, looking more linebacker than D-line anchor.
If this is your introduction to Robinson, welcome. Also, where on Earth have you been?
Obviously, most won’t need encouragement to watch Alabama this weekend. But instead of focusing exclusively on the running back, be sure to zero in on the middle of that defensive front and look for the large man with a jet pack strapped to his back.
Parting Shot: In Appreciation of Dak Prescott, the Silent Superstar
In one evening, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott gained access to two notable clubs. Playing at Missouri last Thursday, operating in conditions that were more fit for a canoe, Prescott became the 10th SEC player to account for more than 10,000 yards and just the sixth SEC quarterback to score at least 100 touchdowns.
And no one seemed to care.
Of course you care, Starkville. This is your guy. But collectively, college football has decided to overlook a spectacular quarterback and career at a time when dominance at the position is limited.
This season, Prescott has scored 25 touchdowns and thrown just one interception. He’s led the Bulldogs to seven wins, despite watching a wealth of talent depart the program over the past few seasons. He is the team’s leading passer and leading rusher—having done much of the damage on the ground with defenders hanging on his back or around his legs.
So why aren't we talking about him?
Prescott's lack of popularity is a product of two issues. First, he plays for a program that is not typically embraced nationally. That’s not an insult to Mississippi State; it’s simply a reality of the way the school is covered.
Perhaps more damning, Prescott is not regarded as a surefire, can’t-miss NFL quarterback prospect by most draftniks. As a result of this perceived ceiling, people might not be as likely to watch him work.
All of that changes this week. Playing Alabama, people will be required to tune in once more. They might be watching to see what Alabama has in store for an encore, but Prescott will enjoy at least one final grand stage.
But don't just make it a point to watch Prescott just because he's playing Alabama. Carve out time over the next few weeks to watch one of the most productive quarterbacks the SEC has seen go to work in his final collegiate games.
He’s earned it, and no matter how I try to shape it, the true greatness of Prescott likely won't be fully appreciated until he's gone.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
