Best and Worst of College Football Week 8

Every week, college football brings expectations and surprises. This week has not disappointed as two records have been set and realignment is again a hot topic. Some top teams have struggled while others have solidified themselves in their top positions with big wins.

There were missed calls and delayed games to top off the performances this week.

As the college football season has reached the bend and turned toward the finish line, let’s take a look at some of the best and worst happenings across the college football landscape during Week 8.

Best: Michigan State Knocks off Wisconsin

Michigan State led the Badgers early in the game and looked to run away with a win over the undefeated Big 10 rival. Wisconsin battled back to bring the game to a tie of 31 in the fourth quarter.

Michigan State received the ball again right before the finish of regulation and Kirk Cousins was driving his team toward the end zone. The Spartans found themselves within 50 yards of the end zone and prepared to throw the Hail Mary pass in an attempt to win the game instead of waiting for overtime.

The final pass was tipped away from the end zone and into the hands of Keith Nichol, a former quarterback. Wisconsin has become the most recent of the undefeated teams to fall.

Best: Dominique Davis Sets Passing Accuracy Record

In one game, Dominique Davis became etched in history with two NCAA passing records. Davis opened this week’s game against Navy riding a 10-completion streak after finishing last week’s contest against Memphis perfectly.

When Davis opened up against Navy, he threw 26 passes in a row for completions. Davis entered the locker room at halftime 26-of-26 and 251 yards through the air. Davis finished the game 40-of-45 for 372 yards and two touchdowns.

Davis set the most consecutive completions in a season with 36, and he also set the single-game record with 26 completions in a row. The previous season total was set at 26 by Aaron Rodgers in 2004. Tee Martin of Tennessee threw for 23 completions in a row for Tennessee in 1998 which placed him tied for first place with Rodgers for completions in a single game.

Worst: Review Officiating in the ECU vs. Navy Game

While the final seconds of the fourth quarter were winding down, the Navy Midshipmen were rushing their kicker onto the field to attempt a game-tying field goal to finish regulation. Jon Teague stepped into the kick and pushed the final attempt into the right upright.

Navy lost the game as the final seconds fell from the clock. The bigger issue is whether the kicker should have had to face the final kick in the first place. With 38 seconds left on the clock, Matt Aiken dove for a pass from second-string quarterback Trey Miller.

Aiken appeared to have caught the pass and retained possession before the ground forced a fumble once the ball had passed the goal line. The call on the field was a no catch, and after a lengthy review, the call on the field was upheld.

I am no replay official, but this wouldn’t be the first one that they got wrong this season. There is no way that Aiken didn’t catch that pass. The Midshipmen got the shaft with that call to finish the game.

Best: Case Keenum Record Setting Day

Case Keenum entered today’s contest needing only 130 total yards of offense to eclipse Timmy Chang as the FBS all-time leader in total offense.

With a little under four minutes remaining in the first quarter, Keenum connected with Justin Johnson for a 30-yard completion and the total offense record. Keenum is a sixth-year senior after tearing a knee ligament early in the season last year.

Keenum has led the Cougars to a 7-0 record with no games against a ranked opponent remaining. The Cougars are in great position to finish this season undefeated and a part of the BCS spoiler conversation. Keenum is completing 71.4 percent of his passes and has tossed 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions. 

Worst: More Conference Realignment Talk

At this point in the season, the last thing that fans need to be concerned with is next year’s schedule. The college football season is in a dead heat, and no distractions are necessary or needed. Come June, this will be great talk, can’t we leave it in the offseason?

The new rumor on the street is that Missouri will announce to the SEC by midweek. The SEC needs to balance their conference and get 14 teams. The SEC would love the television market while Missouri would love to compete in the SEC.

All of it is well and good, but again, why this didn’t already happen or why it can’t wait is beyond me. The Texas A&M to the SEC commercials are enough. Leave realignment where it belongs, in the offseason.

Best: Kansas State and Clemson Continue To Roll

No matter your team colors, it is always fun to watch the unexpected occur in college football. This year, there have been more than a few teams that have surprised with their records. Illinois started the season undefeated, and Florida State fell quickly from grace.

Two big surprises have been Kansas State and Clemson. Both teams are finding ways to win and play a major part in BCS conferences. Clemson will face the ACC championship before it's said and done while Kansas State faces a gauntlet in the next two weeks.

Clemson has one of the easiest roads as it stands to be undefeated in a major BCS conference. Kansas State faces No. 3 Oklahoma next week at home and then the Wildcats travel to No. 4 Oklahoma State. It’s not likely they stay undefeated.

Either way, watching these two teams rise into the top 10 unexpectedly has been a treat.