On the alleged unbeatable Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide, because the honorable Lee Corso would possibly say, “Not so quick, my mates.”
In arguably their worst outing in three years, Kirby Sensible’s crew slogged to a 26–22 win over Missouri in a sport wherein it took its first lead with 4 minutes, three seconds left. The Bulldogs trailed 16–3 within the second quarter, 19–9 within the third and 22–12 within the fourth earlier than mounting their comeback in Columbia.
And as for Alabama, its Heisman Trophy-winning beginning quarterback, Bryce Younger, suffered a shoulder sprain, and its protection allowed 23 consecutive factors. Whereas its sport towards Arkansas become a rout (49–26) this was something however.
Can we lastly have some parity on this ol’ sport of ours? Let’s not get too forward of ourselves. However for these groups scratching and clawing on the heels of the Tide and the Bulldogs, know that they’re certainly beatable.
And what about everybody else? Properly, Ohio State and Michigan have performed the weakest schedules of any top-10 crew. Penn State put up a stinker of a win Saturday towards Northwestern. And even Clemson has proven vulnerability this season. Nobody is ideal and possibly that’s good for the entire.
Talking of the entire, 10 AP Prime 25 groups misplaced Saturday (5 of these performed towards fellow ranked groups). Nonetheless, this felt like a show it-type day wherein the frauds have been uncovered and the victors have been rewarded with a lift of confidence. Take as an illustration Florida State, whipped at house by Wake Forest. There was Kentucky, too, which misplaced to Ole Miss. And Washington acquired housed at UCLA.
In the meantime, a trio of groups (Illinois, Tulane and Maryland) moved to 4–1 by beating a trio of groups (Wisconsin, Houston and Michigan State) that dropped to 2–3. Sure, you learn that appropriately.
In information of the weird, Georgia Tech gained a street sport over a top-25 crew (Pitt) for the primary time in six years on the week it fired its coach; ESPN Faculty GameDay is heading to Kansas (Kansas!) for the unbeaten conflict all of us noticed coming in August when the Jayhawks host TCU; and Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M crew acquired bludgeoned by 18 factors in Starkville, Mississippi.
In not-so-weird information, Iowa’s offense continues to be stinking up the entire of school soccer!
O.Ok., it’s time for the Prime 10, which we remind you just isn’t solely a gauge of your document however the data of your opponents!
1. Alabama (5–0)
Final sport: Beat Arkansas 49–26
Subsequent sport: Texas A&M (Saturday)
Most anticipated the Hogs to present the Tide a problem. And so they did, for a fleeting second, storming again from a 28–0 gap with 23 consecutive factors. Nonetheless, Nick Saban reminded us that his crew is sweet sufficient to not want the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. A Younger-less Tide scored 21 within the fourth quarter to drag away and arrange what may be a bloodletting subsequent week when Jimbo brings his 3–2 Aggies to Tuscaloosa 4 months after his public tiff with Saban over NIL.
Jahmyr Gibbs ran wild towards the Razorbacks, racking up 206 yards and two scores.
Nelson Chenault/USA TODAY Sports activities
2. Clemson (5–0)
Final sport: Beat NC State 30–20
Subsequent sport: Boston Faculty (Saturday)
QB DJ Uiagalelei led the Tigers in dashing and in passing and continues to play just like the participant all of us anticipated (that’s two straight video games now!). In the meantime, Clemson’s protection acquired a much-needed increase after some lackluster outings. The Wolf Pack transformed 5-of-14 third downs, averaged 1.6 yards a rush and didn’t crack the 300-yard mark. Dabo Swinney’s guys vault up our Prime 10 after back-to-back high quality victories.
3. Georgia (5–0)
Final sport: Beat Missouri 26–22
Subsequent sport: Auburn (Saturday)
Few anticipated UGA’s sport towards Missouri to warrant such consideration late within the fourth quarter, however lo and behold, the Bulldogs needed to claw out of a few 10-point deficits and a 13-point gap. Behind QB Stetson Bennett and RB Kenny McIntosh, UGA put collectively 75 and 68-yard landing drives within the closing 10 minutes to stay undefeated. It was a head-scratching sport wherein the crew of 4 and 5 stars discovered itself out-gunned towards a crew of largely two and three stars.
4. Ohio State (5–0)
Final sport: Beat Rutgers 49–10
Subsequent sport: at Michigan State (Saturday)
The Scarlet Knights leaped out to a 7–0 lead after which have been outscored 49–3 the remainder of the way in which in an utter beatdown. Ohio State RB Miyan Williams had 189 yards dashing. Rutgers had 187 yards whole. And in case you’re questioning why Ohio State is exterior of the highest 3, the Buckeyes haven’t but performed a street sport, nor have they hosted a crew inside the present high 25.
5. Oklahoma State (4–0)
Final sport: Beat Baylor 36–25
Subsequent sport: Texas Tech (Saturday)
Mike Gundy and the Pokes lastly beat some good competitors, taking their present on the street and walloping the Bears. Like final yr, Oklahoma State isn’t reliant solely on an electrical offense. Its protection was among the finest within the nation in 2021, and on Saturday, the Cowboys acquired a 98-yard kickoff return from Jaden Nixon and a security from the D. They solely wanted 181 yards passing from QB Spencer Sanders.
6. Michigan (5–0)
Final sport: Beat Iowa 27–14
Subsequent sport: at Indiana (Saturday)
RB Blake Corum and QB J.J. McCarthy have been chargeable for 288 of Michigan’s 327 yards in what was a reasonably ho hum outing towards the hapless Hawkeyes and their dysfunctional offense. The Wolverines protection is actual, actual sufficient to have allowed greater than two touchdowns simply as soon as within the first 5 video games.
The Hawkeyes have been held to simply 280 whole yards.
AP Photograph/Charlie Neibergall
7. USC (5–0)
Final sport: Beat Arizona State 42–25
Subsequent sport: Washington State (Saturday)
It lasted 4 video games and 18 quarters of soccer, however the Trojans’ season-opening, turnover-less streak ended Saturday when Caleb Williams was picked off ultimately zone. The decide didn’t damage. The truth is, USC amassed consecutive landing drives afterward to ice the sport towards a Solar Devils squad that fired coach Herm Edwards earlier this season.
8. Kansas (5–0)
Final sport: Beat Iowa State 14–11
Subsequent sport: TCU (Saturday)
Has any crew ever had a extra shocking begin to a season? It’s a official query to ask after the Jayhawks rolled to one more victory. It’s not like their schedule has been a cakewalk. They’ve street wins over West Virginia and Houston and have overwhelmed Duke and ISU at house. That’s 4 victories over Energy 5 groups (Houston is quickly to make the transfer to the Huge 12). Lance Leipold’s crew has gained in numerous methods too. With its offense and QB Jalon Daniels struggling towards the Cyclones, the protection stood tall. ISU was 5-of-18 on third down.
9. Penn State (5–0)
Final sport: Beat Northwestern 17–7
Subsequent sport: at Michigan (Oct. 15)
A bye week awaits the Nittany Lions and it’s an excellent factor. Possibly they will strive to determine what occurred in an unsightly efficiency towards the lowly Wildcats. Right here’s a begin: 5 turnovers. If James Franklin’s crew was enjoying even a mediocre squad, it’d not be undefeated.
10. Tennessee (4–0)
Final sport: Beat Florida 38–33
Subsequent sport: at LSU (Saturday)
The Vols rested up this week earlier than touring to Tiger Stadium. QB Hendan Hooker and his Huge Orange Present should beat the Tigers to arrange what may be essentially the most related Alabama-Tennessee sport in additional than a decade on Oct. 15. Can they do it? They acquired some assist from the SEC’s tv companions, which slotted the sport at an 11 a.m. native time kick. Avoiding an evening kick in Baton Rouge for any opponent is a optimistic.
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