College Football Views – Week 7: A Turning Point
Week 7 has been and gone; we are officially in the second half of the season. Every year we wait for the season to arrive, and yet it always seems to slip by in a flash. Of course, some will be glad to see the back of the first half, and some will hope that week 7 proves to be a turning point of sorts.
Highlights
Texas will certainly be hoping that after winning the Red River Rivalry game 23-6 against Oklahoma. Sooners QB John Mateer was back 17 days after hand surgery, and he probably should have stayed away. He connected on 20 of 38 passing attempts for 202 yards with 0 TDs, 3 INT, an ESPN QBR of 42.8 and did not look right. But Arch Manning had a better day connecting on 21 of 27 attempts for 166 yards and 1 touchdown. He also carried the ball 4 times for 34 yards. Oklahoma may be 5-1 but they have not really shined in their higher profile games so far. They will need to improve with Ole Miss, Tennessee and Alabama coming down the track.
Indiana gave the star performance of the week going into Autzen stadium and snapping the Ducks’ 18 home game winning streak after a 30-20 road win over Oregon. Indiana looked well drilled on both sides of the ball with the Ducks looking second best throughout. Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza put in a polished performance. He finished the day with 20 successful passes from 31 attempts for 215 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT and a QBR of 88.6. For the Ducks Dante Moore had a day he will want to forget connecting on 21 passes of 34 attempts for 186 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT (QBR of 33.2). The Ducks will have some real soul searching this week as they look ahead to the second half of the season that includes going to Iowa and Washington and a home game against USC.
Once again, Penn State found themselves trying to bounce back from a loss. Where better to do it that at home against a 3-2 Northwestern team? But the Wildcats didn’t get the memo and snatched a 22-21 win at Beaver Stadium. A Caleb Komolafe 9-yard rushing touchdown sealed the deal 4 minute from time and Penn St couldn’t respond. The day was made worse with news that QB Drew Allar is out injured for the season. It is amazing how Penn State’s season has crumbled since the Oregon loss in week 5. Nittany Lions Head Coach stood motionless on the field after the game, almost as if he knew what was going to come.
An intriguing matchup going into week 7 was 4-1 Alabama at 5-0 Missouri. An immovable force meeting an unstoppable object with both teams carrying upward momentum. Alabama edged the game 27-24 in an entertaining encounter. Alabama controlled large chunks of the game holding the ball for 38 minutes vs 21 for the Tigers. Both teams were evenly matched in the air (200 for Bama vs 167 for Missouri) and on the ground (126 vs 163). But better 3rd and 4th down efficiency ultimately tipped the game in favour of Alabama. Bama QB Ty Simpson finished with 23 completions on 31 attempts with 3 TDs/0 INTs (QBR 77.6). For the Tigers Beau Pribula finished with 16 completions on 28 attempts for 2 TD/2INT (QBR 78.6). Alabama have climbed back following their week 1 loss to Florida State, and have gained momentum since.
Will this be a Turning Point?
Week 7 will act as fuel to a number of teams for various reasons. For the likes of the Ducks and Oklahoma it will be about having a good look in the mirror and fixing key weaknesses. However, both are 5-1 and still have control of their own playoff hopes, although conference championships are likely off the table. Of course, similar is true of Missouri who need to rebound and reload for the remainder of the campaign. 5-1 is still a good springboard to head into the second half of the season.
Keep in mind UCLA, who after a terrible start are now 2-4 with great momentum. The new coaching staff seems to have created some great “bouncebackability” with QB Nico Lamaleava playing with great freedom. Who knows what the next few weeks will bring them.
All looks bright in the Golden State with USC also enjoying an upward trajectory. USC are 5-1 after a solid ranked win against Michigan this week 31-13. They have a very compelling matchup against Notre Dame next.
Texas Longhorns fans may have managed their expectations in terms of ceiling, but they will hope a line has been drawn on how far the floor can drop. Another win next week against 2-3 Kentucky will be anticipated, but as we are discovering this season, nothing can be taken for granted.
Changing the Coach to Draw a Line
A number of head coaches paid for poor performances with their jobs this weekend. James Franklin is the most high profile, after being fired post the Northwestern game. Coach Franklin was in his 12th year with the Nittany Lions and will be reportedly due a $45m pay-out. It is unlikely that he will be out of work for very long.
Others to suffer the same fate were Trent Bray after an 0-7 start to the year at Oregon State and Trent Dilfer after a 2-4 start at UAB. Why make such a change now with the season lost? Obviously the teams don’t need to worry about relegation. But arresting a slide is important for a number of reasons, including trying to retain a locker room, maintaining attendance numbers and securing recruits for the forthcoming seasons.
So will teams take advantage and turn their position into a turning point moment? Who can show some bouncebackability? I look forward to finding out.
This week, I will once again be on the College Football UK podcast to talk about all of the above. Keep an eye out for it on Thursday morning.
