College football gives us storylines each week that even the most creative script writer couldn’t pass off as plausible in Hollywood. We’re only five weeks into the season and the finishes impacting the national championship quest are something to behold. However for every signature performance there’s the other end of the spectrum and we’re here to capture those gut wrenching gambling debacles as well.
The Good
There were a quartet of finishes last weekend that deserve special attention. The weekend began with a circus finish in Provo Friday night before continuing with concurrent thrillers in Athens and Tallahassee, and culminating in a Death Valley crescendo CFB’s marquee games did not disappoint. Sports make for the best reality television and college football put on Emmy worthy performances last weekend.
Maybe good isn’t the right term for what we saw at MetLife however it sure was entertaining watching Notre Dame and Syracuse for the first five minutes. In just 4:54 of elapsed game time there were 36 points put on the scoreboard. In that five minute span spectators were treated to three pass plays of 67 or more yards and a 93 yard kickoff return. Over bettors grabbed a dream start and held a winning ticket with 10 minutes left in the game.
Break up the Terrapins!!! New head coach DJ Durkin has brought a culture change to College Park and through four games results have shown. Maryland is +2.2 in yards per play differential ranking them 7th in the entire country. We’re about to find out how good (or bad) this team really is since the cupcake portion of the schedule officially ends on Saturday with a trip to Happy Valley
The Bad
I know they went into the Horseshoe to take on Ohio State but Rutgers offensive performance can best be described as abysmal. The Scarlet Knights gained a grand total of 116 yards, amassing 9 first downs. The Rutgers QB production (or lack thereof) was truly a site to behold generating eye popping production to a tune of 3 for 16 and just 33 yards.
Michigan beat Wisconsin…that’s the most important part for Wolverine fans. Although gaining 200 yards more than their your opponent an only squeezing out a seven point win has to be disconcerting especially with multiple special teams miscues. That being said there wasn’t much hope for Wisconsin gaining just 159 yards of offense and aside from a few big plays never really threatened for the upset even when the game was tied late. Michigan is headed down a dangerous path given their style of play; it doesn’t allow for a large margin of error very similar to UVA’s basketball approach which has kept the Cavaliers from realizing their potential
The Ugly
Louisville and Clemson gave us one of the most exciting finishes…but the game wasn’t without its fair share of foibles. Rarely do you see two national championship contenders with Heisman caliber quarterbacks combine for eight turnovers. Both teams flirted with disaster throughout the evening. Clemson’s lack of ball security gave Louisville’s comeback legs before the Tigers closed the door one yard short on James quick displaying poise of a championship caliber defense.
Turnovers will kill you every time. Just ask the Duke Blue Devils and their young QB Daniel Jones that was picked off six times in their loss to Virginia. Almost every stat saw these two teams play an equal football game except for the -5 turnover ratio that sealed the Devils fate.
Under bettors and Marshall backers experienced a heartbreaking fate at Heinz Field Saturday night. Pittsburgh took a commanding 27-0 lead into the half but saw that margin dwindle to 30-27 with four minutes remaining. The Panthers gave themselves some breathing room with a 54 yard TD pass to take a 37-27 lead with just 1:04 left. Depending on the total you locked in under bettors and dog backers still had breathing room. Then it happened…the dreaded garbage time score and an Avonte Maddox 33 yard Pick 6 with no time left on the clock giving Pittsburgh a 43-27 victory breaking hearts of under and dog bettors everywhere.
