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This weekend of college action produced thrilling overtime victories, Coastal Carolina’s wrestling-style postgame celebrations, and the BYU Cougars attempting a fake punt with a 40 point lead. There was Wild West levels of craziness was going on over the past few days. Especially with the return of the the Big Ten. Justin Fields and the Ohio State Buckeyes destroyed Nebraska in their season debut and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights snapped a 21-game Big Ten losing streak when they defeated the Michigan State Spartans. The most exciting game of the conference, and maybe even the day, was the Penn State and Indiana Hoosiers showdown. Michael Penix Jr.’s 2-point conversion leap sent shock waves down the spines of the Nittany Lions faithful. The win also booted Penn State out of the top ten in both polls.
With all off the upsets, Notre Dame actually looking like they belong, and a Trevor Lawrence pick 6 to sort through, the polls saw some risers and droppers this week.
AP Top 25
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11.BYU Cougars
14.Oregon Ducks
17. Indiana Hoosiers
20. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
21. USC Trojans
22.SMU Mustangs
24. Oklahoma Sooners
Other Teams Receiving Votes: Memphis 105; Liberty 85; Tulsa 80; Louisiana-Lafayette 50; Army 44; Auburn 41; Minnesota 40; Utah 36; Northwestern 20; Washington 15; Arkansas 15; Purdue 8; Arizona State 7; Appalachian State 6; California 4; Boston College 2; Texas 2; San Diego State 1
Coaches Poll
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10.BYU Cougars
12.Miami-Florida Hurricanes
15.Oregon Ducks
18. Marshall Thundering Herd
19. Indiana Hoosiers
20. USC Trojans
21. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
23.SMU Mustangs
24. Oklahoma Sooners
Other teams receiving Votes: Auburn 118; Liberty 112; Memphis 88; Boise State 79; Minnesota 67; UL Lafayette 62; Utah 45; Louisiana State 37; Boston College 28; Purdue 26; Missouri 25; Northwestern 24; Virginia Tech 22; NC State 20; Tulsa 18; Texas 18; Arkansas 17; Appalachian State 16; Central Florida 13; Arizona State 10; California 8; West Virginia 6; Tennessee 6; Iowa 6; Wake Forest 5; Stanford 3; Houston 2.
Analysis
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Even with the unfortunate injury to Jaylen Waddle, Alabama’s dominance remained as they throttled the Tennessee Volunteers. The top-tier duo of the Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers will spend another week at the top of the polls. Penn State’s loss to Indiana dropped them 10 spaces in the Coaches Poll. The same matchup sprung Indiana into the polls for the firs time this season.
Giving some love to the American Athletic Conference, Cincinnati continued their conference supremacy with a drubbing of SMU. Speaking of love, Oklahoma’s multi-week exodus from the polls is over, They reappeared in both polls and reside at 24. With teams coming, other teams find themselves on the outs this week. Virginia Tech, NC State, and Minnesota were punted from the polls this week.
In the ACC, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons upset the Virginia Tech Hokies through the great play of freshman walk on Nick Andersen. Andersen had with 3 picks and 11 tackles in the seven-point win. As we all know, the Canes took down the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday night, 19-14. D’Eriq King was 21-30, with 322 yards, and 1 TD. It was an impressive night for Mike Harley. The talented WR finished the game with 10 receptions, 170 yards, and 1 TD.
There has been plenty of conversations about the production of the run game over the last few games, among other things. However, even with several things to work on, the Canes still head into the bye week at 5-1.