UCLA and Washington State provided the most exciting game of this young college football season late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. With a final score of 67-63, everything about this game was fun.
“We collapsed in all three phases of the game," said Head Coach Mike Leach.
With six turnovers (four lost fumbles and two interceptions), the Cougars lost the ball on both of their final possessions, letting UCLA score the go-ahead touchdown and ice the game.
Both quarterbacks played outstandingly, totaling 16 touchdowns. Anthony Gordon had 570 yards and a school-record nine touchdowns, while Dorian Thompson-Robinson had five passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. The Bruins’ second-half point total of 50 was one of the most outstanding performances in college football history.
In his postgame interview, Chip Kelly said "It's a Pac 12 After Dark win."
This game should be the definition of Pac 12 After Dark when you look it up in the dictionary.
A game that rivals last season’s LSU-Texas A&M game, both teams have different perspectives. For the Bruins, this could possibly turnaround their season and have them winning a couple of games. The schedule was looking tough and finding a win was becoming harder and harder for the Bruins.
For the Cougars, while they are not out of the Pac 12/playoff race yet, their chances fell dangerously low. With Utah, Oregon, Washington, and even Cal still on the schedule, the Cougars are going to need to play great football to make it back into the hunt. tarts running the proper offense.
For the Cougars, while they are not out of the Pac 12/layoff race yet, their chances fell dangerously low. With Utah, Oregon, Washington, and even Cal still on the schedule, the Cougars are going to need to play great football to make it back into the hunt.
As a fan of expanding the playoff, each week we will look at what a hypothetical eight-team playoff would look like if the season ended today. The debate of "Should there be autobids if the playoff expands" will rage on, but I personally am in favor of it.
Here is what the eight-team playoff would look like:
RULES
Eight teams consisting of five Power 5 champions, best Group of 5 team (if they are ranked in the top 10), two wildcards
If the Group of 5 team is not ranked in the top 10, three wildcards will make it
Power 5 and Group of 5 teams will be ranked No. 1 through No. 6, wild cards number seven and eight
Traditional bracket, No. 1 vs No. 8, No. 2 vs No. 7, etc.
Until College Football Playoff rankings are released, the AP poll will be where standings come from
No. 1 Clemson vs No. 8 Auburn
No. 2 Alabama vs No. 7 LSU
No. 3 Ohio State vs No. 6 Georgia
No. 4 Oklahoma vs No. 5 Oregon
The most interesting first-round matchup
In a toss-up between, Alabama-LSU and Ohio State-Georgia, I will take Ohio State-Georgia. These two teams have only met once in their history and a neutral site playoff game would be a lot of fun. Add in the factor that Justin Fields will be going up against his former team, and the matchup becomes a lot more mouth-watering.
The most interesting possible championship
Jalen Hurts vs Tua Tagovailoa was entertaining when they were competing for the job at Alabama. Now at Oklahoma, watching Hurts try to beat Nick Saban would be a dream. While we already saw how this matchup played out last season, the story of Hurts possibly defeating the Crimson Tide is too good to pass up.
A team that most likely deserves to be in the playoff
Right now, I would say Wisconsin. After destroying Michigan, the Badgers have proven to be one of the best teams in the country. The defense did not allow a point in their opening 10 quarters against South Florida, Central Michigan, and Michigan. No matter the opponent, that is impressive. Jonathan Taylor made a serious shout for Heisman contender after his 203 yard and two touchdown performance on Saturday.
Monday CFB Thoughts
While they have been quality losses, Texas A&M looks to be the most overrated preseason team so far
Wisconsin is a top-five team. Circle Oct. 26 on your calendar
38 against Vanderbilt? Insert Tua
Yes, Ole Miss got screwed, but they still had a two-point conversion attempt
Oregon is the Pac 12’s last hope
Trevor Lawrence’s Week 4 was better than his previous three. He only threw nine passes, but it was the first game without an interception
Next week’s slate is underwhelming, with a struggling Nebraska hosting Ohio State for Gameday. Ohio State has already opened up as a two-touchdown favorite on the road. USC at Washington, Virginia at Notre Dame and Washington State at Utah are the only other games that stick out. Oklahoma State hosting Kansas State has the potential to be a good one as well.
Bring on Week 5!