A look back at the week that was with three college football teams that impressed and three whose weekends did not go as planned.
Three Up
Tennessee Volunteers
2016 Record: Straight-Up 5-0, Against-the-Spread 2-3
Hail yes. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/ha6hOARBjZ
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 2, 2016
The game was over. Georgia scored on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Eason to Riley Ridley with 10 seconds left to take a 31-28 lead. Then, as the Bulldogs fans were celebrating, Tennessee returned the ensuing kickoff into position for one last desperation heave into the end zone. Against all odds, Joshua Dobbs threw a 43-yard pass with no time remaining to Jauan Jennings for a touchdown.
Tennessee’s Hail Mary was the first game-winning touchdown as time expired in the SEC since Auburn’s “kick-six” miracle against Alabama in 2013. The Vols rallied from a double-digit deficit for the fourth time in five games and now have a commanding lead in the SEC East.
Next Up: Texas A&M
Trends
Tennessee is 3-26 straight-up since 2005 on the road against ranked teams.
Clemson Tigers
2016 Record: Straight-Up 5-0, Against-the-Spread 2-2-1
Dabo Swinney now has four top-5 wins at Clemson.
That's more than every other Tigers coach combined. pic.twitter.com/er5gyGx3Zw
— ESPN (@espn) October 2, 2016
Clemson rallied to score two fourth quarter touchdowns to beat No. 3 Louisville 42-36 Saturday night. The Tigers had to stop the Cardinals on fourth down with 33 seconds to play to hold on for the victory.
Deshaun Watson scored five touchdowns, the last two came in the final seven minutes. His heroics help bettors cash big on the in-game line.
Live moneyline comebacks in NCAAF yesterday
WVU +575
Clemson +465
Baylor +385
Tenn +340Week 5 Betting Recap: https://t.co/GQnPIXVdO9
— Sports Insights (@SportsInsights) October 2, 2016
Clemson is in command in the ACC and will likely be favored to make the College Football Playoff after the dramatic win over Louisville.
Next Up: Boston College
Trends
Clemson is 10-2 straight-up in games not played on Saturday (7-5 ATS).
Washington Huskies
2016 Record: Straight-Up 5-0, Against-the-Spread 3-2
Huskies get it done!
No. 10 Washington takes down No. 7 Stanford, 44-6 #STANvsUW pic.twitter.com/JzFaMd4pSe
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 1, 2016
Purple haze: No. 10 Washington rolled No. 7 Stanford 44-6 Friday night. It was the largest win ever for the Huskies over an AP top-10 team. Chris Petersen’s squad now has the inside track for the Pac-12 North title.
Washington is now 5-0 for the first time in 24 years. Quarterback Jake Browning led the way throwing for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Myles Gaskin ran for 100 yards and two scores as well and the defense bottled up Heisman hopeful Christian McCaffrey (49 rushing yards on 12 carries).
The statement game from UW puts the program firmly in the conversation for the College Football Playoff. The celebration could be short lived, a tough road test awaits with a trip to Eugene.
Next Up: Oregon
Trend
Washington has lost 10 straight to Oregon (0-10 ATS)
Three Down
Iowa State Cyclones
2016 Record: Straight-Up 1-4, Against-the-Spread 3-2
The game-winner. ???? pic.twitter.com/2pEfZspimi
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) October 1, 2016
Chris Callahan kicked a 19-yard field goal as time expired to complete Baylor’s rally from down 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Cyclones were over 95% likely to win before falling 45-42.
Iowa State has lost 17 straight against ranked teams. Third longest active streak among current Power 5 teams. Weird things happen in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones have been known to put a scare in ranked teams at home but often that is all it is, a scare not a win.
Next Up: Oklahoma State
Trends
Since 2006, Iowa State is winless in the state of Oklahoma (1-7 ATS).
Texas Longhorns
2016 Record: Straight-Up 2-2, Against-the-Spread 2-2
A quick look at #Texas' defensive practice #HookEm pic.twitter.com/0zwbJoCKVx
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) October 1, 2016
Texas has allowed 45 or more points in three of the team’s first four games this season for the first time in school history. Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph threw for 392 yards and three touchdowns as Justice Hill rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys 49-31 upset of the Longhorns.
Texas athletic director Mike Perrin reportedly told Orangebloods.com, when asked about coach Charlie Strong’s future, “We need to evaluate what happened here.” It seems like an eternity since the ‘Horns beat Notre Dame in the season opener. At 2-2, Strong will need to finish strong or risk losing his job.
Next Up: Oklahoma
Trends
Texas is 7-3 ATS against Oklahoma since 2005.
Kickers
Minnesota's Jaylen Waters was ejected for hitting Penn State's very large kicker: https://t.co/J48plQFXD9 pic.twitter.com/2XIYUxAIqi
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 1, 2016
Kickers are generally worthless. No one considers kickers real football players. So it is really upsetting when one tries to contribute to the team by making tackles. I want to thank Jaylen Waters (why did he get ejected for that hit?) for putting Joey Julius, and kickers in general, back in their place. Know your role, stay in your lane.