Week 13 in College Football: A Volcanic Weekend Across the Nation

Published: Monday, November 25, 2024

by Kyle Ferreira

No matter where the action was this weekend, college football delivered an explosive slate of games.

Fans have come to expect the unexpected this season, with chaos reigning week after week. This weekend was no different, erupting with drama that rivaled the volcanic activity in Iceland. Field stormings, goalposts coming down, overtime thrillers, and standout performances dominated the landscape. Where does one even start?

This weekend exemplified why college football matters to so many. Take No. 16 Colorado vs. Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium. After a tough start to the season, the Jayhawks showed they weren’t ready to quit. For the third straight week, Kansas upended a ranked Big 12 team, with star running back Devin Neal leading the charge. Neal capped off the game by forming a heart with his hands to thank fans for their unwavering support.

At the same time, No. 14 BYU faced No. 21 Arizona State in Tempe. The Sun Devils emerged victorious in a game that meant more than just another win. Picked last in the Big 12 preseason poll, ASU has defied expectations under head coach Kenny Dillingham, who has reignited the program. A premature field rush from fans reflected their excitement, with a potential College Football Playoff appearance now within reach.

In the Big Ten, Saturday’s top-five showdown between No. 5 Indiana and No. 2 Ohio State dominated headlines. While the Buckeyes cruised after a slow start, the bigger story unfolded in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers ended an eight-year drought against Wisconsin, becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016. Fans stormed the field in celebration of Nebraska’s return to relevance.

In Norman, Oklahoma stunned No. 7 Alabama in primetime, handing the Crimson Tide their third loss of the season. Alabama hasn’t suffered three regular-season defeats since 2010. For Oklahoma, it was a landmark victory in Brent Venables’ first SEC campaign, sparking a massive field rush. Meanwhile, Auburn delivered its own thriller at Jordan-Hare Stadium, defeating No. 15 Texas A&M in four overtimes. Now at 5-6, Auburn has a shot at bowl eligibility if it can beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

At the FCS level, the regular season wrapped up spectacularly. From the Yale-Harvard rivalry to Montana’s “Brawl of the Wild” against Montana State, the action was electric. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Lehigh dominated Lafayette 38-14 in their 160th all-time meeting, earning a share of the Patriot League title and a spot in the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2017. Fans celebrated by tearing down the goalposts and throwing them into the Lehigh River.

Once again, college football delivered a weekend to remember.

Kyle Ferreira can be reached at kyle.ferreira@student.shu.edu. 

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