Week Seven in College Football: Exceeding Expectations

Published: Tuesday, October 15, 2024

by Kyle Ferreira

I apologize if you missed this extraordinary weekend.

Strangely, recent stats showed that Saturday, October 12th, is a popular day to get married this year. However, some may have had a good excuse to miss their friend’s big day this weekend. Week seven of college football was truly one that lived up to and surpassed everyone’s projections.  

Matchups like No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Oregon, and No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 13 LSU, were absolute cinema. No. 4 Penn State vs. USC was a blockbuster, and South Carolina vs. No. 7 Alabama was a surprise hit. Were they all worthy of a Best Picture nomination at next year’s Academy Awards, let’s find out.  

While conference realignment is a controversial topic in the sport, it has brought unique and often fun matchups this season. In the Big Ten, Ohio State and Oregon proved that in a Saturday night clash of the Titans in Eugene, Oregon. In front of a record-setting crowd, the Ducks showed why they are one of the sport’s best programs.  

In a game that included an onside kick recovery and an Oregon player spitting on an Ohio State player, it was chaos. It had nonstop action with terrific performances from Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart and Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith. The game should have gone to overtime because of how glorious and amazing this battle was.  

Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, down 32-31 with less than two minutes to go, it was a disastrous final play for them. 3rd & 20 from Oregon’s 38, OSU quarterback Will Howard decided to run with six seconds left and did not get the first down. That questionable decision secured an Oregon victory, and the fans stormed the field. It was a statement win for Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, who is building a program that others should be afraid of.  

One coach in particular who should be, if they meet in the College Football Playoff, is Ole Miss HC, Lane Kiffin. The Rebels traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to take on LSU in Death Valley, but the “Magnolia Bowl” did not bring successful results.  

Ole Miss knew they were doomed before it started; It was a night game, the fans were singing “Callin’ Baton Rouge” by Garth Brooks loud and proud, and LSU are ranked eighth. But in all seriousness, the Rebels blew this one.

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier arguably had one of his worst performances as a Tiger for most of the game. However, a late fourth-quarter touchdown to WR Aaron Anderson and a touchdown to WR Kyren Lacy in overtime made everyone quickly forget. LSU upset Ole Miss, and now Kiffin will need to come up with a new game plan that doesn’t include players faking injuries.

Earlier in Los Angeles, now conference foes Penn State and USC duked it out. Well, the Trojans were overwhelming the Nittany Lions and jumped out to a 20-6 lead by halftime. But Penn State did not travel 2,000+ miles to lose.  

Off a historic performance from tight end Tyler Warren, the Nittany Lions roared back into the game. Warren’s versatility with passing, running, catching, and doing whatever he was told to do contributed to a Penn State comeback. The game would need overtime, and PSU's walk-on kicker, Ryan Barker, would nail the game-winning field goal to keep them undefeated.  

Like Coach Kiffin, USC HC Lincoln Riley faced criticism for Saturday’s game, especially with clock management issues. Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer was nearly in that club once again this weekend. One week after getting embarrassed by Vanderbilt, Alabama nearly produced a sequel to that debacle vs South Carolina.

After three quarters, the Gamecocks were up 19-12, but the Tide were able to put forth a valiant effort in the 4th quarter. Alabama WR Germie Bernard seemingly put away the game with a 34-yard touchdown late in the game to make it 27-19. But the game was far from over.  

South Carolina’s QB LaNorris Sellers found WR Nyck Harbor for a touchdown grab that could only be described as ludicrous. After a failed two-point conversion, the Gamecocks received the on-side kick, but then proceeded to throw an interception. The Tide would hold on to win, but now a trip to Knoxville to take on Tennessee awaits them.  

In short, yes, the most anticipated weekend this season lived up to the marquee billing.  

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

 

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