Week Six In College Football: One For The Record Books

Published: Wednesday, October 9, 2024

by Kyle Ferreira

Ok, what just happened?

Many people assumed that because of the lack of tantalizing matchups this weekend, they could do other activities. Maybe go apple picking, go to a pumpkin patch, or any other fall activities. Yet everyone falls for it every year, and that’s when mayhem ensues.

Upset after upset, this was a weekend that had fans questioning if this was 2007 again. From the Pacific Northwest to the Southeast, college football fans rejoiced, cried and praised a historic weekend in this amazing sport. One game, in particular, had fans across the nation absolutely flabbergasted.

No. 1 Alabama at Vanderbilt should have been a cakewalk, a blowout, a smackdown for the big bad Crimson Tide. Arguably one of the greatest programs the sport has ever witnessed, versus a school with relatively no success in the sport. Surely a team that beat Georgia would give the Commodores nightmares, right? 

Would you believe that Vandy outsmarted Bama, and controlled this game to their liking? Led by New Mexico State transfer-quarterback Diego Pavia, the Commodores did what many assume was impossible: beat No. 1 ranked Alabama. Credit to Vanderbilt, they capitalized on a Bama squad that made many mistakes and couldn’t sack Pavia even once. 

After the game, the scenes in Nashville were absolutely beautiful. The Vandy fans tore down the goalpost, walked through downtown, and tossed it in the Cumberland River. From Pavia cursing in the postgame interview, to roasting Nick Saban about what he said about playing there, it was an eventful night.

The upsets kept on coming throughout the evening portion of games. In a rematch of January’s National Championship Game, No. 10 Michigan took on Washington in Seattle, and the results were drastically different. There was no JJ McCarthy, no Michael Penix, no Rome Odunze this time, rather, names like running back Donovan Edwards and QB Will Rogers were at large.  

Michigan’s QB problems continued with Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle unable to do much against Washington's defense. The game was still close entering the 4th quarter, with the Wolverines leading 17-14. But Washington managed to force a fumble, pick off Tuttle, and turn those turnovers into 10 points. 

After all that, the Huskies prevailed and got their revenge over their newest Big Ten opponents. The Huskie faithful piled onto the field after the game, and it was truly another beautiful sight to see. For the Wolverines, they suffered their first Big Ten loss since losing to Michigan State in 2021.

Back down south in Fayetteville, No. 4 Tennessee went into a ruckus environment in Arkansas, and to no surprise, they got upset. In a low-scoring affair, the Razorbacks utilized the clock well, pressured Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava with four sacks, and played well overall. A late touchdown by Arkansas’ QB Malachi Singleton and a questionable decision from Iamaleava would seal the victory for the Razorbacks.

Another upset, another field storming, and yet the upsets were not done yet. No. 11 USC lost to Minnesota, where turnovers (3) and penalties (8) were the ultimate factors for why they did. Earlier in the day, No. 9 Missouri had their doors blown off by No. 25 Texas A&M in College Station, 41-10.  

Overall, five teams ranked in the top 11 of the AP Poll lost on Saturday; that has not happened since 2016. But it wasn’t just the big upsets that were making news.

California hosted College Gameday and the atmosphere was electric. From parodies of Chappell Roan’s song “Hot to Go” with RB Jaydn Ott’s name, to the Calgorithm, the Cal faithful showed up. That continued when game time hit, as No. 8 Miami (FL) traveled over 2,000 miles to take on the Golden Bears.

The Hurricanes would once again survive thanks to a questionable call made by the officials. Late in the 4th quarter, Miami’s linebacker Wesley Bissainthe hit Cal’s QB Fernando Mendoza with helmets colliding, but no targeting was called. It was unfortunate for the Golden Bears, who college fans seem to be falling in love with.

On a weekend that many initially thought would be boring and uneventful, it was one that millions will never forget.  

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

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