Week Ten in College Football: Welcome to the Longest Month

Published: Wednesday, November 6, 2024

by Kyle Ferreira

Welcome to November.

Halloween is over, the college basketball season is starting, and Election Day has come and gone. Yet, college football fans only care about one thing… will their teams survive the last month of the regular season? After this weekend, it will not be that simple.

It was another upset-filled weekend in this crazy sport, with seven ranked teams falling to their opponents. Notably, No. 10 Texas A&M fell at South Carolina and No. 11 Iowa State lost at home vs Texas Tech. What happened in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday night?

In front of an electrifying sold-out crowd, the Gamecocks demolished the Aggies defense with their run game. Running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders and quarterback LaNorris Sellers both ran for 100+ yards, constantly putting A&M in difficult situations. Yet the game was still relatively close at halftime with the score tied at 20.

However, the Gamecocks took control of the game in the second half with two rushing touchdowns provided by Sanders. When the clock hit zero and the Gamecocks had officially prevailed, the stadium bushes were destroyed, and virtually every fan stormed onto the field. It was a major win for head coach Shane Beamer, who continues to build a special program down in South Carolina’s capital.

With A&M’s loss, no team in the SEC remains perfect in conference play; desperation time is approaching in College Station. Up in Ames, Iowa, disaster struck the Cyclones, ending their perfect start to their season. Iowa State, who were looking for their first 8-0 start in program history, were denied that opportunity by Texas Tech.

In soaking-wet conditions, the Red Raiders marched down 71 yards late in the 4th quarter to seize control and leave victorious. RB Tahj Brooks capped off the game with the game-winning touchdown, and 122 rushing yards. Tech’s win solidified a spot in the bowl season for them, while Iowa State will look to rebound vs Kansas on Saturday.

While these were two outstanding results, the main course for Saturday was No. 4 Ohio State and No. 3 Penn State in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions, who came into the game undefeated, were looking to overthrow the Buckeyes for the first time since the classic 2016 game.

For the eighth consecutive season, the Buckeyes were the winners again.

Even after a pick-6 that put Penn State up 10-0 in the first quarter, the Buckeyes were determined to pull through. In front of a record crowd at Beaver Stadium, Ohio State made crucial play after crucial play. Late in the first half, Buckeyes’ defensive back and New Jersey native Davison Igbinosun shocked everyone by intercepting a pass from PSU’s QB Drew Allar.

With the game on the line in the fourth, the Buckeyes’ halted the Nittany Lions from scoring... four plays in a row. Terrific defense at the Ohio State three led to the Buckeyes running the ball to finish the game with the 20-13 win. For Penn State, it’s another brutal loss to their rivals, but they will remain optimistic for their Saturday night “White Out” vs Washington.

The rest of week ten was an interesting sight to behold; BYU is the only remaining undefeated team in the Big 12 at 8-0, while Mike Norvell and Florida State are now 1-8. Duke wide receiver Jordan Moore made an incredible catch vs Miami (FL), and Army is 8-0 for the first time since 1996.

Another surprise involved the Maine Black Bears up 7-0 vs Oklahoma in the first quarter of their contest. Unsurprisingly, the Sooners would score 52 unanswered points to eventually win 59-14. How this game was scheduled is quite impressive, and rather fascinating as well.

Tuesday night should be an interesting evening for college football fans as the first CFP rankings of the season are revealed. Also, Bowling Green vs Central Michigan and Miami (OH) vs Ball State will be on following the rankings. These games might be more important than who wins the presidency, but that’s MACtion for you.

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

 

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