While several top teams had to dodge the upset bug, what did their struggles tell us about what's still to come? Bill Connelly breaks it down.
For at least one Saturday in a given college football season, everything stops making sense. Up becomes down, left becomes right, Virginia's offense forgets its destitution, and things get weird.
On the other hand, crafting a defensive identity that pairs occasional Jim Knowles-style aggression with incredible safety play and big-play prevention has worked wonders. Even without injured corner, OSU held Allar to 18-for-42 passing with one completion of more than 20 yards and four sacks. The big-play issues that destroyed the Buckeyes' defense against Michigan and Georgia last season have been completely erased, and this might be the most underrated unit in the country.
If Leonard had been able to remain in the game, would the Blue Devils have gone up two scores and potentially taken this one down to the wire? Or would FSU have done what FSU always does in times of trial? The Seminoles' resilience has been by far their best characteristic in 2023. They finished their win over LSU on a 31-7 run, and they finished their win over Clemson on a 24-7 run.
After averaging just 4.7 yards per play against four power-conference opponents, Virginia averaged 5.2 on Saturday and scored 16.2 more points than projected . The UNC defense, so obviously improved for part of 2023, has given up 31 points in back-to-back games. SP+ still gives UNC the second-best odds of winning the ACC title -- 10%, a long distance behind FSU's 75% -- but if the defense is beginning to regress, even 10% is probably unrealistic.
Scoring 62 on Army, however, is quite a statement. The Knights were allowing just 20.2 points per game, and they don't typically allow teams enough possessions to put up a gaudy total. Butand the LSU attack are unstoppable right now. They're up to second in offensive SP+, and they have exceeded offensive projections by an average of 18.2 points per game over the last month.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Penn State rapid reaction: Ohio State 20, Nittany Lions 12 (Ohio Stadium)Joe Hermitt has been the Photo Department Lead for PennLive since November 2013. He has been a staff photographer at The Patriot-News since 1997 and the beat photographer covering Penn State football since the 2000 season. He has been a working photojournalist since 1990. Joe can be reached at jhermittpennlive.com or 717-255-8494.
Read more »
Ohio State, Mississippi State lead Week 8 college football trollsAir Force sunk Navy, Mississippi State smoked Arkansas and more of the best college football trolls of Week 8.
Read more »
What to expect in Penn State-Ohio State, Utah-USC, other Week 8 matchupsJoel Klatt takes a look at what to expect in four of the biggest college football games in Week 8, including Penn State-Ohio State.
Read more »
Penn State vs. Ohio State prediction: Week 8 college football picks, oddsTwo undefeated Big Ten powerhouses clash Saturday.
Read more »
College football Week 8 predictions: Ohio State vs. Penn State, more picks vs. spreadHowie Kussoy, AKA the Pigskin Profit, is backing No. 7 Penn State against No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday.
Read more »