Clearly, this is going to be one of those seasons where even the best schools aren’t safe from upsets. There are so many contenders and even with two thirds of the season complete, we have no definitive answer to who the best team in the country is. But, man, did we see some great performances across three days of football. Here are some of the best:
Cameron Smith
If there’s a better defensive freshman in the Pac-12 conference – and, you know, maybe the entire country – I’d like to know who. The USC linebacker looks like being a good one. As in, Keith Rivers or Clay Matthews good, and that’s high praise indeed. It was Smith’s three interceptions of Utah QB Travis Wilson (including one that he took 54 yards the other way for a game-changing defensive touchdown) that helped the unranked Trojans knock off No. 3 Utah in the Coliseum on Saturday night. Smith had 122 yards of interception return yardage, and the Trojans’ 42-24 victory throws the Pac-12 race wide open. USC improved their record against teams ranked No. 3 in the AP rankings to 11-2 all time.
Ka’imi Fairbairn
The UCLA kicker booted a 60-yard field goal at the end of the first half of what was an eventual 40-24 win over Cal. That’s a huge kick in the NFL, and even more so in the college game where kickers routinely miss attempts from half that range out. The 60-yard boomer was a school record.
Ohio State
It was really only ever a matter of time, and finally, the Buckeyes started looking like defending national champions. Apparently, all it took was a road trip to Piscataway, New Jersey, where the Buckeyes easily accounted for a Rutgers squad who looked out of their depth almost from the beginning. Quarterback J.T. Barrett, who started the season as back-up to Cardale Jones, threw three touchdowns and ran for two more, and looked pretty good as Ohio State pulled away to an easy 49-7 win and now all eyes turn to Urban Meyer to see whether he gives Barrett his second straight start of the season.
Georgia Tech
Special teams are important! If you doubted that before, watching the Yellow Jackets block an attempt at a winning field-goal by Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo and take it the other way for their own game-winning score should make you a believer. From the block itself, through the well-judged return, which was brilliantly set up by the Georgia Tech blockers, it was yet one more crazy special teams ending on a season that seems to have provided a memorable one every week. With that somewhat improbable win, the Yellow Jackets handed the Seminoles their first loss on the season, and it could be a costly one.
Houston
Not since Kevin Sumlin had Case Keenum slinging the ball all over the place as Houston been so nationally relevant. The Cougars trailed nearing half time, and proceeded to score thirty five unanswered points in the second half to beat Central Florida 56-10 on Friday night. If Tom Herman, the first-year head coach responsible for this Houston revival, isn’t in the conversation for national coach of the year, there’s something wrong. Cougar RB Kenneth Farrow was the hero, rushing for 167 yards and three touchdowns,.
Ole Miss
The Rebels needed a big win like I need to win the lotto to be able to go and watch more live college football, and they got it to the tune of 23-3 against a Texas A&M squad that came into the game as fairly warm favourites. The Rebels defense limited Aggie starting quarterback Kyle Allen to just 12-34 for 88 yards before he was benched in favour of third-stringer Jake Hubenak. All told, the Aggies were held to 192 yards of total offense, a shockingly low number for one of the most prolific attacks in the country.
On offense, the Rebels gashed what is supposed to be an improved A&M defense for 230 rushing yards on 50 carries.
Temple
The Owls are 7-0 for the first time in program history, and are ranked for the first time in nearly forty years following a big 24-14 Thursday night win over East Carolina. It doesn’t get any easier for the Owls: they have a big game against Notre Dame next week.
Paxton Lynch
The Memphis quarterback threw for a career high 447 yards to lead the Tigers to a dominant 66-42 victory over Tulsa on Friday night. If you’re looking for a dark horse Heisman Trophy finalist, Lynch is as good a pick as any.
Washington State
Unbelievably, the Cougars are 5-2 under Mike Leach, following a big 45-42 win over Arizona, their third straight conference win, something that hasn’t happened up in Pullman since 2003. Say what you will about their defense, but the Cougars are fun to watch. QB Luke Falk has got the offense humming, and WSU are on track for a Bowl appearance. It seems a long time ago that they lost to FCS opponent Portland State, right?
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