The Gridiron Review: Week 9 in College Football

The Gridiron Review: Week 9 in College Football

A topsy turvy week caused a major shakeup in the rankings. Even more surprising than the numerous losses dealt to Top 25 was the hurt that Florida State put on Clemson. The game that many expected to be one of the best of 2013 was an absolute blowout.

Player of the Week: QB Jameis Winston (Florida State)- The freshman signal caller threw for 444 in a lopsided defeat of conference rival and fellow undefeated team Clemson. Winston now finds himself among the three who have emerged as top contenders for the Heisman Trophy.

Runner Up: QB Maty Mauk (Missouri)- Another freshman, Mauk filled in admirably for James Franklin and led the Tigers to a big win that now has them undefeated and in the driver’s seat of the SEC East.

What we have learned…

1. The SEC East is an absolute mess. Surprising Missouri has a two game lead in a division that has each of its high profile teams struggling in a major way right now.

2. Texas A&M may have struggles in the near future- Johnny Manziel and Mike Evans are arguably the best players at their position, but, outside of those two, Texas A&M is an average team at best. With those two likely NFL bound, will Kevin Sumlin be able to say no to the lure of Southern California?

3. Clemson is just not destined for a title- We have seen this time and again it seems like. Every time Clemson is in the thick of the title discussion, they choke. This may have been Clemson’s best chance to win a national title. 

Feeling good…

WR Mike Evans (Texas A&M)- While his team lost, Evans looked unstoppable. Although there are sure to be knocks against his speed, the Aggie receiver’s draft stock is soaring with such dominant performances.

HC Art Briles (Baylor)- When you can put up 71 points and only give up 7 against a conference foe, there are lots of reasons to smile.

UCF- A surprising victory over Louisville has the program in the driver’s seat for a BCS berth in the final year the conference will be considered a “power conference.”

HC Gus Malzahn (Auburn)- Malzahn took over a 3-9 team but now has the Tigers 6-1 and in control of their own destiny in the SEC West.

HC Kliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech)- The young coach has the Red Raiders undefeated and well positioned in the Big 12.

Feeling bad…

HC Paul Rhoades (Iowa State)- After a few better than expected seasons with the Cyclones, the coach is now struggling and, a formerly well respected defensive guru, he gave up 71 points against a conference foe.

QB Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville)- The signal caller and likely #1 pick could not do enough to keep his team undefeated and in the title picture.

HC Will Muschamp (Florida)- After a stellar season last year, the fiery coach is leading a team that has not looked good in 2013.

QB Tajh Boyd (Clemson)- On the biggest stage of his stellar career, Boyd and the Tigers lost their title hopes while the signal caller was knocked out of the Heisman race with a terrible performance in the blowout. Additionally, Boyd’s draft stock took a major hit.

QB Brett Hundley (UCLA)- Like Boyd, Hundley is now out of the Heisman race, and his team is out of the title hunt after a poor performance in a tough loss.

Looking ahead…

Texas Tech at Oklahoma- The first real test for the undefeated Red Raiders has major Big 12 implications.

UCLA at Oregon- Hundley and the Bruins will look to rebound against arguably the most dominant team of 2013.

South Carolina at Missouri- With a win against the Gamecocks, the Tigers become essentially assured of a BCS title berth and, if they keep winning and emerge from Atlanta victorious, a shocking shot at a national title.

Penn State at Ohio State- The Buckeyes are currently on the outside looking in regarding the title chase, but they keep on winning. Could true freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg and the Nittany Lions end Meyer’s winning streak?

Stanford at Oregon State- One of the nation’s best defenses faces off against the nation’s top passers.

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