On a weekend that had six, yes 6, matchups pitting ranked opponents against one another, plenty of statements were made. Both from the winners and the losers of those matchups.
On the regional landscape, two programs had glaring errors exploited in primetime. There was a lot to unpack, and a lot discovered in an action-packed week 4 of college football.
‘NOLES NIP TIGERS IN DEATH VALLEY
The old adage goes, “To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.” Mike Norvell and his fourth ranked Florida State Seminoles did just that.
Viewed as the preeminent favorite by many to dethrone the Clemson Tigers as the KIngs of the ACC, the Noles went into Death Valley knowing they had to come away with a victory in order to cement their supremacy.
Not only that, FSU was in the midst of a seven game losing streak to Dabo Swinney’s team. Aside from the need to prove themselves as the true ACC favorites, the Seminoles had a monkey to get off their back as well.
Clemson would not relinquish their throne by choice, nor would they do so without a fight. A day-long back and forth affair in Death Valley was sent to overtime after Clemson shanked what would’ve likely been the game-winning field goal in the final minute of regulation.
On just their second play of overtime, Florida State officially cut the head off the Tiger Kings. Jordan Travis threw a pass up for grabs that was snagged one-handed on top of a Clemson defender by Keon Coleman in the endzone.
A game winner version of “You Got Mossed” was the perfect way for the game to end. A Seminole leaping over top of a Tiger, and catching something once in their grasp that suddenly is out of reach.
HEELS PASS ROAD TEST, PREVAIL OVER PITT
Mack Brown’s North Carolina Tar Heels may have something to say about an ACC favorite. Another team that walked into one of the toughest environments in the league and passed a test with flying colors. UNC’s 41-24 triumph over the Pitt Panthers not only put them in the running to move past Clemson, but it may have pushed Drake Maye into the Heisman Trophy conversation.
Maye was incredibly efficient, going 22-30 for 296 yards. His only touchdown pass, though, was a piece of improvisation Patrick Mahomes would be proud of. Maye flicked a pass with his left hand while being tackled from behind, wowing the crowd, the viewers and broadcasters.
JJ Jones pitched in with 6 catches for 117 yards, ascending himself as the Heels’ top passing target in the absence of Zay Jones.
DUKE DOMINATES, PREP FOR IRISH
The Duke Blue Devils did not fall victim to the dreaded “trap game” and dominated UCONN. Mike Elko’s club now prepares for the arrival of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and ESPN’s College Gameday, which will be making its first-ever non-basketball visit to the Durham campus.
WAKE WASHED? DEACS DOOMED BY MISCUES IN LOSS TO JACKETS
The same miscues and mistakes that plagued Wake Forest for the first three quarters against Old Dominion last week were multiplied in a 30-16 home loss to Georgia Tech. The glaring holes and cracks in the Demon Deacon armor that they were able to overcome last week were amplified and fully exploited by the Yellow Jackets.
Dave Clawson has a lot of things for his bunch to clean up as conference play ramps up. The Deacs don’t have another home game for a month, and their only performance on the road thus far was lackluster at best.
MISHAP ON THE OTHER MOUNTAIN, APP STATE BLUNDERS AT WYOMING
In their final non-conference game of the season, Shawn Clark’s calamities in coaching were repetitive and costly in a 22-19 loss to the Cowboys of Wyoming on the road in Laramie.
The 4,000+ foot boost in elevation (from 3,333 feet in Boone to 7,000 plus in Laramie) didn’t seem to affect the Mountaineers offense, who put up over 400 total yards. Once they got inside the 20 yard line, though, it seemed as if a forcefield sprouted up between App State and the endzone.
The inability to put the ball across the goal line, clock mismanagement and a blocking blunder on special teams spelled App State’s demise. Clark and company must fix a multitude of issues as they enter conference play in a vastly improved and ultra-competitive Sun Belt.
SIX SHOWDOWNS, SIX SURPRISING RESULTS
Oregon not only covered what many considered to be a lofty 21 point spread against Colorado, they slapped the Buffaloes in the face with a plate full of humble pie.
Washington State carved up one of the nation’s best defenses, bludgeoning the Beavers of Oregon State in the battle of the “Pac 2” refugees.
Utah staked their claim as likely the nation’s best defense, holding Chip Kelly’s high-powered UCLA offense to just a single touchdown, which didn’t come until the last five minutes of regulation.
Then, there was Ohio State. Criticized for not being physical enough, and being “soft” by legendary former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, the Buckeyes game winning drive was every bit of grit and guts.
