Week 7 was one for the history books. Tennessee expelled 15 years of disappointment to rival Alabama with a 52-49 instant classic. Utah ended USC’s undefeated season with a great nightcap. Elsewhere separation occurred, with TCU and Michigan giving Oklahoma St. and Penn St. their first losses, respectively.
Week 8 will see another undefeated fall, with Clemson and Syracuse entering their matchup as one of nine remaining unbeaten teams. UCLA will look to avoid the same fate as USC, taking their undefeated season into Oregon. And TCU shows the depth of the Big 12, facing one loss Kansas St. The Footballguys staff is here to prepare you for Week 8. Games to watch and players to keep an eye on, and we ask the team about their most memorable college upset.
What Game Are You Watching?
No. 9 UCLA at No. 10 Oregon
Christian Williams - #9 UCLA and #10 Oregon face off this week, with both coming off their bye. The Pac-12 has eaten itself alive thus far, causing the winner of this game to have the most straightforward path to a New Year's Six Bowl appearance. UCLA has been dominant, ranking 12th in the nation in total offense and riding the stellar play of Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Zach Charbonnet into an undefeated record. Oregon, meanwhile, is 5-1, with their only loss coming from the current #1 Georgia Bulldogs. Oregon ranks #9 in total offense, meaning the X-factor of this game will come from the defensive side of the ball. Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez will likely draw Jake Bobo a ton, and UCLA safety Stephan Blaylock will look to ballhawk Bo Nix and company. This game has intriguing College Football Playoff implications, and that's the fascinating part of college football as it hits the home stretch.
Kevin Coleman - The game of the week is No. 9 UCLA traveling to Eugene to take on the No. 10 ranked Oregon Ducks in a massive Pac-12 matchup. The Ducks are on a five-game winning streak and have been playing exceptionally well since their season-opening loss against the Georgia Bulldogs. UCLA comes into this game undefeated and coming off a massive win over UTAH in week 6. This game promises to be explosive, with both offenses averaging over 500 yards per game and over forty points per game. UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been electric this season, throwing for over 1,500 yards and fifteen touchdowns, while Oregon quarterback Bo Nix has worked his name back into draft circles. The winner of this game has the inside track to a Pac-12 Championship appearance.
Matt Bitonti - You can't go wrong following the College Gameday pre-game show locations; this week, the cameras are in #9 Oregon for the matchup against #10 UCLA. When I started as a football guy, it was all about the players and their physical attributes. The team with the fastest players was my bet. But as I get older, I appreciate what a coach brings to the party. Chip Kelly had a tough couple of seasons in the NFL, but he's a legend in the college game, and Oregon is where he first broke onto the scene. Oregon might have slightly better talent, but UCLA might have the edge in coaching. This should be a good one to watch.
No. 17 Kansas St at No. 8 TCU
Jonathan Morris - TCU is coming off a massive come-from-behind double-overtime victory over Oklahoma State. TCU now sits in the driver’s seat for the Big 12 that still has several teams jockeying for the top of the conference. TCU’s next test is now against Kansas State, which has its own agenda of winning the conference. This should be a classic Big 12 shootout, with both offenses having star power at the skill positions. Another week and hopefully another step towards clarity on who is going to grab a hold of the top of the conference.
Jason Wood - For me, the biggest game of the week is Kansas State heading to TCU in a pivotal Big 12 matchup. TCU is 6-0 and just took down an excellent Kansas team, while Kansas State has mustered an impressive 5-1 record that includes a 3-0 conference mark. TCU controls its own destiny, but it cannot afford a misstep if they have any hope of making the 4-team playoff. A one-loss Big 12 team will have a very hard time making the playoffs, and a two-loss team will be out.
No. 14 Syracuse at No. 5 Clemson
Kyle Bellefeuil - I'm going to kick off my day by watching No. 14 Syracuse take on No. 5 Clemson at noon this Saturday. It's no surprise Clemson (7-0) has yet to suffer a blemish in the loss column, but who would have thought Syracuse (6-0) could say the same thing? Syracuse handled NC State 24-9 at home last week, and now they travel to Clemson as 13.5-point underdogs for the ultimate test. Can the Orange hit the road and hang with a Clemson team that is heavily favored to win the ACC? We shall see.
What Player Are You Watching?
WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
Christian Williams - It's tough to say anyone other than Quentin Johnston, the star wideout from TCU, after his most recent two games. Over the last two games, Johnston has seen 31 targets, catching 22 for 386 yards and two touchdowns. He has looked like the best receiver in the nation by a wide margin, and the 2023 class needed him to step up. This week, Johnston gets a middling Kansas State unit that allows 221 passing yards per game to its opponents. If Johnston can string together a third consecutive dominating performance, he'll likely put a stamp on his status as a top-fifteen NFL Draft pick.
WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
Kevin Coleman - Staying in the Pac-12 and my game of the week, the player to watch is sophomore wide receiver Troy Franklin. The 2024 wide receiver class is wide-open after the top three receivers, and Franklin has a chance to compete for the fourth spot. The playmaking wide receiver has had a good season this year for Oregon, with 27 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns. He is one of the most electric playmakers in the Pac-12 conference and will need to have a big game for the Ducks if they want to win against the Bruins.
RB Zach Evans and Quinshon Judkins, TCU
Jonathan Morris - Ole Miss running backs Zach Evans and Quinshon Judkins will get their toughest test yet against LSU’s run defense this weekend. We knew about Evans and his future NFL ability coming into the season, but Quinshon Judkins as a true freshman has been one of the biggest surprises in the country. A three-star prospect out of Alabama now sits second in the SEC in rushing with 720 yards through seven games. He has turned this Ole Miss rushing attack into a two-headed monster that will look to keep their SEC West hopes alive with a win in Baton Rouge this Saturday.
WR Rashee Rice, SMU
Jason Woods - I hope to get eyes on Rashee Rice, the dynamic senior receiver from SMU. Rice is 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, and has put up dominant numbers this season. He has 49 receptions (7th in FBS), 761 yards (4th), and 4 touchdowns. He's been recoverable. This week he plays against the Cincinnati Bearcats and will face arguably the best set of defensive backs of the season. If he can put up big numbers this week, NFL scouts will start taking a serious look at Rice as a mid-round NFL pick with long-term upside.
LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson
Kyle Bellefeuil - Coinciding with the game I highlighted this week, I'm eager to watch Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson. Simpson's role grew in the Clemson defense last year, as they utilized him a good amount aligned both in the box and slot areas. This year, Simpson is spending more time in the box, leading the team with 45 tackles (25 solos) through seven games. Syracuse features a solid rushing attack led by Sean Tucker, which averages 188.5 yds/gm, per ESPN. Simpson will be a key cog in limiting the effectiveness of the Orange ground game on Saturday. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Simpson features an intriguing blend of size and athleticism and is one of the top draft-eligible linebacker prospects in this year's class. I'm excited to watch the junior linebacker go to work this weekend.
Pittsburgh and Louisville Defenses
In the Saturday night game Pitt at Louisville, there is a nice matchup between the Pitt defense, led by #7 SirVocea Dennis and #8 Calijah Kancey, and the Louisville offensive line with seniors #70 Trevor Reid and #55 Caleb Chandler. If you're flipping through the late-night games, it's a trench battle worth checking out.
What upset will you always remember?
Christian Williams - While it wasn't the most considerable talent discrepancy, there hasn't been an upset quite like the Kick Six. The back-and-forth nature of the game was incredible, and lining up for a 57-yard, game-winning field goal took some courage. But the return is accompanied by one of the most outstanding broadcast calls in all sports, and there isn't a more unique way to win a football game. Everything about that was incredible, and that feels like the last time the Iron Bowl was genuinely exhilarating.
Kevin Coleman - Part of me feels like Jeff made this question specifically to spite me. There is no other answer than watching my Michigan Wolverines, ranked #5 in the country, lose to FCS opponent Appalachian State 34-32 in 2007. The Mountaineers were paid $400,000 to play Michigan at the Big House and earned every dollar. This game marked the first time an FCS team had ever beaten a ranked FBS opponent. Michigan had a chance to win the game as time expired, but their field goal attempt was blocked, and the rest was history. The game itself had massive ramifications for both programs. Appalachian State would win its third consecutive FCS National Championship and soon enter the FBS division. Michigan saw their head coach Lloyd Carr retire after the 2007 season, leading us to the disastrous Rich Rodriguez tenure in Ann Arbor. It’s a loss that will stick with Michigan fans for as long as they live.
Jonathan Morris - 2007 Stanford over USC. Stanford came into the game as a 41-point underdog against the unanimous #1 team in the country. Stanford had lost the previous week 41-3 at home and was limping into a road game at the Coliseum without several starters, including their starting quarterback. The Trojans held a 35-game home streak and were expected to march to the National Championship. Instead, Jim Harbaugh, in his first year as head coach of Stanford, helped force five turnovers and blocked an extra point. With 49 seconds left, backup QB Tavita Pritchard ran for a 10-yard touchdown on 4th down to secure a 24-23 win over juggernaut USC.
Clayton Gray - Much was different in 1992. CFB was big, but it had not yet become the behemoth we know today. TV coverage was, in a word, different. ESPN's suite of channels and other networks carried a lot of college football (and some games were available via PPV), but there were still a good number of games that weren't aired. The Citadel at Arkansas was one of those games.
To this day, I can still recall this dialogue with my now-wife after coming in from working in the yard:
Her: "Did you see the score?"
Me: "No." Sensing the tension in her voice, I meekly asked, "Was it close?"
Her: "They lost."
I was literally staggered.
Jason Wood - The Auburn and Alabama rivalry has recently been more about historic animosity than competitive viability. The Crimson Tide have owned the matchup for much of the last two decades. But in 2013, the in-state rivals pushed for a spot in the SEC Championship game and, ultimately, a chance at the national title. The game was tied at 28-28 when Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon ran out of bounds with one second left, allowing the Crimson Tide kicker a chance at a long field goal with one second left. The kick was short, and an Auburn player (Chris Davis, if I recall correctly) fielded the kickoff and ran it all the way back for a touchdown with no time left. It was the stuff of legend.
Kyle Bellefeuil - Like Kevin, I'm a Michigan fan, making this answer about as easy and agonizing as it gets. The unforgettable 34-32 Appalachian State upset over Michigan at the Big House in 2007. I remember holding out hope the Wolverines would salvage the victory with a game-winning field goal at the end, only to be speechless in disbelief as it was blocked. How could this happen? Well, it did, and I certainly won't forget it. Kevin covered the details and ramifications of the loss excellently in his writeup so I'll just stop right here. However, Kevin nailed it when he said, "It’s a loss that will stick with Michigan fans for as long as they live."
Matt Bitonti - In 2017, the Howard Bison upset the UNLV running rebels at home. Most books didn't offer a line on this game, and the few had UNLV as a 45-point favorite. I didn't watch one down from this game, but the fact that it happened in Las Vegas raised more than a few eyebrows. Some fun stats from this contest: Howard was paid $600,000 for the opportunity, and a 100-dollar money line bet on Howard paid off $60,000. In terms of pure spread, it remains the biggest upset in CFB history.
Jeff Bell - Miami came into the game with a 34-game winning streak, the 6th longest of all time. The streak was the only over 30 games in the last 50 years. Miami was built different. The game line hovered around two touchdowns. Ohio St had no reason to think they could be close. An extremely conservative approach relied on defense, special teams, and an offense that did just enough, placing 41st in points. The Buckeyes executed the perfect game plan to hold down future NFL stars like Andre Johnson, and Willis McGahee’s knee injury was a turning point. The game went into double overtime, but as Cie Grant broke unblocked off the edge and Ken Dorsey’s pass was incomplete, the Buckeyes had done it. A seminal moment in college football.