College football Week 10 sneak peek: Clemson, TCU and others on
The College Football Playoff choice committee’s very first rankings launched this week were hardly a surprise in terms of the top five teams.Perhaps the rankings order puzzled some, because Georgia has actually been No. 1 for the entire year in the AP poll however debuted at No. 2 in the CFP rankings. Ohio State made the leading area, followed by Georgia, Michigan, Florida State and Washington, all unbeaten.But while those schools and others in the leading 25 battle for a spot in the national semifinals, some groups are fighting to reach the six-win limit required to make a bowl game.Here’s what to enjoy this weekend. Can Week 10 assist these groups become bowl eligible? Clemson(4-4)(vs. No. 15 Notre Dame): It was simply after Clemson wrapped a 39-10 stomping of North Carolina in 2015’s ACC championship game that Dabo Swinney admitted to something he ‘d invested the bulk of the 2022 season denying. He had actually been contemplating a QB change.The admission followed Cade Klubnik began in relief of DJ Uiagalelei and torched the Tar Heels, completing 20 of 24 passes for 279 lawns and a touchdown, and formally locked down the beginning task for the foreseeable future. But that all came a complete month after Swinney was expecting Klubnik to land the gig.”He’s worked his butt off all year to prepare yourself,” Swinney stated of Klubnik.
“Thought he may take [the starting task] against Notre Dame, however it didn’t work out. “Instead, Klubnik went into the game versus Notre Dame late in the third quarter with Clemson trailing 14-0, and on his very first pass, he threw an awful interception to Benjamin Morrison that the Irish rapidly became a game-securing goal. Swinney confessed later that he had actually put Klubnik into a difficult situation. Clemson lost– arguably its most uneven regular-season defeat in 8 years– and Klubnik’s ascendancy was placed on hold.A year later, Clemson and Notre Dame take on once again Saturday(midday ET, ABC), and in some methods, the Tigers are still waiting on Klubnik. He has actually begun every game this season, and there have been more than a couple of highlights. There have actually also been some harsh minutes– from a poorly timed slide against Duke to a woeful pick-six versus Charleston Southern to a bad read at the line of scrimmage that ended Clemson’s hopes versus Miami to the pick-six that eventually chose the game against NC State last week.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated In all, Klubnik has actually been strong if unimpressive, finishing 64 %of his tosses for 1,947 lawns, with 13 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. For a Clemson group sitting at 4-4, bogged down
in its worst season given that 2010, beleaguered after three one-possession losses, every mistake is magnified.Beyond the wins and losses, nevertheless, Swinney reflects on in 2015’s Notre Dame game and sees just how far his QB has actually come.”It’s night and day,”Swinney said.”He’s simply more ready. He’s method more experienced. He’s larger and more powerful, however he’s got some work still to do there. He’s advanced. He’s got some levels to go, however he’s way ahead of where he was in 2015.”That might be the hardest tablet for Clemson fans to swallow
at the minute. After seeing Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence flourish as true freshmen, lots of anticipated Klubnik to blossom into a star in 2015. Certainly, as a sophomore, he ‘d make the leap. But in truth, Klubnik has gotten better but has yet to look the part of
the next Tigers superstar at QB.Clemson desperately needs a win, and Klubnik frantically wants his marquee minute. On Saturday versus Notre Dame, the chance is there for both to occur.– David Hale Colorado(4-4)(vs. No. 16 Oregon State
): When Colorado was 3-0, it was all however assumed the Buffaloes would reach a championship game– and for great reason. Given that 2010, 91 %of FBS groups that began 3-0 played in a championship game
. The important things about college football, though– specifically in this period– is that nonconference wins can be extremely tricking. It was something when the Buffs beat “national-runner-up TCU.” The context is quite different in the wake of TCU’s humiliating 41-3 loss to Kansas State. ESPN’s Football Power Index now provides Colorado just a 28.7 %opportunity of reaching a championship game. It needs 2 wins from the following 4: No. 16 Oregon State; Arizona; at Washington State; at No. 18 Utah. The Buffs will probably be the wagering underdog in each game.For a group that started the season with such excitement and managed to become culturally appropriate beyond college football, this possible collapse looms as a massive missed out on opportunity. But it’s not missed yet. If the Buffs can turn the tide and complete the year on the growth, it bodes well for how seriously they must be taken going into next season. It constantly figured to be too much of an uphill battle for a complete turn-around this year, however a championship game would stand as a key milestone.– Kyle Bonagura TCU( 4-4) (at Texas Tech, Thursday): Sonny Dykes’ Year 2 following a dream season in his very first year at TCU began with a problem in a season-opening upset loss to Colorado and continued with an injury to beginning QB Chandler Morris, who might return later this season. It has been a roller-coaster ride
given that, with wins over a strong SMU team, blowouts of Houston and BYU, however losses to West Virginia and Iowa State. Then, Kansas State controlled the Horned Frogs 41-3 on Oct. 21 before a bye week. The Frogs still get a struggling Baylor group in your home on Nov. 18, however have a filled road ahead, starting with Thursday night’s game at Texas Tech in front of a rowdy Lubbock crowd being almost a 50-50 tossup according to ESPN’s FPI. Caesars Sportsbook favors the Red Raiders by 3 as both groups will be choosing backup quarterbacks. Lose, and TCU faces an uphill climb with No. 7 Texas(Nov. 11 at home )and No. 11 Oklahoma( Nov. 24 in Norman)still staying.– Dave Wilson Mississippi State (4-4 )(vs. Kentucky): It’s been a struggle to score points for Mississippi State without quarterback Will Rogers the last two weeks. There’s still no word on whether Rogers will return from a shoulder injury this week. But whether
he does or doesn’t, Mississippi State needs to discover a stimulate in its passing game. Mike Wright, a transfer from Vanderbilt, has started the last 2 games. He finished just 50 percent of his passes last week in a 27-13 loss to Auburn, a week after the Bulldogs handled 85 yards passing in a 7-3 win over Arkansas. Coach Zach Arnett has actually been tight-lipped on what the plan at quarterback would be this week. He was asked Monday about freshman Chris Parson starting and wouldn’t rule it out. Taking a look at the rest of Mississippi State’s schedule, this is a game the Bulldogs truly need if they’re going to make a run at the postseason, particularly having the ability to protect their home turf. Three of Mississippi State’s last 4 games are at home. Kentucky has actually not won in Starkville because 2008, and this is a similarly big game for the Wildcats, who have actually lost their last 3. Quarterback Devin Leary had his finest game of the season last week versus Tennessee, but the Wildcats( 5-3) couldn’t stop the Vols’running game. Kentucky has actually quit 122 points in its last three games. The schedule doesn’t get a lot easier for Kentucky with games staying versus nationally ranked opponents Alabama and Louisville.– Chris Low Maryland( 5-3 )(vs. No. 11 Penn State): A three-game losing streak following the program’s very first 5-0 start since 2001 has Maryland staggering a bit. The roadway to bowl eligibility resumes
with Penn State pertaining to College Park on Saturday. The Terrapins squandered early 14-7 first-half advantages in the losses to both Illinois and Northwestern the last 2 weeks as they found themselves routing by double digits in the 2nd half. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa paces an offense that’s third total in the Big Ten (418.4 YPG)and which balanced 38.6 points during the five-game winning streak to start the season. Mike Locksley’s group, which has won bowl games the last 2 years, will reach Tagovailoa and a trio of skilled receivers( Jeshaun Jones, Kaden Prather and Tai Felton)takes them. Five turnovers integrated in the three losses( 2 each against Ohio State and Northwestern)is an area that’s going to have to be rectified in the season’s last four games, which includes a home game with Michigan on Nov. 18. A stout Nittany Lions’defense that’s tied for fourth in FBS in passing defense( 160.3 YPG)and 3rd in scoring defense(11.5 PPG)looms first, supplying an intriguing chess match for Tagovailoa– the Big 10’s leader in passing lawns and touchdown passes– and business to browse.– Blake Baumgartner Wide receiver spotlight play 0:33 Keon Coleman just requires 1 hand for the TD catch Jordan Travis lobs one into completion zone to Keon Coleman, who makes a one-handed touchdown catch. Keon Coleman, Florida State: Coleman, a Michigan State transfer,
made his presence felt in the season opener against LSU with three touchdown catches and has not looked back. Coleman leads the ACC and ranks 5th nationally in getting goals with 9– and has consistently made the tough catches look regular, like hurdling defenders, catching the game-winning touchdown against Clemson and the time he went sky high to catch a lose consciousness of the air against Syracuse. That catch prompted Syracuse coach Dino Babers to say,”God was displaying when he made him.” With fellow receiver Johnny Wilson out numerous games this season, Coleman has actually stepped up his game a lot more in spite of facing double teams and has actually become the most reliable receiver on the team, leading the Seminoles with 38 catches and 538 getting yards. In addition, Coleman included punt return responsibilities for the very first time in his career and ranks third in the ACC, averaging 9.9 backyards per return.– Andrea Adelson Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State: Marvin Harrison Jr. is a game-changer for the Ohio State offense and he made a statement in the Buckeyes ‘win over Penn State. Harrison had 162 getting yards and a goal on 11 receptions in the 20-12 win. He followed that up
with 123 backyards and 2 goals versus Wisconsin and is second in the conference in overall goals with eight, behind Michigan’s Roman Wilson( 10). While Wilson has more touchdown receptions with fewer catches, Harrison changes the method defenses have to strategy and can interrupt the whole secondary with his skills.– Tom VanHaaren
Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., LSU: It’s an advantage Terrion Arnold has developed into among the very best cornerbacks in the nation, offering balance opposite star corner Kool-Aid McKinstry
. Since on Saturday, Alabama is going to need both of them to stop an LSU offense that arguably has two No. 1-caliber receivers in Nabers and Thomas. They’re the only teammates to rank in the leading 20 in receiving lawns nationally, and together they have actually combined for 20 touchdowns and just five drops. Nabers, in specific, is a threat outdoors field, having triggered 15 missed deals with.– Alex Scarborough Adonai Mitchell, Texas: Mitchell currently had a big-play reputation before he arrived in Austin after transferring
from Georgia, where he had 4 playoff TDs(of his seven total TDs)in 2 years. He captured a 40-yard TD in the 4th quarter of Georgia’s national championship win over Alabama after the 2021 season then caught the game-winner against Ohio State in last year’s semifinal game. At Texas, he’s second in the Big 12 in TDs (seven) after adding 2 more versus BYU as a crucial target for new QB Maalik Murphy. He had 10 catches for 141 backyards and a TD versus Kansas. He’s been a substantial addition for Texas to take pressure off Xavier Worthy and the entire offense has actually benefitted as an outcome.– Wilson< img alt= ""src="https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2483.png&h=60&w=60"width=
“30”/ > Troy Franklin, Oregon: Just two Power 5 receivers have more touchdown receptions than Franklin (9), who has captured a minimum of 4 passes in each game this season and topped the 100-yard mark 5 times. Franklin ranks No. 7 nationally in getting lawns (867) is almost assured to be a first-team All-Pac-12 choice and is jockeying for All-American honors. If QB Bo Nix stays in the Heisman race, Franklin will have a lot to do with it.– Bonagura
Quotes of the week
play 0:30 Sarkisian on Texas CFP case: We have best win in the nation
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian mentions his group’s win over Alabama as part of his case for the Longhorns ahead of the very first CFP rankings.
“I hear a lot about how difficult the SEC is, but I have not seen any of those groups enter Alabama and win, either, so I feel pretty good about our group.”– Steve Sarkisian, making a case for his 7-1 Longhorns in the College Football Playoff race after a win over the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa previously this season.
“This is the Rose Bowl. They stated the granddaddy of ’em all, right? I’m sure granddaddy had some money. Grandfather ought to have some cash to offer these kids.”– Deion Sanders, who wants Colorado players reimbursed for fashion jewelry that was supposedly stolen from their locker room in Saturday game against UCLA.
“I can speak about the football game this Saturday. I can talk about the vibes because preparation and where that stands today. It doesn’t seem like you have an interest in that.”– Jim Harbaugh, deflecting concerns about his agreement status or Michigan’s sign-stealing debate.
“We certainly know an image drifting around with the sign-stealer guy. … We were absolutely unaware of it. I definitely don’t condone it in any method, shape or form. I do understand that his name was on none of the passes that were [offered] out.”– Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain, on images that appear to reveal alleged Michigan sign-stealer Connor Stalions using CMU gear on the Chippewas’ sideline in a game versus Michigan State.
“You belong to the issue. The expectation is higher than the appreciation. That’s the problem. We’ve won 12 10-plus-win seasons in a row. That’s occurred three times in 150 years. Clemson ain’t smelled a championship game for 35 years; we have actually won two in 7 years. And there’s only 2 other teams that can state that: Georgia and Alabama. … Listen, male, you can have your viewpoint all you desire, and you can obtain the task. And good luck to you.”– Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, reacting to a fan who called into his coaches’ radio program and groused about Clemson’s record vs. Swinney’s salary.