TWIF Notes 10/25/21

Welcome Back!

What another exciting weekend!  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch any football, as I was at a marching band competition all day. However, I have some thoughts on the results.

On to the recaps!

FBS Games

Appalachian State seized control of the SBC East by upending Coastal Carolina 30-27. There is now a 4-way tie atop the division- everyone except Ga Southern- but ASU has given 2 of those teams their only losses, and just needs to get past Troy to hold the tiebreaker edge against all 3. 

SMU routed Tulane 55-28 to set up a huge game @Houston this weekend in a game that could decide the 2nd participant in the AACCG, assuming Cincinnati is the other.

FAU stomped Charlotte 38-9, and there is now a 4-way tie to lead the CUSA East, including these 2 teams.

Louisiana eked by Arkansas State 28-27, and the Ragin' Cajuns have a 2-game lead in the SBC West with 4 to play.

San Jose State survived UNLV 27-20, as the Spartans still retain an outside shot to win the MWC West.

Middle Tennessee crushed UConn 44-13. At 3-4, the Blue Raiders still have a shot at bowl eligibility.

UCF downed Memphis 24-7, but both teams look like middle-of-the-pack AAC teams.

Utah State handed Colorado State its 1st MWC loss 26-24, and the Aggies now have a half-game lead on the Rams for the division title.

Washington defeated Arizona 21-16. The loss extended the Wildcats' losing streak to 19 games, but this was their closest loss to an FBS team since losing 34-30 to USC in last year's opener.

Cincinnati stayed unbeaten with a 27-20 victory over Navy, setting up a possible battle of undefeated teams on Nov 20 vs SMU.

Oklahoma overcame a late 10-point deficit and beat Kansas 35-23. The Sooners have had numerous close calls, and will be thrilled to get to their open week after playing Texas Tech (and their new interim HC) this week. 

Illinois pulled the biggest upset of the weekend, 20-18 over Penn State, but it took 9 overtimes. The loss virtually eliminates the Nittany Lions from contention in the Big Ten East, reducing them to the role of spoiler, but the win gives the Illini an outside chance at a bowl bid.

Michigan destroyed Northwestern 33-7 to set up a huge battle of unbeatens at Mich State this week. The winner will have the privilege of attempting to dethrone Ohio State at the end of November.

Wake Forest outlasted Army 70-56 to remain unbeaten and alone atop the ACC Atlantic, with NC State the only other team in the division with less than 2 losses, but the Demon Deacons have a tough schedule ahead of them.

Arkansas blew out Arkansas-Pine Bluff 45-3 for their 1st win since Sept 25.

FSU demolished UMass 59-3, and the Seminoles have now won 3 straight after starting the season 0-4, but their schedule suddenly gets tough again, with games @Clemson, vs NC State and Miami, @BC, and @Florida.

Kansas State squeaked by Texas Tech 25-24, as the Wildcats broke a 3-game losing streak. The Red Raiders are 5-3/2-3, but have fired HC Matt Wells in this, his 3rd season.

Eastern Michigan pounded Bowling Green 55-24. The Eagles are 1 win away from possibly reaching only their 5th bowl game in history.

Northern Illinois squeezed by Central Michigan 39-38 as the Huskies remain the only undefeated team in MAC play, and now have a 2-game lead on every other team in the division.

Syracuse upset Virginia Tech 41-36, and I have to wonder how much longer HC Justin Fuente will be in Blacksburg, as the Hokies are in a tie for 5th place in the ACC Coastal, just a game out of last place.

Kent State defeated Ohio 34-27 to stay tied with Miami out in front of the MAC East. 

Georgia State beat Texas State 28-16, and the Panthers are tied for 1st in the SBC East, but play rival Ga Southern, Louisiana, and CCU over the next 3 weeks.

Wisconsin flattened Purdue 30-13 to win for the 15th consecutive time in the series. Both teams are now 2-2 in the Big Ten West, and a game behind the leaders, Iowa and Minnesota.

Oregon held off UCLA 34-31 as the Ducks remain tied atop the Pac 12 North. The Bruins are a half-game behind Utah and Arizona St in the South.

Iowa State ruined Oklahoma State's dreams of an undefeated season in its 24-21 win over the Cowboys. Both teams are in a 3-way tie with Baylor for 2nd place, with each having beaten one of the others.

Ole Miss pummeled LSU 31-17. The Rebels are still alive in the SEC West, but need to win out, and have Bama lose at least 1 more game. The Rebs have what could be a season-defining game @Auburn this week.

BYU avoided a 3rd loss in a row with a 21-19 victory over Washington State. The BYU Cougars are 4-0 against Pac 12 teams this year, and 5-2 over the last 3 years, with one more to go this year.

Rice stunned UAB 30-24, handing the Blazers their 1st CUSA loss, and keeping alive their hopes for a division championship.

Pittsburgh handed Clemson their 3rd loss (and 2nd ACC loss) of the season, 27-17, as the Panthers are in sole possession of 1st place in the ACC Coastal.

Minnesota stays in a tie on top of the Big Ten West with a 34-16 win over Maryland.

Miami, Oh upset Ball State 24-17, keeping the Redhawks in a tie with Kent State for 1st in the MAC East.

Toledo pounded Western Michigan 34-15, and both teams are tied with 3 others at 2-2 and in 2nd place in the MAC East.

Buffalo crushed Akron 45-10, as the Bulls remain a game out of 1st in the MAC East.

California routed Colorado 26-3. Neither team has any shot at winning their division or of attaining bowl eligibility.

New Mexico earned their 1st MWC win this year with a 14-3 victory over Wyoming, and I'm beginning to wonder if it might be time for a change in Laramie, as the Cowboys have lost 3 straight, and are 7-10 over their last 17 regular season games, and only 3-10 in their last 13 MWC games.

Mississippi State destroyed Vanderbilt 45-6, as the SEC West was 3-0 against the East this week.

Liberty came back to upend North Texas 35-26 to become bowl eligible for the 3rd straight year.

Louisville defeated Boston College 28-14, and the Eagles, surprisingly, are winless in the ACC.

It took overtime, but Houston overcame East Carolina 31-24. The Cougars lead Cincinnati by a half-game in the AAC, but face undefeated SMU at home this weekend.

Alabama needed a huge 4th quarter to stave off stubborn Tennessee 52-24. The score is a little misleading, as it was 31-24 with just 13 minutes left in the game. The Tide are off before taking on LSU in Tuscaloosa. The Vols are also off, but have to travel to Kentucky.

San Diego State did just enough (again) to win, this time 30-24 over Air Force. The Aztecs are the only unbeaten team in the MWC.

WKU demolished FIU 34-19 as the Owls are in a 4-way tie atop the CUSA East.

UTSA stomped La Tech 45-16. The Roadrunners are now 8-0 and 1/2 game ahead of UTEP in the CUSA West.

USF surprised Temple 34-14 to earn their 1st FBS win of the year.

ULM defeated South Alabama 41-31, and the Warhawks are all alone in 2nd place in the SBC West.

Fresno State eked by Nevada 34-32, and both teams are chasing SDSU in the MWC West.

Ohio State flattened Indiana 54-7. The Buckeyes have a game against Penn State this week, which doesn't look like as much of a challenge as it did 2 weeks ago, then 2 games against Big Ten West foes before closing the season vs Mich St and @Michigan. The Hoosiers are in their accustomed place: tied for last in the division.

Notre Dame routed USC 31-16, a score that looks closer than it was, as the Irish led by 21 going into the 4th quarter. 

Texas A&M pounded South Carolina 44-14, keeping alive the Aggies' slim hopes of an SEC West crown.

Miami, Fl stunned NC State 31-30, handing the Wolfpack their 1st ACC loss.

Virginia outlasted Georgia Tech 48-40, leaving the Cavaliers all alone in 2nd place in the ACC Coastal.

West Virginia upset TCU 29-17. It was the 1st time the Mountaineers had scored more than 27 against an FBS opponent since scoring 37 against KSU 9 games before. Surprisingly, this was TCU's best defensive performance of the year, as every other FBS foe has scored at least 31 points.

Oregon State defeated Utah 42-34 as the Beavers remain tied with Oregon atop the Pac 12 North. The North division was 4-0 versus the South division this week.

Hawaii and New Mexico State played for the 2nd time this year, and the Rainbow Warriors won again, this time by the score of 48-34 (it was 41-21 the 1st time).

That's all for this week.  Come back tomorrow for my updated Power Rankings! Follow me on Twitter (@pbanderson)

Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!