Week six of the 2018 College season saw UCF make it 18 wins on the bounce with a comfortable 48-20 win over SMU. They must be close to breaking into the top 10. The top 25 ranked teams had a mixed week with 8 of them losing, although 3 of them were facing other top-ranked teams. Of the five that lost to unranked teams, the biggest surprises were probably Stanford losing 40-21 at home to Utah and Auburn going down 23-9 at Miss State. Both can kiss their faint playoff hopes goodbye now. At this stage it’s looking like 4 from 5 of the following, however as we well know there is usually a crazy week mid-season which throws things into chaos.
The top teams keep winning.
Alabama 65, Arkansas 31
Georgia 41, Vanderbilt 13
Ohio State 49, Indiana 26
Clemson 63, Wake Forest 3
Notre Dame 45, Virginia Tech 23
The best win here was Notre Dame who really impressed winning on the road at VT (not an easy task). They are all 6-0
Racking them up
Ole Miss 70, Louisiana Monroe 21– Ole Miss may not be having a vintage season but they can still take care of one of the weaker Sun Belt teams. It was 63-7 in the third when they finally took their foot off the gas.
Georgia Tech 66, Louisville 31 – GT racked up 60+ points for the second consecutive week, this time against a conference rival. The Yellow Jackets had 542 yards rushing led by TaQuon Marshall who ran for 175 yards and two scores.
Is it Basketball?
South Florida 58, Massachusetts 42 Crazy game with 100 points and over 1000 yards of offence. Shame only 7988 people turned up to watch it. USF is 5-0 and very much in the running for an at-large spot in the New Year Bowl games.
Game of the day
Texas 48, Oklahoma 45 – A Red River Showdown to remember as the Longhorns took down then-No 7 Oklahoma with a FG in the last minute.
Performance of the day
Florida 27, LSU 19 – The Gators came out on top in what was largely a defensive slugfest. This was a crucial win for Florida and they join LSU on 5-1 in the SEC. The victory was Sealed Inside the last two minutes thanks to a pick six by Brad Stewart. Former star QB Tim Tebow became the sixth player to receive the school’s ring of honour at the game
Upset of the day
Northwestern 29, Michigan State 19 – The Wildcats picked up an excellent road win thanks to a solid second half performance. They gave Michigan quite a game last week and look to be on the up, however given there were 1-3 including a loss to MAC side Akron this was a surprise.
Moving on up
North Carolina State 28, Boston College 23 – NC State move to 5-0 with a clearer cut win that the score would suggest. They led 28-3 late in the 3rd before easing off.
Cincinnati 37, Tulane 21 – The Bearcats moved to 6-0 for the first time since 2012
Washington State 56, Oregon State 37 Nice comeback win on the road for the Cougars. Gardner Minshew threw for 430 yards & 5 TDs. They move to 5-1
Colorado 28, Arizona State 21 – The Buffaloes are 5-0 and currently control the PAC -12 South. Big test next week though at USC. Win that and they are for real.
A bit disappointing
Washington 31, UCLA 24 – A win is a win but the Huskies struggled against the pass and nearly let 0-5 UCLA back into the game twice in the fourth. Must do better if they are to get back in the playoff hunt.
Back on track
BUFF 34, CMU 24 Nice Bounce back after their mauling by Army last week The Bulls are now 5-1 and close to Bowl eligible
WIS 41, NEB 24 – The Badgers hopes of a Big -10 Conference Final place took a boost thanks largely to the efforts of Jonathan Taylor who ran for 221 yards and three scores, including an 88-yarder which is a a career-best. The Scott Frost era in Nebraska continues its slow start – they are 0-5 and look like missing out on a Bowl game for the second season running.
UTAH 40, STAN 21 – Huge road win against then No 14 Stanford. Keeps their hopes alive in the PAC -12 South.
IOWA 48, MINN 31 – Important road win for the Hawkeyes following last weeks loss at tome to Wisconsin at 4-1 they are still very much alive in the Big 10
MEM 55, UCONN 14 – Morale boosting win which was needed following last weeks shocker against Tulane. Helped by 4 turnovers and a solid 378 yards on the ground. Up next UCF.
Keeping it close
Miami 28, Florida State 27 – Tremendous come from behind win for Miami after the struggling Seminoles looked like they were going to get a shock victory. To be fair it should have been slightly easier but Bubba Baxa somehow managed to miss a 28 yd Field goal late in the 4th.
Back down to earth
Texas A&M 20, Kentucky 14 (OT) – not a major shock but still a first defeat for Kentucky. Jimbo Fishers A&M dominated in both yardage and clock time and wouldn’t have needed OT but for a late fumble which was returned for the tying score.
Mississippi State 23, Auburn 9 – Auburn’s second SEC loss will knock them out of the top 10 and probably has ended any playoff hopes they had.
Pittsburgh 44, Syracuse 37 (OT) – After starting 4-0 and pushing Clemson all the way last week Syracuse now find themselves 4-2.
Image Evgenii Matrosov/Shutterstock
