Week Three of the 2018 College season saw UCF notch up consecutive win number 14, while Texas Tech and Houston had a shootout. A few ranked teams had bad days – none more so that Wisconsin, many peoples dark horses for the playoffs. It will take a miracle now for them to be in the final four. The more interesting results are below:
Racking them up
Utah State 73, Tennessee Tech 12 Utah scored over 60 points in back-to-back games for the first time in school history.
Penn State 63, Kent State 10 – A bit more like it. If Penn State is going to get into the playoffs this year it needs to dominate teams of Kent States caliber.
Florida Intl 63, UMass 24 Ran all over the Minutemen racking up 329 yards rushing. It will be interesting to see how their rushing offense fairs against Miami next week
Alabama 62, Ole Miss 7 – Oh how Ole Miss must hate playing Alabama last year they lost 66-3 so the best you can say is that things are improving – slowly.
Mississippi State 56, Louisiana 10 – Nick Fitzgerald had a good day scoring 6 touchdowns 2 passing and 4 rushing as the Bulldogs moved to 3-0
Kansas 55, Rutgers 14 – Kansas had 405 yards rushing and benefitted from 6 turnovers as they thrashed the Scarlett Knights. It could be a long season for Rutgers on this performance.
Cincinnati 63, Alabama A&M 7 – Ok it was not against a powerhouse, but A&M is a reasonable FCS team and racking up 741 yards and 63 points is still a good result. The Bearcats are 3-0
Is it Basketball?
Texas Tech 63, Houston 49 – Blink and you missed something in this crazy game with 64 first downs and well over 1000 yards passing. The big surprise TTU only managed 99 yards on the ground – I guess if you are having so much success passing why run the ball.
Game of the day
Ohio State 40, TCU 28 – TCU played tough against the Buckeyes but 4 minutes of madness in the Third Quduring which Ohio scored 21 points put pay to them. The Buckeyes are 3-0 without suspended coach Urban Meyer and on results should in our opinion be number one in the rankings.
Performances of the day
Army 28, Hawaii 21 – The Black Knights knocked off previously undefeated Hawaii thanks to 4 rushing TD’s. Ok, they are not a good side passing, however, this running game might just catch out a few teams this year. We will get a better idea as to how good they are against Oklahoma next week.
Troy 24, Nebraska 19 – The Scott Frost era is not going according to plan as Troy pull off one of the best results of the day. Many will view this as a shock, but Troy could be the best team in the Sun Belt this year. This leaves the Huskers at 0-2 and with some tough games ahead missing out on a Bowl game is looking likely.
Washington State 59, Eastern Washington 24 – Normally a big win over an FCS team wouldn’t raise any eyebrows, however, Eastern Washington is not any old FCS team and are one who might not lose another game this season.
Upset of the day
BYU 24, Wisconsin 21 – How did this happen? The Badgers will definitely tumble in the rankings after this mistake riddled defeat, which included missing a game-tying field goal. This probably ended their playoff hopes.
A bit disappointing
Notre Dame 22, Vanderbilt 17 – Ok Vanderbilt are an SEC team, however, if you are going to challenge for the playoffs you need to put teams like this to the sword not rely on a 4th down stand to scrape home. Vanderbilt might have been 2-0 however they will be the whipping boys of the SEC this year.
Oklahoma 37, Iowa State 27 – Although Iowa won the corresponding game last season OKC were expected to win this one easy and not have to depend on a late field goal to put the game to bed. Maybe the Sooners are not the team everyone thinks.
Back on track
Washington 21, Utah 7 – Washington needed a statement win to help erase memories of their somewhat unlucky loss to Auburn in their opening game. Utah is a handful for anyone especially at home and holding them to only 261 yards was an impressive defensive effort. Washington has an easier schedule ahead and they should kick on from this.
Texas 37, USC 14 – A huge win for the Longhorns who may actually be a decent team.
Florida 48, Colorado State 10 – Florida look like another slumbering giant on the rise even if they leaned heavily on their defense in a game which a was not as one-sided yardage wise as you would expect from the score.
Keeping it close
LSU 22, Auburn 21 – LSU snatched it with a Field Goal as time expired in a game which swung both ways as they led by 10 early and Auburn led by 11 late in the third.
Back down to earth
Temple 35, Maryland 14 – Maryland’s good start came to a shuddering halt as Temple picked up their 1st win
Oklahoma State 44, Boise State 21 – After dominating in their opening games Boise got a lesson in finishing drives as the Cowboys handed them a sound beating. Stat wise Boise dominated possession and had only 8 yards less in offense but couldn’t turn possession into points.
