October 20th 2024.
As the dust settles on another exciting week of college football action, there's plenty to reflect on and dissect. From the good, the bad, and the downright brutal, there's no shortage of storylines to follow. So, let's dive in and take a look at some of the most notable developments from Week 8.
Let's start with the good news - there were some impressive victories over the weekend that are worth mentioning. Brigham Young University pulled off an incredible comeback on Friday night, snatching a victory away from Oklahoma State in the final minutes of the game. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff and receiver Darius Lassiter connected for a 35-yard touchdown pass, securing the win for the Cougars and keeping their undefeated season alive. This win also keeps them tied with Iowa State at the top of the Big 12.
Another team that impressed was Colorado, who dominated Arizona in a 34-7 victory. Not only was the margin of victory impressive, but the Buffaloes also controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game. This win puts them in a great position to secure a spot in the postseason, with just one more win needed to make it to a bowl game.
But perhaps the most surprising victory of the weekend came from UCLA, who managed to defeat Rutgers on the road. This was a huge win for the Bruins, who had been struggling all season and were winless in Big Ten play. Head coach DeShaun Foster's team put on a stellar performance, controlling the game from start to finish. It was a much-needed win for a program that has faced its fair share of challenges this season.
Of course, with the good comes the bad, and there were certainly some brutal losses this weekend. USC, in particular, found a new and creative way to blow a late lead and lose their fourth game out of five in the Big Ten. The Trojans had a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter against Maryland, and even had a chance to seal the win with a field goal in the final minutes. But the kick was blocked and returned, leading to Maryland's go-ahead touchdown and an eventual 29-28 loss for USC.
But if you thought USC's loss was tough, Cal's was even worse. The Bears, who have already had their fair share of heartbreaking losses this season, were in a position to take the lead against NC State with a short field goal in the final minutes. However, the kick missed, and Cal ended up losing by just two points. This was their fourth loss in the ACC by a combined nine points, leaving them with a tough road ahead to secure a postseason berth.
Unfortunately, they weren't the only team to suffer a bad loss. Arizona also had a disappointing afternoon, getting dominated by Colorado and losing by 27 points. With an injury-riddled defense and an offense that just can't seem to get things going, the Wildcats are now in danger of missing out on a bowl game if they can't secure at least three more wins in their final five games.
And finally, we have to mention Utah's lackluster performance against TCU. The Utes could only manage one touchdown against a TCU defense that has struggled this season, leading to a 13-7 defeat. This loss effectively ends their slim chances of making it to the Big 12 title game.
But perhaps the most talked-about moment of the weekend came from Arizona State's head coach Kenny Dillingham. After yet another poor performance from the Sun Devils' kicking game, Dillingham vented his frustration to the media, saying, "Our kicking game's atrocious." He went on to invite anyone who can kick to try out for the team on Monday. Dillingham later apologized for his comments, but it's clear that special teams will be a major focus for the Sun Devils moving forward. And they weren't the only team with issues on special teams this weekend, as other teams also struggled with missed field goals and other breakdowns.
All in all, it was an eventful week in college football, with some exciting victories and some heartbreaking losses. As we move into the second half of the season, it will be interesting to see how these teams bounce back and continue to compete for conference titles and postseason berths.
As the games of Week 8 unfolded, fans and analysts alike were quick to react to all the developments on the field. From thrilling victories to disappointing losses, the weekend had it all. So, let's take a closer look at the good, the bad, and the brutal moments that stood out.
Starting off on a positive note, one of the most impressive wins of the week came from Brigham Young University on Friday night. Facing a tough Oklahoma State team, the Cougars found themselves trailing in the final moments of the game. However, they refused to give up and pulled off an incredible comeback, thanks to a clutch fourth-down conversion and a game-winning touchdown pass. This victory not only kept their undefeated season alive but also solidified their position at the top of the Big 12 standings.
Another team that impressed on the field was the University of Colorado with their dominant 34-7 win over Arizona. Not only did they secure a comfortable margin of victory, but they also showed their strength in controlling the line of scrimmage, an area that has been a struggle for them in the past. This win also brought them one step closer to a postseason berth, with just one more win needed to secure a bowl game.
But perhaps the most surprising result of the week was UCLA's victory over Rutgers. The Bruins, who had been struggling in the Big Ten and were on a losing streak, managed to turn things around and secure a convincing win on the road. This was a significant win for a team that had not tasted victory since August and showed that they are capable of competing with top teams.
However, not all teams were able to secure a satisfying result this week. Some suffered brutal losses that left them reeling. USC, in particular, found themselves in a familiar situation, blowing yet another lead in the fourth quarter. This time, it cost them the game against Maryland, marking their fourth conference loss of the season. This loss not only eliminated them from the Big Ten race but also put their coach, Lincoln Riley, under intense scrutiny.
Another team that experienced a heartbreaking loss was the University of California. After a strong start to their season, they have now suffered four consecutive losses, each one more devastating than the last. This week, they missed a potential game-winning field goal, leaving them with just a slim chance of making it to a bowl game. Similarly, Arizona also suffered a disappointing loss, getting blown out by Colorado and putting their postseason hopes in jeopardy.
And let's not forget about the struggles of Arizona State, who have been plagued by their kicking game all season. After another frustrating loss, their coach Kenny Dillingham publicly expressed his frustration, calling their kicking game "atrocious." He even went as far as to announce tryouts for the kicking position, inviting anyone with the skills to step up and help the team. While he later apologized for his comments, it was clear that special teams were a major concern for the Sun Devils.
All in all, Week 8 brought us a mix of emotions and left us with plenty to discuss and analyze. From thrilling victories to devastating losses, it was a reminder that in college football, anything can happen on any given day.
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