Winner: Indiana backing up the talk
Earlier this week, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti was asked about how he attracts recruits to his programs. “It’s pretty simple: I win. Google me,” Cignetti said. The first year head coach for the Hoosiers wasn’t lying. Coming into Week 8 at 6-0, Indiana was easily on pace for its best season in over 30 years.
If Nebraska attempted to use Cignetti’s comments as bulletin board material, it might need a new strategy. The Hoosiers marched down the field repeatedly as they blew the doors off Nebraska in a 56-7 win. Not only was Cignetti right about his winning ways, but the College Football Playoff Selection Committee needs to start paying attention to what’s happening in Bloomington, Indiana.
Loser: Michigan’s free fall
The 2023 College Football Playoff National Champions are a rudderless ship just a season after they reached the pinnacle. Some level of regression was to be expected after losing coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback JJ McCarthy and definitely-not-illegal sign stealer Connor Stalions, but this level of incompetence is jarring.
The Wolverines have started three different quarterbacks this season, including seventh-year quarterback Jack Tuttle on Saturday, and precisely zero of them have been able to generate any offense. After dropping another game to No. 22 Illinois 21-7, coach Sherrone Moore needs to find a way to salvage this season before Michigan spirals even further.
Winner: Illinois’ throwbacks
Pulling off a uniform from the old leatherhead days is hard for most teams. The Chicago Bears painted their modern helmet the way their leather predecessors would be painted for their 1936 throwback. The Green Bay Packers had a navy alternate with a plain brown helmet, representing the old leather helmets worn with their 1929 kit as best as they could. Illinois took it to another level this past weekend.
The Fighting Illini took the field wearing stunning, hand-painted domes. Each helmet took around two hours to paint. The uniforms are inspired by the squad’s 1924 look, celebrating the team’s 100th anniversary. Love the look or hate it, the helmets are undeniably works of art.
Loser: SEC Officiating
Whatever happened in Austin Saturday night was horrendous. This is not about the trash flinging, either. It is about what prompted the uproar from the fans, though. The SEC officials were just horrible.
During the third quarter of the Georgia versus Texas game, the Longhorns intercepted the ball and were set to take over deep in Bulldog territory. The officials called a phantom defensive pass interference on Texas, and that is when it began raining trash.
Unlike the NFL, pass interference is a non-reviewable call. While it was not technically reviewed, the crew waited until after the ball was spotted to rethink their decision. The officials seemingly rewarded the fans’ trashy behavior by walking back their call after the student section’s tantrum. The SEC released a statement regarding the incident and also fined Texas $250,000 on Sunday.
Winner: Bryson Daily and the triple-option
In the era of spread playbooks and Air Raid offenses, you can always count on Army’s triple-option for a throw back to the good old days before two-high safety looks and high-flying passing attacks. Even with a program with such a storied history like Army, senior QB Bryson Dailey is rewriting the record books.
After an astounding five rushing touchdown performance against East Carolina, Dailey broke the program record for rushing touchdowns in a season. The kicker? This was only the seventh game of the season. Dailey’s 19 rushing touchdowns currently lead the nation and he has the Black Knights on a collision course with Navy for the AAC championship and a potential CFP berth. If Dailey continues to run like he did on Saturday, I wouldn’t count Army out.
Loser: The wheels fall off for Florida State
Coming into the season, there was excitement for Florida State. After finishing last season ranked No. 6 and earning a trip to the Orange Bowl, the preseason No. 10 ranked Seminoles were expected to contend with Clemson for the ACC championship and a CFP spot. Superstar QB Jordan Travis went off to the NFL but the formerly highly-touted QB DJ Uiagalelei was expected to perform in his place under center.
With Florida State now sitting at an atrocious 1-6 and a finger injury potentially ending Uiagalelei’s college career, it’s safe to say that none of that came into fruition. Saturday’s 23-17 loss to Duke may have hurt the most as the Blue Devils secured their first win over the Seminoles in program history. At one point during the game, redshirt freshman QB Brock Glenn turned it over on three straight touches leading to a 17 point swing. Look away Florida State fans, there’s always next year.
