Saturday in Review: Week 3

What looked like a week slated with mediocre games and mismatches turned out to be a week full of nail-biting thrillers and an unexpected number of upsets. Why does this continue to surprise us who watch college football? This happens all the time! And that's why we love the sport. First, we'll start with the Gators...

HOLY [EXPLETIVES NOT USED ON THIS BLOG]! Not many outside Kentucky expected this game to be close and even less expected it to go into overtime. This was the first time in the 65-game series that Florida and Kentucky were tied after the 60 minutes of regulation. This was also the sixth overtime game in UF history and the fourth overtime victory since OT rules were established in 1996. It was the first triple-overtime game in Florida football history. This was the sixth game decided by one score during the Gators' ongoing 28-game win streak (the others were in 1988, 1993, 2002, 2003, and 2007). Unfortunately for Kentucky fans, they will have to wait another year for a chance to end the streak.

Demarcus Robinson caught the game-tying pass to send
the game into double-overtime.
(Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Florida's secondary has been exposed to be a potential weakness. Gator corner Jabari Gorman was repeatedly exploited by Wildcat quarterback Patrick Towles for his mismatch against receiver Garrett Johnson. Despite this, corner Vernon Hargreaves III and safety Brian Poole were extremely effective defensive backs throughout the game. The Gator defense had numerous opportunities to pick off the errant passes of Towles, and did successfully intercept three balls. Kentucky's air raid offense should be fun to watch for fans of pass-heavy football. The Gators missed their starting left tackle D.J. Humphries, as they struggled to pass protect for most of the night. The offensive line was generally more successful run-blocking, especially after halftime. Jeff Driskel struggled with his accuracy throughout the first half. However, receivers on both teams had many dropped passes. The Gator running backs proved to be reliable, particularly Matt Jones, who put up 156 yards on 29 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown. However, the player of the game was sophomore wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who came into the game with 11 career receptions for 146 yards. Against the Wildcats, Robinson recorded 15 receptions (including two for touchdowns) for 216 yards.

Now for the rest of the state of Florida. FIU did better than expected against Pitt, though the northern-state Panthers pulled away with it. Missouri was too much for UCF in the second half. Miami won by a respectable margin against Arkansas State. South Florida was again a disappointment, as they were totally overwhelmed by NC State in Tampa. Surprisingly, Florida Atlantic won their first game this season, and in impressive fashion by storming past the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa.

There were a few notably games in the SEC. Although a heavy underdog, I picked Massachusetts to pull off the upset against Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt barely pulled out the win by scoring the 34 points I predicted of them (though UMass could only score 31). Arkansas also won, although that was not a clear upset, as the Vegas line shifted in their favor late last week. I did not expect South Carolina to win (and what a win it was!), although Spurrier's team made Florida's path to Atlanta a little bit easier. Still, the SEC is wide open. The Gamecocks' win leaves Florida and Missouri the only undefeated teams in the East. Alabama scored 52 points, as I predicted.

Easily the most shocking result of the week (to me) was Boston College's 37-31 triumph over USC. Former Gator quarterback Tyler Murphy put up an astonishing 191 rushing yards in his effort to down the Trojans. This is certainly the highlight of former Gator OC Steve Addazio's career as a head coach. East Carolina and Virgina both pulled off upsets against Virginia Tech and Lousiville, respectively. Although I did not call the upsets, I did expect both games to be close and thus was not surprised by the ultimate results. However, the Pirates and Cavaliers have no time to revel in their victories, as both teams have tough games again next Saturday.

State of Florida:

• Pittsburgh (3-0) over FIU (1-2), 52-7 42-25
• #20 Missouri (3-0) over UCF (0-2), 31-24 38-10
• Miami (2-1) over Arkansas State (1-2), 38-14 41-20
• South Florida (1-2) over NC State (3-0), 24-21 49-17
• Tulsa (1-2) over Florida Atlantic (1-2), 35-10 50-21
• Florida (2-0) over Kentucky (2-1), 44-9 36-30 (OT)
• #1 Florida State (2-0), BYE

Southeastern Conference:

• Massachusetts (0-3) over Vanderbilt (1-2), 37-34 34-31
• Arkansas (2-1) over Texas Tech (2-1), 42-38 49-28
• #6 Georgia (2-1) over #24 South Carolina (2-1), 31-17 38-35
• #14 Mississippi (3-0) over Louisiana-Lafayette (1-2), 38-10 56-15
• Mississippi State (3-0) over South Alabama (1-1), 49-20 35-3
• #3 Alabama (3-0) over Southern Miss (1-2), 52-0 52-12
• #10 LSU (3-0) over Louisiana-Monroe (2-1), 45-7 31-0
• #4 Oklahoma (3-0) over Tennessee (2-1), 38-17 34-10
• #7 Texas A&M (3-0) over Rice (0-2), 56-13 38-10
• #5 Auburn (2-0), BYE

Top 25:

• #25 BYU (3-0) over Houston (1-2), 45-7 33-25
• #8 Baylor (3-0) over Buffalo (1-2), 45-13 63-21
• #2 Oregon (3-0) over Wyoming (2-1), 52-10 48-14
• #9 USC (2-1) over Boston College (2-1), 35-13 37-31
• #11 Notre Dame (3-0) over Purdue (1-2), 48-10 30-14
• #12 UCLA (3-0) over Texas (1-2), 34-17 20-17
• #15 Stanford (2-1) over Army (1-1), 38-10 35-0
• #16 Arizona State (3-0) over Colorado (1-2), 45-16 38-24
• #17 Virginia Tech (2-1) over East Carolina (2-1), 31-24 28-21
• #21 Louisville (2-1) over Virginia (2-1), 30-23 23-21
• #22 Ohio State (2-1) over Kent State (0-3), 35-14 66-0
• #13 Michigan State (1-1), BYE
• #18 Wisconsin (1-1), BYE
• #19 Kansas State (2-0), BYE
• #23 Clemson (1-1), BYE

Week 3 Record: 19-7 (73%)