Winners
Texas A&M
Since the loss to Mississippi State, the Aggies have cleaned up their offense. Zach Calzada is taking care of the football and playing within himself. The offense can still lean on Isiah Spiller in the run game. Spiller averaged 5.2 yards per carry against Auburn. The Texas A&M defense remains to be one of the best in the land. The defense was able to force an interception and a strip-sack for 6 against Bo Nix.
Purdue
The “Spoilermakers” continue their run. Not sure what voodoo magic the Boilermakers perform prior to playing top 5 opponents but it works. Quarterback Aiden O’Connell threw for over 500 yards against the Spartans and led them to a huge victory in Ross-Ade Stadium. At the beginning of the season, it looked like Jeff Brohm’s days in Purdue might be coming to an end, but with the Boilers bowling with a chance to improve their record, even more, the Boilermakers might have their guy.
Tennessee
Looks like the Vols will be bowling this year after a win against Kentucky. Their defense is still not great giving up 42 points to a Wild Cat offense that is conservative, to say the least. Volunteer quarterback Hendon Hooker looks fantastic and is leading an explosive Tennessee offense. The win puts Josh Heupal’s team to 5-4 and unless they somehow manage to lose to Vanderbilt or South Alabama, Tennessee will get to 7 wins which is an improvement.
Illinois
Illinois knocks off another ranked team. The Fighting Illini turn every game into a sloppy, ugly, “rock fight”, and this was no exception. Minnesota’s offenses looked confused with the different coverage looks the Illini defense was throwing at them. With their final game of the year against Northwestern, Illinois has a chance to go 5-7, and sneak into a bowl game if there are not enough 6 win football teams.
Losers
Florida
This is one of the most embarrassing losses in Florida Gator history. This game wasn’t just an upset where a lesser team squeaks out a win. The Gators looked completely unprepared and played undisciplined football. When the offense isn’t moving, Florida cannot lean on their defense because they are nonexistent. To make matters even worse, they continued to turn the ball over giving the Gamecock offense even more chances to take shots on their defense. Has Dan Mullen lost the locker room? Will he be in Gainsville next year?
Michigan State
Michigan State is the latest victim of the “Spoilermakers”. This game was a bad matchup against Purdue’s offense and the Spartan’s inconsistent defense. It was one of those games where the opponent just made more plays. Purdue threw everything and the kitchen seat at Michigan State. Sparty is still a very good football team and still has everything to play for this season. Let’s see how they react after the loss.
Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons are still undefeated in ACC play due to them and North Carolina filling an empty slot on their schedule for a nonconference game. Unfortunately, they still suffered a loss that will ultimately put down their chances of making the College Football Playoff. Wake has a great offense, but their defense was truly challenged by a great quarterback in Sam Howell. Howell not only made them pay in the air but also on the ground racking up over 100 rushing yards himself. Ty Chandler also gashed the Demon Deacon defense rushing for over 200 yards. Dave Clawson is doing an incredible job at Wake Forest, and even though they won’t be going to the College Football playoff they can still have a season that Demon Deacon fans will remember for the rest of their lives.