Week 10 Takeaways from College Football

Darnell Sallins, Blogger

Nov 3, 2024, 12:20AM

Now that November Football is here, the games have more meaning. Just days away from the first College Football Playoff Rankings, teams need to make big statements to impress the playoff committee. Week 10 of the season is the starting point and with big rivalries and big showdowns.

Takeaways from Week 10:

1. James Franklin falls to Ohio State Again

   
   

   This was the year. Big game in the Big Ten. Home in Happy Valley at Beaver Stadium. James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions would finally get over the hump of Ohio State and Michigan. BUT it wasn't the year. Penn State can look two key drives that hinder their Big Ten Championship hopes. Frist one being late in the first half as Buckeyes DB Davision Igbinosun outwrestled WR Harrison Wallace III in the end zone thus halting Penn State's scoring drive. The other one midway through the fourth quarter at the Ohio State's three-yard line. Penn State runs three consecutive running play for two yards. Then QB Drew Allar threw an incomplete pass on fourth down. 11 straight runs by Ohio State and Penn State never show the ball again.

   
   

   4. Ohio State 20-3. Penn State 13

   
   

   James Franklin is now 1-10 against Ohio State and Michigan with Ohio State having won eight straight against Penn State. Will Franklin be on the hot seat after another big loss to the Buckeyes?

   
   
   
   

2. Georgia survives short-handed Florida and Beck's INTs

   The second ranked Georgia Bulldogs found themselves in tussle with rival Florida down in Jacksonville. Bulldogs QB Carson Beck played bad for most of the game with three interceptions before he got going in the fourth quarter. Beck finished 25/40, 309 yards, two touchdowns, and the three INTs. However, the focus will be on the short-handed Gators as more injuries piled up at EverBank Stadium. The major injury being QB DJ Lagway who suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter and was carted off.

   
   

   Georgia is still alive for the Southeastern Conference but, they don't look like a championship team. Carson Beck must clean up the turnovers, 11 interceptions in the last five games.

   
   
   
   

3. Miami is Back, but SMU making a case for the ACC

   
   

   The Miami Hurricanes are 9-0 on the season and 5-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Canes used a scoring barrage in the second half to defeat the Duke Blue Devils 53-31. The Canes outscored the Blue Devils 36-10 in the second half with the help of two interceptions after trailing at the half 21-17. Heisman Hopeful QB Cam Ward continues his stellar year with 400 passing with five touchdowns and one interception. WR Xavier Restrepo had eight catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns. The U is back down in Miami/Coral Gables.

   
   

   However, the Canes are not alone in the unbeaten ACC realm. The SMU Mustangs are also unbeaten in the ACC at 5-0, 8-1 overall. In a Top 20 matchup in Dallas, the Mustangs dominated 18. Pitt Panthers 48-25. Mustangs QB Kevin Jennings lit up the Panthers secondary for 306 passing yards and two touchdowns. However, the Mustangs running game thrashed the Panthers as well as Brashard Smith carried the ball 23 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

   
   

   Charlotte, get ready! The ACC Championship could be a shoot-out between the Canes and Mustangs come December.