Week 6 College Football Analysis: Temple’s Heartbreaking Turnover and Vanderbilt’s Celebration Shine
Football enthusiasts should have anticipated it. Whenever the lineup seems lackluster, something extraordinary often occurs. (Looking at you, Nashville, Fayetteville, College Station, and Seattle). Now, fingers crossed that the numerous high-stakes games next week deliver on the excitement (which they typically do not).
This season has seen some stunning upsets, but many faded after teams that achieved the unthinkable stumbled in their next game. That’s the unpredictable nature of college football.
The same goes for evaluations from last season: Exceptional performances receive high grades, while poor ones cannot be redeemed.
Last week, the standout honors went to Colorado’s standout Travis Hunter for yet another jaw-dropping play and to a cheerleader for a remarkable hit on an Oklahoma player during warm-ups. On the flip side, an Ole Miss player received failing grades for his less-than-stellar acting skills.
Here’s how Week 6 went for fans, teams, players, and coaches:
The Key Moments
Keeping it brief this time. Temple football went from the brink of a win to a gut-wrenching loss in moments because of a flawed play.
Not quite Jalen Hurts: F
Highlights and Lowlights
Vanderbilt’s Goalpost Search
Music City Celebrations: A++++
Cheerleader or Safety Player?
Go, Fight, Win: A
Jeremiah. Smith.
Ryan. Williams.
Potential NFL Stars: (In a few years)
Noteworthy Mentions
Job Fair for Circus Performers: A+
Flapjack Fun on the Field
IHOP’s Approval: A
All Eyes on Big Red
Uniform Showdown: Time to Transfer to FIT
College GameDay Highlights
Signs Galore: Hallmark is Hiring
Words of Wisdom
“4th-and-1 in the Super Bowl at the 1, I’m giving your ass the ball!” Nick Saban to Marshawn Lynch on College GameDay
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Ohio State’s offensive coordinator Chip Kelly explaining the difference between being a coordinator and a head coach.
“You can use the restroom between series if needed.”
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“Tony Rojas! Football is life!” FOX play-by-play commentator Gus Johnson cheering for the Penn State linebacker while channeling his inner “Ted Lasso.”
Stat Highlights
1: Historic wins against Top 5 ranked teams by Vanderbilt. They ended a streak of 60 consecutive losses with a victory over Alabama.
9: Army’s current winning streak, the longest in the nation.
18: Consecutive victories for Wisconsin over Purdue.
47: Years since an FBS kicker has made two field goals of 60 yards or more in the same season. Temple’s Maddux Trujillo achieved this feat with a 60-yarder against UConn, adding to a 64-yarder earlier this season.
107: The kickoff temperature for the Kansas-Arizona State game in Tempe, which started at 5:05 p.m. local time.
1,031: Rushing yards gained in five games by Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who has also scored 16 rushing touchdowns.
Game of the Week
Tulane vs. UAB
Now for the Game
This weekend’s unfortunate spectacle occurred at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, where the venue did little to shield the Blazers from an overwhelming defeat at the hands of the aptly named Tulane Green Wave.
Things aren’t completely bleak for UAB; they managed to win one game this season against FCS Alcorn State, a feat three other FBS teams (UTEP, Kent State, Kennesaw State) cannot claim. However, head coach Trent Dilfer faces a tough challenge ahead, especially with an upcoming game against undefeated Army.
UAB’s performance baffled fans, with the team struggling to execute plays and turning the ball over three times, leading to a final score of 71-20. That pretty much sums up the day.