1) Halfway through the 2016 schedule, we like to welcome the real Clemson Tigers to the season. Just six days removed from a huge emotional win over No. 3 Louisville, Clemson traveled to play Boston College, a place where wins have been a struggle. There was no struggle Friday night. Clemson clicked on all cylinders and led 21-3 after one quarter. When the backups entered the game in the fourth quarter, it was evident the talent gap between the two squads. Clemson's 56-10 win was the first time Clemson scored 50+ points since Oct. 31, 2015, at NC State (56-41 win).
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| The Tigers were able to rise above and soar past the Eagles Friday night. (Photo courtesy USA Today Sports) |
3) BC's offense is abysmal, that much is clear. But Clemson's defense was able to get pressure with little blitzing. Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins and a host of other D-linemen ravaged the Eagle backfield all night. Like last year, Clemson's defense is ahead of the offense. With more depth, however, it appears the trudge toward the end of the season won't be a factor. It was made well known in 2015 that the defensive Tigers were worn down come season's end. This unit appears to be picking up steam with six regular season games to go.
4) Statistically speaking: Clemson has now won 44 straight games against unranked opponents. ... The Tigers are 6-0 for the fourth time in the last six years. Clemson had been 6-0 only four times in the previous 78 seasons. ... CU is 77-0-1 when gaining 200 yards passing and rushing. ... Watson is 24-2 as a starter. One of the losses came to Georgia Tech in 2014 when he was injured in the first quarter and didn't return. The other is to Alabama in last season's National Championship Game. ... Gallman has 15 career games with over 100 yards rushing. That ties a Clemson record with Raymond Priester. ... Deon Cain had two more TD receptions, the second consecutive game he's hauled in two scores. He leads the team with six touchdown catches.
5) The Red River Showdown was once called the Red River Shootout. While the name won't change back, the game itself turned into a shootout. Oklahoma's offense had little trouble solving Charlie Strong's defense, gaining 672 yards in the 45-40 win. Samaje Perine bulldozed his way to 214 yards and two scores, while receiver Dede Westbrook had 10 catches for 232 yards - a Sooner record - and three touchdowns. The trouble for the Crimson and Cream came on defense. Longhorn freshman quarterback Shane Buechele threw for 245 yards and three TDs. OU couldn't stop D'Onta Foreman on the ground either, allowing 159 yards and two TDs to the Horns runner.
It was the defense, however, that came up with two crucial stops late in the third and early in the fourth quarters. When OU took a 28-27 lead, the Sooners forced a 3-and-out. Westbrook then hauled in his third score of the game to put the Sooners on top 35-27. Another 3-and-out gave OU the ball back and again they scored for what ultimately proved to be too much for Texas to overcome.
With TCU and Texas behind them, OU has a clear shot at the Big 12 title. Kansas State, Baylor and Oklahoma State must visit Norman. Oklahoma travels to West Virginia late in the year, but the conference title may be wrapped up before then.
6) No. 8 Texas A&M and No. 9 Tennessee produced a classic. It seems that most games the Vols are involved in these days turn out to be classics. The Aggies led 28-7 early in the third quarter, and 35-21 late in the fourth. But don't count out Big Orange. Tennessee scored twice in the final three minutes to send the game to overtime. Both kicked field goals in the first frame, but Texas A&M prevailed 45-38 after scoring and then intercepting Josh Dobbs. The next two weeks see both teams facing No. 1 Alabama - Tennessee on Oct. 15 at home; Texas A&M on Oct. 22 at Bama.
7) Saturday Stunners: No. 6 Houston was the second Top 10 team to go down. The Cougs lost on the road to Navy 46-40. Houston's dream of crashing the Playoff party ended in Annapolis. ... No. 10 Miami became the third Top 10 team to fall, as the Canes dropped their seventh straight to No. 23 Florida State when the Noles blocked a potential game-tying extra point. ... Other Top 25 teams to go down were: No. 17 North Carolina getting blown away in Hurricane Matthew by No. 25 Virginia Tech, 34-3; No. 21 Colorado lost 21-17 at USC; No. 16 Arkansas lost big to No. 1 Alabama (not surprising here); And Washington State drop-kicked No. 15 Stanford on The Farm, 42-16.
8) Notre Dame is off to its worst start (2-4) since 2007 following a 10-3 loss at NC State. The Irish and Wolfpack played amidst the hurricane conditions in Raleigh. The field was more fit for slip-and-slide, but no excuses as both teams dealt with the problematic conditions. The Irish still have Stanford, Miami, Navy, Virginia Tech and USC still on the schedule. It's very possible Notre Dame won't make a bowl game this season.
9) There are now only 11 unbeaten FBS teams remaining. Nine are from Power 5 conferences and two Group of 5 teams.
Power 5
ACC - Clemson
Big 12 - Baylor and West Virginia
Big Ten - Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio State
Pac-12 - Washington
SEC - Alabama and Texas A&M
Group of 5
MAC - Western Michigan
MWC - Boise State
Some games to keep an eye on next week - Alabama at Tennessee, Nebraska at Indiana, West Virginia at Texas Tech, and Ohio State at Wisconsin.
10) The schedule finally becomes a little more routine. Six games to go, all on Saturdays, one bye week, and four home games. One at a time. Beat NC State.
-BtW
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