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CFB Week 7: Heavyweight Bouts Go The Distance
Oregon outlasts Ohio State, Penn State escapes USC, and Nussmeier's heroics keep LSU's CFP aspirations alive
Christian Medley & Noah Sausville
October 14, 2024
There were multiple heavyweight bouts that went the distance in Week 7. Oregon and Ohio State threw haymakers for 60 minutes, but the Ducks out-strategized the Buckeyes in the end. Penn State got knocked down early against USC, but went the distance to beat the Trojans in OT. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier landed just enough body blows to down Ole Miss.
It wouldn’t be October without some scares as well; Kansas State, Alabama, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh all had their CFP lives flash before their eyes. Here is everything you need to know about CFB after Week 7:
1. #10 Clemson Tigers 5-1 (4-0) |
2. #6 Miami Hurricanes 6-0 (2-0) |
3. #20 Pittsburgh Panthers 6-0 (2-0) |
4. #21 SMU Mustangs 5-1 (2-0) |
5. Louisville Cardinals 4-2 (2-1) |
6. Syracuse Orange 5-1 (2-1) |
7. Virginia Cavaliers 4-2 (2-1) |
8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 5-2 (3-2) |
9. Duke Blue Devils 5-1 (1-1) |
10. Boston College Eagles 4-2 (1-1) |
11. Virginia Tech Hokies 3-3 (1-1) |
12. Stanford Cardinal 2-4 (1-2) |
13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2-4 (1-2) |
14. Florida State Seminoles 1-5 (1-4) |
15. California Golden Bears 3-3 (0-3) |
16. NC State Wolfpack 3-4 (0-3) |
17. North Carolina Tar Heels 3-4 (0-3) |
Key Performances
Pittsburgh 17 - 15 California | The Panthers maintained their undefeated record, and this time it was their defense that had to win the day. Pitt’s defense racked up six sacks and bent but did not break. Star QB Eli Holstein came back down to earth going 14/28 for 133 yards and 2 INTs, but RB Desmond Reid picked him up with 120 yards and 2 TDs. After two heartbreaking losses, the Golden Bears couldn’t get out of their own way racking up 12 penalties despite outgaining Pittsburgh 335-277.
Louisville 24 - 20 Virginia | Cardinals star QB Tyler Shough’s late go-ahead TD pass with 1:55 left helped Louisville avoid a third straight one-score loss. It was a back-and-forth game where both teams had to grind it out. The Cavaliers have been a surprise in 2024, and nearly ended Louisville’s ACC Championship aspirations. Key contributors were RB Isaac Brown who added 146 yards and 2 TDs for the Cardinals, and WR Malachi Fields who continues to impress with 9 catches for 129 yards as well as a key trick-play pass.
Notable Developments
Clemson takes care of business | The Tigers sputtered through the first quarter down 7-0, but exploded after that to beat Wake Forest 49-14. They went on to score six TDs on six consecutive drives through the third quarter. Clemson played a clean, dominant game: 571 yards of offense led by star QB Cade Klubnik and RB Phil Mafah, forced 3 turnovers and 3 sacks, and did not turn the ball over themselves. The Demon Deacons had an ideal first quarter, but then the game looked very similar to their other home blowout loss to Ole Miss.
Georgia Tech and Syracuse win against cellar-dwellers | The Yellow Jackets offense exploded in a 41-34 win over last place UNC, racking up 505 yards with 371 of those rushing. RB Jamal Haynes (170 yards & 2 TDs) sealed the victory with a 68-yard scamper in the final minute. The Orange never trailed in a 24-17 victory over 2nd-to-last place NC State. QB Kyle McCord threw for 346 yards & 2 TDs to help Syracuse get their first win in Raleigh since 2013. McCord has thrown for 300 yards in every game this season.
Look Ahead to Week 8
#6 Miami (-4.5) @ Louisville, Saturday 12:00pm ET | The first-place Hurricanes travel to Louisville in what will be their toughest test yet. Head coach Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals aggressive playing style could make it tough on the ‘Canes.
Virginia @ #10 Clemson (-21.5), Saturday 12:00pm ET | The Cavaliers travel to Clemson to prove they’re not a pretender in 2024. It will be a tall task considering the Tigers have been one of the hottest teams in CFB.
#12 Notre Dame (-8.5) @ Georgia Tech, Saturday 3:30pm ET | The Yellow Jackets have a chance to spoil the Fighting Irish’s 2024 season at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday.
1. #16 Indiana Hoosiers 6-0 (3-0) |
2. #2 Oregon Ducks 5-0 (2-0) |
3. #3 Penn State Nittany Lions 5-0 (2-0) |
4. #22 Illinois Fighting Illini 5-1 (2-1) |
5. #4 Ohio State Buckeyes 5-1 (2-1) |
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers 5-1 (2-1) |
7. Iowa Hawkeyes 4-2 (2-1) |
8. #24 Michigan Wolverines 4-2 (2-1) |
9. Wisconsin Badgers 4-2 (2-1) |
10. Minnesota Golden Gophers 4-3 (2-2) |
11. Washington Huskies 4-3 (2-2) |
12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-2 (1-2) |
13. Michigan State Spartans 3-3 (1-2) |
14. Northwestern Wildcats 3-3 (1-2) |
15. USC Trojans 3-3 (1-3) |
16. Maryland Terrapins 3-3 (0-3) |
17. Purdue Boilermakers 1-5 (0-3) |
18. UCLA Bruins 1-5 (0-4) |
Key Performances
Oregon 32 - 31 Ohio State | Head coach Dan Lanning finally got his signature win at Oregon. The Ducks also proved doubters wrong about their perceived “slow” start by being the aggressor against the all-star team that is Ohio State. This game had everything. It was a back-and-forth contest with much added drama. It had star power: QBs Will Howard and Dillon Gabriel; RBs Jordan James and TreVeyon Henderson; WRs Evan Stewart, Tez Johnson, Jeremiah Smith, and Emeka Egbuka all put on a show. And it had an exhilarating end where Will Howard got down too late as time expired.
Penn State 33 - 30 USC | Penn State became only the second Big Ten team in 2024 to travel cross-country and win, and it came against a talented USC team. The Nittany Lions erased a 17-3 deficit and after an OT stop, hit a field goal to win. TE Tyler Warren tied the FBS single-game record for TE receptions with 17 while amassing 224 yards; his performance was highlighted by a ridiculous TD catch behind a defender’s back. The Trojans certainly did enough to win, but could not close out the game. Head coach Lincoln Riley’s team is out early of the Big Ten and CFP race.
Notable Developments
Iowa stuns Washington | After getting dismantled last week by Ohio State, Iowa rebounded this week with a convincing 40-16 win over Washington. Star RB Kaleb Johnson led the way with 166 yards & 3 TDs, giving head coach Kirk Ferentz his 200th win at Iowa. While the ground attack once again gashed the Huskies, miscues ultimately sealed their fate. Turnovers, poor execution, a missed field goal, and penalties set up Washington for failure.
Illinois needs overtime to defeat Purdue | The Boilermakers erased a 27-3 deficit in the third quarter and came back, but it wasn’t enough to get the win versus Illinois, who won 50-49 in OT. A failed two-point conversion in OT by Purdue sealed the victory for the Fighting Illini, who took the lead with a 25-yard pass to WR Pat Bryant. It was a scare for Illinois who are looking to right the ship after a loss to Penn State. QB Luke Altmyer was fantastic, throwing for 379 yards & 3 TDs.
Look Ahead to Week 8
Nebraska @ #16 Indiana (-5.5), Saturday 12:00pm ET | Indiana will have a chance to prove they can hang with the big boys against the Cornhuskers on Saturday. New head coach Curt Cignetti has them firing on all cylinders, but Nebraska has been just as impressive and may have more talent.
#24 Michigan (-1.5) @ #22 Illinois, Saturday 3:30pm ET | Illinois will have another chance to get a blue blood victory as they welcome the Wolverines to Champaign. Michigan has questions at QB, but their running game and defense should keep this interesting.
Shooting Our Shot
BIG 12 CONFERENCE
1. #13 BYU Cougars 6-0 (3-0) |
2. #9 Iowa State Cyclones 6-0 (3-0) |
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders 5-1 (3-0) |
4. Arizona State Wildcats 5-1 (2-1) |
5. #17 Kansas State Wildcats 5-1 (2-1) |
6. Cincinnati Bearcats 4-2 (2-1) |
7. Colorado Buffaloes 4-2 (2-1) |
8. West Virginia Mountaineers 3-3 (251) |
9. Utah Utes 4-2 (1-2) |
10. Arizona Wildcats 3-3 (1-2) |
11. UCF Knights 3-3 (1-2) |
12. TCU Horned Frogs 3-3 (1-2) |
13. Houston Cougars 2-4 (1-2) |
14. Oklahoma State Cowboys 3-3 (0-3) |
15. Baylor Bears 2-4 (0-3) |
16. Kansas Jayhawks 1-5 (0-3) |
Key Performances
Kansas State 31 - 28 Colorado | Kansas State QB Avery Johnson connected with Jayce Brown for a 50 yard TD with just over 2 minutes left in the game to push the Wildcats ahead of the Buffaloes 31-28. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders would then throw 4 straight incompletions to seal his team’s fate and give Colorado their 1st loss in conference play. The Wildcats won their 2nd straight conference game and are quickly climbing the Big 12 standings.
Arizona 19 - 41 BYU | BYU remains undefeated with a 22-point win over Arizona in a battle of two of the Big 12’s newer members. Arizona QB Noah Fifita threw 3 interceptions and WR Tetairoa McMillan went his 5th straight game without a TD as Arizona let BYU go on a 24-0 run that put the game out of reach. Arizona registered more 1st downs and controlled Time of Possession (32:29-27:21) but BYU forced 4 turnovers and Cougar QB Jake Retzlaff took care of the ball.
Notable Developments
Iowa State remains undefeated, wins in Morgantown | Iowa State RB Carson Hansen ran for 96 yards and 3 TDs as the Cyclones registered their 1st 6-0 start since 1938 with a 28-16 win in Morgantown. The Cyclones remain a top the Big 12 standings as 1 of the last 3 undefeated teams (BYU & Texas Tech).
Arizona State spoils Rising’s return, upsets Utes | Arizona State’s impressive start to the season continues with a 27-19 win over then #16 Utah. Utah QB Cam Rising, who missed the last 3 games, returned to throw 3 interceptions and turn in a very disappointing performance. Sun Devil RB Cam Skattebo ran for 158 yards and 2 TDs, including a 47 yard run with just under 3 minutes to go to extend the Sun Devil lead. It will be worth keeping an eye on the Utah QB situation with Cam Rising and Isaac Wilson (Zach Wilson’s brother) as the season rolls on.
Look Ahead to Week 8
Arizona State @ Cincinnati (-2.5), Saturday 12:00pm ET | Two of the Big 12’s newer members face off on Saturday in Cincinnati as Arizona State makes the trip to take on the Bearcats. Both teams are 2 of the 5 (2-1) teams in the Big 12 and a win for either team will push them further and further up the Big 12 flagpole.
Oklahoma State @ #13 BYU (-6.5), Friday 10:15pm ET | BYU is 3-0 and Oklahoma State is 0-3 in Big 12 play. Two teams on the complete opposite ends of the spectrum face off as BYU continues to impress and Oklahoma State continues to disappoint. Ollie Gordon II will need to turn a 2023 performance if the Cowboys hope to have a chance.
1. #14 Texas A&M Aggies 5-1 (3-0) |
2. #8 LSU Tigers 5-1 (2-0) |
3. #1 Texas Longhorns 6-0 (2-0) |
4. #5 Georgia Bulldogs 5-1 (3-1) |
5. #7 Alabama Crimson Tide 5-1 (2-1) |
6. Arkansas Razorbacks 4-2 (2-1) |
7. #11 Tennessee Volunteers 5-1 (2-1) |
8. Vanderbilt Commodores 4-2 (2-1) |
9. #19 Missouri Tigers 5-1 (1-1) |
10. Florida Gators 3-3 (1-2) |
11. #18 Ole Miss Rebels 5-2 (1-2) |
12. Oklahoma Sooners 4-2 (1-2) |
13. Kentucky Wildcats 3-3 (1-3) |
14. South Carolina Gamecocks 3-3 (1-3) |
15. Auburn Tigers 2-4 (0-3) |
16. Mississippi State Bulldogs 1-5 (0-3) |
Key Performances
Texas 34 - 3 Oklahoma | In the 120th rendition of the Red River Rivalry, Texas absolutely dominated Oklahoma. After taking a 3-0 lead on a FG as time expired in the 1st quarter, Oklahoma was outscored 34-0 the rest of the game as Quinn Ewers found his footing after a shaky start. Texas punched in 2 TDs in the span of 40 seconds to push their lead to 21-3 and Oklahoma’s offense had no answer for the stifling and swarming Longhorn defense. Texas out-gained Oklahoma 406-239 despite Oklahoma controlling time of possession (32:07-27:53). The Longhorns avenged last year’s Red River loss in both team’s 1st meeting as members of the SEC.
Ole Miss 26 - 29 LSU | LSU QB Grant Nussmeier rallied the troops in Death Valley on Saturday for a 29-26 OT win over an Ole Miss team who’s season is quickly falling apart. Nussmeier connected with Aaron Anderson for a 23-yard TD on 4th and 5 with 27 seconds left to tie the game at 23 and force OT. In OT, Ole Miss nailed a FG and LSU needed just 1 play, a 25 yard pass to Kyren Lacy, to secure the OT-win for the Tigers. After dropping their season opener to USC, LSU has rattled off 5 straight wins and continues to trend upwards.
Notable Developments
Alabama escapes South Carolina a week after losing to Vanderbilt | Merely a week after being on the losing end of one of the biggest upsets in College Football history, Alabama found themselves down 19-14 in the 4th quarter to a 3-2 Gamecock squad. QB Jalen Milroe was able to punch in a 7-yard run and connect with Germie Bernard for a 34-yard pass to push Alabama’s lead to 27-19. The Gamecocks would score with 43 seconds left, fail a 2-point conversion, recover an onside kick and then throw a game-ending INT that allowed Alabama to escape with the win.
Tennessee needs OT to defeat Florida | The Volunteers needed OT to beat a 3-2 Florida Gators team still dealing with all the noise around HC Billy Napier. Tennessee let Florida tie the game with 29 seconds left in the game as DJ Lagway connected with Chimere Dike for a 27-yard pass. In OT, Dylan Sampson punched in his 3rd TD of the game (ran for 112 yards and 3 TDs) to secure the win for Tennessee.
Look Ahead to Week 8
#5 Georgia @ #1 Texas (-3.5), Saturday 7:30pm ET | A battle of SEC heavyweights takes place Saturday in Austin as the Georgia Bulldogs travel to Austin to face the undefeated Texas Longhorns. Texas will look to register another key victory for their resume and Georgia will look to avenge that heartbreaking loss in Tuscaloosa by picking up what would be a pivotal road win.
#7 Alabama (-1.5) @ #8 Tennessee, Saturday 3:30pm ET | The Crimson Tide, still reeling from that loss to Vanderbilt, travel to Knoxville to face a Tennessee team also searching for answers. Alabama and Tennessee will both be looking for a key SEC win as both sit at 2-1 and in the middle of the current SEC picture. Jalen Milroe vs. Nico Iamaleava, regardless of recent performances, will be a must-see QB matchup.
Best of the Rest
Key Performances
Boise State 28 - 7 Hawaii | Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty accounted for 237 total yards and 2 TDs to help the Broncos pull away from Hawaii for a 28-7 win. The Broncos move to 5-1 and stay a top the Mountain West Conference while Jeanty’s absurd season continues. Jeanty is 99 rushing yards away from eclipsing his 2023 season total, which he accomplished in 220 carries (currently at 126 in 2024).
UAB 10 - 44 Army | Army extended the nation’s longest active winning streak to 10 on Saturday with a convincing win over UAB. Army built a 27-3 lead without even attempting a pass; the onslaught was led by star QB Bryson Daily who rushed for 136 yards and 4 TDs. Army will be flirting with a Top-25 spot this week thanks to getting off to their best start since 1996.
Notable Developments
North Texas improves to 5-1 with late rally at FAU | The Mean Green from North Texas improved to 5-1 with a 41-37 win over Tom Herman and the FAU Owls. North Texas WR DT Sheffield caught 11 balls for 126 yards and 2 TDs, both coming with under 3 minutes to go in the game. The Mean Green overcame a 10-point deficit to remain undefeated in American Athletic Conference play.
UL-Monroe & Louisiana-Lafayette off to hot starts | UL Monroe continued its undefeated start in the Sun Belt with a 38-21 victory over Southern Miss. Coincidentally, their Sun Belt West rival and UL counterpart Louisiana-Lafayette also continued their undefeated start with a 34-24 victory over App State. Should both down Texas State, it would raise the stakes when they collide on November 30th, where the winner would go to the Sun Belt Conference Championship game.
Look Ahead to Week 8
Toledo @ Northern Illinois, Saturday 3:30pm ET | Toledo and Northern Illinois meet in a matchup of Mid-American foes looking to gain ground in the conference standings. Both teams sit at 1-1 and with Northern Illinois still holding on to that Notre Dame upset from Week 2, the playoffs are still within reach for the Huskies.
James Madison @ Georgia Southern, Saturday 4:00pm ET | 1st place in the Sun Belt East division will be up for grabs Saturday when JMU visits Georgia Southern. Georgia Southern has started 2-0, but JMU will be a significant test for their defense to stop.
North Texas @ Memphis (-10.5), Saturday 7:30pm ET | A battle of 5-1 AAC squads takes place on Saturday as the North Texas Mean Green travels to Memphis for a bout with the Tigers. Memphis is a double digit favorite at home as North Texas looks to remain unbeaten in conference play.
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