NCAA Football News and Notes: Power 5 Recaps

Read Time:9 Minute, 27 Second

Another week of college football is in the books. We had a big win by Georgia over Tennessee, Wake Forest losing their third game, and Alabama found down to LSU.

#21 Wake Forest vs #22 NC State

Two top 25 ranked teams came into this game looking for big wins to enrich their chance at a better bowl game at the end of the year. Wake Forest came into this game with a 6-2 record with the 21st-ranked team in the nation. For NC State, they came into this game as the 22nd team with the same record at 6-2.

Starting in this game, we didn’t see many points on the board early with only a field goal from NC State. Eventually, we saw some action with four straight touchdowns with two from each team. Sam Hartman led Wake Forest down the field twice, scoring one of them from a 24-yard passing touchdown to his receiver Taylor Morin. For State, backup freshman quarterback MJ Morris, started out hot throwing two touchdowns in the first half to go up 17-14 at the end of the first half.

In the second half after Wake punted the ball, Morris started where he left off in the first half, throwing another touchdown. It was his third of the game and he was off to a great start in his young career. After the touchdown, Sam Hartman threw two consecutive interceptions which is not like him. This brought worry to the Wake Forest sideline having three interceptions in the game and being down 27-14 late. Finally, on Hartman’s next drive he connected with A.T. Perry for a 29-yard touchdown to make it a six-point game. Wake Forest needed a stop and Morris had other things in mind. He led State down the field in a long drive to kick a field goal to end the possible comeback for Wake. The game eventually ended 30-21 NC State.

MJ Morris had a fantastic game for the first start of his young career throwing for 210 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran the ball 19 times for only 43 yards. Thayer Thomas had a great game receiving the ball with eight catches for 79 yards. The NC State defense was phenomenal forcing Hartman to throw three interceptions. Hartman did not have his best game throwing three interceptions but he did though have two touchdowns and 397 yards. On the bright side, A.T. Perry continued his dominance this year having 12 receptions for 159 yards and a touchdown.

After a disappointing game from Sam Hartman and Wake Forest, they now sit at a record of 6-3. They are not ranked anymore and look for a big upset win this week against number 15 in the country, UNC. On the other side of the ball, NC State had a great win against another ranked opponent and moved their record to 7-2 and are now the 16th ranked team in the nation. They now have an easy matchup against the struggling Boston College team at home this week.

#1 Tennessee vs #3 Georgia

In a showdown for the best SEC team, one team showed who was still the boss in college football. Number one Tennessee came into this game with an outstanding record of 8-0 with all the momentum they could imagine but they faced a tough opponent who could drain all of their energy. Georgia came into this game also at 8-0 but they are ranked as the third team in the nation looking to change that.

Right out of the gates, Tennessee forced a quick turnover which led to a field goal to get an early lead on Georgia. Georgia didn’t think twice about that turnover and marched right down the field in five plays to score a touchdown from Stetson Bennett, a 13-yard rushing touchdown. After multiple punts, Georgia once again scored a touchdown on one play from a Bennett throwing touchdown to Ladd McConkey for 37 yards to go up 14-3. After another Tennessee punt, Bennett threw another touchdown to go up 21-3 late in the second quarter. The Volunteers finally got back on the board with another field goal but on their next possession Heisman favorite, Hendon Hooker, threw an interception. Georgia capitalized on that scoring a field goal as time expired to go up 24-6 at the half.

In the second half, we saw a lot of long drives with punts and fumbles from both sides of the ball. Tennessee had to start getting points on the board but they just could not move the ball against the challenging Bulldog defense. Finally, the Volunteers scored a touchdown from the legs of Jaylen Wright five yards out. This made it a 27-13 score late in the fourth quarter needing an epic comeback. Tennessee got the ball back down two possessions with around four minutes to play needing a quick score. Hooker had some first downs on this drive but was eventually stopped on downs at their own 39. Georgia then ran the clock out ending the game at a score of 27-13 which may be the end of Tennessee’s special run for the playoffs.

Stetson Bennett came up big when he was called upon throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a 13-yard touchdown to total three touchdowns on the day for him. Ladd McConkey had a day receiving for 94 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. Georgia’s defense played absurdly well with six sacks and eight tackles for loss. Heisman favorite, Hendon Hooker, played his worst game of the year when it mattered the most, unfortunately. He threw for only 195 yards and no touchdowns with an interception. He also ran the ball 18 times but only had 17 rushing yards which was a very harsh game for him on the ground. The offense just did not get open against one of, if not the best defense in the league during the game.

Tennessee now moves to an 8-1 record and the fifth-ranked team moving down four spots. They now are sitting outside of the college football playoffs with a very hard way of maneuvering their way in. They now play Missouri at home looking for a rebound game after this tough loss. For Georgia, this was a gigantic win for them which kept them undefeated, and are now ranked as the number-one team in the nation. They now face Mississippi State on the road which should be a good defensive battle.

#6 Alabama vs #10 LSU

Another amazing SEC game, this game was a huge part of who will most likely be playing in the SEC championship game. Alabama came into this game as the sixth-ranked team with a 7-1 record. LSU came into the game having a 6-2 record being the 10th-ranked team in the nation.

Starting out in the game, we expected a big defensive battle from these two teams. We saw that right away with both teams punting the ball a ton in the first half and a Bryce Young interception. Finally, LSU turned the tides scoring first in the game. Jayden Daniels threw a 30-yard touchdown to John Emery Jr. for the lead late in the second quarter. Bama answered on their next two drives with field goals to go into the half at a 7-6 game with LSU on top.

Into the second half, Alabama started with a field goal to go on top, 9-7. LSU took the lead right back with a touchdown from Josh Williams to get back on top, 14-9. Early in the fourth quarter, the rushing game came alive for Alabama and it led them to a Roydell Williams rushing touchdown to go back up 15-14 after they failed on the two-point conversion. Once again, LSU answered from a field goal to go up but Alabama was there to answer again right away. Young threw a 41-yard touchdown to Ja’Corey Brooks to take the lead back at 21-17. Needing a stop from the Bama defense, Jayden Daniels had other things in mind. He led LSU down the field in three minutes to score a touchdown late to go up 24-21 with under two minutes to play. You can never count out Alabama because this is what they are made for, big moments. Bryce Young marched down the field and gave them a shot to tie it and go to OT. From the leg of Will Reichard 46 yards out, he did just that sending this immaculate game to overtime tied at 24 a piece.

Bama got the ball first and took their time on the drive. They scored on seven plays from a rushing touchdown to go up seven. Now LSU is up and they have to score a touchdown to keep the game going. On the first play of their drive, Jayden Daniels ran it in for a 25-yard touchdown to try and tie the game pending the extra point. Brian Kelly thought differently and wanted the game to end right here going for two. He did just that after a timeout and it magically worked. Jayden Daniels threw to Mason Taylor for the win ending the game 32-21 LSU in this marvelous game. This was one of the best games of the season and LSU kept their season alive.

Jayden Daniels had a great game overall for how clutch he was and how he performed against Alabama’s defense. He threw for only 182 yards and two touchdowns but his rushing performance was amazing. He ran for 95 yards and a touchdown which came on the winning play. Also, props to LSU’s defense for holding Alabama to only 24 points in regulation. Bryce Young had an ok game for him throwing for 328 yards and a touchdown but had an interception. He also only had 25 completions on 51 throwing attempts. Jahmyr Gibbs continued his dominance on the ground rushing for 99 yards throughout the game on only 15 carries. Ja’corey Brooks had a great game catching seven balls for 97 yards and a touchdown. Alabama’s defense played well having six sacks just couldn’t get the job done in overtime.

Alabama now moved down to the ninth-ranked team in the nation with a 7-2 record. They now most likely won’t make the SEC championship game and need a miracle to make the playoffs. They play number 11 Ole Miss on the road this week needing a win badly to bring their hopes up about the playoffs. For LSU, they are now somehow sitting pretty to be playing in the SEC championship with a 7-2 record as the seventh-ranked team now. They still have a long way to make the playoffs as the first team with two losses but all they need to do now is win out. They can start that by playing on the road against Arkansas this week needing to win.