Welcome to the fascinating analysis of college football Week 11. We can’t confirm any illicit activities, but there were tears, drama, and some much-needed clarity in the national title race during a thrilling Saturday.
The grading criteria remain the same as last season: only the spectacular earn high marks, and once the failing grades are assigned, there’s no turning back.
Last week, Iowa and Northwestern received low marks for a lackluster performance, while Oklahoma State and New Mexico impressed enough to deserve top scores.
Let’s dive into the Week 11 breakdown of fans, teams, players, and coaches.
Michigan Football: A Real-life Drama
Michigan Wolverines achieved an impressive 24-15 victory against Penn State, maintaining their playoff aspirations amid the chaos of an investigation into alleged sign-stealing by the program.
To further amplify their sense of being undervalued, the team sported ‘Michigan vs. Everybody’ shirts en route to Happy Valley, apparently directed at their critics within the Big Ten and beyond.
But what really raised eyebrows were the over-the-top comments made after the win, particularly by interim head coach Sherrone Moore.
“I want to thank the Lord, I want to thank Coach Harbaugh,” Moore said emotionally. “Love you guys. These guys right here did it, man.”
Notwithstanding the raw emotions, the absence of Coach Harbaugh on the sidelines remains a lingering question.
The ‘Free Harbaugh’ campaign has worn thin, especially after his previous suspension and the questionable T-shirt stunt.
Instead of playing the victim, it’s time to abandon the misplaced sense of persecution and focus on the game.
96 Tears: F
LSU Joins the 700-Yard Club
LSU’s remarkable 701 yards of total offense in their triumph over Florida cements their status as one of the six FBS teams to achieve over 700 yards in a single game this season.
Run it up: A+
The Best and Worst of the Rest
Here’s what caught our attention this week:
Garrett Shrader: Olympic hopeful
A Benjamin to the house
Just like they drew it up
Keep on truckin’
Head without a swivel
Stats You Need to Know
1: Wins for head coach James Franklin against Top 5 opponents at Penn State
8: Total touchdowns for Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel against West Virginia
14: Consecutive road games lost by Northwestern before their recent victory
32: Rushing attempts in a row by Michigan against Penn State
507: Passing yards by Illinois quarterback John Paddock in a 48-45 overtime win over Indiana
606: Total yards for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, making him a history-making player in FBS
The Dog of the Week
Oklahoma State at UCF
It was a lopsided game, with Oklahoma State falling 45-3 against Central Florida. The runaway victory for UCF delighted their fans and has left Oklahoma State reeling, further shaking up the conference standings.
