College Football Weekend Recap: Dec 5, 2020

Each week we will have our recap of the weekend that was in college football. A quick look at the teams who impressed, the players who starred, some takeaways and final thoughts. The contenders are emerging and the Playoff race is whittling down to a select few teams. Here is our recap of the weekend that was in college football.

Teams That Impressed

Ohio State

Under normal circumstances, Ohio State crushing Michigan State would not have moved the needle this year. What was impressive is that the Buckeyes were without three starters on the offensive line, their starting middle linebacker and several other rotational players due to Covid and subsequent contact tracing. The Buckeyes showed off their depth en route to a dominating 52 – 12 victory.

The Ohio State offense was without both starting tackles, their starting center and a top reserve tackle. There was some concern if the offensive line could protect Justin Fields and create running lanes for the running backs. There were issues with the snap all game, but the offensive line held up in pass protection and paved the way for the Buckeyes to run for 322 yards and 6.7 yards per carry. Trey Sermon and Justin Fields both went over 100 yards for a Buckeye running game that controlled the game. Ohio State simplified their passing attack to get the ball out quicker, but Fields was efficient and effective throwing for 199 yards at 8.3 yards per attempt. Justin Fields did not have big stats, but he erased several poor plays, and instead created big plays for his team. The offense did not have it’s best game of the season, but considering the players missing up front it was an impressive showing for the shorthanded Buckeyes.

The Ohio State defense was much maligned coming into the game after giving up 35 points and several big pass plays against Indiana. Without Tuf Borland, Josh Proctor and Tyler Friday, there was definitely some concern about the Ohio State defense coming into the game. The defense was excellent for most of the game, only allowing one big play in the passing game and holding the Spartans to 10 points (two of Michigan State’s points came on a safety). Michigan State does not have a dynamic offense, but for the most part the Buckeyes avoided the mistakes that had cost them earlier this season. The secondary played their best game of the season and the front seven was stout as usual. Ohio State shutdown the running game and limited the big plays through the air and turned in their best performance of the season.

Michigan State is not very good this season, but they did just hand Northwestern their only loss of the season. With a depleted roster, especially on the offensive line, there was some concern about how well the Buckeyes would play. Ohio State responded with their best effort of the season, showing just how deep and talented the Buckeyes are in 2020.

Iowa State

Iowa State has never won the Big 12 Championship. The Cyclones needed a win over West Virginia to clinch the regular season title and a spot in the Big 12 Championship game. West Virginia brought the top ranked scoring defense to Ames, but was unable to compete with the Cyclones. Iowa State crushed West Virginia 42 – 6 in a wire to wire victory that was never in doubt.

The Cyclones scored a touchdown on their first three possessions of the game and then ran the clock out with their last possession of the half. After two punts to start the second half, Iowa State scored touchdowns on three straight possessions again, before running out the clock to end the game. Brock Purdy was magnificent, playing his most efficient game of the season by completing 20 of 23 passes for 247 yards with 3 touchdowns and also running for 38 yards and a touchdown on 7 carries. The offensive line played an excellent game, leading the way for 236 rushing yards and keeping Purdy from being sacked in the game. Iowa State’s offense features a powerful running game, a talented group of tight ends and what is becoming a strong offensive line. With the offensive line playing this well, Purdy and the Cyclones are tough to beat.

The Iowa State defense was never threatened by the West Virginia offense. The Mountaineers did not score a touchdown in the game and didn’t even get their two field goals until after Iowa State had built a 35 – 0 lead. West Virginia’s running game had nowhere to go against the Cyclones, managing just 54 yards on 25 carries. With the Mountaineers running game a non factor, Iowa State was able to get after the quarterback and lock down the West Virginia passing attack as well. West Virginia gained 209 yards through the air, but it took 41 pass attempts to get there, a measly 5.1 yards per attempt. Iowa State’s defense has held their last three opponents to a combined 26 points and appears ready for the Big 12 Championship game.

Iowa State lost their season opener to Louisiana but the team continued to grow and develop and turned in an excellent regular season. They will play Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game in a rematch of a game the Cyclones won 37 – 30 earlier this season. With a win on December 19th, the Cyclones can make history again.

Stars From The Weekend

QB – Kyle Trask, Florida

Kyle Trask led Florida past Tennessee with another big performance. Florida has not run the ball well recently so the pressure is on Trask to carry the offense. The senior quarterback has not disappointed. While some of his weapons have been in and out of the lineup, Trask has dominated on a weekly basis. Saturday was more of the same from the talented quarterback, he completed 35 of 49 passes for 433 yards and 4 touchdowns without an interception. He spread the ball around to his weapons, with two receivers going over 100 yards and two more over 50 yards on the day. Trask was able to lead the Gators to a win despite the team only rushing for 19 yards against the Volunteers. Florida is in position to win the SEC and Kyle Trask is the number one reason for the Gators’ success.

RB – Jarek Broussard – Colorado

Colorado spotted Arizona 13 points then went to work. The majority of that work was done by sophomore tailback Jarek Broussard. He had an explosive game breaking off big runs to help Colorado move the ball in chunks against the Wildcats. Broussard ran the ball 25 times for 308 yards, a whopping 12 yards per carry. The only thing Broussard did not do for his team is score, he broke several long runs that set up short touchdowns for teammates but he never found the endzone himself. Nonetheless, Broussard was more than 60 percent of the offense for the Buffaloes this weekend.

WR – DeVonta Smith, Alabama

Alabama beat LSU like they were angry with them. The Crimson Tide ran up 45 points in the first half before taking their foot off the gas in the second half. Smith was unstoppable again, catching 8 passes for 231 yards and 3 touchdowns, including one incredible touchdown where he leaped over three defenders and extended for the touchdown (video below). Smith is a star among stars, who abuses opposing defenses on a weekly basis. He has over 1,300 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on the season and should be one of the front runners for the Heisman Trophy. Smith has been an impossible cover for every defense he has faced in 2020.

LB – Cameron Goode, California

Cal pulled off an unlikely upset 21 – 17 by shutting down the Oregon offense in the second half. Cameron Goode had a very disruptive game from his linebacker spot. He was disruptive as a blitzer and was effective in pursuit of the football. Goode made 7 tackles, 3.5 of them were for a loss including 1.5 sacks. He also recovered a fumble and had a pass break up as well. Goode led the way for a Golden Bears defense that held Oregon scoreless in the second half while forcing two turnovers in the half. The senior linebacker played his best game of the season in the biggest game and helped his team get a much needed victory.

DE – Quincy Roche, Miami

Miami’s defense suffocated the Duke offense on Saturday night and the pass rush was a big part of the Hurricanes effort. Both Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips were phenomenal off the edge. Roche got the nod over Phillips thanks to his turnover forced, but we could have put either player in this spot. Roche made 6 tackles, with 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a fumble forced, and a fumble recovered. Roche put on a pass rushing clinic against the Duke offensive line and was in the backfield all game long. Miami has as good a pair of defensive ends as anyone in the country in 2020.

Coastal Carolina Wins An Incredible Game

The 2020 season has been marred by cancellations, postponements and constantly adapting as the year moves forward. On Saturday evening, 2020 gave college football fans a gift. BYU and Coastal Carolina adapted to their changing schedules and scheduled a game between two undefeated group of five teams that had never played each other before. The result was a wildly entertaining game that Coastal Carolina held on to win 22 – 17.

Both teams were undefeated coming into the game and were hoping to add to their resume with a win on Saturday. Many expected the two offenses to decide the game, as both teams were accustomed to scoring with ease. The defenses did not get the memo and held their opponents well below their season average for scoring. The game was chippy and had it’s share of scuffles and momentum swings. Coastal Carolina got ahead early and used their methodical running game to milk the clock and keep Zach Wilson and the BYU offense off the field. When BYU did have the ball, the Chanticleers pressured Zach Wilson and swarmed to the football making it difficult for the Cougars to get into sync offensively. Wilson completed 19 of 30 passes for 230 yards with just one touchdown and an interception. Coastal Carolina was the first team to slow down the talented quarterback.

Despite the offensive struggles, BYU got the ball back with 55 seconds to play and 82 yards to cover. Zach Wilson led a frantic last minute drive without any timeouts and hit chunk plays to chew up the yardage. After completions of 33, 12, 15 and 13 yards BYU had the ball at the Coastal Carolina 18 yard line with three seconds to play. Wilson hit his favorite receiver Dax Milne on a slant route but the Coastal Carolina defense rallied to the ball one last time and made the tackle at the one yard line to secure the victory. It was a fitting finish to an excellent football game.

Coastal Carolina has only been playing FBS football for four years, but on Saturday they picked up a win that can propel a program to new heights. College football fans were lucky to get an unexpected treat in early December.

Indiana’s Great Season Continues With Tuttle

Indiana has put together an excellent season. Coming into Saturday, the Hoosiers were 5 – 1 and had already beaten Penn State and Michigan. The sole blemish on their record was a seven point loss to Ohio State. The Hoosiers were without starting quarterback Michael Penix against the Badgers, but rode a strong defensive effort to their sixth win of the season.

Tom Allen has changed the culture at Indiana. The team rallied without their leader on offense and found a way to win despite the challenges they faced. Good teams win games when things do not go well, bad teams fold up and pack it in. Indiana didn’t play great offensively, but the defense stepped up and carried the team to a victory. The Hoosiers limited the number of possessions in the game and confused the Wisconsin offense. They forced two Graham Mertz turnovers and created confusion with their blitzes and disguised coverage schemes. When Wisconsin did get into the redzone they were forced to settle for field goals, which proved to be the difference in the game.

Indiana has found different ways to win this year. They have had big offensive games like they did against Michigan and they have relied on their defense like they did against Wisconsin. The bottom line is, Tom Allen has turned Indiana into a winning football team. Teams like this find reasons to win instead of excuses for losing. The Hoosiers football program is only going up from here.

Closing Stats

• Nebraska held Purdue to -2 rushing yards on 17 carries (-0.1 yards per carry).

• Penn State held Rutgers to 122 passing yards.

• Missouri had 653 yards of offense against Arkansas.

• Missouri and Arkansas combined for 71 first downs.

• Tennessee held Florida to 19 rushing yards on 17 carries (1.1 yards per carry).

• Virginia held Boston College to – 7 rushing yards on 20 carries (-0.4 yards per carry).

• Boston College passed for 520 yards against Virginia.

• BYU held Coastal Carolina to 85 passing yards.

• Clemson recorded 12 tackles for loss against Virginia Tech.

• Colorado had 407 rushing yards on 46 carries against Arizona (8.8 yards per carry).

• Arizona held Colorado to 92 passing yards.

• Colorado tallied 12 tackles for loss against Arizona.

• Kentucky held South Carolina to 107 passing yards.

• Oklahoma held Baylor to 25 rushing yards on 26 carries (1 yard per carry).

• Alabama had 650 yards of offense against LSU.

• Miami held Duke to 177 yards of total offense (2.8 yards per play).

• Miami had 13 tackles for loss against Duke.

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Kyle Trask Image taken by Gamecock Central is licensed under CC BY 2.0.