Winners and losers from Week 7 of the college football season

WINNER

Washington Huskies: Related Press No. 7 Washington’s thrilling 36-33 win over No. 8 Oregon places it atop the Pac-12. Michael Penix Jr. was clutch down the stretch, solidifying himself because the main Heisman candidate, and the protection got here up with some huge fourth-down stops. With video games in opposition to Arizona State and Stanford within the subsequent two weeks, Washington needs to be ranked within the prime 4 of the primary Faculty Soccer Playoff rating on Oct. 31.

LOSER

Not taking the factors: Oregon head coach Dan Lanning declined to kick a discipline aim on a fourth-and-goal on the ultimate play of the primary half, as an alternative operating a poorly designed offensive play that ended with an incompletion. In a three-point loss, that call loomed giant. Coaches, factors are your good friend. Take them when you’ll be able to.

WINNER

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy: McCarthy’s excellent 2023 continued in Michigan’s 52-7 win over Indiana. He was 14-of-17 for 222 yards and three touchdowns whereas including 22 yards on the bottom. The highest-ranked participant in ESPN’s QBR metric getting into Week 7, it is about time we point out McCarthy when discussing faculty soccer’s finest quarterbacks.  

LOSER

USC quarterback Caleb Williams’ Heisman marketing campaign: Williams’ hope of changing into the primary quarterback to win two Heismans obtained a deadly blow after he and the Trojans laid an egg in opposition to No. 21 Notre Dame. Williams completed 23-of-37 for 199 yards, one landing and three interceptions in a 48-20 loss that must also knock No. 10 USC out of the Playoff race.  

WINNER

Arizona operating again Jonah Coleman:  The Wildcats shocked No. 19 Washington State, 44-6. Coleman set the tone early with a 69-yard reception on Arizona’s first drive and completed with 15 touches, 168 yards and three touchdowns.

LOSER

Georgia’s gradual begins: The Bulldogs’ troubling development of getting off to poor begins continued in opposition to Vanderbilt (2-6, 0-4 in SEC). The Commodores struck first on a 49-yard landing and the sport was tied after one quarter. No. 1 Georgia emerged victorious, 37-20, however one other sluggish first quarter is trigger for concern. They have been ok to face up to the gradual begins, however the Bulldogs’ path to a 3rd consecutive nationwide title will likely be a lot simpler if they do not let their opponents punch first.

WINNER

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz: The Gators quarterback threw for a career-high 423 yards – solely the second time he is eclipsed the 300-yard mark – in Florida’s 41-39 come-from-behind win over South Carolina. Mertz delivered a strike to vast receiver Ricky Pearsall for the profitable rating with 47 seconds remaining. 

The win has Florida (5-2, 3-1 in SEC) second within the SEC East with an enormous showdown in opposition to Georgia (7-0, 4-0 in SEC) on the horizon following its bye in Week 8. 

LOSER

James Madison’s bowl ineligibility: Let the Dukes go bowling. James Madison (6-0, 3-0 in Solar Belt) dominated Solar Belt rival Georgia Southern (4-2, 1-1 in Solar Belt) 41-13, solidifying itself as the most effective staff within the convention. Sadly, it will not be capable of play in a bowl recreation attributable to NCAA guidelines that bar groups of their first two seasons as an FBS member from enjoying within the postseason. It is a ridiculous rule that forestalls James Madison from reaching its full potential.

WINNER

North Carolina vast receiver Devontez Walker: It may not absolutely make up for misplaced time, however Walker’s present in opposition to No. 25 Miami will need to have felt good. The NCAA had difficult Walker’s standing, solely lastly declaring him eligible on Oct. 5. In a 41-31 win over the Hurricanes, Walker had six receptions, 132 yards and three touchdowns, his first three-touchdown recreation in 22 profession contests. He additionally recovered a late onside kick to finish Miami’s probability of a comeback.

LOSER

Michigan State: Has something gone proper for the Spartans this season? Michigan State was on the verge of a refreshing win over Rutgers after it constructed a 24-6 second-half lead.

Then the fourth quarter occurred. 

Michigan State had a few embarrassing particular groups gaffes to assist the Scarlet Knights emerge with a 27-24 win. The Spartans dropped to final within the Massive Ten East with the loss and host No. 2 Michigan subsequent Saturday.

WINNER

Florida State vast receiver Keon Coleman:  The Seminoles have been with out main receiver Johnny Wilson in opposition to Syracuse, however that did not matter because of Michigan State switch Coleman. He had 9 receptions for 140 yards, together with a spectacular one-handed seize.

Coleman introduced his arrival within the season-opener in opposition to LSU and his capacity to reassert himself as an enormous playmaker when Florida State wanted him most is a good signal for the staff’s future this season.

LOSER

Jimbo Fisher:  One other week, one other look by Fisher as one of many week’s greatest losers. Nobody has completed much less with extra over the previous few seasons, as proven by the discrepancy between Texas A&M’s expertise and report since 2021.

Saturday’s 20-13 loss at No. 19 Tennessee was the second consecutive for a staff gazing one other disappointing season. Fisher desires his $76.8 million buyout and can do every part doable to get it.