patrick overmyer steps up and kentucky makes a statement
The CFB season is quickly heading into week seven and we’ve got plenty to preview. However, let’s look back at a statement making week six
Week 6 Look Back
Team that made the biggest statement - UCLA - I mentioned in my top 5 to watch last week that UCLA, coming off of a bye week, could make a serious statement of relevance with a win at Eugene, OR. Bob Chesney’s Bruins did just that, holding Oregon to 15 points in its own building and walking out with a statement-making 17-15 win. The Bruins have moved from not even receiving votes to start the season to #12 in the country. What a comeback season for the Bruins.
Players that showed out
Houston TE Patrick Overmyer - FOUR receiving TDs in the Cougars win over Kansas State
Missouri RB Jamal Roberts - 2nd consecutive 200+ yard rushing game in W over Texas A&M.
Tennessee IDL Xavier Gilliam - six pressures in gritty win at Arkansas
Oklahoma S Peyton Bowen - pick six against Texas in 4th quarter of Sooners’ win in Dallas
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers - 279 passing yards, 5 total TDs in win over Florida
Iowa RB Kamari Moulton - 208 rushing yards, two TDs in win at Washington
Best Game of the Weekend - Kentucky - 35 vs. LSU - 34
The Wildcats did it again for the second consecutive week. Tied at 27 heading into overtime, gave up a go-ahead TD in OT, scored a TD in OT and converted the two point conversion to win…AGAIN…in overtime. Same song, different location, still a win. Kentucky QB Kenny Minchey ran in a QB draw for the final two points and Lexington erupted with joy as LSU suffered defeat number two on the season.
Like the Draft? Here’s your guy that showed out - Tennessee IDL Xavier Gilliam - He was brilliantly destructive in a losing effort early in the season against Texas, but he was downright dominant in the win over Arkansas. The transfer from Penn State is just now starting to find himself and that’s scary for SEC OL.
“John’s Crush Roster” Member i.e Player I’m still crushing on - Iowa RB Kamari Moulton - Wow! Friday night, late game on TV, most times I’m asleep in those situations, especially when we’re traveling for a road game the next day. But, I turned on Iowa-Washington and #28 just went OFF. He put ALL the skills on display. Contact balance. Great vision. Speed. Moulton put on a show against a Husky defense that just couldn’t handle his heat, finishing with over 200 yards in a massive Iowa win in Seattle.
Week 7 Look Ahead
Team that can make the biggest statement - #8 BYU - Last year, the Cougars were undefeated when they made a trip to Lubbock. GameDay on hand. Whole nation watching. And, then PFFFFFTTT the air went out of the balloon as Texas Tech took them out behind the woodshed. So, this time, it’s the Irish BUT, this time, it’s in Provo, one of the most difficult places in the nation for a visiting team to come out with a win. This is a massive one for BYU and the Big 12.
Player(s) to Watch - Houston QB Conner Weigman & Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker - This QB battle is the best of week seven and one of the best all season long. These two have been playing as well as any two QBs in the nation and they’re ready to do battle at TDECU this weekend in one of the best games of the weekend.
Best Game of the Weekend - #2 Notre Dame at #8 BYU - The Irish have steamrolled everyone on their schedule, but really haven’t beaten anyone. BYU has steamrolled everyone on their schedule, but really hasn’t beaten anyone. The winner will finally have beaten SOMEONE and made a serious statement, staying undefeated through week seven.
Like the Draft? Here’s your guy to watch - Georgia ILB Chris Cole - Like freaky and fast defensive destroyers? Cole is your guy. He’s the belle of the Draft Analyst’s ball lately and for good reason. Size. Length. Speed. Destructive mindset. He has the full package and another chance to show it off against Auburn.
John’s Top 3 - Best games I’ve ever seen in person - Each week I’ll give a quick top 3 on any topic. Last week, it was the best offensive players in America and this week we’ll have some fun with the greatest games I’ve ever seen in person.
3. 2009 Houston - 29 vs. Texas Tech - 28 - Oh, man, my dude Case Keenum put on a show and ran in a QB draw with just under a minute for the game winning TD.
2. 1999 Florida - 23 vs. Tennessee - 21 - The Vols won the national title the year before and were #1 in the nation when they went to Gainesville. On a night when it was 90 degrees and 100% humidity, these two teams beat the heck out of each other for a full 60 minutes. In the end, Florida pulled the upset and Gainesville partied until Monday.
1. 2012 SEC Championship - Alabama - 32 vs. Georgia - 28 - This game had everything and the winner was going to the National Championship game. This one went back and forth until former Texan A.J. McCarron hit Amari Cooper on the deep go route for the eventual game winning TD. Georgia’s last second furious drive came up short and Alabama walked out the SEC champs…and the eventual national champs.
The Big 12 Pulse - Who’s rising, who’s slipping, who to watch
The Houston-Oklahoma State game should have everyone’s attention across the nation. Both teams took an L earlier in the season, but Houston lost to Texas Tech, a Big 12 foe, while Oklahoma State lost to Tulsa, remaining undefeated in the Big 12. So, a Houston loss will derail any shot at getting redemption in the Big 12 Championship game against Tech. All that said, TDECU hasn’t seen a game quite like this one in a while and it should be a great one.
The SEC Pulse - Who’s rising, who’s slipping, who to watch
What is there to say about the guts and heart of the Oklahoma Sooners! They went to Dallas a decided underdog, yet landed haymaker after haymaker in a 12 round gory battle with the #1 ranked Texas Longhorns. In the end, the OU defense stole the show…literally. A Peyton Bowen pick six and a Courtland Guillory late game pick helped set up a Tate Sandell game winning FG in OU’s 27-24 win to knock Texas from its #1 perch.
Top 5 to Watch - This will give you an idea of where my eyes will be this weekend
5. Stop him? Stop HIM! - Can Ole MIss stop the hottest RB in the country in Oxford? Missouri RB Jamal Roberts has gone for over two bills two games in a row and Ole MIss can’t allow a third game.
4. Jesse LeGree - Heard of him? Probably not, but he might be the most dynamic offensive player in the nation not named Jeremiah Smith…as a TRUE FRESHMAN (38 receptions for 932 yards and 12 TD). The Oregon State star does everything for a Beaver offense that is HOT at the moment.
3. The Tomahawk Chop might die - Last week, Florida State was up 14-0, had the ball at the Louisville two yard line…and eventually lost the game to Louisville 44-20. That loss didn’t land well for Seminoles everywhere. This week? It’s #3 Miami, FL. Oh man, that could get ugly…in many ways this weekend.
2. 2 QBs? No problem - Utah has created an offense that starts a play with no QB under center, then two in the backfield, finishing with one taking a snap and rushing with the other blocking…then flipping the script and doing the exact same thing with the roles reversed. And, the Utes are 5-0 as a result. Colorado won’t stop them, but it’s just fun to watch the creativity featuring those QBs Byrd Ficklin and Devon Dampier.
1. Is it pumpkin time in Bloomington? - The Indiana Hoosiers have ruled college football for the past two years, but they nearly got knocked off in Lincoln, NE last week by a solid Nebraska squad that played above its head. Does Ohio State, led by the best player in CFB in a decade WR Jeremiah Smith, go into Bloomington and do what no team has done since before Curt Cignetti was head coach? Can a visiting team beat Indiana in Bloomington? The last time it happened was November 18th…in 2023!