Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Week 8 National Blitz: OSU’s Defense Steals the Day, USC’s Utah Problem, Sooners’ Close Call & More

In Week 8, for Penn State’s James Franklin, a game of now or never saw never win.

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Sep 17
Sep 17

By Rock Westfall

In Week 8, for Penn State’s James Franklin, a game of Now or Never saw Never win. Meanwhile, USC’s Lincoln Riley’s soft Troy Boys failed to protect a late lead, Iowa paid a painful price for its putrid offense, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney saw the bandwagon herd thin further, North Carolina was stunned in a shocker, and the Blackshirts established their Rhule.  As a result of all this and more, the pressure intensifies for Week 9.

Never Beats Now as Ohio State Serves Notice

The late coaches Joe Paterno of Penn State and Woody Hayes of Ohio State were smiling somewhere Saturday. Ohio State scored an ugly 20-12 win over Penn State in a defensive slugfest of merciless Big Ten Brutality.

Mistake-prone Ohio State turned the dagger on itself numerous times, but its rock-ribbed defense saved the day. The Buckeye defense was so dominant that a win over Michigan looks achievable on November 25.

The loss for Penn State coach James Franklin worsened his record to 3-17 against Top 10 programs. Franklin’s offense was rendered helpless in a pathetic display of insomnia cure for the FOX Big Noon Kickoff audience. Not even Gus Johnson could revive this dead patient.

Ohio State (7-0, 4-0) has an upcoming tricky Saturday night game at resurgent Wisconsin. Penn State (6-1, 3-1) should get well soon on Saturday with a home game against the inept Indiana Hoosiers.

For the Penn State faithful, the loss at The Shoe was more of the same. PSU fans were begging USC to take Franklin off their hands two years ago. Perhaps they will eventually get their wish.

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Life of Riley Goes From Bad to Worse as Trojans Melt Down

The USC Trojans lost for the second consecutive week, 34-32, at home against the Utah Utes in a key Pac-12 showdown. Coach Lincoln Riley’s Trojans showed guts in rallying from a 28-17 4th quarter deficit. Heisman Trophy QB and aspiring NFL owner Caleb Williams put USC ahead 32-31 with an 11-yard TD run. But with 1:46 remaining, Utah drove for a 38-yard game-winning field goal by Cole Becker.

The gut punch revealed USC’s soft side, starting with a defense that is a well-documented national embarrassment. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s unit ranks 107th overall and for points allowed. Utah ground the Grinch That Stole Defense’s unit into hamburger with 247 rushing yards and a nearly minute time of possession advantage.

When it mattered most, The Troy Boys failed to sack up again. At the same time, Utah demonstrated what championship football is all about.

The shine is off, and the honeymoon is over for Lincoln Riley. Meanwhile, they are sure laughing hard in Norman, Oklahoma. And perhaps ex-USC coach Clay Helton is chuckling at Georgia Southern, where his Eagles are 5-2 and one win from bowl eligibility.

USC (6-2, 4-1) travels to face the Cal Bears on Saturday. While the Utah Utes (6-1, 3-1) host the Oregon Ducks in one of the biggest matchups of 2023.

Brent Vulnerables Almost Hit by Gus Bus

After two weeks basking in the glow of their 34-30 win over Texas, reading their own headlines, and shining in praise by College Football Nation, the Oklahoma Sooners barely escaped disaster in a 31-29 win over the struggling UCF Knights as 17-point home favorites. OU’s defense sniffed out a tricked-up 2-point conversion play call by UCF coach Gus Malzahn to avoid overtime.

The well-designed Gus Bus attack lit up Oklahoma coach Brent Venables and his 89th-ranked pass defense. UCF led 23-17 into the 4th quarter but could not finish.

It was a cold slap in the face and a reality check for Oklahoma. Their defense showed holes, and their ground game is hardly dominant. An easy path to playoff glory is not certain.

Last year, the Sooners saw their season implode after a fast start. They are desperate to avoid a repeat and to get to the Big 12 championship game. Meanwhile, perhaps the worst is over for the Gus Bus.

Oklahoma (7-0, 4-0) travels to face the dangerous Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday. UCF (3-4, 0-4) has a winnable home game against the slumping West Virginia Mountaineers.

Brown Out Shocker on North Carolina and Mack Attack  

Coach Tony Elliott’s Virginia Cavaliers were given no chance to beat North Carolina on the road, but they shocked the Tar Heels with a 31-27 win as 24-point dogs.

The loss was a devastating shot at coach Mack Brown and North Carolina’s credibility. UNC was ranked 10th and off to its best start in 26 years. The defeat was a death blow to the playoff hopes of the Tar Heels. The upset was no accident, as Virginia ran for 228 years and held over 14 minutes in time of possession advantage.

North Carolina defensive coordinator Gene Chizik will catch heat for this one. His defense has shown improvement over an abysmal 2022 performance. However, North Carolina still ranks a mediocre 90th for pass defense and 54th against the rush for 65th overall. UNC failed to protect a 24-14 lead late in the 3rd quarter.

The win was a respite for second-year Virginia coach Tony Elliott, who has endured misery and tragedy during his brief tenure. It was a bitter disappointment for Brown, who failed to have his team ready, and likely the end of a dream season.

North Carolina (6-1, 3-1) heads to Georgia Tech to face the Yellow Jackets. Virginia (2-5, 1-2) will travel to Miami and take on the Hurricanes.

Iowa Gets Its Just Deserts as Refs Rowed the Boat for Minnesota 

Last week, we praised Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz for his genius of using great defense and kicking teams to force opponents into mistakes that hand wins to the Hawkeyes. That formula seemed to work again against Minnesota until it didn’t.

With 1:32 left to play, Iowa returner Cooper DeJean ran back a punt 54 yards for what appeared to be the game-winning TD. But the play was called back for what was called an invalid fair catch. The call was based on DeJean pointing toward the turf as he made a circular motion with his other hand. Iowa lost to the Golden Gophers 12-10 to blast the Big Ten West Division race wide open.

The merits of taking the TD punt return off the board will be debated for decades. As will the rule itself. But the ultimate blame rests with Kirk Ferentz and Iowa. Iowa made the fatal mistake of being vulnerable to the mercy of an official’s call. If the Hawkeyes had any offense, they would not have been in the position of a ref’s call determining the game’s outcome.

Iowa was outgained 239-127. Backup QB Deacon Hill, filling in for Cade McNamara (out for the season/knee), was a dreadful 10-28 for 116 yards and an interception. Kirk’s son Brian continues to run the offense. It is an undeniable, indisputable fact that NOBODY in D1 football would hire Brian Ferentz as an OC except his dad.  

A case can be made that the University of Iowa broke the law by doing an end run around the state’s nepotism laws and having Brian serve as a direct report to the athletic director. When the arrangement was made, Gary Barta was the AD. Barta retired in July, with Beth Goetz taking his place. Supposedly, there are production merits that Brian must meet to keep his job. He’s not close to meeting them. Thus, a potential showdown between Goetz and Kirk beckons.

It would be one thing to elude nepotism laws for an OC that puts points on the board. But to do so for Brian Ferentz? Seriously?

Iowa (6-2, 3-2) heads into a bye week before a game at Wrigley Field in Chicago against the Northwestern Wildcats. Minnesota (4-3, 2-2) has a winnable Week 9 home game against Michigan State.

More than a few Iowa fans would like to see Kirk Ferentz and Gary Barta arrested for creating a faux org chart. 

Bert Fails to Clean His Plate as Badgers Buck Up

The Wisconsin Badgers were dead and buried, trailing the host Illinois Fighting Illini 21-7 after three quarters. Freshman Badger transfer QB Braedyn Locke was misfiring, and the once-famed Badger ground game was hitting a wall. But Illinois failed to put the game away offensively. With the door open, Locke ignited to spark Wisconsin to an 18-0 4th quarter rally and a 25-21 win that will be remembered for a long time.

Lock rallied to throw two TD passes in the final frame and finished 21-41 for 240 yards. RB Braelon Allen kept the defense honest with 145 yards rushing on 29 carries with a TD. The Wisconsin defense complemented that with a 4th quarter shutout.

It was a massive gut-wrenching loss for Bielema, the former Badger coach. Illinois failed to sustain momentum after their upset win at Maryland. It was also a reminder of how erratic Bielema-coached teams can be.

The win gives Wisconsin a second life in the Big Ten West race. Equally important, it is a confidence boost for a Badger team on the brink.

Week 9 has Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1) hosting Ohio State in prime time. Illinois (3-5, 1-4) is on a bye week before a road game at Minnesota.

Bielema has a full plate of issues to feast on the next two weeks. 

Dabo Thins the Herd 

In the days leading up to Clemson’s matchup at Miami, coach Dabo Swinney said maybe his team should lose a few more games to thin out the bandwagon fans complaining too much. Dabo is off to a great start after a 28-20 double-overtime loss to The U.

Miami had an impressive line of scrimmage advantage with 211 rushing yards, 5.6 yards per carry, and 37:30 to 22:30 time of possession. Clemson ran for 34 yards on 31 carries in an embarrassing effort. Miami backup QB Emory Williams had a competent performance and avoided mistakes. Starting QB Tyler Van Dyke was a late scratch for The U with a leg injury and is day-to-day.

Dabo Swinney may soon wear out his welcome. His refusal to embrace the transfer portal and NIL has made his roster slow, lacking playmakers, and mediocre. Ripping his fans as the program slides into second-tier status won’t generate the support Swinney will need during another lost season.

After two bad losses, the win changed the conversation for Miami coach Mario Cristobal.

In week 9, (Miami 5-2, 1-2) hosts a beatable Virginia team. Clemson (4-3, 2-3) has a dangerous game at NC State on Saturday.

Blackshirts Establish New Rhule 

Nebraska won its second straight game, and fourth out of its last five, by beating Northwestern 17-9. First-year head coach Matt Rhule and the Big Red need two wins in their final five games to go bowling. Equally important, the Huskers are back in the Big Ten West Division race.

Upon his arrival, Nebraska fans were concerned about Rhule implementing a 3-3-5 defensive scheme. Those concerns are rapidly disappearing. Nebraska’s 21st-in-the-nation-ranked defense is covering for its 106th-ranked offense. However, the Big Red does rank 20th for rushing offense. And game manager QB Heinrich Haarberg does just enough to make a positive impact.

In the first quarter, Haarberg was intercepted twice in his territory. But the Blackshirt defense easily repelled the Northwestern opportunities. As the game progressed, the Blackshirts wore down the Wildcats. Nebraska’s now-ground and pound-emphasizing defense style is turning the formerly finesse program into a competitive Big Ten team.

Under previous coaches Mike Riley and Scott Frost, Nebraska would have folded under pressure. Under the demanding and intense Rhule, the Big Red never flinched.

Nebraska (4-3, 2-2) has a winnable Week 9 home game against Purdue. Northwestern (3-4, 1-3) will host Maryland on Saturday.

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