Week 7 of the college football season was nothing short of thrilling, with the best games of the year captivating fans and impacting rankings. The weekend kicked off with notable upsets and intense matchups, setting the stage for drama and excitement.
Friday night featured Liberty, which continued its unbeaten streak with a dramatic overtime victory against Florida International. Despite giving up a 14-point lead late, Liberty's Kaidon Salter dashed for the winning touchdown, securing their place as a serious contender for the College Football Playoff. Sitting at 5-0, they have their eyes on being the only undefeated Group of Five team, aiming to match last year’s success which saw them earn a New Year’s Six bowl.
Meanwhile, Utah faced setbacks as their Big 12 hopes faded. Quarterback Cam Rising returned from injury but struggled significantly, throwing three interceptions during their loss to Arizona State. With the Utes now two losses deep against their conference rivals, they find themselves needing to win out to have any shot at the championship game.
On the other hand, Alabama managed to claim victory but underwhelmed fans with their performance. After two close calls, the Crimson Tide narrowly escaped South Carolina with a 27-25 win. Despite another shaky showing, Alabama remains 5-1 as they prepare for significant upcoming challenges against ranked teams.
Washington's trip to Kinnick Stadium proved disastrous as they fell 40-16 to Iowa. After defeating then-No. 10 Michigan, the Huskies succumbed to the home crowd’s intimidating presence, unable to capitalize on their opportunities. With two consecutive conference losses, Washington's playoff hopes are very much alive but fading.
Quinn Ewers made his much-anticipated return to action, but it was the Texas defense which stole the spotlight. The Longhorns dismantled Oklahoma with a 34-3 triumph, benefiting from Ewers' presence along with stellar defensive performance, allowing only three touchdowns total this season.
USC's chances got dashed as they let behind the fourth-ranked Penn State. After leading at halftime and on multiple occasions throughout the game, the Trojans fell silent when it mattered most, finishing with multiple missed chances including a game-winning field goal attempt.
Staying close to the action, Pitt and Illinois avoided potential upsets with narrow wins. Pitt edged out California, with the Golden Bears missing a field goal late after being behind. Meanwhile, Illinois, after dominating early against Purdue, found themselves pushing through to gain victory with last-second heroics.
Ohio State, after performing admirably, fell victim to miscues throughout their clash with Oregon. Numerous errors led to turnovers at pivotal moments, leaving them unable to come back after trailing as the clock expired, demonstrating how small mistakes can culminate to significant losses.
LSU emerged victorious against Ole Miss, fighting back to win 29-26 after being behind for most of the game. Their resilience sends them back to the College Football Playoff conversation but with challenging games on the horizon.
Lastly, Colorado, riding high after previous victories, suffered defeat against Kansas State, missing out on what could have been another significant win inside the Big 12. Their ability to stay relevant will depend heavily on their capacity to regroup and refocus.
This weekend displayed the unpredictability of college football, where heroes emerged and favorites fell, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what the rest of the season will bring.
