Around the Power Five: Week 3 (Football)

Story posted September 19, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Logan Bourandas

We are through two weeks of the college football season, and only two of the major five conferences have actually started their season. With the SEC not starting up until Week 4, the Big Ten not starting until the weekend of Oct. 23, and the Pac-12 undecided on any start, that leaves just the ACC and Big 12 as the major conferences that have kicked off their seasons.

Starting out in the ACC, Clemson has not skipped a beat. Although the Tigers beat Wake Forest by only 24 points, Trevor Lawrence looked as dominant as ever, throwing for 351 yards in the win. Running back Travis Etienne pitched in with over 100 yards rushing on only 17 carries.

North Carolina looked like a serious challenger to Clemson’s throne, as the Tar Heels dominated Syracuse in a 31-6 win. Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito was sacked seven times in the loss as the North Carolina defense dominated.

Notre Dame’s first ever game in the ACC ended in a 14-point win over Duke. While there were positive signs, senior quarterback Ian Book didn’t play up to standards, having only 263 yards and an interception.

The biggest upset of the week came when Georgia Tech upset Florida State, as the Yellow Jackets won a close 16-13 game. Georgia Tech came back from a 10-0 deficit and scored nine unanswered points to win the game.

In the Big 12, there were a lot of blowouts but also one shocking near-upset. Texas, Oklahoma and West Virginia all took care of business, giving up a combined 13 points.

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger in particular had over 400 passing yards, throwing for five touchdowns in his first game as a senior. Meanwhile, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler threw for almost 300 yards and four touchdowns in his first career start for the Sooners.

The craziest game took place when Texas Tech took on little-known Houston Baptist. The game was a classic shootout with both quarterbacks throwing for over 400 yards, Houston Baptist’s Bailey Zappe accounting for 567 and four touchdowns. Texas Tech managed to avoid a massive upset, winning 35-33.

The SEC kicks off next week with three top-five teams in Alabama, Georgia and Florida all set to start their seasons. Two ranked teams in No. 23 Kentucky and No. 8 Auburn will play each other. The Big Ten, meanwhile, won’t start until Week 8 on Oct. 24.

 

Logan Bourandas is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.