While Week 8 wasn’t great on paper, and didn’t have a ton of close games, it was still quite impactful on the race for conference championships and the College Football Playoff. In addition, the coaching carousel is spinning faster as jobs have come open (or are about to) and other coaches are in the position of auditioning for higher profile jobs. Here’s our storylines for the Week that was:
Two more Top 10’s go down as well as the ACC Atlantic leader…While not created exactly equal in that one of these was a huge upset, both #7 Penn State and #8 Oklahoma State lost Saturday. The Cowboys were defeated by a team still considered in the top 3-4 in the Big 12 but Penn State had an ugly…yet sort of thrilling…9 OT loss (yes 9 but 7 were the new 2 point conversion periods following two overtimes) to Illinois. The Illini came in 2-5 and threw for about thirty (3-0) yards in regulation and still came away with win. Not a good look for Penn State and James Franklin at home. Then, in night games, #18 N.C. State lost its first place spot (for now) in the ACC Atlantic with a one point loss to dreadful Miami.
Other interesting action on the day included Oklahoma getting all it could handle from Kansas - scoreless and down at halftime - before putting the Jayhawks away late as well as Michigan thumping Northwestern to set up a huge matchup of undefeateds next week at Michigan State. Oregon survived again. Alabama and Ohio State may be really hitting their stride while several other top teams were on a bye.
With big jobs open and others close to it, every week is an audition…for better or worse…
We know about USC and LSU (as well as Washington State for different reasons)…but it’s now become apparent that Nebraska will open as will Virginia Tech and likely Miami. The coaches mentioned the most for the top two on this list (LSU/USC) haven’t exactly seized control of their destiny however. While he would still be attractive to USC, James Franklin’s star isn’t exactly rising after two straight losses (the Iowa understandable, the Illinois one not). Clemson OC Tony Elliott looked like he’d get a shot at a job like USC or at least Virginia Tech but the bloom is very much off that rose. Other coaches like Jimbo Fisher have seeming get key removed themselves from consideration - although never say never as it relates to the LSU job.
Meanwhile, Lane Kiffin BC has been a hot name at Ole Miss but thought to be a risky bet because of his past which include a lot of antics and some off field rumors. However, you could definitely argue that has done about as well as anyone the country turning Ole Miss into a top 10 team for now. Kiffin’s Rebels blasted LSU - you have to wonder if that was noticed by Tiger AD Scott Woodward? Lots of moving parts in the next few weeks!
Top 3 Coaching Performances of Week 8:
Bret Bielema- Illinois: Anytime you can go on road and beat top 10 opponent, no matter how ugly the game, you deserve kudos but especially considering the mediocre-to-poor state the Illini program was in. Some folks scoffed at the BERT hire in the offseason but he seems to understand what needs to happen to win at a school like Illinois in the Big 10 West.
Jonathan Smith - Oregon State: The Beavers beat a good Utah team and continue an impressive season winning with a physical running game.
Matt Campbell - Iowa State: While the season has been a little disappointing at the beginning compared to the Top 10 preseason hype, Matt Campbell is showing why he’s one of the best coaches in the country, and has the Cyclones in contention for the top 2 in the Big 12 again with everything in front of them and only one conference loss.
Honorable Mention: Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss, Jeff Traylor, UTSA
Worst 3 Coaching Performances of Week 8:
James Franklin - Penn State: Just cannot lose to Illinois after a bye week at home. A brutal, ugly loss that featured a number of opportunities to win in OT with just one play. The Franklin to USC/LSU talk takes a big step back.
Dave Doeren - N.C. State: Welp…the WolfPack lost the kind of game they seem to always lose – they had a hold of the ACC Atlantic Division lead after a dominant win over BC then gag it away against a truly not good Hurricane squad. This may be yet another 8-4 type season. Good…but plateaued.
Justin Fuente - Virginia Tech: Giving up 41 points at home to Syracuse…Bud Foster weeps…Fuente is heading out the door soon.
Dishonorable Mention: Ed Orgeron, LSU, Geoff Collins, Georgia Tech
This coming week should be a banger - look for the Most Meaningful Matchups column later this week! Be sure to follow me on Twitter @ReadyCFB for more college football talk and debate.