Check out the top 10 things we learned during the college football weekend.
1. FSU’s rough start
Florida State needs a lucky rabbit’s foot, a four-leaf clover or a horseshoe. After the Seminoles dropped their home opener to underdog Georgia Tech, they weren’t supposed to face any setbacks during a bye week. Instead, first-year coach Mike Norvell tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss this weekend’s road game against surging rival Miami.
2. The U is on a roll
Miami’s big-play potential has fans recalling the good old days of The U. The Hurricanes put on an offensive showcase Saturday night, rolling to a 47-34 win over No. 18 Louisville. It was the most points scored in a win against a top-25 team since No. 1 Miami knocked off No. 18 Virginia Tech 56-45 on Dec. 7, 2002. The Miami victory Saturday featured six plays of 20-plus yards, including a pair of 75-yard scores in the third quarter.
3. Syracuse’s sack problem
The Orange are winless through two games thanks to an offense that ranks last nationally in total offense. Quarterback Tommy DeVito has spent a lot of time running for his life, with Syracuse leading the nation in sacks allowed. The Orange have surrendered 14 sacks so far this season and 69 sacks during DeVito’s 21 career appearances.
4. UCF dominates Georgia Tech
The Knights made their case they are the best Group of 5 team in the country. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel passed for 417 yards and four touchdowns and the UCF defense forced five turnovers during a 49-21 road win over Georgia Tech. It was another UCF victory over a Power 5 school and bolsters the Knights’ chances of earning a New Year’s Six bowl bid.
5. Houston can’t catch a break
The Cougars were set to take on Baylor Saturday in Waco, but positive COVID-19 test results forced the Bears to cancel the game because they failed to meet the Big 12’s cancellation threshold. It’s the third game the Cougars have lost to COVID-19 this season after Rice and Memphis canceled contests due to COVID-19 cases.
6. Memphis stuck in quarantine
The Tigers canceled this upcoming Friday’s game against UTSA while it continues to quarantine players who tested positive for COVID-19. It’s the second consecutive game Memphis will miss due to COVID results, with the team also having been forced to cancel its American Athletic Conference opener against Houston this past weekend.
7. Navy back on track
After a rough start to the season, Navy’s second-half turnaround Saturday sank Tulane. It took six quarters, but Navy finally looked like a solid football program after the Midshipmen scored 27 unanswered points in the second half to rally for a 27-24 win over a surprised Tulane team. After struggling during a 55-3 loss to BYU in the season opener, Navy found its footing thanks a pair of Nelson Smith touchdown runs and a safety.
8. Hello, Big Ten
Ohio State, Penn State and Minnesota earned spots in this week’s coaches’ poll. The Big Ten won’t return to the football field until Oct. 24, but that hasn’t stopped some coaches’ poll voters from placing the Buckeyes, the Nittany Lions and the Golden Gophers in this week’s rankings. Their addition knocked some teams down and others, such as Army, out of the rankings despite actually earning wins this season.
9. Big 12’s ugly start
Oklahoma State’s poor showing is another hit to the Big 12’s confidence. A week after watching Iowa State, Kansas State and Kansas suffer losses to Sun Belt teams, Big 12 officials had to cringe while watching Oklahoma State, a preseason top-15 team, struggle against Tulsa at home. The Cowboys barely survived the Golden Hurricane’s upset bid, but the Big 12’s College Football Playoff hopes took a hit.
10. Sun Belt letdown
A week after enjoying thrilling victories over Power 5 teams, including knocking off an Iowa State team ranked in the top 25, Sun Belt teams struggled Saturday. No. 23 Appalachian State managed just seven points during a stunning loss to Marshall while No. 19 Louisiana needed a 14-point rally in the second half to overcome Georgia State 34-31 in overtime.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com.
