America loves comebacks. Whether it was Elvis in 1968 or the Bills in 1993, sports activities followers are infatuated with watching groups or gamers or rock ‘n’ roll legends crawl out of a gap.
Welcome to the membership, Adrian Martinez. Though, to name the Kansas State quarterback’s play this season a comeback can be assuming there was as soon as a peak he ascended to beforehand. Not a lot in an uneven four-year profession at Nebraska.
Oh, Martinez was sport. His presence at Nebraska as soon as brought on former coach Scott Frost to react this fashion when Joe Burrow transferred from Ohio State: “You think [Burrow’s] better than what we got?” Frost asked me after his first spring sport in 2018 during which Martinez starred.
That comment was held in opposition to Frost for years by Nebraska followers. It should not have been. History has proven Nebraska would have been worse with out Martinez. He was no Joe Burrow, certain, however who has been? Martinez was powerful and put within the work, however the prospect from the Central Valley of California additionally turned the ball over — loads.
Martinez was liable for a staggering 46 turnovers in his 4 years at Nebraska: 30 interceptions, 16 fumbles misplaced. If there was ever a man who wanted a change of surroundings, it was him. And it is labored.
No. 17 Kansas State heads into Saturday’s showdown at No. 8 TCU as the one FBS group but to throw an interception. In truth, Martinez has no turnovers in any respect. Ok-State has misplaced three fumbles all season.
That would make the one-time turnover machine seemingly the solely FBS quarterback certified in NCAA statistics (taking part in a minimum of 75% of video games) who has but to commit a turnover.
That’s not an Elvis-level comeback, nevertheless it’s one thing. Martinez transferred, modified conferences and underwent shoulder surgical procedure within the offseason — all to get so far. The Wildcats in all probability would not be 5-1 and in rivalry for the Big 12 title with out him.
“I don’t know what happened in the past,” Ok-State coach Chris Klieman stated. “Everybody asks me about that. I wasn’t with him, so I really don’t know what happened and don’t really care what happened. I’m just excited that he’s here.”
College football’s midseason level is all about comebacks. No. 3 Tennessee remains to be partying after beating Alabama for the primary time in 15 years. No. 14 Syracuse hasn’t been this related in ceaselessly. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. (previously of Indiana) is main the nation in passing. Sonny Dykes as soon as coached a Super Bowl quarterback at Cal (Jared Goff); now, he has TCU within the high 10.
He and the Horned Frogs must get by Martinez and the Wildcats. Used considerably sparingly as a passer, Martinez is on tempo to hurry for 1,00 yards. His breakout second got here in opposition to Oklahoma 4 weeks in the past when he rushed for 148 yards and 4 touchdowns in opposition to an OU protection that also is figuring issues out.
Martinez has been joined on the headset with offensive coordinator Collin Klein. Grab a glimpse of Klein at Ok-State; he seemingly will not be there for lengthy. The former Heisman Trophy finalist (2012 when Johnny Manziel received) and beloved former Wildcats sign caller was elevated from quarterbacks coach earlier than final yr’s bowl sport.
“How do you not love Collin Klein?” Klieman stated. “He galvanized the football team.”
The winner of Saturday’s contest could be the frontrunner to advance to the Big 12 Championship Game. In Klieman’s fourth season, that will be an incredible accomplishment. His title is already being tossed round as the following coach at Nebraska. For Martinez, it might proceed a well-deserved comeback.
Unbeaten … for now
There shall be attrition. Halfway by way of the season, that’s assured. The incontrovertible fact that there are nonetheless 9 undefeated FBS groups is one thing close to regular. Throwing out the 2020 COVID-19 season, there have been a mean 9.28 unbeaten groups on the halfway level within the College Football Playoff period (since 2014).
Ah, however the most remaining unbeaten — previous to the convention championship video games — is barely 4. That was 2018. That yr, UCF went 12-0 earlier than dropping to LSU within the Fiesta Bowl. Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame all made the CFP. Clemson received all of it by stomping Bama within the CFP National Championship. That’s one other method of indicating there’s a lot of dropping due on the high. On common since 2014, 64% of these undefeated groups on the midway level, lose sooner or later (48 of 75).
Nine unbeatens stay. Based on matchups, solely 5 might probably make it to the championship video games with out being defeated. Let’s rank them going ahead:
- No. 1 Georgia: The Bulldogs shall be massive favorites in opposition to everybody they’ve left besides Tennessee on Nov. 5. That is shaping up now because the SEC sport of the yr.
- No. 2 Ohio State: The Buckeyes are one of 5 groups to not play a ranked group this season. Doesn’t matter. The season comes right down to the sport in opposition to Michigan on Nov. 26. Win that, and OSU is all however within the CFP.
- No. 3 Tennessee: The Volunteers know precisely who they’re. They must outscore everybody to win the SEC and — gasp? — get to the CFP? Georgia is the largest remaining problem.
- No. 4 Michigan: The Wolverines are literally higher than they had been final yr. After blowing out Penn State, the season comes right down to a visit to Columbus, Ohio.
- No. 5 Clemson: Once once more the category of the ACC, the Tigers have DJU (D.J. Uiagalelei), working again Will Shipley and a smothering protection. Do they measure as much as the 4 groups listed above? The Tigers’ 13 consecutive wins leads the nation.
- No. 7 Ole Miss: Please, Lane do not depart for Auburn. Guess who leads the SEC in speeding? Plenty of upside right here. The schedule is backloaded with LSU, Texas A&M, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi State.
- No. 8 TCU: Next man up in Fort Worth, Texas. Gary Patterson departs. Dykes turns into a coach of the yr candidate. Zach Evans transfers to Ole Miss. Kendre Miller replaces the ball provider, scoring the game-winner in opposition to Oklahoma State and changing into the Big 12’s No. 4 rusher.
- No. 9 UCLA: This week’s sport at Oregon shall be an enormous check. Chip Kelly already has visited Eugene, Oregon, twice as UCLA coach and misplaced. Dorian Thompson-Robinson made the suitable option to return for his fifth season.
- No. 14 Syracuse: Coach Dino Babers was on the recent seat. Now, he is obtained an opportunity to steer the Orange to the highest spot within the ACC. Admittedly, a visit to Clemson goes to be tough. But solely as soon as has Syracuse’s top-10 protection allowed greater than 20 factors in a sport.
Pac-12 showdown with feathers
When final seen, No. 10 Oregon was dismissed. The season-opening loss to Georgia was so full (49-3) you puzzled simply what Oregon had gotten itself into with Mario Cristobal’s alternative (Dan Lanning) and its plug-and-play quarterback (Bo Nix).
Well, the true check of a group and a training employees is its potential to bounce again. Lanning and the Ducks have performed simply that heading into the UCLA sport. Oregon is within the high 10 and sporting a five-game successful streak. Nix? Four years in, he has matured finishing 70% of his passes in opposition to solely three interceptions. (Consider Nix had 16 profession picks earlier than that at Auburn.)
Give credit score to an offensive line that leads the Pac-12 in yards per carry (6.2) and sacks allowed (one in six video games). Its go blocking grade is the very best in Power Five, in response to Pro Football Focus. That and a full-throated Autzen Stadium could be sufficient for the Ducks. If so, the Pac-12 is at risk of dropping out of CFP rivalry with each group having a minimum of one loss three weeks into October.
Orange roughy
It would be the ACC’s finest protection (Syracuse) touring to the positioning of the nation’s longest house successful streak (Clemson, 37). Cuse has the power to maintain Clemson off the sphere; it runs the ball 55% of the time. All-American RB Sean Tucker has run for 26 first downs, which is greater than Iowa has all season, I believe. (More Iowa smack beneath.) The query shouldn’t be whether or not Clemson will win by two touchdowns or so, it is whether or not there’s a spot for the Tigers within the playoff. The CFP Selection Committee will seemingly favor convention champions over one-loss Power Five runner-ups. But attempt telling that to Tennessee if it finishes 11-1 having confronted 5 ranked groups.
Repairing the Alabama soul
Bama Nation is so down not even a day listening to Paul Finebaum will help at this level. This was already a nasty time for Mississippi State to come back to Alabama, but when the Crimson Tide do not tighten up within the secondary, we’re Bama’s first consecutive losses since 2013 and first back-to-back defeats within the common season since Nick Saban’s first season in 2007.
Tennessee ran large splits with its receivers final week that appeared to depart Bama defenders on an island. With that a lot house between the road and the receiver, Tennessee go catchers had lots of room to run routes excessive. You noticed it time after time with Jalin Hyatt catching 5 touchdowns.
That type of formation is classic Mike Leach, who likes to run huge splits. The Bulldogs come to city second to the Vols in SEC passing. Will Rogers is the league’s main passer and its most correct.
Alabama had received 15 straight in opposition to Tennessee. It has received 14 consecutive over Mississippi State. It continues to amaze that Alabama leads the nation in penalties dedicated (66).
Texas is again…ing it up
No, actually. There has been particular progress. The No. 20 Longhorns’ solely two losses are by a mixed 4 factors to Alabama and Texas Tech.
No. 11 Oklahoma State all the time appears to play Texas powerful, however this past that. The ‘Horns instantly management their very own future within the Big 12. And with Quinn Ewers, something appears potential. In the three video games the Texas quarterback has performed of their entirety, Texas has outscored the opposition 125-31. Take Bijan Robinson and Bevo in opposition to the Cowboys, who completely let one slip away final week at TCU.
The Pokes have a missed deal with fee of 18% (that is excessive!). Robinson leads the nation 56 pressured missed tackles (that is loads!). That’s not a very good mixture for Oklahoma State in what shapes as much as be a shootout. Be suggested: The ‘Horns are 1-5 beneath Steve Sarkisian in true highway video games
Best vs. worst
In 2017, Iowa shocked the world beating No. 3 Ohio State 55-24. The Buckeyes entered the sport as a 20.5-point favourite. That stays essentially the most factors given up by Ohio State since 1994. It was additionally essentially the most factors given up by an Urban Meyer-coached group.
You’re permitted to giggle out loud on the prospect of Iowa scoring 55 in opposition to anybody lately. That would take a month — or two. Iowa has scored a complete of 88 factors this season, Meyer is lengthy gone, and the Buckeyes lead the nation in scoring midway by way of the season. Actually, no shock there, however one thing must give Saturday at The Shoe.
It is a battle of the nation’s finest offense (Ohio State, 48.8 factors) vs. the nation’s worst (Iowa, 24.5). The over/beneath on this sport (49.5) is actually double what the entire has been in Iowa video games this season (24.5). Iowa is so one-sided, it’s a bigger underdog (+29) than essentially the most factors its protection has allowed this season (27).
Oh, and Ohio State has discovered its lesson. It is 25-0 as a minimum of a 20-point favourite since that shocker 5 years in the past.
Quick Kicks
Ole Miss is searching for its first 8-0 begin because it claimed a nationwide championship (going 10-0) in 1962 … amaze your mates with trivia nugget: At the midway level, the one Division I group that hasn’t trailed at any level is FCS Sacramento State (6-0) … Cincinnati (at SMU) is as soon as once more the Group of Five favourite for a New Year’s Six spot; it leads the nation with 18 consecutive convention wins … … Notre Dame (vs. UNLV) hasn’t scored a first-quarter landing this season and has been outscored within the opening body 27-6 … welcome to the combat, No. 25 Tulane, which is ranked for the primary since 1998 when Shaun King led the Green Wave to a 12-0 document within the first season of the BCS; Rich Rodriguez was the offensive coordinator on that group
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