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Sports Illustrated

Sport

Richard Johnson

CFB Week 10 Takeaways: Alabama, Washington Win Late-Night Shootouts

Washington Alabama (Organization) Bama Jayden Daniels Caleb Williams Jalen Milroe Michael Penix USC Dillon Johnson Football

The two big night games on the slate this week did not disappoint with its quarterback performances. Washington’s Michael Penix, USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe each dazzled in their own way in what was a true whiplash-inducing two-screen experience.

Within about 20 real minutes around 9:00 p.m. ET, the following occurred:

USC pulled off one of the wildest flea flickers you will ever see:

THIS. GAME. 😱

What a play from @uscfb for another TD to take the lead back! pic.twitter.com/WWsRMWGjJM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 5, 2023

Milroe scrambled for a dazzling touchdown where he stuck his foot in the ground and accelerated to sixth gear like a McLaren.

Daniels countered with jaw-dropping scrambles (plural)—three of them on the ensuing drive, to be exact—totaling 68 yards on a drive he capped with a TD pass

Penix ripped this bullet into the end zone:

Tied game AGAIN! 🤯😅@UW_Football finds the end zone once again! pic.twitter.com/hSxIpHHWlo
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 5, 2023

It was nice for the four defenses playing in these games to get some cardio in this evening, because there wasn’t much in the way of competent defensive football played for most of the proceedings (with the exception of Alabama’s second-half performance). Bama might have found something on offense with Milroe, as he finally put together the running and the passing in a complete and dazzling total package. He is simply box office with the ball in his hands, and you will seldom see a better quarterback toting the rock.

What really helped the Tide on defense, however, was Daniels going down with a concussion and missing the fourth quarter. Bama had broken LSU’s serve with a forced turnover in the beginning of the fourth and was able to close it out against backup Garrett Nussmeier. Daniels had the most rushing yards by a quarterback in LSU history before going down. Unfortunately, his night ended in the injury tent.

In a different heartbreaking moment, Williams ended his evening in the arms of his mother with a crushing realization that his goals at USC would not be met:

An emotional Caleb Williams with his family after the loss to Washington: pic.twitter.com/yMetZ5R6T7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 5, 2023

With USC’s third loss of the season, he won’t have any chance to make the College Football Playoff and will most likely not get a second crack at a Pac-12 championship. He was once again let down by a defense that simply does not put forth performances befitting of even a conference championship-caliber team. The Trojans might not even be city champions when all is said and done, with UCLA still left on the schedule.

The finally tally of the QB whip-around:

Penix: 22-for-30, 256 yards passing, three touchdowns (one rushing)
Williams: 27-for035, 312 yards passing, four touchdowns (one rushing)
Milroe: 15-for-23, 219 yards passing; 20 carries, 155 yards, four touchdowns
Daniels: 15-for-24, 219 yards passing, three touchdowns (one rushing); 11 carries, 163 yards

SI top 10 (of the week):

1. Georgia

The Dawgs took Missouri’s best shot and kept on ticking, winning 30–21. You come at the king, you best not miss.

2. Michigan

Someone finally scored more than 10 points against Michigan (Purdue finished with13). The Wolverines had … many more than that.

3. Ohio State

For a while, it looked like the Buckeyes were struggling. Then, suddenly, they weren’t. They dropped the clutch and pulled away from Rutgers late, winning 35–16.

4. Florida State

Ditto for FSU, who looked like it was in the throes of a proper Narduzzi-ing. But good teams don’t get dragged down to the level of bad ones. The Noles prevailed, 24–7.

5. Washington

The Huskies were led by Penix’s steady performance and a massive dose of ground game as well. It was everything you wanted on offense. The defense still leaves a lot to be desired, but we’ll see if that ends up mattering for them in the end.

6. Texas

Lesser Texas teams would have lost a game like this against Kansas State. But without their best player, the Longhorns found a way to win in overtime after a late goal line stop clinched the victory.

7. Oregon

The Ducks had no problem with Cal. They looked primed to get right back to that conference title game for a rematch against rival Washington.

8. Alabama

The Tide, after all the tumult about them earlier in the season, are right back in the driver’s seat in the SEC West. We can already smell a matchup with Georgia in the conference title game once again.

9. Ole Miss

The Rebels hang on to beat Texas A&M late. They get their crack at Georgia next weekend.

10. Penn State

Finally, Michigan will face a real team. And the Nittany Lions look like they’ve put the Ohio State game behind them and can actually be a challenge to the Wolverines. They tore Maryland apart, 51–15.

SI Players of the week: Washington RB Dillon Johnson; Army’s entire defense

Lost in the bright lights of Washington’s passing game is Johnson’s career day: 256 yards on the ground and four scores, three in short yardage but one long 52-yard run. He was the engine for the Huskies tonight.

Air Force’s offense had been among the most efficient in the country. Then, the Falcons met Army. The largest neutralizing force for a triple option team is another triple option team. The Black Knights dominated in a 23–3 upset..