2024-10-14 06:35:03
Week 7 of the college football season delivered as promised with a series of dramatic games between high-profile teams. However, there was one national spotlight game that proved to be something of a snoozer as Texas crushed Oklahoma 34-3 in the Red River Rivalry.
The Longhorns’ relatively easy win against their arch nemesis sends them into a Week 8 showdown with Georgia in great position as the lone unbeaten team in the SEC. Georgia, on the other hand, is still searching for the version of itself that demolished Clemson in the second half of a Week 1 meeting. Since then, the Bulldogs have been up and down, plagued by issues on both sides of the football at times.
Things were no different for UGA on Saturday in a lackadaisical 41-31 victory over lowly Mississippi State. While you never apologize for winning games in the SEC, it’s clear that Mississippi State is the league’s worst team in Year 1 under coach Jeff Lebby. Yet, mighty Georgia still found itself in a battle during the second half. Given its championship aspirations, we aren’t grading Georgia with kid gloves. With Texas on deck, the Bulldogs have plenty to fix.
As we reflect on a fantastic Week 7 of college football, here are the grades for all teams with national title odds of +4000 or better.
Bye weeks: Miami (+2000)
Texas
Grade: A-
Title odds: +400
Texas started slow but ultimately had no trouble in a 34-3 Red River Rivalry victory over Oklahoma highlighted by a strong defensive effort. The Longhorns held OU to just 237 total yards and never gave up a gain of more than 15 yards. They racked up five sacks and 11 tackles for loss while avenging a 2023 loss to the Sooners with a dominating effort. The offense wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t need to be.
Ohio State
Grade: C+
Title odds: +450
Ohio State scored a touchdown in every quarter except the fourth as the Buckeyes suffered from poor offensive execution down the stretch in their 32-31 loss at Oregon. Defensively, Ohio State gave up six plays of 25 or more yards and did not register a sack. The Buckeyes forced just one three-and-out as coach Ryan Day’s struggles against top-tier competition continued.
Georgia
Grade: C-
Title odds: +450
Georgia entered as nearly a five-touchdown favorite but let Mississippi State hang around in a 41-31 victory. Mississippi State had the football in UGA territory while down just 10 points early in the fourth quarter. Though Georgia prevailed with a 605-yard offensive performance, it was another ho-hum showing for the preseason No. 1 team. UGA will need to be sharper as it now heads to Texas.
Oregon
Grade: A
Title odds: +550
It took everything Oregon could muster to knock off Ohio State 32-31 in front of a record-setting home crowd. The Ducks recovered a wild onside kick, didn’t commit a turnover and were penalized just three times as they dug deep for a huge win. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel made plays as a passer and runner, Jordan James ran for 115 yards and the defense allowed just three points over Ohio State’s final three possessions.
Alabama
Grade: C
Title odds: +850
Alabama survived for a 27-25 win over South Carolina, but it was another ugly showing for the Crimson Tide. Alabama led 14-0 before Carolina scored 19 unanswered to take the lead entering the fourth quarter. Give star quarterback Jalen Milroe credit for leading Alabama to a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. But even then, the Crimson Tide had to stop a 2-point conversion attempt and make a final defensive stand after failing to recover an onside kick.
Penn State
Grade: A-
Title odds: +1200
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar posted career highs in completions (30), attempts (43) yards (391) and interceptions (three) as the Nittany Lions won a 33-30 overtime thriller at USC. His high-powered performance was made possible by tight end Tyler Warren’s 17 catches for 224 yards. The Nittany Lions gave up some huge plays defensively but stood firm with the game in the balance.
Clemson
Grade: A
Title odds: +1800
Clemson continued its offensive resurgence with 566 total yards and 37 first downs in a 49-14 thrashing of Wake Forest. Not counting an abbreviated final series before halftime, the Tigers scored touchdowns on six straight possessions as they notched their sixth consecutive double-digit victory since a season-opening loss to Georgia.
Tennessee
Grade: B-
Title odds: +2000
Tennessee’s grade must be split in two. The defense deserves an A, whereas the offense deserves a C- from the Volunteers’ 23-17 overtime win against Florida. Tennessee notched 12 tackles for loss and stopped the Gators on two fourth-down conversion attempts while repeatedly bailing out a sputtering offense. Running back Dylan Sampson found just enough to daylight to account for all three of Tennessee’s touchdowns.
Ole Miss
Grade: C-
Title odds: +3500
Ole Miss never trailed in regulation but managed to fall 29-26 at LSU in overtime. The Rebels failed to score a touchdown after halftime as they suffered a potentially fatal loss for their College Football Playoff hopes. An otherwise good defensive effort went to waste late as LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier made clutch throws to lead the Tigers to an improbable win.
LSU
Grade: B+
Title odds: +3500
LSU still can’t run the football, and the passing game was feast or famine. But the Tigers got some Death Valley magic and demonstrated encouraging signs of defensive competency in the second half of their 29-26 overtime win against Ole Miss. Coach Brian Kelly still has plenty to clean up, but a CFP bid remains a realistic possibility.
Notre Dame
Grade: A
Title odds: +4000
Notre Dame fell behind 7-0 but never flinched en route to a 49-7 dismantling of Stanford. The Fighting Irish picked apart the Cardinal through the air and on the ground as quarterback Riley Leonard combined for four total touchdowns. Defensively, Notre Dame got nasty after Stanford’s opening score, holding the Cardinal to 200 total yards.
