NCAA Football Week 11 Takeaways: Here come the Tide, Franklin Fails at Penn State, Coach Prime is in over his head and much more

Week 11 Takeaways

1) The Washington Huskies defense comes through late

No. 5 Washington’s unbeaten season appeared tenuous again this week. Yet again, however, the Huskies found a way to remain undefeated, winning 35-28 over Utah in Seattle with another nail-biting finish. Great teams find different ways to win after giving up 28 points in the first half to Utah’s offense. Washington’s defense then asserted itself and held them scoreless and under 100 yards in offense over the final two quarters for another win and 10-0 record!

Michael Penix Jr. once again displayed great throwing prowess with 332 yards and two touchdowns on Thursday against Utah, as the stats speak for themselves. Unfortunately for Washington’s quarterback, though, Utah’s aggressive defense made life hard. Pennix showed that he can make big-time throws in pressure situations. Watching the first half, my big concern was whether the Huskies could win it all with a below-average defense, the second-half defensive performance made me feel a lot better about their chances.

2) The Texas Longhorns are no threat to win a National Championship

The Texas Longhorns boast plenty of talent at skill positions. They can score with anyone, but to stay competitive this season and join the elite teams, TCU must be eliminated quickly and that did not happen on Saturday as the Horned Frogs came up short with a furious comeback. Although Texas is good, their weaknesses stand out more than any one-loss team thus far. This will not be the year the Longhorns return to the big game. Too many holes exist on this team.

3) Penn State cannot win the Big ones; James Franklin is to blame

The Nittany Lions always look good until they play Ohio State and Michigan. James Franklin has been the coach for a while now, and every year seems the same. They have high expectations and an easy early schedule, and they lose when they play elite teams. The Penn State offense against Michigan was terrible, just like it was against Ohio State. The issue is James Franklin, and it is time for a change in Happy Valley.

4) Cheating or not, the Wolverines are elite

Elite football teams can run the ball down your throat and dominate up-front, and that is what the Wolverines did at Penn State on Saturday. This team is so good that they may not need a coach to win a National Championship. The Wolverines are scary good, and the fact is if needed, JJ McCarthy has proven he can get it done if they need to pass. Michigan controls the game by playing whatever style they choose to play. The early season schedule was soft, but they do the same things to good teams that they do to bad teams; they dominate.

5) The Tide is rolling

Mid-November and leaves changing colors, some things never change: Alabama has won eight consecutive games to capture its 15th SEC West crown – leaving their opponents in the College Football Playoff rankings, looking incredulous behind their rearview window. Alabama will need to beat a struggling Auburn team to get a one shot make it to the playoffs game against Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

Nick Saban and Alabama followed up their dominating performance against LSU with another convincing road win against Kentucky on Saturday, outscoring them 444-253 while keeping Kentucky to only three third-down conversions (3-for-11). Alabama led against an underwhelming Kentucky squad from start to finish before rolling past them 49-21 for another impressive victory. Quarterback Jalen Milroe scored six total touchdowns – three through passing and three on running — and was seen watching much of the fourth quarter from his seat on the sideline with hands comfortably tucked into his shoulder pads! Alabama outgained Kentucky 444-253, outgained them 253, held onto third down only once, while outgained them by four yards, outgained Kentucky 444 yards for 253, held them down on third down, holding Kentucky only three for eleven.

6) Georgia is looking dominant again

Carson Beck threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns – one to star tight end Brock Bowers upon his return from injury – while Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards each added two rushing scores during this 52-17 victory.

All told, the Bulldogs outgained the Rebels by 628-352 yards total in total yardage, averaging 10.01 yards per play while passing and rushing for over 300 yards combined on offense.

Tennessee and Georgia Tech await before facing Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.

Up until this week, the Bulldogs struggled to beat teams. That all changed this weekend and the Alabama showdown in the SEC Championship game should be fun.

7) Coach Prime blows another one

Colorado had Arizona beat on Saturday, and as usually happens in this spot, Coach Prime lost yet another game for his team with poor coaching.

In the fourth quarter of a tie game, the Buffs had the ball third and one around midfield, and even though Colorado had run the ball surprisingly well during the game, they decided to throw the ball; of course, it did not work.

Later in the game, with a shot to take the lead on a field goal, Alejandro Mata missed the kick; Mata had transferred from Jackson State. On the bench watching was highly recruited Jace Feely. Decisions, decisions. Of course, the special teams were late getting on the field to attempt the field goal, and Coach Prime had to waste a timeout before the ball was even kicked.

When will people realize this Colorado team has better than .500 talent and is being killed by an inexperience Coach prime who has no clue what he is doing?