Football
College football remains undefeated.
Just when you think college football might take a week off from the insanity, the sport provides quite possibly the biggest upset of the season in Week 6.
It wasn’t long ago that people were wondering if UCLA would win a game this season. The Bruins answered that question in the affirmative on Saturday, defeating No. 7 Penn State 42-37.
Yes, the same Penn State team that was destined to win the national championship this season, after a run to the semifinals in 2024.
We didn’t learn anything new about Penn State. It’s been obvious that James Franklin isn’t good enough to win a national title.
Maybe missing the College Football Playoff will be the wake-up call needed for the powers that be to act.
Franklin is a good head coach. He’s won 68 percent on his games for his career and 70 percent at Penn State.
However, it feels like the Nittany Lions have reached their ceiling, or they did last season when they beat SMU and Boise State, relative cupcakes in college football, to reach college football’s national semifinals.
As it stands, the veteran team with Ohio State’s former defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles) allowed 42 points against UCLA, a team that was averaging 14.25 points per game coming into Saturday’s Big Ten clash.
Nico Iamaleava threw for 166 yards and rushed for another 128 with five total touchdowns, three coming on the ground. He had more yards than Drew Allar and looked much more dynamic.
Now, Penn State’s back is against the wall. The Nittany Lions have to win out to make the College Football Playoff. That means winning in Columbus, against Ohio State.
Something James Franklin has never done.
Before Saturday, Penn State could have dropped that game, won the rest and made it with a 10-2 record.
Now, that’s not possible. Penn State will have a tough time at 9-3, especially with a loss to UCLA and a trip to the Big Ten title game is probably off the table, unless things get truly insane.
Football Texas, Penn State are in trouble
The Nittany Lions’ playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread, sort of like No. 9 Texas. Arch Manning threw two interceptions in a 29-21 loss to Florida.
Manning has five interceptions total this season. He completed 16-of-29 passes for 263 and threw two touchdowns. Yet, he was sacked six times.
Florida head coach Billy Napier might have saved his job. As far as Texas saving its season after being ranked as the preseason No. 1?
Like Penn State, there is little margin for error.
The Longhorns have four ranked teams on the schedule: Oklahoma, at Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M.
Win three of those four games and the Longhorns will be dancing, even at 9-3. But after a 3-2 start, which includes an SEC loss already, the playoff hopes of the Horns are on life support, just like Penn State’s.
Read More Nancie Lanz