The Hook: Top Ten Teams Toppled, Sayin Makes a Heisman Statement, and UNT Runs Past Navy
Top Ten Teams Toppled
#8 Georgia Tech couldn’t stop NC State’s rushing attack on Saturday, with the Wolfpack aptly taking on a team approach to the ground game, with 4 different players finding paydirt on the way to a 48-36 victory.
#9 Vanderbilt’s furious 4th quarter comeback against #20 Texas came up just short despite outscoring the Longhorns 21-0 in the final period, the game finished 34-31. The dream season isn’t over for the ‘Dores, they could easily be a playoff team if they win out.
#10 Miami fell again, this time on the road in overtime, 26-20 vs SMU. The loss blows the ACC wide open. Virginia tops the standings with 5 one-loss programs tied for 2nd.
Sayin Makes a Heisman Statement
#1 Ohio State vs Penn State was a marquee matchup before the season started, and while it was far from that on Saturday, it was the stage for Ohio State QB Julian Sayin’s arrival as the best signal caller in the game. The RS freshman was 20/23 with 316 yards and 4 TDs to power a strong Buckeye 2nd half on the way to a 38-14 win. Sayin’s Heisman odds are currently set at +185 according to DraftKings.
UNT Runs Past Navy
My Hook and Ladder Game of the Week last week featured North Texas’ air attack against the undefeated Navy’s patented triple option. However, it was the ground game that shone for the North Texas Mean Green as they gave the Midshipmen their 1st loss of the season. UNT running back Caleb Hawkins rushed for a season-high 197 yards and all 4 Mean Green touchdowns. Watch out for head coach Eric Morris’ name to get some buzz in the upcoming coaches carousel.
The Ladder: Q&A: Charlotte’s First CFB Gameday
David Keller of the Daily Script was given an exclusive interview with Charlotte, 24, of Washington, DC, who experienced her first-ever major college football gameday over the weekend as Michigan narrowly defeated Purdue 21-16 under the lights of The Big House in Ann Arbor.
Charlotte attended Middlebury, a small private school in Vermont, so she has never had the opportunity to experience a major college football tailgate/game until Saturday.
Here are her thoughts on one of America’s favorite pastimes:
Good Evening Charlotte, it’s been less than 24 hours since your time in Ann Arbor, how are you feeling?
I’m feeling really tired and my stomach hurts because I drank a lot, but I’m feeling good I think
Walk me through your day on Saturday
We woke up in a midwest basement with lots of sports memorabilia and got some bagels. We went to our tailgate spot on the golf course, and there was a lot of talk of a “3-foot Italian” that ended up being a large sub sandwich, not the small Mediterranean man that I’d pictured. I also observed people setting up TVs to watch football while waiting to watch football, which I thought was curious.
We played drinking games, cornhole, and ran some football plays until about 6 PM, when we finally decided to go to the game. Before that, we had to finish the drinks, and this is where I think things may have gone wrong for me.
It was such a big stadium, and I thought it would be overwhelming, but the vibes were actually really good. I will say, some of the students were not as dedicated as me, talking about going to bars or going home as early as the 1st quarter, which had me appalled. I waited 6 hours in a parking lot for this. I’m gonna watch the whole game.
At the end, there was a shirtless section of guys that emerged as I’d seen in TikTok and started to grow. This sparked the debate, asking if this was an activity only meant for poverty programs, which Michigan is not.
As the game finished, we got closer and closer as all of the fake fans left, and we got some great pictures down close to the field. Overall, it was a really fun day.
Are there things that you liked that surprised you?
The Frisbee Dog, Marching Band (particularly the Tubas), the line for Women’s Bathroom shorter than Men’s, and the Shotski.
Anything you didn’t like?
Cold.
Who is the best team in CFB this year?
I’ve only seen Michigan, so I’d have to say Michigan.
Final Question: Do you have a favorite writer for the Daily Script?
David Keller.
Full of great answers today, Charlotte, I’m glad you had such a great weekend!