The Hook: 3 Things to Know
Friday Night Fireworks
#8 Florida State went to Charlottesville Friday night and came up just short in double overtime against a resilient Virginia team. FSU’s Duce Robinson had nine receptions for 147 yards and a score, but his game will be remembered for a bobbled drop in the end zone that could have sealed the win. Tommy Castellanos’ heave to the end zone in 2OT was intercepted and was followed by what was likely the fastest field storm of all time.
Unhappy Valley
It had all the makings of a storybook ending in front of #3 Penn State’s raucous whiteout crowd, but James Franklin ends up in the loss column yet again against another AP Top 10 team. The loss to #6 Oregon moves Franklin’s record against top 10 teams to a shocking 4-21. Penn State was down 17-3 in the 4th quarter and came back to force extra football, but a Drew Allar pass found the hands of an Oregon Duck in the 2nd overtime, making it the final one. Penn State’s next big game is against Ohio State on November 1st.
The Tide Rolls in Athens
It still feels wild to call any Alabama win an upset, but the #17 Crimson Tide went into Athens as X point underdogs against #5 Georgia. The 24-21 road win was highlighted by 6-foot-7, 359-pound left tackle Kadyn Proctor’s 11 yard screen pass at the end of the first half. There’s a lot of season left to be had in the gauntlet that is the SEC, but this win could put things back on track.
The Ladder: Contenders & Pretenders
Contenders
Ole Miss
2024 was supposed to be Ole Miss’ year. This year, an ankle injury to starting QB Austin Simmons has paved the way for one of the best stories in college football this year in the form of 2024 DII national champion transfer Trinidad Chambliss, who has all of Oxford, Mississippi flying the flag of Trinidad and Tobago.
Transfer Portal users
The top 5 transfer portal classes in the 2025 class according to 247 belonged to LSU, Texas Tech, Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon. All of whom find themselves towards the top of the most recent AP poll. The blueprint for immediate improvement begins and ends with the portal.
Party buses
I was on a party bus for my friend's birthday this weekend, and it was a blast. At first I was skeptical, especially with the insane slate of games on Saturday. Luckily this particular bus had TVs so I was able to keep up with all the games while heading out to a winery in the hills. It’s a pregame on wheels! What’s not to love?
Pretenders
Iowa State
Iowa State remained at 14 in Sunday’s AP poll after their decisive 39-14 win against Arizona. I still think that’s way too high. Yes, they are undefeated, but so are Missouri, Vandy, and Georgia Tech; all of whom have looked more impressive
Neutral Site Games
There are a couple of rivalry games that are traditionally at neutral sites, and that’s fine, but anyone who watched Florida State vs Virginia should see how fun a campus game is. Georgia Tech playing Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a crime! Why the hell is Michigan playing in Germany in a couple of years?
Myself
I moved to a new apartment across town this weekend and I thought I didn’t need to pay for movers, I was wrong. If I could go back in time, I’d pay almost any amount of money, likely forfeit my entire Daily Script salary, to just get movers. You live and you learn.