Winners
Tennessee
After 15 years, the Tennessee Volunteers get their victory cigars over Alabama. After a ten year coaching carousel, they may have finally found their guy in Josh Heupel. Tennessee is nationally relevant for the first time in a while, and the fans rightfully celebrated like it was 1998. The Vols remain undefeated and are now in competition for the SEC crown.
Syracuse
It doesn’t need to be pretty, you just gotta win. Coming into the season Dino Babers was on a bit of a hot seat. The Orange looked like they were trending down, but this year they are finding ways to win. They controlled NC State on the line and were able to take advantage of opportunities on offense. Cuse is 6-0 and even though they probably won’t win the ACC, you have to be ecstatic to be an Orange football fan.
Illinois
How much would the Illini like to have that Indiana game back? Bret Bielema has brought his “ground and pound” style to Champaign, and it works. The Illini now look to win the Big Ten West crown led by Chase Brown and Tommy Devito.
Losers
Penn State
This was one of the most embarrassing losses in the James Franklin era. Penn State was absolutely manhandled up front and an inexperienced linebacking corps failed to fill the proper gaps it needed to slow down the Wolverine rushing attack. The offensive side of the ball didn’t do much better. Sean Clifford was giving almost no time to throw, and the offensive line couldn’t stop the penetration from a physical Michigan front. To add “insult to injury” Michigan players said that Penn State players were talking trash on social media. That might be the most embarrassing story to come out of that mess of a game on Saturday. However, the Nittany Lions have plenty of season left, but they are clearly not playoff material yet.
Alabama Fans
I want to make it perfectly clear. The Alabama football program is not on this loser list. They lost a rivalry game on the road against a hungry team. However, I have never seen a fanbase ungracefully lose like I did Saturday night. The whining from not just the regular “twitterverse”, but from actually writers were especially cringe. To all Alabama fans, sometimes you lose games. Every team loses a game they arent suppose. It’s okay to be upset after a loss, but literally every program wishes they had your success. The Vols got you once in the last 15 years. It’s okay, the sun will come up tomorrow.
