A Slate of Razor-Thin Finishes in NCAA’s Week #7, Ahead of the New Poll Rankings

The 2024 NCAA season is playing out like a series of themes. From the shakeout results of a fortnight ago leading to Upset Weekend seven days back, this go-round was all about last minute finishes and free football. Four of the top-25 schools played in overtime, tying the record since OT was instituted, and a number of other games were decided in the closing minutes.

One of the bigger matchups was drama-free as #1 Texas routed rival Oklahoma, given that the Sooners were missing five of their starting receivers and going with a true freshman quarterback. But the rest of the slate was filled with games featuring fans reacting through the gamut of emotions and witnessing rare developments.

• At least four games featured the play-of-the-day: The double pass. They all went for TDs or huge yardage gains.

• Oregon successfully executed an onside kick, not via a bouncing rock but by the kicker blasting the ball off an Ohio State special teams player and collecting the deflection.

• Pitt finds itself with a perfect 6-0 record. The last time the school sported that result was in 1982 when Dan Marino played.

• Stat line of the day goes to Portland State QB Dante Chachere, who defeated Idaho State by throwing for 216 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 202 yards and three additional TDs on the ground.

• Oregon receiver Traeshon Holden was ejected early in the game for spitting on a Buckeyes secondary player following a play. Making this move even dumber was the safety wears a helmet with a full-face shield.

• The Field Swarm has now become a weekly occurrence, and after Arizona State upset Utah Friday night, during the post-game interview, coach Kenny Willingham was swallowed up by the fan surge and joined the party. 

• Danger lurks in…touchback kickoffs?? One Iowa fan behind the end zone attempted to catch the soaring kick and instead got blasted by the pigskin. The radio interview with “Joe from Des Moines” is great.

Part II: The Iowa fan does a hilarious interview with the Hawkeye Radio Network. 🏈🤕📻🎙️

(via @Hassel_Chris) pic.twitter.com/aim4Ut42JJ

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 12, 2024

Oregon 32 – Ohio State 31

The most anticipated game of the week delivered all the drama, and more. The teams nearly matched statistically, and the game saw seven lead changes throughout. It literally was anyone’s game. The Ducks put together an 11-play drive to get the go-ahead field goal, and the Buckeyes were driving to get the winning kick. But the clock ran out on the final quarterback scramble at the 30-yard line before the timeout could be called. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more closely-matched game this season.

Alabama 27 – South Carolina 25

The Gamecocks are playing better than their 3-3 record, and they gave the Crimson Tide fits. Mounting the second big comeback of the game, they scored a literal toe-tap TD with under a minute but missed the needed 2-point conversion. Then they recovered the onside kick and had a chance to win, but the fourth turnover of the day killed them, an interception that led to running out the clock and allowing ‘Bama to escape with the win.

Tennessee 23 – Florida 17 

The Gators went into Knoxville and put a crowd of over 100,000 in a sweat. The listless Volunteers offense could not take control and the Gators managed a tying 27-yard passing strike with 30 seconds remaining. In overtime, Florida shanked its attempted field goal and the Vols sealed it as Dylan Sampson – their lone bright spot of the night – scored his third TD.

LSU 29 – Ole Miss 26

The Rebels played well all game but could never put LSU away. Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeir outdueled Jaxson Dart, tossing three touchdowns, including one to cap off a 75-yard, 13-play drive to tie the game with 27 seconds on the clock. In overtime, they pushed Ole Miss back, but Caden Davis nailed his career-best, 57-yard field goal. On LSU’s first play, Kyren Lacey pulled in the 25-yard dart for the win.

Illinois 50 – Purdue 49

The woeful Boilermakers were 22-point dogs in this one and forced a small miracle out of Illinois. Trailing by 21 at halftime Purdue put a game together and scored two 4th quarter touchdowns to earn a 3-point lead. The Illini managed to get close enough for the tying, 38-yard field goal. In overtime, both scored touchdowns but when Purdue went for the win with a 2-point try, Illinois got the sack and the win.

Here is the latest AP Top-25 poll

1.  Texas

2.  Oregon

3. Penn State

4. Ohio State

5. Georgia

6. Miami

7. Alabama

8. LSU

9. Iowa State 

10. Clemson

11. Tennessee

12. Notre Dame

13. Brigham Young

14. Texas A&M

15. Boise State

16. Indiana

17. Kansas State

18. Ole Miss

19. Missouri

20. Pittsburgh

21. SMU

22. Illinois

23. Army 

24. Michigan

25. Navy