Another weekend of college football is in the books, so let’s go through who let themselves down on the gridiron with my Week 4 villains.
Jameis Winston
When, exactly, is the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner planning on growing up and acting like a guy who has been handed the most prestigious honour in all of college football?
In a time where the sport’s poor treatment of women is in the spotlight, and considering he’s been accused recently of sexual harassment, jumping onto a table at the Florida State student union and yelling an obscenity – popular internet meme or not – is simply unforgivable.
Florida State
Suspending Jameis Winston for half a game for his obscenity during the week wasn’t nearly enough in the current climate, and the Seminoles have been rightfully criticised for their not doing the right thing immediately, and suspending their star quarterback for a full game – he deserves more.
The school comes off looking like having their star player on the field is more important than taking a stand for proper treatment of women.
Their decision could not have come at a worse time. Had they come straight out and suspended Winston for the whole game, Florida State would’ve ended up on my ‘Winners’ list.
Alas, they didn’t, and will likely not be let forget it for some time to come.
Michigan
The Wolverines were absolutely horrible in their rain-delayed 26-10 loss to Utah at the Big House. A pretty good offense with some nice weapons failed to reach the red zone once, and turned the football over four times.
Alarm bells will be ringing in Ann Arbor now. New offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier was supposed to upgrade the offense this year, but they seem to have regressed.
Quarterback Devin Gardner had another ugly game (14-27 for 148 yards and two interceptions) and was shown the pine in the fourth, with sophomore quarterback Shane Morris taking over. He wasn’t much better, throwing an interception and fumbling on the final Michigan possession.
Ugly day at the Big House – and not just because of the weather.
Clemson
After a big Florida State turnover, the Tigers were driving into field goal range late on the road against the No. 1-ranked Seminoles, and fumbled the football away. That sent the game to overtime, where Clemson gambled on a fourth-and-one play, which went awry.
A few plays later, FSU were in the end zone for an important 23-17 victory without their star quarterback Winston.
Once again, Clemson managed to snatch another defeat straight out of the jaws of victory. Ball protection – there’s a reason coaches spend so much time preaching it during practice. This game showed how it can kill a team.
Virginia Tech
After going into Columbus Stadium to beat Ohio State two weeks ago, the Hokies have fallen apart since, losing to East Carolina last week and Georgia Tech this week (for the first time in Blacksburg, VA since 2006), and suddenly Frank Beamer’s men don’t look all that good a football team.
Quarterback Michael Brewer’s had some rough games since the Buckeye victory, and threw three costly interceptions this week as the Hokies fell 27-24.
Florida
The Gators failed to take advantage of four Alabama turnovers, committed three of their own and could manage a paltry 200 yards of total offense against a Tide defence who had to do more than usual.
The Gators were sloppy when they had the football, with quarterback Jeff Driskel only completing 9 of 28 passes for 93 yards, a score and two picks. Their defence could not contain Alabama’s quarterback Blake Sims, who threw for 445 yards.
It looks like being a long SEC season for Will Muschamp’s men. If he survives the season, I’ll be surprised.
Kansas State
The Wildcats lost this game more than Auburn won it in Manhattan on Thursday night. K-State managed to cross the 50-yard line into Tiger territory, but missed three field goals, fumbled the ball away once and quarterback Jake Waters threw two crucial picks.
A disaster for the Wildcats, whose defence played out of their skins to hold the dangerous Auburn running game in check – a performance that wasn’t capitalised on by the offense.
Auburn won a tight contest, 20-14.
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