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We’ve talked a lot about Texas, the prolific offenses of the Pac-12 and the SEC’s down year. It’s about time we check in with the Big Ten. Penn State beat writer Audrey Snyder joins us today with an update on the Nittany Lions, who are approaching one of their most important games.
But first, here’s what’s happening in college football Until Saturday …
Sideline Drama
Trent Dilfer vs. his assistants in C.F.B.
We’re back with another edition of C.F.B. (College Football Beefs). Next to court: UAB coach Trent Dilfer vs. his assistant coaches.
What happened?
Dilfer blew up on the sidelines after UAB was called for an illegal substitution, trailing 28-20 in the fourth quarter against Tulane. The call gave the Green Wave an automatic first down on fourth-and-2 in their own territory, although they didn’t score on the drive. The broadcast cut to Dilfer after the flag was thrown and showed the coach visibly angry at two of his assistants. Tulane eventually won 35-23.
This isn’t new territory for Dilfer. In 2021, he gained attention on social media for grabbing one of his athletes at Lipscomb Academy (Nashville) by the shoulder pads and yelling at him. Dilfer later released a statement on that incident, saying he “should have been a better leader.”
Who wins?
Until Saturday rules in favor of: Nobody. This is Dilfer’s first season at UAB after being hired in November, and he has the Blazers in the media for all the wrong reasons. Stephen A. Smith spent nearly six minutes talking about Dilfer and the outburst on ESPN’s “First Take” on Monday morning. The video of Dilfer’s outburst gives off a “This wasn’t my fault, it’s yours” vibe that certainly isn’t productive, especially for a new staff. Players are literally dodging Dilfer as they run onto the field. I’m all for passion, but there’s a line when it comes to keeping the game in perspective.
BTW: Last week’s C.F.B. ruling on Ryan Day vs. Lou Holtz obviously has not squashed the beef. Holtz moved Ohio State down five spots in his poll after the Buckeyes’ bye week. Seems petty to me.
Next up, more on Ohio State and its showdown with Penn State later this month with Audrey Snyder.
Penn State’s Focus?
The Ohio State ‘carrot’
Immediately after James Franklin said the words Saturday afternoon, the Nittany Lions coach was quick to clarify.
“I’m kind of dangling this carrot, which I shouldn’t do, but we’re also going to get ahead,” Franklin said Saturday after No. 6 Penn State dismantled Northwestern. “The coaches will get ahead on the schedule as well during this bye week. Next week will be totally on our next opponent.”
The Nittany Lions are off this week and next play UMass. Theoretically, that means Penn State will be 6-0 when it heads to Columbus for a showdown with No. 4 Ohio State on Oct. 21. Yes, Penn State will use this week to self-scout and get a head start on Ryan Day’s team. No, it’s not the least bit problematic or concerning that a team that has Franklin’s “1-0 each week” mantra plastered all over the football building and even on a wall lining the practice field is starting to look ahead.
Penn State knows what’s at stake later this month and can’t waste any moment of any day not trying to get ahead. Penn State has beaten Ohio State just once during Franklin’s tenure. It has had the Buckeyes on the ropes a few times during that span. This game will be Penn State’s best shot in a long time to perhaps finally dethrone Ohio State. Penn State knows this is its chance. Penn State’s shot at crashing the College Football Playoff party is on the horizon, and there’s every reason to believe there will be nothing idle about this program this week.
The bad news for Penn State? In all likelihood, Day’s coaches, coming off their own idle week and with a game against a sneaky-good and undefeated Maryland team this week, probably spent some time last week starting to prepare for Oct. 21 too. Mark your calendars for the showdown. We know Penn State has. — Audrey Snyder
Penn State has beaten Ohio State just once during James Franklin’s tenure. (Ben Hsu / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Heisman Race Heats Up
A dark horse from Missouri?
Caleb Williams jumped Michael Penix Jr. for the top spot in this week’s Heisman straw poll from our CFB staff; Quinn Ewers was the only other player with a first-place vote. Bo Nix remained third while previously unranked Brock Bowers made a jump to No. 4. Nine QBs were featured in the poll, with one tight end, one wide receiver and one running back.
Each week, Until Saturday will select an “Outcast Vote of the Week” and ask the Athletic staff member to anonymously make their case. This week’s outcast, with one third-place vote, is Missouri’s Luther Burden III, a five-star prospect who was a big recruiting win for Mizzou.
Case from the voter: “Burden is a dominant force for the surprisingly 5-0 Tigers, with an FBS-high 644 receiving yards and a Power 5-leading 8.6 receptions per game. Eli Drinkwitz’s offense has capitalized on the amount of attention opponents must pay to his No. 1 receiver — just rewatch the Kansas State game to see how Burden’s highlight-reel plays set up teammates to shine. His nine receptions of 25-plus yards are tied for the most in the country with LSU’s Malik Nabers, whose Tigers go to Columbia for a potential track meet this weekend. If Mizzou continues LSU’s spiral and emerges as a true SEC contender, Burden’s eye-popping production will become impossible to dismiss.”
Quick Snaps
Max Olson and Sam Khan Jr. are joined by Gabe Ikard to preview this weekend’s Red River Showdown on our Until Saturday podcast.
At NC State, QB Brennan Armstrong will be replaced by MJ Morris for the starting job this weekend, coach Dave Doeren announced on Monday. Armstrong transferred to the Wolfpack this season from Virginia where he threw for 4,449 yards and 31 TDs in 2021.
Mark Richt made a surprise return to the Georgia coaching podium on Monday and shared light-hearted regrets about the NCAA and the A.J. Green and Todd Gurley scandals that no longer would be scandals.
The NCAA is expected to vote on shortening its transfer portal windows this week in Indianapolis. Division I Council chair Lynda Tealer said she believes the priority would be to have windows that “are closer to 30 days versus the 60 that currently exist.”
Conference USA midweek play begins this week, and just like the rest of CFB, each Group of 5 conference looks to be up for grabs. Catch up with Chris Vannini’s G5 mailbag.
Who’s this year’s TCU? Based on how teams are built, Ari Wasserman says Washington is the answer. Read more in his recruiting mailbag.
Pete Sampson has nine thoughts on Notre Dame, including the case for why DT Howard Cross might be the team’s best player.
Kenny Smith breaks down the film from Alabama’s win against Mississippi State, which includes several improvements on defense.
(Top photo of Trent Dilfer: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images))
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