Biggest Surpise
The State of Texas
Every year, Texas is back. Every year, we're all tricked. The Longhorns got rocked at home in an upset victory for Maryland. Watching the game, one could ask themselves; "Is this an upset?" You wouldn't be alone. The Terps dominated the game. Texas struck first, but Maryland ran off 27 unanswered. The Longhorns would cut it to three twice after that before Maryland stretched out a 17-point lead, while cruising to a 10-point road win over the Longhorns. Not the ideal result for the debut of the Tom Herman era.
You'll notice we said "The State of Texas". Well, there's a reason for that. Baylor lost to FCS Liberty. FCS LIBERTY! This game was closer than the first we talked about, but the problem with that is it shouldn't have been. We hear of teams in FBS losing to FCS occasionally, but this is Baylor. A few years removed from playoff snub. Now they are the laughing stock of America.
Don't even get me started on Texas A&M. You're playing for your coaches job and what do you do? You blow a 34-point lead and lose the game. With 4:06 left in the third quarter, A&M was cruising to victory with a 44-10 lead. 44-10! Kevin Sumlin might not make it to the next game. You don't lose those.
Player of the Week
Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
The Good: Drew Lock set records for yards and TDs in a single Missouri football game. The Bad: The score against an FCS-team looked like a basketball game.
Player of the Week honors go to Drew Lock of Missouri. The junior quarterback completed 21-of-34 passes for a school-record 521 yards and 7 touchdowns. Normally, games like this against an inferior opponent are irrelevant, but Mizzou got all they wanted from Missouri State. The final score ended up being 72-43. Hence the basketball comment.
Story that Shouldn't be a Story
Injuries
Injuries are never a good thing. Star quarterback Deondre Francois for Florida State went out of their game against Alabama with an injury to his Patella Tendon. Francois is expected to miss the rest of the season. On the other side of the ball, Alabama lost a pair of linebackers in Terrell Lewis (elbow) and Christian Miller (Torn Biceps). Both will have surgery and are expected to be out for the year.
Sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason of the Georgia Bulldogs is expected to miss a considerable amount of time with a sprained knee ligament.
While injuries are apart of the game, the ones stated are huge blows to three teams with high expectations for the year. Georgia and Alabama should overcome, but Florida State's title chances might have just left.
That's all for our Weekend Recap. Check back later for the Sports By Smith Top 25 Poll!
