Around CFB: Iowa State trips up Oklahoma to claim Week Six crown
Officially add Iowa State’s Matt Campbell to the list of “hot coaches” to be considered for the high-profile college head coaching jobs that come available every December. A come-from-behind, 38-31 victory over then-No. 3 Oklahoma – on the road and with a third-string quarterback, no less – figures to instantly make Campbell a hot commodity.
In retrospect, it should have been clear the Cyclones (3-2) were at least capable of winning in Norman. After all, they lost in overtime to Iowa, which lost to now-No. 3 Penn State on a last-play pass. They also took a close loss to Texas, which lost in overtime to No. 13 USC.
In the loss to Texas, starting quarterback Jacob Park threw three interceptions. He didn’t throw anything against Oklahoma. The night before the game, Park took a leave of absence for unspecified “personal health issues.”
That led Campbell to start fifth-year senior Kyle Kempt, a walk-on who came to Iowa State as a transfer from Oregon State and was listed third on the quarterback depth chart.
Kempt threw three touchdown passes, including a 25-yard game-winner to Allen Lazard with just over two minutes remaining.
That’s remarkable in itself.
Even more remarkable, the Cyclones trailed, 24-10, in the second quarter. From there, they allowed quarterback Baker Mayfield and the high-scoring Sooners just one score.
“We had to play with great poise,” Campbell told reporters after the game. “It’s humility before honor. In the face of some adversity, we continued to fight. To come here and win a game like this – we won with detail. That’s (because of) the senior class – the 19 seniors we have here. They keep grinding and getting better.”
Seeing the Cyclones post the greatest win in school history had to grind on fans of Oklahoma. It probably also grinds on fans from Arkansas, Tennessee, UCLA, Nebraska and LSU and anywhere else where there is a disappointing team.
Heisman leaders
Here are the weekly Heisman ratings based on how I’d vote if the ballot was due this week:
1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State, RB: Barkley remains the leader, but the lead is slim after a rather pedestrian showing in a victory over Northwestern. Barkley scored touchdowns on runs of 1 and 53 yards, but only rushed for 75 yards overall. He also caught two passes for nine yards.
2. Bryce Love, Stanford, RB: A strong argument can be made that Love is having the most outstanding season, even though his team is just 4-2. Love rushed for 152 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown run, in a 23-20 upset of No. 20 Utah. That 152-yard performance was his lowest rushing output of the season. He leads the nation with 1,240 rushing yards. Love has also scored nine touchdowns.
3. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, QB: Some are actually blaming him for the Sooners’ 38-31 loss to Iowa State. True, he sometimes holds the ball too long looking for big plays when productive ones are there for the taking. Still, he passed for 306 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another score.
4. Luke Falk, Washington State, QB: Mike Leach has had plenty of quarterbacks that put up pinball machine-like statistics, but Falk seems to be different. He passed fro 282 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-10 victory over Oregon. He’s thrown 16 touchdown passes in the last four games.
5. Lamar Jackson, Louisville, QB: He’s so good that it felt like he had a bad outing in a 36-25 loss to NC State, but he still accumulated 427 yards of total offense and had three touchdowns. Jackson passed for 354 yards and a score and rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns. If that’s a bad game, he should be a Heisman contender.
Predicted College Football Playoff Participants
1. Clemson: Much like last season, the Tigers aren’t always sharp, but nobody’s better when they’re playing well.
2. Alabama: The Tide has a few flaws but is adept at covering them.
3. Penn State: Penn State is getting a welcome week off. Then, the three following games determine whether or not the Nits are true national championship contenders.
4. Washington State: You cannot ignore an unbeaten record and consecutive victories over USC and Oregon.
Week Six notes
• Oklahoma’s loss to Iowa State was especially perplexing because the Sooners led by two touchdowns late in the first half and committed just one turnover. Usually when a team suffers a major upset, it gets behind and can’t come back or commits multiple turnovers. OU did neither.
• Penn State may face the most treacherous three-game stretch in the country. The Lions’ next three opponents are No. 9 Ohio State, No. 17 Michigan and No. 21 Michigan State. Those teams are a combined 13-3, and all three losses were to opponents that are currently ranked in the top 20.
• Auburn will have something to say about it, but Alabama and Georgia appear to be on a collision course for the SEC championship game. Interestingly, they’re ranked first and second in the SEC in rushing offense and rushing defense. They’re also 12th (Alabama) and 14th (Georgia) in passing offense. Looks like their coaches have a similar approach. Wonder why?
• Among the remaining unbeaten teams, Clemson probably has the most impressive victory with its 14-6 win over No. 10 Auburn. The next most impressive victory? Give that designation to Washington State for its 30-27 win over No. 13 USC, though Georgia’s 20-19 win over No. 16 Notre Dame certainly has to be considered. That debate probably gets settled next week when USC travels to South Bend.
• My vote for the most deceiving win in the first half of the season is Vanderbilt's 14-7 victory over Kansas State. Some reacted by trumpeting Vandy as a team to beware. Instead, the Commodores are 0-3 since and have been outscored, 142-38. Meanwhile, Kansas State is 3-2 with wins over Central Arkansas, Charlotte and Baylor. I’m not sure which is the most impressive win.
• Don’t be surprised if No. 6 TCU isn’t in the top five before November. The Horned Frogs next three opponents are Kansas State, Kansas and Iowa State. Playing K-State and Iowa State on the road aren’t gimmes, but the Frogs would be expected to win them all. November will be much more challenging with Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech remaining.
• South Carolina may be this year’s coach killer. Arkansas’ Bret Bielema has taken over the No. 1 spot on coacheshotseat.com after the Razorbacks’ 48-22 loss to the Gamecocks. Tennessee’s Butch Jones is second on the list. Tennessee plays South Carolina this Saturday.
• Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy on Big 12 parity: “There are a number of teams all in the same basket.” It must be a hand basket, which lets you know where they’re going.
