One team was the storyline with a suspended coach while staying in the College Football Playoff race, and another was the storyline for firing its head coach with a record buyout. Two weeks remain in the CFB regular season, and the title contenders are really starting to separate themselves. Here is our recap of Week 11 of the 2023 season.
1. Michigan shuts up critics amidst INSANE drama
How about this story? The Wolverines are in the midst of a major sign-stealing scandal, Jim Harbaugh finds out on Friday he’s suspended for the rest of the regular season in college football, Michigan files for a temporary restraining order from the suspension, it’s not cleared before kickoff Saturday, so Sherrone Moore leads the game as an interim coach.
What does Michigan do amidst all this craziness? They go out and absolutely dominate the Penn State Nittany Lions on the road. Sure, the score said 24-15, but it wasn’t even that close. Michigan didn’t even throw it in the second half. They dominated on the ground and, after questions about their integrity and what they can do against real competition, they more than proved themselves.
2. Jimbo Fisher kicks off college football Coaching Carousel
It’s November, and that means it’s time to ask who’s getting fired. The Texas A&M Aggies stole all the headlines from the Michigan Wolverines Sunday by firing Jimbo Fisher They owe Fisher $78 million through 2031, an insane buyout. That’s the obvious story. However, another big story is how A&M will impact everything else. Remember, there is a ton of talent on that roster.
Will they all enter the transfer portal? Some will, which should immediately help quite a few elite teams. It’s also a marquee job, so the loaded roster, with the right coach, could literally win it all next year. That’s how crazy this is. The Mississippi State Bulldogs also fired Zach Arnett, and the Boise State Broncos fired Andy Avalos, more victims of the carousel.
3. SEC Championship game is set
If you were waiting for the Georgia Bulldogs to be exposed, that won’t happen. UGA obliterated the Ole Miss Rebels 52-17 Saturday to clinch the SEC East, proving they are every bit as good as they have been. Meanwhile, the Alabama Crimson Tide dominated the Kentucky Wildcats and look like the best team in college football once again. It’s another Alabama-Georgia SEC Title game.
4. Penn State, Ole Miss are still second-tier
Just when you thought James Franklin had the team to get over the hump, he slumps through another year with losses to Michigan and the Ohio State Buckeyes, who by the way beat the Michigan State Spartans 38-3. Franklin keeps hitting pars and just fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. Lane Kiffin surpassed the ceiling at Ole Miss, but losses to Georgia and Alabama prove it’s still limited.
5. Oregon and Washington stay on Pac-12 title collision course
Although the Utah Utes put up a fight, the Huskies got another quality win, beating them 35-28 at home. Meanwhile, the Ducks beat the USC Trojans 36-27. They seemed poise for a rematch in the Pac-12 Championship game, but they both have to play a dangerous Oregon State Beavers team over the next two weeks, so watch out.
6. Texas stays alive with Quinn Ewers back
Although the Longhorns got out early, they had to hold on to beat the TCU Horned Frogs 29-26. It was an ugly win, but Steve Sarkisian’s team is still alive in the College Football Playoff race, and with one loss, they’ll stay ahead of Alabama given the head to head advantage until something changes. Simply put, they aren’t going anywhere yet.
7. Jeff Brohm is College Football Coach of the Year
Speaking of one-loss teams hanging on, the Louisville Cardinals won’t go away. Sure, they had an ugly win over the Virginia Cavaliers, but they’re now 9-1. Why not them for the College Football Playoff? Jeff Brohm is clearly the Coach of the Year. In his first season, he’s got this team in the top 10. To be fair, he inherited an 8-5 program, but he’s still done a great job.
8. Coach Prime’s magic fades
Sticking with first-year head coaches, the Colorado Buffaloes have now lost four straight and are 4-6. They have been covering at home, but they can’t pull out the wins. Deion Sanders’ teams are just too unmatched. He has still overachieved, but the story of college football in September is now completely forgettable in November.
9. Heisman race
1. Michael Penix Jr.
2. Jordan Travis
3. Bo Nix
4. Jayden Daniels
5. Jalen Milroe
10. Top 10
1. Ohio State
2. Washington
3. Michigan
4. Georgia
5. Florida State
6. Oregon
7. Texas
8. Alabama
9. Louisville
10. Penn State
