Football Fri-yay: Biggest Surprises at the Halfway Point

It’s been a crazy college football season already and we’re approaching Week 8 of action. There are plenty of storylines to discuss as some teams have emerged onto the scene as contenders and some with high expectations have folded under the pressure.

As we approach this week which is the halfway point, it is time to look at storylines for this week and also look back at what we’ve witnessed thus far this season as far as biggest surprises; good and bad. 

It's Week 8 Football Fr-yay!

The only game anyone cares about in Week 8

It is a pretty mild week in terms of high profile games. In fact, there is one game that any of the general college football cares about and that is the fifth ranked Georgia Bulldogs hit the road to face the number one team in the nation – Texas Longhorns. In terms of the first half of the season it appears the Longhorns are lightyears ahead of any other team in college football and this week the Bulldogs hope to prove that not to be the case. 

It’ll be a tough task for Georgia, considering that Texas is beating their opponents by an average of 36.8 points per game. In addition to that, the closest game was a 22-point victory over Mississippi State back in September. Now, something else to consider is that the only currently ranked team that Texas has defeated is Michigan. It’ll be a battle between two Heisman hopeful quarterbacks in Carson Beck for the Bulldogs and Quinn Ewers for the Longhorns. Who comes out on top?

Everyone loves a good surprise: Who has been the biggest surprise team?

This could all change if they lose to Nebraska this weekend, but it’s got to be the Indiana Hoosiers. If you would’ve told me before the season that at the halfway point the Hoosiers would be undefeated and the 16th ranked team in the country I would’ve just called you a homer. It’s impressive in itself for them to still be undefeated at this point in the season, but even more impressive doing it under a first-year head coach in Curt Cignetti. 

What makes this Hoosiers team so surprising is they’re beating their opponents in dominating fashion. In fact, 32.6 points is their average margin of victory. Indiana is currently second in the nation in terms of scoring offense behind the sixth ranked Miami Hurricanes, led by Heisman hopeful quarterback Cam Ward. 

Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been incredible for them this season. The transfer from the Ohio Bobcats has thrown for 1,752 yards with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions thus far this season. In a crowded Big Tean, his 73.8 completion percentage is second in the conference. We mentioned them as a potential team to look for in a possible playoff berth. They’re currently tied at the top of the conference with Oregon and Penn State. They’ve still got some tough games left on the schedule with Nebraska, Washington, No. 24 Michigan and Purdue all at home. And also,some tough road games against Michigan State and fourth ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. All in all, they’ve been one of the biggest surprises so far this season. 

Other notable teams: BYU, Army, Navy, Pittsburgh

Who’s reality didn’t align with expectations?

This could go to a ton of different teams, but it’s got to be Florida State. Coming into the season, this team was expected to be a playoff team. Instead, as we approach Week 8, the Seminoles have only won one game which was a 14-9 victory over California. DJ Uiagalele was expected to have a huge season. He was great at Clemson, but he has proven in his tenure so far with Florida State that it was the system in place there. He has only thrown for 1,065 yards, four touchdowns, six interceptions, and has a 35.6 QBR. The team has moved on to Brock Glenn under center, so we will see if that can help spark a fire into this team for the second half of the season. 

There is no way Mike Norvell brings back the coaching staff next season (considering he is back next season himself). It has been a rough season all around and with college football playoff expectations prior to the season, to only winning one game by Week 8, this is the biggest disappointment this season. 

Other notable teams: USC, Alabama, Michigan

Early Heisman Prediction

As we approach Week 8, there is one player that has separated himself from any other player in the nation as the current front runner for the Heisman Trophy. In my eyes, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is the best player in the country right now. Yes, it’s Boise State, but you can only beat who is front of you. 

Right now, Jeanty leads the country in both rushing yards and touchdowns, with 1,248 and 17 touchdowns. He is head and shoulders the best running back in the nation. He is 311 yards and five touchdowns more than Iowa's Kalen Johnson (2nd in both stats). It was last week when Jeanty separated himself from the rest of the pack and put together a 237 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns performance against Hawaii. The Broncos are the 15th ranked team in the country and currently sit at 5-1, and that is because of Jeanty. He is the real deal, in my eyes he has emerged as the front runner.

Other notable Heisman candidates: Travis Hunter, Shadeur Sanders, Carson Beck, Cam Ward

It’s been an exhilarating first half of the season. Cheers to the second half of the season! Happy Football Fri-yay for Week 8!