Week 6 Recap: Upset Saturday

Did I Stay or Did I Go Now?

 As I mentioned last week, I was considering taking a break to get some rest and recovery this weekend. By Friday morning, however, I was itching to attend another game. So, I made the decision not to go to Gainesville but to head to Tallahassee to watch Clemson take on Florida State. In past years, this might have been billed as the ACC matchup of the year, as both teams have enjoyed long periods of success (with a few off years for FSU). This season, Clemson had one loss but was improving, while Florida State was struggling. I was joined by one of my college roommates, Skinny Gallagher, and his lovely wife, who live in Tallahassee.

We popped in and out of several tailgates, spending the most time at the DFNS tailgate, where we enjoyed Guthrie’s chicken tenders and cold Yuengling beer. What’s that? How much did I pay for my ticket to the game? $0, once again. I play the waiting game, and usually, good things happen. 

Tailgating and the Doak

Once inside the stadium (my third time at Doak Campbell), I noticed significant construction underway. The upper half of the west side of the stadium was devoid of seats due to ongoing renovations, part of a massive transformation that’s set to be completed before next season. The fans were fired up, and the Tomahawk Chop and chant were in full force. Chief Osceola threw the spear into the middle of the field before kickoff to a thunderous roar. As for the action on the field, the game was never in doubt. Clemson jumped out to an early lead and maintained control throughout all four quarters, despite Florida State’s attempts to narrow the gap. In my humble opinion, Clemson is good this year, but not one of their best teams (though they do it right, according to my friend Jack). Meanwhile, Florida State just isn’t very good. Although the game didn’t bring the same excitement I had witnessed at previous weekends’ matchups, I give FSU fans props for sticking with their team and staying for most of the game, even when it was clear they wouldn’t come away with the win. Clemson took the W behind an improved QB1, Cade Klubnik, and a stingy defense, with a final score of 29-13. 

Action inside the Doak

Upsets Around the Country Let’s start with the action in Bryan-College Station, Texas. Missouri, ranked No. 9 in the country, traveled to take on Texas A&M. While they were a slight underdog according to the oddsmakers, many expected Missouri to win. However, if you bet on Missouri, you’re not happy today, as they were waxed by the Aggies, 41-10, bringing their rabid fans back down to earth.

 In Seattle, in a rematch of last year’s national championship, the mighty Michigan Wolverines fell to the Huskies of Washington, 27-17. Dixon Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas, was rocking last night after the Hogs knocked off No. 4 Tennessee in a monumental upset. In Minneapolis, the Trojans from USC were knocked down by the Minnesota Gophers, 24-17. 

Two mild upsets also took place: SMU clipped the wings of the Louisville Cardinals in Louisville, and Boston College fell to the Wahoos of Virginia in Charlottesville. However, the biggest upset of all happened in Nashville, where Vanderbilt knocked off Alabama for the first time since 1984. In celebration, students carried the goalpost three miles from campus, down Broadway, and threw it into the Cumberland River. That’s just what you do in Nashville—or maybe throw chairs off rooftop bars for grins. I wouldn’t want to be Kaelan DeBoar today in Tuscaloosa. 

In other action, both Army and Navy remained perfect on the season, going 5-0 and defeating their respective combatants. In the late game featured on ABC, Miami once again slipped by an opponent they were supposed to beat—allegedly with the help of their friends in black and white stripes. ESPN College GameDay was in Berkeley for the first time ever, where it was reported there was a certain haze and smell in the air that had never been experienced at an ESPN GameDay before. In D2 action, the mighty Bobcats from Frostburg State improved to 5-0 by mauling West Virginia Wesleyan. 

Top L -clockwise - Mahoney's cheering on the U, Ziesings at the Blue, Andy Reid at Penn State, Buckleys at South Carolina

Bieber Award - In a week with good behavior and no Darwinism events, we have no awardee for the first time in a while. 

Ginger Award - This week’s Ginger Award goes to my buddy, Chris Desimone, one of the Dons of Danville. Last week, while Hurricane Helene was trashing the Southeast, Chris was the only one of my crew from California who made it in for the Alabama-Georgia game. As if that feat wasn’t impressive enough, I received a FaceTime from him yesterday morning, and he was at ESPN College GameDay in Berkeley at 7:00 a.m.! Mind you, if you’ve ever seen Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield, Chris was a dead ringer for Rodney, looking like the oldest student in the crowd. He even took a page out of my book, crashing a GameDay hospitality tent and rubbing elbows with some big names. When interviewed by local news and asked why he was there, Chris said he thought he was at an ANTIFA rally and was promised free donuts for participating. At Chris’s advanced age, he didn’t stick around for the night game but instead went home and took successive power naps throughout the day. Regardless, I’m proud he showed up to represent and teach the young kids how to stay vigorous. Next time I’m back in Cali, Chris, I’ll personally present you with your very own Ginger Award. Congratulations, old friend. 

"You my boy Blue"

Next Up - On Thursday night, I’ll head to Harrisonburg, VA, to watch the undefeated, “Group of Five” darling, James Madison, host Coastal Carolina. On Saturday, I’ll make my way to the Rust Belt city of Pittsburgh to watch the Pitt Panthers take on the Cal Bears. Happy Tailgating!