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It’s getting to that point where I’ve debated renaming the column to Connor’s College Coverage. It could still keep the Triple C abbreviation while also being more accurate to the material. If you haven’t already guessed it, we’re going back into the world of college football for this week’s introduction.
If there was ever a weekend to do so, this was it. You had big games during every slate of the day. Oregon ruined the Penn State white out and sent James Franklin spiraling again. Kirby Smart and Georgia still can’t beat Alabama. Ole Miss picked up a statement victory over LSU. Illinois bounced back from last week’s butt whooping to topple USC. Indiana avoided a trap game at Iowa to remain unbeaten. Wherever you looked, there was great football being played.
However, when I look back on this incredible weekend, there was one moment that stood out to me the most. One I’ve replayed over and over and can’t get enough of. One moment, among many, that really solidifies what makes college football so different, and in my opinion, better, than the NFL.
And it didn’t even happen on Saturday.
I very rarely am ever able to catch any of the few Friday night college football games that air each week due to having to cover high school football myself. However, this past Friday night, I was sitting at my desk and putting things together after watching Tippecanoe Valley dismantle Jimtown 33-0. I had a bit of time to kill, so I thought what the heck and put the Florida State-Virginia game on my phone.
That turned out to be the right choice.
A few minutes turned into 10, then 20, and all of a sudden I was so locked in on what was happening that I actually forgot I was on the clock for a second (sorry). I just couldn’t take my eyes off of it. At the end of regulation, it looked as if Virginia was going to pull off the upset, but a massive play on 4th down by FSU QB Tommy Castellanos sent things into overtime.
Both teams kicked a field goal to begin and end what was a relatively uninspiring first overtime. But while this was happening, you could feel the tension building through your screen. It seemed as if not only the entire student population, but the entire population of Charlottesville had made its way to the hill behind the north end zone. A team of merely five or six security guards was tasked with holding this sea of people back should something incredible happen. They would never have a chance, I thought to myself. If they pull this off, this is going to be big.
The Cavaliers began the second OT by scoring a touchdown and converting on the two-point conversion to take a commanding eight-point lead. Florida State would get into the red zone, and faced another 4th down. This time, Castellanos could not work his magic. The throw was short, and picked off by the Virginia defender.
And then, it happened.
Almost instantaneously, the dam broke. The second that crowd realized the ball had not been caught for a touchdown, that sea of people turned into a tsunami. The two players that had been battling in the end zone disappeared in a flash, swallowed by an ocean of the most excited people in America as they stormed the field. I still am unsure if either man is okay. Moments later, the sky camera was able to capture the scene, and not a single blade of green grass was still visible. The entire field had been engulfed by fans who had waited years for a moment like this. It looked as if you could dive into this ocean of humanity and swim in it like a pool. The people had almost taken on a liquified property.
It was a beautiful sight to behold. Thousands of the happiest people you’ll ever see in your life coming together out of pride. Pride for their team. Pride for their university. Pride in themselves for sticking through some pretty rough years of Virginia football to get a moment like this. You don’t get a moment like that anywhere other than college sports.
Even as money and greed tries to take over the college game like it did with the world of professional sports, moments like that over a glimmer of light into the darkness. A beacon of hope that no matter how much money these players make, no matter how many times they switch schools, it’s the passion of the fans that is the real life blood of the sport. I hope that never changes.
So thank you, Virginia, for putting a giant smile on my face Friday night. It was an awesome game to watch, and that field storming was just the cherry on top. It set the tone for what was one of the better weekends of football I can remember, and I will always remember it for that. Wahoowa.
I was able to bounce back slightly last week, finishing a game above .500. I was incredibly close to getting a fourth win, but that last second touchdown in the Colts game was a dagger. Let’s see if I can stay above water.
NOTE: The Bears are on a bye this week, so there will only be four picks. This will be the case later in the season when the Colts have their week off as well. Shout out to my guys for pulling off that win against Vegas on Sunday.
FAVORITE FAVORITE
Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at New York Jets
Even with the defensive woes that Dallas has right now, I think that their offense is miles above where the Jets are right now. A lot of people thought Green Bay was going to dominate the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, but Dak Prescott looked terrific and was able to score 40 points on them. It would have been enough for a win had Dallas not given up 40 of their own. The New York offense has struggled mightily this season, and I think even if they play better here, they won’t be able to match the Cowboys.
The Pick: Cowboys -2.5
BIG DAWG GOTTA EAT
New York Giants at New Orleans Saints (-1.5)
Listen, I understand that the Giants suffered a tough loss last week in losing their top receiver Malik Nabers to a torn ACL, but have these odds makers watched any football this season? The Saints have been by far and away the worst team in football this year, and part of me thinks it's by design. Nothing wrong with some good ole fashioned tanking. Jaxson Dart was impressive in his debut, and I think he starts his career 2-0.
The Pick: Giants +1.5
THIS IS OUR COLTS
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (-6.5)
The aforementioned Colts suffered their first loss of the season to the Rams last week, in a game they could have easily won if not for some costly mistakes. The Raiders outplayed the Bears last week despite losing the game, but I’m sure some Raider fans were able to find solace in first-round pick Ashton Jeanty finally getting it going with three scores. I know my fantasy team was pumped. Anyway, I think the Colts are the much better team and will find a way to bounce back from the loss.
The Pick: Colts -6.5
GAME OF THE WEEK
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks (-3)
I was looking at a few options here as I usually do, but settled on this one over Rams-49ers for the reason of not knowing whether or not Brock Purdy is going to play on Thursday night. This matchup features two division leaders in a cross-country clash. It should be quite entertaining. Seattle almost blew a game they had in hand last Thursday night to Arizona, but still escaped with the win. The Bucs fought valiantly to try and come back against the Eagles, but made one too many mistakes down the stretch. This is a tough call for me, but there’s just something about Baker Mayfield getting the ball last in a game like this that I can’t fight. I didn’t pick him last week, but I will here.
The Pick: Buccaneers +3
Hopefully I churn out some winners for you lovely people. See you all next week.
Cheers.
Last Week’s Record: 3-2
Season Record: 12-9
