Epic battles all around. Shakeups in the playoff. Here's who stole the show and who got booed off the stage.
Big Winner: Red River Shootout: It was a Red River Showdown to remember. Spencer Rattler was doing nothing for the Oklahoma Sooners, throwing an interception as they were down at the half, 38-20. What did Lincoln Riley do? Put in true freshman Caleb Williams, who responded well to the pressure. Rattler's replacement went 16-for-25 for 212 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Sooners to a remarkable 55-48 victory. But the game itself was exciting. Texas held its own offensively, gaining 516 total yards (both teams combined for 1,178 total yards). That included Xavier Worthy's monster day, where he had nine receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns. On the other end, Kennedy Brooks had a mammoth day himself. The running back had 25 carries for 217 yards and two touchdowns in his own right. Those were a few of the offensive stars that were on display today, making for an incredible matchup. The Red River Showdown always produces memorable moments, and this Saturday was no different. It'll be must-see television when the two schools move to the SEC in the future.
Big Winner: Iowa: All the talk about the Hawkeyes not having a formidable team due to their offense seems to be overblown. They made an impact in Iowa City, beating #4 Penn State, 23-20. Iowa's secondary stepped up big time, producing four interceptions against the Nittany Lions. What's more impressive about Kirk Ferentz's squad was how they responded to the pressure of being down at the half, 17-10. Of course, it helps that Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford was out of commission. Still, it's a crucial win for a team that aspires to take the reins from the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten. The good news is that Iowa has an easy schedule moving forward, with their most challenging game being at Wisconsin. It's easy to see the Hawkeyes make the Big Ten Championship and even be a threat in the playoff, especially with high-profile cornerbacks and safeties.
Winner: Kenneth Walker: The Michigan State Spartans are a dark horse in the Big Ten. That's because they have a running back that's taking over games with ease. His name is Kenneth Walker, who had another big day. The junior had 29 carries for 232 yards and a touchdown, propelling Sparty to a 31-13 victory over Rutgers. Keep an eye on Michigan State in the Big Ten, for they have some offensive weapons at their disposal.
Loser: Alabama's Defense: Nick Saban has warned his group multiple times about the way they've played against opponents. That nightmare came into fruition on Saturday when the No. 1 team in the land was upset by Texas A&M, 41-38. The Crimson Tide committed one turnover, generated no sacks, and allowed 379 total yards. If Saban's team is to avoid missing the playoff again, the defensive unit must step up.
Loser: Penn State in the Second Half: The Nittany Lions were in control of the game against Iowa, leading by a score of 17-10 at the half. But before the half, Clifford took a nasty hit from linebacker Jack Campbell, knocking him out of the game. The result was Penn State losing the lead and the game. The committee will have a close look at the Nittany Lions, especially with Clifford potentially being out of commission for some time.
Loser: BYU's Handles: Apparently, the Cougars didn't have difficulty holding onto the football against ranked Pac-12 opponents. But that wasn't the case against Boise State, where they lost three fumbles in a 26-17 loss. All hopes of BYU being an under-the-radar contender were dashed with a lack of caring for the football.
Other Winners: Jimbo Fisher, Jim Harbaugh handling the road pressure, Isaiah Likely
Other Losers: Ed Orgeron, Texas in the fourth quarter, UMass against UConn
College Football Playoff Four
Iowa
Oklahoma
Cincinnati
