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There were a lot of great matchups in Week 7. Some of the games provided the same level of excitement while others faltered to the finish.
We got answers to some questions. While others remain uncertain. USC’s defense played well despite Notre Dame scoring 48 points. And Notre Dame’s offense looked mediocre yet again despite those 48 points.
Before moving on to Week 8, let us look back at Week 7 and some of the top results.
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No. 21 Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 48, N0. 10 USC Trojans: 20
USC has been scrutinized for its defense all season. But the defense was not the issue Saturday, Caleb Williams was. Yes, the same Williams who won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 had 3 interceptions in the first half Saturday against the Fighting Irish.
ANOTHER int for caleb williams pic.twitter.com/zJju6ap5Fo
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) October 15, 2023
Notre Dame, coming off a streak of mediocre games on offense, had another bad showing against USC with just 126 yards passing. But the defense kept them in the game and caused this blowout with short fields for Sam Hartman and the offense.
USC finished the game with five turnovers and the Notre Dame defense lived in the Trojans backfield with 11 tackles for loss and six sacks of Williams.
The Trojans were not ready for the weather in South Bend. Not the rain and wind or the temperature in the mid 40’s. Williams struggled and because of this, USC was unable to stay undefeated. It also gave future opponents in the Pac-12 a blueprint on how to limit the offense if they have the defense to do so.
One of the teams which might have a similar defense to Notre Dame is the Utah Utes. This is the next team on the schedule for USC. Although this game will be at home, USC lost two games to Utah in 2022, so this will be another big test.
No. 7 Washington Huskies: 36, No. 8 Oregon Ducks: 33
The good thing for both teams is, after this physical battle, both teams get what looks like a break in their next games.
Oregon will return home to battle the Washington State team which was steamrolled by Arizona 44-6 on Saturday. Washington will remain in Seattle for another home game. This time against an Arizona State team who could be the worst team in the Pac-12 in 2023.
After being hobbled for a bit during last year's loss to Washington, Bo Nix remained healthy and had a solid game in this one. He had no turnovers, despite the charged atmosphere, and he finished with 337 yards and two touchdowns.
On the opposite sideline, Michael Penix Jr. enhanced his hold on the Heisman Trophy with 302 yards passing and four touchdowns. His four end zone trips included a last-drive touchdown to Rome Odunze -- the potential first-round wide receiver who finished the game with eight catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
BRUTAL.
Oregon misses the game tying field goal. Washington WINS pic.twitter.com/6o5yJYFOwO
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) October 14, 2023
Washington has the No. 1 offense in the nation. If its defense can catch up, the Huskies will be playoff threats out of the Pac-12. Either way, I hope we get a rematch of this one in the final Pac-12 championship game.
Stanford Cardinal: 46, Colorado Buffaloes: 43
This game looked like it was over with Colorado up 29-0 at halftime. But this is why you play the second half.
With Colorado only able to score seven points after halftime, Stanford managed to get back into the game and send it to overtime with a last-second field goal.
Of all comebacks this season, the Stanford comeback in Week 7 might have been the most improbable. Not only was it only the second win for Stanford, but it was also the first time since a Week 1 win over Hawaii that the team scored more than 23 points.
Coming off a 42-6 loss to Oregon, Stanford was an 11.5-point underdog on Friday. But the team had other plans and Colorado failed to capitalize on being the more talented team -- something it cannot say in many games right now. This was a tough loss for Colorado. It may have lost its best chance to reach a bowl game with the loss.
STANFORD TAKES DOWN COLORADO IN DOUBLE OT 🚨
The largest comeback in @StanfordFball history 😤 pic.twitter.com/u2JajQoZLh
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 14, 2023
After their bye week, the Buffaloes will have games left against UCLA, Arizona and Utah along with Oregon State and Washington State. If they want to make a bowl game in the first year of Coach Prime, they will need to find a way to win three of these games -- a daunting task for sure.
Stanford is playing with house money. No one expected them to be good this season and it has not disappointed. But after being the only team Colorado beat in 2022, Stanford can now say it got revenge and likely kept the Buffaloes out of a bowl game.
Air Force Falcons: 34, Wyoming Cowboys: 27
After defeating Fresno State in Week 6, Wyoming went to Colorado Springs hoping to defeat the new best team in the Mountain West Conference. Unfortunately, Air Force had other plans and the service academy ran all over Wyoming for a seven-point victory. Although this was the first game Air Force won by less than 18 points, Wyoming is far better of a team than any of the Falcons' previous opponents.
This win also got Air Force ranked for the first time this season -- somewhere they could remain as they are now the favorites to be the G-5 New Year’s six competitor.
The numbers behind W number 6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/yStO49hYvN
— Air Force Football (@AF_Football) October 15, 2023
With games left against Navy and Army for the Commander-in-Chief trophy and its most difficult game left being a home game against UNLV, Air Force looks poised to go undefeated in 2023. And all I can say is, I salute you!
