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There is nothing like November college football. It is the peak of the best regular season in sports and sets the table for an always-wild bowl and playoff season. As a bonus, we also get to see the cream of the Heisman crop start to take shape. Campus legends are made in November, and Cinderella stories etch their mark in the historical fabric of the game.
Week 10 kicked off the month in fine fashion as we saw elite contenders get tested, previous powers rise from the dead, and up-and-comers continue their magical runs. As we hit the final stretch of the season, we are looking forward to classic games, memorable moments, and monumental upsets. There is always plenty to remember from November. We expect this month to be no different.
That brings us to our latest edition of booms and busts. As usual, there was no shortage of candidates on both sides in Week 10. We have programs ascending at the right time and programs taking a nosedive, limping toward the finish line. The storylines create plenty of possibilities, and each week, more and more teams hop on our radar for both good reasons and bad. Let's take a look at our booms and busts for the week.
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College Football Booms From Week 10
Alabama Crimson Tide
After a Week 2 loss to Texas and a Week 3 scare to USF, Nick Saban’s Alabama team was left for dead by plenty. Well, that was a silly mistake. Have we not learned that counting Nick Saban out of any season will likely make a fool out of the doubters? The Crimson Tide beat a talented LSU team in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night, once again announcing themselves as playoff contenders.
MIL-FO’
The first @AlabamaFTBL QB to rush for 4 TDs in a single game pic.twitter.com/M046u5Qs76
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) November 5, 2023
The loud criticism of quarterback Jalen Milroe and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees appears to have been a bit premature, as Coach Saban has his guys putting it together when it counts. The Tide looks like one of the four best teams in the country.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
It is no secret that Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy has struggled against Oklahoma throughout his brilliant career. Going into Saturday’s Bedlam match-up, Gundy was just 3-15 in his head coaching career against the Sooners.
Oklahoma State wins the final Bedlam. The state now belongs to them forever. Those are the rules.
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 4, 2023
If there was ever one to win, it was this year, as the future of the rivalry is in doubt due to conference realignment. The Cowboys’ 27-24 victory in Stillwater on Saturday gives them indefinite bragging rights and keeps the momentum going on an outstanding Oklahoma State season.
Arizona Wildcats
The Arizona Wildcats are on a rampage. Their win over UCLA on Saturday was their third straight win over a ranked opponent, putting them at 6-3 on the year. Coach Jedd Fisch and his squad have a realistic shot at nine wins and a middle-tier bowl game.
Fisch took over a 1-11 team in December of 2021, and no one outside the program expected this kind of success so quickly. The Wildcats are in the middle of a magical run, and Fisch has to be on the shortlist for National Coach of the Year.
College Football Busts From Week 10
Louisiana State Tigers
It is time for LSU to make a return to the bust list. With another big game comes another missed opportunity for a Brian Kelly-led football team. As we previously mentioned, Alabama beat up the Tigers, and Coach Kelly once again is left with a season of three or more losses.
The natives will only stay patient for so long. Another year like this in 2024, and the boosters will be calling Baton Rouge, with Kelly not liking what they say.
Air Force, what happened? Everything was right in front of the Falcons, including the Commander-in-Chief trophy, an undefeated season, and a potential crashing of the New Year Six bowl party. Unfortunately for Air Force, a hungry Army team was also in their path.
No. 25 Air Force is undefeated no more 😬
Army defeats the Falcons to spoil Air Force's perfect season. pic.twitter.com/Pj3q6KnPV9
— The Athletic CFB (@TheAthleticCFB) November 4, 2023
Air Force came into the game as 18.5-point home favorites but could not get the job done, and it looks to have cost them dearly. The Falcons can still win 11 or 12 games this season, an amazing feat for any academy, but they can not help but wonder what might have been.
Marshall Thundering Herd
On September 30, the Marshall University football team was 4-0, with their head coach being mentioned for some big jobs in the upcoming offseason. Fast forward to November, and the Thundering Herd now sit at 4-5 and might not make it to bowl eligibility.
Marshall was crushed by Appalachian State on Saturday, making it five consecutive losses with no guaranteed end in sight. The Herd might not be favored in any of their remaining games and need to find out how to stop the skid to salvage what once looked like a promising season.
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