College Football Booms and Busts From Week 11: Michigan, Miami, Auburn and More

Steve's list of booms and busts from Week 11. Which teams unexpectedly boomed in Week 11? Which programs fell flat? Read the Week 11 college football review.

When college football fans woke up on Sunday morning, the Week 11 games were still fresh on our minds. Another big weekend of rivalries, close games, and critical storylines took shape as we moved closer to the first week of December. Michigan passed their first test of the season without their head coach. Washington found a way to remain unbeaten after another hard-fought battle against conference foe Utah. Georgia reminded everyone that they were still the class of college football as they dominated a battle-tested Ole Miss squad. As usual, there was plenty to recap after an action-packed Saturday. 

So, as we all were diving into our Sunday routine of highlights, articles, and talking heads analyzing the Week 11 slate, Texas A&M dropped a bomb on our regularly scheduled plans. Head Coach Jimbo Fisher was fired, walking away with a record $76 million buyout. Imagine doing such a poor job that someone pays you $76 million not to do it anymore. Good work, if you can get it. 

Even though we were all glued to the story and almost everyone gave their two cents on who the next coach should be in College Station, there were still games to discuss. What teams are peaking at the right time? What programs are falling off the rails as we move towards the finish line? Let's take a look at our booms and busts from Week 11.

College Football Booms From Week 11

Michigan Wolverines

Where to begin with Michigan? Over the last couple of weeks, The Wolverines have dealt with a sign-stealing scandal that has probably been their biggest test of the first ten weeks of the season. As the issue came to a head on Friday, culminating with a three-game suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan was on its way to Happy Valley to face Penn State.

Michigan vs Everybody

🎥 Game 10 Recap#GoBlue | @onepeloton pic.twitter.com/P1JzgQgktl

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) November 13, 2023

While this was their most formidable opponent thus far, Michigan methodically beat Penn State while not throwing a forward pass over the last two and a half quarters. With or without Coach Harbaugh, this team solidified its status as a national bully, and this will be a story to follow over the next few weeks.  

Central Florida Golden Knights

What a couple of weeks for Central Florida. The Golden Knights went into Week 10 searching for the first-ever BIG 12 Conference win. After beating league foes Cincinnati and Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks, UCF has an opportunity to close out the season with four straight wins and qualify for postseason play in their first season as a Power 5 school.

As UCF gets comfortable in their new league, look for them to eventually be a part of the upper echelon of the Big 12 and compete for championships. UCF stock is going up.

Auburn Tigers

Auburn’s demolition of Arkansas on Saturday gave them their third straight SEC win, and while it was not necessarily a Murders Row, it has allowed them to gain plenty of momentum before The Iron Bowl. The Tigers are 6-4 and are heavily favored to beat New Mexico State this weekend.

The Auburn Tigers are rollin' 👀 pic.twitter.com/l9a0oyyPEA

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) November 14, 2023

It would be hard to argue against this season being a tremendous success for Hugh Freeze's first season on the Plains, and anything can happen against Alabama. Auburn has a chance to close this season out in spectacular fashion.

College Football Busts From Week 11

Oklahoma State Cowboys

What a difference a week makes. This time last week, Oklahoma State was riding high after winning the final Bedlam matchup and securing a coveted spot on our Booms list. Fast forward a week, and the Cowboys are licking their wounds after a complete dismantling by UCF.

Week 11 #ManningAward ⭐️of the Week!

John Rhys Plumlee, UCF

11-of-18, 373 total yds, 3 TDs, QBR: 96.4

Plumlee, registered season-bests for passing yards (299) and total touchdowns as he keyed the Knights' shocking 45-2 upset of No. 15 Oklahoma State in a Big 12 showdown. pic.twitter.com/XJsuxVaFni

— Manning Award (@ManningAward) November 13, 2023

Oklahoma State never got off the bus, and this was one of the more inexplicable performances of the 2023 season. Oklahoma State can still finish strong and reach double-digit wins with a bowl victory, but there will need to be some soul-searching in Stillwater this week.

Miami Football is back! Unfortunately, that does not mean what the Hurricane faithful want it to mean. This Miami team is the same old Miami, excitement followed by mediocrity. Wash, rinse, repeat.

The Hurricanes lost to arch-rival Florida State on Saturday, falling to 6-4. A home game versus Louisville and a road trip to Boston College remains, and regardless of those outcomes, this has to be considered another disappointing season in Coral Gables. You have to wonder if Miami will ever retain its status as an elite program. 

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin was on a nice little roll in late September into early October. They stood at 4-1 on October 7, and Luke Fickell’s transition to Wisconsin was on schedule. Since then, the Badgers have lost four of their last five games, including a home loss to Northwestern on Saturday.

Wisconsin can still right the ship and get valuable practice time by getting bowl-eligible by beating Nebraska at Camp Randall Stadium this weekend. They conclude the season with their battle for the Paul Bunyan Axe against rival Minnesota. As rough as it has been for Wisconsin, they can still salvage the season over their last two weeks.

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