College football: 10 best and 10 worst teams of Week 10 – Oregon, Georgia, Utah impress

Ranking the top 10 college football team performances of Week 10, including Georgia and Oregon, and the 10 worst team performances of the week.

A season-high 35 FBS teams were idle in Week 10, including four of the five highest-ranked teams in the AP Top 25. The only top-five team in action last week, No. 4 Clemson, hosted an FCS opponent. And with No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama (plus undefeated Penn State and Minnesota) scheduled to square off in Week 11, next week’s slate cast an unusually long shadow.

But the limited number of games in Week 10 also created showcase opportunities. There were two marquee matchups: A Top-10 clash between Georgia and Florida in Jacksonville, and a rare meeting between two ranked teams from the American Athletic Conference, which put a previously undefeated SMU squad and the entire city of Memphis in the national spotlight.

The two best teams in the Pac-12, Oregon and Utah, also received more attention than usual, and both capitalized. The Ducks and Utes each navigated tough matchups on the road to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Those wins also ranked among the 10 best CFB Winning Edge Team Performance ratings of the week.

Who else excelled, and which teams failed? Let’s explore the 10 best and 10 worst game grades of Week 10.

10 best Team Performances of Week 10

10. Central Michigan Chippewas, 89.35

Central Michigan was just 1-11 overall, and 0-8 in Mid-American Conference play in 2018. But new head coach Jim McElwain has guided the Chippewas to an incredible one-year turnaround. With a 48-10 victory over defending MAC champion Northern Illinois, the Chips are 6-4 overall, 4-2 in conference action, and bowl eligible.

The Chippewas out-gained Northern Illinois 615-25, and by an average of 3.64 yards per play, which was the fourth-best average of the week. Only Clemson (6.31), Navy (5.73) and Liberty (5.73) were more impressive on a net yards per play basis. Two CMU running backs – Kobe Lewis and Jonathan Ward – surpassed 100 rushing yards, and quarterback Quinten Dormady averaged 12.0 yards per pass and threw three touchdowns without an interception.

Central Michigan finished plus-four in turnover margin, which tied for best of the week, and held the Huskies were to just one conversion on 12 opportunities on third down.

9. Oregon State Beavers, 89.40

Like Central Michigan, the Oregon State Beavers are no longer a laughingstock. The Beavs beat Arizona 56-38 Saturday to improve to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in Pac-12 play. Oregon State has won three of its last four games — all on the road — and sit in second place in the North Division. After going 2-10 overall and 1-8 in league play last year, the Beavers need just two more wins to become bowl eligible.

Oregon State was nearly unstoppable on offense and rolled up 572 total yards while averaging 12.6 yards per pass and 5.8 yards per rushing attempt. Quarterback Jake Luton completed 20 of 26 pass attempts for 328 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Top target Isaiah Hodgins caught seven passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Running backs Artavis Pierce and Jermar Jefferson combined for 219 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.

8. Michigan Wolverines, 89.53

You can’t ask for a better start to a game. Michigan’s Giles Jackson’s returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in what would eventually be a 38-7 win over Maryland. The Wolverines were dominant defensively and held the Terrapins to just 233 total yards and kept the Maryland offense out of the end zone (Javon Leake scored the only touchdown for the Terps on a 97-yard kick return in the third quarter).

Michigan held the Terrapins to just 3.43 yards per play. Only five FBS defenses allowed a better average in Week 10. The Wolverines also stopped Maryland on 12 of 16 third down opportunities and limited the Terps to 10-for-22 passing, 4.7 yards per pass attempt and just 2.8 yards per rush.

7. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 89.90

Mississippi State entered Week 10 on a four-game losing streak, and with five losses in its last six games. Fortunately for the Bulldogs’ hopes of reaching a bowl game, a trip to Arkansas came at exactly the right time. The 54-24 victory over the Razorbacks helped Mississippi State improve to 4-5 overall, and 2-4 in SEC.

Mississippi State out-gained Arkansas 640-285 overall, and by an average of 2.60 yards per play on the strength of an explosive offense that gained 8.42 yards per snap. Only five FBS offenses were more explosive in Week 10, and only four of those played FBS opponents (Clemson averaged 10.97 yards per play against FCS opponent Wofford). Running back Kylin Hill led the way with 234 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

6. BYU Cougars, 90.30

It’s been a wild season for BYU, who beat Utah State 42-14 Saturday to take back the Wagon Wheel. The Cougars are now 4-4 overall, with all four victories coming as underdogs. Most puzzling, back-to-back wins over BYU and Utah State followed losses to Toledo and USF – the only two games in which the Cougars were favored by oddsmakers.

The win over the Aggies was easily the most impressive of the year for BYU, which gained 8.52 yards per play. Jaren Hill and Baylor Romney each saw action at quarterback and combined for 405 passing yards and 12.5 yards per pass attempt. Utah State quarterback Jordan Love threw for 394 yards against the Cougars but was intercepted three times. In all, the BYU defense forced five turnovers.

5. Miami Hurricanes, 90.88

Miami’s 27-10 victory over Florida State Saturday is likely to be remembered as the game that ultimately cost Willie Taggart his job with the Seminoles, but it’s also worth noting the Hurricanes posted the highest game grade of the Manny Diaz era to date. Miami has also now won three of four games to improve to 5-4 overall (3-3 in ACC play) and should be favored in each of its final three regular-season games.

The Hurricanes out-gained Florida State 353-203 overall and by an average of 2.84 yards per snap thanks in large part to an impressive defensive performance. The Hurricanes allowed just 2.94 yards per play Saturday, which was the second-best mark of the week, and held the Noles to 0.8 rushing yards per attempt. And though Miami also struggled to run the football (1.7 yards per carry on 24 attempts) quarterback Jarren Williams threw for 313 yards and two TDs without an interception.

4. Utah Utes, 90.90

Washington has been a disappointment this season, but it’s never easy to beat the Huskies in Seattle. Utah fell behind early Saturday, but a timely pick-six by cornerback Jaylon Johnson and the dynamic duo of quarterback Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss helped the Utes turn the tide and beat Washington 33-28 on the road.

The final score was close, and most areas of the box score were as well. Utah only out-gained the Huskies 399-369 overall, and out-rushed Washington by just 0.2 yards per carry. However, the Utes held a posted 11.8 yards per pass attempt while holding Washington to 6.1 yards per pass, and forced two Jacob Eason interceptions. Utah also limited the Huskies to just 53 rushing yards.

3. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 91.10

Despite the unfortunate loss of All-American wide receiver Tylan Wallace, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice leading up to Saturday’s game against TCU, Oklahoma State gained an average of 8.20 yards per play and beat the Horned Frogs 34-27. Running back Chuba Hubbard ran for 223 yards and two touchdowns, which marked the fourth time this season he has surpassed 200 yards on the ground. Hubbard, who leads the nation in rushing yardage (1,604) and touchdowns (18) has also scored in every game. The Cowboys also averaged 10.8 yards per pass attempt.

The Pokes were far from dominant on defense. Oklahoma State allowed 450 total yards for the game but won the turnover battle 4-1, which included three interceptions of TCU quarterback Max Duggan. The Cowboys also allowed fewer chunk plays, having surrendered 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 4.2 yards per carry while improving to 6-3 overall, and 3-3 in Big 12 Conference play.

2. Georgia Bulldogs, 92.43

Georgia entered its annual clash with Florida as the favorite, but the narrative in the two weeks leading up to the game focused largely on the Bulldogs’ inconsistencies on offense. However, the Dawgs were rock-solid Saturday, having allowed zero sacks and zero turnovers against the talented Gators defense in a 24-17 victory.

The Georgia offense out-gained the Gators 398-278 overall, which included a 119-21 edge in rushing yardage. The Bulldogs averaged a modest 3.2 yards per carry, but held Florida to just 1.1 yards per attempt. Quarterback Jake Fromm completed 9.3 yards per pass attempt and connected with Lawrence Cager seven times for 132 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

1. Oregon Ducks, 93.90

Oregon fell behind 10-0 in the first quarter Saturday night but dominated USC the rest of the way for a 56-24 victory on the road. The win was the eighth in a row for the Ducks, who improved to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

The Ducks scored four touchdowns in a decisive second quarter, including a pick-six by Brady Breeze and a 100-yard kickoff return by Mykael Wright in the final seconds before halftime. Factoring in the scores on defense and special teams, Oregon scored 0.89 points per offensive play against the Trojans. Only Navy (0.98) and Clemson (0.92) were better in Week 10. The Ducks also posted 0.60 net points per play, which was also the third-best of the week.

USC managed 355 total yards, but just 4.6 yards per pass attempt. Oregon intercepted USC quarterback Kedon Slovis three times, and the Ducks also recovered a Slovis fumble while winning the turnover battle 4-1. The four takeaways tied for the most any FBS defense in Week 10.

10 worst Team Performances of Week 10

10. WKU Hilltoppers, 71.88

WKU’s Conference USA title hopes took a hit Saturday as the Hilltoppers lost to FAU 35-24. The teams were nearly even in several statistics, including total yardage (the Owls led 448-444) and first downs (WKU held a 21-20 edge). But a 4-0 deficit in turnover margin and an inability to run the football (64 rushing yards on 2.5 yards per attempt) doomed the Hilltoppers.

9. Syracuse Orange, 71.80

Boston College ran up and down the field with ease in a 58-27 victory over Syracuse Saturday. The Orange, who have now lost four straight games, allowed 691 yards of total offense, including 496 on the ground. The performance cost defensive coordinator Brian Ward his job. Now 3-6 overall and 0-5 in ACC play, Syracuse now has zero room for error in its quest for bowl eligibility.

8. Eastern Michigan Eagles, 71.78

Very little went right for Eastern Michigan in a 43-14 loss to Buffalo Saturday. Despite an 80-yard touchdown pass that opened the scoring, the Eagles were out-gained 460-210 overall. Eastern also managed just 25 rushing yards and 1.5 yards per carry, and converted only two of 11 opportunities on third down, and was 1-for-3 on fourth downs, which resulted in just six first downs all game.

7. Arizona Wildcats, 71.73

Arizona fired defensive coordinator Marcel Yates in the wake of a 41-31 loss to Stanford in Week 9, but the move couldn’t stop the bleeding for the Wildcats, who surrendered a season-high 56 points to Oregon State Saturday. The 56-38 loss was the fourth in a row for the Wildcats, who now sit 4-5 overall and very much in danger of missing the postseason for the second straight year.

Though the defense was most to blame Saturday, the offense still has question marks, notably, whether quarterback Khalil Tate has lost his starting spot to true freshman Grant Gunnell who completed 19-of-29 pass attempts for 269 yards and two touchdowns off the bench.

6. Rice Owls, 71.58

Rice made a change in its offensive play-caller ahead of the Week 10 matchup with Marshall and also turned to freshman quarterback JoVoni Johnson to make his first career start. Unfortunately, the results were largely the same for the Owls, who lost 20-7 and now sit 0-9 on the season.

5. Utah State Aggies, 71.38

With a 3-1 record in conference play, Utah State is still alive in the Mountain West race. The 42-14 loss to BYU doesn’t change that fact, but it’s another shot to the confidence of the Aggies, who have now lost three of four games by a combined score of 115-27.

4. Massachusetts Minutemen, 70.25

The UMass defense already ranked last in FBS in nearly every major category, yet found a way to look even worse in a 63-21 loss to Liberty. The Minutemen were outgained 730-240 overall, allowed 488 passing yards and 15.3 yards per attempt and lost the turnover battle 3-0.

3. Connecticut Huskies, 69.70

One week after picking up a much-needed win, UConn was blasted 56-10 by Navy at home. The Huskies, who allowed 573 total yards, were outgained by an average of 5.73 yards per play – tied with UMass for the worst result of the week among FBS teams.

2. Akron Zips, 69.68

The Akron offense got a boost with the return of quarterback Kato Nelson, who missed the previous two games to suspension. However, Nelson completed just nine of 24 pass attempts for 60 yards and two interceptions in a 35-6 loss to Bowling Green. The Zips gained just 100 total yards and 1.75 yards per play, both of which were worse than any other FBS offense in Week 10. It was also the fourth straight game in which the 0-9 Zips were held out of the end zone.

1. Northern Illinois Huskies, 69.05

Northern Illinois (who entered as a slight favorite against Central Michigan) lost 48-10 to fall to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in MAC play. The defending conference champs managed just 22 rushing yards on 25 carries – a meager 0.9 yards per carry – while surrendering 327 yards on the ground and 6.5 yards per attempt. Overall, NIU was out-gained 615-251. Quarterback Ross Bowers, who didn’t start after missing the last game due to injury, also tossed three interceptions.

10 best teams of 2019, average Team Performance

10. Utah Utes, 88.87

9. Baylor Bears, 89.22

8. Oregon Ducks, 89.37

7. Georgia Bulldogs, 90.59

6. Penn State Nittany Lions, 91.27

5. Clemson Tigers, 91.91

T-3. Oklahoma Sooners, 92.12

T-3. LSU Tigers, 92.12

2. Alabama Crimson Tide, 93.41

1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 93.90

10 worst teams of 2019, average Team Performance

121. Connecticut Huskies, 71.76

122. Texas State Bobcats, 71.67

123. New Mexico Lobos, 71.21

124. South Alabama Jaguars, 70.33

125. Old Dominion Monarchs, 70.29

126. Rice Owls, 69.78

127. UTEP Miners, 69.54

128. New Mexico State Aggies, 67.47

129. Massachusetts Minutemen, 67.21

130. Akron Zips, 66.67

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.