Incredible stats from Week 7 of college football action include Nick Saban’s commanding record against his former assistants, Alabama’s amazing offense and more.
Another week of college football is in the books.
Saturday was a day for interceptions (unless you play quarterback for Clemson), unexpected upset blowouts and all the fun that comes with a college football weekend in October.
Here are the best stats from all that action in Week 7…
1. Nick Saban is still the boss
Nick Saban’s assistants may have learned from the master, but none has been able to surpass him.
https://twitter.com/aldotcomTide/status/1317670193716408323?s=20
That’s almost two seasons worth of victories over former assistants.
2. What has happened to Alabama’s defense?
The once-vaunted Alabama defense just doesn’t look the same this year. The numbers back up the eye test.
https://twitter.com/ADavidHaleJoint/status/1317645766798835713
Stetson Bennett's 82-yard touchdown pass is the 2nd-longest completion allowed by Alabama since Nick Saban became head coach in 2007.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 18, 2020
Johnny Manziel had a 95-yard touchdown pass vs Alabama in 2013. Manziel completed the pass to Mike Evans. pic.twitter.com/I2kFrFokSi
Last week, the offense made up for the defensive woes against Ole Miss. This time, the defense tightened after the half and the offense never let up.
3. Alabama’s transformation into an offensive powerhouse is complete
Who needs defense when your offense puts up points like the Crimson Tide?
Those 17 games are all under the control of offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
4. Mac Jones is the king of the big play
Considering the success of recent Alabama quarterbacks, it’s pretty incredible for Mac Jones to carve out his own special stats.
Mac Jones is the first player in Alabama history with multiple 90-yard touchdown passes.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 18, 2020
Jaylen Waddle's 90-yard Rec TD was his 3rd career catch of at least 80 yards. All of them went for TD.
Waddle has the most 80+ yard TDs in Alabama history. pic.twitter.com/YZAiBge0WP
With a penchant for long touchdown passes, it makes sense that Jones is racking up yards like no other.
Most Career 400+ Yard Passing Games for Alabama
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 18, 2020
Mac Jones: 3
Tua Tagovailoa: 3 pic.twitter.com/vErLmCNZxN
5. Alabama wide receivers are dominant
It certainly helps that the Crimson Tide have produced some spectacular wide receivers over the years. DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle are making history and helping turn the Tide into WRU.
Jaylen Waddle (161) and DeVonta Smith (160) marks the first time in Alabama's history, they've had two receivers over 150 yards in the same game.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 18, 2020
Smith now has 27 career rec TD, 2nd-most in Alabama history. Only Amari Cooper has more (31). pic.twitter.com/Vt2VQtloaJ
6. Clemson remains unstoppable
Clemson literally doesn’t lose in the regular season.
.@ClemsonFB extended its regular season win streak to 37 games.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 17, 2020
That ties for the 3rd-longest such streak in the AP Poll Era (since 1936).
Clemson's 66-point victory over Georgia Tech today is the largest by an ACC team in a conference game. pic.twitter.com/uX6RgEnfuC
Their last regular-season loss was in October of 2017 with Kelly Bryant at quarterback.
7. UCF vs. Memphis was a quarterback’s dream
If you don’t like defense, the battle between the UCF and Memphis was the game for you.
UCF-Memphis will finish as the 2nd game over the last 20 seasons where opposing QBs had 450 pass yds, 5 pass TD, and 0 interceptions.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 17, 2020
The other? A 2014 game between California and Washington State which featured a duel between Jared Goff and Connor Halliday. pic.twitter.com/0lGh7DBsek
In the end, it was definitely more fun for Memphis QB Brady White than UCF’s Dillon Gabriel as the Tigers won 50-49.
At least Gabriel came way with more than 600 yards and a nifty school record.
Dillon Gabriel's 93-yard TD pass is the longest completion in UCF history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 17, 2020
Gabriel is the first FBS QB with multiple 80-yd TD passes in a single game since Patrick Mahomes on Nov. 25, 2016 against Baylor. pic.twitter.com/IAiAGBiQJP
8. It was a good day to be Kentucky
The Wildcats gave no quarter to No. 18 Tennessee with one of their most impressive displays in years.
On Saturday, @UKFootball ...
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 17, 2020
- Def. Tennessee on the road for the 1st time since 1984
- Posted its largest road victory margin against a ranked opponent
- Returned 2 Int for TDs in a game for the 1st time since 2014
- Forced 4 1st-half turnovers for the 1st time since 2008 pic.twitter.com/aXhurPOPEl
9. It was a bad day to be Tennessee
When it goes wrong for the Volunteers, it goes very wrong.
After the first half against Kentucky, Tennessee has been outscored 44-7 over the last four quarters of play. pic.twitter.com/NLPlllD7mZ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 17, 2020
Tennessee now trailing Kentucky 34-7...
— Jason Starrett (@starrettjason) October 17, 2020
Since taking a 21-17 lead into the half against Georgia last week, the Vols have been outscored 61-7 and have committed 7 turnovers (plus 2 turnovers on downs).
Jeremy Pruitt has some explaining to do.
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