Clemson and Michigan Stay in Playoff Contention After Thrilling Wins
On a sunny Saturday in college football, Clemson and Michigan both managed to secure much-needed victories, keeping their playoff hopes alive. But let’s be real—there’s still a lot we need to figure out about these teams.
Clemson Tigers Roar Back with a Bang
Let’s kick things off in Clemson, where the Tigers showed that they’ve turned things around after a rough start to the season. Coming off a disheartening 34-3 loss to Georgia, Clemson came into their matchup against NC State with guns blazing, walking away with a sensational 59-35 victory.
Hello, offense! Over the last two games, Clemson has scored a jaw-dropping 101 first-half points. They didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard, either; Quarterback Cade Klubnik zoomed 55 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes into the game. Talk about setting the tone! By the end of the first quarter, Clemson was already up 28-0.
NC State, starting freshman QB CJ Bailey in his first-ever game, struggled to keep up. Despite a bit of a late-game rally where they scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, Clemson was cruising by then and just wanted to let the clock run out. While it’s clear the Tigers are looking much sharper than before, the question still lingers: How much can we trust this offensive performance against tougher competition?
Michigan’s Nail-Biter Against USC
Meanwhile, up in Michigan, the Wolverines continue to keep fans on the edge of their seats. They barely escaped a potential collapse with a 27-24 win against No. 11 USC, thanks to a last-minute touchdown from Kalel Mullings. After getting outhustled in the second half, Mullings turned the game around with a nifty 63-yard run and a clutch TD just 37 seconds from the end.
Despite the victory, it wasn’t a picture-perfect day for Michigan’s offense. Starting QB Alex Orji didn’t quite light up the scoreboard with just 32 passing yards on 12 attempts. The Wolverines leaned heavily on their running game—46 rushing plays overall. Coach Sherrone Moore seemed pleased with the game plan, saying, “I love it. It’s my dream.”
But let’s be honest; it raises eyebrows. Can Michigan continue to win games with such limited passing numbers? They’ve thrown for just 491 yards on 90 attempts through the first four games. Wolverines fans held their breath, hoping the rushing strategy was sustainable as they prepare for an upcoming stretch of games against teams like Minnesota and Michigan State.
This Week’s Other Standout Teams
Switching gears to other notable games, James Madison made waves with a dazzling 70-50 victory over North Carolina, scoring 53 points in the first half. That’s a serious offensive explosion! Quarterback Alonza Barnett III had a stellar game, throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for two more—not something you see every day!
West Virginia also made headlines, pulling off a comeback win against Kansas even after a thunderstorm delayed their game. And let’s not forget the Indiana Hoosiers, who cruised to a smooth 52-14 win over Charlotte, improving their record to 4-0, while the Iowa Hawkeyes defeated Minnesota behind a powerful performance from running back Kaleb Johnson.
Looking Ahead
With future matchups coming up, both Clemson and Michigan seem to have a bright road ahead if they can keep the momentum. Clemson’s schedule isn’t too daunting until they face ranked teams in November, while Michigan hopes to build on their strengths against upcoming rivals. As fans, we can only wait—anxiously—for more thrilling college football to unfold!
