Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) catches a landing through the Indiana versus Illinois soccer sport at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES Final week was a relaxed week of school soccer, so this week we wanted to see some extra motion or upsets. There weren’t any big upsets; nevertheless, offenses have woken up, and we would have discovered a couple of groups that might be contenders.
Indiana is within the first tier of the Massive Ten
I used to be impressed with the Hoosiers by their straightforward non-conference schedule, however I believed a hard-nosed Illinois crew would muck up their matchup with Indiana and sneak out an in depth street win. I couldn’t have been extra mistaken.
Fernando Mendoza was on time all day lengthy. He threw for 267 yards and 5 touchdowns, however essentially the most spectacular a part of his efficiency was his means to remain on time. He was fast and decisive, choosing aside what ought to nonetheless be a stable Illinois protection.
Virtually extra spectacular was this Hoosier protection. Luke Altmyer had zero time to throw the ball, and he was caught in apparent passing conditions all day attributable to Indiana utterly shutting down the Illini’s run sport.
Indiana had seven sacks on the day, with Tyrique Tucker and Jamari Sharpe dwelling within the backfield. This offensive entrance was alleged to be a power for Illinois, however they appeared gradual and outmatched from begin to end, even permitting a blocked punt.
There’s no purpose to assume Indiana isn’t in the identical tier as Ohio State, Oregon, or Penn State. In two video games, Indiana has a visit to Eugene on the schedule. Oregon must be much more frightened about that one.
Ole Miss discovered their QB
Sep 13, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) runs the ball for a landing through the second quarter in opposition to the Arkansas Razorback at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Petre Thomas-Imagn Photos Backup quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has a first-team All-SEC identify, however extra importantly, he’s a legit dual-threat choice for head coach Lane Kiffin.
In opposition to an undefeated Tulane crew, which was seeking to be a favourite from the non-power 4 groups to make the playoffs, Chambliss went off, going for 419 all-purpose yards on this one. He additionally didn’t throw the expensive interception Ole Miss had been used to with Austin Simmons operating the offense.
This nice quarterback play helped to maintain their protection off the sector for longer stretches, and so they performed their finest sport of the season. Tulane’s Jake Retzlaff was by no means given the power to get right into a rhythm on offense, and Ole Miss notched an imposing non-conference win.
The SEC has legit depth.
Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer solutions questions from the media through the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Lodge. Necessary Credit score: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Photos Oklahoma was the massive winner from down south this week, as they held off Auburn in a decent one behind a powerful defensive efficiency. The Sooners proved once more that they could have the most effective protection within the convention, and John Mateer is starting to separate himself from different Heisman candidates.
He definitely hasn’t gone and gained the award or something, however he’s stepped up in opposition to the most effective competitors in comparison with anybody else; nevertheless, the beforehand talked about Mendoza from Indiana did have a pleasant assertion sport of his personal.
Auburn shouldn’t dangle its head from this efficiency both; they definitely have some items to nonetheless compete in opposition to high SEC groups, particularly at receiver.
The remainder of the highest groups within the SEC — Tennessee, LSU, and Texas — all continued to roll by the lighter elements of their schedules, and Missouri as soon as once more pulled off the win over a stable South Carolina squad. Ahmad Hardy wants to begin getting some Heisman recognition, as he could be the most effective operating again in the complete nation.
Texas Tech is actual
Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, USA; Utah Utes vast receiver Ryan Davis (9) is tackled by Texas Tech Crimson Raiders defensive again Amier Boyd (27) and linebacker John Curry (6) through the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Rob Grey-Imagn Photos In a battle of contenders within the Massive 12, Texas Tech rolled into Salt Lake Metropolis and punked Utah. After a gradual first half, Behren Morton was benched, and Will Hammond’s dual-threat means obtained this Crimson Raider offense rolling.
The most important factor for Texas Tech was its protection. They spent quite a lot of NIL cash to construct a protection that would contend within the Massive 12, and so they’ve completed simply that. I had Devon Dampier as a long-shot Heisman risk, and he had nothing on Saturday — utterly locked down throwing or operating.
Iowa State could be the highest-ranked within the convention, however Texas Tech is the most effective crew.
