College FB Plus: ND bounces back, but still has a ways to go

For the record, Notre Dame won its game on Saturday night in dramatic fashion, scoring the game winning TD against Duke in the final 31 seconds to post a 21-14 victory over the previously unbeaten Blue Devils.

Coming a week after a potential season-shattering final second loss to Ohio State,  the victory could have signified a "bounce back'' move by the Irish, who still feel they could be contenders for CFP's Final Four.

Not so fast.

The ND team which won its game with 30 yard  touchdown run by Audric Estime and a two point conversion pass by QB Sam Hartman (which covered the 5.5 point spread) appeared to be playing not to lose and could do very little against a Duke team which may still be better than the Irish.

The Irish still have games against USC and at Clemson, which will get them some attention if they win, but with home loss to Ohio State on their resume, the Blue Devils are long shots.

And despite the win there is the ongoing question of the ability of second year coach Marcus Freeman to run the Irish operation.

ND gave up is game winning TD to Ohio State with only 10 players on the field, which signified a coaching snafu. 

Against Duke, the Irish defense was also in the wrong place at the wrong time, which isn't good news for Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden's future in South Bend.

Who's Hot

Defending Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams, who is also the quarterback for the offensive juggernaut known as the USC Trojans.  Williams tied his career high by throwing six touchdowns as the unbeaten Trojans built a 34-7 second quarter lead against Colorado and then holding on in a wild 48-41 victory which is the style  (defenseless) for both USC and Coach Deron Sanders' Buffaloes.

Colorado has lots last two games to Pac-12 rivals Oregon and USC while giving up 89 points.

The State of Kentucky

Both Louisville, a winner over North Carolina State on Friday and Kentucky, an easy winner over Florida on Saturday remain unbeaten after the first month of the season.

Kentucky will be tested next week against two-time defending national champion Georgia in Athens.  Louisville hosts Notre Dame on Saturday. If both the Wildcats are unbeaten after those games, the story line will merit larger headlines.

The Pac-12.

Same story, different week as Washington State, Oregon, and  USC all remain unbeaten.

Who's Not

Colorado

Prime Time's boys are now out of the spotlight dance after back-to-back losses to Oregon and USC.  This does not diminish what Deion Sanders has done in a short time in Boulder. 

Next week's challenge is against unranked Arizona State, which means Prime time coverage is over for now. A winning season and a bowl game is possible, which is remarkable for the Buffaloes who were a woeful 1-11 a year ago.

UConn

How bad can get it for the ever struggling Huskies who are

in the vast wasteland of playing as an independent not named ND?

The winless Huskies latest setback was a blocked extra point in the final seconds of what turned into a 34-33 loss to Utah State.

A season ending game against UMASS, also in the Indy halfway house looms as the only major reward for a season which still has a  road game at Tennessee (Nov. 4) upcoming.

Play it Forward (Games of interest next week)

Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas)--Old Fashioned Red River rivalry between these two unbeaten teams finishing their stint in the Big 12 before moving to the SEC next season.

Notre Dame at Louisville--A season breaker for ND, a season-maker for Louisville.

Kentucky at Georgia--SEE ND at Louisville.