Week 10 of college football is upon us as this season flies by. The month of October especially seemed to zip past faster than a Zachariah Branch punt return. At the same time, so much happened in October that it was almost an overload. Jacksonville State and Middle Tennessee kicked off the beginning of “CUSAction” on Tuesday, Oct. 4 to entertain through the week. Now #MACtion will be taking the weeknight torch. Oklahoma and Texas played yet another classic Red River Rivalry and saw the Sooners become a national title contender. Now after a loss to Kansas, Oklahoma is in serious danger of not even making the College Football Playoff. 

With all of this action, it was difficult to narrow down the best of the best. After much deliberation and hard cuts, it finally came down to these winners for the best in the month of October. 

Game of the Month: No. 7 Washington 36, No. 8 Oregon 33 

Before the season started, many had this game circled as a potential Game of the Year candidate. As the Huskies and the Ducks barreled toward this matchup undefeated, excitement grew. Then the game finally came and by the time it ended, it had surpassed any expectations. It felt like two kaijus battling it out, with neither one getting a clear upper hand until the final moments. The Ducks watched their potential tying 43-yard field goal drift just to the right as time expired. 

Oregon did its best, as Bo Nix (33-of-44, 337 yards, two touchdowns), Bucky Irving and Jordan James (combined 33 carries, 190 yards, two touchdowns) and Troy Franklin (eight receptions, 154 yards, one touchdown) got whatever they wanted. But on the other side, the trio of Rome Odunze (eight receptions, 128 yards, two touchdowns), Ja’Lynn Polk (six receptions, 118 yards, one touchdown) and Giles Jackson (six receptions, 58 yards, one touchdown) looked like NFL receivers. The man of the hour was Michael Penix Jr., who overcame a late first-half interception to throw for 302 yards and four touchdowns and fully announce himself as the Heisman Trophy front-runner. 

Since then, the Ducks have crushed their opponents while the Huskies have been shaky in two wins. If these teams rematch in the Pac-12 title game, it could easily go the other way, especially if the Ducks are able to convert on their fourth-down attempts. If that does happen, hopefully the committee will have some sense and put both teams in the College Football Playoff (I have little faith that they would). 

Player of the Month: Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II

Ollie Gordon II has rushed for 857 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Wait, sorry, those stats are just from this month! Mike Gundy was messing around and throwing out a three-quarterback rotation to start the season 2-2. Meanwhile, Gordon had only 37 carries, 230 yards and two touchdowns in this stretch. But in the fourth of those four games, he rushed 18 times for 121 yards. Gundy finally got the message and decided to give Gordon all the touches. That has led to a monster October in which the Cowboys have won four straight and are squarely in the running for the Big 12 title. This also has Gordon as a dark horse Heisman candidate. At the very least, if he can keep this up he will be the first Oklahoma State Heisman finalist since Justin Blackmon in 2010. 

Coach of the Month: Iowa State HC Matt Campbell

Before the season started, things seemed grim in Ames. The Iowa State Cyclones were coming off a 4-8 season where they went 1-8 in the Big 12. Players had been charged with gambling on Iowa State athletics, including football games. The shine on Matt Campbell had worn off in a hurry, and some wondered if the magic that had made this team a perennial top 25 program had run out. Those notions only grew stronger as the team stumbled to a 2-3 start, including a loss on the road at Ohio. Not the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Ohio Bobcats. But October rolled around and things flipped instantly. While former Cyclone Brock Purdy has struggled in this month, it appears that Iowa State has stolen back some of his fortune. The defense has stiffened up, holding opponents to 14, 10 and 18 points. Meanwhile the offense has scored 27, 30 and 30 points. 

The teams Iowa State has beaten (TCU, Cincinnati, Baylor) are not exactly juggernauts, but maybe this is exactly what the Cyclones needed. After beating up on weaker opponents, maybe they are now clicking as the real meat of the conference schedule rolls around. At 4-1 in the Big 12, Campbell has this team in a groove that could make them one of the biggest surprises of the season. 

Team of the Month: James Madison 

For the second year in a row, the James Madison Dukes have had a fantastic start to their season. In 2022, they bolted to a 5-0 record before losing three in a row and ultimately finishing 8-3. This season, they have already matched those eight wins while keeping the losses column blank. October especially has showcased the ability for this team to win in various ways. First, the Dukes demolished Georgia Southern 41-13 while holding starting quarterback Davis Brin to 271 yards and two interceptions. Then they managed the game well in a 20-9 defensive slog against Marshall. Finally they held off a late charge from Old Dominion to win a close one 30-27. 

If there is one thing holding the team back, it is the fact that the Dukes have not put together a complete rushing game. Thankfully they have Jordan McCloud at quarterback who is a dangerous dual-threat and Jalen Green on the defensive line terrorizing opposing offenses. It is unfortunate that rules will prevent the team from competing in the postseason. At least through October, the Dukes have been one of the best teams in the nation.  

Play of the Month: Hail Haynes  

There were several Hail Marys this month, some to end the first half and others to provide last-second shockers. While this play technically was not a Hail Mary, it was probably the most miraculous of them all. Taking the final moments into account, Georgia Tech’s victory over Miami is something we may never see again: 

Meme of the Month: Winter Wonderland