Welcome to your Week 4 Headlines in Review, written by the Three Technique Team. This week, Ohio State and Notre Dame gave us a classic, Florida State ended a worrisome streak, Dan Lanning played on rookie mode, and much more! Let us know what your biggest storyline was, and tune in to our podcast twice a week for complete coverage of the best game on turf.

Ohio State Prevails in Walkoff Fashion in South Bend

Ryan Day has faced criticism in nearly every direction he’s turned since becoming the coach of the Buckeyes. Sure, his win totals have been impressive and he’s reached the College Football Playoff, but success at Ohio State is beating Michigan and winning championships. Day is lacking in both departments. 

Yet the 17-14 victory over ninth-ranked Notre Dame Saturday night proved that these Buckeyes can win the big game (well, the jury is still out on THAT “Big Game”). Moreover, Ohio State can win by playing elite defense. Jim Knowles came to the Buckeyes after architecting some incredible defenses in Stillwater. Last year, there were bumps and bruises along the way, but the foundation was laid. This year, beating Ohio State isn’t as simple as putting up a ton of points and hoping for a defensive stop. 

Holding Sam Hartman to fewer than 200 passing yards felt like an impossible fantasy. On Saturday night, it was a reality. For passionate Ohio State fans, the collective sigh of relief after Chip Trayanum found the end zone with one second left likely stirred the flags around Columbus. Ohio State reaffirmed its championship aspirations in a major way. Now, can the Buckeyes dominate conference play en route to a national championship appearance? Day certainly thinks so. 

Florida State Survives Duel in Death Valley

Gritty, physical, and an absolute classic. Florida State walked away from Dabo Swinney and the Tigers with a massive win — the first over Clemson for the program since 2014. Noles fans will fondly remember that season as their only trip to the College Football Playoff. But even if you predicted an FSU victory, it didn’t come in the way you expected (hand up here). Florida State didn’t lead until Keon Coleman made another addition to his highlight reel in overtime. 

Kalen DeLoach made an incredible play to sack Cade Klubnik and take the fumble for six, but it was the effort from Jordan Travis that truly provided the difference for FSU. Winning on the road is difficult, but winning in Death Valley has been a nearly impossible task the last several years. Travis’ 289 yards and two touchdowns may not impress the Heisman voters, but his steady play will be crucial down the stretch if Florida State is to reach the playoff a decade after its last title. 

Oregon Boat Races Prime, Colorado in Statement Win

This game was never close. Sports talk radio will react, in all caps most likely, to the 42-6 drubbing that Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks handed to the Buffaloes on Saturday afternoon. But while those talking heads told you Colorado was being disrespected by a 21-point line, the X’s and O’s told a very different story. Not only have the Ducks established themselves as one of the most elite offenses in the country, but they play fast and physical on defense as well. Colorado’s weakness is in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Oregon took full advantage of that, running for 240 yards and moving the chains with ease. 

This also isn’t the death nail for Deion Sanders and his rebuild in Colorado. No, Deion is not overrated. No, Colorado should not be dismissed in its following conference games. The better team won Saturday, and that’s okay. Oregon is a very real championship contender; Colorado could soon be considered the same in the near future.

Ole Miss Brings All Sizzle and No Steak to Tuscaloosa

What a let down…again. Time and time again, Lane Kiffin pokes the crimson bear on social media. Time and time again, Nick Saban suffers through the media’s questions during game week, focused on beating his most brash former assistant. Time and time again, three years running now, Saban beats Ole Miss. 

It’s a frustrating cycle for Kiffin defenders and haters alike. Defenders get their hopes up, swearing “this year will be different.” Haters have to sit through the media circus. Nobody wins, well, except for Alabama. 

This year, the numbers and momentum favored Ole Miss. Despite the line favoring the Tide by seven, It seemed nearly impossible that a Crimson Tide team reeling from down performances could beat the high-flying Ole Miss offense. Despite the Energizer bunny calling plays for the Rebels, Ole Miss managed just 10 points against a reinvigorated Alabama defense. Jaxson Dart looked human for the first time this year, and Quinshon Judkins was stuffed all afternoon. Maybe one day we’ll learn to give the GOAT the benefit of the doubt. 

Washington State Claims Pac-2 Title Over Beavers

No, that’s not a typo! After a high-scoring victory over Jonathan Smith and the top 15 Oregon State Beavers, Washington State has been the declared Pac-2 champion! 

All joking aside, what the Cougars did on Saturday was nothing short of impressive in a big-time conference win. Both the Cougars and the Beavers have done a marvelous job of tuning out the noise around them and simply winning football games. Wazzu was the better team, putting on an offensive clinic behind the arm of Cameron Ward and the play-calling of Ben Arbuckle. Ward was electric, throwing for 404 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receivers Kyle Williams and Josh Kelly each had insane stat lines; Williams caught seven balls for 174 yards and a score, while Kelly caught eight passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns. 

The defense was excellent too, harassing DJ Uiagalelei all afternoon long and preventing the Beavers’ offense from finding stride. The Cougs compiled two sacks and six tackles for loss, proving that The Palouse has plenty of magic left in it, whether the Pac-12 stays afloat or not.