Now four weeks into the college football season, we are starting to get a better understanding of who might be contenders and who might be pretenders for the national championship this season.
With most of the focus on the field, there is plenty of news off of it as well. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories around NCAA football this week.
Dabo Swinney And Clemson In Uncharted Water
For as successful as head coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers have been in recent years, it is hard to believe they are simply .500 after four weeks.
In fact, after a 27-21 double-overtime loss over the weekend to N.C. State, Clemson has moved from No. 9 to No. 25 in the nation. In the loss, quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei threw for 111 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 63 yards, but the Tigers could muster little else.
Now 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the ACC, the Tigers are looking for answers. The biggest problem has been on offense, where they currently rank 119th in scoring (12.7 points per game).
As poor as the offense is, the defense has kept the team in most games. On the defensive end, they rank 11th in scoring defense as they are allowing opponents just 15 points per game.
Unfortunately for Clemson’s defense, that took a small hit this weekend, too. On Sunday, Swinney announced that Bryan Bresee, a sophomore defensive lineman, suffered a torn ACL.
This season, Bresee has 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception.
After their poor start, Clemson is just +8000 to win the National Championship this season.
Ohio State Kicks K’Vaughan Pope Off The Team
While No. 11 Ohio State won big this weekend 59-7 over Akron, not all Buckeyes were celebrating. For linebacker K’Vaughan Pope, his frustrations during the game has led to him being kicked off the team.
After being called off the field during the game, Pope was so animated and visibly upset that he was sent back to the locker room. There, the linebacker took to social media to blast the team with expletives.
On Sunday, head coach Ryan Day addressed the situation and told reporters that Pope has been removed from the team.
This season, Pope has just three tackles, and one pass defended. Primarily a special teams member, Pope’s absence won’t have significant effects on the defense but is still noteworthy as the team is off to a 3-1 start.
The Buckeyes are currently tied for the third-best odds to win the National Championship at +1600.
Brewer Leaves Utah
Sometimes it is easier to leave than fight. It appears that is the route that Utah’s quarterback Charlie Brewer has decided to take.
After being replaced during Utah’s loss to San Diego State, the quarterback has decided to leave the program.
This season, Brewer had thrown for 484 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions for the Utes before being benched. A senior transfer out of Baylor, it appears that he will try to move on again.
Brewer was replaced by Cameron Rising, who has thrown for 319 yards and four touchdowns thus far this season.
Utah is currently 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the Pac-12 South.
Michigan State Also Loses Players To Transfer Portal
It appears that Utah is not the only team that has players leaving to enter the transfer portal.
Michigan State is losing three players as freshman defensive end Alex Okelo, cornerback Kalon Gervin and linebacker Chase Kline are all leaving the Spartans.
It has been rough lately for the Spartans as they had 17 scholarship players enter the transfer portal last school year as well.
At 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten, Michigan State has moved up to 17th in the national rankings.
Given their success this season, it is all the more questionable as to why they continue to see talent walk away from the program.
