CFB Wrap-Up: Takeaways from Week 10's biggest games

College Football Wrap-Up recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.

Georgia sends message

Unpredictability is what makes college football an incredibly entertaining product, but Saturday reminded us that at least one thing is a virtual guarantee: Nobody lays a beatdown like Georgia.

The latest victim on the third-ranked Bulldogs' growing list was No. 1 Tennessee, with the defending champions proving they are still the kings of the SEC East. The Volunteers weren't just beaten but humbled and sent back to Knoxville with only a solitary touchdown on the board. Considering they entered play leading the nation in scoring at 50 points per contest, the 27-13 final score demonstrates just how strong a performance Georgia put together.

Tennessee looked like a team playing in its first massive road game of the season, with the raucous crowd in Athens forcing the Volunteers into eight pre-snap penalties. Georgia clearly had a plan to limit big plays on defense and make its opponent sustain long drives to get points. The Volunteers entered the match leading the country with 36 plays over 30 yards on the season. They left with the same number.

Josh Heupel's offense ranked 11th nationally in converting just over 50% of third downs on the year but failed 12 of 14 times Saturday. Add in seven sacks on Hendon Hooker and it's easy to see why Tennessee couldn't put points on the board.

On offense, Stetson Bennett emerged from the fray looking like a much better Heisman candidate than Hooker. The Georgia quarterback was unflappable, throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns while adding a score on the ground.

With Tennessee and Oregon in the rearview, Georgia has faced two teams currently in the CFP top 10. The combined scoreline in those games is 76-16 in the Bulldogs' favor. There is no doubt who should be sitting at No. 1 when the second edition of the CFP rankings is released Tuesday night.

Brian Kelly's epic gamble

Brian Kelly has experienced a great deal of success in his coaching career, but one would never accuse the LSU frontman of being a gambler in his decision-making. However, much like his accent, it appears his thinking has changed since arriving in Baton Rouge. That proved to be very effective on Saturday, as the 61-year-old's two-point gamble secured an epic upset of No. 6 Alabama.

After the Crimson Tide scored in the extra session to go up seven, Jayden Daniels scampered 25 yards to bring LSU within one on the Tigers' opening play of overtime. Instead of an extra point to push the game to a second overtime, Kelly opted to go for the win on a two-point conversion. Daniels pulled the strings yet again, firing a pinpoint pass to Mason Taylor at the front corner of the end zone to set off a raucous celebration at Tiger Stadium.

It was the second key connection from Daniels to the freshman tight end, as Taylor's crafty grab for a touchdown with 1:41 left gave LSU the lead before an Alabama field goal forced overtime.

Outside of a narrow loss to Florida State and a blowout by Tennessee, Kelly's debut season with LSU has been a smashing success. His ability to unlock Daniels' talents at the quarterback position has been one of the stories of the college football season.

The Arizona State transfer finished with 277 total yards of offense with two passing touchdowns and a rushing score. He now has over 250 yards of total offense in seven of nine games this season after having only six all last season with the Sun Devils.

Alabama is likely eliminated from playoff contention with a second loss on the season and now needs LSU to lose both of its remaining conference games to have any chance at the SEC West crown.

Clemson can't overcome QB issues

Clemson played another round of quarterback roulette on Saturday, but unlike the last time out, the house walked away with the win. For the second game in a row, Dabo Swinney replaced a struggling D.J. Uiagalelei with freshman Cade Klubnik, but the move immediately backfired in a 35-14 loss at Notre Dame.

Uiagalelei failed to move the offense for three quarters in South Bend, allowing the home team to hold a 14-0 lead with one minute left before the final frame. It was then that Swinney opted to turn to the freshman despite Clemson getting the ball at its own 7-yard line. Klubnik's first pass attempt was a disaster, an ill-advised interception setting up Notre Dame for an easy score.

Swinney, who called the loss one of his worst days in his 14 years as a head coach, then decided the best course of action was to go back to Uiagalelei on the next drive trailing 21-0. After a couple of positive plays got the Tigers deep into Notre Dame territory, the junior underthrew his receiver, resulting in a 96-yard pick-6 for the Irish.

Clemson's issues certainly run deeper than just the quarterback position. The team lacks a serious threat on the outside to stretch the defense, allowing the opposition to stack the box and force whoever is behind center to beat them. The run defense was gashed by the Notre Dame attack throughout the night, allowing 254 yards on the ground.

However, the flopping between quarterbacks can't make things easier. It's been clear the past two games that the offense was struggling with Uiagalelei at the controls. It's asking too much of Klubnik to turn around double-digit deficits in the second half, no matter how talented he is.

The Tigers receiving the No. 4 slot in the initial CFP rankings ahead of Michigan or TCU raised a number of eyebrows around the country. Safe to say, those eyebrows can return to their regular position, with the Tigers set to suffer a significant drop this coming week.

Ohio State wins ugly

Ohio State's performance in the opening half Saturday was about as ugly as the nasty weather in Evanston. The Buckeyes entered the matchup 10th in the country in passing yards per game and fourth at yards per completion, but C.J. Stroud and his package of future NFL receivers could do nothing against the strong winds off Lake Michigan. With the passing attack grounded, the Buckeyes struggled mightily to move the ball against 1-8 Northwestern, heading to the locker room at halftime tied 7-7.

Without star running back TreVeyon Henderson in the lineup, the onus was on Miyan Williams and the rushing game to deliver in the second half. The third-year back rose to the task to finish with 111 yards and two scores. Stroud adapted to the weather and used his running ability to offset his career-low passing yardage of 76. He finished with a career-best 79 yards on the ground to help see the Buckeyes through to the win.

While Ryan Day's outfit can head back to Columbus still sporting a perfect record, there's cause for concern in the Ohio State locker room. Northwestern entered play ranked 109th in the nation in rush defense, but the Buckeyes struggled to move the ball for a large portion of the contest.

The rest of Ohio State's schedule serves as a countdown to the season finale against Michigan with a likely berth in the CFP on the line. The Wolverines' fifth-ranked rushing attack and third-ranked defense will certainly offer more of a challenge than Northwestern on that final Saturday in November. The Buckeyes faithful better hope the weather is friendly for Stroud to take to the skies; otherwise, it could be two straight wins for Jim Harbaugh in the rivalry.

The stars continue to align for TCU

There's an exchange from the classic golf film "Happy Gilmore" between Adam Sandler's character and his caddie, Chubbs, that sums up the idea of luck pretty well.

Chubbs: "You were great out there today."
Happy Gilmore: "Thank you."
Chubbs: "But not that great. A lot of that was luck."
Happy Gilmore: "Some might call it luck. I like to call it ... well, luck, I guess. So what?"

That back-and-forth aptly describes TCU's 2022 season. The No. 7 Horned Frogs have certainly been lucky en route to a perfect 9-0 record, but guess what? They have also been very, very good.

The latest example came Saturday in a 34-24 victory over Texas Tech. The contest was tied 10-10 when Red Raiders starting quarterback Behren Morton departed in the first half due to injury. The Horned Frogs outscored their opponent 24-14 the rest of the way to secure the win. TCU has now faced a backup passer in four of six Big 12 games this season. While that is undoubtedly a stroke of luck, the defense has still made the plays required during each contest.

The win for Sonny Dykes' outfit will once again pose a conundrum for the CFP selection committee, which ranked the undefeated Big 12 program behind one-loss Alabama last week. The committee was clear that the Horned Frogs' penchant for falling behind in games was a significant factor in their No. 7 ranking. That fact that happened again Saturday - with the comeback occurring against a backup - might not change the committee's mind come Tuesday, no matter how deserving of a top-five spot TCU may be.

Big Ten West goes mad

The Big Ten West won't be a factor in the race for the CFP, but there may not be a more interesting division to watch across college football in November. With Illinois' surprising loss to Michigan State on Saturday coupled with other results in the division, five teams are now in the race to reach the conference title game.

The Spartans played inspired football following the debacle last week at Michigan, handing the Illini their second loss of the season. Purdue's day started with a train malfunction in the pregame festivities, foreshadowing what was to come in the defeat to Iowa. Wisconsin has now won three of four games since firing Paul Chryst, while Minnesota stormed back against Nebraska to get to 3-3 in conference play.

Whoever emerges from the West will face a monumental task in beating either Michigan or Ohio State in the conference title game. While that contest likely may not be overly entertaining, the race to get there certainly will be.

Kansas finally going bowling

While Kansas hosting a Spencer Sanders-less Oklahoma State wasn't one of the day's biggest games, the Jayhawks deserve a mention for finally breaking an infamous streak. With the 37-16 win over the Cowboys, the Jayhawks are officially bowl-eligible for the first time since 2008. Needless to say, they're pretty excited about that prospect in Lawrence.

Kansas has suffered a whopping 133 losses since it was last eligible for a bowl, the most of any FBS school during that time. In the seven seasons before Lance Leipold arrived on campus, the Jayhawks held an overall record of 9-60. In his 21 games as head coach, the program has almost matched that win total with eight.