College Football Saturday: Sparty Shocks Wisconsin, Texas Tech Knocks Out Oklahoma

Minnesota scored a couple of consolation touchdowns late, but the game was almost over before it started. Nebraska went into halftime up 34-0, then didn’t really put in the same level of effort in the second half. It’s hard to blame them.

For more on the Huskers, head to SB Nation’s Corn Nation. For more on the Gophers, head to SB Nation’s The Daily Gopher. For more on all the Week 8 action, visit our comprehensive StoryStream for college football scores, news, and highlights.

The Rebels jumped out to an improbable 17-0 lead with 6:20 remaining in the second quarter, and they did it without forcing any interceptions or fumbles. The SEC-watching world was baffled, but they wouldn’t take that lead into halftime. Arkansas running back Dennis Johnson ripped off a 52-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 17-7 at halftime, giving his team a bit of momentum going into the locker room. They would go on to score 29 unanswered points.

Ole Miss would produce some late drama, though, scoring a touchdown with 1:23 remaining, then recovering the ensuing onside kick. Despite all of their struggles this season and their collapse in the third quarter of this game, they had the ball with a chance to drive for a winning touchdown.

There wasn’t really one of those hide-the-women-and-children moments that we’ve become used to seeing in LSU’s win Saturday against Auburn. There were really too many contenders to choose one. Auburn players daring enough to return kickoffs found their bodies contorted in new and unusual ways, the once-exiled Jordan Jefferson threw a 42-yard touchdown pass and the Bayou Bengals scored three times in one two-and-a-half minute stretch to turn a blowout into a 45-10 laugher.

Even LSU fans had a difficult time picking singling out any one player.

It was in doubt for most of the second half, too. Oklahoma pulled within seven early in the fourth quarter before falling back down by 17. The Sooners reached the red zone with about three minutes to go, electing to kick a field goal on fourth down in order to OH NO THE KICK STRUCK THE UPRIGHT. The margin remained 10 points. The Red Raiders needed only to fiddle around and not run backwards for a safety.

A last-minute Sooners touchdown corrected the discrepancy somewhat, but Tech recovered the onside kick, and nothing makes sense anymore.

(Stay here for score updates and discussion as the fourth quarter plays out.)

Beggars can’t be choosers, but at least Penn State found its offense in the first half. By the time the first 30 minutes of the Nitany Lions’ matchup with Northwestern had past, Penn State had already rolled up 34 points. Sure, the Wildcats trailed by just 10, 34-24, but we all should’ve been grateful for the offensive explosion, all things considered.

And then it just stopped. In the second half, Penn State and Northwestern combined for seven points -- scored by the Nitany Lions in the third quarter. As quickly as the bout of scoring came, it went.

SEC West apocalypse on Nov. 5: it remains the destination of the season.

The ballyhooed youngster was set to redshirt for the year, but the Vols look to have welcomed a full quarterback quandary by giving the six-foot-four passer from South Carolina some playing time.

Just strange to do so more than halfway through the season. And with a couple minutes to go in a guaranteed loss. And with the starter scheduled to come back before the season ends. We’re not here to judge.

Of all the stadiums to go dark -- the Sun Bowl! After this happened ...

... this happened (Photo by Chris Dempsey):

(For updated scores and discussion, head here.)

Wisconsin looked like the far superior team in the opening eight minutes, but they’re lucky that they only gave up 23 points with all of their mistakes afterwards.

Whenever it does get going, it can be viewed on ABC in most markets.

You know, kind of like we got to enjoy in that smattering of delayed games during the first two weeks of the season. Oklahoma fans are likely among the nation’s most seasoned at weather setbacks, but earlier in the year Michigan and West Virginia among others had to see games linger due to bad weather.

For further reading, news, discussion and more, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries and Northwestern blog Sippin On Purple. Here’s this week’s college football TV schedule, and stay tuned to SB Nation’s college football news hub for more.

via 30fps.mocksession.com

Mingo, a.k.a. The Steampunk Emperor, had two sacks of LSU’s six, but even then the stats don’t really add up to the full glory of the Bayou Bengals’ 45-10 elimination of Auburn in Baton Rouge. Just look at that photo. That’s what it was like for four quarters in every phase of the game.

Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown headed to the locker room midway through Maryland’s matchup with Florida State on Saturday after getting leveled as he tried to slide. Brown appeared to be going to the ground, but before he did, two FSU defenders clobbered him, sending his head whipping back to the turf in a hurry.

We can debate whether the hit was dirty or not, but I’m sure we can all agree ... damn, that looked like it hurt a lot.

Keenum has so far piled up 2,504 yards of total offense in the current season alone, with another six and a half games to go (counting a likely bowl game), meaning he could pass 5,000 yards for the third consecutive full season. (He missed all but the first three games of 2010 with an injury.)

Oh, and he’s thrown for two touchdowns to help his time win this “game” thing. Houston has the lead against Marshall today, holding a 14-7 edge. Which means that Keenum will almost certainly add to the record before the day is out.

* Gosh you definitely shouldn’t call him that.

Adidas has apparently joined Under Armour and Nike in their quest to give every team a hideous alternative uniform. And the Northwestern submission is purple -- very, very purple.

For more of the uniforms that even MInnesota Vikings fans have to think are too purple, check the jump.

Air Force tied the game at seven points apiece midway through the second quarter when quarterback Tim Jefferson punched it in from one yard, but Boise State began to click shortly thereafter as they scored two touchdown in a span of just over two minutes to give themselves a comfortable halftime cushion.

Air Force was able to put a field goal on the board as the first half ended to bring the Falcons within 10 points, but their inability to move the ball through the air -- Jefferson has completed just two of his five passing attempts -- has kept them from inching any closer to the lead.

One would think Virginia Tech would be walloping Boston College, but not so! At the half in Blacksburg, the Hokies are trailing BC by a point, 7-6. It’s not an extreme deficit or anything, but who else thought Virginia Tech would be up by at least three touchdowns by now? After all, this is a Boston College team with one win on the year.

The Eagles scored the first, and only, touchdown of the game early in the first quarter as Chase Rettig found the end zone from two yards out. His plunge was about the only rushing offense Boston College could muster in the half, with the backs combining for seven yards on 15 carries. Rettig did throw for 142 yards to go with his short rushing score.

The Texas A&M Aggies are still ranked No. 17 in the polls, but considering they already have two losses this season and are currently trailing the Iowa State Cyclones, that luck probably won’t last for long. The Aggies trail 7-6 midway through the second quarter after being forced to settle for their second field goal of the game.

It probably won’t stay a low-scoring affair for long as the Aggies have been known for putting points on the board as of late, but as of now, James White and the hosting Cyclones have something to be proud of -- a lead in the Big 12 after losing their first three intraconference contests.