Five things we learned in Week 8: Strong QB debuts and national disappointment

Elise Bressler/Texas Tech Athletics

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Texas has only one playoff contender left

No matter the season, it’s always a tough path for the state of Texas to get into the College Football Playoff. It has been 11 years since the state of Texas has competed in a national championship game and five years since they’ve had a team quality enough to deserve a chance. 

However, SMU’s loss to Cincinnati – even though it was far closer than the 42-13 final score – is enough to knock the Group of Five out. There are no longer any undefeated teams left in the state. Texas A&M is the one team that could still have a chance if some things go right, but it’s still a tough path that requires going undefeated the rest of the way. 

No teams were truly expected to be playoff teams in 2020, but every year that passes without a national contender remains another year of disappointment. 

Henry Colombi can do enough

New Texas Tech starting quarterback Henry Colombi barely cleared the 200 total yardage mark and averaged just six yards per attempt against West Virginia. But in his own way, Colombi dominated the nation’s No. 1 defense and made all the difference.

Colombi completed nearly 80 percent of his passes and helped Texas Tech convert 10 times on either third or fourth down. His more consistent presence and dual-threat ability helped clear the way for SaRodorick Thompson and Tahj Brooks to combine for 114 yards and two scores. More importantly, Texas Tech’s consistency on offense helped give Texas Tech’s defense a chance to thrive. 

Colombi isn’t a spectacular player, but that isn’t the point. He avoids negative plays, keeps the offense moving and gives the Red Raiders the best chance to win. 

UTSA is already better than last season – officially

UTSA had a field goal blocked as the fourth quarter started which kept the Roadrunners two touchdowns behind and seemingly out of life. Then, the Birds woke up. Frank Harris completed a 54-yard pass to Tykee Ogle-Kellogg. Sincere McCormick ran 45 yards for a touchdown. The Roadrunner defense came up with four straight stops, including a late interception. 

The last time UTSA beat an FBS team with a winning record before beating Louisiana Tech on Saturday was in 2017. With the win, UTSA also reaches four wins, matching last season’s win total in just seven games. The future is bright with such a creative coaching staff getting the best out of its players. 

Mike Collins is the guy for Rice

It was a bad start to the game for TCU transfer Mike Collins after he completed just two of his first 10 passes with an interception. However, late in the game against Middle Tennessee, Collins looked poised and confident in the pocket and made more than enough plays to win the game. 

Collins completed back-to-back passes to Austin Trammel to travel 68 yards for a touchdown in two plays with under a minute left. He threw a dart to Trammel for the two-point conversion, which seemed enough to put the game away. 

Unfortunately, some astonishing kicker luck cost Rice the game – four doinks! Four! – but Collins’ final stat line of 242 yards and four touchdowns was one of the better showings by a QB at Rice in the Bloomgren era. Rice is good enough to meet our lofty expectations with him in the driver’s seat.

The state of Texas needs to keep its receivers

Saturday was a tremendous showcase for the wide receiver talent in the state of Texas. Marvin Mims and Garrett Wilson had absolutely breakout performances for Oklahoma and Ohio State respectively. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a highlight-reel, toe-tapping catch to ice the game against Nebraska. Jaylen Waddle was perhaps the best receiver in football before breaking his ankle and ending his season. 

Unfortunately, none of those top players from Texas played for a school in the state of Texas. Those issues loom especially large while Texas and Texas A&M especially struggle to develop receivers who can consistently win matchups. It’s insanely frustrating to watch Ohio State and Alabama win at the highest level with the state’s best receivers. What are Texas colleges going to do about it?

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