Louisville’s quarterback rushed for 146 yards and four touchdowns, throwing for another, as his No. 10 Cardinals made quick work of No. 2 Florida State, 63-20 on Saturday.
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Tennessee (3-0) played without four starters – three were injured and defensive back Malik Foreman was suspended for team rules violations.
The Cardinals out-gained Florida State 375-144 in the first half and the Seminoles had their largest halftime deficit since the Bee Gees were topping the charts on a regular basis. Jackson is such a dynamic threat that he can “flip the numbers” on the defense just like that, making the Noles look silly with deception and the threat of the quarterback run. The Cardinals and star quarterback Lamar Jackson have outscored their opponents 195-62 through three games.
Jackson meanwhile is at the top of the Heisman conversation following a stellar game against the Seminoles. The Seminoles’ only bright spot was 10 straight points to get within 14-10 before Jackson took over. One of the most significant victories in the history of the program, serving notice to the college football world that University of Louisville football is a national contender.
Baylor, Arkansas, LSU, Florida and Nebraska round out the Top 20.
It’s getting harder to pump the brakes on Jackson for Heisman, and Petrino didn’t sound like he was all that interested in trying, aside from a half-hearted observation that he was having to do too many interviews. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Billed as the weekend’s biggest game and the only one featuring two top-10 teams, Louisville-Florida State was expected to be a bit of a nailbiter. This was a breakthrough moment that everyone saw, historic in nature and dominant in style. Ten FCS teams have received votes in the poll since 2007, after Appalachian State’s victory against MI prompted the AP to declare that voters could include teams playing in what was once called I-AA. Without him available as a spy, FSU appeared helpless in its efforts to contain Jackson. No lead over Florida State was considered safe.
It’s worth noting that Jackson deserves credit for his improvement under Bobby Petrino’s guidance during this offseason. Jackson started to show that star potential a year ago against Kentucky, then in the bowl game against Texas A&M.
It was another intriguing weekend in college football. Past September winners Geno Smith and Kenny Hill can attest that this honor brings a ton of extra attention and unnecessary questions during a hectic college football season.
Jackson ran easily and made plays under duress easily. But he’s also just a sophomore and there are still 10 weeks left on the schedule. Florida State came into the game with a 14-2 record against Louisville and its only loss in the past 15 meetings had come in overtime. It’s the entire ACC Atlantic Division race in one month. The scoreboard isn’t indicative of the difference between these two teams.
North Dakota State didn’t make the rankings, but received 74 points after upsetting Iowa the most points ever for a Football Championship Subdivision team. It’s just a team that’s still figuring out what works.
The loss sent the Seminoles tumbling to No. 13.
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39-Straight road losses by Kansas after losing 43-7 to Memphis.
