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Clemson Survives Close Match With Wake Forest in OT: More Analysis, Reactions

Georgia and Michigan also went on to win surprisingly close games in the noon window, but the Tigers and Deacons were the stars.

Richard Johnson

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The Tigers found a way. DJ Uiagalelei has been much maligned, with some even calling for him to be benched in favor of freshman Cade Klubnik. But Dabo Swinney stuck with his guy, and he threw for 371 yards and the Tigers scored 45 points in regulation, adding a TD in overtime to win a barnburner 51-45. Wake Forest’s offense was as advertised, shelling Clemson’s corners with deep passes most of the day to the tune of six TDs through the air. But the last ball fell incomplete in the end and the Tigers survived. The big question about Clemson was if the offense could pick up the slack if the defense had an off day. Mission accomplished.

To varying degrees, Michigan and Georgia played with their food. Georgia had a Kent State team they were favored over by over 40 points, and while it didn’t seem like the result was ever truly in doubt, the Flashes did hang around for way longer than you’d like (Dawgs won 39-22) if you’re the team we all think Georgia is supposed to be. 

On the other hand, Michigan had their first test against a team that isn’t decidedly one of the nation’s 10 worst and needed a late explosive play to truly put the proceedings to bed in a 34-27 win. Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa went out after taking a shot to his ribs the status of his health—just like last year—will go a long way to determining the fate of Maryland this season.

Elsewhere, Auburn had a no-good, very bad day and somehow still won 17-14 in overtime. With Zach Calzada and TJ Finley out with injuries, quarterback Robby Ashford took over and Auburn’s offense was very limited. 

In a rock fight of a game, Ashford thought he had a first down that would have likely set up a late game-winning field goal. Instead, the refs brought it back and instead of kicking a 45-ish yard field goal, Auburn went for it and got stopped. Missouri then got the ball to drive for a go ahead score that included this incredible catch:

Which set up …. this late miss by Harrison Mevis on a chip shot to force overtime:

Auburn had a close call with an Ashford ball that looked like an interception that was ruled an incompletion and kicked a field goal with their half of the first overtime and then inexplicably with the win in his hand, Missouri’s Nathaniel Peat just … dropped the ball. 

Game over. 

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Richard Johnson
RICHARD JOHNSON

Richard Johnson is known for his college sports expertise. He co-hosts the “Split Zone Duo” podcast and co-authored The Sinful Seven: Sci-fi Western Legends of the NCAA. Richard was the 2022 winner of the Edward Aschoff Rising Star Award, and previously appeared as an analyst on the SEC Network show “Thinking Out Loud.” He established an early career with ESPN and SB Nation before joining Sports Illustrated in 2021 and lives in Brooklyn.

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