Toe on the Line: Ohio State Escapes Indiana and Auburn Shocks Georgia in Week Seven.

Written By: Daunte Lee Jones

College Football, Film, & MMA Contributor

To begin the recap to the most entertaining week of college football so far, we have to begin with the 2025 Big Ten championship rematch between the defending #5 Indiana Hoosiers vs #4 Ohio State Buckeyes. Early into the game we’d watch as Ohio State receivers failed to create separation from defenders, which the Hoosiers would take advantage of with defensive back Amare Ferrell snagging his first interception of the game then returning it to the red zone, after his teammate Jamari Sharpe closed a window between a receiver and popped the ball into the air. Turbo Richard would then run the ball in for a touchdown, to give Indiana the early lead. In their next drive, Josh Hoover would make key passes to move down the field, but kicker Nico Radicic would be unable to capitalize on the necessary scoring opportunity, missing a 32-yard field goal as it hit the uprights.

After an impressive goal line third down stop from Indiana, they would be unable to respond to the Buckeyes in spread formation as running back Bo Jackson received the touchdown to take the lead at the end of the half, 10-7. To begin the second half, quarterback Julian Sayin would lead Ohio State downfield into the red zone until the Indiana defense once again tightened with Jamari Sharpe breaking up another pass, holding them to a field goal. A few drives later, the Hoosiers defense would continue to clinch down on Buckeye receivers, but Jeremiah Smith would prove why he’s one of one catching a 38-yard touchdown from Sayin over two defenders.

After a Nick Marsh touchdown and a failed drive from Ohio State, Indiana would put themselves in the driver’s seat for the outcome of the game. One of the top 3 receivers currently in college football in Charlie Becker would contribute to this drive with a contested 25-yard catch adding to his game total of 165 receiving yards off 9 receptions. Although Nick Marsh would receive most of the attention from the game as his seemingly game winning touchdown was called back as his left toe barely touched out of bounds causing the Buckeyes to escape with the 19-15 win. 

A game most of us saw as an afterthought had the most shocking ending of season so far as the unranked Auburn Tigers went into Bulldog territory against #1 Georgia. The game would start off as we expected with Georgia running back Dwight Phillips Jr. looking like a streak of lightning as he passed through Auburn defenders to put the Bulldogs on the board first. In their next drive the Bulldogs would basically just walk into the endzone as the Tiger’s defense stood no chance.

Their offense on the other hand, would find a way to score against the stout Georgia defense by using a trick play that would see wide receiver Christian Neptune pass the ball to Keshaun Singleton, for a 24-yard touchdown. We’d then watch as Chas Nimrod made one of the most insane touchdowns you’ll ever see, a falling one-handed catch behind a defender's back, to tie up the game.

To end the second quarter, a field goal from Alex McPherson would give Auburn the unexpected lead. The first score of the second half would come from Auburn’s dangerous dual threat quarterback Byrum Brown as he rushed for a touchdown, adding to his eventual 115 lead rushing yard performance. Elijah Melendez would cut the hope of the Bulldogs scoring in the third with a well-timed interception and later sack. 

Georgia Quarterback Gunnar Stockton would take measures into his own legs as an insane 20-yard run where he would throw his body on the line for every extra yard would put his team in position to score and tie the game once again. Byrum Brown looked to fold under the pressure with two costly sacks and a fumble off a low snap the following drive, but very uncharacteristically Stockton would also fumble the ball with the Tigers recovering it with less than one minute left in the game. A strong run from running back Jeremiah Cobb would set up the clutch Alex McPherson, for the perfect 36-yard field goal to chain down the Bulldogs, 27-24. 

#8 BYU would face #2 Notre Dame in a must win game for the Fighting Irish. Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier would start the game with a rushing touchdown while maintaining control of the game for the first quarter. The Fighting Irish would gain momentum after a Michael Myers-esque sideline catch from receiver Micah Gilbert., before an eventual rushing touchdown from running back Nolan James Jr.

Creative playcalling from BYU would draw up a double pass where the quarterback would receive the ball and rush behind a blocker for a touchdown. The Cougars would add on to their lead with once again another Bear Bachmeier rushing touchdown. A 38-yard bomb from CJ Carr to Jaden Greathouse would set up a Jonaz Walton rushing touchdown to give Notre Dame the lead, but not for long as the Cougars soon blasted their way downfield to score and reclaim the lead to finish the game, 28-24. This loss has now made the Matchup against #1 Miami a must win game for Notre Dame, a loss with no conference game nor ranked opponents beside #23 SMU left on their schedule would give the team no credibility for a playoff spot and cause them to miss the dance once more like last year. 

As the playoff race reaches its midway point, we've seen some other teams standout this week. #17 Wake Forest destroyed California to extend their conference record to 4-1. The Demon Deacons sit in #2 spot in the rankings with an easy schedule ahead of them, a matchup in the ACC championship against #1 Miami seems likely where in a season full of upsets anything seems possible. A tight race for the Big 12 championship game has probably seen the last of Oklahoma St. as #14 Houston secured a victory over the Cowboys.

Though Utah keeps their spot atop the Big 12 rankings with a less impressive win over Colorado along with #8 Texas Tech. Ole Miss and Florida claim victories to maintain their top positions in the SEC leaderboard. Texas falls down the board drastically as Tennessee vaults up, keeping their name in the ring. UCLA is all but guaranteed a spot in the Big Ten championship as long as they are able to get past underwhelming USC and Michigan to end their seasons. 

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