THE EXCITED FORMER TENNESSEE COACH TO RETURN FOR.

In-state CB “excited” to return to Tennessee and is getting close to making a decision.

There are still a few games left in the exciting 2023 college football season, including two College Football Playoff semifinal matchups that could become instant classics. As bowl season draws closer, let’s take a moment to remember the regular season, conference championship weekend, and the ten games that shaped the season so far.

Several teams had the appearance of potential contenders for the national championship throughout the regular season. Those teams started to slip out of the unbeaten ranks gradually. Although Florida State notably never did, it did have some performances or games that ultimately prevented it from making the College Football Playoffs. The only other unbeaten Power Five teams were Michigan and Washington, who both won their conference titles with big performances in pivotal games of the season. Both Texas and Alabama lost, but they prevailed in crucial moments to secure a spot in the CFP. The 10 games that define the season include those four teams along with a few others.

Because of the attention it attracted at the start of the season, other teams also defined it. Dubbed “The Deion Sanders effect,” September saw a sharp increase in viewership.

Colorado was the talk of the sports world for a full month. That was made possible by its victory over TCU in the season-opening game, which fans will watch over and over again because of the numerous fireworks displays put on by the Horned Frogs and Buffaloes. Although Colorado’s impact in September is always brought up when talking about the 2023 season, that particular game didn’t have anything to do with titles. As Colorado won its next two games against Colorado State and Nebraska, the excitement only grew.

Dan Lanning, the head coach of Oregon, then delivered his infamous speech. After his team destroyed the Buffaloes, the excitement subsided. September was transcendent, but the decline was severe. Just ask Jordan Seaton, a five-star offensive lineman who chose Colorado on Thursday over multiple offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee, and other schools.

Ohio State’s physicality and ability to run the ball made their road victory over Notre Dame extremely impressive at the time. For a few weeks, the win strengthened Ohio State’s argument as the nation’s best team. This is significant because Michigan’s College Football Playoff ranking was secured by defeating an unbeaten, well-trained Buckeyes team. Michigan gained more from Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame than the Buckeyes did in the end, but it did bolster OSU’s chances of earning a New Year’s Six bowl game and a Cotton Bowl matchup with Missouri.

In response to Jim Harbaugh’s second suspension, how would Michigan react? The Wolverines marched into enemy territory and emerged victorious against Penn State, providing the answer. The victory demonstrated Michigan’s poise and eliminated Penn State from the Big Ten East race. After the win, Michigan’s confidence shot through the roof and it hasn’t lost since, going on to defeat Maryland, Iowa, and Ohio State. Mike Yurich, the offensive coordinator for Penn State, was fired by head coach James Franklin as a result of the defeat Oklahoma State.

, a former offensive coordinator for Kansas, has since been hired by Penn State.

College football rivalry games have been greatly impacted by conference realignment, and if 2023 proves to be the last Bedlam, Oklahoma State will forever be able to brag—that is, unless the two teams play in a bowl game. Oklahoma State defeated Oklahoma 27–24 to seize control of its own destiny. That would hold true in that it became less and less likely that Oklahoma and Texas would square off in the Big 12 Championship Game. Rather, Texas and Oklahoma State faced off for a chance at a conference championship, but the Longhorns prevailed handily. Would Oklahoma have defeated Texas a second time? Hard to say. That was a scenario that Oklahoma State took and ran with.

At first, the greatest match in Washington and Oregon’s rivalry history took place on October 14. A classic moment was created when the Huskies and Ducks collided. There was a moment when Oregon surged back and took the lead, leading Washington 29–18. Bo Nix’s incompletion on fourth down gave Washington life, even though the team was only a few first downs from winning. With two crucial touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown to give the team a 36-33 lead, Michael Penix Jr. As time ran out, Oregon’s Camden Lewis missed a field goal that could have tied the score. Despite Washington’s victory, many people thought Oregon was the superior team. The two meeting again in the Pac-12 Championship Game seemed inevitable.