Connelly - How Week 10's biggest games were won - ESPN

Week 10 of the college football season was more momentous than thrilling. We had six ranked-versus-ranked games, but only two were decided by fewer than 14 points, and the week ended up being more about statements than all-time classics.

Of course we still got down-to-the-wire thrillers in South Bend and Utah, some of the big statements were fascinating, and we ended Saturday with both Ohio State and Michigan in existential crises.

It was still a hell of a weekend, in other words. What made the difference in the week's biggest games? Who made the most sustainable statements? And how awesome was 100 Miles of Hate?? Let's recap.

First things first: I didn't think it was a catch. Miami coach Mario Cristobal made it clear he disagrees — that in his mind, on fourth down with less than four minutes to go and Miami down by seven, tight end Elija Lofton held on to a potential game-tying touchdown pass long enough for it to count. But everything this game has taught me about what is a catch, what «surviving the ground» entails, what constitutes a «football move» or whatever — man, we've struggled with this for a long time, haven't we? — told me that, while Lofton's feet came down in bounds and he had initial control of the ball, Luke Talich was able to knock it from his hands before it counted.

The near catch wouldn't have won Miami the game, of course: It would have tied it, and Notre Dame and CJ Carr would have had lots of time to potentially go and win the game. Instead, they were able to run out most of the clock, pin Miami deep and win the game.

That Miami was able to nearly tie a game that seemed as good as lost with 25 minutes left sure says a lot, though. The Hurricanes were slow to find the offensive adjustments required