.David Hale, ESPN Staff WriterSep 14, 2024, 06:14 PM ETCloseCollege soccer reporter.Joined ESPN in 2012. Grad of the College of Delaware.If college football were a comic strip, there would possess been actually a second last December, just after the board snubbed an unbeaten Florida State group coming from the playoff, when Mike Norvell would possess ended this was as bad as things could possibly receive, all while unwittingly standing up below a piano perilously being actually uplifted to a 20th-floor window.Of program, after Fla State fell to Norvell's past university, Memphis, 20-12 on Saturday, it is actually totally achievable the Seminoles will choose the piano to reality.Nine months earlier, Fla State possessed the world's compassion-- at the very least the aspect of the globe that don't shout "S-E-C, S-E-C" at wedding events, funerals and also little ones's celebrations. It was actually easy to just like that crew. It was actually a group that battled tougher after dropping QB Jordan Travis, that gave all it must keep succeeding, that skipped its shot at the playoff certainly not due to its own mistakes but as a result of the committee's whim.Editor's Picks1 RelatedNow, there is actually no sympathy. There is actually only an odd mix of pity, aggravation and also black wit, like splashing an alcoholic beverage down the face of your pants.The named beneficiary of the board's decision was Alabama, and also points might possess conveniently moved towards a hopeless 2024 for the Trend, too. They shed their playoff game, swung farewell to the greatest instructor in the sporting activity's record, after that found a departure of gamers into the website, featuring 5 who left behind for Tallahassee.And yet, on the exact same day Fla State struck a new low point, Alabama flexed the same muscle it therefore usually did under Nick Saban, annihilating Wisconsin 42-10 behind a five-touchdown performance coming from Jalen Milroe.In an even more simply planet, Fla State could've made a little bit of really good aura after the outrage of its playoff snub. In an even more reasonable planet, Alabama might, just as soon as, be inflicted a negative hand.But college football has proven, again and again, it does not respect fairness, but it performs possess one heck of a feeling of humor.So in Madison, the Tide came to get down.Alabama gamers hop all around in the course of Dive Around pic.twitter.com/OytiNveT43u2014 Patrick Greenfield (@PCGreenfield) September 14, 2024 And in Tallahassee, Florida Condition is ready to stuff it up as well as pack it in.For Alabama, the roster turn over just clearance for new superstars, like fresher recipient Ryan Williams, who caught 4 receptions for 78 yards and also a touchdown in Saturday's succeed. Williams is actually just 17-- born just seven months before Saban trained his very first activity at Alabama, not aged sufficient to even don't forget there was a time something like an 0-3 beginning would be unthinkable at Florida State.For FSU, there is actually no very clear pathway onward. DJ Uiagalelei has been actually bad, the ground game has rounded up little bit, the objectionable line that was supposed typically be actually a stamina got manhandled by a Team of 5 course, as well as the defense, which played its own best video game Saturday, still teems with gaps. For the Seminoles, the only silver edging to derive from this miserable begin to the season is it may possess reduced the system's media assessment enough that it can easily get away the ACC for a typical exit fee and some Kohl's cash.Nine months back, there could be a sensible argument concerning the relative resumu00e9s of Alabama and Fla State. On Sunday, in the course of business rests of the Tide's thumping of Wisconsin, it was possible to turn in between advertisements for "9-1-1: Lone Celebrity" including a huge learn derailment as well as an FSU game including a much more horrifying learn wreck.To witness what is actually become of Fla State in the time given that the committee delivered its own verdict is actually difficult to know, an avalanche of ceaseless torment usually reserved for "Observed" flicks or even slight weather issues at LAX.But it costs taking into consideration exactly how entirely incomprehensible it is for Alabama to be below, as well-- 3-0 along with a road succeed in Big 10 nation just months after Saban's departure. Alabama has been actually the style for sustained achievement for a production, and also congruity was actually typically credited to Saban's relentlessness. However even he connected with a point through which it was time for something brand-new, as well as however Alabama keeps connecting along-- one prominent succeed after one more, as dependable as the sunrise.None of this particular is evidence the board obtained its own choice straight, of course. That was last period-- a various staff, a different time. However it is actually evidence that in this chaotic sport, achievement is fleeting as well as opportunity often encounters past like a Fla Condition linebacker missing out on a tackle at the line of scrimmage.And also at an area like Alabama, a plan that has stood defiantly against the winds of adjustment for 16 years right now, it's constantly much better to enjoy the beneficial things while you have them. Considering that if there's anything we have actually learned from enjoying Florida State these previous 9 months it's this: It can constantly get worse.Jump to: LSU makes it through|Atmosphere shifts|Arizona's hottest staff The first 56 minutes of Sunday's game versus South Carolina was actually far coming from positive for LSU.A collection of unique groups gaffes, pair of turn overs and also some major runs by Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers possessed the Tigers having fun catchup frequently. South Carolina hopped bent on a 24-10 top, viewed LSU draw in advance temporarily in the 4th one-fourth, after that saw Rocket Sanders explode for a 66-yard score.play1:20 Jumping block refutes LSU punting, puts together South Carolina TDMaurice Brown II blocks the LSU punt, which sets up a Raheim Sanders touchdown to pad the Gamecocks' lead.With lower than four mins to play, LSU tracked by four, and also Brian Kelly had actually undergone all six stages of grief: Frustration, indignation, animosity, temper, asking to contact the supervisor and, eventually, reflecting the completion his players.But Garrett Nussmeier rode to the saving along with his 29-yard finalization to Kyren Lacy to trigger a 55-yard goal drive to place LSU up 36-33. South Carolina had one last crack at the win, attempting a 49-yard basket as opportunity expired, but it missed, giving Kelly an opportunity to commemorate a hard-earned gain just before coming back to his office to check out film and howl into a pillow.Week 3 character shiftsTrending down: Accomplishing all your throwsThe excellent news for Michigan QB Davis Warren is every pass he threw in Michigan's 28-18 sway Arkansas State on Sunday was actually caught.The problem is actually, three of all of them were actually found through Arkansas State players.So, below's where our experts are actually with the standing up for champs: After years turning with a slide carousel of quarterbacks who gained their setting through discovering a golden ticket under a Detroit-style pizza, the Wolverines were handled to two times of J.J. McCarthy as well as believed possibly points had altered once and for all. Rather, Warren is actually averaging 6.1 yards-per-pass along with 2 goals as well as 6 picks through 3 games.Now, USC is on deck upcoming week, as well as Michigan is left behind searching for a response between Warren or even Alex Orji or even to hope there is actually an additional QB stashed in Jim Harbaugh's left storage locker behind those boxes designated "signs for every single challenger, 2020-2023." Trending up: UNLV's scenario for Pac-12 expansionMatthew Sluka led an 18-play, 75-yard touchdown push that ate 9:31 off the clock in the 4th one-fourth Friday evening, and UNLV distressed Kansas 23-20. It was the Rebels' 2nd win over a Power 4 enemy presently this period after disposing Houston in the opener. Just how exceptional is actually that? Getting In Sunday, Northern Illinois' upset of Notre Dame was actually the only various other Team of 5 win over an electrical power event foe.Like with just about anything in Las vega, it's a little skill-set and a bunch of luck.play0:40 UNLV somehow formulates crazy fumble vs. KansasMatthew Sluka messes up the ball, however in some way UNLV maintains things after the ball touches numerous Kansas players' hands.Still, it's secure to point out Barry Odom has the Rebels peaking at the right time, with UNLV's purchases pitch to the increasing Pac-12 now appearing pretty strong: A big market, a great staff, and also access to myriad all-night cafeterias. At that point all Odom needs to have to accomplish is take that Pac-12 payout in chips, bet it all on dark on a solitary roulette twist, double down two or three even more opportunities, and also boost-- UNLV is having fun with SEC money.Land of the increasing Sunlight DevilsA year earlier, Arizona was actually the beloved of the university football world after a rollicking 10-3 season, while Arizona Condition was actually a laughing sell required to start a carolers of having a hard time quarterbacks perhaps featuring a married couple fellas they discovered hanging around outside a Tempe In-N-Out Burger.What a variation a year makes.Arizona waved farewell to move trainer Jedd Fisch, who left for Washington, and also opened this time along with 2 ineffectual draw New Mexico as well as Northern Arizona just before falling to Kansas State 31-7 on Friday. It was actually Arizona's worst objectionable efficiency because being locked out at Colorado in 2021. The Sun Devils, alternatively, located a QB in Sam Leavitt and are using higher after eliminating Texas State on Thursday 31-28, beginning 3-0 for the very first time due to the fact that 2019. Arizona State is actually the unpleasant surprise group of 2024 thus far (unless you consider bad unpleasant surprises, which Fla State hopes you don't), and Dillingham's turnaround of a program left in mess after the Herm Edwards time finished exactly as everybody stated it would.