1. Hill-Murray (5-0) 2. Centennial/Spring Lake Park (5-0) 3. Holy Family (3-1) 4. Minnetonka (3-1-1) 5. Andover (3-2) 6. Edina (2-1) 7. Maple Grove (4-1) 8. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-1-1) 9. Moorhead (3-2) 10. Roseau (6-2) 11. Woodbury (4-0-1) 12. Northfield (4-1) 13. Bemidji (4-2) 14. Rosemount (2-2) 15. Farmington (3-2) 16. Apple Valley (4-2) 17. Champlin Park/Coon Rapids (3-2) 18. Eden Prairie (3-4) 19. Forest Lake (5-0) 20. Roseville/Mahtomedi (4-1)
Others receiving votes: Grand Rapids/Greenway, Owatonna, Stillwater, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Cretin-Derham Hall, Prior Lake
1.Rogers (2-0) 2. Cretin-Derham Hall (0-0) 3. Moorhead (1-1) 4. Edina (1-1) 5. Shakopee (1-1) 6. Hill-Murray (0-0) 7. St. Thomas Academy (1-0) 8. Maple Grove (1-1) 9. Wayzata (1-1) 10. Stillwater (1-0) 11. Minnetonka (0-1) 12. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (0-0) 13. Academy of Holy Angels (2-0) 14. White Bear Lake (1-0) 15. Andover (0-1) 16. Rosemount (2-0) 17. Grand Rapids (1-0) 18. Lakeville South (1-0) 19. Eden Prairie (0-0) 20. Champlin Park (0-0)
Others receiving votes: Elk River/Zimmerman, Rock Ridge, Holy Family, Centennial, Chanhassen, Bemidji, Gentry Academy
1. Dodge County (5-0-1) 2. Academy of Holy Angels (4-1) 3. Mound-Westonka/Southwest Christian (3-1) 4. Orono (4-2-1) 5. Warroad (3-1) 6. Proctor/Hermantown (4-2) 7. South St. Paul (5-1) 8. Marshall (6-0) 9. Breck (3-2) 10. Blake (3-1) 11. Albert Lea (5-1) 12. Hutchinson (4-1) 13. Thief River Falls (3-2) 14. Delano/Rockford (2-2) 15. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (3-2) 16. Simley (2-5) 17. Rock Ridge (4-1) 18. North Shore (3-1-1) 19. River Lakes (2-2) 20. Pine City (4-1)
Others receiving votes: Mankato West, Fergus Falls, Minnesota River, Crookston, Moose Lake, Chisago Lakes, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato
MINNEAPOLIS – With 10 straight points, the Alexandria football team had the momentum heading into halftime of Saturday’s MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game. Chase Thompson’s third touchdown pass of the night, a 23-yard pass to Mason Gorghuber followed by a Elk River turnover over on downs and a Prep Bowl record 44-yard field goal by Daniel Jackson in the final seconds half of the first half, Alexandria tied the game at 24.
But in the second half, Elk River played its brand of football and limited possessions for both teams. In the end, Elk River made the most of its offensive drives and created turnovers on defense.
Both teams only finished two drives in the second half. Elk River had two 17-play drives that took up over 18 minutes in the second half and totaled nine points.
Meanwhile, Alexandria had two possessions that took up a little over five minutes and resulted in no points and two interceptions, giving Elk River a 33-24 win on Saturday in the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
“Our guys played hard and well, but against Elk River, there’s little margin for error,” Alexandria head coach Mike Empting said. “Congratulations to Elk River; they’re a great football team. They’re a tough team stop. We knew we’d have to take advantage of opportunities when we got them. Elk River took advantage of its opportunities.”
“This group was just so phenomenal to work with,” Elk River head coach Steve Hamilton said. “They’re just so much fun to be with every every single day. They work hard daily, and we probably ask too much of them. They are great and we have a phenomenal coaching staff.”
Elk River had first the possession in the second half and went on a 17-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Levi Harris that put it up 30-24 over Alexandria with 2:28 left in the third quarter.
“You have to get a team like them behind the sticks,” Empting said. “You must try to get them into long-yardage situations on third and fourth down. It’s tough to get them off the field when they get three and four-yard situations on third and fourth down. Once they cross about the opponent’s 40-yard line, they’re going for it on fourth down. In those situations, it was four-down territory, and we had to make stops. We just had a hard time.”
Alexandria’s Brody Berg (28 in white) runs the ball as Elk River’s Gavin Schmidt (28 in red) tries to block, and Alexandria’s Evan Zabel (75) blocks during the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
That nine-minute and 32-second drive was four seconds off of the Prep Bowl record for the longest-scoring drive set by Stillwater in 1984.
“You have to take what they give you, and we knew they weren’t going to give us the long runs in the second half,” Hamilton said. “Number 72 (Jack Morrissette) and 75 (Evan Zabel) for Alexandria are very good, but they play both ways (on the offensive line and defensive line). We had a game plan to be physical with those two on offense. Thankfully, it worked. That drive in the second half was obviously huge.”
Harris forced the game’s first turnover on the next possession as he picked off Thompson to give the Elks the ball at their own 17-yard line, leading 30-24 with 30 seconds left in the third quarter.
“The whole first half, we responded well to their scores,” Thompson said. “We felt confident that we could respond well to them in the second half. Sitting there for nine and a half minutes was tough, but there’s no excuses. We should’ve responded better.”
Elk River’s rushing attack was methodical all throughout the night.
This was true for the fourth quarter, but Alexandria put Elk River in a fourth-and-4 on the Elk River 48-yard line at 7:40 left in the game.
Elk River opted to go for it with Harris running the ball to the right, towards the Alexandria sideline and was tackled right at the line to gain.
Harris was initially ruled to be short of the line to gain, giving Alexandria possession of the ball near midfield, trailing 30-24 with seven and a half minutes left in the game.
But a video review changed the spot of the ball, and the new spot gave Elk River a first down by one chain link.
“That was a downer for us,” Empting said. “If we get that stop, we can go down the field and possibly get the lead there.”
A 28-yard field goal by Spencer Burgoon pushed Elk River’s lead to 33-24 with 3:16 left in the game.
The Cardinals tried to make a last-ditch effort in the final minutes and moved the ball deep into Elks territory, but an interception by Gavin Kerns in the final minute and a half sealed the Elks’ second state title win in three years and third in nine years.
Alexandria quarterback Chase Thompson throws the ball during the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game against Elk River on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
“Alexandria is really good, and they couldn’t be more different than us, right?” Hamilton said. “It’s hard for us to replicate what they do, and I’m sure that’s true for them the other way around. We had to go right at them, run it down the hill, double team their best guys play after play, and hopefully work by the second half.”
Elk River dominated time of possession on Saturday, as it controlled the ball for 33 and a half minutes, while Alexandria only had the ball for a little over 14 minutes.
Alexandria moved the ball quite well all night, especially through the air.
Thompson finished with 305 passing yards and three passing touchdowns for the Cardinals. Gorghuber had two touchdown receptions, while Mason Witt had one touchdown catch on an 80-yard pass from Thompson.
Carsyn Kleffman led Elk River’s backfield on Saturday with 112 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, both of which came in the first half.
Alexandria’s Mac Heydt (3) tries to make a move around Elk River’s Carsyn Kleffman (0) during the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
Breckin Keoraj also had a long rushing touchdown in the first half to help the Elks (12-1) win its second state title in the last three years and its third MSHSL state title in program history.
Elk River finished with 393 rushing yards. Gavin Schmidt led Elk River in rushing yards with 123.
This state championship was a little more special for Elk River, who was playing in honor of Charles Gabrelcik. Gabrelcik is a member of the Elk River football team who was
that killed his friends Anthony Krider and Donovan Gobel.
“He’s important to us; that’s why we have his number and initials on our helmets,” Hamilton said. “Going through what he’s going through is way harder than anything we’ve done, and he’s got to do it every day to have some quality of life. We reminded the guys that when you’re feeling down that, it can get a lot worse and get a lot harder and that some people have to fight like that every day.”
The Cardinals finish the 2024 season with a 10-3 record as the Class 5A runner-up.
Alexandria’s Sam Anderson (18) and Dane Olson bring down Elk River’s Eli Harris (2) during the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
This is Alexandria’s first runner-up finish since taking second in Class 2A in 1994.
“It’s an honor,” Alexandria senior edge rusher Dean Lempka said. “I’m proud of the way my team played. It’s nice when you can come off the field as a defensive player and watch your offense march down the field. I’m so proud of every single person on this team, and I’m excited to see what Alexandria has in store in the future.”
“I wouldn’t have wanted to play with anybody else,” Alexandria senior running back/defensive back Heydt said.
This runner-up finish is Alexandria’s third top-two finish in an MSHSL State Tournament (Alexandria won a state title in 1974).
Over the last two seasons, Alexandria has amassed a 24-4 record and finished as one of the best teams in Class 5A.
Seniors like Gorghuber, Thompson, Jackson, and Lempka have been a reason why Alexandria has had major success in the last two seasons.
Alexandria’s Evan Kludt (7) runs over Elk River’s Gavin Kerns (1) after making a catch during the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
“Us seniors hoped to leave the legacy that we left this place better than how we found it,” Jackson said.
And in the eyes of Empting, they’ve left a profound legacy within the Alexandria community.
“These guys did it the right way,” Empting said. “The thing that I’m probably most proud of is how they grew throughout the season. A lot of these guys played last year on the team that lost in the state semifinals last year, and they grew not only as football players but as people. They’re great leaders. I’m proud of the young men that they are in our community. The legacy is to be not only successful on the football field but also as a student and young man. They’re outstanding young men.”
1/6: Alexandria’s Chase Thompson holds up the MSHSL Class 5A State Tournament runner-up trophy on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
2/6: Alexandria’s Mason Gorghuber (5) makes a touchdown reception over Elk River defenders during the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
3/6: Alexandria’s Dean Lempka (2), Brody Berg (28) and Evan Zabel (75) celebrate during the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
4/6: Alexandria’s Brett Meyer (30), Mac Heydt (3), and Brody Berg (28) wrap up an Elk River ball carrier during the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
5/6: Alexandria’s Daniel Jackson boots a 44-yard field goal during the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
6/6: Alexandria’s Zach Anderson accepts his Most Valuable Teammate award after the MSHSL Class 5A State Championship game on Nov. 23, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
Alexandria – 7 17 0 0 – 24
Elk River – 8 16 6 3 – 33
ELK RIVER – Carsyn Kleffman 64-yard run, 2-point conversion GOOD, 6:16 (Elk River 8-0)
ALEXANDRIA – Mason Gorghuber 11-yard pass from Chase Thompson, Daniel Jackson PAT, 3:31 (Elk River 8-7)
ELK RIVER – Kleffman 1-yard run, 2-point conversion GOOD, 7:36 (Elk River 16-7)
ALEXANDRIA – Mason Witt 80-yard pass from Thompson, Jackson PAT, 7:24 (Elk River 16-14)
ELK RIVER – Brecken Keoraj 63-yard run, 2-point conversion GOOD, 5:12 (Elk River 24-14)
ALEXANDRIA – Gorghuber 23-yard pass from Thompson, Jackson PAT, 4:00 (Elk River 24-21)
ALEXANDRIA – Jackson 44-yard field goal, 0:10 (Tied 24-24)
ELK RIVER – Levi Harris 1-yard run, 2-point conversion NO GOOD, 2:28 (Elk River 30-24)
ELK RIVER – Spencer Burgoon 28-yard field goal, 3:16 (Elk River 33-24)
FIRST DOWNS – Alexandria, 13; Elk River, 21
RUSHING YARDS – Alexandria, 47; Elk River, 388
PASSING YARDS – Alexandria, 305; Elk River, 24
TURNOVERS – Alexandria, 2; Elk River, 0
PENALTIES – Alexandria, 3-25 yards; Elk River, 3-20 yards
THIRD DOWNS – Alexandria, 4/7; Elk River, 7/12
FOURTH DOWNS – Alexandria, 1/2; Elk River, 3/4
TIME OF POSSESSION – Alexandria, 14:05; Elk River, 33:55
In the rapidly industrializing world, the pursuit of economic growth often comes at a cost. Industrial growth is widely viewed as a driver of economic prosperity, yet it can have serious, often unnoticed effects on nearby residents. Those living close to these sites may experience challenges to their health, well-being, and overall quality of life.
In this article, we explore the multifaceted ways in which residing near industrial areas can affect individuals and communities.
Air Quality and Health Concerns
One of the most pressing health concerns associated with living near industrial sites is the deterioration of air quality. Industrial emissions, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, can significantly degrade the air we breathe. Long-term exposure to these pollutants may cause various respiratory and cardiovascular issues, including asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, and heart disease.
A recent feature of the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that air pollution causes millions of premature deaths worldwide each year. In areas with intense industrial activity, this risk increases substantially. Residents in these regions are more likely to develop serious health problems related to pollution exposure.
What symptoms should I watch for if I suspect air pollution is affecting my health?
If air pollution may be impacting your health, monitor for symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Persistent or worsening respiratory issues, chest tightness, and frequent asthma flare-ups are common signs. See a healthcare professional if your condition deteriorates.
Noise Pollution and its Effects on Daily Life
Constant noise from machinery, trucks, and factory operations creates a loud environment that can lead to serious long-term effects on residents. Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise can result in sleep disturbances, increased anxiety, and a higher risk of heart disease.
The American College of Cardiology states that individuals exposed to high noise face greater heart attack risks than those in quieter areas. A study found that elevated noise above 65 decibels accounted for 5% of heart attack hospitalizations. This data highlights the serious cardiovascular risks associated with prolonged noise exposure.
Water Quality Issues and Contamination Risks
Industrial activities present serious risks to nearby water bodies, often resulting in pollution and contamination. Discharges of untreated wastewater, hazardous chemicals, and heavy metals compromise water quality. This degradation makes the water unsafe for drinking and recreational use and harms local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Major polluters include oil refineries, chemical manufacturers, and fertilizer plants. Oil refineries alone discharge almost half a billion gallons of wastewater into waterways daily. Chemical and plastic plants emit millions of pounds of pollutants each year, including nitrogen, lead, and benzene, raising environmental health risks.
Industrial pollution is a silent killer, claiming millions of lives through waterborne diseases. A study published by Frontiers reported that over 50 diseases are linked to poor drinking water quality. Globally, 80% of diseases and 50% of child deaths are related to unsafe water. Water pollution contributes to conditions such as diarrhea, skin diseases, malnutrition, and even cancer, underscoring the severe health risks of contaminated water.
Should I consider a specific type of water filter if I live near an industrial area?
If you live near an industrial area, consider a water filter designed to remove heavy metals, VOCs, and other contaminants. Filters certified for specific pollutants, like reverse osmosis or activated carbon models, would be ideal. These filters are effective in reducing harmful substances often present in industrial runoff.
Soil Contamination and Risks to Home Gardens and Landscaping
The toxic legacy of the industry can leave a lasting mark on the environment, leading to soil contamination and endangering overall environmental health. Industrial activities can release heavy metals, chemicals, and other pollutants into the soil, where they may persist for decades. These contaminants can be absorbed by plants, affecting both ornamental landscaping and edible gardens.
Eating vegetables grown in contaminated soil can expose you to lead, arsenic, or cadmium, potentially causing developmental and neurological issues over time.
Chemical Exposure and Its Long-Term Health Implications
Industrial activities can expose communities to a range of hazardous chemicals, some of which have been linked to serious health problems. These chemicals can contaminate the environment in multiple ways.
Many industrial processes release harmful substances, including PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Dubbed “forever chemicals,” PFAS are persistent pollutants often found in firefighting foams like AFFF.
Improper disposal of PFAS-containing products by industries can lead to the contamination of local water and soil. This contamination poses long-term health risks, including cancer, immune suppression, and liver damage.
PFAS exposure, particularly through AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam), has been associated with serious health issues such as cancer, thyroid disorders, and reproductive problems. Developing fetuses and young children are especially vulnerable to PFAS’ harmful effects.
With mounting evidence of these risks, many communities are now pursuing legal action against AFFF manufacturers. Through the AFFF foam lawsuit, they seek compensation for health impacts caused by chemical exposure.
Key claims in these lawsuits, as outlined by TruLaw, may include design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure to warn.
Design defects allege that AFFF’s chemical makeup is inherently toxic and harmful to human health. Some cases cite manufacturing defects, claiming production errors increased risks, while others argue AFFF products lacked proper warnings or instructions for safe use.
How can I test my water and soil for PFAS?
You can test for PFAS in water and soil through specialized laboratory services. Many labs offer PFAS testing kits for home use, which involve collecting samples and sending them for analysis. Results reveal PFAS levels, helping you understand contamination risks. Remember to contact certified environmental testing labs for accurate assessments.
Property Value and Real Estate Considerations
Proximity to industrial sites can decrease property values because of environmental and health-related issues. Properties near factories or plants typically see slower appreciation rates and may decrease in value over time. Potential buyers are often concerned about pollution, noise, and health risks. Also, living near industrial areas can make selling homes more challenging due to these concerns.
When considering real estate investments or relocation, it’s important to assess both current and future industrial activities in the area. This helps evaluate how these activities influence property prices and future investment opportunities.
Weighing the Impact of Industrial Proximity
Living near industrial sites presents both challenges and considerations, such as health risks from pollution and concerns about property values. While industrial zones may offer job opportunities, they can also affect your well-being and financial stability. Protect your future by understanding the risks associated with industrial areas.
By staying proactive, you can balance the benefits and risks to ensure a healthy, safe environment and protect your lifestyle.
Week 7 was always billed as a battle of heavyweights across college football. Against all odds, the slate lived up to the hype with four overtime games involving AP Top 25 teams and more top-10 teams falling down the stretch.
Most notably, No. 2 Ohio State fell to No. 3 Oregon for its seventh loss in eight tries against top-five opponents under coach Ryan Day. Oregon, conversely, picked up its first win against a top-two opponent in program history and took control of the Big Ten title race.
Elsewhere, No. 1 Texas established itself as a serious national title contender by eviscerating No. 18 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. LSU also got back into the conference title race by shocking Ole Miss. Utah may have fallen out for good after losing to Arizona State.
Here are the biggest winners and losers of college football’s Week 7, including a more real clarity in conference championship races.
Loser: Ryan Day
Ohio State paid more than $20 million to put together this roster over the offseason. The Buckeyes ran off incumbent starting quarterback Kyle McCord and replaced him with Will Howard. Safety Caleb Downs (Alabama) and running back Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss) transferred into the program. The Buckeyes have every advantage and more in one of the most championship-or-bust seasons in college football history.
It took one test for the house of cards to crumble. Worse, it was embarrassing. Day’s handpicked quarterback failed to recognize a clock situation and slid as time expired for the loss. Despite being in field goal range, Ohio State ran dropback passing. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was called for offensive pass interference, which pushed the Buckeyes out of field goal range.
Now, Day is 1-7 against AP top-five opponents since the pandemic. The loss was the first against a non-Michigan Big Ten opponent since 2018. It was the program’s second consecutive loss to Oregon.
Winner: Oregon coach Dan Lanning
Ducks coach Dan Lanning has lost a few heartbreakers over the years, but Saturday in Eugene was his crowning moment. Oregon shocked Ohio State 32-31 with a game-winning field goal by Atticus Sappington with 1:47 remaining. Laning has been a rising star in the industry for years, but the win against Ohio State brings a new level of credibility. The win was the first over an AP top-two team in program history and should elevate the program to No. 2 for the first time since Marcus Mariota graduated in 2014.
Loser: Oklahoma
Prior to coach Brent Venables’ arrival in 2022, Oklahoma had scored a touchdown in every version of the Red River Rivalry dating back to 1998. Before that, that streak went all the way back to 1977. After a devastating 34-3 loss against No. 1 Texas, the Sooners have now failed to score a touchdown twice in the rivalry in three years under Venables.
The offense was a total disaster once again, eliciting comparisons to the embarrassing 49-0 loss in 2022. Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. tried his best as the first true freshman to start for OU in the rivalry game in history, but he finished below 100 yards passing until a late drive in garbage time. In his defense, Oklahoma also got only 64 yards rushing from its running backs, and only one wide receiver had more than 20 yards.
The Sooners rank last in the SEC in almost every offensive category. It’s fair to give Venables at least one mulligan for injuries. But two bad losses to the Longhorns in three years? That’s a trend, and it’s very much not a good one.
Winner: Free football
Oct. 12 was already viewed as one of the best days of college football in a long time. To make matters ever better, the sports gods blessed us with tons of free football. Four different games involving ranked opponents went to overtime for the first time since Sept. 27, 2003. No. 13 LSU pulled off the upset by shocking No. 9 Ole Miss. USC gave No. 4 Penn State all it could handle before dropping in overtime. Purdue was painfully close to upsetting No. 23 Illinois but failed on a potential game-winning 2-point conversion. Florida failed to score in overtime as No. 8 Tennessee survived a putrid performance. Even when the top teams don’t lose, they’ve looked highly vulnerable. That could set up a wild finish to the season.
Loser: Alabama
I tend to give teams one mulligan, a weird game that you chalk up to 18-22 year olds having a bad day. For Alabama, it was the astonishing road loss against Vanderbilt. After following that disasterclass up with a narrow 27-25 win over South Carolina at home, the Crimson Tide are officially on fraud watch.
The Tide again struggled to run the ball against South Carolina and put together a disaster of a defensive performance against an offensively inept team. The Gamecocks had touchdown drives of 16 and 10 plays, and Alabama simply couldn’t get them off the field. This is a flawed, inconsistent team that’s not playing championship football.
The 2024 Cyclones joined the 1938 Cyclones as the only teams in Iowa State history to start 6-0 after beating West Virginia 28-16 in a big road game. Running back Carson Hansen posted three touchdowns in the win as Iowa State nearly reached 400 offensive yards in a big win.
A fun little side plot: West Virginia honored former tight end Anthony Becht after inducting him into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. His son, Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht, celebrated by dicing up his father’s alma mater to the tune of 265 yards and a touchdown. The younger Becht did not receive a scholarship offer from WVU but has become one of the Big 12’s top passers.
Loser: College kickers
Rumors that kickers are becoming too good may have been somewhat premature. Yes, Ole Miss kicker Caden Davis hit a career-long 57 yarder vs. LSU, but there were some otherwise abysmal showings on Saturday. Kickers for both Texas and Oklahoma missed easy field goals, while Longhorns kicker Bert Auburn actually got a second attempt… and missed it, too. Oregon’s Sappington was lucky to get another field goal attempt after whiffing on a 44 yarder early in the game. South Carolina’s Alex Herrera was put in a brutal position by his staff, but missed a 51-yarder in the fourth quarter that would have given South Carolina the lead. The chaos of college kickers always keeps the sport unpredictable. It’s not going anywhere soon.
Penn State coach James Franklin openly loves Warren, and he put together one of the best tight end receiving performances in history in a 33-30 overtime victory against USC. Warren caught an absurd 17 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown as offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki leveraged his mismatch early and often.
Warren has been a strong contributor all season, including a 146-yard performance against Bowling Green. However, he hit another level in the huge road victory to give Penn State a bonafide playmaker.
Loser: Utah
The Utah story is reaching a brutal conclusion after a hobbled quarterback Cameron Rising played a miserable game in a shocking 27-19 loss against Arizona State. In his return from a hand injury, Rising threw three interceptions and the Utes got into the end zone just once in the loss as the program fell to 1-2 in Big 12 play.
Dropping to Arizona and Arizona State in successive weeks makes the Utes’ path to the Big 12 Championship Game far more difficult. Games against BYU and Iowa State — both undefeated — still lie ahead. What was supposed to be a coronation for Utah is suddenly turning into a disaster for the second straight season.
Winner: Vanderbilt
The Commodores have no interest in being a one-hit wonder. A week after shocking Alabama, Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 20-13 behind two touchdown throws from QB Diego Pavia. The win makes for the program’s best start since a 5-1 record in 2008, when Bobby Johnson coached the program. Vanderbilt has reached two SEC wins in a season only once since 2018. The vibes could not be better in Nashville.
Cheerleaders wave a Texas Longhorns flag during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma at … [+] the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Dallas. Oklahoma won 34-30. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Associated Press
The big games in college football are becoming more meaningful as the 2024 season continues through October. Week 7 features four big Top 25 matchups including the annualy Red River Rivalry in Dallas between the No. 1 Texas Longhorns and No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners. Both teams are rested and ready off a bye week, and this SEC ‘Showdown’ is attracting big watch and wager action.
That’s despite sports fans and bettors in Texas and Oklahoma being unable to place wagers inside their state borders at U.S. Sportsbooks. But other options are available for those fans of their favorite college football teams or any NCAA games. Leading offshore betting sites like BetOnline in Panama and affiliate site SportsBetting.ag continue to take bets from sports fans in Texas, Oklahoma and also hugely populated California and Florida.
But just as wagering on this year’s polarizing political cycle and U.S. Presidential race has become most popular among Americans, so too is watching and wagering on the annual Red River Showdown. This year’s 120th edition of the Red River Rivalry has greater influence on the new 12-team playoff and SEC football standings with the Texas Longhorns curently ranked No. 1 in the nation.
“No matter what the state of either program is, the Red River Rivalry always attracts a very healthy handle from not just the die-hard fans and bettors in Texas and Oklahoma, but around the entire country,” SportsBetting.ag sportsbook manager said in an email. “It’s the third-most bet matchup at this point in Week 7.”
That’s behind the Big Ten battle in Eugene between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Oregon.
College football odds from BetOnline and affiliate SportsBetting.ag refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. All times Eastern and betting favorites (-) listed.
BetOnline is also offering Texas -14 (-128 odds) looking for more wagering action on the Longhorns. That’s partly because BetOnline is reporting that the Oklahoma Sooners have taken the second most number of bets behind Ohio State (-3) in Saturday’s college football games. By kickoff on game day, the amount of money wagered on the Longhorns-Sooners contest should be among the most bet games this season, along with Ohio State-Oregon.
“We opened this line way back in May at Texas -9. Of course, the Longhorns have exceed expectations while the Sooners have been about status quo, so the number has moved in the favorite’s direction,” BetOnline affiliate SportsBetting.ag adds.
The Longhorns are in top 5 in the country in yards per play, yards per game and points per game margins. Texas features one of the best offensive lines in college football in front or returing QB Quinn Ewers (oblique injury Sept. 14). But Oklahoma counters with a defense that has registered 19 sacks (No. 5 in country) led by edge rusher R Mason Thomas (5.5).
Texas is the largest betting favorite (-14.5) in this series since 2005, which was the last time the Longhorns won the National Title (Vince Young was QB and Rose Bowl MVP and current North Carolina coach Mack Brown was Longhorns head coach). But 9 of the last 11 Longhorns-Sooners football games have been decided by 8 pts or less. Oklahoma has won four of the last five meetings including last season 34-30 as a 5-point underdog when the Sooners entered No. 12 and Texas ranked No. 3 in the country.
Sooners freshman QB Michael Hawkins Jr. is a Dallas native and plays in his fourth game while making his second start. He’s a duel-threat speedster, but will be without a number of OU leading receivers on the injured list. Hawkins will become the first Oklahoma quarterback to start the Red River Showdown as a true freshman. He’ll need time to pass and escapability with Longhorns fellow freshman edge rusher Colin Simmons leading Texas with 6 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. His 90.2 Pro Football Focus pass rushing grade ranks seventh nationally among all edge rushers who’ve played at least 20% of their team’s snaps.
Simmons plays alongside senior DT Vernon Broughton, PFF’s highest graded defensive tackle (87.7). The Texas Longhorns secondary rates No. 1 in the country by PFF, as they lead the nation in coverage grade and have only surrendered a 57.7 passer rating, the third-lowest in America.
Texas has a huge game next Saturday in Austin against the Georgia Bulldogs. But first things first, and the Longhorns will win and avoid any upset by the Sooners. The lean is still Oklahoma’s way if betting the spread, but a better play is under the game total of 49 points.
