College football scores, rankings, highlights: Clemson, USC overcome slow starts to remain undefeated

Although Week 6 marked a rare Saturday in which no top-10 teams lost, little came easy for the nation’s best teams as upsets were thwarted by some heavy favorites around the country. Among those Escaping with victories after some early trouble were No. 1 Alabama, No. 5 Clemson and No. 6 USC with all three teams remaining undefeated ahead of big conference games next week.

Clemson found itself locked in a 3-3 tie with struggling Boston College for nearly the entire second quarter before the Tigers finally scored the game’s first touchdown in the final minute of the first half en route to a 31-3 win. Although the Tigers dominated defensively, it was clear even in a 28-point Victory that the offense remains a work in progress; Clemson totaled just 364 yards and punted seven times. The Tigers travel to Florida State next week.

Similarly, USC held off Washington State for a 30-14 home win largely because of its defense. The Trojans initially squandered an early 10-0 lead by allowing back-to-back touchdown drives in the second quarter. From there, they buckled down, holding Washington State scoreless on its next eight possessions to close the game. Travis Dye led the way offensively with 149 yards rushing and a touchdown on 28 carries for the Trojans, which travel to face No. 11 Utah next week. The Utes lost 42-32 at UCLA on Saturday but may still present USC with its toughest test yet.

Outside the top 10, NC State overcame the loss of quarterback Devin Leary to edge a feisty Florida State team 19-17. The Wolfpack outscored the Seminoles 16-0 in the second half with Leary on the sideline with his arm in a sling.

College football scores, schedule: Week 6

Well. 4 Michigan 31, Indiana 10 –Recap
Well. 8 Tennessee 40, No. 25 LSU 13 — Takeaways, recap
Well. 17 TCU 38, No. 19 Kansas 31 — Recap
Well. 23 Mississippi State 40, Arkansas 17 –Recap
Texas 49, Oklahoma 0 — Takeaways, recap
Well. 2 Georgia 42, Auburn 10 — Takeaways, recap
Well. 7 Oklahoma State 41, Texas Tech 31 –Recap
Well. 18 UCLA 42, No. 11 Utah 32 — Recap
Well. 3 Ohio State 49, Michigan State 20 — Takeaways, recap
Well. 5 Clemson 31, Boston College 3 — Recap
Well. 6 USC 30, Washington State 14 –Recap
Notre Dame 28, No. 16 BYU 20 — Recap
Well. 1 Alabama 24, Texas A&M 20 — Takeaways, recap
Check out the entire Week 6 scoreboard

Check these out…

Want more college football in your life? Listen below and subscribe to the Cover 3 College Football podcast for top-notch insight and analysis beyond the gridiron.