Ohio State, Big Ten, college football: October winners, losers and surprises

Doug and Bill run through the best, worst and most surprising things from college football in October.

Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate scores a touchdown against Penn State. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State athletics)

COLUMBUS — We’re two months into the college football season. Conference title races are heating up. The first batch of College Football Playoff rankings comes out this week. A lot has already happened, and yet, it feels like we’re just getting started.

Here are our biggest winners, losers and surprises for October, for Ohio State, the Big Ten and the national college football picture. And we give you a few things to watch in November as well.

OHIO STATE

Biggest winner

Doug: Julian Sayin. He went from the first-year starter who was kind of along for the ride in the first month of the season to the Heisman front-runner and play-making leader of the most dangerous passing attack in the country. In Weeks 6 through 10, Sayin was tied for the lead among power conference QBs with 13 touchdown passes, and he was one of only two full-time starters, along with Duke’s Darian Mensah, who didn’t throw a pick.

Again, first four games: 247 passing yards per game, 10 TDs, 3 INTs

Last four games: 301 passing yards per game, 13 TDs, 0 INTs

Bill: Carnell Tate. The college football world already knew all about Jeremiah Smith. It became quite familiar with Tate’s work in October. Tate led all Power 4 receivers (and was third overall among FBS receivers) with 459 yards in Weeks 6 through 10, reeling in 24 passes on 28 targets and posting four touchdowns. Sayin and Smith are understandably getting the Heisman Trophy love, but Tate solidified himself as one of the best receivers in the country over this span.

Biggest loser