NO. 21 STANFORD 21, NO. 2 SOUTHERN CAL 14 BOXSCORE
West Virginia’s Geno Smith (34 of 39, 411 yards with 5 TDs) and Texas’ David Ash (19 of 23, 326 and 4 TDs) deserve some love here, but when you consider the magnitude of the win, Stepfan Taylor leading then-No. 21 Stanford past former No. 2 USC had to walk away with this week’s offensive honor. Taylor, who quietly had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons behind top NFL draft pick Andrew Luck, carried the Cardinal offense Saturday, rushing 27 times for 153 yards and a score while also leading the team with five receptions for 60 yards and another touchdown.  

NO. 20 NOTRE DAME 20, NO. 10 MICHIGAN STATE 3  BOXSCORE
Michigan State was expected to have the best defense on the field, but LB Manti Te’o changed that thought almost single-handedly. He finished with 12 tackles including one TFL and a pair of pass breakups as the Fighting Irish went to 3-0 on the season for their best start since 2002. Te’o, who was playing just days after the deaths of his girlfriend and grandmother, also helped seal the win with a fumble recovery with less than five minutes remaining that set up the final Irish field goal. 

PITT 35, NO. 13 VIRGINIA TECH 17 BOXSCORE
There weren’t many bright spots on offense or defense, but Virginia Tech normally comes up with a few highlight reel plays on special teams. Kyshoen Jarrett did not disappoint. A sophomore defensive back, Jarrett’s only punt return against Pitt went for a 94-yard score, the longest return nationally through Week 3.  On three punt returns this season, Jarrett is averaging nearly 50.0 yards per return.