Updated: September 18, 2014, 12:02 AM ET

Florida's scare, poll reaction and the week's big questions

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Murphy's heroics, Conner comparisons and scheduling issues

By Ivan Maisel | ESPN.com

Tyler Murphy
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY SportsTyler Murphy made Boston College history Saturday night.
1. Boston College fifth-year quarterback Tyler Murphy, the hero of the Eagles' 37-31 upset of No. 9 USC, is well-versed in Eagles football history. "I kind of knew about the whole Doug Flutie era," said Murphy, a Connecticut native who spent four years at Florida. "My dad loved Notre Dame, so we always watched Notre Dame. I remember BC beating Notre Dame six [times] in a row [2001-04, 07-08] when Matt Ryan was here. I actually remember the comeback against the Hokies [BC 14, Virginia Tech 10 in 2007] … To actually be here and get a chance to play here, it's an honor."

2. If you're paying attention at all, then you know that Pittsburgh sophomore tailback James Conner is a special talent. But Pitt is now trotting out the name of the most dynamic player in Panther history. Conner has rushed for 544 yards, the most ever in the first three games of the season, breaking by 57 yards the record set by -- wait for it -- Tony Dorsett in 1973. Dorsett, of course, is merely the only Pitt player ever to win the Heisman, which he did in 1976, when the Panthers finished No. 1. Conner just may be that good.

3. When there are only 14 weekends in a season, as there will be in 2015, for some reason one Pac-12 school must play 12 games without an off week. When the 2015 schedule is announced this week, the unlucky loser will be Arizona. USC athletic director Pat Haden suggests that college football start one week earlier -- the weekend before Labor Day -- in order to afford everyone at least one week off and most schools two. "It's a health issue," he said. It's a good idea, but it can be changed only through NCAA legislation.

Drawing conclusions

By Chris Morris | Special to ESPN.com

Each Sunday during the season, ESPN.com will highlight storylines that had an impact on the College Football Playoff race.

UCLA vs. Texas
CAMORRIS.com

Southern California vs. Boston College
CAMORRIS.com

Georgia vs. South Carolina
CAMORRIS.com

Check out more college football illustrations here.

Run Trojans Run?

Mountain Men

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