Jim
11-16-2008, 11:30 AM
For the first time in four years, Alabama scored an offensive touchdown on Mississippi State. An outstanding special teams effort by the Tide enabled them to generate a total of two yards of offense to net 14 points as Alabama remains unbeaten with a 32-7 win over the Bulldogs. Florida handed the founder of the original successful Florida program his most humiliating defeat as a head coach (surpasses even the 62-24 loss the Gators suffered in 1995 to Nebraska). Three early turnovers led to a quick 21-0 deficit and ultimately a 56-6 defeat for Steve Spurrier. Texas avoided upset minded Kansas in Lawrence in controlling the Jayhawks, 35-7. Both Oklahoma and #1 ranked Texas Tech had an open date s they prepare for what is being billed as an offensive fireworks display between two Heisman Trophy candidates in Norman next week.
Southern Cal must have been surprised when Stanford came out and took 10-3 and 17-10 leads over the Trojans. In the second half the USC defense settled down and their offense finally began producing. It was interesting for awhile in Palo Alto but, as expected, the 8-1 Trojans put down the 5-5 Cardinal, 45-23. Utah unloaded on San Diego State. No hangover for the Utes. This was an excellent example of scheduling as SDSU proved to be an excellent choice following their hard fought last minute win over TCU last week. Boise State rolled to remain unbeaten as did Utah. Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan State will face a similar situation in the Big Ten that is found between Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma if the trio all go 1-1 with each other. An Ohio State upset loss to Michigan coupled with a Michigan State upset over Penn State in the finale will lead to having to get an accountant to sort out who goes where in the post season. Michgian State took the day off while Ohio State exacted revenge on Illinois and Penn State easily disposed of Indiana.
Missouri clinched the Big 12 Northern division championship with a pounding of hapless Iowa State who sustained their 9th straight defeat. Georgia and Auburn who have historically played each other very close leading to very few routs in the series kept that tradition going. Numerous poor passing attempts and choices by the Auburn QB kept the Tigers from performing as opportunities were abundant for them to take control. Georgia, as in their game vs. Kentucky last week, was patient and took advantage of the few opportunities provided in their 17-13 win. Oklahoma State had two problems vs. Colorado even though they won the game 30-17, in Boulder. A hangover persisted from their 56-20 trashing at Texas Tech and the altitude. Still, OSU goes to 5-2/9-2 and has a couple of weeks to prepare for the Oklahoma Sooners on Nov 29 in Stillwater. Brigham Young was pressured in the first half at Air Force but got things under control. Air Force ran wild but the Cougars owned the air. BYU’s win over the Air Force sets up another three-way tie possibility as Utah, BYU and TCU could all potentially be 7-1 in Mountain West play. If the Utes lose their game vs. BYU the result might be an unbeaten Boise State leaping over all three MWC teams. And since an unbeaten Boise State would be higher ranked than either Utah or BYU, any averaging effect among MWC teams wouldn’t reward anybody with a BCS bid – just the opposite.
Oregon State won a crucial game on their road to the Pac Ten title and Rose Bowl berth. For the first time on national TV/coverage/radio I actually hard the disembodied voices mention the fact that it is the Beavers who are total control of their road to a conference title. Having beaten USC in Corvallis earlier this year, 27-21, OSU might have a rematch with Penn State, who crushed them in Happy Valley in mid-September. I’d be interested in seeing how a revenge game might work out. This might also lead to some effort on the part of the Pac Ten/Big Ten to bring in a 7-1/10-2 Ohio State into Pasadena while placing a 7-1/11-1 Penn State into, say, a Sugar Bowl or an Orange Bowl. Back to the Midwest … Northwestern up its record to 8-3 with a belly-punching win in Ann Arbor. Not only have the Wildcats really impressed this year but Rich Rodriguez’ debut season at Michigan has resulted in the first time the Wolverines have ever dropped eight games in a single season. You might want to make that nine as they travel to The Shoe next week.
North Carolina played Maryland in a mud pit yesterday. UNC held a 15-14 lead for the better part of the game due largely to a safety with an errant snap by the deep snapper for the Terrapins. He could finally breath again as Maryland kicked a field goal and secured the win with a late interception, 17-15. The Terps now control the Atlantic Division. Boston College topped Florida State, NC State Wake Forest and Clemson pounded Duke. Even though the Blue Devils have faltered lately, they are competitive now and not an “ink” it in win on anybody’s schedule any more. Clemson has improved with their interim head coach. Decision time in a couple of weeks at Clemson. Most teams who pick a successor from the current regime don’t necessarily fare well.
LSU, while mounting their greatest comeback in team history, 37 straight points, need to figure out how they allowed themselves to fall behind 31-3 to a middle-of-the-road Sun Belt tam in Troy. This team is suffering a major hangover after having been blown out by Georgia and losing to Alabama. I have mentioned that when all of Nick Saban’s recruits have left Baton Rouge, you’ll see the true Les Miles. They could easily be a 6-4 team right now, losing all their meaningful matchups and being blown out in two.
Oregon won a scoring smorgasbord in Eugene yesterday, 55-45 over Arizona. The Ducks put up 45 in just the first half yet Arizona managed to find a switch and turn on the afterburners to narrow this to a 45-42 game before Oregon got just enough to secure the final points and the win. Cincinnati took over first place in the Big East with a 28-20 win over Louisville. Pittsburgh took the day off and will put their 7-2 record on the line as they challenge to Bearcats for the Big East title. Rutgers continues to own South Florida as the Scarlet Knights won their fourth straight game in style, 49-16. UConn pounded Syracuse as Coach Robinson will be leaving. No last minute effort to have him go out on a win even when playing at home – truly sad.
My Top 50:
1. Texas Tech – Have a bye week, play Oklahoma in Norman next Saturday night on national TV.
2. Alabama – For the first time four years Alabama scores offensive TDs vs. Miss. State. Cruise to a 32-7 win. Auburn next week.
3. Florida – As with routs of LSU, Georgia and Kentucky – the Gators destroy South Carolina. Spurrier’s worst career defeat .
4. Texas – Last time in Lawrence the Horns needed a miracle finish. This time the Jayhawks get caged. No crackers for them.
5. Oklahoma – Took a bye this week. Host #1 Texas Tech next week in Norman. Be sure to watch this game! Expect well over half a mile of offense.
6. Southern Cal – Offense finally showed up for the Trojans. Bent Stanford over in the second half, 45-23.
7. Utah – After last week they do a breather over San Diego State in a total rout.
8. Boise State – Crush Idaho after the Vandals showed them some attitude at the start.
9. Penn State – Joe Pa has never lost to the Hoosiers. Lions pound Indiana in a yawner, 34-7.
10. Ohio State – Had to work to beat the Illini. Can clinch Big Ten title if Penn State loses and they beat Michigan.
11. Missouri – Clinched the Big 12 North with romp over Iowa State. Play arch-rival Kansas in the finale..
12. TCU – Took a bye week as they needed it after Utah last week.
13. Georgia – With some luck they hung on for a 4 point win over rival, Auburn.
14. Oklahoma State – Cowboys have a tussle in Boulder but come away with a 30-17 win over Colorado.
15. Brigham Young – Grounded the Air Force, 38-24, with a strong second half.
16. Ball State – Beat Miami (O.), 31-16 to remain unbeaten.
17. Michigan State – If Michigan beats Ohio State and Spartans beat Nittany Lions then MSU heads to Pasadena.
18. Oregon State– Beavers win a critical game over California on the road to the Pac Ten championship.
19. Northwestern – Michigan isn’t what they usually are but Northwestern beat them in the House.
20. North Carolina – Lose very late vs. Maryland in the “Mud Bowl” with a Terrapin FG, 17-15.
21. LSU – An impressive comeback vs. Troy but this should have never been necessary.
22. Oregon – Had a scoring fest clinic with Arizona for runners-up positioning. Beat Wildcats, 55-45.
23. Cincinnati – Bearcats are 8-2 and now lead the Big East with win over Louisville.
24. Pittsburgh – Panthers have a bye week and travel to Cincinnati next week where winner takes Big East lead.
25. Maryland –Beat UNC with a late field goal in the Mud Bowl, 17-15. Take lead in Atlantic Division of the ACC.
26-50: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Arizona, Iowa, California, Central Michigan, Miami (Fla.),
Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Mississippi, Connecticut, Houston, Tulsa, West Virginia, Nebraska, Notre Dame,
Western Michigan, Rice, Wake Forest, Nevada, Minnesota, Air Force, Vanderbilt, Troy.
Southern Cal must have been surprised when Stanford came out and took 10-3 and 17-10 leads over the Trojans. In the second half the USC defense settled down and their offense finally began producing. It was interesting for awhile in Palo Alto but, as expected, the 8-1 Trojans put down the 5-5 Cardinal, 45-23. Utah unloaded on San Diego State. No hangover for the Utes. This was an excellent example of scheduling as SDSU proved to be an excellent choice following their hard fought last minute win over TCU last week. Boise State rolled to remain unbeaten as did Utah. Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan State will face a similar situation in the Big Ten that is found between Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma if the trio all go 1-1 with each other. An Ohio State upset loss to Michigan coupled with a Michigan State upset over Penn State in the finale will lead to having to get an accountant to sort out who goes where in the post season. Michgian State took the day off while Ohio State exacted revenge on Illinois and Penn State easily disposed of Indiana.
Missouri clinched the Big 12 Northern division championship with a pounding of hapless Iowa State who sustained their 9th straight defeat. Georgia and Auburn who have historically played each other very close leading to very few routs in the series kept that tradition going. Numerous poor passing attempts and choices by the Auburn QB kept the Tigers from performing as opportunities were abundant for them to take control. Georgia, as in their game vs. Kentucky last week, was patient and took advantage of the few opportunities provided in their 17-13 win. Oklahoma State had two problems vs. Colorado even though they won the game 30-17, in Boulder. A hangover persisted from their 56-20 trashing at Texas Tech and the altitude. Still, OSU goes to 5-2/9-2 and has a couple of weeks to prepare for the Oklahoma Sooners on Nov 29 in Stillwater. Brigham Young was pressured in the first half at Air Force but got things under control. Air Force ran wild but the Cougars owned the air. BYU’s win over the Air Force sets up another three-way tie possibility as Utah, BYU and TCU could all potentially be 7-1 in Mountain West play. If the Utes lose their game vs. BYU the result might be an unbeaten Boise State leaping over all three MWC teams. And since an unbeaten Boise State would be higher ranked than either Utah or BYU, any averaging effect among MWC teams wouldn’t reward anybody with a BCS bid – just the opposite.
Oregon State won a crucial game on their road to the Pac Ten title and Rose Bowl berth. For the first time on national TV/coverage/radio I actually hard the disembodied voices mention the fact that it is the Beavers who are total control of their road to a conference title. Having beaten USC in Corvallis earlier this year, 27-21, OSU might have a rematch with Penn State, who crushed them in Happy Valley in mid-September. I’d be interested in seeing how a revenge game might work out. This might also lead to some effort on the part of the Pac Ten/Big Ten to bring in a 7-1/10-2 Ohio State into Pasadena while placing a 7-1/11-1 Penn State into, say, a Sugar Bowl or an Orange Bowl. Back to the Midwest … Northwestern up its record to 8-3 with a belly-punching win in Ann Arbor. Not only have the Wildcats really impressed this year but Rich Rodriguez’ debut season at Michigan has resulted in the first time the Wolverines have ever dropped eight games in a single season. You might want to make that nine as they travel to The Shoe next week.
North Carolina played Maryland in a mud pit yesterday. UNC held a 15-14 lead for the better part of the game due largely to a safety with an errant snap by the deep snapper for the Terrapins. He could finally breath again as Maryland kicked a field goal and secured the win with a late interception, 17-15. The Terps now control the Atlantic Division. Boston College topped Florida State, NC State Wake Forest and Clemson pounded Duke. Even though the Blue Devils have faltered lately, they are competitive now and not an “ink” it in win on anybody’s schedule any more. Clemson has improved with their interim head coach. Decision time in a couple of weeks at Clemson. Most teams who pick a successor from the current regime don’t necessarily fare well.
LSU, while mounting their greatest comeback in team history, 37 straight points, need to figure out how they allowed themselves to fall behind 31-3 to a middle-of-the-road Sun Belt tam in Troy. This team is suffering a major hangover after having been blown out by Georgia and losing to Alabama. I have mentioned that when all of Nick Saban’s recruits have left Baton Rouge, you’ll see the true Les Miles. They could easily be a 6-4 team right now, losing all their meaningful matchups and being blown out in two.
Oregon won a scoring smorgasbord in Eugene yesterday, 55-45 over Arizona. The Ducks put up 45 in just the first half yet Arizona managed to find a switch and turn on the afterburners to narrow this to a 45-42 game before Oregon got just enough to secure the final points and the win. Cincinnati took over first place in the Big East with a 28-20 win over Louisville. Pittsburgh took the day off and will put their 7-2 record on the line as they challenge to Bearcats for the Big East title. Rutgers continues to own South Florida as the Scarlet Knights won their fourth straight game in style, 49-16. UConn pounded Syracuse as Coach Robinson will be leaving. No last minute effort to have him go out on a win even when playing at home – truly sad.
My Top 50:
1. Texas Tech – Have a bye week, play Oklahoma in Norman next Saturday night on national TV.
2. Alabama – For the first time four years Alabama scores offensive TDs vs. Miss. State. Cruise to a 32-7 win. Auburn next week.
3. Florida – As with routs of LSU, Georgia and Kentucky – the Gators destroy South Carolina. Spurrier’s worst career defeat .
4. Texas – Last time in Lawrence the Horns needed a miracle finish. This time the Jayhawks get caged. No crackers for them.
5. Oklahoma – Took a bye this week. Host #1 Texas Tech next week in Norman. Be sure to watch this game! Expect well over half a mile of offense.
6. Southern Cal – Offense finally showed up for the Trojans. Bent Stanford over in the second half, 45-23.
7. Utah – After last week they do a breather over San Diego State in a total rout.
8. Boise State – Crush Idaho after the Vandals showed them some attitude at the start.
9. Penn State – Joe Pa has never lost to the Hoosiers. Lions pound Indiana in a yawner, 34-7.
10. Ohio State – Had to work to beat the Illini. Can clinch Big Ten title if Penn State loses and they beat Michigan.
11. Missouri – Clinched the Big 12 North with romp over Iowa State. Play arch-rival Kansas in the finale..
12. TCU – Took a bye week as they needed it after Utah last week.
13. Georgia – With some luck they hung on for a 4 point win over rival, Auburn.
14. Oklahoma State – Cowboys have a tussle in Boulder but come away with a 30-17 win over Colorado.
15. Brigham Young – Grounded the Air Force, 38-24, with a strong second half.
16. Ball State – Beat Miami (O.), 31-16 to remain unbeaten.
17. Michigan State – If Michigan beats Ohio State and Spartans beat Nittany Lions then MSU heads to Pasadena.
18. Oregon State– Beavers win a critical game over California on the road to the Pac Ten championship.
19. Northwestern – Michigan isn’t what they usually are but Northwestern beat them in the House.
20. North Carolina – Lose very late vs. Maryland in the “Mud Bowl” with a Terrapin FG, 17-15.
21. LSU – An impressive comeback vs. Troy but this should have never been necessary.
22. Oregon – Had a scoring fest clinic with Arizona for runners-up positioning. Beat Wildcats, 55-45.
23. Cincinnati – Bearcats are 8-2 and now lead the Big East with win over Louisville.
24. Pittsburgh – Panthers have a bye week and travel to Cincinnati next week where winner takes Big East lead.
25. Maryland –Beat UNC with a late field goal in the Mud Bowl, 17-15. Take lead in Atlantic Division of the ACC.
26-50: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Arizona, Iowa, California, Central Michigan, Miami (Fla.),
Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Mississippi, Connecticut, Houston, Tulsa, West Virginia, Nebraska, Notre Dame,
Western Michigan, Rice, Wake Forest, Nevada, Minnesota, Air Force, Vanderbilt, Troy.