College Football Weekend Finale

In what was suppose to be a down week as far as the good games, this week saw its share of close to the wire finishes, as Ohio State was able to pull out a thriller in Iowa City vs. the Hawkeyes, LSU and the mad hatter put on show with Jeremiah Masoli and Ole Miss, and Michigan State came from behind to stun Purdue. We even had some comic relief as Northwestern and Illinois played a one-way football game (All that was missing was the all-time quarterback) in historic Wrigley field.




The top three in Oregon, Auburn, and TCU were all idle, so the BCS standings stayed the same in that department for the fourth consecutive week. Following this weekend's games, there remains only one more week in college football's regular season which is such a bittersweet thought for me. Their are some exciting conference races that will come down to the last game in the Big Ten, Big 12 and the Big East. As the season winds down, now is where the great teams will separate themselves from the good teams.



Now lets breakdown the top games of the weekend:

Ohio State 20 Iowa 17 - Terelle Pryor just finds ways to win and when his team needed him, he put on a season-defining drive for the Buckeyes. On their next to last drive, Pryor led the Buckeyes on a 12 play 76 yard drive that would put them ahead for good. The drive would feature gorgeously lofted 50-yard bomb pass from Pryor to DeVier Posey that would have been a touchdown but was dropped by Posey on third and 10. Pryor wouldn't let that deter his team as he scrambled for 14-yards on fourth down to keep the chains moving. Pryor then completed a 24-yard pass to Dane Sanzebacher to set up Dan Herron's go-ahead score. The Hawkeyes and QB Ricky Stanzi couldn't muster up any late game heroics themselves on their last drive as the Buckeyes defense stuffed them. It was just a great performance for Pryor who was having a shaky game before leading his team on the game-winning drive. His athleticism rivals Heisman front-runner Cam Newton, with his length and speed. Iowa as I suspected had no answer for him on defense. The Buckeyes keep there Rose bowl chances alive with the win even though they are a long shot with Wisconsin being ranked higher than them in the BCS rankings.

Wisconsin 48 Michigan 28 - This one turned out exactly as I thought it would. The Wolverines just could not contain the powerful Badger run game. Wisconsin just pounded Michigan into submission with 354 yards rushing. RB Montee Ball, just the third string back two weeks ago, ran for 194 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman James White pitched in with 161 yards and two touchdowns. QB Scott Tolzien completed his first 10 passes and finished the day nearly perfect going 14 of 15 for 201 yards and an interception. Even in the lost, and Michigan QB Denard Robinson set the all-time record for QB rushing yards with 1,538 yards in a season after running for 121 yards on 22 carries. This is the Badgers first win at Michigan since 1994. Wisconsin built a 24-0 lead going into halftime and there was no way Michigan could overcome that lead with the way the Badgers run the ball. Wisconsin now is the highest rated BCS team in the Big Ten and if they win out they should make a run for the Roses in Pasadena.

Texas A&M 9 Nebraska 6 – This one was a low scoring affair that your dad would have been proud of. Cyrus Gray led the Aggies with a career high 137 yards and if you haven’t saw this guy play, your missing out. He was elusive and only got stronger as the game wore on. This was Gray’s fifth consecutive game over the century mark. The game was a defensive struggle for the entire night and Nebraska just couldn’t muster up any offense. They also committed way too many turnovers and a few key ones that may have cost them the game. The roughing the passer call on 3rd and 11 continued the drive that led to a go-ahead field goal by the Aggies. Taylor Martinez missed the last five minutes of the first quarter and the entire second quarter after hurting his right ankle. He came back for the third quarter and played the rest of the game despite noticeably being hobbled. He was flagged for intentional grounding on first down on Nebraska’s last drive and then sacked on third down. The biggest show of the game may have come on the sidelines as Cornhusker coach Bo Pellini was upset with Martinez for some apparent reason and resorted to shouting and poking his finger in the chest of his QB. The loss doesn’t affect the Huskers in the Big 12 south race as they still control their own destiny with a win next week over Colorado. The Aggies now have won four straight and look continue their hot streak and sneak into a New Year’s Day bowl.



Other News and Notables:

Northwestern vs. Illinois – Sometimes schools and administrations force things and this sure felt that way with this game being played at Chicago’s historic Wrigley field. This one had all the makings of a bad game with the teams only able to one way on offense. It was comical to say the least but Northwestern wanted this game played so badly and they made it happen, even if it wasn’t the best conditions. This was the butt of many jokes including where is the all-time QB? There was also a few Arena league quips. The sod was so lose on the field that most players spent their day trying not to slip. The one person who took advantage was Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure, running for a school record 330- yards. Illinois became bowl eligible with the win.

Stanford – After Cal nearly pulled off the upset of Oregon, the thinking was that they and the Clancy Pendergrast defense actually stood a chance in this one. In the great words of Lee Corso “Not so fast my friend”. The Cardinal went out and whooped the Golden Bears in the annual Big Game 48-14. Andrew Luck once again put on a great performance tossing two touchdown passes. He redeemed himself for his less than stellar performance in last year’s game. The 48 point outburst from Stanford was the highest scoring total ever for one team in this heated rivalry.

The Mad Hatter vs. The Nutt – Where is the D in the SEC? The 79 points the teams combined for are the most in the SEC this year. LSU came in with the No. 1 ranked defense in the SEC but allowed Jeremiah Masoli and the Rebels to rack up 36 points. This one had everything you expected from it when Les Miles and Houston Nutt teams get together. The teams traded blows back and forth in the 4th quarter combining for five touchdowns in the period. LSU is such a fun team to watch. They always play down or up to their competition so even they play a team like Ole Miss or Tennessee and it makes for a good game. The Tigers are entrenched in the BCS rankings at # 5 and should hold that ranking this week with the win.

College Football Weekend Setup

This weekend in college football won’t feature any of the top three teams, as they all have a bye week. The most interesting games this weekend are coming out of the Big Ten and the ACC instead of the usual blockbuster games in the SEC. Boise St. also has a prime-time game this Friday with the always anytime, anywhere and any place Fresno State Bulldogs (I love their coach Pat Hill). Ohio State takes on Iowa as the Buckeyes try to break through the three-way logjam at the top of the division and Wisconsin makes a visit to the Big House to face Denard Robinson and the Wolverines. Virginia Tech has a chance to clinch the Coastal Division with a win over Miami. There also is a good match-up in the Big 12 as Nebraska and Texas A&M battle.




Now for the breakdown of the games:

Ohio State (9-1) vs. Iowa (7-3) – The Buckeyes escaped with a victory last week against Penn State on the strength of a second half comeback. Ohio State got two pick sixes after intermission and were able to avoid the upset. Terrelle Pryor hasn’t been putting up the Heisman type numbers everyone thought he would this year, but still has been effective and is the proven leader of his team. The man to watch on the Buckeyes however is now RB Dan Herron. He rushed for 190 yards versus Penn St and has a rushing TD in every game this year since the opener against Marshall. Iowa has to be kicking themselves in the foot as they lost to Northwestern yet again this year (The Hawkeyes have lost five of the past six to the Wildcats, who knew?). Pick six Rick reared his ugly head as Stanzi threw a critical interception deep in Northwestern territory that eventually led to the game-winning Wildcat touchdown. The late game interception has to make Kirk Ferentz nervous going into this one. The Buckeyes have the top rated pass-defense in the Big Ten with 17 interceptions and while only allowing 151.1 yards a game. The Buckeyes also have a dazzling plus 14 turnover margin but the Hawkeyes are not far behind at plus 12. I look for Ohio State to come out and control the game with their running attack and don’t see an answer on Iowa’s defense for Pryor. The Buckeyes defense will force Stanzi into bad decisions and turnovers. Watch out for DE Aaron Clayborn though, he has been dominant this year. The Buckeyes have won 13 of 15 in this series and should keep continue their dominance in this series. The Pick: Ohio State

Wisconsin (9-1) vs. Michigan (7-3) – As I watched the bottom line scores on ESPN and saw how the Badgers hung 83 on Indiana, it got my mind to wondering, how in the world will the Wolverines be able to stop such a potent running attack? Indiana is actually ranked higher than Michigan on defense! The Wolverines have the worst ranked total defense out of all eleven schools in the Big Ten, so this could get ugly. The Badgers didn’t even have their starting running back as John Clay was out with a sprained MCL. The only way I believe the Wolverines stand a chance this game is to score and score a lot. They do have the top ranked offense in the conference thanks to the exploits of QB Denard Robinson .The bad thing about that is that Robinson is coming off his two worst rushing totals of the year with a combined 130 yards against Illinois and Purdue. Robinson also had two interceptions a piece in those games. This game will basically be all about ball control. If the Wolverines can find a way to keep its much maligned defense off the field, they may have a chance. Robinson will have to make good decisions because the Badgers defense preys on mistakes. In the end though, the Badgers run game will be too much with Clay, and James White. When they get their running attack going, you have to look out for QB Scott Tolzien to go play-fake and take a shot down field. I look for the Wolverines to stick with the Badgers until the second half and then give way to the pressure and fatigue that the Wisconsin run game has applied all year to so many of their opponents. The Pick: Wisconsin

Nebraska (9-1) vs. Texas A&M (7-3)- And now to break the monotony of Big Ten games, we have the Cornhuskers vs. the Aggies. The Cornhuskers are another team that has to be upset they couldn’t have pulled out the victory against a down Texas team. If they had beaten the Longhorns, they would be at the forefront of the national title race. QB Taylor Martinez has been nursing an injured ankle but looks to be ready to go in this one. The Aggies were reeling after three straight losses to Oklahoma Stats, Arkansas, and Missouri before turning to QB Ryan Tannehill to take over for the turnover-proned Jerrod Johnson. All Tannehill has done is throw for 1,109 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the Aggies on a four game winning streak. Texas A&M will need the best from Tannehill as the Cornhuskers are top in the nation in defensive passing efficiency. Nebraska will try to pound the Aggies with their option running attack. Roy Helu Jr. has cooled a bit since his 307 yard game against Missouri but is always a threat. The Aggies run a little option of their own but not as much as they did when Johnson was starting at QB. This one to me looks like an upset. The Aggies have been playing some of the best ball in the land since inserting Tannehill as the starter. Nebraska has been up and down over the past few weekends and with the game being played at Texas A&M, I’m going with the upset. The Pick: Texas A&M



Game of the week – Ohio State vs. Iowa – The Buckeyes look to break the three-way tie atop the Big Ten standings.



Most Intriguing game – Virginia Tech vs. Miami – The Hokies can clinch the ACC coastal division with a win and have won 10 of 15 against the Hurricanes.



Rivalry Game – Tennessee vs. Vandy – The Vols have won four straight over the Commodores since Vandy snapped their 22-game winning streak in 2005. UT has to win this game and their next against Kentucky go get a shot at a bowl game.



Under the radar game – Florida State vs. Maryland – Yet another conference division that has a logjam at the top with three teams (Florida State, N.C. State and Maryland). If Florida State losses this one, they would be eliminated. Fortunate for the Seminoles they have had the Terrapins number going 17-1 against them since they’ve joined the ACC.



Wake me when it’s over game – Memphis vs. UAB – At this point in the season, both of these teams are just playing for pride.



Coach better get it right game – Pittsburgh vs.USF – Dave Wannstedt always has his team in contention but they never seem to get over the hump. The Panthers have talent and their record should be better this year. Wannstedt needs his team to win out to win the conference and to have a winning record.

College Football Weekend Setup

Week 7 in college football is upon us, and after a topsy turvy week 6 things are getting interesting now. With top ranked Alabama going down, it has opened the door for other teams to get into the national championship. The most benefiting will be the non AQ schools Boise State and TCU. It’s a shame because Bama just had an off day. Even with the lost, if you gave me the Crimson Tide on a neutral field against any team in country, I would still take Bama. And now to the weekend’s best games and upset special’s.

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin – This is the game of the year so far in the Big Ten. Ohio State has not been really tested so far this year playing the likes of Marshall, University of Ohio, Eastern Michigan and Illinois. That schedule is not scaring anyone. The Buckeyes do have enough talent to make it to the National Championship but they only will go as far as Terelle Pryor will take them and so far this year that has been a very good place. The Badgers come in to this game knowing that for them to have any shot at the Rose Bowl or better they will have to win this game with the one loss they already have courtesy of Sparty. This will be a slugfest featuring the Badgers power run game led by John Clay vs. the electric Pryor and his plethora of options for the Buckeyes. The Pick: Ohio State



Arkansas vs. Auburn – The SEC showdown of the week features two SEC west teams vying for a claim to the SEC west title. Auburn, the beneficiaries of Bama’s stumble in Columbia, has the inside track to the division. They must first deal with a Razorback team with Ryan Mallet at the helm. He is a proven leader and has to attest the bad performance down the stretch against Alabama wasn’t the best he has to offer. The Tigers have been a pleasant surprise to most and seem to rolling on all cylinders. The play of Cam Newton has brought a sort on energy and swagger to this team. I just don’t see any answers for him in Arkansas’s defense. The Pick: Auburn

Texas vs. Nebraska – It’s hard to get a good read on the Longhorns. One week they are flat getting run over by UCLA and the next week they are playing Oklahoma to the last down. I think this is exactly what they are, an inconsistent team that will have its good and bad games. This is what happens when you don’t have a reliable run game; teams can just worry about your passing. Garrett Gilbert can only be expected to do so much with so little. I don’t see the athletes at Texas that they’ve had in years past. The Huskers will present a big challenge because they run the ball so effectively. Taylor Martinez will run wild on you if you let him and so far every team he has faced has. Martinez also has a better than advertised arm, so if you do go for one of those play-action fakes he will burn you over the top. The Blackshirts of yester year are also back. The defense is loaded and don’t think that Nebraska has forgot what happen last year in the Big 12 championship game. If you don’t believe me just go to there website, they have been waiting on this one since the clock stopped in that game. Bo Pellini will have that motivation for his boys on his side. The Pick: Nebraska



Game of the Week – Ohio State vs. Wisconsin: Can Ohio State beat up on Wisconsin the way it has on all its other opponents?

Most Intriguing game- Iowa vs. Michigan: Can Denard Robinson bounce back from a sub par game and can Iowa avenge its first lost of the season?

Rivalry Game of the week- Cal vs. USC: Who needs this win more Lane Kiffin or Jeff Tedford?

Under the radar game- Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech: Ok State is undefeated but hasn’t really played a good team yet.

Coach better get it right game- North Carolina vs. Virginia: Amid all the allegations involving his program, Butch Davis has a lot of explaining to do but if he wins and continues to win the chatter may simmer down a bit.