2009 College Football - Week 12

When you look at this week, it looks like an awful slate of games. Only one matchup of ranked teams and most other games look like they're gonna be lopsided. But the great thing about games this late in that no matter the rankings, they are big when it comes to conference races and bowl game positioning. Oh, and there's of course always the chance of that upset that sends shock waves through the college football world.

I had a very good week of picking games last week, going 12-3. That moves the season record to 106-59. If there were a time to go 15-0, this would be the week, seeing that many of these games look lopsided and as long as the upset doesn't happen (except in the APPY of course), then I'll be just fine.

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #11 Oregon @ Arizona - Both teams control their respective destinies in getting to the Rose Bowl, but they'll have to get past each other to reach Pasadena. Oregon comes in with one of the better offenses in the nation, including the 6th best rush offense. They'll put that offense up against the Arizona defense, which is stout against the run. The Wildcats are perfect in Tucson and are more than capable of scoring with the Ducks. If Oregon loses, it will really jumble the Pac-10 race. But if they win, it makes it much easier. I'm torn on who to choose but I'm going with ARIZONA in my APPY of the week.

BEST OF THE REST
2. Kansas @ #3 Texas - Before the year began, this was a game to watch. Kansas came in with so much talent, including QB Todd Reesing, who was a darkhorse Heisman candidate. But now, KU has lost 5 in a row and may not even make a bowl game. Plus, it's been distraction city with all the accusations against head coach Mark Mangino. Meanwhile at Texas, it's been business as usual. Just win after win after win. And now, it's senior night in Austin and the last time Colt McCoy will play in front of the Longhorn faithful. while KU may actually put up a fight, there's no way TEXAS loses this game.

3. #25 California @ #17 Stanford - "THE BAND IS ON THE FIELD!". Get ready to see that clip a few times this weekend. The game known as "The Big Game" really isn't that big this year. Cal is out of the Pac-10 race and while Stanford still has a shot at the title, they'll need some help. but don't let any of that distract from what should be a fun game to watch. Cal has hit their stride again, even without star RB Jahvid Best in their latest game against 'Zona. But Stanford has really gotten hot, scoring 106 points in their last 2 games against USC and Oregon. Plus, the game is in Palo Alto where the Cardinal are a perfect 5-0. Without Best, I think it'll be tough on Cal to win so I'll go with STANFORD.

4. #8 LSU @ Ole Miss - Neither team is going to the SEC title game but this is a big one. The winner claims second place in the SEC West and will all but be guaranteed a New Year's Day bowl game (most likely the Cotton Bowl). LSU comes in with 2 losses to the best 2 teams in the nation. But their 8 wins aren't all that impressive. Just last week, they struggled with a Louisiana Tech team. They should get QB Jordan Jefferson back but even with him at QB, they struggle. In fact, they are 107th in total yards in the NCAA. Meanwhile, Ole Miss comes in with a much better offense but also a defense that is prone to give up points. If the defense can keep LSU to around 10 points, then they should be fine. That and if Dexter McCluster can give them a real spark in the run game to take some pressure of QB Jevan Snead. With all that said, I'll go with OLE MISS at home. LSU just doesn't excite me.

5. Kansas State @ Nebraska - Who would have thunk that this would be a big game? When Bill Snyder was named the coach of Kansas State for a second time, a lot of people wondered if it would really make an impact. Well, it certainly has because under Snyder, the Wildcats have been perched near the top of the Big 12 North all season. But this week for the first time in a while, they are in second place behind Nebraska. But they can still make it to the Big 12 title game with a win over the Huskers. That won't be easy though, especially since the Huskers have really stepped up their game. They pretty much shut down Oklahoma and then last week, kept Kansas from ending its losing streak. I'll go with NEBRASKA to win and all but clinch their spot in the Big 12 title game.

6. Virginia @ #23 Clemson - I don't know if there is much doubt about who will win this game. The bigger question is just by how much AND if Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney will allow CJ Spiller to kick an extra point. You see, Spiller has done it all for Tigers. he's thrown, run, and caught a TD this season but yet to kick a PAT. That could change this week. With a win, the Tigers clinch a spot in the ACC title game and a rematch of a good game against Georgia Tech. With the way the Tigers are playing right now on both sides of the ball, I don't even think Virginia has a chance at an upset. Yeah, the Cavs beat UNC earlier this season but CLEMSON is playing with a ton of confidence and should win easily.

7. Connecticut @ Notre Dame - The Charlie Weis rumors continue to swirl around the college football world. While I think he should stay as coach, a loss in this game may change my mind. UConn is a good team and should be able to keep up with the Irish until the end. They have a pretty good defense that should be able to keep ND to around 28-30 points. After that, it'll be up their offense to respond. For ND, defense has been the problem from day one. If their defense can keep the Huskies from going score-to-score with their offense, who knows, the Irish may actually win. But this year with ND,t hat's a big IF. Thanks to Jimmy Clausen and his golden arm, I'll go with NOTRE DAME.

8. #16 Wisconsin @ Northwestern - These are good times in Evanston. That's because the Wildcats are going to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1995 and 1996. But getting to a bowl game at 7-5 isn't as good as getting there at 8-4. Plus, a win over a second ranked team looks good too. Wisconsin comes in as maybe the least-talked about 2-loss team in the nation. But that's probably just fine with them as they just keep doing their thing. QB Scott Tolzien is coming off his best game yet, throwing for a career-high 4 TD in a resounding win over Michigan. Meanwhile, NW boasts QB Mike Kafka, who is a dual threat and just a gutsy player. Lots of credit goes to NW coach Pat Fitzgerald for the job he's done with this squad. He's gotten NW to a point that they should be not be overlooked. I'm sure not going to here. NORTHWESTERN wins a close one.

9. #4 TCU @ Wyoming - When you're 10-0 and going on the road, it's always gonna be a big game. That's the case for TCU, who is just 2 games away from finishing the regular season unscathed. So far, TCU has done a great job of not only winning games, but winning them convincingly, giving voters no inclination of dropping them below a team like Cincinnati or Boise State. They'll need to do that here as they take on an improved Wyoming team. The Cowboys are a game away from bowl eligibility and actually beat the Horned Frogs the last time they were in Laramie. The problem is though that they have trouble scoring points on offense and TCU has one of the best defenses in the nation. Oh, and they're 5th in points scored. TCU wins by a huge margin.

10. Maryland @ Florida State - At 5-5, this is a must win for FSU if they want to go bowling. Well, I guess not a must win because they still have Florida on the schedule but really, does anyone see that upset happening? Didn't think so. FSU should have no problem with Maryland but that's probably what Clemson thought in October. Since that Clemson game though, MD has lost 6 in a row and at 2-8, are strictly out to play spoiler. Neither team's defense is worth talking about but Maryland's putrid offense sure is. They are 100th or worse in total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, and points scored. That tells me FLORIDA STATE wins with no problem.

11. North Carolina @ Boston College - For the second year in a row, the ACC has been full of a lot of mediocre teams that just beat themselves up. But it didn't have to be that way. One of the teams that could easily in the top 25 is North Carolina. But the Tar Heels hit a stretch where they lost 3 of 4 games, including games to Virginia and Florida State. If they win those games though, they are a quality 9-1 team with a very good defense and an improving offense. But now, they are just another 7-3 team in the ACC like BC, who also just seems pedestrian. If BC can pull off the victory and Virginia somehow upsets Clemson, they will play GT in the ACC Championship so there's something on the line for the Eagles. With 4 wins in a row though, including two over ranked teams, I'm picking NORTH CAROLINA to win.

12. Colorado @ #12 Oklahoma State (THURS) - This only makes the list because of the uncertainty surrounding OKST QB Zac Robinson. The QB left last week's game against Texas Tech after a violent collision that had him sit out the final seconds. Now, on a short week, he's a game-time decision for a OKST team that would love to finish the year a top 10 team. But that surely won't happen if they trip up against Colorado this week. The Buffaloes aren't a real worthy opponent, at just 3-7 and having to travel to Stillwater is not good, considering they are 0-5 on the road. Whether they have Robinson or not, OKLAHOMA STATE comes away victorious.

13. #14 Penn State @ Michigan State - It may take a few upsets but at 9-2, Penn State is still in the mix for a BCS at-large spot. A loss though against the Spartans will kill those chances. PSU has had some rough losses this year but a 10-2 finish will help Nittany Lions fans forget about those. After a sluggish start, PSU cruised against Indiana. They can't afford a sluggish start though to a much better MSU team. At 6-5, they are truly the definition of a disappointment in 2009. Many thought they could contend for a Big Ten title. Instead, they are barely bowl eligible. Last year, Daryll Clark had a career game against the Spartans. I don't see that happening again but I do think PENN STATE has enough to win.

14. Minnesota @ #13 Iowa - At 9-0, Hawkeyes fans had to be feeling on top of the world. They were well on their way to a Rose Bowl berth and possibly a spot in the BCS title game. But then, Northwestern happened. And then Ohio State. Now, to avoid a 3-game losing streak to end the year and the possibility of not getting a New Year's Day bowl game, they need to beat Minnesota. The Hawkeyes will probably win if they play like they did against OSU, which was a spirited performance especially without QB and leader Ricky Stanzi. Minnesota though will be no pushover. At 6-5, they are bowl eligible but have something else to play for. They want to stop a 13-game losing streak to ranked teams. If they play like they did last week, they will lose for sure. They needed a FG with 2 min left to beat South Dakota State. With that said, I'll take IOWA.

15. #10 Ohio State @ Michigan - You didn't think I forgot about it did you? It's the biggest rivalry in college football. Or at least, it was until Jim Tressel came into town. Thanks to Jimmy T, it's been really lopsided. OSU has won the last 5 games and lost just once in the Tressel era. And for OSU, this year's game doesn't mean much. The Bucks are off to the Rose Bowl no matter what. The only thing a loss does is have them share the Big Ten title with 1 to 3 teams. Eh, who cares? For Michigan though, this game is more than a rivalry game. It's also their last chance to get to that 6th win and become bowl eligible. Tate Forcier told reporters last week he will do whatever it takes to make sure his team goes bowling. Well, that means he better play his best game yet because he's going against an outstanding defense. Plus, his defense is not special. While OSU really doesn't have much to play for, I don't see them letting up one bit against their arch rival. OHIO STATE adds to the woes of Rich Rodriguez and Michigan and makes sure they spend the bowl season at home. Ohio State 34, Michigan 14.

OTHER GAMES
Northern Illinois @ Ohio - It's not very often OU Bobcat fans like myself get to talk about big games in November. But this game qualifies as that. OU is one game behind Temple in the MAC East standings but control their own destiny when it comes to the division crown. Getting by NIU won't be easy though. Both teams come in sporting 7-3 records and 5-1 conference records so OU's situation is just like NIU's. The Huskies control games with their run game while OU's passing game is superior. Both defenses are good but have lapses at times and let inferior teams score in earlier games. The Huskies are riding a 4-game win streak while the Cats have won 5 of their last 6. All in all, it's a very even game. The fact that it is in Athens won't make much of a difference, seeing that OU has lost 2 of their 3 games at home. As much as I know this is the kind of game OU has been known to lose, I see something in this team that makes me feel confident in saying OHIO comes away with the big win. Ohio 24, Northern Illinois 23

NFL Week 10 Power Rankings

Take one look at the NFL standings and it's clear to see that in the 7 weeks left, there's gonna furious race to the playoffs. While a few teams have all but clinched their spots with their hot starts, others are starting to sizzle and fizzle. Oh, and of course, some teams who started awful are still awful, but even that'll make the race for the top draft pick exciting. There weren't too many drastic changes to the Power Rankings this week but don't let that stop you from checking them out.

1. New Orleans (9-0, Last Week: 1) - Not sure what has happened to Drew Brees. After an electric start, he's thrown more INT than TD in the last 4 games. The defense continues to bend but not break but I've got a feeling they're gonna break soon enough. NEXT @ Tampa Bay

2. Minnesota (8-1, LW: 2) - The Vikings did what they had to do against the Lions. Keeping them to 10 points and winning easily. Big question now is if Brett Favre can keep this pace up or if he will falter like he did with the Jets last season down the stretch. NEXT vs. Seattle

3. Arizona (6-3, LW: 6) - Seems weird to congratulate the Cards on winning a home game but with the way they've been playing at home, it's an accomplishment. Defense had trouble against the run, which shouldn't bode well as they next face Steven Jackson. NEXT @ St. Louis

4. Dallas (6-3, LW: 3) - Not a good loss by the Cowboys. Their offense had been so good lately but then were simply stymied by the Packers. The rush attack never got going but the Tony Romo to Roy Williams connection seems to be working now. NEXT vs. Washington

5. Philadelphia (5-4, LW: 5) - Really can't figure this team out. They have one of the best offenses in the NFL but they're so inconsistent. And now, they have no real threat of a run game with Westbrook out, putting more pressure on McNabb and the pass game. NEXT @ Chicago

6. Atlanta (5-4, LW: 4) - I guess you can call it a sophomore slump now. Matt Ryan has thrown more INT in 9 games (12) than he did all of last season (11). And with the chance of Michael Turner being out for a few weeks, they may be counting on him even more. NEXT @ NY Giants

7. NY Giants (5-4, LW: 8) - They didn't even play and yet, they moved up in the Power Rankings and the NFC East standings. The bye week came in the midst of a 4-game losing streak though so there's no telling which direction they'll go once they hit the field again. NEXT vs. Atlanta

8. Carolina (4-5, LW: 9) - I don't know what John Fox did or said but it's working. This is a whole new team, running the ball like wild and getting after the quarterback. But the biggest change is that Jake Delhomme is throwing the ball to his team and not the other. NEXT vs. Miami (THURS)

9. Green Bay (5-4, LW: 10) - After being embarrassed by the Bucs, the Pack rebounded nicely with a quality home win against the Cowboys. It was a boring game to watch but I doubt they care as they kept the turnovers low. Kept them in the playoff hunt. NEXT vs. San Francisco

10. San Francisco (4-5, LW: 12) - Not sure if the Niners really won the game over the Bears or Jay Cutler lost it for the Bears. Either way, a win is a win and kept the Niners alive in the division. Still not impressed with Alex Smith though at quarterback. NEXT @ Green Bay

11. Chicago (4-5, LW: 7) - Remember when this team was 3-1? Now, they've gone 1-4 in their last 5 and are showing no signs of turning it around. Cutler has been just awful and Matt Forte, while gaining yards, is not getting them through the run game. NEXT vs. Philadelphia

12. Washington (3-6, LW: 13) - Maybe Jim Zorn is a better coach than we think. Facing one of the better defenses in the league and without RB Clinton Portis, the Redskins scored 27 points and played an all-around great game. But he'll still be fired at season's end. NEXT @ Dallas

13. Seattle (3-6, LW: 11) - What's to say? This team just can't seem to put it together. Matt Hasselbeck and the offense have the talent to take over a game but don't. And the defense hasn't been playing nearly up to potential, especially the names they have. NEXT @ Minnesota

14. St. Louis (1-8, LW: 15) - They are clearly playing better football than the first 7 games. They gave New Orleans a real run for their money and thanks to Steven Jackson, their offense is something to worry about now. Could be a spoiler in last 7 weeks. NEXT vs. Arizona

15. Tampa Bay (1-8, LW: 14) - They didn't play bad at all against Miami. In fact, they almost pulled of the victory. Josh Freeman clearly looks like the QB of the future right now and having Kellen Winslow as a target is really helping him progress. NEXT vs. New Orleans

16. Detroit (1-8, LW: 16) - There must be some kind of curse on this team. Seems like no matter what players they bring in, they are just terrible. And you can't point to one position either. It's all phases of the game. But a good chance to win game number two this week. NEXT vs. Cleveland

1. Indianapolis (9-0, LW: 1) - They didn't exactly play well but thanks to Bill Belichick, it was enough to win. Peyton Manning clearly is what keeps this team a winning team. The current defense though may be what keeps this from an AFC Championship.. NEXT @ Baltimore

2. Cincinnati (7-2, LW: 2) - Seeing the Bengals at 7 wins isn't surprising. It's only surprising because it's only Week 10. And in a game that the offense couldn't punch it in the endzone, the defense did a masterful job of keeping the Steelers to just four field goals. NEXT @ Oakland

3. New England (6-3, LW: 4) - Thanks to their coach, they are not 7-2 and on top of these Power Rankings. Clearly, their offense can carry them to a victory against just about anyone. But their defense definitely needs work, especially if they face Indy again. NEXT vs. NY Jets

4. Pittsburgh (6-3, LW: 3) - They were playing at home against a division rival and boasting one of the best pass offenses in the NFL. And yet, all they could muster up was 12 points via 4 field goals. The health of Troy Polamalu is the most important thing right now. NEXT @ Kansas City

5. San Diego (6-3, LW: 6) - Don't look now but the Chargers are starting to click on all cylinders. The offenese has both a run and pass game and the defense is keeping some good offenses to minimal damage. And now, thanks to Denver's collapse, are tied at the top of the AFC West. NEXT @ Denver

6. Houston (5-4, LW: 7) - If the Texans are going to make the playoffs, this is the year. They have the offense that can score with any team and the competition around them isn't as strong as in previous years. Need to come out of bye week ready to stop Chris Johnson. NEXT vs. Tennessee (MON)

7. Denver (6-3, LW: 5) - Losing to Baltimore and Denver is one thing. But losing to a Washington team that has been struggling to score all year is a real disappointment. And now, Kyle Orton is out and Chris Simms is in. These are tough times in Denver right now. NEXT vs. San Diego

8. Baltimore (5-4, LW: 9) - Hard to give any credit to the Ravens for their win over the Browns. They didn't have to do much to win and haven't been playing well lately anyways. Next three games will give team to prove just how good (or bad) they are. NEXT vs. Indianapolis

9. Miami (4-5, LW: 8) - They should have beaten the Bucs by a much bigger margin, hence the drop. But the news is not good for the Dolphins with Ronnie Brown down to injury. Guess it's time to see how good Ricky Williams is without his comrade. NEXT @ Carolina (THURS)

10. Jacksonville (5-4, LW: 11) - Injuries have really hurt the Jags on defense but doesn't seem to matter because they are playing bad offenses. The Jets didn't give them much of a challenge and now next, they get the Bills. They are in great shape for playoffs and yet, not a great team. NEXT vs. Buffalo

11. Tennessee (3-6, LW: 12) - No thanks to Bud Adams and his "birds", the Titans are running wild. Vince Young may not be the reason behind the recent surge but he sure has played well. It'll be interesting to see just how well they finish the season after such a bad start. NEXT @ Houston (MON)

12. NY Jets (4-5, LW: 10) - The Jets have tons of problems and need to figure them out soon. The offense has been anemic, especially the running game that should open up the passing game. And the defense that was supposed to be so strong looked pedestrian against JAX. Next @ New England

13. Buffalo (3-6, LW: 13) - And we have our first coaching casualty of the season. No surprise that Dick Jauron was let go, especially with the team on the verge of another 7-9 season or worse. Thing is, Jauron wasn't the problem. It's the personnel he has. NEXT @ Jacksonville

14. Kansas City (2-7, LW: 15) - Don't mistake their jump up one spot as a signal that they are getting better. In fact, they are the same mediocre team that began the year. And now, they've lost their Dwayne Bowe, their best WR for 4 games. Yikes. NEXT vs. Pittsburgh

15. Oakland (2-7, LW: 14) - Someone had to win that game and someone had to lose. Not surprising that it was the Raiders who lost. JaMarcus Russell still can't manage an offense and Tom Cable still can't coach. This team is an absolute train wreck. NEXT vs. Cincinnati

16. Cleveland (1-8, LW: 16) - It's going from bad to worse for the Browns. Actually, maybe worse to worser. Despite a good showing from the defense, the Brady Quinn-led offense couldn't move the ball. Too bad they don't play the Bills again this season. NEXT @ Detroit.

2009 College Football - Week 11 Recap

What a week of college football. While my two favorite teams won some big games this week, others "less-mainstream" teams also nabbed big wins, making this week one of the more fun weeks of the season. Of course, the BCs championship picture isn't any clearer, as we still have 6 undefeated teams and all could make a case that they are the best. But of course, we'll never know with the system. What we do know is that we still have 3 weeks of great football left and there's still a ton to be figured out. Oh the drama...

THE BIG 10 THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK

1. OU - Oh Yeah! - In case you missed it Tuesday (and if you did, what's wrong with you?), the Ohio Bobcats won on national television to move to 7-3 overall and 5-1 in the MAC. And while it wasn't the prettiest win, it was a win and now, the Cats are just two games away from the MAC championship. This team has come a long way from all the preseason expectations too. Many figured a 5th place finish was about right. Others thought that once QB Boo Jackson went down, our offense would struggle. But despite all of that, the Fightin' Frank Solich's have put together quite the season. Now, just two home games from an amazing one.

2. Roses are red... - I'm not the biggest fan of Pat Forde's writing but his article on Jim Tressel had me chucking. That's because yet again, OSU is heading to a BCS bowl game, all while playing the most conservative football known to man. Terrelle Pryor came to OSU has the most athletic QB in the land but yet, he plays like Craig Krenzel, just managing the game and not making mistakes. And while it may not be the most exciting football, for OSU fans like myself, it doesn't matter. It's the winning that matters. And now, we're heading to the Rose Bowl, something that looked like a dream after losing at Purdue. Well done Buckeyes.

3. There's something in the "Gatorade" - I've seen a good amount of college football in person in my life but I've never bigger, stronger players than the Florida Gators. I was standing next to them as they were doing their stretches and let me tell you, I can see why they're so good. Every one of their players, across the board, was bigger (and probably faster) than every player on South Carolina. And that's probably the case for most, if not all, of the teams they play. On TV, Riley Cooper looks rall and fairly skinny but in person, he's 6'3 and solid. As for Tim Tebow, yeah, he's not a small guy. When he wasn't wearing his shoulder pads, it looked like he was. I wasn't the only one mesmerized by their size. All the South Carolina recruits walked over near Florida to watch them warmup instead of watching the Gamecocks. Mad props to Urban Meyer and his staff for truly recruiting the biggest and best players.

4. So how good is Texas? - You know, for all the grief that TCU and Boise State is getting for their weak schedule, it's about time to call out Texas for their schedule. Just check it out. They've only won one game against a current Top 25 team in Oklahoma State. In fact, OKST is the only team they have beaten with more than 6 wins. So while Texas has blown out just about every team, winning by an average margin of 29 pts, take a deeper look at their schedule and it's really not that impressive anymore. They are still my pick to win it all but I honestly have no clue how good they really are.

5. Horned Frogs Statement - Seriously, TCU may be the best team in Texas. I almost want to see a Texas-TCU semifinal and Florida-Alabama semifinal before we play the BCS Championship. If you don't believe TCU is good, you didn't see their game against Utah. They dominated from start to finish, winning 55-28. They ran for 342 yds while their defense didn't even allow 300 yds. And compare their schedule to Texas. TCU has faces 3 teams currently in the Top 25 (Utah, BYU and Clemson) and they won 2 of those games on the road. They also win games by a margin of 26.3. This is a very good team, no matter what conference they are in. They deserve a chance at a title game but you know they won't. Damn shame.

6. Pac-10 fun to be had - That is, if Arizona can beat Oregon. Arizona's loss to Cal was unexpected to me, especially since Jahvid Best was out. But Cal is playing great football now. In fact, playing like the team that we all thought they would from the start. Arizona though fought till the end and shouldn't be discouraged. They can beat Oregon. But the hottest team in the conference now is no doubt Stanford. They have now beaten Oregon and USC in back-to-back weeks and are showing no signs of slowing down. This was supposed to be the tough part of their schedule but instead, they're turning into their statement part. Oh, and Oregon State isn't out of it either. I don't really care which team wins the conference cause they'll prolly beat OSU anyways but it's gonna be fun to see how it all shakes out.

7. What If? - Yeah, I'm doing this again. But think about it for Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh. GT lost a hard fought game to Miami (FL), who now is falling apart. Think if they win that game. Where would they stand in the whole scheme of things right now? Same goes for Pittsburgh. They lost by 7 to NC State, who clearly are not an elite team. But now, Pitt is one and could also be in the title hunt if not for that loss. Of course, they still have Cincy to go but man, how much fun would it be to see those teams play with both being unbeaten?

8. Big 12 North Mess Clearing Up - For a while, it looked like the Big 12 North was going to produce Kansas State as its champ to face mighty Texas in the conference championship. Well, things have seemed to clear up as K-State fell to Mizzou and Nebraska beat Kansas to give them the outright lead. Nebraska is a legit team and actually has a shot of upsetting the Longhorns so this is good news for TCU, Cincy, Boise State and those of us who like a little BCS drama. Thing is, all of that could be ruined if the Huskers don't beat the Wildcats next week.

9. Notre Dame's Struggles - I've heard a lot of talk about ND and Charlie Weis' job security. As usual, I think fans are overreacting. The Irish are not a bad team and all of their losses (except maybe Michigan) and quality losses. But yet, they are calling for Weis' head. Yes, the team is 6-4, well below the expectations of one Lou Holtz, who guessed 11-1. But come on, the schedule that was supposedly easy got tough quick. Pitt was better than expected. Navy has some talent as well. Michigan got off to a fast start and USC is a quality team no matter what. And unfortunately for the Irish, they still have to play an upstart Stanford team. But if the Irish fire Weis, I really think they're making a mistake. This team needs consistency and changing coaches again is not going to bring that.

10. Heisman Watch - Not much to report here. RB Mark Ingram had another solid game but I still feel like his TD totals are not up to par for a Heisman Trophy winner. Tim Tebow had an error-free game and 3 total TD but again, nothing too impressive overall. Colt McCoy was able to pad his stats against a bad Baylor team but as I stated earlier, the schedule Texas has had may hurt his chances now. ND QB Jimmy Clausen has amazing numbers but with 4 losses, I don't see any way he wins. Boise State QB Kellen Moore makes quite the case too, with 32 TD and just 3 INT in 10 games. But don't count out Clemson RB CJ Spiller just yet. Spiller had an amazing game, throwing, running and receiving for a TD and has been the main reason behind the Tigers 5-game win streak.

11. Damn You Tim Tebow - I really want to hate Tim Tebow but I'm starting to think that may not be possible. That's because after watching him in Columbia, I've noticed he is a true class act. Despite being cursed at by the South Carolina student section, Tebow just smiled. He took time to talk to little kids and thanks the members of the Armed Forces for their service. He hyped up his team and got them ready for a pivotal SEC showdown. But what really struck is after the game, he came back from the locker room and shook every (and I mean every) hand of the Gator fans who had made the trek to Columbia to watch their team. I mean, it had to be around 250-500 hands he shook. And he's obviously also a devout Christian and incredibly humble. I hate that I can't hate him. Ugh...

OVER/UNDER
- This week's picks were pretty easy. Clearly, USC is OVERRATED. Don't get me wrong. What the Trojans beat OSU early on, I was convinced they were on their way to another special season. But now, with 3 losses, it's clear they are also in a bit of a rebuilding mode. Matt Barkley is still just a freshman and that defense, which lost quite a few big names, is just not up to stopping the dynamic offenses they see week in and week out in the Pac-10.
- As far as the UNDERRATED team of the week, no doubt that is CLEMSON. The Tigers have just crept under the radar but forget that now. They've won 5 in a row and are one win away from the ACC Championship. But look closer at this team. They have true playmakers in CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford on offense. On defense, they have some fast and talented bodies. But check this out. Their 3 losses (that includes to TCU and GT) are by a combined 10 points. Yeah, that's it. This team is good.

HE/SHE SAID WHAT?
"The completion all the way out to midfield, to the 53 yard line." - Mark Jones

3 QUESTIONS

1. Will Tate Forcier live up to his promise to carry his team to a bowl game?

2. Will teams like Florida State and Kansas clinch a bowl game this week or go into their final game playing for their postseason lives?

3. Seriously, how long until Jim Harbaugh takes a better job than Stanford?

2009 College Football - Week 11

The college football season moves on and while some teams have 4 more games to play, others have just 2 games left, so coming up with a top 15 is just gonna get tougher. But it sure wasn't tough this week. There a plentiful amount of good games Friday and Saturday, and that's all you can ask for every week as a fan.

What I thought was gonna be a great week for me picking last week ended up not being one at all. I got just 9 games right, btu that did include my APPY of Nebraska over Oklahoma, giving me my third APPY victory in 10 weeks. Not that bad. My season record moves to 94-56. By the looks of the games this week, a perfect week could happen but I highliy doubt it because I smell a few upsets too.

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #1 Florida @ South Carolina - You may think I'm crazy for making this my game of the week but if you really think about it, this is not gonna be an easy game for the Gators. In fact, there's a chance they could lose. The Gamecocks seem to play the best teams tough but the average teams awful. The Gators obviously qualify as one of the better teams. South Carolina's defense will be the key. They played well against Ole Miss and Bama, all but shutting down the passing games for both. If they can do the same against UF, they have a chance. Not only that but UF has gotten off to slow starts in just about every game lately and giving a young but talented Gamecocks team hope early and at home is not what the Gators want. I'll be on the field for this one so who knows, maybe I'll see the biggest upset of the year in person. If I do, it's not gonna be one I expected to see. FLORIDA should come away victorious.

BEST OF THE REST

2. #25 West Virginia @ #5 Cincinnati (FRI) - If you're not gonna be watching high school football like I am, here's a pretty good game to watch before you head to the bar or while at the bar. The Mountaineers can still win the Big East but they need wins over UC and Pitt. To do that, they'll need to slow down a Cincy that is 3rd in total yards and 5th in scoring. And it doesn't seem to matter who plays QB either for UC. Zach Collaros will start and is a better runner while Tony Pike will play a bit and is the more accurate passer. WV is led by Jarrett Brown, who has turned up his game as of late but no doubt, if WV doesn't get Noel Devine and the run game, it'll be a long night. Should be a fairly high scoring affair with two teams that don't play amazing defense. And in an offensive shootout, you hafta take CINCINNATI right now.

3. #10 Iowa @ #11 Ohio State - Rose Bowl berth on the line here but this game has really lost a lot of the steam it had a few weeks ago. Iowa is no longer undefeated and now, will be without starting QB Ricky Stanzi for the final two games of the season. In other words, these are not happy days for the Hawkeyes. Meanwhile, Buckeye fans couldn't be happier. The Bucks just beat a good PSU team in Happy Valley and now, just 4 weeks after a terrible loss to Purdue, are playing for a spot in the Rose Bowl. It'll be senior day in Columbus so emotions will already be running high. If Terrelle Pryor can play another turnover-free game like he did against PSU, Iowa doesn't have much of a chance against the OSU defense. Get the roses ready in Columbus because OHIO STATE will win and be off to Pasadena for the first time since 1997. Ohio State 27, Iowa 10

4. Notre Dame @ #12 Pittsburgh - I've been hearing one a few networks that this is a must-win for the Irish, as if Charlie Weis's job rides on this game. I completely disagree with that assessment. Of all things, this is a big game for Dave Wannstedt. This is the best collection of players he has had in Pitt and to stumble down the stretch would really be an embarrassment. It'll be a good battle of QBs too, with ND boasting junior QB Jimmy Clausen and Pitt showcasing the underrated senior QB Bill Stull. ND's offense will put up yards (6th in NCAA) but points don't always come with them (38th in NCAA). In fact, Pitt is 16th in points scored, has a better run game (26th in NCAA) and given up 52 less points in the same amount of games. With all that said, PITTSBURGH wins and stays unbeaten at Heinz Field.

5. #16 Utah @ #4 TCU - If you wondered why TCU has been seen as the one with the better chance to sneak into the BCS title game instead of Boise State, this is why. TCU still has tough opponents on its schedule, with this being one of them. The Utes aren't the same team as last year that beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, but they still know how to win. Utah's only loss came to Oregon in Week 3 and that was by a score of 31-24. Meanwhile, TCU hasn't at all and hasn't shown even a sign that they will. The Horned Frogs have steamrolled just about every opponent in the last month and have one of the best defensive units in the NCAA, giving up just 101 pts in 9 games. But TCU is just 1-5 against the Utes, with the only win in 2005 in OT. So clearly Utah has their number. But this is a new year and a very good Horned Frogs team so I'm picking TCU to win and all but clinch their spot in the BCS.

6. #3 Texas @ Baylor - If Baylor QB Robert Griffin did not get injured at the beginning of the season, this game would have possible upset written all over it. But without Griffin there, I'm not so sure. Texas has really turned it on as of late, pretty much scoring at will. Just look at the 470 pass yds Colt McCoy put up last week. But if the Longhorns overlook the Bears just one bit, who knows what could happen. You have to figure many of the players on Baylor were overlooked by Texas so there'll be plenty of fire in their bellies. While I would love to think the Bears can give the 'Horns a scare, that'll be tough when they're playing their third-string QB. TEXAS wins big.

7. #2 Alabama @ Mississippi State - On paper, shouldn't be close. But neither was the Florida-MSST game and it was a lot closer than expected. That's because these Bulldogs don't give up. They showed that against UF and showed it against LSU. Now, they get Bama and you can bet, they'll give them their best shot. Bama is coming off a hard-fought win over LSU, so bodies may be a bit banged up and heads a little big, knowing they have the SEC West won and are just 4 games away from a shot at the national title. But if they overlook MSST just one bit, look out. Expect this one to be within 10 but ALABAMA to come away the victor.

8. #7 Georgia Tech @ Duke - There's no way anyone could have predicted this game would be so important for both teams. For GT, a win means finishing 7-1 in the ACC, a Coastal division title, and a spot in the ACC Championship. Meanwhile, if Duke can pull off the uspet, they still have a chance to win the Coastal title and with another win could be bowl-eligible. Duke has lost the last 5 against the Yellow Jackets but that's when they weren't good. They're no pushover anymore but I don't think they have the defense to slow down the Jackets rush attack. Johnathan Dwyer has really been running well lately and though the GT defense hasn't been great, it's done enough to keep teams from scoring with their offense. GEORGIA TECH wins and can plan their trip to Tampa.

9. Stanford @ #9 USC - This one won't impact the top of the Pac-10 but the winner of this game stays in the running for a conference title. Stanford is coming off a big win against Oregon, in a game where the Cardinal offense looked unstoppable. But now, they take on a USC defense that probably will get a stop or two. Last time these two teams played in So. Cal, it was Stanford who won 24-23. But something tells me USC knows they have to play their best game against the Cardinal. Pete Carroll will have his team ready to go and as long as Matt Barkley plays a solid game, the Trojans should be alright. USC wins in a good one.

10. #17 Arizona @ California - Yes, that is Arizona ranked and Cal unranked. And yeah, Arizona is the one tied for first in the Pac-10 and Cal is not. Give some credit to Mike Stoops for getting the most out of this Arizona team. The Wildcats still have tough games on the schedule so winning a game like this is crucial. They got a huge break with Cal RB Jahvid Best ruled out after that crazy fall last week. That means the not-so-great Wildcat defense now can concentrate on stopping Kevin Riley and the passing game. The Wildcats haven't won in their last 3 trips to Berkeley but this time, ARIZONA wins.

11. Nebraska @ Kansas - This game was supposed to be a battle of the two ranked teams fighting for the Big 12 North title. Instead, neither team is ranked and only one team is in the hunt for the division title. Nebraska is that team and that's thanks to their big 10-3 win against Oklahoma last week. Now, they are tied with Kansas State in the losses category. But if they lose this one to Kansas, things get a lot tougher. Meanwhile, Kansas has been terrible lately. They're now at 5-4 and in danger of not even making a bowl game. Sad considering they were undefeated and supposedly going to be a threat to Texas in the Big 12 championship. Should be an even game but I'll go with NEBRASKA because they really have something to play for.

12. Missouri @ Kansas State - This game is just like the Nebraska-Kansas matchup. Mizzou has been underachieving this season like Kansas and now, is also in trouble of missing out on a bowl game. Meanwhile, Bill Snyder has been a miracle worker at Kansas State, putting them in position to make a bowl game and win the Big 12 North. This from a team many picked to be last in the division. They beat Kansas last week in a game they really dominated on defense. With this one at home and with the confidence they are playing with, I have to choose KANSAS STATE

13. Michigan @ #20 Wisconsin - What happened to Michigan? Doesn't seem to long ago that they were gonna be the surprise of the Big Ten, Tate Forcier was the toast of the town and Rich Rodriguez was being praised for his work in year number 2. But now, they're at the bottom of the Big Ten with Indiana and at 5-5, may not make a bowl game. Thing is, they're not a bad team talent-wise. They're just playing bad. Meanwhile, Wisconsin has been the quietest 7-2 team in the nation. There's nothing flashy about them at all but they've played solid football all season. At home, they're 5-1 with the only loss coming to Iowa. Look for WISCONSIN to go 6-1 with a close victory.

14. Clemson @ NC State - Clemson is the real deal. If you don't believe it, just look at the second half of their game against FSU. The Tigers offense drove up and down the field and shut down a Seminole offense that was in rhythm in the first half. This is a Tiger team full of confidence, as it should be, having won 4 in a row. Now, Clemson is just two wins away from the ACC title game. This week, they face the Wolfpack, who aren't exactly the toughest competition. They're 4-5 and lost 4 of their last 5. But they are capable of pulling off the upset, as seen by their win over Pitt back in September. Thing is, the Tigers have too many big-play players to lose this one. CLEMSON rolls.

15. #14 Miami (FL) @ North Carolina - For Miami (FL), this is a game they must win if they want to consider this season a real success. The win over Oklahoma is losing power and while the win over GT is good, the loss to Clemson at home was not. Now, they get to face a UNC defense that shut down VT in Blacksburg. QB Jacory Harris will be pressured an awful lot and be forced to make snap decisions. If he does that well, the 'Canes should be alright. But here's the thing. Miami (FL) has lost the last three in Chapel Hill and hasn't played that well since that Clemson loss. One team fights for a BCS at-large spot. The other to be bowl-eligible. I'll take in my APPY pick, the NORTH CAROLINA Tar Heels.

NFL Week 9 Power Rankings

We're technically past the halfway point of the NFL season and take one look at the standings and things are starting to straighten out. The contenders are separating themselves from the "pretenders" as we get closer to thinking about playoffs and positioning. As far as the power rankings go, there was plenty of moving and shaking again. But where did they end up? Just for fun, I'm gonna do the NFC first. It's not fair that I always do the AFC first.

1. New Orleans (8-0, Last Week: 1) - They keep showing chinks in their armor, falling behind against teams that have no business beating them. But thanks to Drew Brees' arm and a bend but don't break 2nd half defense, the Saints have stayed unbeaten. NEXT @ St. Louis

2. Minnesota (7-1, LW: 2) - Through 8 weeks, couldn't ask for much more from the Vikes. Brett Favre has been spectaular, AP has been AP, and Percy Harvin has been a nice addition to the WR corps. The defense hasn't been as great as advertised though. NEXT vs. Detroit

3. Dallas (6-2, LW: 4) - I know I sure didn't see them being this good. Tony Romo is doing a great job in the passing game to compliment his trio of runningbacks. Plus, the defense is keeping teams at bay, and now, they've won 4 in a row. NEXT @ Green Bay

4. Atlanta (5-3, LW: 5) - Matt Ryan is struggling a bit but there's nothing better for a struggling QB than a solid running game. That's what Michael Turner has been, rushing for 166 yds this past week and 2 TD. The second half schedule is a bit easier for them. NEXT @ Carolina

5. Philadelphia (5-3, LW: 3) - Not a good loss by the Eagles. Yes, the Cowboys played a great game but at home, you have to expect a better offensive effort from the Eagles. Maybe the lack of a running game caught up with Philly this time. NEXT @ San Diego

6. Arizona (5-3, LW: 8)- Something about bad losses that brings the best out of the Cardinals the next week. That was the case again as Kurt Warner tossed 4 TD and the Cards defense stymied the Bears. They're in complete control of the NFC West now. NEXT vs. Seattle

7. Chicago (4-4, LW: 7) - The Bears defense was ripped to shreds by the Cardinals offense in the first half, pretty much putting the game out of reach. They are still in the thick of the playoff race, but to stay in it, the defense needs to keep teams around 21 points. NEXT @ SF (Thurs)

8. NY Giants (5-4, LW: 9) - They lost and yet moved up in the power rankings. That's how it works sometimes. They have lost 4 in a row but at least this latest loss wasn't lopsided. The defense played well until the final drive. The O-Line was awful again. NEXT: Bye Week

9. Carolina (3-5, LW: 10) - The Panthers played the Saints tough, at one point having a 17-3 lead. But the defense couldn't hold it, which is no surprise. The running game yet again led the offense but once they fell behind, they didn't have a chance. NEXT vs. Atlanta

10. Green Bay (4-4, LW: 6) - Yikes. 2 losses in a row but none worse than the one against the Bucs this past week. I figured the 3-4 defense would give the Packers problems early on but this late in the year, no excuses for allowing a game-winning TD drive to TB. NEXT vs. Dallas

11. Seattle (3-5, LW: 12) - For a while, it looked like the Seahawks were going to lose to the lowly Lions but then, they woke up. Still not sure what their problem is. Their defense is young but full of talent and the offense has weapons. Maybe coaching? NEXT @ Arizona

12. San Francisco (3-5, LW: 11) - These are not happy days in San Francisco. The first quarter of the season was great at 3-1. The second quarter has been dreadful at 0-4. They need a super second half now to give Arizona a run for the division crown. NEXT vs. Chicago (Thurs)

13. Washington (2-6, LW: 13) - Yes, they lost again but the fight they displayed against the Falcons is admirable. But now to the bad. Clinton Portis suffered a concussion, Jason Campbell was nicked up twice, and the defense gave up two long TD runs. NEXT vs. Denver

14. Tampa Bay (1-7, LW: 16) - Congrats to Raheem Morris and the Bucs from avoiding the dreaded 0-16 record. If Josh Freeman plays like that the rest of the season, they'll win more than one game too. Very impressive first start in the NFL. NEXT @ Miami

15. St. Louis (1-7, LW: 15) - The Rams probably spent the entire bye week trying to figure out a way to stop Drew Brees and the Saints. Here's a hint for them: you can't, especially with the defense that the Rams are going to put on the field. NEXT vs. New Orleans

16. Detroit (1-7, LW: 14) - Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. That's probably all Jim Schwartz said in the locker room after the game. 4 INT from Matthew Stafford killed just about any chances the Lions had of a win. Doesn't get easier for them this week. NEXT @ Minnesota
1. Indianapolis (8-0, LW: 1) - It wasn't the best game played by the Colts but considering the injuries to their defense, keeping the dynamic Texans offense to 17 points has to feel great. With a 3-game lead, they should cruise to the AFC North title. NEXT vs. New England

2. Cincinnati (6-2, LW: 3) - If you don't believe the Bengals are good, you're kidding yourself. The offense might be the most balanced in the NFL, thanks to Cedric Benson's resurgence. The defense though has been the real star of this team all season. NEXT @ Pittsburgh

3. Pittsburgh (6-2, LW: 4) - The Steelers sure looked like a Super Bowl champion team against the Broncos. The defense only gave up 3 points and kept Kyle Orton out of rhythm. And the offense scored almost at ease against what was the best defense in the NFL. Next vs. Cincinnati

4. New England (6-2, LW: 5) - The Pats are back. The Dolphins gave them all they could handle but in the end, Tom Brady and Randy Moss were too good. Those two can complete any pass to each other at any time. That's scary since Moss is so good. NEXT @ Indianapolis

5. Denver (6-2, LW: 2) - Second loss in a row for the Broncos and this one was telling. Kyle Orton is starting to turn the ball over and it's clear that if they fall behind, he's incapable of driving them down the field for a score. Losing control of division crown too. NEXT @ Washington

6. San Diego (5-3, LW: 9) - Now this is the Chargers team that I expected to show up in Week 1. The defense, despite a ton of injuries, put plenty of pressure on Eli Manning and the offense is starting to really click, especially the Rivers-Jackson connection. NEXT vs. Philadelphia

7. Houston (5-4, LW: 8) - Tough loss by the Texans but fans should be encouraged by the game. They stuck with the Colts till the end on the road. Plus, their defense gave up just 20 points to a very good Colts offense. Still in decent shape to make their first-ever playoffs. NEXT: Bye Week

8. Miami (3-5, LW: 7) - This team is probably better than 3 wins but the schedule has been brutal. Now, they need to probably go 7-1 in the second half to just have a shot at the playoffs. Tough task but possible if they can keep running the ball well. NEXT vs. Tampa Bay

9. Baltimore (4-4, LW: 6) - Early in the season, this team looked Super Bowl bound. But now, Joe Flacco is struggling and the rush defense may be struggling more. Cedric Benson racked up 117 yds on them and now, at 4-4 and 3rd in the division, playoffs not looking good. NEXT @ Cleveland (Mon)

10. NY Jets (4-4, LW: 10) - Jets had the bye week to figure out what's been going wrong. They've gone 1-4 in their last 5 games and while Mark Sanchez hasn't been great on offense, the defense has regressed a bit as well. Still have a chance to make playoffs though. NEXT vs. Jacksonville

11. Jacksonville (4-4, LW: 11) - Not the most impressive win over the Chiefs. They seemed to be well in control until the end where they tried to give it away. Mike Sims-Walker is slowly becoming a star but he'll never be one with David Garrard at QB. NEXT @ NY Jets

12. Tennessee (2-6, LW: 13) - Chris Johnson said the Titans were gonna win 10 in a row. Well, there's just 8 wins away. There's no doubt they are a better team with Vince Young at QB. He's not making mistakes and Johnson and the O-Line have found their groove. NEXT vs. Buffalo

13. Buffalo (3-5, LW: 12) - The Bills are probably not going to the playoffs but how they finish may determine whether Dick Jauron stays on as head coach and whether or not they aggressively pursue Michael Vick when the season ends. Gonna be interesting. NEXT @ Tennessee

14. Oakland (2-6, LW: 14) - I'm pretty sure not even a bye week can keep this team from playing poorly. JaMaracus Russell has 8 games to prove he's worthy of an NFL starting QB spot because the new coach that comes isn't going to play him if he stinks. NEXT vs. Kansas City

15. Kansas City (1-7, LW: 15) - I don't think Todd Haley thought it would be this tough. Releasing your starting RB 8 games in the season, Matt Cassel unable to spark the offense, and a young defense that won't exactly keep the Chiefs in many ballgames. NEXT @ Oakland

16. Cleveland (1-7, LW: 16) - It's not a matter of who starts for the Browns. It's just a matter of can they play one complete game on offense and defense. They could make some real strides with a good performance on Monday night in front of the nation. NEXT vs. Baltimore (Mon)

2009 College Football - Week 10 Recap

Seems like every year, the month of November is when the most memorable games happen in college football. By the looks of last weekend, I can see that this November will be no different. Every top team better watch out because they are really going to get the best shot from their opponents. They may not lose but it sure gives us fans something to be excited about for 30 minutes or so.

Speaking of excitement, I know I'm excited for tomorrow. That's because the one and only Ohio Bobcats are not only playing football but will be on national television. That's right, the whole nation gets to enjoy the thrilling action of OU football, the scowls and smiles of Frank Solich, and maybe most (but actually least) importantly, see my ugly mug on a commercial during halftime (subject to not happen). Before I recap Week 10, how about a preview of the first game in Week 11.

Ohio @ Buffalo - For just the second time since I've been an Ohio Bobcat, the team is bowl-eligible. But as we all know, when you're in the MAC, just being bowl-eligible doesn't mean you're heading to one. So winning these final three games of the year are big for the Cats. They control their own destiny in the MAC East, with Temple coming to Athens the day after Thanksgiving for what could be the MAC East championship. That is, of course, i the Cats can get by the Bulls. OU didn't play its best game against Ball State but hey, ugly wins are still wins. In order to win this game, the OU defense has to slow down a Buffalo offense that averages more than 410 yds per game. That and stay away from turnovers, which have crippled them in some games. The game is on the road but that shouldn't bother OU, who is 4-1 on the road this year, with the lone loss coming to Tennessee. I hope everyone reading this watches the game and sees OHIO win and move to 7-3. Ohio 27, Buffalo 17

THE BIG 10 THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK

1. SEC Showdown Set - Whether you like it or not, Florida will face Alabama for the SEC title. It's set in stone, mainly because the rest of the SEC (besides LSU) didn't really give either team much of a fight for the division titles. Both teams are among the best in the nation though so maybe this is a good thing. You figure with these two facing each other, it's a de facto national semifinal game and the closest thing we have to a playoff right now. Odds are, the winner of this game is in the BCS title game unless they lose one, maybe even two games in the next 3 weeks. I don't see that happening though, unless Auburn and/or Florida State pull off the major upset.

2. Turnover-free TP - Apparently, if you don't turn the ball over, there's a good chance you can win a football game. Who knew? say what you want about Terrelle Pryor's numbers against Penn State (175 total yard, 3 TD) but the most important number in his stat line was the number zero, as in turnovers. No, he didn't play a perfect game nor did he look overly impressive throwing the ball but by not giving the ball away, he gave OSU a much better chance to win. Not only that, but the defense never had to worry about a short field. All in all, that was the best game Pryor has played against a quality team. It wasn't flashy, but it didn't need to be.

3. Sorry Iowa... - The Hawkeyes looked to be in fine shape to make the Rose Bowl for the first time since Brad Banks was QB (What happened to him?) but alas, the close game-syndrome caught up to them. Yes, Ricky Stanzi got injured but really, that's a game Iowa should have won. They were at home, facing a scrappy but clearly beatable Northwestern team. But in the end, the Hawkeyes just didn't have enough firepower to get the job done. Now, they just need to make sure they secure a New Year's Day bowl. Won't be that easy with Ohio State and Minnesota on the schedule.

4. The Stanford Spoilers - Stanford fans are probably getting used to this. In 2008, they beat Oregon State. In 2007, they take down USC. This year, take get a huge win over Oregon and now, are bowl-eligible. Give a lot of the credit to Jim Harbaugh. In 2006, they were 1-11. And unlike in the NFL, turning around a downtrodden program doesn't take just one year. He's done a great job getting that team to believe they can win again and now, it's paying off with big wins over big programs. Now, if he can get a steady flow of recruits in Palo Alto, Stanford will no longer be the spoilers. They'll have to avoid them.

5. No BCS for Notre Dame - And really, are we mad about that? I don't hate Notre Dame but I mean, they do have their own network and refuse to pick a conference. What that has to do with them losing to Navy? Absolutely nothing. Anyways, ND had a chance to get to a BCS game, especially with a win over Pitt that could've vaulted them up the BCS standings. But failing to score on an inept Navy defense proves this Irish team isn't quite there yet. They are much improved but still too inconsistent. I think playing the caliber of teams they had been playing hurt them against Navy. Still plenty of time to finish the year in the Top 25 with Pitt and Stanford on the schedule but they gotta step up their game.

6. ACC Title Game Almost Set - If you liked the Thursday night GT-Clemson game back in September, then get excited because you may be seeing that matchup again in December. Georgia Tech all but has the Coastal division locked down. All they need is a win over Duke. Yes, that's not a guarantee like it is in most years but it's a pretty sure bet. Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, Clemson has a strong grip on the top spot. Just wins over NCST and Virginia and the Tigers will be playing for a BCS berth. Don't be surprised about Clemson either. They knew they had a good defense but finally, the offense is playing to its potential.

7. Good Time in Big East - Over the past few years, the Big East has been nothing but a joke in college football. But times may be changing. They only have 9 in the conference but 4 are in the top 25 of the BCS. Oh, and 2 teams are in the top 8 of the AP poll. Not too shabby. If there were ever a time for the conference to finish strong, this is it and that means a great showing in the bowl games. Of course, right now, still a lot to be settled in the conference, including a champion but Big East fans have to happy with their standing right now.

8. AP Poll Madness - I have always been a huge fan of the AP Poll. It's the only one I can somewhat trust because I know the media members are watching the games while the coaches just pawn it off on their director of football operations. But the latest AP poll makes no sense to me. I have no argument with the top 8 picks but 9-14 are odd. LSU didn't drop at all after their loss. OSU moved up to 10th above USC, who is 11th. Miami (FL) is 12th and Houston 13th and then Oregon is 14th. Here's how I would do it. I actually would keep LSU at 9, as weird as it is but hey, their two losses are to the top 2 teams in the BCS. No way you can put OSU above USC though. Same goes with USc above Oregon. They all have 2 losses so I'd go Oregon, USC, OSU, Houston, Miami (FL) from 10-14.

9. BCS Busters - Each and every week, the chances of either Boise State or TCU making the BCS title game dwindle. In fact, they may be done now when you consider the games the top teams have left. Iowa losing did move them up a spot but they need more upsets to have a chance. The big question now is will the BCS invite both teams or just one if both finish undefeated. It helps that OSU could make the Rose Bowl now because that's one more BCS spot up for grabs. Same goes with ND losing. If the BCS had to choose 4 teams now, it'd probably be USC, Bama/UF loser, TCU and Boise State. Look out for Pitt and Miami (FL) though to spoil that.

10. Heisman Watch - The race is getting tight now. Tim Tebow didn't have a great game again, throwing for 208 yds, one TD and rushing for a TD too. Oh, and that against Vandy, which is not the bets opponent ever. Colt McCoy had an amazing game though, throwing for a career-high 470 yds and 2 TD. That was against UCF but hey, his team is still perfect and he padded the stats. Staying with QBs, Jimmy Clausen had great numbers yet again but the loss may have hurt his chances. Really hard to ignore 2,770 ys, 20 TD and 3 INT though. Alabama's Mark Ingram is still in the hunt too. In fact, he's the favorite on ESPN. I'm not so sure about that. 1,148 yds is good but 8 TD in 9 weeks doesn't excite me one bit for a RB. Keep an eye on Houston's Case Keenum, Boise State's Kellen Moore, Clemson's CJ Spiller, and Oregon's Jeremiah Masoli. All could be in New York but probably not ultimately win.

11. Thursday Night Thuds - Maybe it's just me but it seemed like last year's Thursday nighters were so much better last year. This year's game have been awful. It may be the fact that the games are all ACC and the ACC has not been good. The Big East games have pitted the best against the worst and lately, the better Big East games have been on Friday, an awful day for good college football. Eh well. NFL Thursday night games begin this week.

OVER/UNDER
- I'll start with the OVERRATED team, who this week will be NOTRE DAME. As I said earlier, they have improved this year but they are simply not one of the best 25 in the nation. Their schedule is the main reason behind their 6-3 record. I mean, wins over MSU, BC, and Nevada may be wins against teams with a .500 record or better but I don't think anyone would argue any of those 3 teams are really that good. Until their defense shores up, there's no way this team ranks among the nation's best.
- As far as my UNDERRATED team, I'm going with PITTSBURGH. Seriously, where is the love for the Panthers? All they've done is win and yet, they have to scratch and claw their way into the top 10. They made it in the AP poll but they're only #12 in the BCS. Really? The Panthers are 7 points away from being unbeaten. It's time for them to get some respect.

HE/SHE SAID WHAT?
“We hope everything is ok for Jahvid...we have had the pleasure of doing him.” -Ron Franklin

3 QUESTIONS

1. With Ricky Stanzi out, is there any chance Iowa beats Ohio State in Columbus?

2. How many more years until Jim Harbuagh leaves for a bigger and better job?

3. Michigan is 1-5 in the Big Ten, worse than Illinois, Purdue and Minnesota. What happened?