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?
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