Saturday notes on a Sunday 10/5

*The most impressive team to thing point in the season is the Mississippi State Bulldogs.  Dan Mullen has built an absolute monster in Starkville.  The Bulldogs are mean and aggressive defensively.  They were all over Texas A&M receivers Saturday.  I thought Kenny Hill and company would tear them apart.  I was dead freaking wrong.  Hill threw 3 picks in a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the score would indicate.  Dak Prescott and the MSU Offense torched the Aggies Defense in a beautiful fashion.  They had exemplary balance and kept the Aggs offguard all day.  Prescott himself was a stud.  He threw for 259 and ran for 77 accounting for 5 total TDs.  This is a team to contend with going forward.  I could not have been more impressed.

*Im not big on the polls, but can we please get LSU out of the top 25?  This is a team that should have lost to a very average Wisconsin team, then gets blown up by Mississippi State and battered by Auburn.  Both of those losses occurred at home, where they enjoy one of the best home field advantages in the country!!  This is not a good team.  LSU amassed a paltry 280 total yards on the day and failed to convert a 3rd down.  I have a ton of respect for the Tiger program, but this is not a good team right now.

*The bleeding continues in Ann Arbor.  Michigan loses, again, this time to Rutgers.  Rutgers QB threw for over 400 yards and the Wolverines are now firmly circling the drain.  Its time to start an office pool as to when Brady Hoke gets canned.  Its an inevitability at this point.

*Washington State had a very peculiar game with Cal.  First off the score, 60-59, is startling.  Did you ever think you would see a score like that?  WaSU gained 812 yards including 734 through the air.  Those numbers are eye popping.  812?!  Incredible.  A combined 123 passes were thrown on the evening and no turnovers were committed.  These are very strange numbers for a Pac 12 game between 2 of the cellar dwellers.  Im going to keep an eye on these 2 teams, something is going on here.

*Arizona State beat USC on the strangest Hail Mary I have ever seen.  ASU QB Mike Bercovici heaved an uncontested 46 yard TD to Jalen Strong as time expired.  When I say uncontested, it was exactly that.  He was uncovered, did not have to fight for the ball, and just strolled in for the game winner.  I have never seen anything like it.  This Hail Mary capped a furious comeback.  ASU was down 11 with just 3 minutes to go and rallied for the win.  Pac 12 football is just incredible.

STOCK UP
Ole Miss– Enormous win for the Rebs over the Tide.  This was an excellent game.  Well done Ole Miss.
TCU– I gave the Horned Frogs little chance to beat the Sooners.  I was wrong.  They outplayed OU all the way around.
Notre Dame– Defeating Stanford always lands you on the stock up list.
Kentucky– The Wildcats beat South Carolina to improve to 4-1 on the year and 2-1 in SEC play.  Mark Stoops is doing a hell of a job there.
Northwestern– Consecutive wins against Penn State and Wisconsin after starting 0-2.  Pat Fitzgerald has really turned this team around.
Miss State– If I had a vote in the polls I would strongly consider the Bulldogs for the #1 spot.

STOCK DOWN
Nebraska– Poor performance on the national stage.  Highly disappointing.
Texas Tech– This is a bad team.  Getting rolled by an average KState team?  Not good coach Bro.
Cincinnati– losing 41-14 in your conference opener to Memphis is a damn good reason to land on the stock down list.
UCLA– The Bruins finally got too close to the fire and got burned.  This team is wildly inconsistent.
North Carolina– Why do I always think the Heels will morph into a good team?

Follow College Football Junkie on Twitter: @jakeanderson998

 

Notes and Such 2/15

*The top story this week is the proposed 10 second rule.  Under this rule it would be illegal for the Offense to snap the ball with more than 29 seconds remaining on the play clock.  Coaches from all over the country are spewing their outrage.  I think this is much ado about nothing.  First off, I doubt it will pass.  Secondly, even the fastest teams don’t snap the ball with less than 29 seconds on the play clock.  Auburn, who goes as quickly as anyone, would have been penalized only twice during the BCS Title game against Florida State.  That is not a big difference.  Regardless, I am against the rule.  I think the current set of rules are fine, but must be enforced.  If the Offense substitutes, the official should provide the defense the same opportunity.  Currently this rule is inconsistently enforced.  Make it consistent and the “problem” is solved.

* Last Sunday SEC Defensive Player of the year, and All American Michael Sam came out of the closet.  I’m thrilled by this news because we can get this story over with and move on with our lives.  This is not a big deal.  There are homosexuals in all walks of life, including athletics.  Regardless, the media will make a big stink out of this, but at least the story will be out there and over with.  Thank goodness for that.

*Here is a story that, flat out, pisses me off.  High school Senior LB Rashaan Evans is being harassed by Auburn fans who feel betrayed he didn’t pick the hometown school.  They are making this kids life a living hell everywhere this young man goes.  Its insane.  They are even telling folks not to go to the Evans’ family restaurant.  This is way over the line.  Hounding a teenager because he didn’t pick your school is indefensible.    Give the kid a freaking break.  Do you remember being 18?  Did you want to stay in your home town?  The Lord knows I didn’t.  Some people need to get a god damn life.  Stories like this make me lose all faith in humanity.

*Jadaveon Clowney spoke out this week, stating his opinion that Collegiate athletes should get paid.  He even went on to say that he “might have stayed” if he were receiving payment for his services.  I’m throwing the bullshit flag here.  If you buy this I have some beach front real estate to sell you.  Even if he were getting paid in college, there is no way that money would hold a candle to the dough the NFL is about to throw at him.  His claim is absolutely ridiculous.  I’m fine with Clowney stating his opinion, that is his right, but come on man.  Lets not go overboard.  Clowney played his entire Junior year with an eye on the NFL.  He wasn’t staying in Columbia regardless of payment.

Weekly Top 5- Best College Football Stadiums
1) The Rose Bowl– The best stadium in this country, regardless of its use.  I love watching games in this stadium.  The grass, the hills in the background, the 100,000+ fans.  It is absolutely incredible.  The Rose Bowl is #1 on this list by a mile.
2) Kyle Field- Perhaps the most unique setting for a football game.  In the football-crazed state of Texas, Kyle Field is the crown jewel.  The chants and cheers from the crowd, the cadets, the swaying of the stadium make this venue one of the best in the nation.  It is fantastic.
3) Beaver Stadium- This is easily the most underrated stadium in College Football.  When Penn State takes the field, this stadium gets hopping.  A night game in Happy Valley has a special feel to it.
4) Tiger Stadium-Tough call here, but I’ll go with the home of the Bayou Bengals.  This is the one stadium where you can tell EVERYONE is wasted.  I doubt there is a rowdier crowd in all of College Football.
5) The Big House- A bit of a cliche answer, but this stadium is outstanding.  It just has a special feel to it.  Perhaps I did not have the proper appreciation for it untill my team joined the B1G.  The Big House is a magical place.

A couple of notes from around the rest of the sports world

I have to tell you folks, I’m really getting sick of figure skating.  It just doesn’t do anything for me.  It doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with it, it just doesn’t fit my tastes. NBC seems intent on showing figure skating at every turn.  I can see why in terms of ratings and getting eyeballs on their product.  But for me, I cant get into it.  Can we see more downhill skiing, hockey, or even speed skating?  Please?

I have to give a big shout out to Nebraska basketball.  The Huskers have won 5 of 7 conference games for the first time in a decade.  I cant tell you how excited about this I am.  Typically, at this point of the season, NU hoops is long forgotten.  Tim Miles deserves a boat load of credit for the way this team has come together.  Its like a completely different team from a month ago.  Terran Pettaway is a damn good ballplayer and Shevon Shields is coming along nicely.  I’m eager to see how this team continues to gel and what the results might be.  There is a very real possibility that Nebrasketball could be on the bubble come Selection Sunday.  To simply be in the conversation for an NCAA tournament bid would blow my mind.

follow: @jakeanderson998

Saturday observations- 12/29

*The Pinstripe bowl was much closer than I thought it would be.  Rutgers hung in there.  I have to give them credit for that.  It appeared to me that Notre Dame was a substantially better team, but the field conditions and their limitations under center, served as the great equalizer.  The Irish outgained the Knights by nearly 260 yards and forced 4 Rutgers turnovers.  But the Irish couldn’t seem to punch it in kicking 5 field goals on the day.  The turf was an abomination.  There were players slipping and sliding all over.  It slowed everyone down and made for a rather sloppy game.  Going forward can we agree to play football games in football stadiums and forget playing them in places like Yankee stadium?

*The Belk bowl was a real surprise.  I thought North Carolina would win the game, but I did not see them being as dominant as they were.  The Defense and Special teams won this game for the Heels.  North Carolina had a punt return for TD, a kickoff return for TD, a safety, 2 turnovers and 5 sacks in the game.  That is domination.  Cincinnati QB Brendan Kay was held to 181 yards on 15/35 passing.  He was hounded all day long.  The North Carolina pass rush was ferocious.  Offensively the Heels were adequate but not spectacular.  They didn’t have to be spectacular.  I look for North Carolina to have a good solid squad next year.  They are a team to keep an eye on going forward.  Then again I said the same thing last summer.

*It appears that Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien will be the next coach of the Houston Texans.  News like this should not surprise anyone.  This opens up one of the premier jobs in College Football.  I wonder which way PSU will go with this hire.  Will they go with a distinguished alumni?  A top coach from a mid major?  A top assistant?  Al Golden?  Greg Schiano?  It will certainly be interesting.

*Was anyone impressed with Louisville?  I know I was.  I thought they would beat Miami, but I had no idea they would pound them like a cheap steak.  Give Charlie Strong, and his staff, credit for having his team focused and ready to pounce on a highly overrated Miami team.  Teddy Bridgewater was nothing short of fantastic throwing for 447 yards and 3 scores.  The touch and intelligence he displayed impressed me and I’m sure many others around the country.  The Louisville Defense was like a pack of piranhas feasting on a wounded animal.  They held Miami to 14 rushing yards and 179 yards on the day.  Miami did not convert a single 3rd down all game long.  They pressured and flustered the Hurricanes from the beginning.  It was a very, very impressive performance by the Cards.  I suspect Bridgewater is off to the NFL and we will have to see if anything happens with coach Strong.

*The way too late game between Kansas State and Michigan was also a clunker.  The Wildcats defeated the Wolverines 31-14.  I have watched quite a bit of both of these teams throughout the year and I think these teams are about even in the talent department.  The difference Saturday night was coaching.  Bill Snyder and his staff did a better job getting his team ready to play and the result was a somewhat lopsided game.  I think Brady Hoke may be a good coach someday but right now I don’t think he is.  Michigan seemed to have no answer for Jake Waters and the Kansas State passing game.  Wolverine fans will cry about Devin Gardner being hurt but I thought Shane Morris filled in admirably.  He looked better at times than I have seen Gardner look over the last month of the season.  Blame Morris if you like, but the man not wearing the headset is ultimately accountable for the product on the field.

*Get ready folks, come Monday the last gasp of College Football will be in full swing.  It comes and goes too fast.

Saturday bowl game primer

4 bowl games take place today for our viewing pleasure.  It starts at 11 am and goes well into the night.  Enjoy it folks, College Football is vanishing before our eyes.  Here is a quick rundown of today’s action.

The Best Game
Miami and Louisville tangle in Orlando this evening.  Louisville is a Friday night home loss to UCF from playing for a National Title game.  That loss essentially ruined their season.  Miami was once a top 10 team before being exposed by the likes of Florida State, Virginia Tech and Duke.  The Hurricanes didn’t even win their division.  This matchup is fantastic because Miami should be juiced about playing in a bowl game for the first time in a few years.  Louisville’s motivation is much less clear but something tells me that Charlie Strong has his team’s full attention.  I like the Cards all the way around.  Their Defense is fast and nasty, they can run the ball, and they are better under center.  Make no mistake, The Hurricanes are going to make this a very good game.  They stand a damn good shot at winning it.  But I think Teddy Bridgewater will put on a show on the big stage tonight.  Give me the Cards in a terrific game.

Saturday’s stinker
If you have something, anything, to do on Saturday, may I recommend you do it between 11 and 2:30.  Notre Dame will take on Rutgers in a freaking abortion of a bowl game, played in New York City, in a god damn baseball stadium.  I have always thought this bowl game was a shitty idea.  If you really want to play a bowl game in the New York area play it in an actual football stadium.  Yankee Stadium looks terrible for football.  That’s a fact folks.  The action on the field will match the stadium as Notre Dame, who is pretty good, will tar and feather Rutgers.  Rutgers epitomizes what is wrong with the bowl system.  This team stinks, and yet it plays in a bowl game.  The Knights went 3-5 in the American Athletic Conference.  That tells you all you need to know.  If you have laid eyes on this team, as I have, you will know just how rotten they are.  They have no business playing in the post season and yet they will cross the Hudson to play a team that will crush them into a fine powder.  Please folks, do yourself a favor and spend time with your loved ones during this game.  It will be a stinker.

The Sneaky Good Game
At first glance the Cincinnati/North Carolina game looks like a runaway.  Cincinnati has had a fine, 9 win, season while The Tar Heels are a lousy 6-6.  This North Carolina team started the season in miserable, horrible, awful, ugly, fashion.  The Heels were 1-5 in the first half of the season.  They made me personally look like  a god damn fool.  Since then they have gone 5-1 with their defeat at the hands of their rival Duke.  They have beaten some dogs during that stretch, but never the less, they are playing much better.  In bowl games I am a big fan of teams that played well down the stretch and North Carolina certainly qualifies as that.  I also think The Heels, and coach Larry Fedora, have something to prove after this disappointing campaign.  Give me the Heels to get up for this game and at least make it very compelling, and yes, Win the ball game this afternoon.

A Big Dissapointment
In any other year, in any other circumstance, Kansas State and Michigan would really wet my appetite.  I would be salivating, drooling all over for this feast in the desert.  Not this year.  Kansas State is a very, very, average football team.  Their best win of the season was against Texas Tech, who was in full blown free fall mode.  Michigan is much the same.  The Wolverines started the season hot, but turned to manure by Thanksgiving.  Notre Dame is their best win and that occurred in week 2.  That feels like a decade ago.  During the month of November, the Wolverines were horrid, losing 4 of 5 to finish the season.   The only interesting aspect of this game is how well Michigan backup QB Shane Morris plays, and if that sparks some sort of controversy.  If he does play well it should at very least create a discussion of who is the Michigan QB nest season.  These two teams are so middle of the pack that it is hard to pick a clear and decisive favorite.  I will take the Wildcats simply because I do not trust to Wolverines.

Saturday notes on a Sunday 12/1

Writing this post is so easy after a terrific day of College Football action.  It was incredible from the start.

*I have to start with the Iron Bowl.  Immediately after the game I said that, all things considered, that was the greatest game that I can remember.  After sleeping on it I still believe that to be true.  It was an excellent, classic, battle between the BIG DOG, and the upstart.  The two just happen to be bitter in-state rivals.  The upstart got the W in thrilling fashion.  The best part?  These teams will meet each and every year and the intensity will be heightened.  This should be exhibit A for why College Football is superior to pro.  After the game I turned the sound off, and sat there in silence pondering what I just saw.  I cant recall doing that any other time.  Fantastic.

*If you would have told me at 3 oclock that the Ohio State Michigan game would be the 2nd story I would have laughed at you.  This game was awesome.  Michigan came out of nowhere to make this a very good game. In fact, Michigan had the chance to tie it up late in the game, but elected to go for 2 and seal the win.  I have watched Michigan a number of times this season and that performance yesterday was hands down their best.  That team deserves a boat load of credit for not laying down to mighty Ohio State.  With the game on the line Michigan HC Brady Hoke asked his Seniors if they wanted to go for it.  The answer was unanimous.  My hats off to the Wolverines.

*Gary Patterson goes after Art Briles and the entire Baylor program ( http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/11/30/5381748/tcus-patterson-rips-into-baylors.html?rh=1 ).  Baylor Safety Ahmad Dixon was ejected for a targeting call, and was later seen on the sideline laughing about the matter.  Gary Patterson took exception to that, as he often does.  Gary Patterson is a bulldog, he isn’t going to back down from anyone.  This is what makes him great.  Right or wrong, in this case I believe he was right, he attacks everything with intensity and conviction.  For what it’s worth, Dixon has had more than one run in this season.  At the beginning of the season Dixon was charged with assault, and a few weeks ago stood over a Texas Tech player, jawing at him after the training staff came out to check on an injury.  That isn’t good.  I’ll side with Gary Patterson on this one.

*I have a feeling the SEC as a whole is highly over rated.  Take Alabama out of the mix.  Missouri and Auburn both go from worst to first?  That doesn’t sound like a loaded league. Of course, the “worldwide leader” will use that same logic and twist it to mean the SEC is even better than advertised.  Lets look at some others, LSU? Florida?  Georgia? Texas A&M?  Don’t believe the hype America, this league isn’t as great as they tell you.

*My story of the year, The Duke Blue Devils, won their division in exciting fashion beating a much improved North Carolina team 27-25.  This marks the first 10 win season in Duke’s history.  Next stop, a shot at the conference title as they go to The ACC Title game to play the Florida State Seminoles.  Will they get slaughtered?  That is not the point.  David Cutcliffe and his staff have done such a remarkable job over the last few years.  If Cutcliffe isn’t the coach of the year then who is? (cough, cough, Gus Malzahn, cough, cough.)

STOCK UP
Auburn– Fantastic finish to a fantastic season.  Lets see if they can put that one in the rear view and win the Conference next week in Atlanta.
Michigan– I have yet to put a losing team in the stock up list, but I was extremely impressed with their grit and fight.  I wonder how the hell they had lost 3 out of 4 coming in.
Southern Miss– The Golden Eagles break a 23 game losing streak with a win over UAB.  Stock up Eagles.
Duke-Pack your bags Dukies.
UCLA– without any hardwear to play for, The Bruins took care of inner-city rival USC.  The Trojans have been playing a lot better lately but UCLA took them apart.

STOCK DOWN
Tulsa– I had high hopes for this squad coming into the season.  Yesterday they finished 3-9.  Yowza
West Virgina– lsoing to Iowa State at home results in being placed on the Stock Down list.
Rutgers–  What the hell Rutgers?  Losing to the lowly UConn Huskies?

An Opportunity Missed

This one was BIG.   Michigan State came to Lincoln to play what would essentially be The Legends division championship game.  This one had it all.  Michigan State brought in a Defense that ranked first nationally in as many as 5 major statistical categories.  The Huskers were riding a wave of momentum created by it’s own Defense.  More than anything this game was an opportunity for The Huskers to control their destiny and get back to Indianapolis.  Well that isn’t going to happen.  Nebraska committed Football suicide on Saturday.  There is no other way to put it.  When a team commits 5, freaking, turnovers they can’t be expected to win.  The Huskers, again, tripped over their own feet when the chips were down.  Not for nothing, The Huskers fought like crazy and had their chances despite themselves.  But The Spartans made plays when they needed to, and secured the Legends division title with a gut wrenching, kick to the groin, victory for Husker fans.

The Defense deserves commendation for its efforts Saturday.  Time, and time again, this unit was put in awful situations.  In the first half alone, this unit had to come off the bench 4 times after a Nebraska turnover in their own territory.  It is remarkable the Spartans only had 20 points at halftime.  For the most part The Nebraska Defense got after Connor Cook and the Michigan State Offense.  Randy Greggory and company were menacing.  Michigan State came out with a terrific game plan against Nebraska’s pressure Defense.  Cook deserves credit for putting the ball in tight spots and making crucial plays at pivotal moments against NU’s man to man coverage.  The Spartans converted 11 of their 21 3rd downs on the day.  Defensively, that just won’t cut it.  In particular, the 3rd and 13 TD pass in the 4th quarter was not only clutch, it was thrown with pin point accuracy.  It was also a heart breaker.  Cook deserves a hell of a lot of credit for his gutsy, accurate, play.  My hat is off to him for playing big in this seasons biggest game.  The blackshirts weren’t perfect on Saturday.  But this unit fought tooth and nail all day long and is largely responsible for this being a game as long as it was.

One of the core tenants of football philosophy is taking care of the ball.  It is a must.  NU seemed to have forgotten that for the 3+ hours of the game Saturday.  There was the dropped pitch fumble by Terrel Newby, the interception thrown by Tommy Armstrong, then 2 fumbles by Armstrong.  In all there were 4 turnovers by this Offense.  That is a killer.  Equally frustrating was the fact that Nebraska had plenty of success against the vaunted Spartan Defense.  The patchwork Offensive line more than held it’s own against a vicious Spartan front 4.  Ameer Abdullah, once again, had a terrific game.  He rushed for 123 yards.  I have run out of adjectives to describe his brilliance.  Tommy Armstrong, despite his struggles, had moments where he played well.  This Offense put up 21 points (minus the junk time TD) on the top rated Defense in the country.  I thought 21 would be more than enough.  But ultimately it was the 4 turnovers that doomed The Big Red Saturday.  That simply cant be overlooked.

The shitty, punch to the gut, reality is that the Huskers had their chances.  Unfortunately, the turnovers were just too much to overcome.  The Huskers have nobody to blame but themselves.  They outgained Michigan State, and in many ways outplayed Michigan State.  There were a few portions of this game where it appeared Nebraska was the better team.  In the end, The Spartans didn’t have negative plays, The Huskers did, and that was the difference.  As usual the wolves will be out this week for Bo Pelini, that comes with the territory.  It is on Coach Pelini to get this team ready for next week.  A trip to Happy Valley awaits.  The Legends division may not be on the line, but his job is.

Huskers/Wolverines

I must admit, all week I had very little faith in my beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers.  The way I saw it, I had seen 8 games and they had given me little to no hope that they would go to The Big House and win.  Michigan hadn’t lost at home in nearly 3 years.  I figured NU had very little chance.  Well look what happened.  Nebraska came out and played brilliantly on Defense, and did just enough Offensively to defeat a desperate Michigan squad. On a picturesque evening in Ann Arbor, The Huskers breathed new life into their season and set up a monster game next week with Michigan State.  This game was a knee knocker that was as tight as they come.  The Huskers showed tremendous heart and grit in pulling this one out.

Offensively, Nebraska is a mess right now.  The Huskers came in missing both starting Guards and then Jeremiah Sirles left, in the 2nd quarter, with an injury one to make it 3 starters missing.  Jamal Turner is hurt, Kenny Bell is clearly not himself, and Jordan Westercamp left the game today with a hip pointer.  Don’t forget the injury of All Big 10 QB Taylor Martinez who has now missed 5 games.  The injury situation is absurd and debilitating.  Once again Ameer Abdullah was the bell cow rushing for 105 yards and 2 TDs.  The whole damn stadium knew he was going to get the ball and Abdullah was still fantastic even behind that patchwork line.  This dude is special.  Tommy Armstrong wasn’t fantastic, but he did well enough for NU to win.  Armstrong remained poised when things got rocky, and that was his greatest achievement on this day.  I thought Tim Beck was too conservative at times.  It seemed the Offense was much smoother when there was balance.  Then again it is hard to be balanced when you dont know what to expect from your Offensive Line.  I wont criticize  Beck too harshly, his job has gotten harder and harder with each injury. The Offense wasn’t great Saturday, but it did enough.  The big story was the other side of the ball.

Given one word to describe the Defense I would use ferocious.  The Husker Defense got after Devin Gardner and the Michigan Offense.  The Huskers smothered Michigan all day long, holding the Wolverines to 175 yards of total Offense including -21 yards rushing.  They did this by locking down Michigan receivers man to man and blitzing the living be-jesus out of Michigan.  The Wolverines never had an answer for the pressure packages that Bo and John Papuchis put together.  The Blackshirts sacked Gardner 7, freaking, times and hurried him countless others.  It was beautiful.  Michigan couldn’t run, couldn’t throw, and outside of one drive couldn’t do much of anything.  Time after time The Blackshirts were put it tough spots, but this group kept fighting and kept punishing The Michigan Offense.  I can’t recall a time when the Nebraska Defense was that aggressive for an entire game.  I think part of Michigan’s problem was their QB, who looks like an idiot with that number, and plays the position like a WR.  He never seemed to know where to go with the ball.  A good chunk of that was a Defense that put somebody in his lap all day long.  Finally the Defense stopped thinking, and played FAST.  The results were phenomenal, and carried The Big Red to a terrific road victory.

Saturday’s game saved The Huskers bacon.  A loss would has been disastrous for NU title hopes.  Along the way, The Huskers eliminated Michigan from winning the Legends division.  But more importantly, the win set up an enormous game with Michigan State next Saturday in Lincoln.  The winner of that game will be in control of their destiny.  The Spartan Defense will be rough, to be sure.  But that is next weekend.  Husker fans should savor a tough, hard fought, gritty victory over a desperate Wolverine team who had won 19 straight at home. These boys played with a passion, fire and resolve that has been missing at times this season.  They will need those attributes the rest of the way.

Looking ahead to Saturday Week 11

This week is loaded with wonderful, exciting, terrific mathups.  Strangely it is front-loaded for Thursday night.  Have we ever seen a Thursday with 2 of the biggest games of the weekend?  I dont believe so.  I have a feeling many College Football fans will be calling in sick on Friday after staying up late watching the west coast game.  Its a great time of year and there is nothing like College Football.

Oklahoma @ Baylor(Thursday)-Bob Stoops takes his team down to Waco to face the high flying Baylor Bears.  Baylor needs this game not only to preserve their perfect season but also to keep pace in the cluttered Big 12.  If The Sooners lose they are essentially out of contention for the Big 12.  The spread has spread has the Bears rolling the Sooners but I think this one will be much closer than the experts think.  In the end the Bears prevail, but I give OU a punchers chance.

Oregon @ Stanford (Thursday)– The Pac 12 game of the year takes place Thursday night at The Farm.  Marcus Marriota leads the Ducks potent Offense with 29 total Tds and 0 Interceptions.  De’Anthony Thomas is finally making his way back into the lineup for the Ducks.  In his absence Byron Marshall has been outstanding rushing for 879 yards and 12 Tds.  The Stanford Defense is good, really good, but it wont be enough.  The Ducks will roll all over Stanford.

Nebraska @ Michigan– This matchup is interesting for a number of reasons.  Both teams played poorly last week.  The difference was that Michigan played a damn good team while Nebraska played a 3 legged Dog.  This week both teams try to get back on track in an important Legends division game.  The Huskers are without 2 of their starting Olineman.  Michigan will take advantage of that and get to whoever is playing QB.  It pains me to say, but I think Michigan will hold serve at home and beat Nebraska.  That said this should be a pretty good game.

Virginia Tech @ Miami-This game will essentially decide the Coastal division.  Miami has had some close calls but last week had its doors blown off by Florida State.  WIll there be a hangover effect?  The Hurricanes will also be without Duke Johnson their leading rusher and best playmaker.  The Hokies have lost to both Duke and Boston College in the last 2 weeks.  The Hokie Offense is is not good ranking 65th in passing, 107th in rushing, and 102nd in scoring.  Their Defense is very good.  If the Offense cant generate more Offense than they have in previous weeks it will be a long afternoon for Beamer’s boys.  Give me The Hurricanes in this one.

Houston @ UCF– This is very interesting game in the American Athletic Conference.  UCF made waves a few weeks ago by beating Louisville on a Friday night.  Right now they are in the drivers seat in the conference, but will likely have to win out.  The Cougars are a high scoring outfit averaging more than 41 points per game.  Houston is certainly capable of beating The Knights on their own field.  I have a feeling there are some Houston Cougar fans in Louisville right now.  Im not a fan of the AAC but this one will be worth a watch.  Give me the home team.

LSU @ Alabama– Hands down the best rivalry of the past 5 years.  These teams get together and it is mean and physical.  The road team has won the last 3 regular season matchups.  Both teams are coming off a bye which means Alabama has the edge.  Saban is wonderful when he has extra time to prepare his squad.  That said I feel like the Tide are ripe for the picking.  LSU could be the team to end their dream of a 3pete.  Give me the Tigers in an upset that will shock the world.

November

Saturday marks the first Saturday in November.  As with any November Saturday, there are several pretty damn good games.  Many of which have substantial implications for division and conference titles.  In November the games are bigger, more meaningful and better played. That’s not to mention the intensity of the games, which is ratcheted up a notch or two.  November is the heart of College Football season.  Texas Tech and Oklahoma State play in what will essentially be an elimination game in The Big12.  Miami and Florida State square off in what will be a lopsided affair.  The Noles are going to slap around the Canes and make an impression on the nation.  Michigan needs to beat Michigan State to remain in contention for the Legends division.  Missouri entertains Tennessee for control of their own destiny in the SEC East.  That one has tremendous potential.  My Nebraska Cornhuskers play the sinking ship that is the Northwestern Wildcats.  The problem for the Huskers is that they are playing like crap as well.  Georgia and Florida play in a game that is normally huge but this year features 2 teams dramatically underachieving.  Yep Saturday will be a tangled web that will slowly sort itself out by days end.  Along the way there will be highs, and lows, surprises and the expected.  Some will rise to the occasion, others will be crushed by a moment.  Only one thing is for sure.  It will be glorious.  Saturdays in the November, its part of what makes College Football the greatest sport in the world.

Saturday observations from afar

This weekend my wife and daughter headed out-of-town to a wedding.  This, obviously, conflicted with my marathon College Football watching.  I think I drove my wife crazy trying to remain updated on the ongoing action.  I would slip out of the reception to catch some action and borrow her phone to check scores.  I think she was generally annoyed.  While a wonderful time was had by all, it appears I missed some outstanding action.  So here are my Saturday observations from either my mother in laws couch or the bar adjacent to the reception hall:

* 7 of the Top 15 teams went down on Saturday.  I can’t believe I just typed that.  That fact borders on absurd.  Some of the games were certainly more surprising than others, but for nearly half of the top 15 to lose is unreal.  It just shows why College Football is the best in terms of competitiveness on a week by week basis.

* Florida State makes a BIG TIME statement.  I thought they would win the game but I never would have predicted that they would go into Death Valley and dominate The Tigers.  Jameis Winston was once again Fantastic.  I saw the pregame speech he gave and was tremendously impressed.  The kid has remarkable charisma.  The Noles responded by putting an ass whooping on Clemson.  I said it in the preseason, this team has what it takes to win it all.  Winston is a big part of that.

* Georgia continues to make me look like a God Damn fool.  A few weeks ago, after The Dogs beat LSU, I put Georgia squarely in the National Title Hunt.  Well since then they have lost 2 of 3 (and were lucky to win the other one) and on Saturday lost to Vandy.  I wonder if Mark Richt’s seat is getting warm again.

* A week ago Michigan State had a very productive Offensive day against Indiana.  I thought that perhaps Sparty was getting it together on that side of the ball.  Then yesterday Michigan’s inconsistent and largely mediocre Offense had a field day against The Hoosiers.  Jeremy Gallon had 369 yards receiving by HIMSELF.  I think this game said a whole lot more about Indiana’s Defense than anything about the Wolverines.

*Missouri won again.  This is somber news for me.  I don’t like The Tigers, never have, never will.  That said they come off a big win over Georgia only to defeat Florida.  Unfortunatly the Tigers are legit.  I thought Florida would eat up a backup QB, but that never materialized.  Missery may be good, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

*It appears Washington’s schedule has caught up with them.  After playing Stanford and Oregon is consecutive weeks, the Huskies traveled to Tempe to face the Sun Devils.  UW got squashed.  I know that is a  tough 3 game stretch, but you have to think a good team will come out with at least one win.  It is also discouraging to get destroyed by ASU after being extremely competitive with Stanford and Oregon.

* After Iowa’s showing against Ohio State, we may have to rethink that division.

STOCK UP
Auburn- I called for this upset.  I must point that out.  This is a pretty damn good team.  Kudos to Gus Malzahn and his staff.
Misery- Disgusting but deserving.
Stanford-a nice bounce back win for The Cardinal.
Ole Miss- A breakthrough win for The Rebs?
Baylor- 71 freaking points against a conference opponent?  Just another day at the office for Art Briles’ crew.
Florida State- WOW

STOCK DOWN
Northwestern- The Wildcats lost their 3rd in a row.  This one was to Minnesota.  Owch
South Carolina- What has happened to the Gamecocks?
Georgia- Come on man.  The Dogs are killing me.
Notre Dame vs. USC- This game may have set back football half a decade.
TCU- This offense is pathetic.
Maryland- Lord, Oh lord.  Losing to Wake Forest will put you permanently on the Stock down list.