Following up to the great recap that Jeff posted on Saturday, here’s your weekly update. Oh, and good luck getting this song out of your head today.
As you may have heard; U$C’s “letdown jinx” is contagious, and was passed to the Oregon Ducks. Who would have guessed that, after such a historic beating of the Trojans, Eugene’s finest would fall apart against an up and coming Stanford team. While Oregon still controls it’s destiny for Pasadena, it’s now looking at Roses instead of possible crystal footballs. Stanford played smart football; which is not unexpected given their academic acumen. Coach Jim Harbaugh has turned things around there, much to the chagrin of…
Mich1gAAn fans, whose “savior” has led his team to only 8 wins in two years. Harbaugh, in many people’s opinion, is a true “Michigan Man”; an alum and a person who strives for excellence in his players on and off the field. Which may be why he’s burned so many bridges.
While Rodriguez may also “strive” for that, it’s clear that this year’s version of the team has next to no idea about defense. As TTUN drops to 1-5 in Big T1e1n play after their loss at home to Purdue (and that one win came at the result of some questionable officiating), you have to wonder what Rodriguez’ hopes for the rest of the season are. Other than making some new friends, that is.
It wouldn’t be a Saturday in the south without some questionable SEC officiating. As seems to be the case, an undefeated team benefits from a dicey call, as Alabama goes on to defeat LSU in a game that was much closer than the scoreboard would indicate. With Florida’s win over Vandy (whew- I guess you didn’t need Spikes after all…), this sets up an undefeated vs undefeated SEC championship game, as long as UA and UF don’t drop one before then. For Florida, the rest of the season seems to be a walk; for Bama, though, there’s always the Iron Bowl against a resurgent Auburn team who beat Furman on Saturday.
Speaking of shady calls- I’m still not sure that Darryl Clark has scored yet in Happy Valley, but it didn’t matter as Ohio State defeated the Nittany Lions 24-7. The highlight video for me didn’t occur on the field, but afterwards when the Buckeye team gathered to sing Carmen Ohio with the fans in scarlet and gray. These folks decided to mock Penn State’s use of Seven Nation Army, and the team… well… here:
Best part? Tressel’s face right before he joins in… “Eh- Why not?”
The ranks of the undefeated were lessened by one, as Iowa’s dream season collapsed with their QB’s sprained ankle. Northwestern’s upset of the Hawkeyes guaranteed that this week’s game against Ohio State will decide the Big T1e1n champion and a bearth in the Rose Bowl. Iowa will give their backup QB his first start ever in Columbus. I hope he doesn’t get killed.
Notre Ame couldn’t stop the Navy attack or score in the red zone, and have lost at home to them in back to back attempts for the first time since the 60’s. Heisman candidate Pickles Clausen was sacked for a safety (the margin of victory) and was intercepted by linebacker Ram Vela. Where have we heard that name before? Oh. Right. I’m sure that the ND faithful are taking this well.
While NA, TTUN, Iowa, and PSU all losing made some people’s day, it was capped for others by a huge win in Lincoln. For the first time since 2001, the Huskers defeated Chokelahoma in a defensive shootout 10-3. A tru case of the pupil defeating the master– Nebraska (and Ohio State alum) coach Bo Pelini worked with Oklahoma’s Stoops, and learned defensive philosophy from Bob’s father when they were both in Youngstown Ohio. To reiterate– Oklahoma doesn’t seem to be able to beat their first rival (Texas) and their loss to a former rival has got to hurt. But, I’m sure he’ll still be known as “Big Game Bob”.
Illinois has seemingly found it’s way, and won it’s match against Minnesota. Kansas State upset the Jayhawks- I guess EMAW after all. UCLA squeaked by UW in this year’s addition of the Neuheisel Bowl. TCU continues to roll, and Kentucky manhandled a much lesser opponent. Oklahoma State pounded the Cyclones, while Georgia Tech showed that the option is best built for overtime victories. The Beavers defeated Cal- our thoughts and prayers are will Jahvid Best after his horrific accident. Cincinnati and Boise State stayed perfect, each doing just enough to beat their inferior opponents.
I’ve complained before about the idiots on the Big T1e1n network- I doubt I’ll do so again after watching this highlight from Comcast’s coverage of Villanova and Richmond. Warning- crass language and even worse football.
Over in the world of lesser schools: Frostburg State held off the Apprentice School 35-30. Don’t mess with the Bobs.
This week: We’ve talked already about the big game in the Big T1e1n- Iowa at Ohio State for all the marbles. In the Big lEast (where big games are televised on Fridays), the Bearcats and the Mountaineers meet up as ranked foes in Morgantown. Mich1gAAn travels to Wisconsin, Illinois and Northwestern play for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk. Kentucky and Vandy square off in the SEC Irrelevance Game, and Boise State meets Idaho for the Big Bag O Taters. UW and toOSU continue to battle for Northwestern supremacy, while Nebraska tries to slow down Mangino’s boys. T. Boone Pickens University hosts Cap’n Leach’s Pirates, Notre Ame travels to Pittsburgh, and TCU tries to stay unbeaten against #16 Utah’s Utes.
See you on Thursday for a preview of one of the longest standing small school rivalries in the country. And now, as a service for your tailgating needs:
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