College Football Week 5 Analysis

With the college football season a third of the way done things were only expected to get more intense in the coming weeks. This past weekend was only the tip of the ice berg.

21 Miami 20 Oklahoma

There a couple things I noticed in this game. First, Miami has a defense. Yes, I understand Sam Bradford is out, but regardless Landry Jones was doing a solid job...up until he played Miami. Jacory Harris threw two costly interceptions in the first half which cost Miami big points. It was 10-0 Oklahoma and the game was one score away from getting out of hand. Because of an underrated Miami defense the Hurricanes were able to get back in the game. Good teams do this: they find themselves in ugly games, down early, and are able to pull themselves together and pull out a win.

Up 21-10 Oklahoma punted and the Hurricanes looked in control of the game. Then it happened. I see it all the time. The silly defensive player runs into the punter. In this case that call was probably justified, but in so many other cases it AMAZES me how easily referees throw the flag on that play. You are one inch away from blocking a punt and poof! it's a 15 yard penalty? Do they really think players can move their bodies in that moment? With all that said Oklahoma got that first down off that penalty and scored a touchdown. Despite all this Miami was still able to hold on and pull out their GUTSIEST victory of the season.

Miami's Drive of the Season: Oklahoma opts for a field goal to cut the score to 21-20. Miami got the ball back with 4:18 and the Sooners still had two timeouts. The Hurricanes milked the clock and then the offense pulled off the biggest conversion of the season. It was 3rd and 6 with 2:35 at the Sooner 36. Miami had two options they could run it up the middle and kill tons of time off the clock. The team would then either kick a field goal or punt. Long story short - Oklahoma would get the ball back with around 1:50 still left. Then there's option b) get the first down and end the game.

Miami did just that with an eight yard pass to Dedrick Epps. That takes a lot of guts to do that. If Harris does not make the place Oklahoma gets the ball back with 2:20 left in the game and down by only one point.


37 Notre Dame 30 Washington

Similar to LSU, Notre Dame finds ways to win. It might not always be pretty, but the team WINS. Against Washington the Irish were on the ropes. It was 24-19 and the Huskies (8 point losers to LSU and defeaters of USC) were looking to go up 31-19 and put the game out of hand. But Weis's team hung tough and gave up zero points on that drive. It says a lot about a team that gives up only 3 points when there opponent gets inside their 10 twice. For once I have to agree with Lou Holtz - Jimmy Clausen is looking like a Heisman trophy candidate. 23 of 31 422 yards and 2 touchdowns! You can not overlook stats like that.

Here's the thing I know there is a lot of ND hate out there, but you have to look at what this team has accomplished. They have one loss (Michigan) where the team lost right at the end. They beat Purdue at Purdue on a fourth conversion, and they also beat an always tough Michigan State that is notorious for playing spoiler. Am I saying they are top 5 material? No. But they are sure as heck a top 15 team Mr. Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated!

This is there best chance in years to beat USC.


26 Michigan State 20 Michigan

You never know what to think about the Spartans. One week they look like a 5 loss team, the next they are playing to their potential and taking down undefeated teams like the Michigan Wolverines. It will be interesting to see if this win will catapult Michigan State into playing to their potential the rest of the season. The Spartans are still not a top tier Big 10 team.

On the other side I want to point out how impressed I am with Tate Forcier so far. I understand he threw a critical interception in overtime, but rest assured overtime never happens if Forcier does not drive Michigan down the field late in the game. It is amazing to think how good Forcier can be in a year. I mean at this young of an age he is already making veteran-like plays. There was 2:53 left in the game. Michigan was down by 7 and they had the ball on their 8 yard line. And to top it off they were on the road in an underrated hostile crowd, yet Forcier still manages to bring his team down for the tying touchdown. That speaks volumes. team down for the tying touchdown. Biggest concern is the Wolverine defense. If Michigan can get a defense in the coming years no reason to think they can not be in the national championship talks again.


20 LSU 13 Georgia

There's a number of things I want to talk about as far as LSU's game goes. First, LSU was ticked off. A week of hearing how "overrated" they were got the team motivated...and it showed in the first half. Despite the all around amazing defensive performance in the first half LSU's offense failed in punching the ball in the end zone. With only a 6-0 lead at the half I was afraid LSU was going to suffer from what I call the Kiss of Death. The Kiss of Death is when a team goes up only 6-0 after having dominated the game. It was a given that the third quarter would start with UGA fired up. To go up 7-6 after being dominated in the first half was nothing short of a huge confidence boost for Georgia. Still making your opponent use 18 plays to go 60 yards to get a touchdown is nothing to be ashamed of LSU. Later in the game Joe Cox threw what I thought was a blatant intentional grounding in his own end zone. LSU would get the ball back and in time Jordan Jefferson would put together the drive of the season.

There was 6:47 left in the game and LSU trailed 7-6. The Tigers had the ball on their 12 yard line. Jefferson showed his potential and beyond. The drive was nothing short of heart stopping. Twice Brandon LaFell, our big time first round pick, dropped big passes. And then Richard Dickson, the old reliable tight end, dropped a pass as well. But where others fail, someone new steps up. Big time recruit Reuben Randle caught only two catches for 28 yards...and they could not have come at a bigger time in the game. The sky is the limit for a true freshman who catches a huge third down on good coverage, in a hostile environment.

After LSU's touchdown to go up 12-7 I thought LSU could hold on. I felt the final score would be 12-7. The Bulldogs faced a 3rd and 6 deep in their territory and in one play a simple screen turned in a nauseating 46 yard gain. One play later AJ Green made an incredible play and the Bulldogs were up 13-12.

There's a lot to say about a team that takes the lead after a long drive, loses it, and has the drive to again go down the field and score once more. For 57 minutes LSU could not score a touchdown, yet for some reason when the fourth quarter was coming to a close LSU's urgency kicked in. They executed. After an incredible 40 yard kickoff by Trindon Holliday LSU was back in UGA territory. A couple plays later and the Charles Scott of last year showed up. 33 yards later LSU grabbed the lead for the final time. The defense closed the deal and LSU won again 20-13.

Let me clarify that excessive celebration penalty was an AWFUL call, but if you honestly think that's why LSU won I have to question whether you watched the game. (Cough! College Football News staff!) After LSU scored to go up 20-13 Scott was flagged for excessive celebration as well. Yet on that kickoff LSU stopped UGA at their 33. What am I saying? UGA needs to be pointing the finger at their special teams. And keep in mind if Scott does not make that touchdown run LSU is looking at a 45 yard field goal to win the game. By no means is that a gimme.

I guess that's all I have to say this week....

Wait, what's that? LSU plays who this weekend? Fla-or-da? Is that how you say it?

Do not worry I will breakdown that game...

2009 College Football Bold Predictions

This is it. After what has seemed like 10,000 days of waiting college football is back. Thursday night meaningful games will finally kick off, but before that day comes let me lay out my predictions for the season.

Florida WILL go undefeated and they WILL win the National Championship.
(I keep looking and when I really evaluate this team I do not see them tripping up once.)

By the end of October the California Bears WILL no longer be in the dark horse National Championship talk.
(I have been hearing all summer how this Cal team is going to make some noise. I do not see this year being any different from the other years we, the fans, were lead to believe this.)

Ohio State WILL beat USC on September 12th.
(Matt Barkley is 18 years old. He turns 19 on September 8th. He has never started a college game. I do not think in his second game of the year he will be able to pull out a victory in front of 100,000+ screaming fans. I do not care how good he was in high school and I'm sure he will have a fine college career. But at the end of the day I do not think with such little experience he will be able to beat the Buckeyes.)

Baylor behind the nation's best kept secret, quarterback Robert Griffin, will pull off a big upset this year, but Baylor will not going bowling this year.

Miami Florida's head coach Randy Shannon will be fired at the end of the year as his team will again under perform. The Hurricanes will finish with 5 losses.

Michigan will not lose more than 4 games.

Once again Texas will just sneak by Oklahoma State. Much like the Fiesta Bowl, Colt McCoy will lead Texas for a late score at the end of the game to beat the Cowboys.

Oklahoma beats Texas. Oklahoma loses two games. Texas goes to the Big 12 Championship and then the National Championship.

Notre Dame will be getting a BCS bowl after they finish the season with only 2 losses. And yes they will lose to USC again.

Alabama will lose at the most 2 games during the regular season. Ole Miss will lose only one when the Bengals come into town. Ole Miss will go to the SEC Championship Game.

LSU will have their swagger back this year, but a very hard schedule will keep them out of the SEC Championship Game.

Rutgers will not win the Big East. Pittsburgh will take the conference and the coveted BCS bowl bid.

West Virginia will have 5 losses this year. Speculation will begin about whether Bill Stewart is the right guy for the job.

Alabama will beat Virginia Tech 31-14. Tech has a defense, but the offense will not be able to do anything against Alabama's defense.

Texas A&M has another losing season and surprisingly gives Mike Sherman one more year.

Dan LeFevour. He's what some would call the "poor man's Tim Tebow." He will lead Central Michigan to the MAC Title and to go along with that Houston will win the Conference-USA.

Sorry Archie Griffin, but you no longer have the record by yourself. Tim Tebow will win the Heisman trophy.

Oregon looked pretty impressive in their bowl victory against Oklahoma State so I will have to take the Ducks. Look for Oregon to end Boise State's 49-game regular-season home winning streak. It will be decided by one score.

Well that's all I have. In all honesty I'm the "Jeff George" of making predictions. Average, but nothing more.

Geaux Tigers!







Email me MM

The Politics of College Football

As I sit here in the computer lab on a crisp Monday afternoon I can not help by ask myself the age old question, honestly, what has to take place for a playoff to be implemented in division one college football?

Honestly, nothing. Nothing can ever take place for that to happen. Each year is more crazy than the next in the lovely relationship between the Bowl Championship Series and college football. And each year the old men who keep the BCS so blindly look away from the obvious...

This is not right. This is not just.

The Oklahoma Sooners will be going to the Big 12 Championship game over the Texas Longhorns. Yes, Little Johnny the same Texas team that beat Oklahoma.

When the announcement of Oklahoma jumping Texas hit me, I knew the BCS failed again, and during it's existence that seems to have happened quite a lot. For the moment I would like to indulge on the mishaps the BCS has delivered.

2000: During the season the Miami-Florida Hurricanes defeated the Florida State Seminoles. Amazingly, Florida State still jumped Miami to go play Oklahoma for the title.

2001: Miami-Florida finally gets into the championship game where they will play the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The same Cornhusker team that was beaten to a pulp by a two-loss Colorado team. Which leads me to my next statement? Why, oh why, where the Oregon Ducks overlooked? Strength of schedule I suppose...

2003: LSU beats Georgia for the SEC Championship and Oklahoma gets pummeled by Kansas State (35-7). So it should be LSU vs. USC, right? Nope. Oklahoma was so ahead of everyone that despite a 28 point conference championship loss, Oklahoma still went to the Sugar Bowl to play LSU for the title.

And now that leads us up to this year, 2008. I can not understand it. Listen, the Sooners have a terrific team hands down, but to go over Texas?

This is madness.

I have to agree with many college football fans across the country. The BCS is turning into a political game. I mean collecting votes from voters and you can be in office (at the championship game)!

Here's my thinking! Why not have a four team playoff? It does not have to be the typical fan sought after eight team playoff. Oops! I did it again. I am starting to do that "hope" thing again. The hope that the numbskulls running the BCS finally realize a playoff is needed.

Stay tuned for later this week I will rip LSU the lashing it deserves...

5 Thoughts for Final Week of Regular Season

The college football regular season is about finished, and to no one's surprise the BCS is again pure chaos. Even so, with one final week much is still to be determined. (Let's not forget the upcoming conference championship games.)

Without further ado I know give you my thoughts and predictions on some key match ups.

1. Florida and Oklahoma will both roll this weekend. Florida will handle the Seminoles by at least 17, and I think the Cowboys of Oklahoma State will give Oklahoma some trouble. Yet, in the end, final score will be the Sooners by at least two touchdowns.

2. The SEC is inferior to the Big 12. Sure, maybe the SEC's best is better than the Big 12's best, but from top to bottom: Big 12 is superior. No ifs, ands, or buts. My main reason for this is the strength of teams like Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech. The SEC has Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, but I honestly don't think they compare. It would be a coin toss between Texas/Florida or Oklahoma/Texas. With that said, I think Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech would all beat the Tide. Let me stop the rambling: it's the Big 12's year.

3. Most teams would be happy to go to the SEC Championship Game at 11-1. Not Alabama. The Tide have lost an amazing six straight games to the Auburn Tigers. As great as this season has been it will be extremely disappointing if Saban's crew loses to their arch rival...again. Tuberville has had a nightmare season at Auburn and knows a win can bring some sort of salvation. Two things make me think this will be a close one. 1. Alabama has not been pummeling opponents like Florida and Oklahoma and 2. Auburn nearly beat a good Georgia team. If the Tigers can keep it close with defense then maybe a victory might happen. But I don't see it happening. Auburn will be close. Very. But again, Bama will do just enough to move on...and that's all that matters.
Final: Alabama 24-20

4. I have not looked at bowl projections, but I really, really hope that Utah does not play the ACC champion in their BCS bowl game. I say this because people want to see the underdog go against the juggernaut. Remember the Boise State/Oklahoma game? How could you forget! Sure, Hawaii got embarrassed last year, but in the end one Boise State game every five years makes putting a mid major team in the BCS all worth it.

5. I am sure this has been touched upon by a couple of people. Maybe a couple more. I do not understand for the slightest second why Oklahoma is said to be the team that will get in the BCS National Championship game. Yes, they beat a good Texas Tech team 65-21. I 100 percent agree that is acceptable to make a riot about the Sooners' win. OU looked good. Real good. But, but keep in mind that people are now saying they should go to the BCS National Championship game over a team THEY LOST TO. Reread that. That is all that needs to be known. Texas 45-35. That's it. No debate needs to be started. How can you possibly say OU should go over Texas? They beat them! Remember 2001 when Florida State went over Miami-Florida to the national championship game? How unjust was that?! Let's not repeat it again.

Monday Night prediction: 34-29 Packers over Saints

10.9.08 Football Roundup

Quite the weekend of college football coming up. Before I forget I thought I would post these statistics I gathered about 6 NFL teams with losing records.

Bengals 0-5; 4 losses by 27 points; average loss just under 7 points

Saints 2-3; 3 losses by a total of 10 points; average loss 3.3 points
Texans; 0-4; 2 losses by 7 points total; average loss 3.5 points
Chargers; 2-3; 3 losses by 10 points; average loss 3.3 points
Eagles; 2-3; 3 losses by 14 points; average loss just under 5 points
Raiders; 1-3; 2 losses by 11 points; average loss 5.5 points

Wonder how good these teams would be if they could (gasp) play in the fourth quarter!

Okay now onto the college football match ups. Here are my predictions for the games taking place in the Top 25 this Saturday.

1 Oklahoma vs. 5 Texas

Bob Stoops owns Mack Brown in this rivalry. Yes, Vince Young lead the Longhorns to two wins, but overall, Stoops's teams have always won. I don't see any reason to think that just maybe this one time Texas pulls off the upset. In a losing effort Colt McCoy will be outstanding.

Oklahoma 34-22


17 Oklahoma State @ 3 Missouri

I understand it was Nebraska they destroyed, but still! Mizzou is better than I thought. Oklahoma State could keep it close at first, but ultimately future Heisman trophy winner Chase Daniel will be too much. In two eye blinks Daniel will destroy Okie State's dreams of an upset. 7-7 to 28-7 in no time.

48-17 Missouri


4 LSU @ 11 Florida

So much is at stake here. First, LSU can ruin Florida's season by handing the Gators' their second loss of the season. Second, Florida can be the first team to dethrone the national champions from last season. Third, LSU could potentially win in another difficult atmosphere. Fourth, Florida could avenge their heartbreaking 28-24 loss at Tiger Stadium from last year. Fifth, okay okay you get the picture this game is big. It will be close and both teams are bringing everything. Even the towel boy. LSU will prevail because the line domination. Charles Scott will ulitmately have his way with Florida and Colt David will provide enough to clinch a victory in the Swamp.

LSU 29-20


Nebraska @ 7 Texas Tech

Well, Coach Pelini it does not get any better. First Mizzou now the Tech offense? Geez. Good luck. I think the Red Raiders are not worthy of their No. 7 ranking. No big wins. And a big win is not stomping Nebraska.

44-21 Nebraska


6 Penn State @ Wisconsin

My oh my are the Nittany Lions are sneaking up on the college football world! It's been a while since Joe Paterno had a really good PSU team. Wisconsin has lost two straight Big Ten games. Things are looking desperate for the Badgers who just let the Buckeyes get out of Camp Randall with a win. I was thisclose to having Wisconsin pull off the upset, but that Penn State offense has been pretty impressive. Joe Pa and Co. will not win this one easily.

26-18 Penn State


Arizona State @ 8 USC

What happened to the Dennis Erickson Tempe, Arizona party? ASU has fallen flat this year and after USC with or without Sanchez they will be even flatter. You are thinking the Trojans come out flat...possibly? Please. McKnight has a field day. Yawn.

38-21 USC


New Mexico @ 9 BYU

Max Hall's destruction of all defenses will continue when he goes against a weak Lobos' D. The record number of TDs in a game was 11 by David Klinger in 1990. Hall won't break that on this day, and well, won't really need to. Look for BYU's D to again impress people.

42-10 BYU


Tennessee @ 10 Georgia

Georgia got embarrassed by Bama two weeks ago. They are looking to prove people that a national championship dream is still not out of the question. As for UT they beat Northern Illinois 13-9. By the way, I'm sure Georgia wants payback for last year's terrible loss to the Vols. Look for the score to be closer than the actual domination UT will be handed.

28-14 Georgia


Purdue @ 12 Ohio State

I could see the Boilermakers possibly causing some problems for the Bucks in this game, but Boeckman is not QB anymore. Meaning? OSU can move the ball now. Purdue keeps it respectable, but again that Bucks offense with Pryor and Wells is too much.

35-20 Purdue


13 Vanderbilt @ Missississississippi State

I think I spelled everything right. Not sure. Anyway, Vandy needs to watch out for this trap game. MSU took it to LSU two weeks ago and will be wanting to end this happy undefeated Vandy season this Saturday. I look for a letdown from the Commodores.

Mississippi State 24-20

14 Utah @ Wyoming

Utah avoided an upset last week when they defeated Oregon State. The Utes are definitely BCS potential and are aware of that. Look for Utah to come out rolling on all cylinders after coming so close to defeat last week.

40-22 Utah


15 Boise State @ Southern Miss

This seems to be a big upset pick for a lot of analysts. But one thing will stop that from happening: Boise State has a defense. In the past, Boise never had a stellar unit on that side of the ball. Sure the offense has been terrific, but the game is won by the D Saturday.

28-22 Boise State

Colorado @ 16 Kansas

Kansas did not look good for four quarters in their 35-33 win over Iowa State. As for Colorado the Buffs got outplayed big time in their 38-14 loss to Texas. Colorado will lose a nail biter as Todd Reesing of Kanas directs a late game winning scoring drive. So close Colorado...

30-28 Kansas

Arkansas @ 20 Auburn

Auburn fired their offensive coordinator Tony Franklin after nearly being last in just about every category. It was the right move for an Auburn team already with two losses. In comes Arkansas, who has been getting slaugthered week in and week out. This will be a good confidence booster for Auburn, but again this is Arkansas.

20-10 Auburn

Notre Dame @ 22 North Carolina

Let the ND babbling begin. Charlie Weis will pull of this upset behind the stellar play of Jimmy Clausen. Clausen has slowly been developing each week into a better QB. Butch Davis does have a team in UNC, but look for the Irish to squeak one out in the end.

26-24 Notre Dame

23 Michigan State @ Northwestern

In 2006 Michigan State played Northwestern. The Spartans would trail 38-3 before rallying to win the game. That remains the greatest comeback in the history of college football. Anyway, as for this year's game, NW is undefeated but has not gone against anyone like Javon Ringer. Ringer will be the deciding factor.

31-21 Michigan State.

25 Ball State @ Western Kentucky

Congratulations on being ranked Ball State. No reason to think that will change this week. Ball State shut out a Toledo team last week at home (31-0) that hung 54 on Fresno State. Quite simply, Ball State has a defense which will ultimately stop an upset from ever happening.

30-16 Ball State