College Football Analysis After Week 9

Not sure anyone can do a more lousy job than me on getting my thoughts up. It is already Friday afternoon for crying out loud!

41 Florida 17 Georgia

Honestly, I really thought UGA was going to come out pumped to play. After all UF hasn't looked that great the last two games. I expected UGA to come out motivated to punish UF for last year's 49-10 slaughter, but that never happened. UF looked like it's old self and Joe Cox was self-destructing all afternoon. His turnovers are about as appalling as Terrelle Pryor's. First play of the second half is an interception? Just like that it was 31-10. It was funny to see Tebow plowing through the line. I guess that whole concussion safety thing was thrown out the window. Right now UF looks bound for the Rose Bowl. I do not see any potential trip ups whatsoever. One of the more interesting things to note is the growing angst towards Georgia coach Mark Richt. It's amazing how quickly someones successes can be thrown under the table the instant someone says, "Hey he doesn't have a National Championship yet!" Now granted he doesn't have a title and I'm sure he wants one, but for crying out loud keep in mind he has been very successful. Give it time UGA fans.

47 Oregon 20 USC

Wow. The USC Trojans do lose games, but no one beats them by 4 touchdowns. That was until Saturday. The Ducks flat out embarrassed USC in a way no one has done since Carroll took control of the program. Oregon clearly showed they are a team worthy of playing in the BCS National Championship. The offense is explosive and the defense is suffocating. Now granted I realize they are far back in the BCS, but there is still a lot of season left. Biggest thing is that Duck offense. It is so unique and dangerous that the defenses are constantly having to gamble on whether or not it's a pass or rush. I have to give Coach Chip Kelly a lot of credit for turning things around after getting pounded 19-8 at Boise State.

42 LSU 0 Tulane

In the last two weeks LSU's offense has looked the way the fans have desired all season. The biggest thing I noticed was LSU's ability to get seven points and not the mere three they were getting earlier in the year. Another thing was the LSU defense. In the game Kelvin Sheppard had 13 tackles. That is 39 tackles in three games! LSU's defense has slowly snuck up in the stats. Not only is the secondary shut down quality but the linebackers are everywhere. Yes, the defensive line is a work in progress, but Chavis combats that with blitzes from all-hitman Harry Coleman.


33 Auburn 20 Ole Miss

I do not know what to think of Ole Miss and I do not know what to think of Auburn. Auburn was on a three game losing streak that would surely extend to four. Well for some reason the War Eagles weren't having that. QB Chris Todd looked like his old self and the Auburn running game got moving as well. On the other side Jevan Snead again disappointed the nation. It amazes how much this big time pro prospect has struggled this year. Ole Miss already has three losses and the season is not over. They still have the Egg Bowl versus Mississippi State who by all means has not been a pushover. Is opposition against Coach Houston Nutt forming in Oxford? Hmm.


I am well aware this post stinks, but keep in mind I did this in twenty minutes. I will do a better job in the future with a) making my posts longer and b) getting them out in a reasonable amount of time. Lots of big games this weekend. Seasons will be made or lost come Saturday...

Florida Comes to Death Valley

This is it. The one game that has kept me up at night. The one game that motivates me when on the treadmill. It was about 83 days ago when I sent my dad the text, "84 days until Judgment Day!" It was the one game I could not stop dreaming of because of that smidgen of hope that the impossible could happen.

For months I proclaimed Saturday as Judgment Day. The day Superman fell. Superman is invincible? Nope. Turns out the Man of Steel loses to a fellow by the name of Doomsday. I have hoped for months that LSU would someone find a "Doomsday" by October 10th. Possibly, Chad "Dreadlocks of Doom" Jones? I could only ponder.

Tomorrow night Judgment Day will take place. The No. 1 ranked Florida Gators will come into Tiger Stadium to take on the LSU Tigers. The Gators are riding a 14 game winning streak and they are the over-the-top favorite to win the BCS National Championship.

Leading the way for the Gators is senior Tim Tebow. Behind Tebow there's an amazing defense, a stellar running game, and plethora of talent all over the field. Even with Tebow's current state the Gators are seen as an anonymous favorite to beat LSU.

No Tebow? Psh. Who cares! John Brantley will be an excellent quarterback. He will do fine against an average LSU defense!

A lot of those arguments do make sense. LSU does have a suspect offense and defense. How are they going to muster enough points to beat Florida? And really is Brantley that big of a downgrade from Tebow? For a whole week I have read them all, but in the end regardless of what I hear or read or how much I hear about how "upset" Florida is about their last trip to Tiger Stadium I still see an opportunity for LSU.

There's a reason it's called Death Valley. There's reason the stadium has a reputation as daunting as the Roman Coliseum. There's a reason it registered an earthquake back in 1988. There's a reason Bear Bryant referred to the stadium as "being inside a drum." The reason is because that place is the most over-the-top, intimidating place for a football team to play. There is something about. It is something you can not describe or define, but when that football team comes out onto the field and they see 93,000 screaming fans it is an instant shot of adrenaline. They feed off the crowd.

I look at that stadium I say LSU has a chance against Florida because of it. I honestly do not know what will happen Saturday. Most likely Florida will win because there's that notion that Florida's defense is far too good to let LSU beat them. Regardless of who is at quarterback the biggest battle is the LSU offense versus the Florida defense. You also look at the fact there's a young quarterback in Jordan Jefferson who is going against an experienced defense.

All that does not bode well for LSU...or so they say.

But then there's the other side. The X-factor. This game is in Tiger Stadium and like I described earlier the stadium is one of a kind. Take into account that last year LSU got embarrassed at The Swamp 51-21 and you have yourself the possibility of a fired up LSU coming out of the gate Saturday night.

If LSU wants to even think about beating Florida they have to punch the Gators in the mouth right out of the box. They have to make Florida fear. Florid has no fears. During this 14 game winning streak most teams have been blown out by the Gators. Sure there was the close game against Alabama in the SEC Championship, but that was in Atlanta.

And the intense National Championship game? That was in a neutral site as well.

My point is LSU has got to take advantage of the what should be the largest crowd in Tiger Stadium history. Les Miles's team has to grasp this advantage. I understand Brantley's great potential, but this is his first start. Take advantage of that LSU. Make them question Brantley early on. Make them panic. Make the Florida defense second guess each other. Plant in their minds LSU is outplaying them. Make them think they are not invincible.

In the words of King Leonidas in 300 during his talk with the tyrant Xerxes, "The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many, and before this battle was over, even a god-king can bleed."

Show the world LSU that Florida can bleed. Show the world that Florida can fall.

3 Strong Reasons Why Lane Kiffin Being Successful is Good for the SEC and LSU

No coach has had more of a splash in the Southern Eastern Conference recently than Lane Kiffin. He has done nothing short of stir up drama, but rest assured I do think his success will ultimately prove good for the SEC and LSU. Even as an LSU fan who's team lost out on recruits Bryce Brown and Janzen Jackson to Tennessee, I still stay strong to this thinking.

Tennessee v. Florida

In the past this game was an SEC favorite. Remember in 2004 when Tennessee beat Florida 30-28? The game then was a early season fan-favorite fist fight. It was early in the year, but the implications of the game where huge. But in recent years the game has featured nothing more than lopsided Florida victories. Last year Florida pounded Tennessee 30-6 in Neyland Stadium, the year before Florida pounded Tennessee 59-20 in the Swamp. Since 1993, Florida is 12-4 against the Volunteers. If Kiffin can get a good team together than this rivalry can be resurrected. It's unlikely that this year Kiffin's club will beat Florida considering the talent Florida has compared to Tennessee, but I do expect the Vols to hang with the Gators for three quarters.

Overall, Kiffin does well, this rivalry is watchable again.


More recruits to Tennessee

If Tennessee gets good again than more recruits will head to Vol Nation from Alabama. Now granted I know the negative aspect of UT getting good is LSU losing some recruits. That is frustrating, but that's part of the game. With that said, I still think LSU's recruiting class turned out, hmm alright this year. Wouldn't you agree?

But back to the subject, right now Nick Saban runs Alabama. He gets the best recruits there and frankly I have always been a fan of sharing so Kiffin hopefully you can get Alabama to share. Same can be said about Florida. Urban Meyer runs that state, wouldn't be too terrible if some sharing took place in the Sunshine State as well.


LSU rarely plays Tennessee

This is the one some many LSU fans fail to grasp. Yes, I am well aware LSU plays Tennesee in Baton Rouge in 2010 and then in Knoxville in 2011, but after that LSU will play Tennessee about once every four years. Since 1993 LSU has squared off with Tennessee only seven times, but keep in mind two of those games where in the SEC Championship. Overall, five matchups in 13 years. If anything Tennessee becoming good again is a thorn in the side of Florida and Alabama because those two schools have to play the Vols every year no questions asked.

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