Official College Football Week 10 Thread

[cartman]

The stretch run of the season starts! This week's games start with 3 on Thursday, November 1st. Based on the BCS rankings, here are this weekend's matchups between Top 25 teams:

Alabama at LSU
Oklahoma State at Kansas State
Oregon at USC
Texas A&M at Mississippi State
Texas at Texas Tech

[Matthean]

Alabama at LSU

Not surprising to know this is the only one I care about. Nebraska plays @MSU for this week's edition of Big Ten team locking up a chance at the Big Ten title game. Nebraska has the harder road to finish the season but with OSU lurking, I'm not sure Michigan can take advantage.

[sterlingice]

Oregon at USC got a lot less interesting after last week. However, I think it's still an extremely dangerous game for Oregon. It's just that the only greater implications it has is as Oregon spoiler and no longer as USC catapult.

SI

[MrBug708]

UCLA Arizona and OSU ASU are probably going to be better games than the USC game

[Easy Mac]

Who's buying!

http://store.cstv.com/store_contents.cfm?store_id=51&dept_id=-2&product_id=228918&partner_ID=19863

http://store.cstv.com/store/Vendor51/fullscale/3701022-c.jpg

[tarcone]

Iowa plays Indiana.
Not sure what to think. We probably lose. I hope not.

Go Hawks!

[tarcone]

Not surprising to know this is the only one I care about. Nebraska plays @MSU for this week's edition of Big Ten team locking up a chance at the Big Ten title game. Nebraska has the harder road to finish the season but with OSU lurking, I'm not sure Michigan can take advantage.

Iowa can still win the division. We have Michigan and Nebraska left. If we win out we go to the title game.

I know Im being silly. But stranger things have happened.

[dawgfan]

Oregon at USC got a lot less interesting after last week. However, I think it's still an extremely dangerous game for Oregon. It's just that the only greater implications it has is as Oregon spoiler and no longer as USC catapult.

SI
USC certainly has the talent to match-up with Oregon, but they are playing so undisciplined, Barkley is proving to be over-rated and Kiffin is Kiffin that I'd expect Oregon to win comfortably. We'll see though - USC could reclaim some amount of pride with a win. They've crapped the bed on the National Championship hype (which I never bought - too many issues to think they'd pull it off), but they can still put together a pretty good season by winning out.

They'll need good Barkley to show up though - the guy they had last year, and who's made a few appearances this season, and not the pre-2011 guy that's popped-up too often this year.

[Matthean]

Iowa can still win the division. We have Michigan and Nebraska left. If we win out we go to the title game.

I know Im being silly. But stranger things have happened.

By all means, beat Nebraska. :D

[Julio Riddols]

It'll be interesting to see if Indiana gives the reins fully to Sudfeld this week. He may end up being a better signing than Gunner Kiel if early returns are any indication. I'm already becoming a big fan.

[cartman]

A sad update on the legendary Longhorns coach, Darrell Royal.

Alzheimer's disease taking its toll on Darrell Royal | KXAN.com (http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/alzheimers-disease-taking-its-toll-on-darrell-royal)

[Butter]

But stranger things have happened.

I disagree. That would be the strangest thing that has ever happened.

[dawgfan]

A sad update on the legendary Longhorns coach, Darrell Royal.

Alzheimer's disease taking its toll on Darrell Royal | KXAN.com (http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/alzheimers-disease-taking-its-toll-on-darrell-royal)
Sad indeed - Alzheimers is in many respects the cruelest of them all - the person is there physically, but the mind is inexorably wasting away and there's nothing you can do about it.

Something not many college football fans recall: Royal made a one-year pit-stop at Washington before beginning his long run at Texas:

http://img.fanbase.com/media.fanbase.com/8/28142/2ee7f5468eee26613008a23be7a0de9d20f60be4.jpg?x=744&y=538&sig=c6d12c5b8c13904128099c43bee4cc40

[tarcone]

I disagree. That would be the strangest thing that has ever happened.

Sadly, I would have to agree with you.

[Kodos]

Strangest would be IU sneaking in. We control our destiny.

I hope Sudfeld starts.

[BishopMVP]

Pitt's top RB, WR and KR were arrested for an altercation with a group of students, but will play vs. ND. Police tried to ensure the students identified the correct players by having them look at photo lineups. While none of the alleged victims could recognize all three players, each player was recognized by at least one, including Mitchell who recognized Street from a class they took together on vampires.Oh, college.

[tarcone]

Watching Cal/Washington. End of 1st quarter. Washington is on offense and they get called for holding. Time has expired. They are penalized 10 yards. They then run an untimed play. Is that normal? I thought that only happened on defensive penalties.

[Matthean]

Big Ten Network doing a documentary on The Hit that happened roughly 15 years ago.

daydrion taylor | mgoblog (http://mgoblog.com/category/tags/daydrion-taylor)

[MrBug708]

Watching Cal/Washington. End of 1st quarter. Washington is on offense and they get called for holding. Time has expired. They are penalized 10 yards. They then run an untimed play. Is that normal? I thought that only happened on defensive penalties.

PAC-12 refs

[Leroy Veritas]

A few other interesting games today:

Oklahoma at Iowa St -- winner is bowl eligible
Michigan at Minnesota -- winner is bowl eligible (rooting for Jerry Kill)
GT at Maryland -- Maryland playing QB #5 this season, a LB. Couldn't happen to a more deserving coach.
TCU at WVU -- Big 12 newbies get a break from the rest of the league, winner is bowl eligible.
Ole Miss at Georgia -- Mark Richt is fully capable of losing this one.
Louisiana at ULM -- Sun Belt is significantly improved this year.
Clemson at Duke -- Likely 2nd straight reality check for Dook.
San Diego State at Boise St -- SDSU is good enough to pull the upset/win the MWC.

Some really good FCS games today, some on TV and some not:

Towson at Delaware on NBCSN
Penn at Princeton on ESPN3
Lafayette (5-3, 2-1) at Colgate (5-3, 3-0) -- Patriot League
Jacksonville St. (5-3, 4-2) at UT-Martin (6-2, 4-1) -- OVC
Applachian St. (6-3, 4-2) at Georgia Southern (7-1, 6-1) on ESPN3 - SoCon
Delaware St. (5-3, 4-1) at NC Central (5-3, 4-1) -- MEAC
Illinois St. (7-2, 4-2) at Indiana St. (7-2, 5-1) -- MVC
South Dakota St. (6-2, 4-1) at Southern Illinois (5-4, 4-2) -- MVC
Wofford (7-1, 5-1) at Samford (5-3, 3-3) -- SoCon
Cal Poly (7-1, 5-1) at Eastern Washington (6-2, 5-1) -- Big Sky
Montana St. (7-1, 4-1) at Sacramento St. (6-3, 4-2) -- Big Sky

[Lathum]

PAC-12 refs

there were some really bad calls last night.

It was an ugly game but that being said we come out with our first road win in what seems like forever so i complaining.

We now hit a really easy 3 game stretch against Colorado, Utah, and Washington State. 8-4 looks really possible with losses to ORegon, USC and LSU. You can say our only questionable loss was to Arizona

[Honolulu_Blue]

Big Ten Network doing a documentary on The Hit that happened roughly 15 years ago.

daydrion taylor | mgoblog (http://mgoblog.com/category/tags/daydrion-taylor)

I know exactly where I was when I watched that game, but I really don't remember "The Hit".

Though I do recall that was one of those days where I got drunk, sobered up, and then got drunk again the same day, so that could explain it.

[bronconick]

No Denard today for Michigan.

[Leroy Veritas]

We now hit a really easy 3 game stretch against Colorado, Utah, and Washington State. 8-4 looks really possible with losses to ORegon, USC and LSU. You can say our only questionable loss was to Arizona

Utah blew out the Cal team you struggled with just a week earlier. It should be a Washington win, but it likely won't be easy.

Arizona is 5-3, and the 3 losses are Oregon, Oregon St. and Stanford with the OSU loss being by 3 and the Stanford loss by 6 in OT. There's nothing questionable about that loss at this point.

[Lathum]

Utah blew out the Cal team you struggled with just a week earlier. It should be a Washington win, but it likely won't be easy.

Arizona is 5-3, and the 3 losses are Oregon, Oregon St. and Stanford with the OSU loss being by 3 and the Stanford loss by 6 in OT. There's nothing questionable about that loss at this point.

We are notoriously a bad road team and get Utah at home. We should win easily.

I say Arizona becaue they are the only non top 10 team we lost to. I'm not surprised we lost.

[Honolulu_Blue]

No Denard today for Michigan.

Or, in other words:

No offense today for Michigan.

[sterlingice]

A few other interesting games today:

Oklahoma at Iowa St -- winner is bowl eligible
Michigan at Minnesota -- winner is bowl eligible (rooting for Jerry Kill)
GT at Maryland -- Maryland playing QB #5 this season, a LB. Couldn't happen to a more deserving coach.
TCU at WVU -- Big 12 newbies get a break from the rest of the league, winner is bowl eligible.
Ole Miss at Georgia -- Mark Richt is fully capable of losing this one.
Louisiana at ULM -- Sun Belt is significantly improved this year.
Clemson at Duke -- Likely 2nd straight reality check for Dook.
San Diego State at Boise St -- SDSU is good enough to pull the upset/win the MWC.

I'd love a college football preview show that spent a couple of minutes on each of these stories instead of 45 minutes on LSU-Alabama.

SI

[Leroy Veritas]

Maryland has decided the only way to compete with a LB playing QB is to bring back the worst helmets in the history of sport.

[Matthean]

Or, in other words:

No offense today for Michigan.

At least Gardner is starting. As much love as Hoke is getting, I don't think he wanted to face the wrath of starting Bellomy. I'm OK with any sort of win at this point.

[Leroy Veritas]

Tennessee is proving they are a competitive Sun Belt team today.

[Easy Mac]

I don't think I've ever seen a QB who looks like he cares less than James Franklin. How much money do you think he put on Florida before the game?

[cuervo72]

Is Mizzou playing a LB at QB too??

[JonInMiddleGA]

Tennessee is proving they are a competitive Sun Belt team today.

Or not. It's 37-34 Troy and we know how much Tennessee loooooves the 4th quarter.

[Matthean]

There's a lot of nails in Dooley's coffin at this point, but getting beat by Troy has to be the final one. Troy is 4-4. It's not like they stumbled upon the conference's best team.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Vols retake the lead 41-40 with 13:30 left. Bray has 400 and change passing, 3rd most ever by a UT QB (and most by any not named P.Manning) ... and the lead is only a point.

[Leroy Veritas]

There's a lot of nails in Dooley's coffin at this point, but getting beat by Troy has to be the final one. Troy is 4-4. It's not like they stumbled upon the conference's best team.

And it's not like a 4-4 where they loaded up on a tough OOC and are running through the Sun Belt, they're 3-3 in SB play.

[Leroy Veritas]

How has Joker Phillips not been an in season firing?

[Matthean]

Michigan gets a nice solid 35-13 win without really putting up any sort of gaudy numbers.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And it's not like a 4-4 where they loaded up on a tough OOC and are running through the Sun Belt, they're 3-3 in SB play.

They lost 34-27 to Fla Atlantic (2-6) last week .

[JonInMiddleGA]

Outdoor arena football continues in Knoxville. Now 48-48 with 3 mins left. Troy has 669 yards offense, Vols have 667. Troy ball.

edit : And Troy goes three and out ! Against Tennessee that might be the biggest upset of the day right there.

[MizzouRah]

I don't think I've ever seen a QB who looks like he cares less than James Franklin. How much money do you think he put on Florida before the game?

I didn't get to watch the game.. but I doubt Franklin is our QB next season.

[JonInMiddleGA]

UT takes the lead 55-48 with 1:25 left. Second TD in under 2 minutes. Bray sets the school single game passing mark with 530 yards (so far).

[JonInMiddleGA]

Vols win 55-48, although Troy got down to the 41 with time winding down.

Let the celebration begin.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Cool random story that I found after thinking the Ole Miss punter sure sounded familiar. He's the son of the punter from the UGA 1980 national champions, joined Ole Miss as a walk-on after recovering from severe head trauma suffered in an accidental fall.

Cool story for him to kick in that stadium today.

Ron Higgins: Ole Miss punter's season is unexpected gift » The Commercial Appeal (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/oct/31/ole-miss-punters-season-is-unexpected-gift/)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Sal Sunseri, you are the weakest link ?

From the CDD post-game press conference
"It's a bad defense, man...We didn't have an answer (for) anything"
"We did everything on the sheet, and nothing really worked."
"Nothing is working on defense. It always starts with coaching."

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Michigan gets a nice solid 35-13 win without really putting up any sort of gaudy numbers.

I didn't see the game, but hear Gardner looked pretty solid.

[Matthean]

I didn't see the game, but hear Gardner looked pretty solid.

One not much talked about issue is the lack of play from Michigan's OL. You can see how Michigan's running game goes away against better defenses. The running game was merely OK today. I think the biggest possible issue for next year won't be replacing Robinson as a QB, but finding a more traditional Michigan type running game. Michigan graduates their Gs and C with all three backups being smaller weight wise.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Ole Miss goes in front of UGA 10-0, three plays (and a 66 yd pass) later, it's now just 10-7.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Hilarity ensues in Athens.

These are consecutive drives in the 2nd qtr

DRIVE TOTALS: GEORGIA drive: 4 plays 25 yards, 01:39 GEORGIA FUMB
DRIVE TOTALS: OLEMISS drive: 1 play 14 yards, 00:18 OLEMISS FUMB
DRIVE TOTALS: GEORGIA drive: 2 plays 18 yards, 00:32 GEORGIA FUMB
DRIVE TOTALS: OLEMISS drive: 1 play 0 yards, 00:10 OLEMISS INT

[Swaggs]

Man... I have to think Geno Smith has some type of injury to his throwing arm. I think the only two throws I have seen him make over 15 yards in this game were the punt-like interception that he threw and the toss-up TD in the end zone.

Hard to believe how precise and efficient this offense was in the first five games compared to this last 2+. :(

[Leroy Veritas]

Paul Chryst is a wizard. He's turned Tino Sunseri into an actual QB in less than a season.

[Abe Sargent]

Tavon Austin baby!

[Leroy Veritas]

ND gets a horrific PI call in their favor on what should have been a failed 4th down and capitalize. I guess NBC doesn't want them losing to Pitt.

Missed XP, ha!

[Jas_lov]

Pitt needs to get up by 2 scores here or these refs will steal the game from them in the end.

[Matthean]

ND and Nebraska losing would be a nice combo for me. Michigan would likely still need PSU to beat Nebraska though.

[bob]

ND gets a horrific PI call in their favor on what should have been a failed 4th down and capitalize. I guess NBC doesn't want them losing to Pitt.

Missed XP, ha!

Yes a bad call but there have been plenty of bad calls both ways up to this point

[Grover]

What an awful, awful, terrible, awful throw.

[cuervo72]

Effing Notre Dame.

[Lathum]

'Bama and Oregon would beat Pitt by 35

[RendeR]

Run this kickoff back kid!

[Leroy Veritas]

'Bama and Oregon would beat Pitt by 35

Toledo would beat them by 14.

[cuervo72]

Toledo would beat them by 14.

Or Youngstown State.

[Sun Tzu]

Watching the Pitt v ND game. The coaching staff on the Pitt side should be fired after this game. I'm not pulling for either side, but I can honestly say this was the biggest crap your pants job I've seen from a team in the 4th quarter in years.

[RendeR]

fricking overtime

[RendeR]

Watching the Pitt v ND game. The coaching staff on the Pitt side should be fired after this game. I'm not pulling for either side, but I can honestly say this was the biggest crap your pants job I've seen from a team in the 4th quarter in years.



Can't agree with this strongly enough. Pitt really screwed themselves in every facet of the game in the last 4 minutes.

[cuervo72]

Effing Nebraska.


(Unfortunately, I am not charmed like Bucc. Seems like every team I root for ends up losing. Or rather, every team I root against wins. I must unknowingly be rooting for evil, or something.)

[Jas_lov]

Helmet to helmet is always called on the QB, except on ND in South Bend.. Pitt's going to have to create a TO or get a missed FG because the refs aren't gonna help them.

[RendeR]

Looks like ND is allowed to drag players to the ground on run plays.

[Matthean]

If nothing else, hopefully a possible close win like this pushes ND to #4 in the BCS rankings. They only have USC after this and that likely won't be much of boost if all goes well.

[Lathum]

Oregon is a marvel to watch

[kingfc22]

Bye bye Irish!

Thank god.

[RendeR]

Thats a Fumble.

[RendeR]

DOWN GO THE IRISH!

[Scoobz0202]

Watch Pitt fuck this up

[bob]

Well looks likes ND haters will have their way. Question though - If you think sports are rigged why bother watching?

[kingfc22]

Of course, if Pitt settles for a FG here it will miss.

I sure hope I'm wrong though

[RendeR]

Fuck me.

[kingfc22]

LOL

[Galaril]

Yes missed!!!!! and that was a TD and then a fucking fumble. GO IRISH!

[MizzouCowboy]

Woops.

[Grover]

Good call, king.

[RendeR]

Yes missed!!!!! and that was a TD and then a fucking fumble. GO IRISH!

No, it wasn't a td, the ball was out before he got to the line, but you keep tellin yerself that ;)

[Young Drachma]

So you people in the know, answer me this: Do these coaches bring their own state troopers on the road with them? Or is it their job to be excited for the team of the coach they're protecting at that particular game? Because that cop seemed very excited for Pitt almost winning.

[Leroy Veritas]

Yes missed!!!!! and that was a TD and then a fucking fumble. GO IRISH!

Only if you're blind. It was a very clear fumble. Throw in the gift TD that cut it to 20-12 and Irish fans have literally zero room to talk right now.

[Galaril]

Well looks likes the Catholic haters will have their way. Question though - If you think sports are rigged why bother watching?

Fixed that for ya.:)JK

[bob]

No, it wasn't a td, the ball was out before he got to the line, but you keep tellin yerself that ;)

Yeah way short of goal line before the fumble

[RendeR]

Argh, this game is making me ill =)

[molson]

I should get some kind of prize for watching Syracuse play every week. 4+ hours of penalties, turnovers, multiple very lengthy review delays, shanked punts, blocked field goals, missed tackles, dropped passes. It's a real testament to the quality of the big east that they somehow compete in most games anyway.

[Leroy Veritas]

Thought that was another miss off the foot. It's as if neither the 11 man team nor the 18 man team wants to win this game.

[RendeR]

Fixed that for ya.:)JK


What does Catholicism have to do with this game?

I hate the fucking Notre Dame Football team, because they are constantly overhyped and underwhelming, I hope they fail miserably for the same reason I hate the Yankees and any other team that gets all the attention for no good reason.

They also need to get in a fucking conference =)

[Sun Tzu]

Somebody actually thinks that fumble at the goaline should have been a TD?!?

Sure...and OJ is innocent.

[MizzouCowboy]

Nice call, I wouldn't let him throw it either.

[Galaril]

Yeah way short of goal line before the fumble

Yup my bad it was a bit before the goal. Apology to the RenderR.

[RendeR]

Fucking Irish.

[RendeR]

Yup my bad it was a bit before the goal. Apology to the RenderR.


its all good.

[RendeR]

I won't apologize for my Irish hate though. I live in Buffalo, half the fucking region is Irish and there are shamrocks pasted everywhere.

[Galaril]

Fucking Irish.

Don't worry I expect USC to bit them anyways.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oregon got away with a horrible non call on that interception a few minutes ago, but it won't matter in the final outcome.

[kingfc22]

And Team Smoke and Mirrors does it again.

[MizzouCowboy]

How can Oregon ALWAYS call the right play at the right time. Just amazing.

[kingfc22]

And how is Oregon behind ND again???

[Matthean]

Oregon working on a nice FU to the BCS system.

[Sun Tzu]

Man...didn't the refs hand a game to ND earlier this year, too? Not saying that happened here, though that 4th down PI call was laughable. It's a good thing I don't get emotionally involved in college ball.

[Julio Riddols]

Indiana is gonna seize the Big 10 title! Eventually! Hopefully before I die! Nice win today though. Thats 3 weeks in a row now they have played better than your typical Indiana team. Still can't wait til Sudfeld gets the ball permanently, but Coffman looked good in this one. What they really need is a back now.

[Matthean]

Man...didn't the refs hand a game to ND earlier this year, too? Not saying that happened here, though that 4th down PI call was laughable. It's a good thing I don't get emotionally involved in college ball.

The Stanford game is the most notable game with a questionable call. Basically the whistle blew early, and they can't overturn it.

Freaking Irish. :lol:

[BishopMVP]

And how is Oregon behind ND again???Non-conference schedule of Arkansas State, Fresno State and Tennessee Tech, and they haven't played their 3 best opponents yet.

Re: ND; the PI was pretty bad but the guy did impede the right arm, the helmet-to-helmet would have been a terrible call if they made it (and it doesn't get called in college nearly as frequently as in the NFL), Wood fumbled, and I guess the refs made Pitt's offense turtle up the last quarter +OT, and their kicker miss that FG. Oh, and Stepfan Taylor's elbow touched before he extended the ball across the goal line, and it would've only tied it anyway ;)

[bob]

The Stanford game is the most notable game with a questionable call. Basically the whistle blew early, and they can't overturn it.

Freaking Irish. :lol:

Even if that had been a touchdown, and they hit the extra point, it just would have gone another OT. Not a Stanford win.

Embrace the hate.

[bob]

For the record, I think Bama or Oregon would beat ND bad. But it would be a good problem for ND to have.

[bob]

Re: ND; the PI was pretty bad but the guy did impede the right arm, the helmet-to-helmet would have been a terrible call if they made it (and it doesn't get called in college nearly as frequently as in the NFL), Wood fumbled, and I guess the refs made Pitt's offense turtle up the last quarter +OT, and their kicker miss that FG. Oh, and Stepfan Taylor's elbow touched before he extended the ball across the goal line, and it would've only tied it anyway ;)

Awesome consolidation of the 10 followup posts I was going to do.

[bob]

Final post for me (especially since this will be 4 in a row from me)...

ND has won by the skin of their teeth repeatedly this year. Fine by me. To me, its payback for all the weird breaks ND has had go against them over the last 10 years (since that BC game they talked about in 2002). Somehow the breaks are just all going their way this year.

[tarcone]

This Iowa team is not fun to watch. Slow, uninspired, predictable.
Its funny, Im watching the bootleg work great for about 2 series, then Indiana catches on. And then it doesnt work anymore, but we still go to it.


Cartman, I blame you for not telling me how poor Greg Davis is as an OC. Shame on you. :)

[MizzouCowboy]

Nice throw Barkley (albeit a bit lucky).

Fox hoping that USC can stay in it to keep people interested, and CBS is hoping either team can score a TD to keep people interested.

[bob]

Does the Pac 10 / 12 / whatever play defense?

[tarcone]

Does the Pac 10 / 12 / whatever play defense?

Do not start this argument!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Does the Pac 10 / 12 / whatever play defense?

It's like watching a Sun Belt Conference team play the dregs of the SEC ... except with a lot better players.

[molson]

Final post for me (especially since this will be 4 in a row from me)...

ND has won by the skin of their teeth repeatedly this year. Fine by me. To me, its payback for all the weird breaks ND has had go against them over the last 10 years (since that BC game they talked about in 2002). Somehow the breaks are just all going their way this year.

If the biggest criticism against them right now is that they don't deserve national championship game consideration, damn, good for them, I didn't think THAT would be the biggest debate surrounding Notre Dame ever again.

[Eaglesfan27]

I take back what I said. USC might be leading at the half if that holding call had been made on the pick in the endzone. Proud of how this offense is fighting back despite that fumble.

[MizzouCowboy]

Enough time for Oregon to score... twice.

[bob]

Do not start this argument!

Don't start this argument what?

Side note - CBS's streaming of LSU = Bama is a million times better in terms of video quality than NBC's steraming of ND - Pitt.

[tarcone]

Don't start this argument what?

Side note - CBS's streaming of LSU = Bama is a million times better in terms of video quality than NBC's steraming of ND - Pitt.

It was a couple seasons ago. B1G offense vs. PAC 12 defense.

It was meant to be funny.

GO LSU. GO Oregon now that ND won. :)

[bob]

It was a couple seasons ago. B1G offense vs. PAC 12 defense.

It was meant to be funny.

Ok, must have missed that and thought I misunderstood something.

[Matthean]

There will be TDs. :lol: 'Bama warming up.

[tarcone]

I like these Oregon unis

[tarcone]

I think Iowa would lose 165-0 to Oregon this season.

[MizzouCowboy]

USC defense was hoping he wouldn't return it for a TD.

[Matthean]

I think Iowa would lose 165-0 to Oregon this season.

You are giving their defense too much credit. :D

[MacroGuru]

Went to the UB Bulls vs Miami (OH) game today. Miami tied it with 20 secs left, UB returns squib kick down to Miami's 35. UB runs it up middle, call time out. UB's kicker nails it from 49 yards out for the win. Sloppy but exciting game.

[Scarecrow]

Tonight's K-State sick stat of the night:

The wildcats are +104 in points off turnovers this season. They have scored 104 points on their opponent's turnovers, and have not allowed a point fom their turnovers.

[MizzouCowboy]

Ridiculous. It just looks so easy.

[tarcone]

I watch Oregon and USC and I see offense. Awesome offense. Inventive, creative,.
I watch LSU/Alabama I see defense and great defense with speed and tackling.

I wish Iowa would embrace one of these styles.

[Matthean]

'Bama can stick a fork in LSU coming out of the half.

[JonInMiddleGA]

LSU trails by 11 at the half. In the last 10 quarters vs Bama they've scored a total of 12 points.

[Matthean]

LSU trails by 11 at the half. In the last 10 quarters vs Bama they've scored a total of 12 points.

So you're saying there's a chance. :lol:

[Galaril]

so what another Alabama vs Oregon BCS title match? Ithink the result will be exactly the same as last time. Geez college football needs a playoff system badly.

[Matthean]

so what another Alabama vs Oregon BCS title match? Ithink the result will be exactly the same as last time. Geez college football needs a playoff system badly.

What other time are you referring to?

[Galaril]

What other time are you referring to?

I meant Oregon VS Bama.

[Buccaneer]

Ok, must have missed that and thought I misunderstood something.

What you misunderstood was how in the world anyone could root for or be a fan of Notre Dame. :D

[MizzouCowboy]

Auburn vs. Oregon?

[Buccaneer]

Effing Nebraska.


(Unfortunately, I am not charmed like Bucc. Seems like every team I root for ends up losing. Or rather, every team I root against wins. I must unknowingly be rooting for evil, or something.)

Nah, that just happened one (last) week in the NFL. College, not too much so, esp. today. :)

[bob]

What you misunderstood was how in the world anyone could root for or be a fan of Notre Dame. :D

Trying growing up Catholic in Indiana...

[Buccaneer]

Trying growing up Catholic in Indiana...

Hopefully you will reform one day. :)

[Matthean]

I meant Oregon VS Bama.

Which hasn't happened.

[MizzouCowboy]

Galaril must be thinking of Auburn/Oregon in the 2011 BCS.

As far as Oregon/Alabama, I'd think most fans would rather see that than any other possible matchup (barring your favorite team). I'm guessing it would be a better game than K-State/Bama. I just don't trust K-State at this time.

[StLee]

LSU really needed that score! It's a game now.

[britrock88]

One not much talked about issue is the lack of play from Michigan's OL. You can see how Michigan's running game goes away against better defenses. The running game was merely OK today. I think the biggest possible issue for next year won't be replacing Robinson as a QB, but finding a more traditional Michigan type running game. Michigan graduates their Gs and C with all three backups being smaller weight wise.

I think I just saw the ghost of RichRod recruiting!

ND gets a horrific PI call in their favor on what should have been a failed 4th down and capitalize. I guess NBC doesn't want them losing to Pitt.

Missed XP, ha!

Ball don't lie.

Pitt needs to get up by 2 scores here or these refs will steal the game from them in the end.

:(

[bob]

So let's say the top four all win out. Assumption is Bama is in. Who's next?

Oregon's best two wins will be USC and Stanford, which Notre Dame will have beat as well. Kansas St's best wins will be Oklahoma, which ND beat as well, and WV i think, which is looking less and less impressive each week.

However, Oregon and Kansas St. have won convincingly against the crap of their schedule, while ND has struggled.

Throwing out my bias, I would honestly have a tough time picking. Oregon has a craptacular non conference schedule. Need to look more at K State.

Edit - K State's 2nd best win might be today now (Ok St). Their non-conference is similarly craptastic. Best non-conference win would be Miami, which ND also beat.

Edit 2 - Maybe Oregon St. would be one of Oregon's best wins. I dont know much about them other than their record. Don't think of them as elite though. Maybe I'm wrong.

Final Edit - If LSU wins, but somehow a 1 loss Alabama jumps over ANY undefeated team, I'm done with college football.

[Galaril]

Galaril must be thinking of Auburn/Oregon in the 2011 BCS.

As far as Oregon/Alabama, I'd think most fans would rather see that than any other possible matchup (barring your favorite team). I'm guessing it would be a better game than K-State/Bama. I just don't trust K-State at this time.

yes that was LOL! In any case just give Bama the championship for this season and next and we can all go from there.

[Leroy Veritas]

I would be rooting for Oregon, KState and ND in that order just because that's the order I would put the chances for each team's offense to be able to do anything against the Bama defense.

[MizzouCowboy]

'Bama doesn't wake up we might get K-State/Notre Dame.

[Matthean]

'Bama doesn't wake up we might get K-State/Notre Dame.

Oregon will be higher ranked than ND.

[tarcone]

The way Oregon is scoring and at the speed they do it, I may change my vote from K St. to Oregon.

[bob]

Oregon will be higher ranked than ND.

Probably so, but other than beat up on crap and let up a sh*t ton of points and yards to USC, i'm not sure they are elite either.

[Leroy Veritas]

Throwing out my bias, I would honestly have a tough time picking. Oregon has a craptacular non conference schedule. Need to look more at K State.

Edit - K State's 2nd best win might be today now (Ok St). Their non-conference is similarly craptastic. Best non-conference win would be Miami, which ND also beat.

Edit 2 - Maybe Oregon St. would be one of Oregon's best wins. I dont know much about them other than their record. Don't think of them as elite though. Maybe I'm wrong.

Oregon has a win against a solid Arkansas St team (6-3, 4-1 in an improved Sun Belt), and a good Fresno St team (7-3, 5-1 in a good MWC). That's not remotely close to craptacular. I'll take their schedule over ND playing middle to bottom Little 10, ACK and Big Least teams.

KState does have a pretty weak non-conference, but they did obliterate the one OOC team with a pulse on their schedule (Miami).

[StLee]

TOUCHDOWN, LSU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never thought LSU could score 2 TDs on Bama. Keep it up, LSU!

[MizzouCowboy]

I see a 17-17 tie, with multiple FGs in OT.

[bob]

Oregon has a win against a solid Arkansas St team (6-3, 4-1 in an improved Sun Belt), and a good Fresno St team (7-3, 5-1 in a good MWC). That's not remotely close to craptacular. I'll take their schedule over ND playing middle to bottom Little 10, ACK and Big Least teams.

Computers would disagree.

KState does have a pretty weak non-conference, but they did obliterate the one OOC team with a pulse on their schedule (Miami).

So did Notre Dame

[cuervo72]

And that's the problem with the cupcake games from a standpoint of trying to differentiate teams. Unless a team somehow loses to one (and then they're not in the conversation anyway), you don't learn anything from them. So you're left trying to compare teams on the basis of 8 games (if that), which is just too small a sample size.

[bob]

Not sure what to think of Bama right now - their schedule didn't do them any favors by not only giving LSU a week off before but not them, but they also didn't play anyone worth a crap all season either prior to this game.

[bob]

And that's the problem with the cupcake games from a standpoint of trying to differentiate teams. Unless a team somehow loses to one (and then they're not in the conversation anyway), you don't learn anything from them. So you're left trying to compare teams on the basis of 8 games (if that), which is just too small a sample size.

Agreed - no clue how to separate the other three since if Bama wins out they've been handed a ticket to the big game since before the season started.

Now, if LSU wins out, could they jump an undefeated team (especially with the ESPN love)?

[Danny]

What a dumb call

[bob]

Pac12 makes no sense to me. UCLA up 21-0 on Arizona in the first quarter.

[StLee]

Les Miles needs to quit the fru-fru football against Bama and kick the field goals when he can get them. LSU has left at least six points on the field trying for the fourth down fru-fru play.

[bob]

Sometimes I wonder if Miles buys into his whole mad hatter reputation and does stuff just because of it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

It didn't get enough love on the replay, but the RB who picked up that corner blitz on 3rd down was the hero on that last conversion, not the QB nor the WR.

[bob]

A few years ago, ESPN did this whole series during the year about whether or not that season's USC with Bush and Leinhert was the best team ever. Was that the same team that lost to Texas in the title game?

This LSU - Bama game is far from over, but interesting if their loss comes the same week as all the "Bama would beat some NFL team" talk happened.

[MizzouCowboy]

LSU getting the breaks and making the plays.

[Lathum]

Hate taking the FG there, I would rather punt it and pin them inside the 5 and put my defense on the field rather than give them a short field needing only a FG to tie.

[bob]

28 - 0 UCLA now.

19 - 10 ASU over Oregon St. Still early 2nd quarter.

[MizzouCowboy]

Hate taking the FG there, I would rather punt it and pin them inside the 5 and put my defense on the field rather than give them a short field needing only a FG to tie.

I was thinking the same thing since 'Bama has done nothing this half.

[MizzouCowboy]

Wow. That's a choke, LSU.

[bhlloy]

Les Miles left 6 easy points on the board, just like Kiffin did vs Arizona

[bob]

LSU defense folded there. Odd.

[StLee]

Those field goals left behind came back to crush LSU. Let's see if Mettenstache can get as many easy looks as McCarron did.

[Leroy Veritas]

Computers would disagree.

And there has been plenty to show that the computer models, at least the only one that has been made public, are full of crap and have entry errors. If the computer models are so great then they should be known formulas that can either be defended or discredited.

[bob]

Man, this year would be even more of a potential mess if Ohio State was eligible.

[Leroy Veritas]

Pretty much the least likely series of events to end this Bama/LSU game. Amazing job by Bama to pull out the win.

[Young Drachma]

Boo what a letdown.

[bob]

And there has been plenty to show that the computer models, at least the only one that has been made public, are full of crap and have entry errors. If the computer models are so great then they should be known formulas that can either be defended or discredited.

Its not like human votes aren't full of biases, crap voting by people that don't watch all the games, and other influences.

At the end of the day, its a popularity contest with some talent portion.

[MizzouCowboy]

I guess 'Bama stepped up when it was on the line. I never dreamed they could take it down the field and win it, let alone get a FG.

And yeah, any NFL team would blow 'em out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

If the computer models are so great then they should be known formulas that can either be defended or discredited.

Aren't most (all?) of those being used proprietary formulas?

[Leroy Veritas]

Aren't most (all?) of those being used proprietary formulas?

I believe they are, which just makes them sketchier. If we don't know what the formula is, and the last article I read on it said even the BCS bosses didn't know, then how do we know if they're valid or that they're being properly maintained? The one that is known publicly was shown to have entry errors that affected the rankings in that formula.

Here's the JS (one of the 6 computers) top 10 ranking coming into this weekend:

1. Kansas State
2. Notre Dame
3. Florida
4. LSU
5. Oklahoma
6. Georgia
7. Alabama
8. Oregon
9. South Carolina
10 Texas Tech

That top 10, at this point of the season, should be enough to dump that computer from the system. Two loss Oklahoma ahead of Bama and Oregon?

Here's an article from a couple of years back about the mess that the computers are and just how much the BCS committee doesn't know: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/10/fuzzy_math_by_the_bcs.html

[Tigercat]

I think Mett grew up at QB today, hats off to Bama for taking that game away at the end. If they had another post-season rematch with even more time for Mett, I think they would split this year too. Alas, our offense wasn't ready for Florida earlier this year, and that's that.

[Matthean]

Agreed - no clue how to separate the other three since if Bama wins out they've been handed a ticket to the big game since before the season started.

Blew out at least a credible Michigan team on a neutral field. Won at LSU with LSU having a bye week. They now get TA&M(7-2) and likely Georgia(8-1). The amount of teams that have a harder road is fewer than what people keep thinking.

Man, this year would be even more of a potential mess if Ohio State was eligible.

I would pick 'Bama, Oregon, and KSU over OSU. ND would be a coin toss. OSU is vastly taking advantage of being in such a down conference. The winners between 'Bama vs. ND and Oregon vs. KSU would be awesome. KSU is the more complete team, but Oregon's style of offense can mimic what LSU did. The question would be what would Oregon do on defense. Whatever hype that was attached to this year's defense, needs to fade away after giving up 51 points.

[Scoobz0202]

If Ohio State was eligible where would they be in the BCS rankings?

[Matthean]

I think Mett grew up at QB today, hats off to Bama for taking that game away at the end. If they had another post-season rematch with even more time for Mett, I think they would split this year too. Alas, our offense wasn't ready for Florida earlier this year, and that's that.

I'm so happy that's LSU's second loss. :lol: Granted, any game after this wouldn't be at LSU. LSU is really built to be 'Bama's kryptonite. I hate LSU, but I got to at least respect them. LSU has three easy wins and I would hate to be the team to play you in a bowl game.

[Matthean]

If Ohio State was eligible where would they be in the BCS rankings?

#5. Winning the Big Ten really wouldn't help them due to it being such a down year. Their biggest wins are Nebraska(7-2), Penn State(6-3) and MSU(5-5). If they were to beat Wisconsin and Michigan those would roughly be 8-4 teams. It's more like they beat a number of decent teams but nobody that really stands out either.

[Leroy Veritas]

UCLA 66-10 final over Arizona. Definitely didn't see that score coming.

[MrBug708]

Awesome game

[Big Fo]

It's nice to wake up in the morning and read the few dozen anti-ND comments after another comeback victory.

I missed most of the game since I went to a local beer festival but managed to get to a TV when it was 20-12 Pitt in the 4th. The Wood fumble was a rough moment, I thought he'd gotten in and after that a loss seemed probable. Oh well, 9-0 is 9-0 no matter how they are won.

[BishopMVP]

And there has been plenty to show that the computer models, at least the only one that has been made public, are full of crap and have entry errors. If the computer models are so great then they should be known formulas that can either be defended or discredited.I don't love the way the computers in the BCS tabulate things, but it's pretty straightforward.I guess 'Bama stepped up when it was on the line. I never dreamed they could take it down the field and win it, let alone get a FG.

And yeah, any NFL team would blow 'em out.Was that ever really a question beyond ESPN's echo chamber?A few years ago, ESPN did this whole series during the year about whether or not that season's USC with Bush and Leinert was the best team ever. Was that the same team that lost to Texas in the title game?Yup.Sometimes I wonder if Miles buys into his whole mad hatter reputation and does stuff just because of it.I just don't think he is a great coach. I don't think he (knowingly) cheats or does anything in that sense, but as a Notre Dame fan I was rooting for him to be hired at Michigan, even coming off a national championship.

[Kodos]

Nice to see IU beat Iowa... and it's not even basketball season yet. Big game against Wisconsin next week. Would love to beat those assholes.

[mauchow]

Wisconsin would win easy if stave wasn't hurt but now without a qb...should be a good one.

[tarcone]

Iowa is Minnesota South this season. And Im afraid it may be for a couple seasons. Unless Ferentz really coaches this team up and then hands the offense over to his son.
Otherwise, it may be brutal.

[Lathum]

It's nice to wake up in the morning and read the few dozen anti-ND comments after another comeback victory.

I missed most of the game since I went to a local beer festival but managed to get to a TV when it was 20-12 Pitt in the 4th. The Wood fumble was a rough moment, I thought he'd gotten in and after that a loss seemed probable. Oh well, 9-0 is 9-0 no matter how they are won.

I'm not a Notre Dame hater, I actually think it is good for College football when they are good. That being said I just don't think they are on par with Bama or Oregon and are likely a step below K state.

Not taking anything away from them and Kelly has done an amazing job, but I think if they play in the title game they get stomped.

[bronconick]

I can't believe this many people took Spurrier saying "Alabama can beat NFL teams" seriously. Spurrier is a professional troll.

[Lathum]

I can't believe this many people took Spurrier saying "Alabama can beat NFL teams" seriously. Spurrier is a professional troll.

anyone who ever thinks a college team could beat a pro team in either basketball or football either knows nothing about sports or is just trying to stir up talk.

[Big Fo]

I'm not a Notre Dame hater, I actually think it is good for College football when they are good. That being said I just don't think they are on par with Bama or Oregon and are likely a step below K state.

Not taking anything away from them and Kelly has done an amazing job, but I think if they play in the title game they get stomped.

I think Oregon and Alabama are a tier above (two tiers in Alabama's case) but I'm not convinced that Kansas St. is some kind of great team. Whether ND makes it to the title game or not, and right now it seems unlikely, it has been a really good season so far and I feel more confident about the team's future than I have in years.

I can't believe this many people took Spurrier saying "Alabama can beat NFL teams" seriously. Spurrier is a professional troll.

I heard something on the radio during the week, saying the Jags/Cheifs would be 20+ point favorites over Alabama (neutral site). And Alabama would be favored by 6 against Oregon, 10 against K-State, and 13 against ND.

Spurrier is the best. I loved what he had to say before SC played UGA.

The Gamecocks have played Georgia on the second weekend of the season for 10 of the past 12 seasons and in one of the first three weeks every year since 1992.

This year's game will be in Columbia on Oct. 6, and Spurrier used a question about the switch to take a jab at the off-field woes of the Bulldogs in recent years.

"I don't know. I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended," Spurrier told ESPN.com.

[Leroy Veritas]

I don't love the way the computers in the BCS tabulate things, but it's pretty straightforward.

How? Nobody knows what 5 of the formulas even are. There's nothing "straightforward" about 5 computer formulas that are unknown to everyone except the creators of them.

[Jas_lov]

Oregon does move ahead of ND to #3 in BCS rankings. There was no reason not to immediately institute the 4 team playoff so hopefully it blows up in their faces and all 4 teams finish unbeaten. They could have just had 2 of the major bowls be the playoffs played on New Years Day and then have the winners play each other in the BCS Championship a week later. With the way they have it set up now I think Bama would play Oregon if all 4 go unbeaten as Oregon still has a tougher remaining schedule and the lead in the human polls.

[Matthean]

I'm waiting for the four teams to be undefeated at the end of the regular season and then somebody like Jerry Jones to offer up hosting a title game.

[Matthean]

Irish won't get back up either unless somebody loses. Their last three games feature teams collectively under .500 and all the more so if the Irish beat them. Oregon won't move up next week, but their last three might get them in.

[Leroy Veritas]

How has Joker Phillips not been an in season firing?

Joker Phillips out as coach of Kentucky Wildcats after season - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8592978/joker-phillips-coach-kentucky-wildcats-season)

Close enough.