Sunday, November 11, 2007

What we learned from Saturday's college football action

I'll tell you one thing we learned right away. That Ohio State fans cry when their team loses. Hardcore man. And by "hardcore" I mean "total losers who need to calm the hell down."

On to the other stuff.

1. Illinois may have helped us avoid a total BCS meltdown. While no one is happy with the BCS system, at least it's pretty clear that the two best teams in the country - LSU and Oregon - are now at the top of it. You could debate for hours which team is more deserving of the #1 ranking, but it's basically irrelevant. If both LSU and Oregon win out, we'll get the SEC against the Pac-10 in the National Championship. And considering those conferences have easily been the two best conferences in the nation this year, that scenario would make for one highly watched National Championship. A lot better than the potential Ohio State/BC matchup that was sitting on the table a few weeks ago.

2. However, all this may change if Kansas runs the table too. I really like the Fighting Manginos, but I'm not a believer yet. What will make me a believer is if Kansas beats Missouri in two weeks. Then they'll likely face Oklahoma in the Big-12 Championship, and if they win that game, well then you've gotta let them play in the National Championship. I think the odds of Kansas beating both Mizzou and Oklahoma are slim to none, but hey, if they do it, they deserve to be in the National Championship.

3. Speaking of interesting scenarios, USC may just get back to the Rose Bowl yet again after being left for dead two weeks ago. If Oregon goes to the National Championship, and USC wins out by beating ASU and UCLA, they'll go to the Rose Bowl. Even more ridiculous is that if Michigan beats Ohio State, they'll go to the Rose Bowl again as well. Imagine that. The two schools that suffered the worst upsets in college football history this year may face each other in the Rose Bowl. I'm not sure if that should make me excited or really angry.

4. Where'd that vaunted Ohio State defense go? I didn't think Ohio State was the best team in the country heading into this weekend at all, but I certainly thought they were pretty damn good, primarily because of their defense. But allowing Illinois to drain more than 8 minutes off the clock to end the game, while allowing QB sneak after QB sneak. What the hell? That was atrocious. If you can't prevent an 8 minute drive when you desperately need the ball back, you have no business being in the National Championship. Maybe Ohio State's defense has just benefitted from playing in a crappy conference this year.

5. While I may have been surprised by Ohio State's loss, I wasn't surprised by Boston College's loss at all. I've said this before, and I'll say it again, BC has played a weak schedule and they'd be beaten down regularly if they played in the SEC or Pac-10. What makes this loss even sweeter is we had a commenter in the past rail us for calling BS on BC when they were the #2 team in the country. After two losses in a row I don't think that commenter is going to be quite so chatty now.

6. Arizona State is still overrated. They should never have been ranked #4 in the country and they should have dropped lower than #9 after having gotten thoroughly roughed up by Oregon. They haven't beaten anyone of note except a Cal team that has folded faster than Superman on laundry day (thanks Simpsons). Plus they played a UCLA team yesterday that can only be described as massively schizophrenic. And UCLA didn't have it yesterday, thanks to having their 19th string QB at the helm. ASU is going to get crushed by USC next week and won't be going to the Rose Bowl.

7. After saying last week that we should all pay attention to UCONN, they get crushed by Cincy. Which means we can all stop paying attention to them.

8. I'd like to nominate the John Parker Wilson blind heave into the endzone that was returned for a TD just before halftime as this season's worst INT. That was crushing beyond belief for Alabama, and also awesome to watch. I could watch that clip on repeat for hours. There's nothing better than watching Nick Saban lose, and watching him lose in gut-wrenching fashion is even better. I also like how Miss St. and Alabama now have the same record. Keep it up Saban.

9. I'd say something about Hawaii being undefeated, but I can't remember anything about their game against Fresno except this ridiculously vicious hit that Brennan took. Doesn't seem to be an illegal hit, it's just that Marcus Riley got 20 yards of unimpeded steam built up before he decked an unsuspecting Brennan. Something tells me Ty Detmer will be leaving a big check in Riley's locker. [Thanks to Wizard of Odds and UH Bows for the clip]


10. That sure was a great way for the U to leave the Orange Bowl. Nothing like getting shut out 48-0 against a team that can't seem to win unless they give at least 200 fans heart attacks for being unable to win by more than 2 points.

11. Michigan's loss to Wisconsin wasn't quite as bad as some are making it out to be. They played without Hart and Henne left the game in the first quarter. All that matters is the Ohio State game next week to determine who goes to the Rose Bowl. I mean Michigan's National Championship hopes officially ended after losing to App St. anyway, so all they have left is the Rose Bowl and the loss to Wisconsin didn't really change things all that much. It's still win and you're in. Michigan just better hope they have Hart and Henne back next week. Otherwise, Ohio State might as well just book its tickets to Pasadena now.

-WCK

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