Unfortunately for TCU, none of the top ranked teams fell leaving us still with six undefeated teams (the most this late in the season since at least 1989). Even after the conference championship games this week we will be left with at least five undefeated teams going into bowl season. This is where the BCS system simply does not work; it can not settle a true champion when more than two teams appear to have NC capability. TCU has but one more shot at a possible NC game berth - if Texas loses to Nebraska.
But, hey - it does look like we'll see two, non-AQ conference teams in BCS bowls. Little by little the BCS is slowly being chipped away at and although we may not go to a true playoff system, surely we'll graduate to a better, much improved system.
The Holy War 2009
There were a lot of good rivalry games this past week but this one, BYU vs. Utah, will long be remembered. I found it odd that the game did not receive much attention - before or after. It was the only Top 25 match-up of the week and yet there was little advertisement during the week and only one Internet headline the following morning. Obviously, the MWC still has some PR improvements to work on.
Statistically, the game was pretty even except that Utah had twice the penalty yards. Between both teams I counted no less than six Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties...the mark of a true rivalry game where there is some serious 1-4 year old issues to settle.
BYU can thank their defense for this win. They held the Utah running game below their season average and forced five field goals when the Utes were driving for TD's. BYU's offense was much less than stellar: scoreless in the 4th, less than 150 yards passing, two end zone passes that were dropped / off target, aggressive in the first half but way too conservative down the stretch (four of last five possessions were 3-and-outs). It was that passive play calling that sent the game into OT. It was Hall's aggressive and risky pass that pulled out the win. Hall did in OT what the coaches wouldn't do down the stretch.
Credit QB Max Hall for pulling out the win in a high profile game...typically his Achilles heel. Hall had far from a banner day statistically but he made the right pass at the right time to the right man for the win. Unfortunately, Max will be remembered most for his comments after the game - comments he'll soon regret, comments that show immaturity and were simply unprofessional and uncalled for. Degrading comments towards an entire university, its students and its supporters over the year-old antics of a few is "classless", to use his own word. A reprimand from his coaches, and possibly the conference, along with an obligatory, carefully reviewed and edited apology will soon follow.
EndZone
I do not recall a year with so many uniform changes. We always see it from Oregon but this year I have also seen it from Florida, Texas, Missouri, BYU, Georgia, Notre Dame, LSU, Utah, TCU, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and Florida State. I'm sure there were others, too. Is it a new craze or just teams reaching for something to excite the fans and light a fire under the team.