I expected a pretty causal Saturday of CFB - but "not so fast my friend". I am sure they are still partying in Waco, Berkeley and especially in South Bend. Sometimes it just sucks to be #1...and #2. Top teams always have a huge target on their backs no matter who the opponent is, and there is plenty of game footage to help them prepare. Sometimes the opponent is a rival, sometimes it's a nobody, but when you're ranked high they are always the hunter and you - the hunted. Thanks, Baylor and Stanford, for ushering in the ever eminent BCS chaos...
W E E K L Y W R A P
K-State did not look like they belonged in the #1 spot...or even the #10 spot (it was the SI cover curse). Oregon looked sluggish; their blur offense looking more like a slur offense. But nothing against their opponents. Baylor looked like the RG III Baylor and Stanford's defense is the only team to hold Oregon under 42 points. (Of course the Stanford offense with a freshman QB had minimal probs with Oregon's defenseless attack). Maybe Oregon and K-State were having off days or just too much pressure from high rankings - your expectations are high and so are the fans and sometimes it's tough to live up to the hype.
This leaves seven 1-loss teams in the Top 10...five from the SEC. So who gets to take on the soon-to-be-undefeated Irish (since USC is simply in a no-chance-of-turning-back free fall)? Will it be the SEC Champ (hopefully Georgia) or why not the 1-loss Oregon or K-State? The SEC will likely get the nod over K-State since K-State lost big to an un-ranked team. Oregon, on the other hand, lost to a ranked and very good Stanford team. But, Oregon may lose their shot to play in the PAC-12 conference championship - a chance to shine once more. Edge: SEC Champ.
Interesting that Stanford has UCLA scheduled next week...and if Stanford wins the two will be re-matched in the PAC-12 Championship game. Has that ever happened?
(BTW...in previous posts I have stated that I thought Alabama's and Oregon's soft schedule would eventually catch up with them. It appears to have done that. And maybe K-State, too, was not playing as tough a schedule as previously thought.)
W E E K L Y W H I N E
It was fun...but probably just annoying to the other team. I think Johnny Football is the most exciting player around right now. Not only his skills and stats but his determination is what makes him fun to watch. But I have been slightly annoyed at his cockiness. But not more so than Saturday when he tried a PAT. Really? For what? Yea...it would have been great news (if he made it) but it was just a bit insulting to their opponent, even though TA&M had the game in hand. Stick to what you do best and don't go out of your way to make your opponent look (or feel) bad. It's bad karma...and it will come back to bite you.
Not really a whine but interesting that the SEC scheduled quite a cupcake week this late in the season. Georgia, Florida, TA&M, Alabama all played FCS teams that are typically reserved for Weeks 1 and 2.
E N D Z O N E
And a midst this unforeseen mess is K-State and their methodical, no-fanfare Snyder. I had not watched a K-State game and wanted to see this much hyped team and their Heisman candidate. I was not overly impressed but my guess is that is was not their best game (obviously). But from what I have seen and read about Coach Snyder he is one top notch guy. My guess is that he just sees this as another challenge and recognizes there is still work to do and will just go about it without a second thought of rankings, accolades or the Heisman. There is much to be said for for just sticking to your guns, doing your business, not worrying about what you cannot control and letting the Ws speak for themselves. A class program thanks to their classy coach.
W E E K L Y W R A P
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| Shocked. Hopes and dreams dashed. It hurts to see fans cry. |
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| And on the other side... |
Interesting that Stanford has UCLA scheduled next week...and if Stanford wins the two will be re-matched in the PAC-12 Championship game. Has that ever happened?
(BTW...in previous posts I have stated that I thought Alabama's and Oregon's soft schedule would eventually catch up with them. It appears to have done that. And maybe K-State, too, was not playing as tough a schedule as previously thought.)
It was fun...but probably just annoying to the other team. I think Johnny Football is the most exciting player around right now. Not only his skills and stats but his determination is what makes him fun to watch. But I have been slightly annoyed at his cockiness. But not more so than Saturday when he tried a PAT. Really? For what? Yea...it would have been great news (if he made it) but it was just a bit insulting to their opponent, even though TA&M had the game in hand. Stick to what you do best and don't go out of your way to make your opponent look (or feel) bad. It's bad karma...and it will come back to bite you.
Not really a whine but interesting that the SEC scheduled quite a cupcake week this late in the season. Georgia, Florida, TA&M, Alabama all played FCS teams that are typically reserved for Weeks 1 and 2.
E N D Z O N E
