There’s a little election going on today, if you haven’t heard, so let’s make this quick.
Here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 10 Top-10 recap:
1. Notre Dame had no business winning that game: turnovers, missed extra points, missed FGs, needing Pitt to miss a FG in the 2nd OT, a couple graceful calls from the refs, etc.; but they did. And they’re 9-0 for the first time since 1993. And that year they lost to Boston College. And of course their opponent this week is Boston College. Thankfully it’s on the road as they seem to play a lot better away from home this year.
2. Matt Barkley’s numbers were huge: 35-54 for 484 yards and 5 TDs. The problem? Oregon was 9/13. That’s nine TDs on their 13 possessions. It’s hard to win when you give up 62.
3. Kansas State beats yet another ranked team, but they only managed six points after the Klein injury.
4. Florida’s done with SEC play at 7-1, but will need Auburn to beat Georgia to claim the SEC East. Not gonna happen. But, they may have a better shot at an at large BCS bid this way. If Florida beats Florida State, and Georgia loses to Alabama in the SEC Championship game, Florida is likely in the Sugar Bowl.
5. Johnny Football keeps A&M rolling and now they get a shot at Alabama. This is the difference between the SEC and the Big 12. You don’t ever get a chance to catch your breath. Unless you’re playing Auburn, Tennessee or Missouri, that is. A&M needs a win and a ‘Bama loss to Auburn (not gonna happen) to win the West.
6. Michigan State’s four conference losses are by a combined 10 points. That’s what happens when you have the 109th scoring offense in the country. They need a win over Northwestern or Minnesota to even become bowl eligible.
7. Who has been more disappointing this year? Arkansas, West Virginia, Michigan, or Virginia Tech? All were in the preseason Top 16, and all flopped. Bad.
8. Why was 5-3 UofSuck ranked? Well, they’re 5-4 now after getting slapped around by UCLA, and I’m not so sure that Colorado doesn’t beat them this weekend. Okay, maybe not.
9. And, Oregon just scored again.
10. It didn’t matter that Alabama’s offense did nothing in the second half before The Drive. It didn’t matter that LSU moved the ball up and down the field on the nation’s #1 defense. It didn’t matter that the Mad Hatter tried a couple trick plays at really bad times. All that mattered was ‘Bama gave up less than 20, again; and McCarron engineered the Crimson Tide’s version of The Drive.
Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:
Top-10:
#1 Alabama (9-0) – Survived your toughest test. On the road. At night. Death Valley. That’s why I’ve had you #1 since day 1.
#2 Oregon (9-0) – I know it works for the system, but the defense has to slow some folks down.
#3 Kansas State (9-0) – No Klein? We won’t know.
#4 Notre Dame (9-0) – Boston College is 2-0 against Top-5 Notre Dame teams. 1993 and 2002. Gulp.
#5 Georgia (8-1) – Pretty much have the SEC East wrapped up. Would winning the SEC jump you to #2? Doubtful.
#6 Florida (8-1) – Congrats on a great season, now just beat Florida State!
#7 Florida State (8-1) – Don’t forget about us!
#8 LSU (8-2) – Why is LSU always in the Top-10 with two losses? I guess they’re that good.
#9 South Carolina (7-2) – So close, yet so far away.
#10 Oregon State (7-1) – Big test on the road at the Farm this weekend.
Rising Fast:
Texas A&M – 2nd place in the vaunted SEC West; and their two losses to Florida and LSU were by a combined eight points. ‘Bama better look out.
Falling Faster:
West Virginia – What happened? You give up a game tying 94-yard TD pass with less than two minutes left and lose in double OT to TCU? Just three weeks ago, you were in the Top 5 with the leading Heisman trophy candidate, and now you’re not even guaranteed to go to a bowl game.
Heisman Watch:
Collin Klein, Kansas State – But, how bad is the injury?
BCS Title Game Prediction:
Alabama v. Oregon – We’ll see how Alabama plays against a spread offense this weekend against A&M. I still think Oregon is in if they win out.
Week 11 Big Games:
Mississippi State @ LSU – LSU is coming off the sting of doing everything to beat Alabama except scoring enough points, so they’re ripe for the taking. But, Mississippi State hasn’t beaten LSU in 12 tries and hasn’t won @ LSU in 20+ years. Mississippi State was a good story this year, until they actually started playing quality teams. LSU 41 Mississippi 23
Kansas State @ TCU – K State has a challenge here. No one really knows if Collin Klein is going to play, and even if he does, how effective will he be? It’s pretty simple for TCU. Hold them to under 28 – the Horned Frogs have won 27 straight when holding their opponents to 28 or less. Of course, K State has only scored less than 28 twice, the wins @ Iowa State and @ Oklahoma. And in their three game streak against Top-25 teams they’ve scored 55, 55, and 44. TCU won’t be able to score enough, and K State’s magical season continues. Kansas State 48 TCU 30
Oregon State @ Stanford – The battle of the “we’re ranked this high but couldn’t beat Washington?” teams. Stanford’s win over USC is looking less and less impressive, and Oregon State’s win over Wisconsin is similar. When they do win, it’s not impressive, but they’re losses to Washington and Notre Dame were all close games to. Look for this to come down to turnover margin and FG kicking. Gotta favor the home team in that situation: Stanford 20 Oregon State 17
Week 11 Game of the Week:
Texas A&M @ Alabama – After an emotional win against their rival on the road, how will Alabama respond when Johnny Football and A&M come to Tuscaloosa? They bring the country’s 4th best scoring offense, and will go up against ‘Bama’s 1st ranked scoring defense. There’s some history here too, with Saban criticizing A&M’s no huddle offense earlier in the year by questioning if this is how “we want football to be played.” Don’t think that A&M won’t run up the score if given the chance. But, ‘Bama also wants to properly welcome A&M into the SEC. ‘Bama’s a team of destiny, I say. Alabama 31 Texas A&M 27
Until next time…
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