Week 13 Recap and Week 14 Preview

Even after Notre Dame’s goal line stand late in the game (capping off an unthinkable season total of allowing -31 yards rushing in goal-to-go situations), I was still running through scenarios in my head. USC could get a safety and then run the kick back for a TD to tie it. But no, ND sealed it and is in the BCS Championship!!!!! Unbelievable.

Here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 13 Top-5 recap (gotta make it quick – elk hunt prep underway!):

1. You can’t win big games just by kicking FGs. Ask Alabama about how that worked for them last year in the regular season against LSU. Well, when you have the defense that Notre Dame does, and you’re playing against a fool of a coach like Lame Kiffin, you can get away with it. I’m sure there’s people out there still saying that Notre Dame is lucky, their schedule isn’t as tough as originally thought, blah, blah, blah; let’s face it - they’re undefeated for a reason. They just have found ways to win. And I’m not buying that they’ll lose by double digits to the eventual SEC Champion. They’ve shut up the critics all year – they were supposed to lose @ Michigan State, v. Michigan, @ Oklahoma, v. Stanford, @ USC, etc. but their defense just wouldn’t let it happen. Finally, a fun year to be an Irish fan!!!!! And, Notre Dame is the first football team to be ranked #1 in the polls and #1 in graduation success. Good for them.

2. Remember last week when I joked that the winner of the MAAC Championship between Kent State and Northern Illinois should take the Big East’s BCS spot? Well, it’s not looking like a joke. The winner of this game will likely be in top 16 and well ahead in the rankings over the Big East “champion,” so we’ll have a MAAC team in a BCS game, probably the Orange Bowl. Which means the Big East goes to the Sugar Bowl. And let’s not even think about what happens if Georgia Tech upsets Florida State in the ACC Championship. How pissed off are rest of the top 15 going to be, getting passed over in a BCS game by a crappy Big East team and a MAAC Champion? Is it playoff time yet? 

3. There’s always something magical about watching ASU come from behind and beat UofSuck, especially in Tucson. Two years ago, ASU blocked a couple kicks late and in O.T to shock the Cats, and this year the Devils poured on 24 in the 4^th via two picks and blocked punt. And I really wanted to throat punch the ESPN announcer that kept saying that the UofSuck kid was the leading rusher in the nation. Yeah, we heard you the first twelve times.

4. Oregon took care of business in the Civil War, but without a chance to win the PAC-12, they’re stuck in the same boat that Florida is. You know the Fiesta Bowl is excited to get the Ducks, especially with having been stuck with UConn last year. Many will see the Fiesta Bowl matchup between Oregon and Kansas State as the “what could’ve been” bowl with both teams ranked #1 and #2 just a couple weeks ago.

5. If ND’s defense is where offenses go to die, Alabama is where coaches go to die. Three of Alabama’s opponents this year have already let their coach go, and the season isn’t over yet. If Notre Dame should somehow beat ‘Bama, this may be the Autumn Wind’s finale. It will be hard to top that.

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Notre Dame (12-0) – Remember the wins against Stanford, Oklahoma, and USC. And let’s just forget about needing Pitt to miss a FG to avoid a home loss; or that late FG you needed to beat the Purdue.

#2 Alabama (11-1) – One loss? Doesn’t matter.

#3 Georgia (11-1) – That embarrassing loss @ South Carolina can all be forgotten.

#4 Oregon (11-1) – What could’a been…

#5 Florida (11-1) – You’d be a scary first round matchup in a playoff.

#6 Kansas State (10-1) – Ditto to what I said about Oregon.

#7 LSU (10-2) – Imagine if you played defense in the fourth quarter at home against Alabama?

#8 Stanford (10-2) – What the hell happened in that Washington game earlier?

                                                                                                                     

#9 Texas A&M (10-2) – Johnny Football still has three years of eligibility left?

#10 South Carolina (10-2) – Spurrier spurs Clemson yet again.

Rising Fast:

The MAAC – BCS Busters!!!! I still think that if a non-AQ team is in the Top 16 and has a higher ranking than an AQ conference champion, the non-AQ should just get that spot and not tie up another spot. Yes, Big East, I’m talking to you.

Falling Faster:

Clemson and Florida State – Both got beat downs from their in-state big brothers from the SEC.

Heisman Watch:

Manti Te’o, Notre Dame – Remember how bad Manziel played in the second halves against Florida and LSU? Remember how bad Notre Dame’s offense is, and the reason they’re undefeated and #1 is because of that defense led by Te’o? If I had a vote, and someday I will, Manti is #1.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Notre Dame v. Alabama – Did you know Bear Bryant was 0-4 against Notre Dame?

Week 14 Big Games:

UCLA @ Stanford – Part II. Same result. Stanford wins 35 to 17 and heads to the Rose Bowl.

Northern Illinois v. Kent State – The MAAC Championship has BCS implications! Who says we need a playoff? Northern Illinois’ resume is better, losing to Iowa by a point; while Kent State got blown out by Kentucky. Northern Illinois 31 Kent State 27.

Texas @ Kansas State – The default Big 12 Championship. If K. State wins, they head to the Fiesta Bowl, if they lose Oklahoma gets the crown (assuming they beat TCU). Is this one sponsored by Dr. Pepper? Kansas State had a week to rest, and Texas had a week to fall apart. K State big – 52 to 24.

Nebraska v. Wisconsin – Another conference title rematch, with Nebraska needing to come from behind at home to win the first one. But, Nebraska’s been on fire since the blowout against Ohio State, and Wisconsin can’t win close games (losing in overtime to Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State; and losing by a FG to Nebraska and Oregon State). Nebraska wins in a close one and heads to the Rose Bowl, 31 to 28.

Week 14 Game of the Week:

Alabama v. Georgia – Imagine that, the winner of the SEC Championship goes to the BCS Championship. Again. This one’s in Georgia’s back yard, but I’ve liked Alabama all year. I was initially leaning towards the upset, but Alabama is just too much of a complete team, and they can turn foes into one dimensional teams when they get going early. And they will here again. Alabama 38 Georgia 24

Until next time…

Week 12 Recap and Week 13 Preview

And we once again have chaos in the BCS! It seemed that Oregon and Kansas State were in line to coast to Miami, but now they’re both on the outside looking in. And the current #1 and #2 don’t have an easy road either. ND has to go to USC and Alabama has the Iron Bowl and the SEC Championship. Florida may be in the best position of any team, assuming they can beat their fourth Top-10 ranked team of the year, which is a big if, at Florida State this weekend. Oregon needs lots of help – a Notre Dame loss, an Alabama loss to a Georgia team that needs to lose to Georgia Tech before the SEC Championship, a Stanford loss to UCLA; and not to mention an Oregon win against Oregon State and a win against UCLA in the PAC-12 Championship. I’m not sure how to feel that it is basically a four team race at this point: Notre Dame and three SEC teams. Is college football ready for another SEC/SEC match-up? Then again, is the college football world ready for a Big “10” with Maryland and Rutgers?

Here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 12 Top-10 recap:

1. I’ve mentally prepared myself for Notre Dame losing to USC all year. That’s just what happens to the Irish lately. But, they keep winning; they keep improving on offense; and that defense is right up there with Alabama, LSU, and Florida. Plus, Lame Kiffin is a well documented joke of a coach (four PAC-12 loses for the AP preseason #1 team?) and it is looking like Barkley won’t play with the nasty shoulder injury. Also, look at this stat: in their third seasons as coach of the Irish, Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine, Lou Holtz, and now Brian Kelly are a combined 61-2-1 in their third seasons with the previous four winning National Championships in their third season. Destiny? Luck of the Irish? About damn time Notre Dame is back? Nope, I tell ya, I’m mentally prepared for the loss on Saturday.

2. LSU needed two late scores to beat Ole’ Miss and if you made it past Les Miles’ odd rant in the post game press conference, you look at the standings and LSU has a chance to still play for the SEC Championship. Sure, it would require A&M beating Missouri (likely) and Auburn beating Alabama (no way in hell). 

3. The loss by Kansas State and the poor performance by Collin Klein has really opened up the Heisman race. But, other than Johnny Manziel, no one seems to be stepping out of the shadows (and it’s not like Te’o really ever had a chance). And, since the Heisman folks seem to never allow freshman into their elusive club, it looks like Klein will take the trophy, especially if he has a big game against Texas in a couple weeks.

4. Too bad there wasn’t more on the line in the Oklahoma/West Virginia game (other than in uncle Geno’s football pool). What a wild game: 1440 yards of total offense, 99 total point (should’ve been well over 100 but they both missed a couple 2-point conversions), and Oklahoma escapes Morgantown, and West Virginia still isn’t bowl eligible. They’re giving up more nearly 50/game during their five game skid.

5. I haven’t been able to tell how good Clemson is. Sure, they’ve ripped through that ACC schedule and they did put up 37 @ Florida State earlier in the year (outside of that game FSU is only giving up 10.6/game). I guess we’ll find out this week when they host South Carolina. A win, and a one loss Clemson team, could shake things up in the final standings.

6. I’ll say it again, I’m mentally prepared for Notre Dame to lose to USC, but I did get great admiration watching Kiffin on the sidelines as UCLA took it right to the Trojans and got out of there with a win and the PAC-12 South division. I wonder if Kiffin will be the next Arizona Cardinals coach?

7. Who would’ve thought that Michigan State would need a win against Minnesota this weekend to become bowl eligible? Well, when your seven conference games have been decided by 20 points (that’s less than three a game for the UofSuck math majors out there), that’s gonna happen.

8. Tom Osborne led the Huskers onto the field for their last game of the year, and Dr. Tom’s last game of his career, at Memorial Stadium. After an easy win over the Gophers, Nebraska is likely going to the Big 10 Championship Game and a shot at the Rose Bowl. The loss @ UCLA earlier in the year is looking better and better, but the blow out @ Ohio State still has to make the Husker Nation scream.

9. So Rutgers lost to Kent State and is likely gonna be the Big East representative in the BCS? How ‘bout the MAAC take that seat – I’d rather see Kent State or Northern Illinois in that game.

10. They say baseball is a game of inches. Don’t tell that to the Ducks. After Stanford scored the game tying TD in the final two minutes on a very close in-bounds call in the end zone, Oregon clonked a FG off the upright in O.T., barely missed out on a subsequent Stanford fumble, and watched Stanford squeak the game winning FG just inside the upright. A few inches either way and Oregon is still in business.

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Notre Dame (11-0) – Even though I’m mentally prepared for you to lose to USC, please, please, PLEASE, beat them!!!!

#2 Alabama (10-1) – The Iron Bowl is still a rivalry game, isn’t it?

#3 Georgia (10-1) – Wins over Florida and potentially Alabama in the SEC Championship would make you deserving of a #2 spot. I think.

#4 Oregon (10-1) – Still gotta chance. Need a win in the Civil War, a UCLA win against Stanford, and you’re back in the picture. Chin up, Ducks.

#5 Florida (10-1) – If you don’t win your conference you can’t go to the….wait, how many times has this happened now?

#6 Kansas State (10-1) – Ouch.

#7 LSU (9-2) – Hmmmm, weren’t you sitting with two losses and in 7^th place in 2007? Hmmmm…

#8 Stanford (9-2) – That Washington loss really hurts now!! But, you’re still not in the PAC-12 Championship.

                                                                                                                     

#9 Texas A&M (9-2) – Do you think they want those second halves against Florida and LSU back?

#10 Florida State (10-1) – One point loss to some crappy team I can’t even remember (NC State, I think?) That’s the difference between #1 and #10.

Rising Fast:

Notre Dame – 11-0, #1 in the BCS for the first time ever, tied for 1^st in the nation in scoring defense (and they’ll return seven starters next year including the beasts Stephon Tuitt, Louis Nix, and Prince Shembo), a few great road wins, a few too many scares, and one win away from a championship appearance. Of course, it’s on the road at the Coliseum against long-time rival USC. Gulp.

Falling Faster:

Kansas State and Oregon – Win out, and you’re in!!! Now, you both need lots of help. But, stranger things have happened in the BCS era.

Heisman Watch:

Collin Klein, Kansas State – Klein’s gotta have a huge game against Texas, or I think the Heisman is going to a freshman for the first time ever. Johnny Football, grab your suit.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Florida v. Alabama – Yes, I’m calling it. Notre Dame loses to USC, Florida beats Florida State, and Alabama wins the SEC and we’re stuck with yet another SEC/SEC match-up. Sharpen your pitch forks and light your torches!

Week 13 Big Games:

Florida @ Florida State – It’s the first time this game has been relevant in over a decade. But it’s not Spurrier and Bowden anymore. These are both smash mouth teams, with FSU leading the country in total defense and Florida is third in the nation in scoring defense. Both teams have an outside chance of back dooring into the National Championship game but they both need a win here. Turnovers, field position, and rushing yards will make the difference in this game, and that often favors the home team. I’ll take Florida State 24 Florida 20.

Oregon @ Oregon State – On paper, Oregon should win this one big. But, it’s the Civil War, and it’s in Corvallis. But, Oregon’s won four straight in the series, and while their National Championship hopes were apparently dashed by Stanford last week, Oregon still has a shot at Miami. Oregon gets back into form. Oregon 54 Oregon State 30.

Stanford @ UCLA – Interesting game here. If Stanford wins, they claim the PAC-12 North and play UCLA again in the PAC-12 Championship. If they lose, and Oregon beats Oregon State, then Oregon plays UCLA in the Championship game. If Stanford loses and Oregon State beats Oregon, then tie breaker rules would go into effect to see who plays UCLA. If you’re UCLA would you rather play Stanford or Oregon in the PAC-12 Championship? Not that I’m suggesting they’d throw a game, but just sayin’… But, Stanford is a couple calls away from being undefeated and has a toughness that UCLA hasn’t seen. Stanford wins, and sets up the rematch, 31 to 24.

South Carolina @ Clemson – Both teams are ranked in the Top-15 in this contest for the first time in 25 years, and South Carolina is looking to win a fourth straight over their instate rival, something that’s only happened once in this series. There’s been a war of words with both coaches dating back to last year’s game, and the players are getting chippy as well. Clemson has a shot at a BCS at large bid with a win, and South Carolina doesn’t have much to play for except for pride. Clemson’s version of Death Valley is a tough place to play, as Clemson has won 13 straight at home. I like Clemson 38 to 27.

Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma – Bedlam. Both teams have a Top-10 offense and chance to make some noise in the Big 12. Oklahoma had owned this series until Oklahoma State blew out the Sooners last year. But that was in Stillwater. This is in Norman, where OSU hasn’t won in over a decade. Oklahoma can still win the Big 12 with a win and a K State loss @ Texas. Oklahoma has too much fire power, and that OSU team from last year is just a shell of itself. Oklahoma 45 Oklahoma State 31.

Week 13 Game of the Week:

Notre Dame @ USC – Remember 1964? Okay, I don’t, but USC knocked off undefeated #1 Notre Dame at the Coliseum. Can they do it again? Barkley’s out, but USC still has two of the top WR in the game. Notre Dame has survived crappy performances against crappy teams, but have managed to show up in the big games. Ask Oregon if they’d rather be lucky than good at this point. But, the luck of the Irish runs out – turnovers and special teams will play a factor in this one. USC 20 Notre Dame 17.

Until next time…

Week 11 Recap and Week 12 Preview

I was scratching my head all year trying to figure out how the SEC wouldn’t have a team in the Championship Game, as I long assumed that the winner of the SEC Championship Game would for sure be in the Top-2. That’s not the case anymore. The winner of a likely Georgia/’Bama rematch isn’t going to automatically vault into #2 without help. That help is looking to be in the form of USC beating Notre Dame (likely); Oregon losing to Stanford, Oregon State, or the likely rematch with USC (not likely), or Kansas State losing at home to Texas (unpossible). It’s safe to say that K. State is playing for the championship. Of course, it’s never safe to say anything with football still left to be played!

Here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 11 Top-10 recap:

1. Despite being 4-5 and having a disappointing season, Virginia Tech still showed why it’s so difficult to go into Blacksburg on a Thursday night and come away with a win. Florida State was held to -15 yards rushing, but did get seven on a fourth and one play on the last minute game winning drive. Huge win for the Seminoles.

2. TCU had won 27 straight when holding teams to 28 or under. Streak snapped via Collin Klein and that underrated K. State defense. The stars are aligning in favor of K. State. I think Herbstreit said it best: “Can you imagine a 12-0 Notre Dame team not being in the Top-2?” That’s likely to happen without an Oregon or K State loss. And of course that assumes a Notre Dame win @ USC which I’m already mentally prepared for that not to happen.

3. Notre Dame’s defense continues to shine, holding yet another team without a TD, and is now the number one scoring defense in the country. I just hope their offense clicks against USC, or the Irish faithful will be haunted by that one loss for years to come.

4. Did Florida really need 14 points in the last two minutes at the Swamp to beat Louisiana-Lafayette, a middle of the pack Sun Belt team? Good luck @ Florida State in a couple weeks.

5. Georgia, LSU, and South Carolina continue to roll, and it’s fascinating that with five teams in the Top-10, the SEC may not be represented in the BCS Championship Game. I think you can clearly see why the SEC was one of the biggest proponents of a playoff system. No offense to my beloved Irish, but do you really think Notre Dame has a chance in a playoff against the likes of Alabama, LSU, Georgia, South Carolina, or Texas A&M?

6. Case in point about a team being undefeated not meaning much: Louisville. Now Rutgers controls its own destiny in the “I can’t believe we still get an automatic bid” conference that used to be known as the Big East.

7. In this week’s “Don’t forget about us,” Clemson is nearly back in the Top-10, and have reeled off six straight wins following the loss to Florida State. Their transformation can be complete with the upset of South Carolina in a couple weeks.

8. Someone needs to tell Northwestern that games are 48 minutes long and not 42 minutes. All three of their losses have come after being ahead with six minutes left.

9. All the talk was the Cal had somehow figured out Oregon and that they were the blueprint to slow down the Ducks. And that was fine and dandy mid-way through the third when Oregon was only up 24-17. But then the Ducks pulled a Marty McFly, dropped it into fourth and said “Let’s see if you bastards can do 90” and racked up five unanswered TDs. I don’t think anyone can slow down the Ducks for four quarters. This isn’t the same Ducks team, or mentality, that Auburn was able to wrangle a couple years ago. You remember Auburn used to be good, right? And not the soon-to-be 0-8 SEC team we see now?

10. They spotted A&M three first quarter TDs, they couldn’t tackle Johnny, they turned it over three times, they had no business winning that game, yet there Alabama was with a 4^th and goal to win it. Sure, Alabama lost, sure A&M played near flawless football, but don’t forget how good of team this Alabama team is. And they’re only gonna get better: another top-5 recruiting class and they only use nine scholarship seniors. Oh, and all the talk about A&M and Johnny football? Total yards: A&M 418 Alabama 431.

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Oregon (10-0) – Quack, quack. We’re #1!!! (I think the Autumn Wind poll should be included in the BCS calculation as there’s no reason for Kansas State to be ranked higher than Oregon).

#2 Kansas State (10-0) – Solid lead at #2.

#3 Notre Dame (10-0) – Please find a way to beat that loser Lame Kiffen and those hated USC Trojans. Please. Please. Please!!! Oh yeah, don’t forget about Wake Forest either.

#4 Alabama (9-1) – One time it doesn’t hurt to lose late is when everyone else in your conference has already lost.

#5 Georgia (9-1) – 35-7 against South Carolina, really?

#6 Florida (9-1) – 14-7 win against Missouri, and needing two TDs late to beat LA-Lafayette, really?

#7 Florida State (9-1) – 17-16 against North Carolina State, really?

#8 LSU (8-2) – Six points against Florida, and giving up a game winning drive @ home @ night, really?

#9 South Carolina (8-2) – A 17-13 win against Vandy and only 11 points against Florida, really?

#10 Oklahoma (7-2) – Two chances for signature wins at home and two losses, really? I think I’ve talked myself into the four teams that should be in a playoff this year!

Rising Fast:

Texas A&M – Who would’ve thought that Texas A&M is the likely reason that the SEC National Championship streak is likely coming to an end?

Falling Faster:

Oregon State – If you go on the road and win the turnover battle 4:1, you’re supposed to win. Or at least not lose the “points off turnovers” battle 7:3.

Heisman Watch:

Collin Klein, Kansas State – Johnny Football is the talk of the town, but don’t forget his poor second halves against Florida and LSU. Klein has been solid all year. And I personally like the name Optimus Klein a lot more than Johnny Football.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Oregon v. Kansas State – Alabama was exposed by both LSU and A&M. Neither of these teams has yet to be exposed. I’d be happy if this is the final match-up, but there’s still a lot of football to play.

Week 12 Big Games:

USC @ UCLA – USC needs a win against cross town rival UCLA to head to the PAC-12 Championship game with an outside shot still at the Rose Bowl. How UCLA is ranked higher than USC is truly a reflection of W/L and nothing to do with how good either team is or is not. Remember last year? USC 50 UCLA 0. USC isn’t peeking ahead to the Notre Dame match-up next week – that usually doesn’t happen with a rivalry game. USC 45 UCLA 13

Week 12 Game of the Week:

Stanford @ Oregon – All eyes will be on Eugene as the rest of the BCS Top-10 basically take the week off (Kansas State @ Baylor, Wake Forest @ Notre Dame, Western Carolina @ Alabama, Georgia Southern @ Georgia, Jacksonville State @ Florida, Ole Miss @ LSU, Sam Houston State @ Texas A&M, Wofford @ South Carolina, and Florida State @ Maryland). Stanford is a tough gritty team, but they just can’t score enough (63^rd in the nation at just over 29/game). And they gave up 54 to a UofSuck team that was shut out 49-0 earlier in Eugene. The last two years in this series will look eerily similar to this result. 2010: Oregon 52 Stanford 31; 2011: Oregon 53 Stanford 30; 2012: Oregon 58 Stanford 31.

Until next time…

Week 10 Recap and Week 11 Preview

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 2^nd 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 109^th 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 – 2^nd 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 4^th best scoring offense, and will go up against ‘Bama’s 1^st 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…

Week 9 Recap and Week 10 Preview

Down to four unbeatens (sorry Louisville and Ohio State, you don’t count), and all four have a legitimate claim to the top-2 spots. Alabama’s claim is week-in-and-week out blowouts in the best conference in football and a high preseason ranking. Oregon’s is a little more difficult, but comes down to this: yeah, we haven’t played anyone yet – but look at the tail end of our schedule; don’t we deserve #2 if we run that table? Kansas State’s is more straightforward: road wins over Oklahoma and West Virginia. And Notre Dame has a say as well: the only team to beat four Top-25 teams so far (including two top-10 teams on the road), and before I get hate mail from the K St fans, let’s look at common opponents: Kansas State v. Miami 52-13, Kansas State @ Oklahoma 24-19; Notre Dame against Miami on a neutral field 41-3 and Notre Dame @ Oklahoma 30-13. Of course, many folks are saying that this justifies the four team playoff, but I’ll tell you this: there’s still a lot of football to play, and I’ll be shocked if these four are undefeated by the time middle December rolls around.

Here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 9 Top-10 recap:

1. If Alabama’s idea of a look-ahead game against an undefeated Mississippi State team is a 38-7 rout, I’m fearful for what they’ll do to Les and company this weekend. Yes, even at Death Valley. A #1 defense, a #1 rated QB, and rated #1 in offensive TD efficiency obviously equal the #1 team in the country.

2. I wish Oregon would quit putting on the breaks. They probably could’ve cracked 100 at least two or three times this season, but instead pull back on the reigns and drop in the standings as a result. Not cool.

3. Kansas State is firing on all cylinders and appears to have the easiest road to 12-0. That would all but secure the Heisman for Klein as well.

4. Can someone explain Washington to me? They’ve beaten two top-10 (at the time) teams in Oregon State and Stanford, and kept it close against USC. Oh, those were all at home – and they only have one home game left: sorry Utah.

5. I watched the USC/UofSuck game with great interest. It turned out to be entirely possibly to hope to find a way that both teams lose. Good pick by Herbstreit to take the Wildcats in the upset, and now the Oregon/USC game this weekend will be on TV #2 behind the Alabama/LSU game.

6. Tennessee is 0-5 in the SEC for the third straight season, but the bigger story out of that game was yet another injury to Marcus Lattimore from South Carolina. South Carolina is probably the best two loss team in the country, but they just won’t be the same without their star RB.

7. In Lincoln, the Blackshirts showed up, and Nebraska took care of Michigan and now have the inside track to the Big 10 title game. Assuming they can win @ Michigan State this weekend. Gulp.

8. Remember that team from Idaho that used to bust the BCS? Boise is quietly 7-1, and should be 8-0 if they actually figure out a way to make a play or two in the opener at Boise State.

9. Time to dust off the time breaker rules in the SEC again. South Carolina beat Georgia who beat Florida who beat South Carolina. Toss in some more potential chaos should LSU beat Alabama this weekend. Hmmmm, maybe there are a couple scenarios where the SEC Champion doesn’t play for the championship. Thankfully, an all-SEC title appears dead in the water with Georgia’s victory over Florida.

10. While Notre Dame’s defense has been fun to watch this year, their offense has been downright offensive at times; but has shown a glimmer in the last couple weeks with a much improved running game. Huge win @ Oklahoma on Saturday night, and once again, Notre Dame’s defense is where opposing offenses go to die. Case in point, check out what their opponents scored the week before they played Notre Dame compared to how they fared against the Irish (in parentheses): Purdue 48 (17), Michigan State 41 (3), Michigan 63 (6), Miami 44 (3), Stanford 54 (13), BYU 24 (14), Oklahoma 52 (13). Manti stays in the Heisman race, for now.

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (8-0) – Saban is only 3-3 against LSU since he’s been with Alabama.

#2 Oregon (8-0) – Sticking with the Ducks at #2. Don’t let me down!!

#3 Kansas State (8-0) – Will there ever be a letdown?

#4 Notre Dame (8-0) – I can’t decide if I want a loss before the USC game. Not sure I can take the stress of an 11-0 Irish team against a likely three loss USC team at the Coliseum.

#5 Georgia (7-1) – You beat Florida so you have to be ahead of them, right?

#6 LSU (7-1) – I should have you below Florida since you lost to them, but, better to lose early…

#7 Florida (7-1) – …than late.

#8 Florida State (8-1) – Remember us?

#9 South Carolina (7-2) – Much like Arkansas last year, we may not know how good you were based on two loses to incredible teams.

#10 Oregon State (6-1) – Once again, I have you at #10 because I can’t really put anyone else here.

Rising Fast:

Notre Dame – Not only are they 8-0 for the first time in 10 years, but they’ve won eight games in three straight years for the first time since 1991-1993. Just don’t blow any of your next three against Pitt, Boston College, and Wake Forest, please.

Falling Faster:

Oklahoma – Remember when they called him Big Game Bob? Stoops can’t seem to win ‘em anymore. Well, blowouts against Texas don’t count.

Heisman Watch:

Collin Klein, Kansas State – Manti is a better story, but Collin is a better candidate.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oregon – Still sticking with it. I want to see the #1 scoring defense versus the #1 scoring offense.

Week 10 Big Games:

Oklahoma State @ Kansas State – You keep waiting for Kansas State to have a letdown, and they just don’t. I keep saying that Saban is the best gameday prep coach in the country, but I may have to revise that: Synder is right up there. What about this week? Oklahoma State comes in with the #1 offense in the country (yards/game, at least), but K St has shown they can move the ball up and down the field as well. Look for this one to be a little bit closer than the W. Virginia or Texas Tech games, but K State rolls again: 48 to 43.

Oregon @ USC – I’ve had this one circled since USC went to Eugene and pulled off the upset last year. Sadly, the Trojans and their #1 AP preseason ranking have been disappointing this year: and I gladly place the blame solely on Lame Kiffen. I love Oregon in this one: 58 to 38

Nebraska @ Michigan State – Michigan State isn’t ranked anymore, but Nebraska needs this one to get a shot at the Big 10 Championship game. Nebraska struggles on the road, but Michigan State can’t score. Outside of Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Indiana, the Spartans biggest point total is 17 (in the opener against Boise). Surely Nebraska can score that much? Let’s take Nebraska 20 to 13.

Week 10 Game of the Week:

Alabama @ LSU – I’ve had this one circled since last year as well. Alabama dominated LSU twice last year (except for some crappy FG kicking in the regular season matchup), and while Death Valley at night is usually very good to LSU, Norman is usually very good to Oklahoma against ranked teams. How’d that work out for them? Alabama is as balanced of a college team I’ve ever seen, not flashy, certainly not the best defense Saban has had, but they don’t turn it over, they score early and often, and then they pin the ears back and get after the QB. LSU has no offense, and Alabama won’t need many FG attempts, which is what screwed them up last year. Alabama 31 LSU 13.

Until next time…

Week 8 Recap and Week 9 Preview

For the first time in a long time, my Top-9 is unchanged. South Carolina (#10 in my poll last week) was bounced after the loss in the Swamp. In the actual BCS standings, Oregon keeps dropping by winning, and winning big, which makes absolutely no sense. If you’re going to rank teams at the start of the season, they shouldn’t drop at all by starting 7-0. Just another reason why I hate the BCS. But, I still say Oregon gets in if they win out – especially with Oregon playing D2 Colorado this weekend while Alabama has undefeated Mississippi State, Florida has Georgia, Kansas State has Texas Tech, and Notre Dame has Oklahoma. There’s gonna be a big shakeup in the polls come Sunday.

Here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 8 Top-10 recap:

1. The Thursday night game was one of the weirder games I’ve seen (well, then again, a couple fit that bill this weekend). Oregon turns it over on their first possession and Arizona State scores on their first play. Then Oregon scores 43 straight in the next 19 minutes and doesn’t score again. ASU tacks on two TDs late, and had a chance at a 3^rd that would’ve made it 43-28. But, Oregon wins in a 43-21 blowout that wasn’t nearly that close, and their reward is another drop in the BCS.

2. Texas A&M and South Carolina both had chances to get back into the SEC race against LSU and Florida, but both suffered too many turnovers, and too many turnovers on the wrong side of the field. Get this: Florida scored 44 points on less than 200 yards of total offense. That’s a point for every four yards of offense. It’s hard to overcome turnovers against quality opponents.

3. If it wasn’t for an overtime win against Louisiana-Monroe, Auburn would be 0-7. Either way, they’re 0-5 in the SEC, and need a win against ranked A&M, Georgia, and Alabama teams to avoid a winless SEC. That sound you hear is Chizik getting run out of town on a pine rail.

4. The Irish finally allowed a TD, well two actually, but still managed to escape with yet another win. Allowing a TD for the first time since the Purdue game is probably the best thing that could happen to that defense. Because, Oklahoma is going to score several TDs this weekend, and it’s going to be very important for the defense to regroup, if they are going to have a chance in Norman.

5. In the West Virginia game, the Heisman hopeful QB threw for 323 yards (on 19/21 passes) and three TDs, also adding four TDs on the ground. And no, I’m not talking about Geno Smith, I’m talking about the new Heisman front runner: Collin Klein. K State keeps rolling, but they have to take care of business this weekend against pesky Texas Tech. Geno, I can probably hook you up with Fiesta Bowl tickets if K State gets there. And, I mean uncle Geno, not Geno Smith.

6. How about Matt Barkley’s line: 19/20 for 298 yards and six TDs. Sure it was against Colorado, but he did break fellow USC QB Matt Leinart’s record of 99 career TD passes in the PAC-12 (Barkley’s now sitting on 102). Let’s see if he can break Leinart’s record for number of underage chicks doing beer bongs in the pool in Scottsdale. Or was it Ahwatukee?

7. Georgia fell behind three times to SEC winless Kentucky (even after a bye week), but managed to escape with a victory to set up a huge SEC East game this weekend against Florida at the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.

8. Ohio State keeps winning, and nobody keeps caring. Just the way it should be.

9. Sure, it was a triple overtime game, but Seth Doege from Texas Tech did throw seven TDs (3^rd time he’s had at least six this year) and Texas Tech needs to be brought into the discussion in the BCS. And Doege needs to be brought into the Heisman discussion, so let’s do that next.

10. Geno’s out of the Heisman picture, Barkley’s back in it, Te’o keeps sticking around as long as the Irish keep winning, but no one has been as impressive and consistent as Collin Klein. Barring a major choke job, it’s his. Unless Doege (who leads the nation in TDs by the way) goes ballistic this weekend in Manhattan that is.

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (7-0) – Is it just me or do they always win 40-something to 10-something?

#2 Oregon (7-0) – Don’t worry, I got your back.

#3 Florida (7-0) – I keep picking against ‘em and keep losing.

#4 Kansas State (7-0) – Maybe those video gamers who had you winning it all were right?

#5 Notre Dame (7-0) – I don’t even want to think about what will happen if you somehow find a way to beat Oklahoma.

#6 LSU (7-1) – November 3^rd awaiteth.

#7 Oklahoma (5-1) – A win over Notre Dame and your back in the picture.

#8 USC (6-1) – That loss to Stanford seems so long ago.

#9 Oregon State (6-0) – Best start in over 100 years.

#10 Georgia (6-1) – You do realize Kentucky sucks?

Rising Fast:

Texas Tech – The best team in Texas?

Falling Faster:

Auburn – Ouch. Looking like a winless season in the SEC just two years removed from winning it all.

Heisman Watch:

Collin Klein, Kansas State – Unless Barkley keeps rolling, or Te’o has five INTs against Oklahoma, I think this one’s pretty much wrapped up.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oregon – Nine weeks in and I still haven’t had to change my title game prediction? I’ve usually changed it three or four times by now.

Week 9 Big Games:

Mississippi State @ Alabama – Unbeaten Mississippi State comes to town; and they’re a 24 point underdog, the week before Alabama has to travel to LSU? Yikes. If this wasn’t at home, and if Saban wasn’t the best game day prep coach in the country, this would scream “trap!!!” But, then again, if the Queen had balls, she’d be King. Alabama 45 Mississippi State 20

Florida v. Georgia – SEC East is on the line. I’ve picked against Florida so many times this year, I almost have to stick with that. But, if the last six years has shown us anything, defense wins championships, and Florida’s is right up there with Alabama’s. Plus, Georgia was down three times to Kentucky over the weekend. Gators keep things interesting in the BCS race: 27 to 20

Texas Tech @ Kansas State – Tech had one of the roughest schedules this side of South Carolina or South Bend: @ Iowa State, v. Oklahoma, v. West Virginia, @ TCU, and now @ Kansas State. They managed to win three out of those four, but they did get blown out by Oklahoma, a team that Kansas State handled convincingly. Following a three O.T. emotional thriller @ TCU, and now having to travel to Manhattan won’t be good for the Red Raiders. They’ll start out flat, and need to come from behind, but K State’s defense is too tough. Kansas State 38 Texas Tech 31

Michigan @ Nebraska – Michigan’s first trip to Lincoln in 100 years, and it pits the high powered offense of Nebraska (first in the Big 10 in scoring) against the tough Michigan defense (10^th in the country). Nebraska was humiliated in the Big House last year, and the inconsistent play from Michigan’s QB Denard Robinson will decide how this one shakes out. I think the Blackshirt’s get a few big turnovers and eek out enough points to get it done: 24 to 20.

Week 9 Game of the Week:

Notre Dame @ Oklahoma – Everyone’s talking about if Notre Dame’s defense can hold up against Oklahoma’s high powered offense. What no one is talking about is if Notre Dame’s offense can do anything at all against Oklahoma’s underrated defense. Notre Dame has proven they can shut teams down and come from behind by a score to win. But can their offense generate enough points to come from behind if that quick strike Oklahoma offense gets two or three quick scores? I don’t think so. Oklahoma 31 Notre Dame 17

Until next time…