Nov 13, 2011

College Football Afternoon Quick Thoughts Week 11

TCU 36, Boise St. 35 – The story of the loss here is not the Boise St. kicker. Nor is it that TCU scored a lot of points (some had done that, especially in the running game over the years). No, it is the big plays in the passing game that have been absent against Boise St. for years that were the issue. All game long, TCU was able to throw it deep and, once in a close game, the kicking game failed Boise St., much as it did Florida St. for so many years during the Seminoles rise to power. As for the BCS, Boise St. won't be going. They won't be an at-large and the top 12/16 provision only applies to conference champions from non-AQ leagues and TCU is going to win the league barring a meltdown.

Baylor 31, Kansas 30 (OT) – The Jayhawks have a pulse but stupidly threw a fade into double coverage on a 2-point attempt in overtime. You have to have a better play call than that in overtime.

Georgia 45, Auburn 7 – Everything that anyone thought about Auburn on the negative side was on display today against an opponent that has noticeably improved as the season has progressed. This was a dominant performance and probably Georgia's best overall game since the 2007 season ending winning streak (also marked by smashing a decent but flawed Auburn team at home after beating Florida).

Virginia 31, Duke 21 – Only notable for Virginia keeping its divisional title hopes alive. Next week will be a much stiffer test.

Florida St. 23, Miami 19 – Speaking of that test for Virginia, Florida St. will probably enjoy their trip to Charlottesville more than they enjoyed this game, even though they won today. The Seminoles were lucky that bad Jacory Harris made an appearance.

Arkansas St. 30, UL-Lafayette 21 – Hugh Freeze is going to get a lot of better offers, soon, possibly from Ole Miss. And it will be well-deserved after the job he has done this season to deliver a probable conference title. This Arkansas St. team might be the best in the Sun Belt's short history.

Utah St. 34, San Jose St. 33 – Only notable for Utah St. finally managing to win a game in the 4th quarter. It only took the whole season.

Colorado 48, Arizona 29 – The extra emotion from the coaching change was only going to last so long for Arizona. As for Colorado, good for the Buffs who won't go winless in their first season in their new home.

Kansas St 53, Texas A&M 50 (4OT) – Yes, A&M managed to blow another 2nd half lead. That's not the headline. It's Kansas St. figuring out a way to win, again, this time on a day when they didn't play all that well.

Michigan 31, Illinois 14 – Denard Robinson was bad in this game (at least in the redzone). Michigan was better at finishing drives without him. As for Illinois, the wheels have come off.

Wisconsin 42, Minnesota 13 – And Minnesota, after two weeks of competance, returns to normal. Russell Wilson was 16/17 passing as he continued his stellar play.

USC 40, Washington 17 – The Trojans are improving rapidly. Too bad next week's game is at the house of Trojans horrors of recent years (Eugene, Oregon)

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