Nov 12, 2011

College Football Morning Game Quick Thoughts – Week 11

Nebraska 17, Penn St. 14 – For all the hoopla, circumstance and scandal surrounding this game, it played out exactly as many would have expected had there been no scandal. Penn St.'s offense didn;t do anything really until the Nebraska defense softened as it usually does in the 2nd half. The question was whether Penn St. would score to win or not. They didn't.

Oklahoma St. 66, Texas Tech 6 – This would be the definition of hanging a number to send a message to the pollsters. Brandon Weeden was still throwing deep up 49-6 in the 3rd quarter. Sadly, this is necessary in the BCS. As for Texas Tech, they got up 31-7 against sleeping Oklahoma and have since shown themselves to be an insult to anything you can think of the describe bad. Since the 31-7 lead, the Red Raiders have been outscored 190-43 in 3.5 games. The win over Oklahoma looks like one of the flukiest wins of all-time and certainly the most befuddling since the rash of upsets in 2007.

Vanderbilt 38, Kentucky 8 – The Commodores are going to be really good in a few years, if they can keep James Franklin. Kentucky is an abomination, but given the win over Ole Miss last week, at least they aren't the worst one in their conference.

Boston College 14, NC State 10 – Tom O'Brien, good luck saving your job now. You probably need a a bowl game and a bowl game for you means seven wins because of the two FCS games. Meaning you now have to beat Clemson next week. As for Spaziani, this means nothing for your job security. When you win and the first reaction of opposing fans is to want their coach fired for it, your seat is still flaming.

Clemson 31, Wake Forest 28 – Speaking of Clemson, they tried to be Old Clemson and did a very good job of it, especially for the first 12 minutes of the 3rd quarter. Then they remembered they are healed and Wake had no chance after that. Also, Clemson clinched the ACC Atlantic.

Purdue 26, Ohio St. 23 (OT) – What was Ohio St. doing in this game? There's no excuse to lose to Purdue, even on the road. Now the Big Ten Championship that looked possible (and even likely with Penn St.'s loss to Nebraska) is gone, never to be seen against this season.

West Virginia 24, Cincinnati 21 – Cincinnati had to play Munchie Legaux with Zach Collaros injured. This was a big problem. Even still, the Mountaineers nearly blew this game. Instead, we have more chaos. Big Least indeed. LOL.

Missouri 17, Texas 5 – More proof that the Texas offense isn't there yet. And because of that and Missouri's obvious offensive limitations once Henry Josey went out injured, this game was a bore the likes of which the Big 12 usually doesn't see.

Tulsa 59, Marshall 17 – The Tulsa offense looks ready for its showdown with Houston in a couple of weeks.

Pittsburgh 21, Louisville 14 – Would somebody in this league just do something that isn't the epitome of average or mediocre.

Michigan St. 37, Iowa 21 – Sparty has control of the division now after Iowa laid an egg that the score doesn't indicate. This game was 31-7 at the half as Michigan St. showed some of the maturity that was missing in getting plowed in Iowa City last year.

South Carolina 17, Florida 12 – Ugh, do I have to go over this thing. Welcome to the hedgemony of Georgia in the SEC East over the next few seasons if this game was any indication where these teams are going.

Midweek Game Thoughts

Toledo 66, Western Michigan 63 – Toledo's offensive coordinator is polishing his resume for a future promotion after scoring 126 points the last two weeks. That the team went 1-1 while giving up 126 points in those games means the defensive coordinator is also polishing the resume for much different and much less positive reasons.

Northern Illinois 45, Bowling Green 14 – Huskies offense just unstoppable in MAC play. Bowling Green has collapsed after a 4-1 start.

Temple 24, Miami (OH) 21 – Temple is ACC level schizophrenic this season. Average Temple showed up and got a win in the process this week.

Ohio 43, Central Michigan 28 – Frank Solich has done a good job in obscurity at Ohio. As for CMU, Dan LeFevour is not walking through that door again.

Virginia Tech 37, Georgia Tech 26 – Yellow Jackets need to find a defense. Given that the offense is going to sore and chew clock, holding opponents below 24 should be a priority as it will win most games.

Houston 73, Tulane 17 – Cougars decided to use the running game this week, just because they could. Enjoy College Gameday next week (yes, Gameday is going to Houston).

South Florida 37, Syracuse 17 – Not even Joe Tessitore and Rod Gimore can save some games. Anything in the Big East season is among those that are unsaveable.

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