Hey All,
I hope you're all enjoying your Holidays. Here's the column you love to read, Notes on a Pac 10 Scorecard. (We still miss you, Alan Malamud.)
Let's take a look at the next 12 bowl games on the slate for 2009-10.
Eaglebank Bowl: UCLA (6-6) V. Temple (9-3)
Dec. 29, Washington, DC, 4:30 PM EST (ESPN)
UCLA: This is a UCLA squad that has been a true 6-6 team. I see good things and bad things in this squad. The good things are UCLA's defense led by LB Reggie Carter, DT Brian Price and their kicking game led by PK Kai Forbath and his 55+ yard leg. The bad is UCLA's whole offense. This offense just doesn't click. The bRuins have used three QBs this year and none of them have done well. I've looked at the stats here. The defense must score for UCLA to win this game.
TU: Owls HC Al Golden was turned down for the UCLA job a little while back and all he's done since then is take a woeful Temple programa nd turn them into a nine game winner in the MAC. Outside of USC RB coach Todd McNair, can you even name anyone who's ever played for Temple? Maybe you can, but I can't. That's how remarkable it is that the Owls are 9-3. TB Bernard Pierce leads the Owls offense rushing for 119 YPG. That means he's gone for a little over 1,300 yards this season and scored 15 TDs. Temple is a very solid MAC team.
Prediction: I see UCLA's offense sputtering, while the bRuin defense turns in a heroic effort and loses, 12-9.
Roady's Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green (7-5) V. Idaho (7-5)
Dec. 30, Boise, ID, 4:30 PM EST (ESPN)
BG: The Falcons throw the ball a lot and WR Freddie Barnes seems to catch a lot of those throws. Barnes leads the country in receptions with 138, and TDs with 16. He's third in receiving yards at 1,551 for the season. While BG can pass, they can't run or stop the run well. They like to get in shootouts with their foes. A note of irony; The Falcons are playing this bowl game on the blue turf at Boise State. The Falcons hosted Boise State in their fourth game of the year and were smashed, 49-14.
ID: The Vandals have risen from the dead to finish with a winning record and go to a bowl game for the first time this decade and only the second time in school history. Idaho can run the ball as well as throw it. QB Nate Enderle has been good all season, but TB Demaundray Woolridge keeps the team moving. He only averages about 70 YPG on the ground, but his combination of running and receiving skills keeps the Vandals in a lot of games. The Vandals are looking to break a season-ending three game losing streak in this bowl game.
Prediction: Idaho feeds off the hometown crowd and overwhlems Bowling Green, 43-31.
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: Arizona (8-4) V. Nebraska (9-4)
Dec. 30, San Diego, CA, 8:00 PM EST (ESPN)
UofA: The Wildcat faithful ringed the field as the clock ran down. Everyone in Tuscon was sniffing Roses, then Oregon pulled out a late second win and sent the Wildcats on a path to this bowl. Oh, so close yet... Well, after that crushing loss tom UO, the Wildcats won their last two games of the year with a good defense and just enough offense to get by. So, I don't think UofA will have a problem getting up forn this game. They want to send a message for 2010. So why not take down the team that came :01 away from Big XII title? The big question for the Wildcats is can they contain Ndamukong Suh enough so they can run the ball? It's that simple. If UofA can run, then they can pass, and then they can win. RB's Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin need to have big games.
N: Wow, a Texas friendly "official review" kept the Huskers out of a BCS bowl. I think the boys from Lincoln will come into this game with a chip on their shoulder. We all know Ndamukong Suh is almost unstoppable. So, what else do they Huskers have? The Huskers have QB Zac Lee and RB Roy Helu, Jr. Lee's thrown for 1,970 yards and 13 TDs this year but his 10 interceptions have hurt Nebraska this year. Meanwhile, Helu, Jr. led the Huskers rushing attack with 1,139 yards and 10 TDs of his own.
Prediction: Arizona wins this defensive battle on an Alex Zendejas field goal, 17-14.
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: Houston (10-3) V. Air Force (7-5)
Dec. 31, Fort Worth, TX, 12:00 PM EST (ESPN)
UH: The Cougars have 10 wins and ended up here because they couldn't finish off East Carolina in the C-USA title game. The Cougars feature QB Case Keenum and his aerial circus. Check out these numbers. Keenum has completed 468 out of 659 passes for 5,449 yards and 43 TDs this season. The most impressive stat is that he's only thrown nine interceptions. That means his INT percentage is 1.3 percent. Wow. So, how good was East Carolina's defense when they picked off three of his passes in the C-USA title game? So, we know UH will thorwn from the time they get off the bus, but their defense is the key to this game. Can they play with the discipline required to stop Air Force's option attack? The Cougars are 111 out of 120 in rushing defense, while Air Force is ranked number 3 in the nation in rushing offense. Hmmmmmm.
USAFA: The Falcons are the polar opposite of the Cougars. They run the option and they run the ball a lot. How often do they run the ball? Well, the Falcons didn't qualify to be ranked in passing efficiency by the NCAA because they didn't average 15 passes attempted per game. By running the option, USAFA takes time off the clock and limits the number posessions a team gets in a game. They also play defense pretty well. We know that Houston comes into this game with the top passing offense in the country, but did you know that Air Force is the number one passing defense in America? This looks like a really good game to watch.
Prediction: I really like Air Force in the upset here. Falocns win it, 23-16.
Brut Sun Bowl: Oklahoma (7-5) V. Stanford (8-4)
Dec. 31, El Paso, TX. 2:00 PM EST (CBS)
OU: I know USC's season has been a big disappointment, but the Oklahoma faithful have to be on suicide watch. They were supposed to be hitting on all cyclinders this year, then they had to play that first game. BYU smashed Sam Bradford's shoulder an OU's season in one play. OU since then has lived and died with the arm of QB Landry Jones. When He's on, OU can roll, when he's not, they lose. He's thrown for six TDs in a game this year and also five interceptions in another. It's simple to see that he needs to have a big game here.
SU: He almost won the Heisman, he runs like a runaway freight train, and can throw a pass too. He is Toby Gerhart and he will be the focus of the Oklahoma defense. OU is ranked seventh in the nation at stopping the run. You know you're gonna see eight and nine guys up at the line of scrimmage to stop Gerhart. So like with the Sooners, this game falls on the shoulders of the QB. With Andrew Luck sidelined with a bad finger, can backup Tavita Pritchard keep the Cardinal in the game? I don't think so.
Prediction: With Luck out, Stanford is out of luck. OU wins, 23-10.
Texas Bowl: Navy (8-4) V. Missouri (8-4)
Dec 31, Houston, TX, 3:30 EST (ESPN)
USNA: Watching Navy run the option is a pleasure. It's even a bigger pleasure to watch after I heard about the philosophy of the offense from HC Ken Niumatalolo. He equated the option to Judo, as in the fact that in Judo, the object is to use you opponents weight and strengths against him with great counter moves that constantly keeps your opponent confused and off balance. So this offense has a counter for every defensive set it sees. The only thing that stops it is poor execution. It's fun to watch this offense unfold during a game. The key to this game for the midshipmen is executing well, so that they can control the clock and keep the Missouri offense off the field.
M: Missouri's rushing defense must do the job for the Tigers to win this game. If they hold Navy in check, then QB Blaine Gilbert and RB Derick Washington will get their chance to open this game up. Gilbert threw for 2,300 yards and 23 TDs this season, while Washington ran for 803 yards and 10 TDs this season.
Prediction: The Tigers defense will hold Navy in check, Missouri 31, Navy 19.
Insight Bowl: Minnesota (6-6) V. Iowa State (6-6)
Dec. 31, Tempe, AZ 6:00 PM EST (NFL Network)
MINN: This is the third time in four season that the Golden Gophers are playing in this bowl. Last year they lost 42-41 to Kansas and in 2006, the Gophers fourth quarter collapse v. Texas Tech HC Glen Mason is job. So, how have this program gone since they fired Mason? Not far. The Gophers top WR, Eric Decker missed four games this year and still led the team in receptions, yards, and receiving TDs. This team finished 8th in the Big Ten and last in the Big Ten in scoring offense, putting up 21 PPG. As for the Gopher defense, the good news is that it ranks 52 places higher than their offense according to the NCAA stat boys. The bad thing is that the offense is ranked 113th out of 120. Wow.
ISU: How these guys beat Nebraska, 9-7 is beyond me. The Cyclones don't have much of an offense. Iowa does like to run the ball with RB Alexander Robinson lugging the leather most of the time. QB Austen Arnaud has some good moments this season, but it's been an up and down year for him. However, that is expected from a 6-6 ball club. The Cyclones ability to play inspired ball for stretches at a time can male this game interesting.
Prediction: Minnesota should get the Insight Bowl monkey off their backs and win, but my gut is telling me that Iowa State wins a squeaker, 24-22.
Chick Fil-A Bowl: Virginia Tech (9-3) V. Tennessee (7-5)
Dec. 31, Atlanta, GA, 7:30 EST (ESPN)
VT: The Tech offense runs on the legs of RB Ryan Williams. His 128 YPG game keep the chains moving, opens up the passing game and puts points on the board. However, the VaTech Defense is the true strength of the team. The stop the pass well, allow only about 15 PPG, and run very well to the ball. They are more than capable of stopping the Volunteer offense.
UT: Which Volunteeer team will show up? The one that lost to UCLA or the one that manhandled Mississippi? The men in orange have a tough defense which keeps the team in games, but it's the poor execution of their offense that loses games. Tennessee needs big games from QB Jonathan Crompton and RB Montario Hardesty to get a win here.
Prediction: Despite a good game from the Tennesee defense, the Hokies get the victory, 23-10.
Outback Bowl: Northwestern (8-4) V. Auburn (7-5)
Jan. 1, Tampa, FL 11:00 AM EST (ESPN)
NW: The Wildcats started off poorly this season, but have won their last three games. Two of those last three wins were over Iowa and Wisconsin. The Wildcats are also the only Big Ten team that runs the spread offense. The Wildcats can put yards and points up in bunches behind the arm and legs of QB Ben Kafka. NU is pretty decent on defense, but hasn't faced the kind of speed that Auburn has all year.
AU: The Tigers do what Northwestern does, only they do it better. Auburn owns the edge in every statisical category coming into this game. 'nuff said.
Prediction: Auburn gets a scare from Northwestern, but pulls away at the end, 38-21.
Capital One Bowl: Penn State (10-2) V. LSU (9-3)
Jan. 1, Orlando, FL 1:00 PM EST (ESPN)
PSU: This is a Nittany Lion team that has won 10 games wiithout any of those wins being memorable. A weak nonconference slate of Akron, Syracuse, Temple, and Eastern Illinois doesn't make me think these Lions can handle LSU. PSU lost their only two big games to Iowa and Ohio State. I see nothing impressive about this team, yet they are favored by three points. Huh?
LSU: The LSU defense has collapsed as of late giving up almost 400 yards a game. They also rank 108th in the nation in total offense. QB Jordan Jefferson can either be great or horrible and the TB situation at LSU is in the air since Charles Scott broke his collarbone in November. Will he play? Will he not? We don't know. So, now I see why PSU is favored by three points.
Prediction: I know it's sounds wrong, but I'll take the Penn State here. The Nittany Lions win, 24-16.
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl: West Virginia (9-3) V. Florida State (6-6)
Jan. 1, Jacksonville, FL 1:00 EST (CBS)
WVU: The Mountaineer offense is a pretty good one. RB Noel Devine ran for 1,372 yards and 12 TDs while QB Jarrett Brown threw for 2,129 yards and 11TDs. The 'Eeers aren't to bad on defense either, but this really doesn't matter because this game all comes down to state of mind that FSU brings into this game.
FSU: The administration got its' way and forced out HC Bobby Bowden. This is his last game roaming the sidelines for the Seminoles. 34 season, awesome teams, and a few national titles. Emotions will be running high in front of a raucous Seminole-friendly crowd. Hmmmmmm...
Prediction: I think the Seminoles come and win one for the old man. FSU 29- WVU 25.
Until next week folks, you have to get to the QB to stop the run-and-shoot.
-The Commissioner
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
2009-10 Bowl Preview- Part I
Hey All!
It's time for the one thing you really like reading each week, Notes on a Pac 10 Scorecard. (We still miss you, Alan Malamud.)
Let's take a look at the first 12 games. Take a look at my fearless predictions and we'll see how I stack up as a prognosticator when the bowls are over.
New Mexico Bowl : Fresno State (8-4) V. Wyoming (6-6)
Dec. 19, Albuquerque, NM 4:30 EST (ESPN)
FSU: Bulldogs TB Ryan Mathews ran for 1,664 yards and 17 TDs as the spearhead of the nation's 7th best rushing offense. The Bulldogs also have played a typically nightmarish schedule which usually makes theM a tough bowl team.
WYO: The Cowboys are a 6-6 squad making their first bowl appearance since beating UCLA, 24-21 in the 2004 Las Vegas Bowl. The Cowboys six wins came against a weak schedule. In fact, only one of the Pokes wins came against a team that finished with a winning record, and that team was 1-AA Weber State that finished their season at 7-5.
Prediction: The Bulldogs are too tough for these Cowboys to handle, FSU rolls 38-17.
St. Petersburg Bowl: UCF (8-4) V. Rutgers (8-4)
Dec 19, St. Petersburg, FL, 8:00 EST (ESPN)
RU: The Scarlet Knights spent most of the season under the radar after being smashed at home by Cincinnati. Throw in a head scratcher of a loss to Syracuse and you see why nobody really saw any of Rutgers eight wins. The boys from New Jersey win their games with a strong defense and just enough offense to get by.
UCF: The Golden Knights piled up eight wins without anyone paying much attention either. However, UCF was one fourth quarter interception away from making it to the C-USA title game. UCF's defense is the key to this game. It ranks #4 in the nation against the run and #112 against the pass. Can UCF slow down Rutgers passing game enough to get a win?
Prediction: The Scarlet Knights get just eough offense to squeak by the Golden Knights, 17-16.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss (7-5) V. Middle Tennessee St. (9-3) Dec. 20, New Orleans, LA, 8:30 EST (ESPN)
USM: The Golden Eagles expected more out of this season and didn't get it. Two close losses to Houston and East Carolina put the Eagles back in this bowl for the second year in a row. QB Martevious Young has thrown for 1,590 yards this year along with an impressive TD to INT ratio of 13 to 1. USM is no great shakes on defense, but the key to the game for USM is their mindset coming into the game after having a disappointing regular season.
MTSU: The Blue Raiders went 5-7 last year and are thrilled to be in the second bowl game in school history. QB Dwight Dasher has had a pretty good season running the spread offense. He threw for 2,627 yards and 21 TDs while running for 953 yards and 11 TDs. He may have a field day against USM's 113th ranked pass defense.
Prediction: The Blue Raiders will soar past the Eagles to a big win. MTSU takes it, 42-24.
MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State (8-4) V. BYU (8-4)
Dec. 22, Las Vegas, NV 8:00 EST (ESPN)
OSU: The Beavers are looking back on a season of coulda, shoulda, wouldas after watching their chance at the Rose Bowl slip away at Autzen Stadium a couple of weeks ago. They now are stuck in this bowl because no other bowl with a Pac 10 tie-in wanted them. The Beavers should be real angry coming into this game. As for the Xs and Os, we all know the Beavers will only go as far as the Rodgers brothers will take them.
BYU: How bored/jaded can you get as a team when you go to the same lower tier bowl five season in a row? We'll find out how BYU handles it soon. The Cougars are one bad day against TCU from a shot at a BCS bowl. SR QB Max Hall grabs most of the headlines and may grab them in this game as he faces OSU's 87th ranked pass defense.
Prediction: Everything points to BYU winning, but I think OSU wins the trench battle and the game, 26-21.
San Diego Co. CU Poinsettia Bowl: Utah (9-3) V. California (8-4)
Dec. 23, San Diego, CA 8:00 EST (ESPN)
UTAH: The Utes didn't have enough to go undefeated again, but they still played good football. The Utes defense ranks among the best in the nation in almost every category. They aren't too bad on offense either. TB Eddie Wide ran over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs, while QB Terrance Cain threw for 1,624 yards and 11 TDs of his own. You can also throw in the fact that the Utes have won five straight bowls. The Utes will a tough bowl opponent.
CAL: What Golden Bear team will show up? The one that wins by three TDs a game or the one that loses by four TDs a game? I've never seen a team this year where mindset rules over talent more than the 2009 Golden Bears. We know Cal's Offense can light up a scoreboard when clicking and how dominant their defense can be when motivated. Will they be motivated in this game? I don't know.
Prediction: Utah will be prepared and will beat a listless bunch of Bears, 34-15.
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Nevada (8-4) V. SMU (7-5)
Dec. 24, Honolulu, HI, 8:00 EST (ESPN)
SMU: June Jones comes back to Hawaii with a bowl team in tow. What a story! Jones gets SMU to their first bowl since the death penalty and he comes back to get a win in his old stomping ground. Too bad it won't happen. The run and shoot looked like the chuck and duck sometimes this year as Mustang QB Bo Levi Mitchell threw for only 1,725 yards, 12 TDs, and 10 interceptions. The Mustangs defense hasn't helped the cause much either. The SMU defense ranks 100 out of 120 teams in the FBS.
UN: The Wolfpack come into this game boasting three 1,000 yards rushers, a QB that's thrown for over 1,800 yards and a defense that can't stop the pass. Sounds like this one might be a shootout.
Prediction: The kids from Nevada win this shootout, 53-37
Little Caesars Bowl: Marshall (6-6) V. Ohio (9-4)
Dec. 26, Detroit, MI, 1:00 PM EST (ESPN)
MU: The Thundering Herd win my award for least interesting team in a bowl. They are a little below average in every statistical category and have no outstanding players. ZZZZzzzzzz.
Ohio: The Bobcats' offense isn't much to talk about as they win their games by playing strong pass defense and forcing a lot of turnovers. Ohio ranks sixth in the nation in turnover margin averaging +1 per game.
Prediction: The Bobcats keep the Thundering Herd from Thundering, 17-6.
Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pitt (9-3) V. North Carolina (8-4)
Dec. 26, Charlotte, NC, 4:30 PM EST (ESPN)
PITT: Two devastating losses in their last two games have to take their toll on this team. This is a game that will hinge on the Panthers' state of mind at kickoff. If the Panthers do show up, then RB Dion Lewis will lead the way. He comes in the game as the nation's third leading rusher with 1,695 yards and 16 TDs. QB Bill Stull is pretty good too. he's thrown for 2,470 yards, 21 TDs and only eight interceptions.
UNC: The Tar Heels are a schizophrenic bunch. They looked great in wins over Va. Tech and Miami, and awful in losses to Virginia and NC State. However they have won five of their last six games and are peaking at the right time.
Prediction: North Carolina upsets the out of sorts Panthers, 28-27.
Emerald Bowl: Boston College (8-4) V. USC (8-4)
Dec. 26, San Francisco, CA, 8:00 PM EST (ESPN)
BC: The Eagles are thrilled to be in this game facing USC. The Eagles are looking to this game as a test as to how far their program has come this season. The Eagles have reached 8-4 by virute of a defense that allows 104 rusing YPG, and about 20 PPG. Offensively, 25-year old freshman QB Dave Shinskie threw for a little over 1,800 yards, 14 TDs, and 13 interceptions. TB Montel Harris keeps the offense moving by rushing for 113 YPG. He's what USC hates to see, he's small and quick.
USC: The Trojans are embarrassed to be here. Eight wins isn't much to celebrate around Trojanland. The Xs and Os don't matter in this game as much as the Johnnys and the Joes. Will USC get up for a lower tier bowl at a baseball stadium? We shall see.
Prediction: Everything points to a BC win, but I can't pick against USC. Trojans escape with a win, 28-18.
Gaylord Hotel Music City Bowl: Kentucky (7-5) V. Clemson (8-5)
Dec. 27, Nashville, TN, 8:30 PM EST (ESPN)
UK: The Wildcats are one of the ten SEC teams to get a bowl game. The Wildcats went a paltry 3-5 in SEC play with a defense that ranks 100th nationally against the run, allowing 183 YPG. That just doesn't sound good.
C: Speaking of running, RB C.J. Spiller must be salivating over getting to play against the UK run defense. I think this game is that simple.
Prediction: The Wildcats won't be able to hold that tiger, Clemson runs away, 31-10.
Advocare V100 Independence Bowl: Texas A&M (6-6 V. Georgia (7-5)
Dec. 28, Shreveport, LA, 5:00 PM EST (ESPN2)
TAMU: QB Jerrod Johnson has put up big numbers this year. He's thrown for 3,217 yards, 28 TDs and only 6 interceptions. As a team the Aggies have a third down conversion rate of over 50%. That's great. Problem is, the Aggie defense is a sieve that gives up 33 points and over 430 YPG. That's why they are a 6-6 team.
UGA: The Bulldogs have a lot better defnese than the Aggies, but their offense lags at times. QB Joe Cox has shown he can move the team down the field, but his 14 interceptions to 22 TDs is not a good thing.
Prediction: I think Georgia's defense makes enough key plays to claim a victory, 34-27.
Champs Sports Bowl: Miami (9-3) V. Wisconsin (9-3)
Dec. 29, Orlando, FL, 8:00 PM EST (ESPN)
TheU: The 'Canes put themselves back on the football map this season behind the arm of Jacory Harris and the legs of their three headed RB monster that goes by the names Griag Cooper, Damien Berry, and Javarris James. Big wins over Georgia Tech and Oklahoma show just how good this team can play.
WIS: The Badgers are who we thought they were. They run the ball well with big John Clay and his 1,396 yards and 16 TDs. They also stop the run well and are your prototypical Big Ten team. They play physical, on both sides of the ball, but have no speed.
Prediction: Miami will make a statement for the 2010 season and spank the Badgers, 37-7.
Until next week folks, remember, you have to play assigment football to properly defend against the triple option.
-The Commissioner
It's time for the one thing you really like reading each week, Notes on a Pac 10 Scorecard. (We still miss you, Alan Malamud.)
Let's take a look at the first 12 games. Take a look at my fearless predictions and we'll see how I stack up as a prognosticator when the bowls are over.
New Mexico Bowl : Fresno State (8-4) V. Wyoming (6-6)
Dec. 19, Albuquerque, NM 4:30 EST (ESPN)
FSU: Bulldogs TB Ryan Mathews ran for 1,664 yards and 17 TDs as the spearhead of the nation's 7th best rushing offense. The Bulldogs also have played a typically nightmarish schedule which usually makes theM a tough bowl team.
WYO: The Cowboys are a 6-6 squad making their first bowl appearance since beating UCLA, 24-21 in the 2004 Las Vegas Bowl. The Cowboys six wins came against a weak schedule. In fact, only one of the Pokes wins came against a team that finished with a winning record, and that team was 1-AA Weber State that finished their season at 7-5.
Prediction: The Bulldogs are too tough for these Cowboys to handle, FSU rolls 38-17.
St. Petersburg Bowl: UCF (8-4) V. Rutgers (8-4)
Dec 19, St. Petersburg, FL, 8:00 EST (ESPN)
RU: The Scarlet Knights spent most of the season under the radar after being smashed at home by Cincinnati. Throw in a head scratcher of a loss to Syracuse and you see why nobody really saw any of Rutgers eight wins. The boys from New Jersey win their games with a strong defense and just enough offense to get by.
UCF: The Golden Knights piled up eight wins without anyone paying much attention either. However, UCF was one fourth quarter interception away from making it to the C-USA title game. UCF's defense is the key to this game. It ranks #4 in the nation against the run and #112 against the pass. Can UCF slow down Rutgers passing game enough to get a win?
Prediction: The Scarlet Knights get just eough offense to squeak by the Golden Knights, 17-16.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss (7-5) V. Middle Tennessee St. (9-3) Dec. 20, New Orleans, LA, 8:30 EST (ESPN)
USM: The Golden Eagles expected more out of this season and didn't get it. Two close losses to Houston and East Carolina put the Eagles back in this bowl for the second year in a row. QB Martevious Young has thrown for 1,590 yards this year along with an impressive TD to INT ratio of 13 to 1. USM is no great shakes on defense, but the key to the game for USM is their mindset coming into the game after having a disappointing regular season.
MTSU: The Blue Raiders went 5-7 last year and are thrilled to be in the second bowl game in school history. QB Dwight Dasher has had a pretty good season running the spread offense. He threw for 2,627 yards and 21 TDs while running for 953 yards and 11 TDs. He may have a field day against USM's 113th ranked pass defense.
Prediction: The Blue Raiders will soar past the Eagles to a big win. MTSU takes it, 42-24.
MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State (8-4) V. BYU (8-4)
Dec. 22, Las Vegas, NV 8:00 EST (ESPN)
OSU: The Beavers are looking back on a season of coulda, shoulda, wouldas after watching their chance at the Rose Bowl slip away at Autzen Stadium a couple of weeks ago. They now are stuck in this bowl because no other bowl with a Pac 10 tie-in wanted them. The Beavers should be real angry coming into this game. As for the Xs and Os, we all know the Beavers will only go as far as the Rodgers brothers will take them.
BYU: How bored/jaded can you get as a team when you go to the same lower tier bowl five season in a row? We'll find out how BYU handles it soon. The Cougars are one bad day against TCU from a shot at a BCS bowl. SR QB Max Hall grabs most of the headlines and may grab them in this game as he faces OSU's 87th ranked pass defense.
Prediction: Everything points to BYU winning, but I think OSU wins the trench battle and the game, 26-21.
San Diego Co. CU Poinsettia Bowl: Utah (9-3) V. California (8-4)
Dec. 23, San Diego, CA 8:00 EST (ESPN)
UTAH: The Utes didn't have enough to go undefeated again, but they still played good football. The Utes defense ranks among the best in the nation in almost every category. They aren't too bad on offense either. TB Eddie Wide ran over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs, while QB Terrance Cain threw for 1,624 yards and 11 TDs of his own. You can also throw in the fact that the Utes have won five straight bowls. The Utes will a tough bowl opponent.
CAL: What Golden Bear team will show up? The one that wins by three TDs a game or the one that loses by four TDs a game? I've never seen a team this year where mindset rules over talent more than the 2009 Golden Bears. We know Cal's Offense can light up a scoreboard when clicking and how dominant their defense can be when motivated. Will they be motivated in this game? I don't know.
Prediction: Utah will be prepared and will beat a listless bunch of Bears, 34-15.
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Nevada (8-4) V. SMU (7-5)
Dec. 24, Honolulu, HI, 8:00 EST (ESPN)
SMU: June Jones comes back to Hawaii with a bowl team in tow. What a story! Jones gets SMU to their first bowl since the death penalty and he comes back to get a win in his old stomping ground. Too bad it won't happen. The run and shoot looked like the chuck and duck sometimes this year as Mustang QB Bo Levi Mitchell threw for only 1,725 yards, 12 TDs, and 10 interceptions. The Mustangs defense hasn't helped the cause much either. The SMU defense ranks 100 out of 120 teams in the FBS.
UN: The Wolfpack come into this game boasting three 1,000 yards rushers, a QB that's thrown for over 1,800 yards and a defense that can't stop the pass. Sounds like this one might be a shootout.
Prediction: The kids from Nevada win this shootout, 53-37
Little Caesars Bowl: Marshall (6-6) V. Ohio (9-4)
Dec. 26, Detroit, MI, 1:00 PM EST (ESPN)
MU: The Thundering Herd win my award for least interesting team in a bowl. They are a little below average in every statistical category and have no outstanding players. ZZZZzzzzzz.
Ohio: The Bobcats' offense isn't much to talk about as they win their games by playing strong pass defense and forcing a lot of turnovers. Ohio ranks sixth in the nation in turnover margin averaging +1 per game.
Prediction: The Bobcats keep the Thundering Herd from Thundering, 17-6.
Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pitt (9-3) V. North Carolina (8-4)
Dec. 26, Charlotte, NC, 4:30 PM EST (ESPN)
PITT: Two devastating losses in their last two games have to take their toll on this team. This is a game that will hinge on the Panthers' state of mind at kickoff. If the Panthers do show up, then RB Dion Lewis will lead the way. He comes in the game as the nation's third leading rusher with 1,695 yards and 16 TDs. QB Bill Stull is pretty good too. he's thrown for 2,470 yards, 21 TDs and only eight interceptions.
UNC: The Tar Heels are a schizophrenic bunch. They looked great in wins over Va. Tech and Miami, and awful in losses to Virginia and NC State. However they have won five of their last six games and are peaking at the right time.
Prediction: North Carolina upsets the out of sorts Panthers, 28-27.
Emerald Bowl: Boston College (8-4) V. USC (8-4)
Dec. 26, San Francisco, CA, 8:00 PM EST (ESPN)
BC: The Eagles are thrilled to be in this game facing USC. The Eagles are looking to this game as a test as to how far their program has come this season. The Eagles have reached 8-4 by virute of a defense that allows 104 rusing YPG, and about 20 PPG. Offensively, 25-year old freshman QB Dave Shinskie threw for a little over 1,800 yards, 14 TDs, and 13 interceptions. TB Montel Harris keeps the offense moving by rushing for 113 YPG. He's what USC hates to see, he's small and quick.
USC: The Trojans are embarrassed to be here. Eight wins isn't much to celebrate around Trojanland. The Xs and Os don't matter in this game as much as the Johnnys and the Joes. Will USC get up for a lower tier bowl at a baseball stadium? We shall see.
Prediction: Everything points to a BC win, but I can't pick against USC. Trojans escape with a win, 28-18.
Gaylord Hotel Music City Bowl: Kentucky (7-5) V. Clemson (8-5)
Dec. 27, Nashville, TN, 8:30 PM EST (ESPN)
UK: The Wildcats are one of the ten SEC teams to get a bowl game. The Wildcats went a paltry 3-5 in SEC play with a defense that ranks 100th nationally against the run, allowing 183 YPG. That just doesn't sound good.
C: Speaking of running, RB C.J. Spiller must be salivating over getting to play against the UK run defense. I think this game is that simple.
Prediction: The Wildcats won't be able to hold that tiger, Clemson runs away, 31-10.
Advocare V100 Independence Bowl: Texas A&M (6-6 V. Georgia (7-5)
Dec. 28, Shreveport, LA, 5:00 PM EST (ESPN2)
TAMU: QB Jerrod Johnson has put up big numbers this year. He's thrown for 3,217 yards, 28 TDs and only 6 interceptions. As a team the Aggies have a third down conversion rate of over 50%. That's great. Problem is, the Aggie defense is a sieve that gives up 33 points and over 430 YPG. That's why they are a 6-6 team.
UGA: The Bulldogs have a lot better defnese than the Aggies, but their offense lags at times. QB Joe Cox has shown he can move the team down the field, but his 14 interceptions to 22 TDs is not a good thing.
Prediction: I think Georgia's defense makes enough key plays to claim a victory, 34-27.
Champs Sports Bowl: Miami (9-3) V. Wisconsin (9-3)
Dec. 29, Orlando, FL, 8:00 PM EST (ESPN)
TheU: The 'Canes put themselves back on the football map this season behind the arm of Jacory Harris and the legs of their three headed RB monster that goes by the names Griag Cooper, Damien Berry, and Javarris James. Big wins over Georgia Tech and Oklahoma show just how good this team can play.
WIS: The Badgers are who we thought they were. They run the ball well with big John Clay and his 1,396 yards and 16 TDs. They also stop the run well and are your prototypical Big Ten team. They play physical, on both sides of the ball, but have no speed.
Prediction: Miami will make a statement for the 2010 season and spank the Badgers, 37-7.
Until next week folks, remember, you have to play assigment football to properly defend against the triple option.
-The Commissioner
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Week 14
Hey all,
Here it is, the one, the only, Notes on a Pac 10 Scorecard. (We still miss you, Alan Malamud)
Summaries
Arizona 21- USC 17: Well, the up and down Trojans were down again this week after dropping a very winnable game to the Arizona Wildcats. The Trojan offense continued to sputter. Especially in the first half, where they held the ball for a little over nine minutes, with five of those minutes coming on their only scoring drive of the half. Things improved slightly in the second half where USC managed to tie the game at 14-14 early in the fourth quarter then go ahead 17-14 with 7:13 to play. Then the Wildcats took over the game. led by QB Nick Foles, the Wildcats marched 80 yards for the winning TD. That march was capped off by Foles hitting WR Junior Criner with a 36-yard TD pass with 3:14 left to play. USC couldn't answer that score, with the offense sputtering with four straight incompletions to snuff out the Trojans hopes of victory. Nick Foles was the hero for UofA hitting on 22 of 40 passes for 239 yards and 2 TDs.
Telling Stat: 7s win games not 3s. USC settled for a field goal late in the fourth quarter and it cost them the game.
Washington 42- California 10: This one was all Huskies. UW dominated the Golden Bears for a full 60 minutes. Husky QB Jake Locker had his best game of the year. He completed 19 of 23 passes for 248 yards and 3 TDs. He also had a good day running, racking up 77 yards on 14 carries and 2 TDs on the ground. That's a 5 TD game folks. Meanwhile the Husky defense bottled up Cal, holding the Bears to 81 rushing yards on the afternoon. Cal TB Jahvid Best sat out this game, still suffering from the effects of two concussions this year.
Telling Stat: They don't like going North. In their two trips to the Northwest this year, California's record is 0-2 and they have been outscored 84-13 in those losses.
Oregon 37- Oregon State 33: The 113th edition of the Civil War was the most important game ever played in the rivalry. It was the only time that winning meant going to the Rose Bowl for both sides. The game lived up to the hype. It was a great back and forth game with heroes and goats on both sides. The big hero though was UO QB Jeremiah Masoli. Masoli didn't have a great statistical day only throwing for 200 yards and rushing for 40, but he kept the offense moving all night long. His leadership on UO's final drive sent his squad to Pasadena. UO RB LaMichael James continued his outstanding freshman year with 166 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Not to be forgotten in the losing effort for the Beavers is QB Sean Canfield who lit up the Duck secondary for 306 yards and 2 TDs. Now we'll see of the Ducks can get their first Rose Bowl win since 1917.
Telling Stat: 7s win games, not 3s- Part II. OSU settled for field goals on three drives in the first half of this game. If they had gotten touchdowns, we might be talking about a Beaver invasion of Pasadena.
Observations
...My simple math calculations were wrong. I had written off Army as not being bowl eligible. Not so, the Black Knights of the Hudson are on the bubble at 5-6. A win over Navy this week would put them in the Eagle Bank Bowl v. Temple. A loss by Army would give UCLA the bid. So, Go Army!!!! Beat Navy!!!!
...Gotta give love to Fresno State O-lineman, Devan Cunningham. Fresno State scored a a TD with :02 seconds left to get within a point of Illinois, 52-51. The Bulldogs then went for two. QB Ryan Colburn's pass was deflected into the hands of Cunningham who rumbled three yards into the endzone to give the Bulldogs a 53-52 win over the Illini. Gotta love it when the big men rumble.
...And then there were two. Western Kentucky dropped a 24-20 decision to Arkansas State to finish the season at 0-12. So that leaves WKU and Eastern Michigan as the only two winless teams in the FBS this season.
...All four semifinalists in the Division III football playoffs this week are undefeated. The four teams are a combined 51-0 this season, and oh yeah the Mount Union Purple Raiders are one of the final four.
...Arizona is the best tackling team I've seen this season. No too many teams get a lot of yards after the catch on the Wildcats.
...I'm just disgusted that the Big Ten got two teams into BCS bowls.
...I'm glad USC didn't end up in El Paso. The current crime statistics from the El Paso- Juarez area are scary.
... All 10 bowl eligible teams from the SEC got bowl bids. If there ever was an argument that there are too many bowls, that's it.
...Gee, I wish Mark Sanchez hadn't left early.
...Remember when Matt Barkley was a Davey O'Brien award semifinalist? That was about 10 interceptions ago.
...I know the Hawaii Bowl will be a fun game to watch with Nevada taking on SMU, but how much better of a game would it have been if Hawaii had gotten in? Hawaii-SMU would have been awesome!!!!
...I've been puting tailgate gear away for a day or so realizing the regular season is over and I feel as sad as a lot of other people do when they take down their Christmas tree. Oh well, next home game is in 2010 v. Virginia.
Until next week folks, watch out for screen passes on third and long.
-The Commissioner
Here it is, the one, the only, Notes on a Pac 10 Scorecard. (We still miss you, Alan Malamud)
Summaries
Arizona 21- USC 17: Well, the up and down Trojans were down again this week after dropping a very winnable game to the Arizona Wildcats. The Trojan offense continued to sputter. Especially in the first half, where they held the ball for a little over nine minutes, with five of those minutes coming on their only scoring drive of the half. Things improved slightly in the second half where USC managed to tie the game at 14-14 early in the fourth quarter then go ahead 17-14 with 7:13 to play. Then the Wildcats took over the game. led by QB Nick Foles, the Wildcats marched 80 yards for the winning TD. That march was capped off by Foles hitting WR Junior Criner with a 36-yard TD pass with 3:14 left to play. USC couldn't answer that score, with the offense sputtering with four straight incompletions to snuff out the Trojans hopes of victory. Nick Foles was the hero for UofA hitting on 22 of 40 passes for 239 yards and 2 TDs.
Telling Stat: 7s win games not 3s. USC settled for a field goal late in the fourth quarter and it cost them the game.
Washington 42- California 10: This one was all Huskies. UW dominated the Golden Bears for a full 60 minutes. Husky QB Jake Locker had his best game of the year. He completed 19 of 23 passes for 248 yards and 3 TDs. He also had a good day running, racking up 77 yards on 14 carries and 2 TDs on the ground. That's a 5 TD game folks. Meanwhile the Husky defense bottled up Cal, holding the Bears to 81 rushing yards on the afternoon. Cal TB Jahvid Best sat out this game, still suffering from the effects of two concussions this year.
Telling Stat: They don't like going North. In their two trips to the Northwest this year, California's record is 0-2 and they have been outscored 84-13 in those losses.
Oregon 37- Oregon State 33: The 113th edition of the Civil War was the most important game ever played in the rivalry. It was the only time that winning meant going to the Rose Bowl for both sides. The game lived up to the hype. It was a great back and forth game with heroes and goats on both sides. The big hero though was UO QB Jeremiah Masoli. Masoli didn't have a great statistical day only throwing for 200 yards and rushing for 40, but he kept the offense moving all night long. His leadership on UO's final drive sent his squad to Pasadena. UO RB LaMichael James continued his outstanding freshman year with 166 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Not to be forgotten in the losing effort for the Beavers is QB Sean Canfield who lit up the Duck secondary for 306 yards and 2 TDs. Now we'll see of the Ducks can get their first Rose Bowl win since 1917.
Telling Stat: 7s win games, not 3s- Part II. OSU settled for field goals on three drives in the first half of this game. If they had gotten touchdowns, we might be talking about a Beaver invasion of Pasadena.
Observations
...My simple math calculations were wrong. I had written off Army as not being bowl eligible. Not so, the Black Knights of the Hudson are on the bubble at 5-6. A win over Navy this week would put them in the Eagle Bank Bowl v. Temple. A loss by Army would give UCLA the bid. So, Go Army!!!! Beat Navy!!!!
...Gotta give love to Fresno State O-lineman, Devan Cunningham. Fresno State scored a a TD with :02 seconds left to get within a point of Illinois, 52-51. The Bulldogs then went for two. QB Ryan Colburn's pass was deflected into the hands of Cunningham who rumbled three yards into the endzone to give the Bulldogs a 53-52 win over the Illini. Gotta love it when the big men rumble.
...And then there were two. Western Kentucky dropped a 24-20 decision to Arkansas State to finish the season at 0-12. So that leaves WKU and Eastern Michigan as the only two winless teams in the FBS this season.
...All four semifinalists in the Division III football playoffs this week are undefeated. The four teams are a combined 51-0 this season, and oh yeah the Mount Union Purple Raiders are one of the final four.
...Arizona is the best tackling team I've seen this season. No too many teams get a lot of yards after the catch on the Wildcats.
...I'm just disgusted that the Big Ten got two teams into BCS bowls.
...I'm glad USC didn't end up in El Paso. The current crime statistics from the El Paso- Juarez area are scary.
... All 10 bowl eligible teams from the SEC got bowl bids. If there ever was an argument that there are too many bowls, that's it.
...Gee, I wish Mark Sanchez hadn't left early.
...Remember when Matt Barkley was a Davey O'Brien award semifinalist? That was about 10 interceptions ago.
...I know the Hawaii Bowl will be a fun game to watch with Nevada taking on SMU, but how much better of a game would it have been if Hawaii had gotten in? Hawaii-SMU would have been awesome!!!!
...I've been puting tailgate gear away for a day or so realizing the regular season is over and I feel as sad as a lot of other people do when they take down their Christmas tree. Oh well, next home game is in 2010 v. Virginia.
Until next week folks, watch out for screen passes on third and long.
-The Commissioner
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Week 13
Hey all,
I know we're still getting over the big Thanksgiving weekend. So here's the column you love to read, Notes on a Pac 10 Scorecard. (We still miss you, Alan Malamud.)
Summaries
USC 28- UCLA 7: The victory bell stays safely in Trojan hands after a game that featured 59 minutes of frustration followed a minute of pure excitement. USC took a 7-0 lead in the halftime on a 62-yard interception return by LB Malcolm Smith. The Trojans held a 14-0 lead after three quarters thanks to an Allen Bradford, 2-yard TD run. UCLA cut USC's lead to 14-7 with 5:41 left on a Chane Moline 2-yard run. Then USC went on what was considered to be a game sealing drive and a 21-7 lead on another Allen Bradofrd TD run. However, after stopping the bRuins and holding the ball in UCLA territory with :54 seocnds left, USC HC Pete Carroll had his offense kneel down to kill the clock. Defiantly, UCLA HC Rick Neuheisal called a timeout. USC then responded to the timeout with a 48-yard bomb to WR Daminan Williams that truly put a dagger into the bRuins and unleashed a torrent of emotion from the Trojan faithful and humiliation and anger amongst the bRuins. Ahhh, this is what rivalries are made of.
Telling Stat: The kid was nails down the stretch. USC QB Matt Barkley completed five of six passes for 91 yards and a TD in the Trojans final two drives of the game.
Arizona 20- Arizona State 17: UofA scored two touchdowns in a span of four seconds in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead on ASU. It looked like a rout was starting, but then the Sun Devils held the Wildcats in check and managed to tie the game at 17-17 on a 14-yard TD pass from Danny Sullivan to Kyle Wiiliams with 2:02 to play. Then, one of those mistakes that will be remembered forever in the rivalry occurred. The Sun Devils forced the Wildcats to punt with a little over a minute to play. ASU sent Kyle Williams back to return the punt. He muffed it. UofA recovered on the ASU 22-yard line. Three plays later Alex Zendejas booted the game-winning field goal from 32 yards out.
Telling Stat: 2:02. It took 2:02 for Kyle Williams to go from hero to goat for the Sun Devils.
Stanford 45- Notre Dame 38: The main story going into this game was how this was going to be Charlie Weis' last game at the helm for ND. The story coming out of this game was how good Stanford TB Toby Gerhart is and how he deserves a shot at the Heisman. All Gerhart did was run for 205 yards and 3 TDs. Oh, he also threw for a TD too. His great day overshadowed QB Jimmy Clausen's 340 yard, 5 TD performance for the Irish. This game was a back and forth battle with Stanford scoring the winning TD with :59 left. The Cardinal finish the season at 8-4.
Telling Stat: Great players shine in the fourth quarter. Toby Gerhart threw for the game tying TD and then carried the ball 7 out of the 11 plays on Stanford's final drive which included the game winning TD.
Washington 30- Washington State 0: The Apple Cup returns to Seattle after the Dawgs battered the Cougars last week. The defense set the tone for the Huskies. Three different times, the Husky defense knocked a Cougar QB from the game. Also, the longest any Cougar drive lasted was 3:46 seconds and 35 yards. On the offensive side of things, the Huskies wore down the Cougar defense with their rushing game. TB Chris Polk rushed for 130 yards and a TD and QB Jake Locker ran for 94 yards and a TD as well. As for the passing game, Locker threw for 196 yards and a TD. The Huskies now have possession of the Apple Cup.
Telling Stat: 45 years. The win was UW's first shoutout of Wazzu since 1964.
Observations
...If you need a good reason to watch the Hawaii-Wisconsin game this week, I've got one. Hawaii is the lone team left in the FBS on the bowl eligibility bubble. By virtue of their 24-17 win over Navy last week, the Warriors are now just a win away from a bowl game.
...Simple Math- Part III. 68 teams will go to a bowl this year. As of Sunday, there are 71 teams eligible to go to a bowl. So, that means that three teams won't go bowling. (That number could increase to four if Hawaii wins this week.) Here's my guess as to who won't make the cut.
1. Iowa State: They have a bad record in the weak Big XII north and don't travel well.
2. UCLA: bRuins don't travel well and Pac 10 bowl tie-ins only go six deep.
3. Minnesota: Really? You think the seventh place team in the Big Ten will get a bowl? Really?
...With Notre Dame's loss to Stanford, the Irish finished the year with two wins in four games v. Pac 10 opponents. That's as many as ASU and two more than Wazzu got this year. Funny thing is that ND got those two wins in 14 less games than ASU and Wazzu got theirs.
...Yes, Charlie Weis has been fired by Notre Dame, but as we all laugh at this fact, just remember Mr. Schematic Advantage was 2-0 v. UCLA. That's pretty cool.
...And then there were two. Eastern Michigan finished the year at 0-12. The Eagles are this year's first winless team. Western Kentucky will join them as 0 for 2009 if they lose to Arkansas State this week.
...Stanford's Toby Gerhart should get an invite to the Heisman ceremony. I know Colt McCoy is everybody's darling, but Gerhart deserves to go to New York and be recognized among the elite players in the country.
....I just can't get behind Boise State getting a BCS bid. They played one tough game all year that they had 10 months to get ready for. They played UC Davis, an FCS team, and a WAC league schedule that's medicore at best. If Boise was in a real conference, they'd lose at least five games a year.
...The Epic Fail of the weekend belongs to HC Mark Mangino of the Kansas Jayhawks. In a year in which his team has underachieved and he is being investigated by the school over allegations of abuse of his players, Mangino did not need to choke away a win over arch-rival Missouri, but he did. Up 39-36, the Jayhawks had the ball with a little over a minute to play on their own one-yard line. After two incomplete passes, Mangino called for a QB draw from his own endzone. Yes, his QB was tackled for a safety. Up 39-38 now, the Jayhwaks had to give the ball back to Mizzou with a free kick from their own 20. Mizzou got a good return on the kick, and several plays later kicked the game winning field goal as time ran out. That game will take a while for the KU faithful to get over.
...Hats off to Arkansas going 7-5 this season and becoming the team that nobody in the SEC wants play right now. A big bowl win could springboard the Hogs to a great 2010 season.
...It's a weird year in college football when Cincinatti, TCU, and Boise State are all undefeated. It's also weird because Idaho, SMU, Connecticut, Temple, and Wyoming are all bowl eligible.
...It looks like Penn State will get a BCS bid because they travel well. That stinks.
...SMU HC June Jones has led his team to a 7-5 record and received a contract extension for bringing back the Mustangs from the dead. However, he's got to wonder how the heck his team lost to Wazzu this year. SMU is the 1 in the Cougars 1-11 season.
...For the first time in four years, the Commissioner's team, the Tough Turkeys beat the Cranberry Crushers in our Thanksgiving day game. The Turkeys built up a 16-0 halftime lead and held on for the 23-16 victory.
...I'm on record as officially loving USC's last TD pass against UCLA. To me it seemed like an entire season's worth of frustration was released in that pass. Go get 'em, Big Balls Pete!!!!!
Until next week folks, remember to use your timeouts wisely!
-The Commissioner
I know we're still getting over the big Thanksgiving weekend. So here's the column you love to read, Notes on a Pac 10 Scorecard. (We still miss you, Alan Malamud.)
Summaries
USC 28- UCLA 7: The victory bell stays safely in Trojan hands after a game that featured 59 minutes of frustration followed a minute of pure excitement. USC took a 7-0 lead in the halftime on a 62-yard interception return by LB Malcolm Smith. The Trojans held a 14-0 lead after three quarters thanks to an Allen Bradford, 2-yard TD run. UCLA cut USC's lead to 14-7 with 5:41 left on a Chane Moline 2-yard run. Then USC went on what was considered to be a game sealing drive and a 21-7 lead on another Allen Bradofrd TD run. However, after stopping the bRuins and holding the ball in UCLA territory with :54 seocnds left, USC HC Pete Carroll had his offense kneel down to kill the clock. Defiantly, UCLA HC Rick Neuheisal called a timeout. USC then responded to the timeout with a 48-yard bomb to WR Daminan Williams that truly put a dagger into the bRuins and unleashed a torrent of emotion from the Trojan faithful and humiliation and anger amongst the bRuins. Ahhh, this is what rivalries are made of.
Telling Stat: The kid was nails down the stretch. USC QB Matt Barkley completed five of six passes for 91 yards and a TD in the Trojans final two drives of the game.
Arizona 20- Arizona State 17: UofA scored two touchdowns in a span of four seconds in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead on ASU. It looked like a rout was starting, but then the Sun Devils held the Wildcats in check and managed to tie the game at 17-17 on a 14-yard TD pass from Danny Sullivan to Kyle Wiiliams with 2:02 to play. Then, one of those mistakes that will be remembered forever in the rivalry occurred. The Sun Devils forced the Wildcats to punt with a little over a minute to play. ASU sent Kyle Williams back to return the punt. He muffed it. UofA recovered on the ASU 22-yard line. Three plays later Alex Zendejas booted the game-winning field goal from 32 yards out.
Telling Stat: 2:02. It took 2:02 for Kyle Williams to go from hero to goat for the Sun Devils.
Stanford 45- Notre Dame 38: The main story going into this game was how this was going to be Charlie Weis' last game at the helm for ND. The story coming out of this game was how good Stanford TB Toby Gerhart is and how he deserves a shot at the Heisman. All Gerhart did was run for 205 yards and 3 TDs. Oh, he also threw for a TD too. His great day overshadowed QB Jimmy Clausen's 340 yard, 5 TD performance for the Irish. This game was a back and forth battle with Stanford scoring the winning TD with :59 left. The Cardinal finish the season at 8-4.
Telling Stat: Great players shine in the fourth quarter. Toby Gerhart threw for the game tying TD and then carried the ball 7 out of the 11 plays on Stanford's final drive which included the game winning TD.
Washington 30- Washington State 0: The Apple Cup returns to Seattle after the Dawgs battered the Cougars last week. The defense set the tone for the Huskies. Three different times, the Husky defense knocked a Cougar QB from the game. Also, the longest any Cougar drive lasted was 3:46 seconds and 35 yards. On the offensive side of things, the Huskies wore down the Cougar defense with their rushing game. TB Chris Polk rushed for 130 yards and a TD and QB Jake Locker ran for 94 yards and a TD as well. As for the passing game, Locker threw for 196 yards and a TD. The Huskies now have possession of the Apple Cup.
Telling Stat: 45 years. The win was UW's first shoutout of Wazzu since 1964.
Observations
...If you need a good reason to watch the Hawaii-Wisconsin game this week, I've got one. Hawaii is the lone team left in the FBS on the bowl eligibility bubble. By virtue of their 24-17 win over Navy last week, the Warriors are now just a win away from a bowl game.
...Simple Math- Part III. 68 teams will go to a bowl this year. As of Sunday, there are 71 teams eligible to go to a bowl. So, that means that three teams won't go bowling. (That number could increase to four if Hawaii wins this week.) Here's my guess as to who won't make the cut.
1. Iowa State: They have a bad record in the weak Big XII north and don't travel well.
2. UCLA: bRuins don't travel well and Pac 10 bowl tie-ins only go six deep.
3. Minnesota: Really? You think the seventh place team in the Big Ten will get a bowl? Really?
...With Notre Dame's loss to Stanford, the Irish finished the year with two wins in four games v. Pac 10 opponents. That's as many as ASU and two more than Wazzu got this year. Funny thing is that ND got those two wins in 14 less games than ASU and Wazzu got theirs.
...Yes, Charlie Weis has been fired by Notre Dame, but as we all laugh at this fact, just remember Mr. Schematic Advantage was 2-0 v. UCLA. That's pretty cool.
...And then there were two. Eastern Michigan finished the year at 0-12. The Eagles are this year's first winless team. Western Kentucky will join them as 0 for 2009 if they lose to Arkansas State this week.
...Stanford's Toby Gerhart should get an invite to the Heisman ceremony. I know Colt McCoy is everybody's darling, but Gerhart deserves to go to New York and be recognized among the elite players in the country.
....I just can't get behind Boise State getting a BCS bid. They played one tough game all year that they had 10 months to get ready for. They played UC Davis, an FCS team, and a WAC league schedule that's medicore at best. If Boise was in a real conference, they'd lose at least five games a year.
...The Epic Fail of the weekend belongs to HC Mark Mangino of the Kansas Jayhawks. In a year in which his team has underachieved and he is being investigated by the school over allegations of abuse of his players, Mangino did not need to choke away a win over arch-rival Missouri, but he did. Up 39-36, the Jayhawks had the ball with a little over a minute to play on their own one-yard line. After two incomplete passes, Mangino called for a QB draw from his own endzone. Yes, his QB was tackled for a safety. Up 39-38 now, the Jayhwaks had to give the ball back to Mizzou with a free kick from their own 20. Mizzou got a good return on the kick, and several plays later kicked the game winning field goal as time ran out. That game will take a while for the KU faithful to get over.
...Hats off to Arkansas going 7-5 this season and becoming the team that nobody in the SEC wants play right now. A big bowl win could springboard the Hogs to a great 2010 season.
...It's a weird year in college football when Cincinatti, TCU, and Boise State are all undefeated. It's also weird because Idaho, SMU, Connecticut, Temple, and Wyoming are all bowl eligible.
...It looks like Penn State will get a BCS bid because they travel well. That stinks.
...SMU HC June Jones has led his team to a 7-5 record and received a contract extension for bringing back the Mustangs from the dead. However, he's got to wonder how the heck his team lost to Wazzu this year. SMU is the 1 in the Cougars 1-11 season.
...For the first time in four years, the Commissioner's team, the Tough Turkeys beat the Cranberry Crushers in our Thanksgiving day game. The Turkeys built up a 16-0 halftime lead and held on for the 23-16 victory.
...I'm on record as officially loving USC's last TD pass against UCLA. To me it seemed like an entire season's worth of frustration was released in that pass. Go get 'em, Big Balls Pete!!!!!
Until next week folks, remember to use your timeouts wisely!
-The Commissioner
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