Week 4

Week 4

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch

1. Auburn Tigers @ Kansas State Wildcats

Final Score Auburn 20 Kansas State 14

This game was a lot sloppier than I had expected, especially on the side of Kansas State.  They had 3 turnovers in the game and missed 3 field goals.  Auburn was better, but their potent offense struggled to put points on the board, managing only twenty.  The hero of the game for the Tigers was quarterback Nick Marshall whose two crucial touchdown passes were the key to the victory.  With a tough SEC schedule looming ahead of them, Auburn better use this game as a learning experience. They will have to play better or their conference schedule will chew them up and spit them out.

2.  North Carolina Tar Heels @ East Carolina Pirates

Final Score: East Carolina 70 North Carolina 41

You must all be thinking: "70 points, really!"  Yep it's no typo.  The Pirates blew apart the Tar Heels defense with relentless cannon blasts that left their opponents' hopes of winning in splinters.  East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden threw for 438 yards and four touchdowns and his stellar performance leads me to say he is arguably one of the best QB's so far this year.  The running game for the Pirates was just as spectacular as running back Breon Allen ran for over 200 yards and two scores (TD's).  With apologies to any North Carolina fans I might know, East Carolina is now the best football program in the state of North Carolina.    

Top 2 Most Exciting Games of the Week

1.  California (Cal) Golden Bears @ Arizona Wildcats

This battle out West looked to be a fun game to watch as each team featured a high-powered passing attack, and it certainly didn't disappoint.  At the end of the third quarter, however, the stadium 3/4 full of Arizona fans was mostly quiet, as their Wildcats were down by 18 points: 31-13.  But Arizona QB Anu Solomon and his offense refused to quit.  They scored 10 points within the 1st minute and 1/2 of the final quarter, bringing it to a 8 point or 1 possession game.  (Remember teams can go for a 2 point conversion instead of the extra point)  California's offense wasn't done either, scoring on a 50 yard TD run, and another touchdown drive after Arizona brought themselves back to within 8.  So now the score was California 45 Arizona 30 with only 5 minutes remaining, making the game appear out of reach for the Wildcats.

However, Arizona was determined to not go down without a fight.  The Wildcats completed yet another touchdown drive in just under two minutes (45-38).  They then attempted an onside kick, where the kicker must kick the ball at least ten yards before his team can recover the ball, very hard to do when the opposing team is expecting it.  The ball bounces high into the air and Arizona comes down with the ball.  The fans cheer loudly as their team still has a chance.  Arizona scores again with lightning speed under a minute later bringing them to within 2 points: 45-43.  The Wildcats line up for a 2 point to potentially tie the game.  But the opportunity slipped through their fingers as the pass from Solomon was deflected in the endzone, with only 2 and 1/2 minutes left on the clock.

There can't possibly be anymore chances left, right!  Wrong!  Thanks to Arizona's remaining timeouts and their determined defense, they hold Cal to a 47 yard field goal attempt.  Golden Bears Kicker James Langford boots the ball with all his might but it sails wide left.  The Wildcats had been given one final chance, with under a minute to go.  Unfortunately, the Wildcats get called for a costly 15 yard offensive pass interference.  They still somehow manage to convert a 4th down play and spike the ball with 5 seconds left on the Cal 47 yard line.  A Hail Mary pass into the endzone was their only hope.  With no time left quarterback Anu Solomon heaves the ball into the endzone, and receiver Austin Hill, surrounded by 4 Cal defenders, jumps up and comes down with a miraculous touchdown catch!!!!  The whole team streams onto the field, sprinting into the endzone to congratulate Hill and celebrate the heroic victory.

50 points total were scored in the final quarter, the most I have ever heard of.  Wildest 4th quarter ever!

Final score Arizona 49 California 45

2.  Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ Virginia Tech Hokies (Their mascot is a bird the gobbles, so I guess this means turkeys)

This battle of the Techs was a hidden gem of a game with much meaning for both teams.  Virginia Tech was coming off of an upset loss at home to East Carolina and Georgia Tech was trying to remain unbeaten.  Fast forward to the middle of the 4th quarter.  Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer has just thrown an interception that was returned for a touchdown, giving Georgia Tech a 17-16 lead.  Brewer responds by leading his team into Yellow Jackets' territory with some accurate short passes.  On the next play, Brewer hands the ball off to his running back who makes it past the 1st down marker, but gets hit and fumbles the ball.  A Georgia Tech defender attempts to jump on the loose ball but it slips out of his fingers and lands right next to Brewer who had been following the play closely.  He simply picks it up, sprints as fast as he can, and dives over a defender for a touchdown.  Virginia Tech goes for 2 and Brewer completes a pass to his tight end Bucky Hodges to give his team a 7 point lead: 24-17.

 With the situation getting desperate, Georgia Tech switches gears offensively to their seldom used passing game instead of their usual triple-option rushing attack.  They convert 2 key fourth downs en route to a touchdown pass by Justin Thomas to reliable target DeAndre Smelter.  The game is now tied at 24 with 2 minutes left, but instead of wisely running the ball and playing for overtime, Virginia Tech coaches go for the win.  They call a passing play, putting the ball in the hands of Brewer, who had already thrown 2 interceptions.  Sure enough, Brewer throws the ball into tight coverage, and the Yellow Jackets come away with another interception.  

Taking over at midfield, Georgia Tech takes control, running and passing the ball deep into Virginia Tech territory all the way to the 7 yard line and calls a timeout with 3 seconds remaining.  Yellow Jackets kicker Harrison Butker gets set for a 24 yard glorified extra point, and knocks it through for the win.  The Yellow Jackets swarm the field and celebrate the victory, while some form a dog pile on top of the kicker. Virginia Tech fans are distraught, having witnessed two upset losses at home in a row.  

Final score: Georgia Tech 27 Virginia Tech 24

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 5

1.  Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Michigan Wolverines: 9/27 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC or ESPN 2

This matchup between teams both named after short four-legged critters is a must-win for Michigan. The Wolverines' prospects for this season are even worse than when I last wrote about their blowout loss to Notre Dame 2 weeks ago.  This last weekend they lost at home to Utah 26-10 giving the lower than usual number fans who filed into their stadium, nicknamed the Big House, little to cheer about. Michigan better get back on track soon or their coach's job security will be called into question even more.  However, Minnesota comes into town with a solid rushing attack.  So, which team will hold their helmets high at the end of the day?

2.  Missouri Tigers @ No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks: 9/27 at 7 p.m. on ESPN

This game has lost some of its potential luster after Missouri's shocking loss at home to the usually underwhelming Indiana Hoosiers.  However, the nation's premier pregame show College Gameday will be there.  (Catch it every Saturday at 9 a.m to 12 p.m. on ESPN.  Don't miss the tradition that made this show famous: former coach Lee Corso puts on the mascot's headgear of the team he picks to win.)  Anyway, will Missouri manage a bounce-back win or will famed head coach Steve Spurrier lead South Carolina to another SEC win?