Week 5
Results of Last Week's Games to Watch
1. Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Michigan Wolverines
Final score: Minnesota 30 Michigan 14
Michigan's recent poor performances have led to a decrease in attendance at the Big House and it showed Saturday. But boos could still be heard as the Wolverines were soundly defeated by Big Ten rival Minnesota. Michigan had no answer for the Gophers' run-heavy offense, throwing a pick 6 (interception return for a TD) on one ill-fated drive. The head coach of Michigan, Brady Hoke, had better start looking for another job. And soon!
2. Missouri Tigers @ South Carolina Gamecocks
Final Score: Missouri 21 South Carolina 20
(I have NO idea what that trophy is. I didn't even know this was considered a rivalry game. Could it be the Columbia Cup because both universities are located in a city called Columbia?)
This game seemed to be all locked up for the Gamecocks as they led 20-7 midway through the 4th quarter. But the Tigers were as fierce as ever, scoring on a 1 yard touchdown run by running back Russell Hansborough on each of their next 2 drives. With only a minute and a half left and needing a field goal to win it, South Carolina could not pull it off and lost in front of a packed crowd. I didn't expect this after Missouri's perplexing loss to Indiana, but you just can never tell if a team can bounce back with an upset victory.
Top 2 Exciting Games of the Week
1. Tennessee Volunteers @ Georgia Bulldogs
Tennessee's team name came from the large number of soldiers their state fielded for the Confederacy during the Civil War: a storied tradition that has not been lived up to in recent years. Fortunately, Tennessee is one of three SEC programs, including Arkansas and Kentucky, that are showing signs of improvement. However, they would have to play well to come away with a victory between the hedges (between the seats and the field is a ring of hedges at Georgia's stadium). However, it was not looking very good in the 4th quarter for Tennessee when Georgia star running back and Heisman candidate Todd Gurley bolted up the middle of the Volunteers defense for a 51 yard touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 28-17 lead.
Sounding the bugle call, the Volunteers redoubled their efforts, and put together a drive that ended in a 31 yard TD pass from QB Justin Worley. Needing a 2 point conversion to get within 3, Worley threw a crisp pass to his tight end Daniel Helm and before you knew it the score was 35-32. Then the Tennessee defense began pulling their weight and forced Georgia to punt on their ensuing drive. However, Georgia downed the punt deep in Tennessee territory. In the shadow of his own goal posts, running back Jalen Hurd mishandled the handoff and the ball bounced onto the turf. It was kicked backwards, and a Georgia defender dove onto the ball in the endzone for the easy score. (35-25 Georgia lead)
After shooting themselves in the foot, the Volunteer offense would have to score 10 points in the last 4 1/2 minutes of play to force overtime. Tennessee went as fast as they could, marched down the field in 2 minutes, and got back within 3 thanks to another TD pass from Worley. With just over 2 minutes left, Tennessee would have to go for the onside kick. They lined up a small wall of players on one side of the field and a bigger one on the other, and Georgia had no idea which way the kicker would bounce the ball. In a bit of trickery, the kicker booted the ball toward the smaller group, but Georgia still came up with the ball. The Bulldogs simply ran out the clock and coasted to a slim victory. Unfortunately, Tennessee has now lost 21 straight road games against ranked opponents.
Final Score: Georgia 35 Tennessee 32
2. Arkansas Razorbacks (Wild Boars) vs. Texas A&M Aggies (This is a common team name at "Ag" or agriculture schools)
This intriguing SEC matchup was played in imposing Dallas Cowboys stadium: the best venue in all of football.
This game was slated to be an offensive battle between Texas A&M's electric passing attack fueled by QB Kenny Hill and Arkansas' powerful rushing attack behind an offensive line with a heavier average weight than many NFL teams. Hill got off to a slower than usual start and his Aggies found themselves down by 14 to 21 at the half. The first drive of the second half for Texas A&M was unproductive, resulting in a punt. Arkansas went to work running the ball and capped off the drive with a touchdown on a play-action (fake hand-off) pass. A two touchdown lead for the Razorbacks and they were feeling happier than boars in a mud pit.
Then late in the third quarter, Arkansas had a chance to put it away. Strong running back Jonathan Williams busted up the middle for a 50+ yard gain down to the Aggies 1 yard line. Hold the phone! A Razorbacks offensive linemen was called for a personal foul and the run was erased. 3 plays later, Arkansas had to punt and the punter booted the ball to the Aggies' 14 yard line. Then, on the very next play Kenny Hill and his receiving core ignited their faithful fans with a 86 yard touchdown reception. The Aggies were back in it and within a touchdown. (28-21) The next 3 drives were inconsequential as neither offense could hit their stride. Then with just under 3 minutes to play, Arkansas needed to get only one more first down to run out the clock and walk away with a win. But they couldn't put the nail in the coffin and had to settle for a field goal attempt, which, if made, would also do the trick. Razorbacks kicker John Henson sighted in the target, but his foot failed him and the 44 yard try veered far to the left and fell harmlessly (hopefully) into the crowd. The year of the missed field goal continues.
Two plays later, the Aggies again made the Razorbacks pay dearly for a mistake and scored a 59 yard touchdown through the air. Soon it was overtime and Texas A&M got the ball first at their opponents 25 yard line before Arkansas would have their chance. On the first play of overtime, Hill looked left then fired another dazzling pass into the waiting arms of receiver Malcolm Kennedy for a 25 yard TD. Now it was Arkansas' turn to play from behind and they were as afraid as boars in the crosshairs of a hillbilly's shotgun. Their trusting running game failed them on first and second down and they had to pass on third down, which set up a last chance 4th and 2 play. The Aggies were ready though. The defensive line broke through the heavy lineman in front of them and the Razorbacks running back was swarmed in the backfield and stopped cold! Mark another win for the Aggies, who might just beat Alabama in a few weeks. Unless Ole Miss can beat them first...
Final Score: Texas A&M 35 Arkansas 28 (OT)
Top 4 Games to Watch: Week 6
1. No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide @ No. 11 Ole Miss (Mississippi) Rebels: 10/4 at 3:30 p.m. on CBS
This important game will be the site for the College Gameday pregame show and looks to be a thrilling game. Ole Miss has a real shot to beat that overrated Alabama team, which I would love to see happen. The Rebels have a great defense but their offense needs to start producing consistent drives early in the game to be able to pull off the upset at home. And don't worry, Alabama has 5 tough games left on their schedule and they are highly unlikely to win them all :)
My pick: Ole Miss. No surprise there!
2. No. 15 LSU Tigers @ No. 5 Auburn Tigers: 10/4 at 7 p.m. on ESPN
This battle between 2 teams of ferocious Tigers should be an exciting one. After last week's game against New Mexico State, LSU has given the starting quarterback job to Brandon Harris as he played far better than the original starter Anthony Jennings in the game. Harris better be ready to play because he will be facing Tigers both in the stands and on the field who will be out for blood in Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium.
My pick: Auburn
3. No. 14 Stanford Cardinal @ No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 10/4 at 3:30 p.m. on NBC
My pick: Notre Dame
4. No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners (think the first wave of pioneers trekking across the plains in covered wagons) @ No. 25 Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs
Will the balanced offense and determined defense of Oklahoma get them a comfortable win or will TCU's talented defense get the upper hand and provide their offense with a chance to win the game in front of a hopeful home crowd?
My Pick: TCU
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