Week 8

Week 8

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch

1.  Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Florida State Seminoles

This game lived up to all the hype and could be considered the best game of this season so far. Quarterback Everett Golson and the Notre Dame offense played smart, disciplined football on their way to 17 first half points.  The Notre Dame defense held their own as well, holding Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (who has had a large amount of off the field issues) and his offense to only 10 points.  In the 2nd half, Winston willed his team to 2 touchdowns, while Notre Dame managed just 1.  With the score now tied at 24, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly knew it was crucial his team had to score, and fast!  After the teams traded punts, Notre Dame drove into Florida State territory, but the drive stalled at the 29 yard line.  Kicker Kyle Brindza converted the 46 yard field goal, but the failure to get a touchdown on that drive would come back to haunt the Irish.  When the Seminoles got the ball back, they did not make such a mistake, as running back Carlos Williams punched it in for the touchdown from a yard out (see above).  

Down by 4, Notre Dame failed to score on their next drive and had to wait until just under two minutes left to have another chance.  The Fighting Irish quickly were backed into a corner, as they were faced with a nearly impossible 4th and 18.  However, Golson had another miracle up his sleeve throwing a perfect pass to quality receiver Corey Robinson for a first down.  Fast forward 8 plays, Notre Dame was faced with another last chance opportunity on 4th and Goal from the 2.  Golson slings a pass to a wide-open Corey Robinson for the apparent go-ahead score.  But wait, Notre Dame was called for a rare offensive pass interference penalty, as a Notre Dame receiver had forcebly impeded a Florida State defender from covering Robinson. The Irish players and coaches vehemently argued against the penalty, but after having seen the replay I am 90% sure the referees made the right call.  Backed up 15 yards to the 17 yard line, Golson threw a long desperation pass that was intercepted in the endzone.  A Florida State victory was assured.  The Seminoles still haven't lost a game in two years.... Sigh....  :(

Final Score: Florida State 31 Notre Dame 27

2.  Kansas State Wildcats @ Oklahoma State Cowboys (The Game That Didn't Happen)

I misread last week's schedule and in reality it was really Kansas State at the Oklahoma Sooners. OOPS!  Well my pick of Oklahoma State over Kansas State wasn't right, but it sure wasn't wrong! 

If you're wondering how Oklahoma State really did, they were bitten by the Horned Frogs of TCU and lost 42-9.

Most Exciting Games of the Week

1.  Kansas State Wildcats @ Oklahoma Sooners

After the loss to TCU two weeks ago, Oklahoma needed to win the rest of their games to remain in the College Football Playoff discussion.  However, they would have to notch a win over a tough Kansas State team coached by one of the best active coaches in college football, Bill Snyder (see above).  He has been coaching Kansas State for many years and always seems to have his team in contention for the Big 12 Conference title.  In a smart move, Kansas State renamed their stadium after him a few years ago.  He would have his team ready for this game.

The 1st half was certainly no sleeper as Jake Waters and the Kansas State offense battled against Trevor Knight and the Oklahoma offense for control of the game.  At the half, the Wildcats led 21-17, thanks in part to a defensive stop late in the 2nd quarter.  The Wildcats got the ball first in the 2nd half and managed 3 points on that drive.  Then, Trevor Knight ignited the crowd by leading a touchdown drive capped off by a pass to tight end/running quarterback Blake Bell.  (Score: 24 all)

Needing points to regain the lead and the momentum, Waters and running back DeMarcus Robinson worked together to lead their team down the field with a balanced mix of running and passing plays. Waters finished it off with a 4 yard TD run and the Wildcats were back up by 7.  However, Oklahoma responded with touchdown drive of their own on the first possession of the 4th quarter. Unfortunately for the Sooners, the usually automatic extra point didn't pan out that way and it was blocked.  The scoreboard now showed a 1 point lead for the Wildcats, and the Sooners were on unsteady ground.  

Kansas State was forced to punt on their next drive, and Oklahoma had a chance to take the lead and possibly control of the game.  After two straight connections between Knight and top receiver Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma ran the ball 7 times in a row for a total of 47 yards, setting up a 1st and Goal from the 4.  The kept it on the ground and ran 3 more running plays, but they only gained a total of 2 yards.  Having failed to score a touchdown, the Sooners would have to settle for a short field goal attempt.  The memory of the blocked extra point filled the mind of kicker Michael Hunnicutt and fear crept in as well.  From only 19 yards out, Hunnicutt shanks the ball terribly and misses way to the left.  The year of the missed (short) field goal continues and the crowd moaned in disappointment and frustration.  Their mood worsens as they watch the Wildcats run out the clock and spoil their remaining national championship hopes. Another quality win for Coach Snyder.

 

Final Score: Kansas State 31 Oklahoma 30

2. Purdue Boilermakers (think workers making boilers for steam trains back in the day) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Purdue coaches are having to rebuild and energize the program after a 1 win season last year. Although Purdue has a losing record this year as well, they are showing sign of improvement, and in a couple years they should no longer be on the bottom rung of the Big 10 Conference.

In this game, Purdue came out with a bit more energy and determination than the home team did and built a 31-20 halftime lead.  But the Minnesota players were not about to let Purdue ruin their spotless Big 10 Conference record.  On the first drive of the 3rd quarter, Minnesota's usually methodical offense scored a touchdown in only 6 plays, but their attempt to get within 3 on a 2 point conversion failed.  After a defensive stop by the Gophers on defense, quarterback Mitch Leidner completed a 45 yard pass and running back David Cobb ran for 16 yard on the next play to set up 1st and Goal. However, just like Oklahoma they couldn't punch it in, bringing the score to 31-29 with Purdue leading.  

With a sense of urgency, the Boilermakers' offense, led by quarterback Austin Appleby, went down the field as fast as a steam engine and scored a touchdown in only 3 plays.  Knowing they needed to respond quickly, Minnesota lets the opportunity slip away and goes 3 and out.  The punt gives Purdue great field position, but Minnesota's defense bands together to force a 3 and out.  Thankful to get the ball back, Leidner completes a 3rd down pass to get a much needed first down.   Then, on the next play, Leidner fires a 37 pass for a touchdown, which energizes the fans.  

Little happens early in the 4th quarter as the teams combine for 3 punts.  The Gophers get the ball with 8 minutes remaining, and thanks to a personal foul penalty combined with some strong running by Cobb, they burrow their way to the 35 yard line.  On 4th down, Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill decides to send out the kicking unit.  Kicker Ryan Santoso, unlike his counterpart in Oklahoma, becomes a hero by nailing the field goal from 52 yards out.  The Gophers possessed their first lead since the 2nd quarter, 39 to 38.  And that's all they would need to grab a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 9

1.  No. 20 University of Southern California (USC) Trojans @ No. 19 Utah Utes: 10/25 at 10 p.m. on Fox Sports 1 

(record this one)

Will Utah feed off the energy of their home crowd to gain the victory or will USC's electric offense rule the day?

My pick: Utah

2. No. 13 Ohio State Buckeyes at Penn State Nittany Lions: 10/25 at 8 p.m. on ABC

Will Ohio State's dominant offense, which has vastly improved in the last 3 weeks, turn this game into a blowout?  Or maybe the Penn State fans and quarterback Christian Hackenburg will say: "Not so fast!" 

My pick: Ohio State of course!