Week 10

Week 10: One Step Closer to the Playoffs

Top 2 Most Exciting Games of the Week

Once again both of this week's Top Games to Watch fit nicely into this category

1.  TCU Horned Frogs @ West Virginia Mountaineers 

This game was as exciting as it was slated to be, but with fewer points than expected.  The game started with West Virginia scoring 13 unanswered points while the usually explosive TCU offense seemingly forgot the gunpowder at home.  Thankfully, the Horned Frogs found some gunpowder left under one of the sideline benches by the Mountaineers' musket-wielding human mascot, and fired off a touchdown drive.  The defenses ruled the 2nd half, with no points being scored.  Many people, myself included, were wondering why the wheels were coming off of these two high-powered offenses.  The 2nd half would be a different story.

On their first drive of the 2nd half, the Horned Frogs hopped down the field and took the lead on a 2 yard run by quarterback Trevone Boykin.  (14-13)  Then the Mountaineers regrouped and pushed the Horned Frogs' defense back until crossing the goal line on a 5 yard dash by one of their running backs.  West Virginia held the lead and now their defense needed to step up.  Usually sure-handed receiver Josh Doctson caught a pass from Boykin, but was stripped of the ball by cornerback Terrell Chestnut, who picked up the loose ball and ran it back for a touchdown.  The cluster of TCU fans who made the trip were trying to comprehend how the momentum had shifted so quickly.

Later in the 3rd quarter, TCU's offense was sparked by the play of running back B.J. Catalon who ended the drive with a 23 yard TD run.  Then, early in the final quarter, reliable kicker Josh Lambert gave West Virginia a 30-21 lead by making an easy 23 yard field goal.  The Horned Frogs responded again with a timely touchdown drive that was capped off by another dash by Catalon.  Thanks, to some way too conservative play-calls by West Virginia head coach Dana Holgerson, TCU would have 2 more chances to win it.

Getting the ball back a 2nd time with just over 2 minutes left, the Horned Frogs needed to make something happen.  The deep passing ability of Boykin finally revealed itself when he fired a pass to his receiver Kolby Listenbee for a 40 yard completion.  After 1 short pass completion and 3 runs by Catalon, the Horned Frogs were deep in Mountaineers' territory.  With 4 seconds remaining, TCU kicker Jaden Oberkrom nailed a 34 yard attempt right between the uprights and quieted the crown that had been as loud as a NASCAR race only a moment before.  The Horned Frogs had avenged the loss that they had suffered in similar fashion against Baylor.  TCU is still in the hunt for a spot in the first College Football Playoffs!

Final Score: TCU 31 West Virginia 30

2.  Auburn Tigers @ Ole Miss (Mississippi) Rebels

These two were ranked No. 3 and 4 respectively in the first ever rankings by the College Football Playoff Committee, and only the winner would remain among the 4 teams currently slated to take part in the playoffs.  Whichever team lost this one was going to be really disappointed.

The first quarter was just a taste of what was to come, with both teams scoring a touchdown.  In the second quarter, things began to heat up.  Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace marched his team down the field and finished the drive off when a screen pass to stand-out receiver Laquon Treadwell, who scampered into the endzone for a 10 yard TD.  But the Tigers were not about to let the game get out of hand.  Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall escaped the pocket, sidestepped a would-be tackler, and launched a pass to receiver Sammie Coates.  Two defenders converged on Coates, but the pass somehow made it past their outstretched hands and Sammie was soon standing in the endzone holding the ball.  However, the Rebels were not content with a tie heading into the half, and their offense sprinted down the field, setting up a 47 field goal which was made by kicker Gary Wunderlich.  The scoreboard read: Rebels 17, Tigers 14.

Ole Miss got the ball first in the 2nd half, but couldn't capitalize and had to punt the ball to Auburn. But Auburn did even worse, giving the ball back to Ole Miss at midfield after a 3 and out and a horrible punt.  The Rebels made them pay on the next play, as Wallace threw a short pass to tight end Evan Engram who ran 50 yards for a touchdown.  Auburn was down by 10 and on the ropes, but they just wouldn't quit. Thanks to a defensive stop, the Tigers took the lead by scoring 14 straight points on a TD run and a TD pass by Marshall. (28-24)

The Ole Miss offense got back on track and answered with a touchdown run by Wallace.  On the ensuing drive, Auburn was soon forced into a 3rd and long situation.  On 3rd down, Marshall fired an ill-advised pass towards Coates, and Sammie came down with it again, using his 200 pound frame to get between the defender and the ball.  6 plays later, Auburn regained the lead on a short run by powerful running back Cameron Artis-Payne.  (35-31)

Ole Miss would have 2 chances in the red zone (20 yards and closer to the endzone) to take the lead back.  The first time, Wallace had the ball on a 2nd and 1 play, was almost brought down for no gain, but unnecessarily fought for extra yardage, leaving himself vulnerable to a fumble.  That's just what happened: the Tigers clawed the ball loose and pounced on it.  However, Auburn only managed 1 first on their drive and had to punt.

The Rebels got the ball near midfield, and fought their way down to the 20 yard line.  Two plays later, tragedy struck.  Wallace threw a pass to Treadwell who caught it and broke through the defense.  But at the 5 yard line, Treadwell was tracked down from behind by a defender who landed on Treadwell's leg.  Treadwell's leg bent awkwardly as he fell forward, and Treadwell lost his grip on the football near the goal line.  Thinking it was a fumble, Auburn jumped on the ball. The play was called a touchdown, but Treadwell was on the ground in serious pain.  The Ole Miss fans chanted his name as he was eased onto a cart by the team's medical staff.  But the situation would get even worse, when the referees reviewed the play and discovered Treadwell had in fact fumbled before the ball crossed the goal line, rewarding Auburn with possession.

The fans watched in silence as the Tigers ran the clock out to end the game.  A tragic and horrible way to lose a game for the Rebels.  I pray Treadwell will have a quick and full recovery.

Final Score: Auburn 35 Ole Miss 31

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 11

1.  Ohio State Buckeyes @ Michigan State Spartans: 11/8 at 8 p.m. on ABC

Both teams come into this game with only 1 loss, and they can't afford another if they want to stay in the playoff discussion.  The last time these two teams met in Spartan Stadium, Ohio State walked away with a close win.  Can Head Coach Urban Meyer and his Buckeyes do it again, or will the Spartans be victorious as they were in last year's Big 10 Championship Game?

My pick: Ohio State!

2.  Kansas State Wildcats @ TCU Horned Frogs: 10/8 at 7:30 p.m. on Fox

Can TCU continue their winning ways against tough Big 12 Conference opponents, or will the Bill Snyder coached Wildcats leap into the championship discussion with a huge win?

My pick: TCU!  All of you should know that by now.