Week 6 2015

Result of Last Week's Game to Watch

1.  #23 California Golden Bears @ #5 Utah Utes 

By and large, Utah was in control through most of this game.  The only time Cal had the lead was late in the 1st quarter when quarterback Jared Goff completed a 35 yard TD pass.  The rest of Goff's night was little short of a disaster as the stingy Utah defense intercepted 5 of his passes.  Some of the interceptions weren't bad passes, but the Utah secondary was playing at the top of their game and came up big Saturday night.  Even after all those turnovers, Utah couldn't manage to deliver a knockout blow to Cal.  Fortunately for the Utes, their exceptional running back Devontae Booker delivered a spectacular 222 yard, 2 TD performance that gave his defense enough cushion to be able stifle a comeback attempt with under a minute left.

Final Score: Utah 30 California 24 

With this win, Utah controls its own destiny to win the PAC 12 Conference and get into the playoffs.

Most Exciting Game of the Week

#2 TCU Horned Frogs @ Kansas State Wildcats

(I was right to pick this one as a "Game to Watch")

If you remember from the Week 4 post, TCU survived a trip to Texas Tech thanks to a tipped pass that was caught in the endzone with only 20 seconds left.  This game would be just as exciting.

Due to 3 unanswered touchdowns by the Wildcats late in the 2nd quarter, the Horned Frogs found themselves trailing by 18 points.  TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson must have said something motivating because the Horned Frogs came out for the 2nd half ready to mount a comeback.  

Kansas State got the ball first to begin the 3rd quarter, but that ended up being very good for TCU.  On the 4th play of the drive, Horned Frogs defensive back Derrick Kindred intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown.  On the ensuing Kansas State drive, TCU forced a punt and gave the ball to their explosive offense.  9 plays later, the Horned narrowed the deficit to 35-31 on a short TD run by running back Aaron Green.  Following 4 uneventful possessions, Kansas State got the ball and began a 10 play drive that resulted in a touchdown.  TCU now trailed 31-42, but there was still plenty of time left.  The Horned Frogs responded quickly with a drive one play longer that ended when outstanding quarterback Trevone Boykin reached around the pylon for a touchdown!

TCU went for 2 but failed, leaving the score 42-37.  The Horned Frogs' defense forced another punt and Boykin soon had the ball in his hands again.  On an option play, Boykin found a gaping hole in the defense and sprinted 69 yards for another TD!  The Horned Frogs went for 2 again, but this time they made it, giving themselves a 3 point lead.  

The Wildcats had given up a huge lead but they were not content to fade quietly into that dark night.  They mounted an 8 play drive that ended in a field goal with a minute and a half left.  The score was now tied and the game looked to be headed for overtime.  But could the Horned Frogs score fast enough to avoid the pressure of overtime?  The answer was a definitive "Yes!"  On the 2nd play of the drive, Boykin lofted a long pass to his best receiver Josh Doctson who was wide open.  Doctson caught it easily and sauntered nonchalantly into the endzone.  Minutes later, the TCU players were celebrating another razor-thin victory.  

Final Score: TCU 52 Kansas State 45

Who needs a good defense when your awesomely spectacular offense can outscore any opponent you face, right?  Through 6 games, Boykin has thrown for over 2,100 yards and 21 touchdowns, Doctson has caught 50 passes for 10 touchdowns, and Green has run for over 600 yards and 8 touchdowns.  What more do you need?

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 7

1. #7 Michigan State Spartans @ #12 Michigan Wolverines:  10/17 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN

The storied Michigan program has decreased in prominence in recent years, a trend that has completely turned around this year.  Jim Harbaugh, whom NFL fans will recognize as the former coach of the 49ers, has taken over as the Head Coach.  Harbaugh's notoriety as a successful NFL coach and the fact that he played quarterback at Michigan in the 80's has helped to create sky-high expectations for the Wolverines.  Amazingly, Harbaugh's Wolverines have met those expectations, clawing their way to a 5-1 record.  Their lone loss was to the vaunted Utah Utes and they have shut out 3 opponents in a row!  Even though Michigan State is a Top 10 team, the Spartans struggled to defeat an underwhelming Rutgers team last week.  The final fact that makes my pick for this game easy is the game will be played in Ann Arbor, where over 100,000 Michigan fans will be cheering on their Wolverines.

My pick: Michigan

#17 Iowa Hawkeyes @ #20 Northwestern Wildcats:  10/17 at Noon on ABC/ESPN2

Will the Wildcats bounce back from their 38-0 drubbing at the hands of Michigan with a big win at home or will the Hawkeyes remain unbeaten after a solid performance on the road?

My pick: Iowa