Week 6 2016

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch

 

1. #25 Virginia Tech Hokies @ #17 North Carolina Tar Heels

This game was played in the rain generated from the remnants of Hurricane Matthew. Why they didn't move the game to Sunday, I have no idea.

Whether it was just the rainy conditions or something else, the North Carolina offense was terrible.  This was surprising for no other reason than the fact that the Virginia Tech offense managed to be productive.  Virginia Tech quarterback Jarrod Evans threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for one, helping the Hokies to gain twice as many yards as the Tar Heels.  North Carolina scored a whopping 3 points and their early success in the ACC has come to a close.

Final Score: Virginia Tech 27 North Carolina 3

2.  #1 Alabama Crimson Tide @ #16 Arkansas Razorbacks 

Arkansas had to play a great game to beat the Tide and they couldn't muster anything close.  The Razorbacks showed a short burst of life when quarterback Austin Allen found tight end Jeremy Sprinkle for a touchdown to shrink Alabama's early lead to 14-7.  Other than that, Arkansas looked like they were sleepwalking, at least in the first half.  At one point, an Alabama running back looked like he was going to be forced out of bounds.  But the running back stayed in bounds and ran past 3 Arkansas defenders who did little more than stand around.  The Alabama Pain Train, belching smelly diesel fumes into the air, chugs on.

Final Score: Alabama 49 Arkansas 30

Most Exciting Game of the Week 

#9 Tennessee Volunteers @ #8 Texas A&M Aggies 

In four out of five of their previous games, the Volunteers have had to overcome sizable halftime deficits, sometimes as large as 21 points, in order to win.  They even needed a miraculous ending to walk away with a victory against Georgia last week.  The general consensus was that Tennessee's string of come from behind victories would be ended in the confines of Texas A&M's massive Kyle Field.

As expected the Volunteers fell behind early, trailing 21-7 at the half.  Things looked even more bleak for Tennessee when A&M running back Traveon Williams lengthened the lead with a 7 yard TD run early in the 3rd quarter.

But as usual, when backed against the wall, the Volunteers become ferocious.  On Tennessee's 2nd drive of the quarter, 3 excellent completions by quarterback Josh Dobbs got the Volunteers into the red zone.  Then, starting tailback Alvin Kamara, normally the backup, ripped off a 15 yard touchdown run that ignited the hope of Tennessee fans.  

The momentum for Tennessee slowed until five minutes into the final quarter when they began a long drive.  Dobbs threw a mix of short and screen passes that were effective in moving the ball slowly yet surely down the field.  On the 13th play of the drive, running back John Kelly powered into the endzone.  Incredibly, the Volunteers were mounting another comeback.

However, the Aggies appeared to shut the door when quarterback Trevor Knight knifed through the Volunteers defense on a thrilling 62 yard TD run.  Just over 3 minutes remained on the clock, and it seemed for just a moment that Tennessee's late game magic had run out.  But Dobbs and the offense would have none of that and kicked into overdrive.

Tennessee sped down the field, and after a screen pass to Kamara that netted 36 yards, Kamara bull rushed his way into the endzone with 2 minutes left in the game.

All Tennessee needed was a defensive stop to keep hope alive.  On the second play of the Aggies' ensuing drive, it looked like it was all over.  Williams darted through a hole in the defense and raced unimpeded toward the endzone.  At the last possible moment, defensive back Malik Foreman caught up to Williams and knocked the ball loose! Tennessee would gain possession of the ball in the mad scramble, giving the Volunteers the ball at their own 25 yard line.  Working the no huddle offense to perfection, Dobbs guided his team down into the redzone after only 5 plays.  On the following play, Dobbs got the ball to Kamara via a pass and watched as his teammate scored the game tying touchdown. 

When Texas A&M got the ball back, forty one seconds were still on the clock: plenty of time to set up a field goal attempt.  A run by Williams and two completions of 20+ yards by Knight later, the Aggies were getting ready to kick a potential game winning 38 yard field goal.  Tennessee players knelt down and hoped for another lucky break.  A&M kicker Daniel LaCamera shanked it hard to the left and the Volunteers celebrated.  Overtime loomed large.

Tennessee and Texas A&M each scored a field goal in the first overtime, necessitating a 2nd extra period.   The Aggies got the ball first in the second overtime and went to work. On 2nd and 10, Knight fired a laser of a pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk who caught it a yard short of the goal line.  Knight pushed his way into the endzone on the next play and Tennessee was backed up against the wall again.  Needing a touchdown to extend the game, Dobbs tried to get it all on the first play.  He fired a long pass toward the endzone, but it was intercepted by Texas A&M safety Armani Watts.

The win sealed, the Aggies ran onto the field to celebrate a hard fought victory.

Final Score: Texas A&M  45 Tennessee 38

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 7

1.  #2 Ohio State Buckeyes @ #8 Wisconsin Badgers: 10/18 at 8 p.m. on ABC

Will the Buckeyes continue their trouncing of opponents large and small or will the Badgers eke out their third upset win of the year?

My pick: Ohio State 

2.  North Carolina State Wolfpack @ #3 Clemson Tigers: 10/18 at Noon on ABC

Will Clemson follow up on their thrilling defeat of Louisville two weeks ago with another victory over a quality ACC foe or will NC State grab a season defining upset of one of the best teams in college football? 

My pick: Clemson

Extra Point

Kent State Golden Flashes @ Buffalo Bulls

Back home for the start of Mid American Conference play, the Bulls were confident they could get their season back on track.  Unfortunately, Kent State running back Nick Holley, and his offensive line, decided it was high time he had a career day.  Holley used the ample space his blockers gave him to rush for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Buffalo did show good offensive improvement, though.  Quarterback Tyree Jackson threw for 250 yards and a touchdown, but it was not enough.

Final Score: Kent State 44 Buffalo 20