Rivalry Week 2017

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch

1. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide @ #6 Auburn Tigers 

A shocking statistic told by ESPN's Ryan McGee was that Head Coach Nick Saban had never fielded a team that had defeated an Auburn team with 9 or more wins.  And guess what?! Auburn was sitting on a 9-2 record coming into the game.  Would this time be any different?

It was definitely going to be a tough test for Alabama either way.  Auburn's offense was certainly dual-threat with quarterback Jarrett Stidham and running back Kerryon Johnson providing plenty of offensive firepower.
  

Both teams traded punts to open the game with Auburn having the third possession of the game.  The Tigers got the ball at their own 6 yard line, but they were undaunted by the long field in front of them. A 15 yard run by Kerryon Johnson got Auburn a 1st down and the Tigers soon followed that up with a 25 yard completion from Stidham to receiver Nate Craig-Myers.  Six plays later, Auburn had reached Alabama's 3 yard line but faced a 3rd down.  On the crucial play, was Kerryon lined up as quarterback and caught a shotgun snap.  He started to run towards the mass of defenders guarding the entrance to the end zone.  But he stopped suddenly, and like Tim Tebow did nearly 10 years ago, Johnson hopped into the air and threw a weak lob towards the back of the endzone.  Wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers was wide open and he caught the ball easily for the 1st touchdown of the game.

The next two drives ended in fumbles for both teams after which came a pair of three-and-outs. Alabama finally got on the board with their next possession which ended in a long TD pass by quarterback Jalen Hurts.  Eight and a half minutes of game clock later and Auburn tallied a field goal just before the half.

Tigers fans were thankful to be taking a 10-7 lead going into halftime, but the lead would soon be erased.  The Tide scored a touchdown only 5 plays into the 3rd quarter when top running back Bo Scarbrough cranked off a 21 yard scoring run.  Auburn responded by scoring a field goal on their ensuing drive and they were by no means done scoring in the game.

The next two possessions by the Tigers ended in touchdowns, much to the chagrin of Crimson Tide fans.  The first touchdown came on an one yard plunge by Kerryon Johnson the play AFTER he suffered a minor injury to his left arm.  (Talk about determination!)  Auburn's final points were scored when Stidham braved a goal line collision to score a 16 yard TD run.  Meanwhile, Alabama's offense sputtered repeatedly, the  result of poor play by the Tide and a stout Tigers defense.  

After all this, Auburn led 26-14, a lead that seemed safe oddly enough.  Alabama's last real chance to get back in the game was derailed by 2 botched snaps in a row, a pair of blunders that were downright comical.  

Excitement built steadily within Auburn's home stadium until the clock finally ran out and the fans flocked onto the field.

Final Score: Auburn 26, Alabama 14

With their 2nd upset of top ranked Alabama in the last 4 years, saying "Thank you, Auburn," just isn't enough.  I think I'm going to buy an Auburn T-shirt and shout "War Eagle!"

The one downside for Auburn was running back Kerryon Johnson suffered a right shoulder injury in the 4th quarter which could seriously hurt their chances of defeating Georgia in next week's SEC Championship Game. 

Additionally, something that detracted from my enjoyment of this game was the obviously pro-Alabama bias of CBS commentator Gary Danielson.  He was so biased that it irritated everyone I was watching the game with.  I thought this was CBS, not the Alabama Sports Network!  Ok, rant over.

2. #2 Clemson Tigers @ #24 South Carolina Gamecocks 

Clemson defeated South Carolina in dominating fashion in last year's Battle for the Palmetto State 56-7.  South Carolina was itching to repay Clemson with a loss that would ruin their chances for a 2nd straight national championship.

Clemson failed to score any points in the first quarter but the defense picked up the slack when defensive back Ryan Carter intercepted a pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers offense got going in the second quarter when they mounted a successful drive that ended with a short touchdown run by running back Tavien Feaster.  Then Clemson extended their lead when quarterback Kelly Bryant connected on a touchdown pass to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.  (Renfrow caught the winning touchdown in the Tigers' championship win over Alabama last January).  Holding a 21-0 lead at the half, the Tigers made sure the Gamecocks wouldn't even smell a hint of a comeback.  Bryant again found Renfrow for a touchdown pass early in the third quarter, putting Clemson up 27-0.  A touchdown run by freshman sensation Travis Etienne rounded out the scoring for the powerful Clemson Tigers.  South Carolina scored 10 meaningless points in the 4th quarter to make the score look a little .better but everyone in the stadium knew the Tigers were still Kings of the Palmetto State.

Final Score: Clemson 34, South Carolina 10

Most Exciting Game of the Week 

USF Bulls @ #15 UCF Knights

Arguably the most important late season football game in Florida was this contest between rivals Central Florida and South Florida.  The winner would keep their hopes of reaching a major bowl game alive.

The first 3 1/2 quarters of this game were quite thrilling, but it was the end of the game that was truly spectacular.

In the waning stages of the game, UCF had the ball and a one point lead with four minutes left.  The first 3rd down of their drive came up quickly, but the Knights converted it thanks to a pass interference penalty on the Bulls.  Two plays later, UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton completed a deep pass to wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith for 30 yards.  

A screen pass was called on the following play and receiver Otis Anderson took it in for a 23 yard touchdown.

Only 2 minutes remained, meaning that the UCF defense just needed to play disciplined and victory would be theirs.  But it soon became apparent that Central Florida needs to work on their defensive awareness.  On the 2nd play of the drive, USF star quarterback Quinton Flowers lofted a long pass to receiver Darnell Salomon who caught it and raced into the endzone for a 83 yard touchdown.  USF scored a two point conversion using a nifty pass and the game was tied.

Hardly any time had elapsed on the clock so Central Florida still had 1 1/2 minutes to respond.  UCF kick returner Mike Hughes received the ensuing kickoff.  The announcers had said multiple times how dangerous a returner Hughes was, but he had yet to show it.

But at this pivotal moment, when his team needed him most, Hughes delivered.  He caught the ball at the 5 yard line halfway between the sidelines.  Hughes initially followed the pathway his blockers made for him.  Then he dodged left, then left again, before outrunning the kicker on the way to a jaw-dropping 95 yard touchdown. 

A few UCF players followed Hughes into the endzone while everyone on the Central Florida sideline celebrated with wild abandon.  

Of course, USF still had time to work some late-game magic, but UCF soon forced a fumble and recovered, guaranteeing their victory.

I've got to say that this exhilarating ending proves how epic rivalry week is.

Final Score: UCF 49, USF 42

Top 2 Championship Games to Watch

1.  ACC Championship: #1 Clemson Tigers vs. #7 Miami Hurricanes

Will Clemson prove once again they can beat the best of the best or will Miami snatch an upset win and their first ever ACC Championship?

My pick: Clemson!

2. Big Ten Championship: #4 Wisconsin Badgers vs. #8 Ohio State Buckeyes

Three years ago, Ohio State obliterated Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten title game, allowing them to leapfrog other teams and sneak into the playoffs.  The Buckeyes would capture the National Champion that year.

Will Ohio State come up with another dominating performance and unexpectedly jump into the playoffs?  Or will Wisconsin show that their undefeated regular season was no fluke?

My pick: My heart says Ohio State but my brain says Wisconsin.