Week 10 2017

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch 

1.  #13 Virginia Tech Hokies @ #10 Miami Hurricanes

A pivotal contest for control of the ACC Coastal Division, this game started off slowly but would end up providing plenty of back-and-forth style action.  After a scoreless 1st quarter, Miami opened the scoring in the 2nd when quarterback Malik Rozier found the sure-handed Braxton Barrios for a 8 yard TD completion.  Minutes later, the Hurricanes extended their lead when running back Travis Homer tore through a hole in the line and sped down the field for a long TD run.

Virginia Tech's only points of the 1st half came on a great 50 yard field goal by reliable kicker Joey Slye.

Sloppy play by Miami in the opening stages of the 2nd half would help Virginia Tech cut into their 14-3 lead.  Early on in Miami's first possession, Rozier threw an ill-advised pass that was intercepted and returned deep into Hurricanes' territory.  Five plays later, the Hokies found the endzone on a short touchdown run by freshman quarterback Justin Jackson.   Showing his inexperience, Rozier tossed another interception on the ensuing Miami drive, giving Virginia Tech a golden opportunity to take the lead and capture all the momentum. 

The Hokies made a couple first downs but were eventually forced into a 4th down by the determined Hurricane defense.  Virginia Tech elected to go for it, but a lost fumble on the all-important play ended any chance to keep the drive alive.  Miami grabbed control of the game two plays later when Rozier got back on track with a long completion to receiver Christopher Herndon IV that went for a touchdown.

From here on out, the Hurricane defense was the star of the show, sending the Hokies' offense into a tailspin.

Three of the next five Virginia Tech drives ended in turnovers, showing that the Miami defense had clearly gotten in their opponents' heads.  Miami added another touchdown in the 4th quarter, a touchdown run by Rozier to make sure yet another W could be stamped onto their record.

With this convincing victory, Miami remains undefeated, making next week's clash with Notre Dame into a playoff elimination game!

Final Score: Miami 27, Virginia Tech 10 

Most Exciting Game of the Week 

1.  #6 Oklahoma Sooners @ #11 Oklahoma State Cowboys 

This rivalry game is known simply as Bedlam and it certainly lived up to its name. Defensive coordinators on both sides were shaking their heads the entire day as veteran quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph and their corps of receivers sliced through opposing defenses like they were cutting through tin foil. Mayfield finished with 2 yards shy of 600 yards passing, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

His top target was Marquise Brown who caught 2 touchdowns and finished with 265 yards receiving on just 9 catches.

Rudolph's numbers were not too shabby either: he finished him with 448 yards passing, with a 5 touchdowns versus 2 interceptions.

As usual his favorite receiver was James Washington who caught 7 passes for 128 yards and the touchdown.

The best stat to describe how much of a shootout this game was the box score for the 2nd quarter, which showed that 28 points were scored by each team. Oklahoma State used their 28 2nd quarter points to bring the score to a 38-38 tie at the half.  The scoring slowed way down in the 3rd, with the only points being 10 for the Sooners.  Not about to let the game end in uninspiring fashion, the Cowboys fought back with yet more touchdown drives.  An Oklahoma touchdown scored in between meant the score was 55-52 in the Sooners' favor. 

With the 4th quarter clock ticking towards 00:00, the Cowboys started on a drive that could have given them the lead.  However, Oklahoma State was soon forced into a last chance 4th and 8.  On the play that decided the game, Rudolph lofted a deep pass toward receiver Tyron Johnson, going for a touchdown rather than just the first down.  Johnson was open in the endzone, but Rudolph's pass was too long, the ball sailing harmlessly out of the field of play.  Certainly unexpected, giving how well Rudolph had played all day.  Oklahoma State fans shook their heads in defeat, realizing that their team had missed yet another opportunity to defeat Oklahoma in a ranked matchup.  

Oklahoma scored a touchdown on a long run by Trey Sermon 2 plays later and victory for the Sooners was assured.

Looking back into the Cowboys' troubled history in games against the Sooners, I offer my sincerest condolences for their heartbreaking loss.

Final Score: Oklahoma 62, Oklahoma State 52

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 11

1.   #7 TCU Horned Frogs @ #5 Oklahoma Sooners 

 

Will Oklahoma return home after a nailbiting victory over Oklahoma State and beat the Horned Frogs, cementing their status as the best team in the conference?  Or will TCU's solid defense and their offense that is capable of being explosive be enough to upset Oklahoma and vault themselves up to the top spot in the Big 12? 

My pick: TCU (team loyalty definitely factored into my decision) 

2.  #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ #9 Miami Hurricanes 

Yet again Miami is featured in this section, as they face their toughest opponent yet in Notre Dame.  Will the Fighting Irish prove they belong in the top 4 by coming down to South Florida and conquering the undefeated Hurricanes?  Or will Miami keep their hopes of an undefeated season alive with a win that would jump them up into the top echelon of playoff contenders?

My pick: Notre Dame

Extra Point 

Texas Longhorns @ #8 (at the time) TCU Horned Frogs   

Even though more than 100 combined points are scored in some games in the Big 12 Conference, others are (relatively) low-scoring affairs like this one.  The Horned Frogs built a 17-0 lead on a pair of Kyle Hicks touchdown runs and a short field goal by kicker Jonathan Song.  The Longhorns responded with a quick touchdown drive but that would be their only points of the game.  The TCU defense smothered the Texas offense the rest of the way, not allowing more than one 1st down on any the rest of Texas' possessions.   Darius Anderson extended the Horned Frogs' lead with a 31 yard touchdown run late in the 4th quarter to seal the win.  This was a much-needed victory after last week's loss to Iowa State, giving them the confidence to potentially trip up the Sooners next Saturday.

Final Score: TCU 24, Texas 7