Week 14

Week 14

Result of Last Week's #1 Game to Watch

Northern Illinois Huskies @ Western Michigan Broncos

The weather for this game that would decide the MAC West Division title was cold and snowy, but which team would avoid the chill of defeat?  Midway through the 2nd quarter it looked like the Broncos would trample the Huskies and run away with the game.  Western Michigan held a 21 to 7 lead and had shut down the Huskies' offense since their first drive. Thankfully, the Huskies managed to kick a field goal before halftime to shrink the Broncos' lead to 11.  The Huskies came out after halftime looking like a different team, as the defense forced punts and turnovers and the offense capitalized on those opportunities.  Northern Illinois scored 2 touchdowns on a 4th down run by wide receiver Akeem Daniels (see below) and a short run by quarterback Drew Hare.  The Huskies now had a 24-21 lead and the defense would have to protect that lead.  The Huskies' defense forced a 3 and out early in the 4th quarter, but their teammates on offense failed to get any points after a missed field goal on the ensuing drive.  The Northern Illinois defense would have to come up with another defensive stop. They did one better as linebacker Sean Folliard simultaneously sacked the Broncos quarterback and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Huskies.  Northern Illinois would seal the win with a late touchdown and walk away with a 31-21 win and their 5th straight division title.  This week they will prepare to avenge last year's MAC Championship Game loss to Bowling Green.

Final Score: Northern Illinois 31 Western Michigan 21

Most Exciting Game of the Week

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ Georgia Bulldogs

This yearly rivalry game is always heated, but this year's version would have both coaching staffs shaking their heads in disbelief at some point in the game.

After 3 quarters chock full of turnovers and missed opportunities, the game was tied up at 14. Georgia settled for a field goal on a promising drive early in the 4th quarter.  The Yellow Jackets responded with a 13 play, 7 minute long TD drive that showcased the effectiveness of Georgia Tech's triple option offense in taking control of a game.  The Yellow Jackets held a 21-17 lead and got ready to kickoff.  Instead of kicking the ball toward a talented kick returner, the coaching staff elected to kick it short to the Bulldogs' 30 yard line where it would be caught by a Georgia blocker. Unfortunately, the Georgia blocker failed to remember the need to CATCH THE BALL and instead let a Yellow Jackets' player catch it.  Consequently, the kickoff actually functioned like an onside kick, and the Yellow Jackets kept possession of the ball.  The Georgia special teams coach most likely wanted to whack that player on the helmet with a clipboard.

At any rate, all Georgia Tech needed to do was to run out most or all of the clock.  The Yellow Jackets got a 1st down but soon were in a 3rd and 12 situation 2 plays later. Instead of doing the smart thing and calling a run play to set up a manageable field goal attempt, the Georgia Tech coaches foolishly called a pass play.  From the start of the play, quarterback Justin Thomas was under heavy duress.  He rolled out to the right and as he was winding up to throw the ball away, the ball slipped out of his fingers and landed on the turf where it was recovered by the Bulldogs.  Thomas could not even look as the Bulldogs drove down the field and scored a touchdown on 4th and Goal with 18 seconds left.  (24-21)

Usually, that would be the last significant play of the game, but this day was different. Georgia also elected to kick it short, but a good return by a Georgia Tech blocker set up the offense in very good field position.  Thomas faked like he was going to pass but instead ran right up the middle and cut to the left, stepping out of bounds at the Bulldogs' 36 yard line with 4 seconds left.  Kicker Harrison Butker came out onto the field to attempt a 53 yard kick that would be his career long if he made it. With the entire stadium seemingly holding their breath, Butker nailed the kick right down the middle, with only an inch to spare over the crossbar.  The Yellow Jackets erupted in celebration as they were miraculously heading to overtime.

Georgia Tech got the ball first and scored a touchdown with ease on running back Zach Laskey's 3rd touchdown of the game against a tired and frustrated Georgia defense.  But the routine extra point was blocked, meaning a touchdown and a extra point would win the game for the Bulldogs.  The Bulldogs soon were getting close to doing just that as they had a 2nd and Goal at the 9.  Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason dropped back and fired a pass toward the endzone, but Georgia Tech defensive back D.J. White stepped in front of the intended receiver and intercepted the pass.  The Yellow Jackets' players and coaches rushed the field with pure happiness and reveled in the victory that can only be described as a miracle.

Final score: Georgia Tech 30 Georgia 24 (OT)

Top 3 Games to Watch: Championship Week

1.  Oregon Ducks vs Arizona Wildcats: 12/5 at 9 p.m. on FOX

This Championship Game is a rematch of a regular season game earlier this year in which the Wildcats pulled off a huge upset of the Ducks, which I covered.  Will the Wildcats claw their way to another upset or will the Quack Attack (I came up with with this name all by myself) be victorious?

My pick: Arizona

2.  Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Florida State Seminoles: 12/6 at 8 p.m. on ABC

Florida State's last 6 wins have been downright unimpressive, achieving close victories against teams they should have dominated.  It is high time for someone to finally beat them and teach them that championships aren't won in such a fashion.  Will the Yellow Jackets sting the Seminoles by handing them their first loss in 2 years?  Or will the Seminoles eke out another win that they don't deserve?

My pick: Georgia Tech

3.  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers: 12/6 at 8:15 p.m. on FOX

During a hard-fought victory in a rivalry game against Michigan, the Buckeyes lost their 2nd Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback this year.  They lost Braxton Miller before the season even began and J.T. Barrett broke his ankle in the game versus Michigan.  Now it falls to 3rd string quarterback Cardale Jones to lead his team in the Big Ten Championship.  Head Coach Urban Meyer and the rest of the Buckeyes' play callers will have to call just the right plays to help Jones get comfortable in the game.  Will Jones have a breakout performance and complement Ohio State's run game to overcome a talented Wisconsin team.  Or will Wisconsin hand Ohio State their 2nd straight loss in the Big 10 Championship Game?

My pick: Ohio State 

Week 13

Week 13

Most Exciting Game of the Week

1.  Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Nebraska Cornhuskers

This game would decide which of these 2 teams would remain in the running for the Big Ten Championship and which would fall to the wayside.  

The 1st quarter ended with the teams tied at 7, but the 2nd quarter would feature an unusual scoring play.  On a drive that began on the first play of the quarter, Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. and running back Ameer Abdullah teamed up to lead their offense to the Minnesota 18 yard line. Then, on the 8th play of the drive, Armstrong threw a pass to a receiver for an 18 yard touchdown. The Golden Gophers got the ball and proceeded to burrow their way down the field, relying on the running skills of quarterback Mitch Leidner and starting running back David Cobb.  However, after moving the chains 4 times, the Nebraska defense caught on to their opponent's strategy and forced Minnesota into a field goal situation.  Kicker Ryan Santoso lined up for an easy 30 yard attempt.  The ball is snapped, the hold is perfect, but the kick is blocked by a Nebraska defender!  The ball flips awkwardly through the air and is picked up by defensive back Nate Gerry who picks up a wall of friendly blockers and runs it back 85 yards for the touchdown.  The teams traded punts and soon halftime was reached.  The Cornhuskers held a 21-7 lead heading into the half where seasons are made or lost.

Nebraska got the ball first in the 2nd half, but wasted the opportunity as Armstrong got sacked 2 times within the first 3 plays.  The ensuing punt netted only 25 yards, due to a relatively short punt and a good return.  1 run by Leidner and 3 by Cobb got the ball into the endzone.  Unfortunately, Cobb injured his hamstring on the TD run.  The Gophers would have to continue their comeback without the player who generates 40% of their total offense.  Only a determined team effort could make up for his absence.

Seeing their lead cut in half, the Nebraska offense responded with a drive in which 8 rushes by Abdullah and his backup Amari Cross, got the ball into the red zone.  But the Minnesota defense clamped down, and forced a 4th down.  Kicker Drew Brown hit his 30 yard field goal, and the Cornhuskers had stretched their lead to 10.  The Gophers had to respond but in order to do so the 2nd and 3rd string running backs, Donnell Kirkwood and Rodrick Williams Jr., would have to give their all.  They did just that, and the run threat for Minnesota seemed just as dangerous as before.  5 combined runs by Kirkwood and Williams complemented by 2 key passes by Leidner, set the Gophers up with a 4 and 1 at the Cornhuskers' 18 yard line.   Minnesota Head Coach Jerry Kill decided to roll the dice, and kept the offense on the field.  The gamble paid off with a skillful TD run by Williams. Nebraska's lead had now shrunk to 4, but their offense was held down by conservative play calling and they were held scoreless in their next 2 drives.  

With 8 minutes left, the Gophers got the ball and set their sights on the endzone.  They were almost denied by the Nebraska defense, but captured the momentum thanks to a clutch (football speak meaning timely) pass from Leidner to receiver KJ Maye.  5 plays later, Minnesota got the touchdown they were looking for on a short run by Leidner.  The Gophers now had a 28-24 lead with only 3 minutes remaining.  Finally, the Nebraska coaching staff started calling some bold passing plays and soon they got the ball down to the Minnesota 30 yard line.  Looking for the win, quarterback Armstrong completed a great pass to one of his receivers at the 5 yard line.  The receiver turned around to attempt to reach the goal line, but at the last second a Minnesota defender knocks the ball loose and recovers it to seal the win. (see below)  Much to the dismay of Cornhuskers fans, the Gophers won for the first time in Nebraska since 1960.  It's as if the Gophers scurried into the cornfield and ate all the corn.

Final Score: Minnesota 28 Nebraska 24

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 14

1.  Northern Illinois Huskies @ Western Michigan Broncos:  11/28 at 11 a.m. on ESPNU

This matchup will decide who will represent the West Division in this year's Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship Game.  It comes as no surprise that Northern Illinois is in the hunt for a 5th straight West Divison title.  Even in a supposed down year after Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch graduated, the Huskies manage to find more dynamic play-makers just waiting to step into the spotlight, such as bruising running back Cameron Stingily.  However, it is shocking for Western Michigan to be in the MAC title chase.  In one year the Broncos have gone from a 1 win season to competing for the West Division title. Running back Jarvion Franklin and energetic 34 year old Head Coach P.J. Fleck, who is a graduate of Northern Illinois, has been the fuel for this rapid turnaround. So will the Huskies stick to their winning ways or will the Broncos trample them?

My pick: Northern Illinois.  You should also know this by now.

2.  Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ Georgia Bulldogs: 11/30 at Noon on ESPN SEC Network

This rivalry game is sure to be heated as both teams will play hard for a year's worth of bragging rights.  Will the triple-option attack by Georgia Tech control the clock and the scoreboard?  Or will the Bulldogs defend their home turf with the determined running of Nick Chubb and the crisp passing of Hutson Mason?

My pick: Georgia

Special Requests

The Illinois Fighting Illini have stunned a Big 10 Conference foe once again.  On Senior Day, the last day the Illinois seniors would play at home, a senior came through. Struggling on offense against Penn State, the Illinois coaching staff elected to put in senior Reilly O'Toole to spark the offense.  He led a touchdown drive in the 2nd quarter and 3 drives that ended in a field goal in the 2nd half.  The last 3 points were the difference in the game as Illinois kicker David Reisner, dealing with heavy wind, hit the game winner with no time left on the clock.  A hard-fought 16-14 victory over Penn State had been achieved and the players and fans celebrated happily.  With this win, Illinois still has a chance to make a bowl game with a win in their final game.

Week 12

Week 12: A Week That Should Have Been Better

Result of Last Week's #1 Game to Watch

All you need to know is Alabama won.  I don't want to talk about it any further.

Final Score: I can't bear to type it.

Most Exiting Game of the Week

1.  Washington Huskies @ Arizona Wildcats

2 weeks prior to this game, Arizona had watched their chances of going to the PAC 12 Championship game mostly disappear in a tough loss to UCLA.  Would they be able to keep their hopes of receiving a quality bowl invite with a win over a resilient Washington team?

Fast forward to late in the 2nd quarter, Arizona is trailing by 10 but their offense has the ball in the redzone.  Unfortunately for Arizona that's as far as they can get and they have to settle for a field goal.  But Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez had a trick up his sleeve.  Instead of snapping the ball to the holder, the long snapper fired it backwards into the hands of kicker Casey Skowron.  Skowron dashed around the right side of the defense and beat the last defender to the corner of the endzone for the touchdown. (celebration below)

With about a minute left in the half, the Huskies got the ball back, but had no intention of keeping it. On the 4th play of the drive, the center snaps the ball low and the ball shoots past the quarterback Cyler Miles.  Miles picks up the loose ball, but is soon tackled and he fumbles.  An Arizona player falls on it, and the offense gets the ball again at the 19 yard line.  4 plays later, running back Nick Wilson speeds into the endzone, giving the Wildcats a 21-17 halftime lead.

Washington scores 9 points in the 3rd quarter, not 10 thanks to a botched snap on the extra point. That missing point would come back to haunt the Huskies.  At the beginning of the 4th quarter, Arizona has the ball at their own 15 yard line, but soon arrives at the Washington 22 by way of a 63 yard pass from quarterback Anu Solomon.  But they cannot get another 1st down and have to settle for a field goal.  This time Skowron kicks the field goal, and shrinks the Huskies' lead to 2.

For the next 3 drives, the teams trade punts.  Then the Wildcats mount an determined effort to take the lead.  They get all the way down to the Washington 17 yard line, but then an Arizona receiver ran the wrong route and Solomon's pass is intercepted by a wide open Washington defensive back in the endzone.   With only 4 minutes left, all the Huskies had to do was run out the clock.  They accomplished that until they reached midfield where the same Arizona player who recovered the ball in the first half forces a fumble and his teammate recovers 

About 1 1/2 minutes remain in the game and the Wildcats just need a field goal to win.  A combination of runs by Wilson and passes by Solomon get the ball to the 30 yard line.  Skowron sets his sights on the target and takes a deep breath.  The ball is snapped, the hold is good, and the football soon sails majestically through the goal posts.  The fans jump up and down in celebration and within minutes Skowron is being carried off the field on his teammates' shoulders.  Its not many times a kicker is considered the hero of a game, but scoring 13 points in 1 game certainly warrants that honor.

Final Score: Arizona 27 Washington 26

Special Requests

The Georgia Bulldogs needed a win over a tough Auburn team to stay in the hunt for a trip to the SEC Championship Game.  At the end of this game, however, Georgia looked like the tougher team. The Bulldog defense held the usual explosive Auburn offense to a measly 7 points.  The Georgia offense was just as dominant, amassing over 400 total yards, including nearly 300 on the ground. The final score was 41-7, giving new life to the Bulldogs' SEC Championship dreams.  

With its 3rd loss, Auburn's once very promising season has been chewed to shreds.  They still have to face that darn Alabama team.  They could win.  Miracles do happen you know.