Write On Sports LLC - "Football Week 14" by Tom Zuck

Football Week 14

2007-11-28 23:30:24 | By: Tom Zuck

Let's just say that last week was interesting. A few weeks ago I wrote to Grateful Dave McNally and told him that I thought things were happening that could put his Buckeyes right back into the championship picture. Dave replied that too much would have to happen for that to occur. Well, it seems that just one more thing, Oklahoma beating Missouri, needs to happen and Ohio State will be right back in the picture.

LSU losing to Arkansas was amazing. You all know I have a "man-crush" on Darren McFadden and that I think he "should" win the Heisman Trophy but he should not have done what he did to the Tigers defense. In fact, I will go so far as to say the LSU defense has been one of the major disappointments of the season.

The one team I would not want to play now is USC. The Trojans are getting healthy and that means they can play with, and beat badly, just about anyone. They dismantled Arizona State Thanksgiving Night.

The biggest game of the weekend, other than the Iron Bowl, was Missouri - Kansas. Missouri ran away with it for three quarters until Kansas finally figured out that they could play with them. It didn't help that the Jayhawks left 13 points on the field in the first half.

I enjoyed Auburn beating Alabama, for the sixth-straight time, but had a serious chuckle when Auburn's Jerraud Powers was bitten by the police dog! It was just his hand but it brought back memories of when Georgia's Uga went after Auburn receiver Robert Baker back in the 1990s. Here is a link to YouTube and it shows both incidents.

The WPIAL Championships were great fun to watch, especially the Class AA and Class AAAA games. I am not sure if it is true or not but someone said Jeannette QB Terrelle Pryor actually was so good that he has the cure for cancer, but he's waiting until he gets on campus somewhere so he can share the credit.

I think my cousin Louie is a bit of a jinx on the Central Catholic sideline. Right after CC scored on a late interception return for a touchdown the TV cameras were on Lou and CC's head coach. They were smiling and looking dreamily into each other's eyes, and then they hugged. Two minutes later the game was tied on one of the greatest plays (a hook and ladder) I have ever seen in any level of football and headed into OT. Central won, but hopefully they will refrain from premature celebrations as they march towards a state championship.

Of course, that all led to the Pitt game Saturday, and then the "new" turf at Heinz Field and the debacle Monday night; which to me was pretty funny.

Anyway, I finished 14-6 last week, so now I am 145-61 for the season. Kansas, Kentucky, and LSU really disappointed me. The Oregon-UCLA game must have been painful to watch. Go back and look at the stats. The quarterbacks combined for, I think, 15 completions in over 50 passes. BRUTAL! And you have to love Dennis Franchione resigning AFTER he beat Texas!

One last thing and on to the games; a friend of mine, who is on this list, has an Internet travel portal through which you can book reservations, planes, hotels, cars etc.So here is her link. Use it.

Now, on to the games...

Rutgers (3-3, 7-4) at Louisville (2-4, 5-6)
7:30 p.m. Thursday

Before the season started this was going to be a huge game. It isn't now, but it still can be quite entertaining. Rutgers almost lost to Pitt. So did Louisville. That doesn't say much for either team. This one is at Louisville and that should help somewhat. I know Louisville can score in bunches but I am going to stick with an aggressive Rutgers defense. Scarlet Knights in a tight one.

Army (3-8) vs. Navy (7-4)
Noon Saturday (Baltimore)

This is the biggest spectacle in all of college football. Just watching the students from each academy march onto the field is a treat and gives me a lump in my throat. But it is Navy who will give Army a lump on the head with the brutally efficient option attack. Army is getting better, but not good enough this year. Anchors Aweigh Commander Kennedy! Navy Wins.

#11 Boston College (6-2, 10-2) vs. #6 Virginia Tech (7-1, 10-2)
1 p.m. Saturday (Jacksonville)

Isn't it nice to see two former Big East schools playing in the ACC Championship? I think so. The last time these two played it was a dose of Matt Ryan magic that saved the day for Boston College, and some terrible coaching by Tech. Look for the Va. Tech defense this week to get to Ryan and force mistakes. It's tough to fun against the Hokies and the BC running game is not that great; especially after a backup running back was just thrown off the team after being arrested. The Tech offense is finally coming into its own as well. Hokies get a measure of revenge. BC grad Lauren is gonna strike me off her Christmas list, Tech wins.

#7 LSU (6-2, 10-2) vs. #14 Tennessee (6-2, 9-3)
4 p.m. Saturday (Atlanta)

I'm not sure if LSU blew it last week or if Arkansas just played better. Either way the BCS championship hopes are gone for the Tigers. The defense had better get back in gear because in two losses this season they have not played well inside its own 20. Tennessee does not look spectacular in any aspect of its game right now but they keep winning. I would like to see LSU rotate its backs more, Jacob Hester then Keiland Williams. I think they'd be much more effective with them rotating plays instead of a series here and there. Anyway, I am sticking with LSU, Geaux Tigers, LSU wins.

UCLA (5-3, 6-5) at #8 USC (6-2, 9-2)
4:30 p.m. Saturday

UCLA's offensive passing is so bad it will be fun to watch USC defenders come at whoever is in at QB. USC is now getting healthy too and that makes them dangerous. I think of all the teams out there I would not want to play the Trojans. This one may be close for a half because it is a rivalry game but USC will pull it out and head to the Rose Bowl. Trojans win.

Oregon State (5-3, 7-4) vs. #17 Oregon (5-3, 8-3)
4:30 p.m. Saturday

Oregon is a completely different team offensively now that Dennis Dixon is out. But that still does not explain the defensive meltdown. If I was on the defensive staff I would be embarrassed by what happened last week against UCLA. Oregon State is not a terrible team and they will be looking to take some shots at their biggest rival. The Beavers might be without leading rusher Yvenson Bernard and that could change things too. Even so I am going to go with OSU in a bit of an upset. Beavers win the Civil War.

Cal (3-5, 6-5) @ Stanford (2-6, 3-8)
7 p.m. Saturday

Just the other day this game was on TV, well, the game where Cal scored at the end while Stanford's band was on the field. If you are not from either school the game doesn't mean much to you but it is a heated rivalry. Cal's season has gone from bad to worse. The Bears were one thrown away pass and made field goal away from being #1 to one game above .500. Stanford lost to Notre Dame. That in itself is an indictment this season. I am sticking with Cal's one last chance to redeem its season. Bears win.

Pitt (2-4, 4-7) @ #2 WVU (5-1, 10-1)
7:45 p.m. Saturday

Let's see..WVU crushed UConn. UConn crushed Pitt. Do the Panthers have a shot this year? In 1997 Pitt beat WVU at WVU in a triple-OT thriller. Do I see that happening this year? Nope. Pat Bostick is not Pedro Gonzalez and this time WVU is gunning for a spot in the BCS Championship game. The Backyard Brawl is once again the Backyard Maul, on ESPN no less, WVU wins.UGH!

#1 Missouri (7-1, 11-1) vs. #9 Oklahoma (6-2, 10-2)
8 p.m. Saturday (San Antonio)

Missouri looked very good last week in the win over Kansas. The lone Missouri loss this year was to Oklahoma. The Sooners are a funny team this year. On paper they look outstanding, but games are played on the field, not scouting reports. Chase Daniel is very good and he doesn't make many mistakes. The Sooners defense got to Daniel in the first meeting, with three sacks and two INTs. I am going to pick Oklahoma in an upset, which is fitting because this has been a great season for the unexpected.

Arizona (4-4, 5-6) @ #13 Arizona State (6-2, 9-2)
8 p.m. Saturday

Arizona will have had two weeks off since it beat Oregon; Arizona State just over a week since getting crushed by USC. Which is better; a long layoff after a win or a moderate layoff after a loss? I say it will be better for ASU. Overall the Sun Devils are a better team. I just hope they keep the turkey leg on the logo at the 50 yard line. This game has a lot of bowl implications too, especially if ASU wins. Sun Devils win to muddy the BCS water.

Washington (2-7, 4-8) @ #12 Hawaii (8-0, 11-0)
11:30 p.m. Saturday

Hawaii has beaten all comers this season. Last week they beat a good Boise State team, but it wasn't easy. This year's Washington team is not that good so this is their bowl game and I think they will be just happy to be in the warm weather. Hawaii wants to crash the BCS party and they should, especially if they win. Colt Brennan is a treat to watch and if you can stay up that late Saturday I would advise doing so. Hawaii in a laugher.

11-29 Thu. Rutgers @ Louisville 7:30 p.m. ESPN
11-30 Fri. Fresno State @ New Mexico State 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
12-01 Sat. Central Michigan vs. Miami, OH (MAC) 11:00 a.m. ESPN2
12-01 Sat. Tulsa @ UCF (C-USA) Noon ESPN
12-01 Sat. Army vs. Navy Noon CBS
12-01 Sat. Boston College vs. Virginia Tech (ACC) 1:00 p.m. ABC
12-01 Sat. LSU vs. Tennessee (SEC) 4:00 p.m. CBS
12-01 Sat. UCLA @ Southern California 4:30 p.m. ABC
12-01 Sat. Oregon State @ Oregon 4:30 p.m. ESPN2
12-01 Sat. BYU @ San Diego State 6:30 p.m. The Mtn
12-01 Sat. California @ Stanford 7:00 p.m. Versus
12-01 Sat. Pittsburgh @ West Virginia 7:45 p.m. ESPN
12-01 Sat. Missouri vs. Oklahoma (Big 12) 8:00 p.m. ABC
12-01 Sat. Arizona @ Arizona State 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
12-01 Sat. Washington @ Hawaii 11:30 p.m. ESPN2

Comments

Steve commented,
Its a shame that Ohio State West Virginia could be the national championship game. I doubt either one of these teams could beat Oklahoma or Missouri. Or, for that matter Kansas the other one loss team. For such a fantastic football season, it is very probable that the best teams will be meeting each other in other bowl games (USC, Oklahoma, Kansas, LSU). I'm looking forward to some of the possible matchups....
November 28, 2007 11:44 p.m.

Comments

Post a comment