Today's College Football Thread

[fishwax]

There are two top 10 matchups today--Florida at Georgia in the afternoon and Texas at Texas Tech later tonight.

Tonight also marks the lastest installment of the once-classic OU-Nebraska rivalry, their first meeting since 2005. It was once one of college football's greatest rivalries, but since it's no longer an annual game and since Nebraska has been down it's lost a good bit of its luster. The last really memorable game in the series was in 2001. Even so, whenever they do play I enjoy it.

There are no other games between top 25 teams, but there are plenty of conference games with a lot on the line, including Oregon at Cal, Florida State at Georgia Tech, West Virginia at UConn, and Northwestern at Minnesota. And Oregon State vs. Arizona State is important as well, since OSU is actually in the driver's seat for the Pac 10 title at this point :)

So what games are you looking forward to today?

[bamacrat]

1. RTR!

The Crimson Tide is rolling again! We have Arkansas State today, its our homecoming, and traffic is horrible. I live in Tuscaloosa so..

[av8rdave]

2. I wanted to be there for that one...

My son is a senior at 'Bama. I made it to the Kentucky game this year, but that's about it.

ROLL TIDE

ps. FWIW, I think Tuscaloosa traffic always sucks!

[fishwax]

6. Shouldn't be too tough for the Tide today

:)

Next week at LSU should be a good game, though ...

[unsavedtrash]

16. Roll Tide!

I also live in Tuscaloosa and had to be on campus today. Some of the fans were already trashed by 9:30 this morning.

[Ptah]

3. Northwestern beats Minnesota with late interception for a touchdown!

Northwestern Fight Song

[fishwax]

5. that was a crazy finish

:wow:

[Silver Swan]

8. And a few minutes later

Michigan State beat Wisconsin!

[taterguy]

4. Watching football when you could be volunteering for Dems? Shame shame shame

:sarcasm: in case you couldn't tell.

The Texas game should be fun.

[fishwax]

7. haha -- guilty as charged

:)

hey, incidentally I see that the Tar Heels are having a pretty good season this year :toast:

[taterguy]

19. I have mixed feelings about Tar Heel football

When I was a student there the team was an annoyance. The on-campus stadium meant that my freshman dorm was twice as far away from classroom buildings as it would have been if the stadium wasn't there.

And every Monday after a home game I'd get a flat tire on my old road bike from tailgaters that broke beer bottles.

I'm also annoyed that they added lights to the stadium despite the express wishes of the deceased donar that paid for it.

But any athletic department that gave a scholarship to Paul Wellstone can't be all bad.

[RoyGBiv]

9. Brief anecdote ...

I did some phone banking last weekend.

Around noon I notice a decidedly annoyed tone shift in a lot of those who actually answered. I finally figured out where I was calling had a game on.

Don't interrupt people's football, especially if you want them on your side. :)

The local phone banking party I'm going to tomorrow has a smart organizer. He's actually calculated this into the call lists.

[RoyGBiv]

10. Watching OSU v Iowa St. right now ...

I'm still not believing OSU is in the Top 10.

Looks like Iowa St. is giving them some problems right now.

I too miss the rivalry of the Cornhuskers and the Sooners. I always enjoyed it more than Longhorns v. Sooners. Not sure why really. I guess 'cause I grew up with the Big 8, and the Texas game was, aside from being a border war, for all intents and purposes just a non-conference game. Nebraska v. Oklahoma was the real deal.

[fishwax]

12. Those Thanskgiving weekend games were hard to beat

Growing up in Wyoming I wasn't even an OU fan yet, but that game was still a must see. :)

I hate to admit it, but the Cowboys really impressed me last week against Texas. If they'd had a better playcall on 4th and 6 than that boneheaded inside screen, they might have come back to win that game.

[fishwax]

11. Michigan State kicked a FG with 6 seconds left to beat Wisconsin

That makes two great finishes in the Big 10 today ...

[Scurrilous]

13. Miami 24, Virginia 17 (OT)

:thumbsup:

[Awsi Dooger]

14. Jacory Harris pulls out another one

Amazing escape by the Canes today, outplayed at Virginia for the bulk of the game but the Cavs self destructed many times in Miami territory with missed FGs and fumbles. Jacory Harris led a 90+ yard drive in the final minutes to tie the game at 17-17, then won the game with a perfect touch pass to fellow freshman and high school teammate Aldarius Johnson in OT. Virginia rumbled for first down yardage on their subsequent possession in OT, but the ball was stripped and Miami prevailed, 24-17.

If Randy Shannon persists in starting limited tunnel vision Kyle Wright-like Robert Marve, Shannon should be stapled to Joe Lieberman for the rest of his life. That might not be punishment enough.

[fishwax]

22. the ACC doesn't make a lot of sense this year

The Coastal Division looks like it will end in a 6-way tie :) -- Duke is ahead of Wake Forest at the moment, meaning all six teams in the Coastal division would have two losses ...

Just read your summary on Harris's drive in the post above and checked out their respective stats--how much more does Shannon need to see? :shrug:

[TZ]

23. Atlantic Division is looking crazy too

FSU WAS in the driver seat..But it looks like GT is gonna win today..Good for my Terps! They have both Boston College and FSU coming up...so if the "good" Terps team keeps showing up they could win that division

[Awsi Dooger]

39. Clutch fumble by FSU in the final seconds

I needed that one ($). :)

I screamed when the Georgia Tech defender tried to pick up the fumble in the end zone, instead of merely falling on it to end the game. Luckily it nestled up against the pile and he was able to bail himself out by recovering it.

[Awsi Dooger]

15. Great SI cover from that '71 Oklahoma/Nebraska game

When I was in college 10 years later, my mom threw away all my old SIs, including that one. :banghead:

The long preview article was outstanding. They predicted that Oklahoma would prevail unless they lost 3 or more fumbles. Well, the Sooners lost exactly 3 fumbles and fell in the final minute, 35-31.

RIP Jack Mildren, best wishbone quarterback of all time.

[fishwax]

46. I'll maybe have to check that article out in the SI vault

since they have all their old articles online now.

I'm a bit surprised I didn't hear more about that game in the buildup to this year's game, what with Mildren passing away this year. I only know him from the highlight reels, but what highlights they were :D (And, of course, he was a democrat to boot ...)

[Tom Kitten]

17. Watching Cal-Oregon right now

It's the early 2nd quarter, it's 9-6 Cal. Weird game, it's pouring down rain with lots of miscues. Cal opened, threw an int., Oregon scored but fumbled PAT attempt. Cal player runs 50 yds then loses fumble. Oregon center snaps ball over punter's head through endzone for safety. Cal had 2nd and goal at the 5, called for offensive pass interference. Then fumbles snap on FG attempt. Then Oregon recovered another Cal fumble and threw an interception at the goal line.

[SeattleGirl]

18. It's almost like watching the Keystone Cops play football.

I think Belotti is going to have to take the Ducks behind the woodshed at halftime.

And a random thought: I really miss hearing Keith Jackson call the games. :(

[Tom Kitten]

37. I can't stand this

I really should be doing something better with my time! Ducks behind 19-16 4th quarter, has 3rd and 1 at the Cal 10. Motion penalty makes it 3rd and 6, UO fails to get 1st down, misses field goal to tie. Cal gets ball, punts, Duck receiver fumbles the punt, Cal recovers inside the 10 and scores TD, ahead 26-16 with 5 minutes left.

[davidinalameda]

20. WVU spanked UConn 35-13

[foxfeet]

21. Purdue 48, Michigan 42

Of course, nobody had any defense to speak of and they're both stinkin' up the place this year. Still, it was pleasurable to see the end of Michigan's streak of 33 straight bowl appearances. Now if Ohio State would only wither away. . .

[fishwax]

26. well, Michigan's streak ended in style

I just saw the highlight of the final score--pretty exciting game! :)

[fishwax]

24. triple overtime in south bend

Pitt just kicked a field goal in the top half of the 3rd OT--Notre Dame now starting their possession ...

[fishwax]

27. Quadruple Overtime coming up now ...

[fishwax]

30. Pitt wins in the fourth overtime

Notre Dame missed a field goal in their possession, and Pitt got a big play to set up a chip shot for the win.

[JVS]

42. yahoo

[Sheltiemama]

25. Hey, why didn't you mention the University of Tennessee?

Oh, yeah, because we suck. I couldn't bring myself to wear orange and white today. I'm wearing green.

Several coaches ago, someone sent a moving van to the home of Johnny Majors. We're wondering when some UT supporter will do the same to Fulmer.

[fishwax]

29. yeah, been a rough year for the volunteers

Y'all could still reel off a winning streak and sneak into a bowl game, but I think the odds are against it ...

[Sheltiemama]

34. I don't think that's in the cards.

Now we're just waiting to see if Fulmer leaves.

When we make a touchdown, a cannon is fired. I can hear it from my office. I haven't heard it much this season.

[jobycom]

28. I hate the college overtime system. Just thought I'd mention that.

It's like after four quarters of football they decide to set up a tee and play homerun derby, and for some reason I can't understand in the context of a sports world, they let both teams have a chance at scoring.

Just my opinion. I'd rather see the old style overtime, but barring that, why not just flip a coin or spin a wheel or something.

[fishwax]

31. It's a shame they lose the aspect of field position

Kicking/returning and field position is so key to the rest of the game, and eliminating that changes the complexion completely. On the other hand, I'm not a huge fan of sudden death either, though. I don't know that there's a perfect solution.

That was a pretty crazy game, though :)

[jobycom]

36. It was a great game, wasn't it?

Two evenly matched teams. Not the game I planned to watch today, but it was the one I wound up watching.

I like sudden death. Defense is part of the game, so I've got no problem letting a team have to work defense to get the ball in OT. Plus, the stats show that the team that gets the ball first doesn't win any more often than the team on defense first.

[SeattleGirl]

33. You mean you'd rather see sudden death OT?

I hate sudden death OT. I think it sucks butt. x(

[jobycom]

38. Absolutely. Real football. Not teeball football.

I can't think of a reason not to like it. Even the old canard that the team who gets the ball first has an advantage is untrue--stats show they win about equally, and in the pros the team that plays defense first has a slight edge in winning.

But then again, I'm not much into college football, anyway. Something creeps me out about grown alumni centering their lives around teenagers playing a game.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

43. One of the reasons I still think the NFL is superior to college ball.

I'm sorry, but I cannot stand the college overtime system. Absolutely no suspense to it at all.

[Awsi Dooger]

53. I hate overtime, period

Nothing wrong with tie games. It adds a variable to regulation, how much the coach weighs a potential victory as opposed to tie or defeat.

Besides, as a gambler I did much better before overtime. Taking +1 or even +.5 meant something. Now it's garbage.

College overtime makes no sense, an absurd gimmick. As someone else posted, there's no drama at all. Very frequently I click away if a game goes into overtime, unless I have a rooting interest.

The pro overtime is far superior, basic football with emphasis on defense and field position.

[TZ]

32. Georgia Tech beats Florida State 31-28

And that leaves my Terps in first place in the ACC Atlantic division!:woohoo:

[jobycom]

40. My heart skipped a beat there. At first glance I saw "Georgia beats Florida"

Made me scared that I turned that game off just before it got good.

[fishwax]

35. Four Big 10 games today, all decided in the final minute

Northwestern over Minnesota--tie game with under 30 seconds to go when Minnesota throws an interception that is returned 50 yards for the game winning touchdown.

Michigan State over Wisconsin--Michigan State was behind most of the game, but kicked a game winning field goal with 6 seconds left.

Purdue over Michigan--Purdue scores a touchdown with 28 seconds left to take the lead and win the game.

Illinois over Iowa--Illinois led most of the game, until Iowa tied it with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion with 2:43 left. But then Illinois put together a drive of their own and kicked a game-winning field goal with about 24 seconds left.

Exciting day for Big 10 football :)

[trof]

41. Alabama beat WVU 35-zip. Yawn.

[Lyric]

66. You wish, punk!

WVU rolled over UConn this week. We spanked Alabama LAST week. :P

(Actually, it was Auburn last week, but same state anyway, lol)

[Twillig]

44. USC up 21-0 on Washington after 1 qtr.

I may see my 70+ points that I didn't get when USC played WSU (69-0).

My shadenfreude appetite has been fed so far today. The Ducks lost, and so did Notre Dame.

Minnesota blew the damn game by throwing a pick six when overtime was on the table against Northwestern.

Beavs play ASU later tonight.

[insanity]

45. In a few hours, my orange friends and I

will descend upon Reser Stadium to watch the Beavers continue their quest for the rose bowl.

[fishwax]

47. just keep winning

:toast:

[Twillig]

74. One down, four to go

Beavs win 27-25. With an interception of 2 point try with 20 odd seconds left in game, Beavs recovered the onsides kick.

I think I can't take these high stress games. That was too damn close on our home turf.

[fishwax]

67. I know what you mean about close calls, but--and correct me if I'm wrong

if I'd told you before the season started you'd be 5-3 and in control of your own destiny for the Rose Bowl at this point in the season, you'd've been pretty pleasatly surprised, right? :)

I hope OSU keeps fighting on to the Rose Bowl :toast:

[insanity]

69. This season has been a great surprise

Every year the Beavs find a way to get it done.

[Twillig]

71. Not quite completely.

Before the season: I was kinda hoping for 5-3 with a loss to USC.

This is kind of crazy good. :-)

College football is something else, eh?





:toast:

[fishwax]

72. haha -- i see what you mean

this way is better ... something else indeed :) :toast:

[fishwax]

48. Oklahoma is up 21-0 less than four minutes into the game

:wow:

Oklahoma scored a quick TD on the opening possession and then scored a defensive TD (interception return) on Nebraska's first play from scrimmage. They got a fumble on the second play of Nebraska's next drive, and then scored their third touchdown on a 2-play 50 yard drive.

:wow:

[fishwax]

51. 28 points for Oklahoma in the first four and a half minutes

:wow:

[fishwax]

54. 35-0 at the end of the first quarter

[fishwax]

49. Texas Tech scores first on Texas: 2-0 Red Raiders

[RoyGBiv]

50. Holy hamburger ...

Safety on Texas. Well, I guess the Tech defense took the challenge against their competence seriously.

Early yet, of course, but that was a whopper.

[Writer]

52. I've always thought that watching Tech play was like watching a bunch of teenagers on a sugar rush.

But they're ranked top 10 for a reason, so I'm not going to write them off.

[fishwax]

56. always knew Tech would be scary if they ever developed a defense, just

never thought that would actually happen ;)

[Writer]

57. Do you think this will be it for Texas' streak?

[fishwax]

58. I wouldn't give up hope just yet

They've still got a great QB who could get a hot hand. :)

But after having to play Oklahoma then Missouri then OSU in consecutive weeks, they've got to be pretty worn out ...

[RoyGBiv]

59. They look tired ...

As fishwax said, they've had a monster schedule.

'Course, that's the problem in the Big 12 South this year. *Everyone* has a monster schedule 'cause they're playing each other.

Poor Baylor.

Ahem, anyway.

Just remember the OU game. If I were Tech's coaches, I'd spend my time in the locker room playing highlights of game film from the second half of that game. Texas was down, and with the way OU generally plays, coming back was not a high percentage option. But they did, and the final score made it look like they put it to 'em.

In short, I'll let you know after about 30 minutes more of game time. :)

[Lethe]

55. Tech is gonna win, nah nah nah nah nah, nah

WOOHOO!

12 to zip!

:toast:

:bounce:

:woohoo:

[Maccagirl]

60. Is it just me or is Musberger easier to take when he's paired

with Herbstreit? I can't stand it when he and Griese are calling a Meechigan game. :puke:


BTW, this game is getting good-guess I'll have to stick it out for the 4th quarter. Texas/Texas Tech I mean.

[RoyGBiv]

61. I like him ...

... on mute. :)

Actually, I'll take him most days over a lot of these new farts they have. At least he understands the rules. I've watched at least one game every week this season in which the play-by-play announcer exhibiting a complete lack of understanding of the rules of college football.

But, yeah, he can be hard to take, but he's not getting on my nerves tonight.

[Awsi Dooger]

62. I agree about Musberger

He works well with Herbstreit.

But I don't remember Musberger and Griese. Griese has been paired with Nessler and Maguire for years.

[RoyGBiv]

63. WOW!

:wow:

[fishwax]

64. that was a pretty amazing finish

:wow:

What a game.

The polls tomorrow will be interesting.

Texas Tech vs. OU in Norman will be interesting.

:wow:

[RoyGBiv]

73. Interesting and scary ...

The BCS, once again, is going to be a nightmare.

Texas, Texas Tech, and OU are beating up on each other. And Oklahoma State could beat either or both of them.

Meanwhile you have Alabama and Penn State poised for the championship, but they only have 2 Top 10 challenges, and imo, Alabama is clearly the better team and would deserve it if they win out. Penn St. struggled with Ohio State, their one real test, and they didn't play great against Illinois. I've watched 'em twice. I think any of the top Big 12 South teams and probably Missouri could beat them.

Lordy I hate the BCS.

[tigereye]

65. Pitt beats Notre Dame in several OTs!

wow, I can't wait to see them play WVU- we have tix this year.

[deoxyribonuclease]

68. The Big12 refs not calling holding all season long

I think it's one of the reasons the offenses are so prolific in the conference.

I noticed at least 35 incidents total where it looked like an offensive lineman blatantly held a defensive lineman, and I think holding was called maybe 2 or 3 times.

[fishwax]

70. The lack of holding calls has definitely been a problem

Nebraska was flagged for *one* holding penalty against Oklahoma tonight. Kansas State wasn't flagged for any last week against Oklahoma. And they missed some calls against the OU line as well. I don't know what the deal is, exactly, but Big 12 officials are apparently not inclined to penalize holding ...