(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Tyrann Mathieu and the LSU Tigers defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks in a blowout, 41-17. The Tigers now face Georgia in the SEC Title game. |
This week, six teams in the Top 25 lost, but none of them were upsets. (3) Arkansas lost to (1) LSU, (17) Clemson lost to (12) South Carolina, (19) Penn State lost to (16) Wisconsin, (22) Notre Dame lost to (6) Stanford, (23) Georgia Tech lost to (13) Georgia, and (24) Auburn lost to (2) Alabama. The big news this week though, was that Urban Meyer was named the new coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Meyer left Florida just a year ago, stating he wanted to take time off to deal with health problems and to spend time with his family. Looks like 365 days was a long enough absence.
New BCS Top 10:
1. LSU Tigers
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Oklahoma State Cowboys
4. Stanford Cardinal
5. Virginia Tech Hokies
6. Houston Cougars
7. Boise State Broncos
8. Arkansas Razorbacks
9. Oregon Ducks
10. Oklahoma Sooners
Top Three Performances by Team or Player:
1. Wisconsin RB Montee Ball- The Wisconsin Junior rushed for 164 yards and four touchdowns, leading Wisconsin to a 45-7 win over Penn State. With the win, Ball and the Badgers will take on Michigan State in the inaugural Big Ten Title game. Ball leads the nation in rushing touchdowns, and is also second in rushing yards.
2. Michigan QB Denard Robinson- D-Rob played his best game of the season when it mattered most. The Michigan QB threw for 167 yards and three touchdowns, without throwing any interceptions. He also rushed for 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns, combining for five touchdowns in the game. Robinson led the Wolverines to their first win over their rivals, the Ohio State Buckeyes, in eight yeras.
3. Baylor Bears' Offense- The Bears put up 66 points in a beating over Texas Tech. Before leaving the game with a concussion. Robert Griffin III threw for a touchdown, but also ran in two more touchdowns. His back up, Nick Florence, threw for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown. The Bears' running back Terrance Ganaway had the best game of the season, rushing for 246 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In total, the offense had more than 600 yards.
Top Three Disappointments by Player or Team:
1. Auburn Tigers- Not only did Auburn lose America's Game of the Week at home in a blowout, but their overall season was a failure. Just a year ago, the Tigers won the BCS National Championship game, but now are 7-5 and will play in a mediocre bowl.
2. BCS System- Thanks to LSU beating Arkansas, the BCS National Championship game will most likely be a rematch of LSU and Alabama. For all of you who forget, this game ended in a 9-6 OT win for LSU. America wants an exciting, high scoring national championship game, not two SEC teams duking it on for all the marbles.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes- On the bright side, they did sign Urban Meyer to coach their team for the seasons to come, but this season was a mess. The Buckeyes finished 6-6, lost to their rivals Michigan, and will play in a mediocre bowl. The funny thing is, they are projected to play in the Gator Bowl, against no other than Florida. How Ironic!
Game of the Week: Alabama vs Auburn
Although this game was the "Game of the Week", it was far from exciting. With the College Gameday crew, a stadium packed with fans, and a reputation to keep up, Auburn failed to keep it close with Alabama. Alabama finished the half leading 24-7 and never looked back. By the end it was 42-14. Trent Richardson had another great game, rushing for 203 yards and catching a ball for a touchdown. Auburn on the other hand, had under 75 passing yards. Hopefully next week's conference championship games will be more exciting as LSU takes on Georgia, Wisconsin takes on Michigan State, and Oregon takes on UCLA.
Next Week's Five Intriguing Matchups:
1. Wisconsin vs. Michigan State- The two played earlier in one of the most intense games of the season, ending in a hail mary touchdown win for Sparty. Wisconsin will seek redemption, and try to advance to back to back Rose Bowls.
2. LSU vs. Georgia- Georgia started off the season 0-2 but hasn't lost since. If the Bulldogs can pull off one of the biggest upsets of the year and defeat LSU, they will wreak havoc in the BCS system, and possibly allow three teams from one conference to play. The rules and regulations to let this happen are so slim that it could never happen again.
3. Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State- The Cowboys have been the better Oklahoma team for most of the season, but the Sooners can take back control of the Big 12 and advance to a BCS Bowl with a win. Landry Jones vs. Brandon Weeden is an explosive quarterback matchup to watch. This one should be a high scoring duel.
4. Virginia Tech vs. Clemson- The two leaders of the ACC face off in North Carolina to decide which team will get the BCS bid. Virginia Tech should win easily, but Tajh Boyd and Clemson could pull of the upset.
5. Southern Mississippi vs. Houston- the Conference USA title game is also this weekend. Case Keenum and the Cougars should win in a landslide, and get the right to get an at large bid to a BCS Bowl game.