College Football Questions and Answers: Week 13

We’re on the home stretch. We’re hurtling toward something, not sure what it is or if it’s what college football really needs, but we’re hurtling. The upsets continued yet again this weekend and despite the BCS seeming like it’s going to “work itself out”, it’s a mess. A complete mess. So were my picks…

The scoreboard:
Tennessee -v- Kentucky
I wrote “Tennessee is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get until Coach Fulmer bites into each one. Beat South Carolina by 3 points. Blow out Arkansas by 21. Squeak by Vanderbilt by 1. Welcome to Volunteer football. Kentucky is 7-4 and 3-4 in the SEC East; Tennessee is playing for the SEC East title and a chance to play in the SEC Championship game. Kentucky is favored by 2.5. I like UK to not only cover but win.” I’m calling this a moral victory for me since this game went into four overtimes and Kentucky squandered multiple opportunities to take the win. The biggest opportunity coming in the second overtime when Kentucky intercepted Tennessee and then only need a chip shot field goal to win, but of course it was blocked because that’s what Kentucky does- squander chances at victory.

Uconn -v- West Virginia
I wrote “Connecticut hasn’t played anyone the caliber of West Virginia this year (wins over Duke, Maine, Temple, Pittsburgh, Akron, Louisville, South Florida, Rutgers, Syracuse) and they already have losses to 9-2 Virginia and 8-3 Cincinnati. I’d like to think Connecticut can cover the 18.5 points here but considering they already lost by 24 to Cincy, I don’t see any reason to think this game is going to be close. Turnovers will be Uconn’s only salvation, otherwise, it’s going to be ugly.” Turnovers weren’t Uconn’s salvation, losing by 45 points in Morgantown. Turnovers went the other way for Uconn with three fumbles, two of which resulted in touchdowns for WVU.

The game wasn’t all rosy for West Virginia, despite the final score. Connecticut dominated the time of possession holding the ball for nearly nine minutes longer than West Virginia. Connecticut also rolled up nearly 400 yards of offense getting 203 yards rushing and 189 yards passing. West Virginia continued its’ one-sidedness on offense with Pat White only attempting only 13 passes for 107 yards. It’s very clear that Rich Rodriguez is going to ride Pat White as far as he can go, but know that if Pat White goes down injured against Pittsburgh or in the National Championship, WVU is going to be in serious trouble.

Georgia -v- Georgia Tech
I wrote: “The only wild card here is GT Senior RB Tashard Choice- Choice has put together a nice year gaining nearly 1,200 yards without a fumble and is getting 5.3 yards per carry. Georgia has a good rush defense but if Choice can have some success and continues to take care of the football, the Yellow Jackets have a chance. On the flip side, Georgia Tech has the 9th ranked rush defense, which means if they can force Georgia to pass, it’s Matthew Stafford time. Stafford is having a better year than he had last year, but has thrown 4 TD’s and 4 INT’s in his last three games. Add to that the fact that Georgia Tech leads the country in sacks (46) and that equals my “walk of shame pick of the week”. I like Georgia Tech to at least cover and possibly win.”

Tashard Choice got 5.4 yards per carry but unfortunately, Georgia Tech Junior QB Taylor Bennett had his worst game statistically throwing 9/27 for 137 yards, one touchdown, one interception. That kind of production in the quarterback position isn’t going to get it done against a MAC or a WAC opponent, let alone. Georgia. On the flip side, Georgia Tech was not able to force Georgia to pass. Georgia got perfect balance throwing for 214 and rushing for 218. They got three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Georgia QB was decent (not good) going 14-29 for 219 yards in the win. Georgia Tech was not able to get consistent pressure on Stafford, getting only one sack, which came in the first quarter. I’m disappointed that I missed on the pick, but I’m sure Chan Gailey’s more disappointed, especially because Georgia Tech fired him today.

Kansas -v- Missouri
I wrote: “Missouri leads Kansas in sacks 25-19 and also leads in sacks against 16-20 which means Missouri should be able to get more pressure on KU and conversely protect Chase Daniel. Missouri has a bad pass defense which means if they don’t get heavy pressure Todd Reesing, they will pay. Both teams have bad punt teams but great kickoff returns which means special teams could be verrrry interesting. I like Missouri to win and move on for a re-match with Oklahoma.”

This game was a tale of two halves- Missouri applied pressure in the right places and dominated the first half; Kansas applied pressure in the right places and dominated the second half. When you consider the two missed field goals by Kansas, the game basically worked to a draw.

I like Missouri- they’re a nice team. The Chase Daniel story is a good one- and the balance they’re passing on offense is diverse. However, against a stronger back seven in the national championship, Missouri is going to have to get more yards on the ground. Also, the Missouri pass defense is a serious problem. I repeat- any of you who think that this Missouri team without a doubt belongs in the national championship is wrong. Dead wrong. Missouri is 103rd against the pass nationally and they gave up 349 yards passing to Kansas. Missouri gave up 266 yards passing to Oklahoma in their first meeting, and I’m guessing they’re going to give up more than that this Saturday.

In other games…
Still question how valuable Dennis Dixon was to the Oregon Ducks? Oregon lost 16-0 to a 6-5 UCLA team, the same UCLA team that lost to Notre Dame. Oregon got 148 total yards of offense. Total. That’s it. It actually got worse for Oregon when backup QB Brady Leaf also left the game with injury. Third-stringer Freshman Cody Kempt went 6/23 for 52 yards and two interceptions. Ouch.

Oklahoma drilled Oklahoma State in Norman 49-17. Sam Bradford went 13-17 for 180 yards and four touchdowns. Allen Patrick proved to Sooner fans that he’s the best back in the stable getting 202 yards on 29 carries for two scores. On the other side of the ball, OU limited the 8th ranked offense nationally (in yardage) to 17 points and 299 yards. Prior to that game, Oklahoma State had been averaging almost 500 yards per game and 33 points.

Much more to come this week.