Ten Answers

Just when I think I have Ohio State figured out, they go and do something stupid and totally redeem themselves…

Here are your ten answers:

1. Will LSU finally put Alabama out of their misery?
Alabama 24, LSU 15.
Nearly, but not quite. LSU had ‘Bama on the ropes taking a 15-10 lead into the 4th quarter. Unfortunately LSU went into that quarter without their quarterback and their starting running back due to injuries earlier in the game.

And then Julio Jones finally got on track. Jones caught a 73-yard touchdown pass with 10 minutes and change to go and that was the difference in the game.

Alabama running back Mark Ingram was again the game changer getting 144 yards on 25 carries leading to a 5 1/2 minute time of possession advantage. LSU was only able to manage 95 yards rushing on 29 carries. Alabama also got another benefit from the striped shirts late in the game when an LSU interception of Alabama QB Greg McElroy was ruled an incomplete pass on the field.

Having already secured a spot in the SEC Championship game, Alabama faces a road game at 4-5 Mississippi State on Saturday.

2. Does Oregon get caught looking back?
Stanford 51, Oregon 42.
Anybody else want to lose in the Pac-10? The Pac-10 is like the Big Ten this year only with better teams.

After dispatching USC by 27 points last week, Oregon gave up 505 yards to a scrappy Stanford team (ranked 14th nationally in total offensive yards). Despite the loss, Oregon remains a dangerous team, particularly with the announcement today that Running Back LeGarrette Blount has been un-suspended and will be eligible to play the rest of the season.

With one conference loss, Oregon remains in control of their Pac-10 destiny with upcoming games against Arizona State, Arizona (the other one loss team) and Oregon State.

3. Is this Terrelle Pryor’s moment?
Ohio State 24, Penn State 7.
This was certainly the moment that the Ohio State offense and Terrelle Pryor took a big step forward. That’s not to say they won’t take steps backward in the future- that’s a certainty, but an impressive performance nonetheless.

TP cut down dramatically on the “oh no…” throws, but the overthrow of a wiiiiiiiiiide open Dane Sanzenbacher was heinous. For the first time that I can remember this season, Terrelle looked comfortable behind center and in command of the offense. Part of that is maturity; part is coaching; part is play-calling; part is actually getting time to throw. Well done all the way around.

4. Is this Daryll Clark’s moment?
See # 3.
Legacy cemented unfortunately for Clark- not being able to win the big game. He’ll have an opportunity to win a bowl game this year but barring a collapse from Ohio State, Penn State is out of the Rose Bowl.

5. Is this the week Iowa finally puts it all together, and by putting it all together I mean lose?
Northwestern 17, Iowa 10.
My prophetic words from Friday should haunt Iowa for quite some time:

It would be forgivable for Iowa to look ahead to Ohio State next week, but that could be trouble with the cardiac cats coming into town. Northwestern has been solid on offense this season and disappointing on defense. With a fiery defensive-minded coach in Pat Fitzgerald, you have to believe Northwestern has a stellar defensive performance in them somewhere.

Iowa looks to be the perfect team for Northwestern to put it all together. Without much running game to speak of and a QB in Ricky Stanzi that just makes plays, but also makes mistakes when given the chance, Iowa sets up for the classic upset candidate.

It’s true that Ricky Stanzi left the game with an injury (and will miss the rest of the regular season), but don’t let that be an excuse Hawkeye fans. Northwestern was also playing without the full use of their starting Quarterback, plus they’re Northwestern (what with their silly academic standards and purple uniforms and all). Look no further than what Cincinnati has done with a back-up quarterback this season and know you won’t get any pity from me.

The problem with Iowa (and there are several at the moment) is they’re without a running game (9th in the conference, 94th in the nation). Their offense is predicated on running to set up the pass; without that, they’re an easy target. It also doesn’t help that they’ve turned the ball over 10 times in the last 2 games.

Next up for the Hawkeyes is a trip to Columbus to play the aforementioned Buckeyes.

6. Can Pete Carroll stop the bleeding?
USC 14, Arizona State 9.
I picked ASU to win by a field goal; missed that by a bit.

The Trojan D did a fair job limiting ASU, mostly through the benefit of turnovers, but the USC offense is doing nothing right about now. Arizona State has a good defense but USC Freshman Matt Barkley has clearly hit the wall. Over the last three games, Barkley has gone 43-for-85 with 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Yikes.

7. Will Navy put a stop to this Notre Dame nonsense?
Navy 23, Notre Dame 21.
Thank goodness all that nonsense is over. Oh yeah, one more thing- Chuck- you’re on the hot seat again. Urb- the job is yours if you don’t think that whole “rebuilding after Tebow” thing is going to work out.

8. (In best used car salesman voice) What’s it going to take to get Boise State in the top 5 (aka how many points do they need to beat 3-5 Louisiana Tech by on the road)?
Boise State 45, Louisiana Tech 35.
Any team that gives up 35 points to a 3-5 Louisiana Tech squad doesn’t belong in the top 5. Sorry spuds.

9. Can Greg Paulus make good on turning Syracuse football into the Duke basketball equivalent?
Pittsburgh 37, Syracuse 10.
Just for fun- Greg Paulus’ numbers from Saturday: 12-for-18 for 120 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions. Looks like the Orange could use Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler also.

10. When you’re watching 6-3 South Carolina at 4-4 Arkansas, please tell me you’ll be reminding yourself of how awesome the SEC is.
Arkansas 33, South Carolina 14.
Feel the Gamecock magic.

You’re welcome.