Week 9 of College Football: Impressed- Depressed- or Neutral?

Who were we impressed, depressed or neutral about after Week 9 about College Football?  Read on, and we’ll tell you.IMPRESSED

USC

For four quarters, the USC Trojans turned it on- and proved to a lot of people why they are the best team in college football, slaughtering Washington State 53-19. Matt Leinart threw for 364 yds and 3 TDs, and Lendale White, the “thunder” of USC’s filthy running back corps, ran for 155 yards and 2 TDs. And refreshingly, there wasn’t the usual USC version of “Come Dancing” in the end zone after each 7-pointer.

Michigan

The Wolverines are back. They have been accused of being “lucky” and “having referees in their pockets” by Iowa and Penn State coaches and fans, but against Northwestern, the Wolverines showed their class, smashing the Wildcats 33-17. And get this- the Wolverine defense gave up NO points in the second half against one of the highest-octane offenses in the nation. And all this was without the inconsistent form of Chad Henne, who went 17-30 for 174 yards, 1 TD and (get this) 3 Interceptions. Time for another year in college, Chad.

Florida

Whilst we weren’t surprised by the Gators’ 14-10 turning over Georgia in the Cocktail Party,the defense, which only gave up 109 passing yards all day was the star, defended their team’s early 14-0 lead impeccably to see the team through. Don’t get us wrong- Urban Meyer’s still got a lot to learn about this team and the tough SEC, but don’t bet against the Gators going to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta this year.

Wisconsin

The only reason why the Badgers are on this board is because of that man Brian Calhoun. His numbers have been comparable to Reggie Bush, which, although not surprising given the team’s running-the-ball-`til-I-die mentality, is still Heisman-worthy. Should Penn State be scared that Calhoun will repeat his 5 TD game? Very.

Texas

Wow. 28-12 down to Oklahoma State at half-time, and Texas didn’t look like a #20 team, let along a #2. Then, Vince Young turns it on, and Texas `win’ the second half 35-0. Ouch. Vince Young- if you’re out there, YOU’VE got my Heisman vote.

South Carolina

Before Saturday’s game, the other USC hadn’t beaten the Vols since 1992. But Steve Spurrier wasn’t in charge, was he? One 49 yard field goal in the dying minutes in Neyland Stadium later (with Peyton Manning watching) is proof in the pudding that Spurrier loves it when Fulmer-time comes onto his calendar.

NEUTRAL

Stanford

I still can’t believe they lost. How on earth do you give up 21 points in the last seven minutes of the game? But give it up for the Cardinal’s courage. Remember, this was a team that lost
20-17 to UC Davis.  

Northwestern

Everyone was talking about a potential upset in Chicagoland. But alas, Mr and Mrs Upset didn’t show up to the ball, and the Tyrone Sutton & Co. were turned over by a resurgent Michigan team 33-17. Hey Northwestern! Cheer up! You’ve got a better record than Purdue this year!

Penn State

Which Penn State is going to play against Wisconsin in this weekend’s Big Ten Showdown- the one that mumbled and bumbled its way through the first half, or the Penn State that played really rather well in the second to beat lackluster Purdue?

Alabama/LSU

They might be in the top 10 in the nation, but we’re not going to give ANY love out to the Crimson Tide and Tigers, who demolished Utah State and North Texas 35-3 and 56-7 respectively. Great, you’ve shown what you can do against the cupcakes, but what’s going to happen when you play each other on November 12th in Baton Rouge?

DEPRESSED

Tennessee

You control the game, and are genuinely a victim of bad luck. But hey, when you’re paying out scholarships for receivers to receive, and running backs to not fumble the ball in the red zone, and they don’t do their job, then you probably deserve to lose 16-15 to a 49 yard field goal to Steve Spurrier’s pesky South Carolina.

Minnesota

Every year we talk about Minnesota about being a potential Big Ten winner, and every year they let us down. If it’s not a botched field goal, then the defense gives it up. The numbers against Ohio State – 45 points and 578 yards tell a sorry tale- even if you score 31! Some consistency, please!

Georgia

And we’d like to say goodbye to Georgia’s National Championship hopes. And if DJ Shockley’s injured, we can’t say that the game against the hated Auburn Tigers is going to be easy for the Bulldogs, either.

Oklahoma State

Scoring 28 points against a Texas defense that rarely gives up 28 is one thing. Being up 28-12 is the other. Then giving up 47 in the second half? Nothing short of disastrous.