Impressed- Depressed- Unmoved on Week 6 of the College Football Season

Alex Ferguson looks at what made him happy, sad or emotionally unmoved after Week 6 of the college football season…IMPRESSED

Stanford

Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh had been jawing to anyone in the known world that the Cardinal would be back on the map after this season. After the 24-23 monster upset of Southern Cal, he might be right. Quick props to Stanford receiver Mark Bradford, though, who caught the winning touchdown….only days after his father died. We only hope that this victory is of some comfort to him.

Ohio State

Purdue was meant to be a mega banana skin, wasn’t it? Well, after the Buckeyes 23-7 demolition of Purdue under the lights, there’s one thing for certain: Ohio State are the second best team in the country. If they get past Penn State and Michigan, they’ll be the Big Ten’s representative in the Rose Bowl — and perhaps the National Championship game.

Northwestern/Michigan State

48-41, and a heck of a lot of fun. Isn’t that the right description for this game that had 89 points, 1,092 yards of offense and one overtime? It may not have been a great advertisement for defense, but then again, who cares?

Tennessee

Although a slim victory against an SEC rival isn’t a particular highlight (hell, ANY victory against an SEC opponent without the name “Mississippi” in it is a highlight), the Vols absolutely dismantled the Vols, putting up 35 points and 411 yards of offense – helped by Arian Foster’s 98 yard, 3 TD performance.

Missouri

The Tigers did two things in this 41-6 demolition of Nebraska. The first was to serve notice to the rest of the Big XII that it’s them – not Colorado, Kansas, or Kansas State – who are the frontrunner to with the Big XII North. The second? To put more pressure on Bill Callahan’s job at Nebraska.

LSU/Florida

You have to admire a number of things about this thriller. Florida coming in and proving that they were more than a match for LSU – even in losing 28-24. LSU coach Les Miles’ decisions to go for it on fourth down. Tim Tebow showing why he will play on Sundays. And of course, why the SEC conference is the best in football.

Illinois

Rashad Meadenhall, Juice Williams and the rest of this Illinois team are scaring Big Ten opposition all the way round the country with their spread offence and their frightening speed. Wisconsin didn’t seem to learn any lessons from watching Penn State lose last weekend, because they fell too -31-26.

Penn State

After being summarily abused by every Penn State fan on the planet, Antony Morelli came back with a 233 yard, 1 TD performance in the 27-7 win over Iowa. The running back duo of Evan Royster and Rodney Kinlaw, who had over 200 yards rushing, isn’t looking bad at all. Roll on Wisconsin on homecoming weekend.

UNMOVED

South Florida

After Southern Cal’s sickening loss at home to Stanford, the Bulls might well find themselves in the top ten- even if they only beat a 3-2 Florida Atlantic 35-23. The turnovers still prove to be an issue – they had four of them this week. Against a better team – which will probably come at the time of a BCS bowl – USF will suffer.

Arizona State

They’re 6-0 and going to be in the Top 10 after their 23-20 victory against Washington State. They trailed most of the way, but managed to pull it out through a Thomas Weber field goal and 217 yards – and 2 TDs – from Rudy Carpenter. But as I said last week, we’ll when they come up against USC etc in November.

Michigan

Er, 33-22 against Eastern Michigan?? It doesn’t bode well for their game against Ohio State at the end of the year. But props to Mike Hart for putting up a 215 yard, three touchdown rushing day. Can’t wait to see him on Sundays in the NFL.

DEPRESSED

Southern Cal

Where has that National Championship gone, Pete Carroll? Where has the Heisman bid gone, John David Booty (4 interceptions)? And if they played like this against Stanford, how are the Trojans going to cope against Cal and Oregon?

Georgia

After they dealt with the Oklahoma State offense, we were all talking about how well the Bulldogs played. Well, they went to sleep again. They will be praying the same doesn’t happen the Cocktail Party against Florida, or they can say goodbye to any fleeting SEC Championship hopes.

Wisconsin

It’s bad enough when you’ve just had your winning streak snapped, but there is also an injury to wide receiver Luke Swan, who had caused Illinois problems non-stop in his 67 yard, four reception game.

Nebraska

If this doesn’t get better, it’s goodbye Bill Callahan. And some Husker fans might follow that up with the words “good riddance” – especially after the 41-6 thrashing at the hands of the hated Missouri Tigers.