Hey, we’re back. Who did we love, hate, or not any feeling about through Week 11 of this wonderful, wonderful college football season?IMPRESSED
LSU
A lot of people called LSU to go into Tuscaloosa and dispose of Alabama. At 10-0, I wasn’t one of them. But, after their 16-13 victory, helped by excellent quarterbacking from DeMarcus Russell and awesome defense, I’m going to take it back and say this: the Tigers are for real.
NOTRE DAME
Listen, we know that this leg of the Irish’s season is Easy Street, but the combination of Brady Quinn and WR Jeff Samardzija is the best same-sex hook-up since Denise Richards and Neve Campbell got it on in Wild Things. Look out whoever plays this lot in January.
CLEMSON
How could we NOT be impressed by Clemson’s 35-14 thrashing of Florida State in Death Valley? Everything looked excellent about the Tigers, including Charlie Whitehurst, who threw for 269 yards, 3 TDs and his usual interception.
USC
Cal was meant to be a test against Leinart, White and Bush. The only thing that this game reinforced for me is this: the Trojans look unbeatable- and it could well get ugly when the play against UCLA for the Pac-10 title in December.
GEORGIA/AUBURN
As I was actually at this game, I can truly say that I was impressed by both teams in one of the best games you will ever see. Although the 31-30 scoreline might indicate a shoot-out, there was some excellent defense from both teams- as well as those “I can’t believe they did that!”moments. If anyone’s got the DVD, email me.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Having pushed Texas to the limit (in the first half), it was strange to see the beleagured O-State pull off one of the biggest upsets in the land, beating Cody Hodges and Texas Tech and ruining any lingering hopes they might have had for a Big 12 Title game.
OHIO STATE
After their 48-7 trouncing of Northwestern in the Horseshoe, some things are very, very evident: their defense is wonderful, Troy Smith, Antonio Pittman and Tedy Ginn make this team look scary, and how on earth did they lose that game against Texas?
SOUTH CAROLINA
After getting spanked by Auburn, we weren’t saying a whole lot that was nice about South Carolina. But Steve Spurrier, who’s one of the best coaches in the NCAA, shut us all up with wins against Tennessee and Florida. Future SEC champion in 2007? Don’t bet against it.
NEUTRAL
TENNESSEE
Yay! The Volunteers won and are NEARLY bowl eligible again. But they needed two field goals to do it, beating a never-say-die Memphis team 20-14…after falling 14-0 down. And friends who tell me they were there also tell me they wish they weren’t.
OKLAHOMA
The ups: The rejuvenated Adrian Peterson, who ran for 135 yards and 2 TDs on Saturday is back, and the Sooners look bowl eligible. The downs: The defense, who nearly blew a 28-7 first quarter lead against Texas A& M. Hey, at least they keep things interesting.
TEXAS
The only reason why I’m not putting them in the “impressed” part of the section is Mack frickin’ Brown. Already 49-0 up with 1 minute left in the first half, Coach Brown decides to tack on the 35 yard field goal just to impress the point. But it didn’t impress me.
DEPRESSED
ALABAMA
Hearbreak in Tuscaloosa as an unbeaten Crimson Tide took their first loss in OT against LSU. And to make matters worse, they lost on three fronts: the SEC West title, a SEC Championship game spot, and possibly a BCS bid. Can you say “ouch” three times?
TEXAS A&M
Simply, they aren’t a good team. After being 28-7 down to Oklahoma IN THE FIRST QUARTER, A&M brought it back to 30-24 before losing out in the end. This team, quite, simply aren’t good- and Dennis Franchione must be worried about his job.
FLORIDA
I just can’t get this team- beating Georgia one minute, losing to South Carolina the next. So what happens to this team in the Outback bowl (or wherever they’ll be)? Your guess is as good as mine. The only thing that went well for the Gators was that Georgia lost to Auburn, keeping their SEC Championship game plans (relatively) alive.
FLORIDA STATE
Saturday’s 35-14 stuffing showed that the Seminoles have a lot of problem. One of their greatest problems seems to be at quarterback- Drew Weatherford had an awful game, throwing for 117 yards and 2 picks.
NORTHWESTERN
The mauling by Ohio State proves to us all that the Wildcat offense isn’t as good as well all though. Hey- at least they’re bowl eligible, eh?