Georgia Tech fires Gailey
November 26th, 2007
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Georgia Tech has reportedly decided to fire head football coach Chan Gailey, who has never had a losing season in his six years at the helm.
The school has called a news conference for Monday afternoon to discuss the future of the football program, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitution cited a source familiar with the situation as saying Gailey has been dismissed.
Georgia Tech wrapped up a 7-5 campaign on Saturday with a 31-17 loss to arch- rival Georgia. Gailey, despite an overall record of 44-32 at Tech, never beat the Bulldogs in six tries.
The Yellow Jackets won exactly seven games in five of Gailey's six seasons. Only last year differed with a mark of 9-5 that included a loss to Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game.
Tech was also just 2-3 in bowl games under Gailey, who was under contract through the 2011 season.
Missouri TE Coffman questionable for Big 12 title game
November 26, 2007
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -Missouri tight end Chase Coffman has an ankle injury and is questionable for Saturday's Big 12 championship game against No. 9 Oklahoma.
Coffman, the career leader in touchdown passes for the top-ranked Tigers, missed the second half of Missouri's 36-28 win over then-No. 2 Kansas this past Saturday.
``He will be in a boot until Wednesday morning, then he'll practice Wednesday and Thursday,'' coach Gary Pinkel said Monday on a conference call. ``We think he'll be back, but he would certainly be questionable at this time.''
Coffman is Missouri's third-leading receiver with 51 catches for 523 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He holds the school record with 20 TD catches.
Stanford quarterback for Big Game up in the air because of Pritchard's injury
November 26, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh could make a quarterback change for this week's rivalry game against California after starter Tavita Pritchard was dinged up last week against Notre Dame.
Pritchard was replaced by T.C. Ostrander after being hit hard in the helmet by Notre Dame's Terrail Lambert in the third quarter of last Saturday's game. Pritchard returned briefly against the Irish after the hit, but Ostrander finished the 21-14 loss to the Fighting Irish.
Harbaugh said Monday that he would wait until watching both players practice before determining who would start for Stanford (3-8, 2-6 Pac-10) at quarterback Saturday against the Golden Bears (6-5, 3-5).
``We'll make that decision as the week progresses and we decide who gives us the best chance to win this game,'' Harbaugh said.
Pritchard complained of a headache after the game but Harbaugh said he had been cleared by the doctors to return to action after Ostrander left briefly following a hard hit to the elbow. Pritchard initially had his helmet taken away from him after his hit.
``He was asked a series of questions. The NFL and college football have an evaluation process that takes place after a hit and he passed that test,'' Harbaugh said. ``The doctors made the decision about two plays before T.C. took the helmet on the elbow that he would be available. Before we put him back in there, it was confirmed that he was available to go back in.''
Ostrander began the season as the No. 1 quarterback, starting the first four games before being sidelined after having a seizure. Pritchard came in and led the 24-23 upset over then-No. 2 Southern California and has started every game since.
The Cardinal have lost the last four games, scoring 46 points in the process, but Harbaugh praised Pritchard's performance during that stretch. Pritchard has completed 49.7 percent of his passes, with four touchdowns and nine interceptions.
``It's been good enough to win. It really has,'' he said. ``We've struggled offensively and that starts with me and goes through our offensive unit. We're struggling to move the ball to score points and that hasn't been Tavita's fault. We all take accountability and responsibility but it starts with me.''
Ostrander has completed 55.3 percent of his passes, with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Harbaugh stuck with him at the end of the game against Notre Dame and Ostrander almost led the drive for the tying score, but Evan Moore dropped a pass in the end zone in the final minute.
``I really liked the way T.C. was running the team, the way he was throwing, the way he was operating,'' Harbaugh said. ``I thought he had the hot hand. He made some good decisions and good throws.''
Reports: Nutt finished at Arkansas
November 26, 2007
Sporting News staff report
Houston Nutt will not return as Arkansas' head football coach next season, according to the Fayetteville Morning News and ESPN.com. A news conference has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Nutt, the second-longest tenured coach in the SEC, is 73-48 in 10 seasons at Arkansas, and he has led the Razorbacks to two appearances in the SEC title game.
After a controversial offseason that saw the defections of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and quarterback Mitch Mustain, Arkansas lost its first three conference games of 2007. But Arkansas beat No. 1 LSU in its final game of the regular season to finish 8-4.
Nutt will receive a settlement of approximately $3.5 million, according to ESPN.com.
Doba out as Washington St. football coach
November 26, 2007
Associated Press
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Bill Doba will not return as football coach at Washington State after a 5-7 season in which the team missed going to a bowl game for a fourth consecutive year, a source in the athletics department told The Associated Press on Monday.
It was not immediately clear if he resigned or was fired. A formal announcement was scheduled.
Doba's departure, which was reported first by Sporting News' Tom Dienhart, comes after an emotional 42-35 win over archrival Washington on Saturday that gave him a 3-2 record against the cross-state rivals from Seattle.
Doba, 67, had a 30-29 record in five seasons at Washington State, which is based in Pullman. He is one of only a handful of coaches to have a winning career record at the Pacific 10 Conference school.
He had been on the hot seat all season, after the Cougars lost their final three games in 2006 to finish 6-6 and miss out on going to a bowl game.
The Cougars lost four games -- against Southern Cal, Arizona, Oregon and Oregon State -- by at least four touchdowns this season.
Doba did not become a head coach until the age of 62, when he replaced Mike Price.
Only a few WSU coaches own a winning record while coaching at least five seasons, led by O.E. Hollingbery (93-53 from 1926-1942) and Price (83-78 from 1989-2002).
Doba's best season was his first, when the Cougars were 10-3 in 2003 and beat Texas in the Holiday Bowl.
The following years the Cougars were 5-6, 4-7, 6-6 and 5-7. He was 17-25 in Pacific-10 games.
His 2006 team was 6-3 and ranked 25th in the nation, but lost its final three games to miss a bowl.
Critics grumbled that Doba's age and uncertain future hurt recruiting and fundraising for some $40 million in stadium improvements at Washington State.
Doba's salary is more than $500,000, but he is among the lowest paid coaches in the Pac-10.
Doba came to WSU in 1989 as linebacker coach when Price succeeded Dennis Erickson as head coach. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1994.
Price accepted the head job at Alabama after the Cougars had qualified for the Rose Bowl in the 2002 season, and Price and Doba coached together in that bowl game.
Doba's wife, Judy, died in April, 2006, after a four-year bout with ovarian cancer.
Doba is an Indiana native who was a longtime high school coach, then was an assistant at Indiana under Lee Corso, Purdue under Burtnett, and The Citadel under Charlie Taaffe before coming to WSU.
Cal RB Jahvid Best probably out for season with hip injury
November 26, 2007
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Jahvid Best, California's talented freshman running back, probably will miss the rest of the season with a hip injury.
Golden Bears coach Jeff Tedford said Best is unlikely to play in Cal's regular season finale against Stanford on Saturday because of the injury, which kept him out of Cal's previous loss to Washington.
"We don't know the extent of his injury yet," Tedford said Monday at a news conference promoting the 110th Big Game. "We're taking our time, making sure we're right about that. He says he feels good, but we have him on crutches until we know more."
Best is second on the team with 221 yards rushing and two touchdowns, providing a speedy change of pace to the more punishing Justin Forsett, the Pac-10's leading rusher. Best also caught 13 passes for 74 yards and returned 15 kickoffs for the Bears (6-5, 3-5 Pac-10), who have lost five of their last six games.
Tedford said Cal has consulted with hip specialists around the country to decide on the best course of treatment for Best, who could be the Bears' featured tailback next season after Forsett's graduation.
James Montgomery is likely to get more playing time in Best's absence. Cal still doesn't know where it will play in a bowl game, though the Bears are likely to land in San Francisco's Emerald Bowl if they post a sixth consecutive victory over Stanford.
Defensive lineman Rulon Davis, who has a lingering knee injury, could be available for limited play against Stanford, Tedford said. Davis has played in just four games this season because of the injury, making nine tackles and 11/2 sacks.
Boston College suspends backup RB
November 26, 2007
Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) -- Boston College running back A.J. Brooks was suspended indefinitely Monday and will not be with the team Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against Virginia Tech in Jacksonville, Fla.
Coach Jeff Jagodzinski said the junior was suspended for a violation of team rules but did not specify the nature of the transgression.
Brooks played in seven games for the No. 12 Eagles (10-2) and ran 25 times for 79 yards and no touchdowns. His best season came as a freshman when he rushed for 160 yards in his first start and finished the season with 319 yards and three touchdowns on 57 carries.
Ole Miss hires ex-Arkansas coach Nutt
November 27, 2007
Associated Press
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Houston Nutt wasn't out of a job for long: He was hired as Mississippi's football coach just hours after resigning at Arkansas.
Nutt agreed to a contract late Monday night, and replaces Ed Orgeron, who was fired Sunday after the Rebels lost to rival Mississippi State and finished 3-9.
The hiring of Nutt was confirmed by a person close to the program who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made.
Nutt resigned even though the Razorbacks upset then-No. 1 LSU 50-48 in triple overtime last week.
The school planned an announcement on its coaching situation later Tuesday.
Stoops hopes to get Big 12 sacks leader back from injury
November 26, 2007
Associated Press
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- The status of Oklahoma defensive end Auston English, the Big 12 Conference's sacks leader, remains in question for the league's championship game, but his backup is expected to be healthy enough to play Saturday against No. 1 Missouri.
English has missed the last three games for the ninth-ranked Sooners (10-2, 6-2) since suffering a hairline fracture in his right leg against Texas A&M. He had a pin surgically inserted two weeks ago.
"He did some jogging and running around, so we'll see," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said after practice Monday night.
English leads the Big 12 with 91/2 sacks, including 11/2 in Oklahoma's 41-31 win against Missouri in October. He also had a career-high nine tackles in that game, four more than he's had in any other game.
"The guy's a really good player," Stoops said. "Hopefully we get him back."
Stoops does expect to have backup Alan Davis back in time for the championship game. Davis started in place of English against Baylor and Texas Tech, but a concussion caused him to miss last week's game against Oklahoma State.
Connecticut accepts bid to play in Meineke Bowl against ACC team
November 27, 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -Connecticut accepted a bid Tuesday to play in the Meineke Bowl on Dec. 29 against an Atlantic Coast Conference team.
The Huskies were selected over Cincinnati as the Big East's representative for the game, which will be played at Bank of America Stadium.
The ACC team is not expected to be named until after Saturday's conference championship game. Wake Forest and Maryland are the leading contenders.
The Huskies are coming off their best season since moving up to the top level of college football six years ago. UConn (9-3, 5-2 Big East) had a chance to win the conference title and capture the league's Bowl Championship Series berth until Saturday's 66-21 loss at West Virginia in their regular season finale.
It will be Connecticut's second bowl appearance. The Huskies beat Toledo 39-10 in the 2004 Motor City Bowl.
Connecticut was selected over Cincinnati, which beat the Huskies 27-3 on Nov. 10, one of two losses in its final three games for Connecticut.
The Meineke Bowl, played at the Carolina Panthers' 73,000-seat stadium, is in its sixth year. It has included a Big East team every year until last season, when it cut a one-year deal to select Navy.
The ACC's Boston College beat the Midshipmen 25-24 on Steve Aponavicius' 37-yard field goal on the final play.
In previous years, the bowl, run by Raycom Sports, has tried to secure a team with a local following, making Wake Forest an attractive option to be UConn's opponent. North Carolina and North Carolina State have played in the game in the past.
Boston College suspends backup RB Brooks before ACC title game
November 27, 2007
BOSTON (AP) -Boston College backup running back A.J. Brooks has been suspended from the team indefinitely after allegedly beating and kicking a 20-year-old man on campus.
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Brooks was released on $250 bail Monday after pleading not guilty to charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, for allegedly kicking the man with his shoe on, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley's office.
Brooks, a junior, will not be with the team Saturday at the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against Virginia Tech in Jacksonville, Fla.
The alleged victim, whom authorities did not identify, required stitches after suffering injuries to his head, neck and face during the fight about 2 a.m. Sunday morning, said Jake Wark, a spokesman for the Conley's office.
Campus police found the Weston man, who was visiting friends on campus, Wark said. The man was treated and released from Brigham and Woman's hospital.
It was unclear what started the fight, Wark said. Brooks reportedly told police the man pushed him and he responded by punching him and knocking him down.
Campus police arrested Brooks after a witness described him and what he was wearing. Police recognized the description as matching Brooks, whom they spoke to earlier in the evening, Wark said. A call to campus police wasn't immediately returned Tuesday.
Police located Brooks and he was taken into custody after he acknowledged being in a fight, Wark said.
Attempts to call Brooks on campus Tuesday were unsuccessful. A call to his attorney was not immediately returned.
Coach Jeff Jagodzinski said Monday that Brooks was suspended for a violation of team rules.
Brooks played in seven games for the No. 12 Eagles (10-2) and ran 25 times for 79 yards and no touchdowns. His best season came as a freshman when he rushed for 160 yards in his first start and finished the season with 319 yards and three touchdowns on 57 carries.
USF to face Pac-10 opponent in Sun Bowl
Associated Press
EL PASO, Texas -- South Florida will play in the Sun Bowl for the first time.
The Bulls, ranked No. 25 in The Associated Press poll, announced Tuesday they have accepted a bid to play the third-place team from the Pac-10 on Dec. 31 in El Paso. The Pac-10 race will be decided Saturday.
USF (9-3, 4-3 Big East) rose as high as No. 2 in The Associated Press poll before three consecutive losses. It will be the Bulls' third bowl appearance in the program's 11th season.
The Sun Bowl, sponsored by Brut, is played at Texas-El Paso
Cal WR Jackson questionable for Big Game
November 27, 2007
Associated Press
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- California receiver DeSean Jackson isn't sure he'll play in the 110th Big Game after sitting out of Tuesday night's practice because of a bruised right leg.
Jackson, who has 60 catches for 681 yards and five touchdowns this season, severely bruised his quadriceps during a second-quarter punt return in Cal's loss at Washington on Nov. 17. The junior missed the rest of the game, and a week of rehabilitation hasn't healed him completely before Saturday's meeting with archrival Stanford.
"I'm feeling pretty good, but still not back to where I want to be," Jackson said. "Closer to game time, I'll see how I feel. ... Every year I've played in the Big Game, it's been one of those great years. It would be good to keep that tradition going on. Right now, I just want to protect my knee from whatever it is."
Jackson's knee aches when he moves on it because of the bruise, he said. That's a debilitating problem for a player whose game is based on speed, both as a receiver and a punt returner.
Jackson is expected to declare his eligibility for the NFL draft after the season, perhaps further complicating his decision to play on an injured leg.
"We want to go out on a note showing everybody we are an explosive team," Jackson said.
Cal already will be without freshman tailback Jahvid Best, who's likely out for the season with a hip injury. Best, Cal's second-leading rusher with 221 yards, was hurt while blocking on a kick return at Washington.
Best still holds out hope of returning for a bowl game, though California coach Jeff Tedford said his prized youngster's season probably is over.
"It scares me a little bit, but I think it's more precautionary," said Best, who's making his way around campus on crutches. "We're trying to play it safe and make the smartest decision."
News and Notes - Week 14
Northcoast Sports
WEEK 14
Arizona St faced a double digit deficit for the 6th time this season. They rallied to win 4 of those 6 but could not make the comeback vs USC. They key play of the game happened with 7:05 left in the 1H with the score tied at 17, ASU went for it on 4th & 1 and QB Carpenter was sk'd. The Trojans then drove 58/8pl for a 20 yd FG and 54/6pl for a TD, the latter with just :09 left in the half to take command, 27-17. At the half USC did have a 239-132 yd edge. The Trojans scored on their first 3 poss of the 2H to blow it open...
C Michigan had the MAC Title game on deck and trailed by 12 points for most of the 2H but got 2 TD's in the last 6:58 including one with 1:31 left to pull out a 35-32 win at Akron. Thanks to the late drive, CM finished with a 639-323 yd edge...
Mississippi St was outFD'd by Ole Miss 21-10 and trailed 14-0 when Ole Miss went for it on 4th & 1 at the 50 with 10:05 left and was SOD. State went 48/6pl for a TD then after forcing a punt went on a 7 play drive and had a 1st & goal at the 12. All appeared lost when Carroll was int'd and ret'd 32 yds to the 37 but they forced a punt and Pegues ret'd it 75 yds for a TD with 2:38 left. After forcing another punt with :43 left, State got 2 FD's and Carlson hit a career long 48 yd FG for the win with :12 left...
Nebraska trailed Colorado 17-7 with 2:38 left in the 1Q and had zero yards passing. They piled up 274 yds passing in the 2Q and led 35-24 at the half. A pair of int's, the first ret'd 31 yds for a TD, the 2nd setting up a 33 yd TD drive and then a blk'd punt setting up a 25 yd drive for a TD was part of CU's 5 straight TD's in the 2H and Nebraska even got a garbage TD with :26 left to "only" lose by 14 points and seal Bill Callahan's dismissal. Colorado became bowl eligible with the win...
A&M wanted Dennis Franchione out and he accepted a buyout and resigned after upsetting Texas for a 2nd straight year. A&M finished with a 533-357 yd edge and led 17-3 at the half increasing the lead to 38-17 in the 4Q before allowing Texas drives of 80 and 73 yds for TD's, the latter with 2:45 left to make the final respectable. After UT kicked off deep, A&M converted on 3rd & 6 for a FD to the 43 and ran out the clock...
It may have been Sonny Lubick's last game for Colorado St (negotiating buyout) but his team responded giving him a 36-28 win in a game CSU had a 397-328 yd edge. Wyoming ended the season with a 4 game losing streak...
In 2005 Maryland travelled to NCSt with both teams needing 1 win to become bowl eligible but NCSt sent Maryland home for the holidays with their win. The Terps got their revenge as in the identical situation, MD not only won but recorded a shutout. NCSt had not been shutout since 1995, a streak of 150 straight games which was tops in the ACC but were blanked by the Terps 37-0 trailing 24-0 at the half...
Randy Shannon made a bonehead call in the Miami, Fl game. Trailing 7-0 they got an int at their own 12 with :45 left in the half. Instead of taking it to the half with a simple run into the line, Shannon opted to throw and naturally the pass was int'd setting up BC at the 32. After a roughing the passer call 3 plays later they got a TD with :29 left in the half, 14-0. The game was actually tied 14-14 early 4Q but BC got a 20 yd TD pass then a 45 yd TD run by Callender. UM had 4th & 5 at the BC 29 and got a FD but holding wiped it out and they were SOD on 4th & 15...
At the half Pitt had a 195-124 yd edge and led 14-10. USF got an 80 yd QB draw by Matt Grothe on the first play of the 3Q. USF only led 20-14 after 3Q's but got a 37 yd IR TD, 55 yd IR to set up a 1 yd TD and then a 21 yd IR TD to blow it open 41-21. The teams scored 3 TD's in the final 4:27. Pitt RB LaSean McCoy broke Tony Dorsett's frosh record for TD's in a season...
Duke had a 360-249 yd edge vs N Carolina but missed a 39 yd FG on the final play of regulation and a 42 yd FG in OT and UNC's Greg Little rushed for a career high 154 yds including a 25 yd TD run in OT for the win...
Kent St blew another game they could have won. Leading 20-16 they had a 1st & goal at the 12 but settled for a 23 yd FG. After Buffalo tied it with 4:54 left, Kent drove 65/10pl for the game winning 29 yd FG with 1:34 left but it was blk'd and Buffalo won it in OT. Eugene Jarvis rushed for 183 yards on 34 carries in a losing effort for Kent St...
UCF only led UTEP 22-20 in the 4Q. They got a TD with 5:58 left then UTEP went for it on 4th & 10 at its own 37 and UCF added a TD with 2:29 left to win by 16 and advance to the CUSA Title game...
Oklahoma/Oklahoma St was closer than the final for 3.5Q's. In fact after OSU's opening drive of the 3Q ended in a missed 40 yd FG, OU only had a 259-258 yd edge but led 28-10 as OSU also settled for a 28 yd FG and was stopped on 4th & goal at the 1 while the Sooners were able to convert on all of their drives for TD's. OSU got a 23 yd IR setting up a 1 yd TD drive to pull within 28-17 but the Sooners would score TD's on their next 3 poss and even ended the game at the OSU 34 as Allen Patrick rushed for 202 yards...
W Michigan had 19-6 and 438-146 yd edges vs Temple. TU did not get their first FD until 9:00 remained 2Q and at the end of the game WM took a knee at the 8 yd line in their 16-3 win...
Arkansas St just missed out on a 6-6 season. S Miss got a 29 yd FG with 14:54 left and ASU had a 28 yd FG blk'd (8:18). SM went 60/11pl for a 37 yd FG to lead 16-10 with 6:26 left. ASU went 63/12pl but on 4th & 1 from the SM 25 with 1:32 left, they were SOD and despite a 360-300 yd edge, ASU lost by 6 points...
Clemson blk'd 2 of S Carolina's punts, one of which was ret'd for a TD and had an additional 3-1 TO edge as well as a 443-364 yd edge but needed a 4th & 4 conversion at midfield to keep alive their final drive and nailed a 35 yd FG on the game's final play to pull out a 2 pt win which may have cost SC a bowl bid. It also gave Steve Spurrier his longest losing streak of his college career...
Florida had a 541-287 yd edge for the game but only a 269-203 edge at half. The key was FSU settled for 4 FG's and while they did hit a 60 yarder on the final play of the half, they settled for 21 and 28 yarders and trailed 24-12. The Gators dominated the 2H...
With the game tied 35-35, Washington fumbled at the WSU 28 with 6:10 to go and then fumbled at the WSU 20 with 2:00 left. The Cougars went 80/6pl and got a 35 yd TD pass with :31 left to pull out the Apple Cup win trying to save Coach Doba's job as his record is now 30-29 after 5 seasons...
Florida Atlantic rolled to a 35-3 lead in the 4Q before allowing 3 late TD's to Florida Int'l in their 55-23 win which sets up the battle for the SBC title between FAU and Troy this week...
ULL RB Tyrell Fenroy had 118 yards vs ULM in a losing effort but topped 1,000 yards late 3Q. He and Darren McFadden are the only 2 juniors that have put together 3 straight 1,000 yard seasons and we have to think McFadden will not be around for his senior season next year...
Marshall must have forgot there was 2H. They had a dominating 1H vs UAB scoring TD's on 4 of 5 poss and led 28-7 at the half but needed a late TD to pull out a 46-39 win over UAB who scored 32 pts in the 2H...
Last week we had a 4'H College Totals GOY which was on Memphis/UAB to go Over 60. Look at how those two preformed this week. The UAB/Marshall game totalled 85 pts and the Memphis/SMU game totalled 107. That was the type of offensive production we expected from both 2 weeks ago. Kansas/Missouri was a battle between #2 and #4 BCS teams in the country and drew 80,507 (2nd largest crowd in 35 year history of Arrowhead Stadium). MO jumped out to a big lead of 28-7 in the 4Q and held on for the 36-28 win. Chase Daniel hit 40-49 passes for 361 yds and certainly a leading Heisman contender...
Miami led Ohio 17-7 at the half but after OU drove 63/9pl for a TD, they got consecutive int's which set up TD "drives" of 19 and 17 yds and stunningly OU led 28-17 6:00 into the 3Q and held on for a 38-29 win despite being outgained 379-199...
Alabama lost its final 4 games to drop to 6-6 and speaking of 6, that is how many times Auburn has beaten Bama consecutively...
Ironically, in the worst season that Notre Dame fans can ever recall, they actually won their final 2 games of the year for the first time since 1992!!...
Nothing fluky about Fresno St's defeat of Big XII foe Kansas St. The Bulldogs piled up 549 yds offense to 382 for Kansas St and led 45-21 before KSU got a garbage TD with 2:55 left...
Rice was extra motivated to take on their former coach who left them for the Tulsa job after signing a new contract last year. They nearly came away with the upset outgaining Tulsa 700-592 but lost by 5...
Georgia began the year with 3 frosh starting on the O-line but were clearly playing their best ball down the stretch and is worthy of a BCS bowl bid. If there was a playoff system, they'd be one of the favorites for the title. UGA wiped Florida 42-30, Auburn 45-20, Kentucky 24-13 and then GTech this past week 31-17. Thomas Brown, who ret'd at RB 2 weeks ago after being inj'd rushed for 139 yds.
I'D RATHER BE LUCKY THAN GOOD
That sums up Tennessee's SEC Championship this year. When UT prevailed in 4OT's vs Kentucky they finished tied for the top in the SEC East with 2 losses but will be in the Title game. In SEC play this year, UT was outgained by S Carolina 501-317 and outFD'd 31-16 but miraculously prevailed 27-24 in OT. They trailed Vandy 24-9 in the 3Q but had the 2nd biggest comeback in school history and rallied for a 25-24 win with VU's final FG bouncing off the upright from 39 yds out. Kentucky, down by 3, had a 3rd & goal then a bad snap forced Woodson to hurry his pass and he overthrew an open receiver in the EZ which would have given them the victory. In the 2nd OT, UT was int'd and UK needed just a FG for the win. Their 34 yd'r which would knock the Vols out of the title game was bkl'd. After each got a TD and missed a 2 pt conv in the 3rd OT, UK's 2 pt in the 4OT came up short and UT got their 3rd win in a game they could have easily have lost.
INJURIES OF NOTE
Without Dennis Dixon, Oregon's offense naturally figured to struggle but they also lost 2nd stringer Brady Leaf to injury. Leaf at least hit 4 of 11 for 45 yds. Oregon used untested frosh Cody Kempt and Justin Roper and those two combined to hit 7 of 28 passes for 60 yards and 3 int's. TO's were the key here. In the 1H UO had a 100-38 yd edge but UCLA had scoring "drives" of -4 and 15 yds after a pair of TO's set up FG's and led 6-0. Late 3Q they "drove" 6 yds after an int for a 28 yd FG to lead 9-0. UCLA put together its longest scoring drive of the game going 31/4pl for a TD with 5:29 left and had just 10 FD's but won 16-0 dealing the Ducks their first shutout in more than 22 years (9/28/85) ...
N Illinois' injury plagued season continued as their starting QB was out for the season finale vs Ball St. The Huskies played scrappy to the end, covering their 3rd straight to end the season. Ryan Morris hit 24-44 for 252 yds. NI has had 24 players miss multiple game with injury including 13 that were lost for the season.
KEY PLAYS
Virginia led Virginia Tech 14-13 and had the ball with :50 left in the half when they were int'd. UVA had a fmbl overturned and VT got a FD then a 40 yd TD pass with :12 left in the half to take a 20-14 lead and would not trail the rest of the game. UVA finished with a 430-241 yd edge.
MISLEADING FINALS, FRONTDOOR AND BACKDOOR COVERS
Folks that played Over 58' in the LSU/Arkansas game appeared to have had an easy win as the two teams combined for 98 points. However, they needed LSU to score a TD with :58 left to tie it at 28 and force OT. After regulation the game was still not Over the Total but thanks to the NCAA's OT rules, 42 points were scored in 3OT's for a very misleading 50-48 final...
BYU got a fortunate cover vs Utah although they deserved better in the 1H. In the 1H BYU had a 206-50 yd edge but fumbled at the Utah 25, missed a 48 yd FG, settled for a 22 yd FG and had a TD called back on offensive pass interference and only led 3-0. Utah got a TD with 1:34 left in the game to take a 10-9 lead. BYU converted on 4th & 18 when QB Hall escaped a sk and hit a 49 yd pass. A pair of penalties gave them FD's setting up for a game winning FG but Unga broke an 11 yd TD run with :38 left to get ahead of the spread. Utah got to the BYU 43 but their Hail Mary pass was knocked down in the EZ...
Cincinnati and Syracuse traded TD's in the 2nd and 3Q with UC leading by either 4 or 11 points. Leading by 4, UC got a 16 yd fumble return for a TD late 3Q. Leading 45-31 UC's chances at a cover appeared gone when their 4th & 5 pass from the SU 25 was incomplete with 2:55 left. SU went for it on 4th & 10 and was sk'd back at their 18 and UC got a TD on 3rd & 6 with a 13 yd run by Mauk 3 plays later to give them the frontdoor cover with 1:02 left...
TCU piled up a school record 694 yds offense 1 week after SDSt had allowed Air Force 670 yards. It would have been an outstanding frontdoor cover for TCU which trailed 17-0 after 1Q and 24-21 at the half laying 12' points. TCU dominated the 2H as Joseph Turner ran for a career high 226 yds for the Frogs and they took a 45-27 lead. SDSt got a TD with 1:37 left and even though they missed the 2 pt conversion, SDSt still got the backdoor cover, 45-33.
BCS TROUBLES
As we've seen many times in recent years, the team that has the BCS Championship Game invite in their control, struggles and that happened once again this past week. For an amazing 6th time on the season, the #1 or #2 ranked team lost to an unranked team. We used a 3H LPS on Arkansas +13' over LSU and they delivered the outright upset. Ark led or was tied for the entire 2H with LSU getting a TD with :57 left to force OT. In the first OT Ark converted on 4th & 10 for a FD when trailing by 7 and on 3rd & 8 got a TD. In the 3rd OT, after each team had scored a TD, Arkansas got their 2 point conversion but LSU's 2 pt pass was int'd in the EZ and Ark piled up 385 yds rushing and 513 yds overall vs LSU's defense...
Hawaii did not succumb to the BCS pressure. They did struggle early vs Boise and trailed 27-26 mid-3Q but scored the game's next 2 TD's then went on a long drive where they were SOD at the Boise 33. On 4th & 7 BSU was sk'd and fmbl'd at the UH 36 with 6:26 left and the Warriors went on a 63/13pl drive taking a knee at the half yard line after coming up a foot short of the EZ converting on 4th down on a play that would have made it 46-27...
W Virginia felt some BCS pressure in the 1H vs Connecticut, perhaps celebrating LSU's loss to Arkansas the night before which put them in the drivers seat for a possible National Title game, WV was fortunate to lead 24-14 at the half as CT actually had a 261-200 yd edge. The 2H was all WV as they scored TD's on 5 of their first 6 poss and the only time they did not score, was when they were int'd at the 5. WV got a FR for a TD 2 plays later and led 66-14 with backups playing the entire 4Q.
College Football - Week 14 Predictions
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Miami-Ohio (6-6) vs. Central Michigan (7-5), Saturday, 11 am
The Chippewas' offensive unit could be one of the best in the history of the Mid-American Conference. While the team's defensive play is suspect, the Chippewas should have no trouble racking up points against Miami en route to their second consecutive MAC title.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Central Michigan 38, Miami-Ohio 27
Navy (7-4) vs. Army (3-8), Saturday, 12 pm
In the 107-year history of this rivalry, no team has ever won six consecutive meetings. However, that will change this Saturday as the Middies are the much better team offensively, and should have no trouble against the weak rushing defense of the Black Knights.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Navy 35, Army 14
Tulsa (9-3) at U-C-F (9-3), Saturday, 12 pm
This should be a classic, as Tulsa's passing game goes against UCF's dominant ground attack. The Knights have the edge playing at home and they should be able to keep the Hurricane's offense off the field with their running game, as they get their revenge with a win this weekend.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UCF 42, Tulsa 31
(6) Virginia Tech (10-2) vs. (12) Boston College (10-2), Saturday, 1 pm
This game reeks of revenge, as Virginia Tech let a victory slip away late against Boston College during the regular season. Expect a tight contest from start to finish, and don't be surprised if a big special teams play proves to be the difference for the Hokies.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Virginia Tech 24, Boston College 21
(14) Tennessee (9-3) vs. (5) L-S-U (10-2), Saturday, 4 pm
Go with LSU in this contest, as the Tigers have yet to be beaten in regulation this season. The Vols will keep it close, however, as they enter with a wealth of confidence.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: LSU 30, Tennessee 23
Oregon State (7-4) at (18) Oregon (8-3), Saturday, 4:30 pm
Oregon State enters this contest with significantly more momentum and confidence than does Oregon. Still, playing at home is a huge advantage in this series, and Stewart will salvage some pride for his Ducks.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oregon 24, Oregon State 20
U-C-L-A (6-5) at (8) U-S-C (9-2), Saturday, 4:30 pm
The Bruins won a big game last week against Oregon, but they will get a USC squad at full strength and a conference crown within grasp. The Trojans are the more experienced team in critical games and that, along with a deep talent pool, should sway the outcome in their favor.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: USC 31, UCLA 17
(21) B-Y-U (9-2) at San Diego State (4-7), Saturday, 6:30 pm
The Cougars still have something to play for, as going perfect in the MWC is certainly a worthy accomplishment. Although the chances of earning a BCS Bowl bid are slim, there is still that added incentive as well. SDSU has struggled in stopping anyone this year and that trend will likely continue in the season-finale.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: BYU 33, San Diego State 16
Pittsburgh (4-7) at (2) West Virginia (10-1), Saturday, 7:45 pm
It all comes down to this for WVU, which showed it can win a big game by pounding UConn last weekend. The Mountaineers are now facing a lesser opponent, but in a year of consistent upsets, they must not overlook their long-time rival. Still, WVU is just too talented for the Panthers to handle, so expect them to run away with this one behind the duo of Pat White and Steve Slaton.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: West Virginia 44, Pittsburgh 21
(9) Oklahoma (10-2) vs. (1) Missouri (11-1), Saturday, 8 pm
With so much on the line, Missouri has to keep its emotions in check and focus on beating the Sooners. That will not be easy, however, as Oklahoma remains one of the nation's most talented teams. Give the edge to Chase Daniel and company, although a win by Sam Bradford and his teammates would not be surprising.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Missouri 34, Oklahoma 31
Arizona (5-6) at (13) Arizona State (9-2), Saturday, 8 pm
Arizona needs this game to become bowl-eligible, so expect it to come out fired up. ASU though, is the more balanced team here and it should be able to wear down the Wildcats and outlast them for the victory.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Arizona State 31, Arizona 28
Washington (4-8) at (11) Hawaii (11-0), Saturday, 11:30 pm
Facing off against Boise State last week was more pressure than the Warriors had ever imagined, yet they still fought through it and came out on top. A healthy Colt Brennan still has an outside chance at being invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation, but he'll need to be at the top of his game this weekend to earn the trip to the mainland.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Hawaii 49, Washington 27