Letdown Spots -- Week 12
By Judd Hall
If you were expecting a ton of upsets last week in college football, you didn’t get them. Underdogs were only able to get the outright victory 12 times in Week 11.
As few and far between those shockers were, we did get one that did help clear up the road to the national title.
We’ve got three programs that are set up for the letdown this Saturday, so let’s take a gander.
Hawkeyes Down…
There were a few rumblings from within my office that the Nittany Lions were primed for an upset last Saturday in Iowa City. I didn’t pay much attention to it since Penn State had a full week off after a huge win in Columbus.
Turns out the Hawkeyes were prepared to deliver that upset by frustrating Daryll Clark, allowing him to complete nine of 23 passes for 86 yards. Despite Clark’s play, Penn State took a 16-7 lead into the third quarter.
Iowa didn’t let that deficit faze them in the second half as evidenced by scoring 17 points in the final 25 minutes. To give you an idea of how much of a charmed life the Hawkeyes lead in this tilt, their 31-yard winning field goal was made by Daniel Murray…a backup kicker who hadn’t made a three-pointer since Sept. 20 at Pittsburgh.
The euphoria could be short lived when the ‘Hawks welcome Purdue to town this Saturday. The Boilermakers kept Iowa out of the end zone in their contest with Iowa in 2007 during a 31-6 blowout. Purdue’s Curtis Painter completed 29 of 48 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns in that matchup. Recent reports suggest that he might come back to play in passing situations, while Justin Siller takes control of the ground attack under center. That could wreak havoc with the Hawkeyes’ defense.
Beware of the Pirates…
East Carolina looks like it has itself back on track after escaping its battle with the Thundering Herd with a 19-16 overtime victory. The Pirates’ recent rise to success can directly be attributed to their defense. ECU has allowed an average of 231.3 YPG in its last three matches, while picking off four passes.
As good as things are looking for the Pirates, we have to remember that they needed overtime to get their last two wins. That won’t work against Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles are riding a two-game winning streak right now after outscoring their opponents 87-20. And that is without their top running asset in Bubba Kirksey.
Aside from playing two emotionally draining extra-time affairs, East Carolina hasn’t fared that great against Southern Miss. That’s because the Golden Eagles are 8-2 straight up and against the spread when facing the Pirates.
Low Tide…
So much was made about Nick Saban’s return to Baton Rouge last week that we almost forgot about the game against LSU. Alabama was able to take advantage of three interceptions and a bullheaded run by John Parker Wilson to get past the Tigers, 27-21.
While the Crimson Tide is riding high right now, they can’t afford to look past Mississippi State. Sure the Bulldogs five of their last seven games, but Sly Croom’s squad knows how to defend the ball with the 19th best unit in the nation, allowing 295.89 YPG.
Plus Mississippi State has won the last two meetings as an outright underdog. Looking at the Tide as 21½-point home favorites, it’s not a bad spot to play the ‘Dogs.
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