Week 12 Rewind
By Brian Edwards
On the same day that Georgia head coach Mark Richt officially became one of the SEC coaches who will be on the hot seat going into 2010, another (LSU’s Les Miles) decided to join him with more jaw-dropping decisions at crunch time.
At least Richt didn’t look confused and overwhelmed when his team needed him. He just didn’t have Georgia ready to play Saturday night when Kentucky went between the hedges and rallied from a 20-6 halftime deficit to capture a 34-27 victory. The Wildcats cashed tickets as 10-point road underdogs, hooking up money-line backers with a generous plus-300 payout (paid $300 on $100 wagers).
Freshman quarterback Morgan Newton threw for 137 yards and three touchdowns without an interception to lead UK’s stirring comeback win. Randall Cobb rushed for a pair of TDs, while Derrick Locke had two TD catches from Newton. Locke’s second score tied the game early in the fourth quarter when he found paydirt on a 60-yard screen pass.
Georgia was undone by penalties and four second-half turnovers, resulting in its first home loss to Kentucky since 1977. The Dawgs were threatening to tie the game late in the final stanza when Washaun Ealey fumbled a pitch from Joe Cox at UK’s one yard line. Moments later, UGA got one final chance but Cox was picked off by Sam Maxwell with 1:52 remaining.
The loss dropped Georgia to 6-5 going into its regular-season finale at Ga. Tech in which the Dawgs will be underdogs of at least seven points and possibly double digits. Meanwhile, Kentucky is 7-4 and will be gunning for its eighth win next week when it hosts Tennessee. The ‘Cats will attempt to end a 24-game losing streak to the Vols.
Now let’s get back to The Mad Hatter, who was in vintage form Saturday in Oxford. When Miles’ odd clock-management techniques worked in 2007, it didn’t make them right. When he decided to throw into the end zone when LSU was in field-goal range against Auburn two years ago, the play worked and the Tigers won. But Miles’ logic was still wrong and his ignorance was on clear display.
Two years later, LSU was on the cusp of rallying for an improbable victory at Ole Miss. The Tigers had pulled to within two and then executed an onsides kick to perfection. Next, they moved into field-goal range trailing 25-23. But on second and 10 when the obvious call was to run the football, LSU opted to pass and Jordan Jefferson took a sack for a nine-yard loss.
Then on third down with LSU no longer in field-goal range, a screen pass was stuffed. And then The Hat put on his thinking cap. With one timeout left, Miles pulled the most unfathomable move of his coaching career. He inexplicably allowed at least 17 ticks to milk away before burning LSU’s final timeout.
But the utter confusion on the visiting sideline was just beginning. Facing fourth down at the 48. LSU had no choice but attempt a Hail Mary with nine seconds remaining. Turns out, the Tigers caught the pass just shy of the end zone for a first down and an automatic clock stoppage with only one second left.
Obviously, LSU would’ve had plenty of time to spike the ball if Miles would’ve called timeout rather than ignorantly allowing the clock to inexplicably run from 26 seconds to nine after the third-down screen pass was stopped. Seriously, what was going on under The Hat? What possible thought process could’ve been going on?
Whatever the case, bettors backing LSU cashed tickets as underdogs. Ole Miss spent most of the week as a four-point favorite, but most spots were at 5 ½ or six by kickoff. The 48 combined points went ‘over’ the 45-point total.
Florida hooked up its backers in a 62-3 bludgeoning of FIU from out of the Sun Belt. The Gators covered the number as 47-point favorites. They will host FSU before taking on Alabama at the Georgia Dome.
As I mentioned last week, LVSC’s Mike Seba has tentatively said that UF will be a 4 ½-point favorite against the Crimson Tide. Speaking of ‘Bama, it rolled past Chattanooga 45-0 in a non-lined affair. Nick Saban’s team will be at Auburn on Friday for the Iron Bowl.
Texas continued to cash tickets galore by spanking Kansas 51-20 as a 27 ½-point home favorite. The Jayhawks have failed to cover in eight consecutive games.
Oklahoma has now lost five times. Texas Tech destroyed the Sooners by a 41-13 count as a 6 ½-point home underdog. Gamblers taking the Red Raiders to win outright earned a plus-190 payout.
Oregon won an epic double-overtime thriller at Arizona, 44-41. Jeremiah Masoli’s one-yard TD run on third and goal in the second extra session gave the Ducks the victory. Masoli’s TD pass with six seconds left in regulation forced OT. However, Arizona covered the spread as a six-point home underdog.
Ohio St. beat Michigan 21-10 at The Big House, but the Wolverines hooked up their backers as 12-point home underdogs. Rich Rodriguez’s squad fell to 5-7 and will not go bowling for a second straight season. On the flip side, the Buckeyes are headed for the Rose Bowl where they’ll play the winner of The Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State.
California eliminated Stanford from Rose Bowl contention by going into Palo Alto and collecting a 34-28 win over Stanford as a 7 ½-point road underdog. Toby Gerhart had four rushing TDs, but Andrew Luck threw an interception in the red zone with the Cardinal threatening to rally in the final minute.
Charlie Weis’s days in South Bend have been numbered for weeks now, but for those that thought he might be able to salvage his job, even they know better after Saturday. That’s when UConn beat Notre Dame 33-30 in double overtime as a six-point road underdog. The Huskies closed at plus-205 on the money line, paying backers $205 for every $100 wagered.
Where will the Irish turn? Personally, I don’t think Jon Gruden is a good fit but you may hear his name in the coming days and weeks. I don’t see Urban Meyer taking the job if Notre Dame comes calling. Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly looks like the best candidate to me, but if Bob Stoops will listen, Notre Dame has to make that phone call first.
If Stoops is ever going to leave Oklahoma, now would seem like the best time to pursue him.
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