Motor City Bowl, December 26

Central Michigan

vs
Purdue
Dec. 26 / 7:30 p.m. ESPN

Fantastic, we get another regular season rematch. Two out of the last three games this bowl season have been rematches with Boise State and ECU giving us some new blood between the two. At least BYU and UCLA played a close game the first time leading to an even closer second meeting which gave BYU the revenge win. This time we get a Purdue squad that didn't just beat the Chippewas, the Boilermakers won 45-22 after getting up 38-0. If a close game doesn't interest you and offense does, this will certainly be a game worth tuning in for. These two teams put up 1,048 yards of total offense back on September 15th.

The MAC really could use a CMU victory. The MAC champs rolled through their conference slate going 7-1 including a 35-10 win over Miami, OH in the MAC Championship Game. Unfortunately for the MAC's image, CMU has really had trouble when they left conference play. While they were able to beat Army, they lost to Kansas, Purdue, North Dakota State, and Clemson by a combined score of 211 to 57 (57.75 to 14.25). If the MAC every wants to get respect like the Hawaiis, Boises, and Utahs of the world they're going to have to start winning some games out of conference. Beating a Big10 team, even a mediocre one in Purdue, would go a long ways.

For the Big 10, they cannot afford a loss. Already having the league's image tarnished by the joint eggs laid by Michigan and Ohio State in the BCS last season, not to mention Michigan's early season woes and the league's accepted weakness at the big boy table, the Big 10's image can't afford a loss to a MAC team. The big games come later in the coming weeks for the Big 10 with Wisconsin playing Tennessee, Michigan going against Florida, and the big game with Ohio State and LSU, but a loss here would really set the tone for the rest of the bowl season.

With that said, I still see Purdue winning this one. Dan LeFevour is a poor man's Tim Tebow, as he also passed for over 3,000 yards and rushed for over 1,000. CMU will also need Purdue to come out flat and to not care about being in the Motor City Bowl. This probably will be the case in the beginning as Purdue is sure to come out flat. CMU needs to be hot right out of the gate and jump on Purdue early to make this one a game.

For Purdue they need to just come out and run the ball at CMU and not give up. They have the advantage at every position but quarterback and if they take advantage of this they should have no problem. Keep giving the ball to Kory Sheets and Jaycen Taylor and let them run your team to victory. If Purdue can stay focused and not turn the ball over they should win by 2 touchdowns.

Line (wagerline.com): Purdue -7.5, Total 71.0

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Dec 23

East Carolina
vs
Boise State
Dec. 23 / 8 p.m.

A big deal is always made when the University of Hawai'i football team is forced to travel cross country to play road games. A close, overtime win over Louisiana Tech was glossed over because the Rainbow Warriors had traveled so far to play in Ruston, Louisiana. None of those road trips can compare with the distance East Carolina is about to travel to play Boise State on Sunday. While ECU thought they were going to be in the Liberty Bowl as CUSA champs, a late loss to a bad Marshall team instead has them in Honolulu this holiday season.

A month ago, Boise State thought they were in line for a return trip to the BCS. The darlings from a year ago were a victory of Hawaii away from jumping up into the top 16 of the BCS rankings and a possible at large birth. Instead they lost on the very same field to Colt Brennan and June Jones that they will play on this Sunday. Again we have two teams who thought they would be playing in better bowl games relegated to a "lesser" bowl. The winner on Sunday will be the team that can stay focused on the task at hand and not on where they should be playing, or on the beaches.

Boise State is led by junior RB Ian Johnson and senior QB Taylor Tharp, who takes over for NCAA '08 coverboy Jared Zabransky. Tharp threw for over 3000 yards, 28 touchdowns with only 9 picks. ECU will counter with their two-headed monster of Rob Kass and Patrick Pinkney. The duo has thrown for 19 TDs with a poor group of WRs to throw to. Boise State's secondary will have a field day against the undermatched WRs from ECU. ECU's best chance will be to attack the smaller BSU OL with their front seven. The defensive front seven for ECU is the only place on the field where they will have an advantage against the Broncos.

If BSU can dominate the point of attack this one will get ugly. ECU needs to stay focused, move the ball when they can, and win the turnover battle. BSU will be in the unusual position of predator in the post season where they have thrived as the underdog. ECU will need this new pressure to get to BSU in order to cause turnovers and mistakes. It won't happen, and Chris Peterson will continue auditioning for a better coaching job with the stepping stone that Boise State has become.

Line (wagerline.com): Boise State -10.5, Total 67.0

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl

BYU
vs
UCLA
Dec. 22 / 8 p.m.

Didn't we already see this game back in September? Didn't UCLA beat BYU 27-17 in the Rose Bowl? Of course, that was back when UCLA was considered a top 15 team. Back before they got crusted at Utah, lost to Notre Dame, got crushed at Washington State, lost back to back weeks to Arizona and Arizona State, and finally fell to USC in the Coliseum. UCLA hasn't done much offensively this season, but most teams don't get the offense rolling when they have no quarter back (just ask Oregon). Now Karl Dorrell is gone and UCLA has no coach but they will have their starting quarterback. This will be the healthiest UCLA has been in months, which might not bode well for a hot BYU team trying to knock off an underachieving Pac 1o team.

If BYU had played Hawaii's schedule, the Cougars would be playing UGA the first week of 2008. Instead BYU suffered two losses by just 18 combined points @UCLA (27-17) and @Tulsa (55-47). The Cougars do have the best defense in the MWC and should be able to keep this one close if either QB that UCLA throws out there can't get the ball moving. RB Chris Markey will be a key component in the Bruin offense.

UCLA is playing without a head coach in a bowl game they don't want to be in. BYU is on fire and looking to avenge one of their two losses on the season. The same thing that happened to UCLA last year against FSU seems to be coming this season. Look for BYU to roll.

Line (wagerline.com): BYU -6.0, Total 46.5

New Mexico Bowl

New Mexico
vs
Nevada
Dec. 22 / 4:30 p.m.

For the second straight year New Mexico gets the best home field advantage of the bowl season. Ohio State fans might argue that LSU is getting the biggest boost and Illinois fans might say the same thing about USC, but neither of those teams are literally playing in their home stadium like the Lobos are. The Lobos have only lost once at home this season, a 7 point loss to MWC champ BYU. Now they get to battle another wild dog animal in the Nevada Wolfpack.

Five of Nevada's six losses this season came by 8 points or less, while New Mexico was able to go 4-2 in games decided by a touchdown or less. This is a big game as far as bragging rights will go in the BCS buster conferences. MWC vs WAC. Nevada will need a big game out of RS freshman Colin Kaepernick who is filling in for injured starter Nick Graziano. Kaepernick is a big, prototypical quarterback (6-6, 215) who is a threat with both his arm and his legs. Unfortunately for Nevada fans he is still a rough talent and isn't quite ready tolead a team with his arm alone.

New Mexico is looking for their first bowl win since 1961. They will try and dominate the game with their offensive line and keep this from turning into a shootout like Nevada will want. While going against an impressive losing streak like New Mexico's is usually the wrong call, I can't see the Lobos not winning at home against an undermatched opponent.

Line (wagerline.com): New Mexico -2.5, Total 57.0

PapaJohn’s.com Bowl

Cincinnati
vs
Southern Miss
Dec. 22 / 1 p.m.

This definitely might be a case of a team not being as happy with their bowl destination as their opponent. Cincinnati comes into the Papajohns.com Bowl ranked nationally and looking for their tenth win of the season for the first time since 1951. The Bearcats were probably hoping for a Sun Bowl birth, but it wasn't meant to be. Instead they get to face a Southern Miss team in a transition state with Jeff Bower on his way out from the team he's coached for the past 17 years. Bower will be auditioning for his next job after making it clear he isn't done coaching. Brian Kelly of Cincinnati might also be auditioning for a "better" job after the season he's had.

Cincinnati will ride the arm of transfer senior Ben Mauk who led the league in passer efficiency and had 27 touchdown passes. For Southern Miss to have a chance they will have to successfully run the football with Damion Fletcher. I just don't see it happening. These two teams are heading in different directions and this game will only solidify those positions. Mauk will pass all over USM and the Cincy defense will come up with a number of turnovers to roll the Eagles and their lame duck coach.

Line (wagerline.com): Cincinnati -10.5, Total 55.0

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Memphis
vs
Florida Atlantic
Dec. 21 / 8 p.m.

This is the first ever bowl apperance for Florida Atlantic, which really isn't that bad considering they have only had a team since 2001 and have only been in Division 1A Bowl Division since 2004. Now, the Owls are going to a bowl after winning a share of the Sun Belt title. Veteran coach Howard Schnellenberger has brought this program along quicker than anyone could have imagined. Memphis started out 2-4 and went through the tragic shooting death on campus of one of its players, Taylor Bradford, but have rebounded to win five of their last six games.

On paper these two teams are very evenly matched with neither team holding a significant edge in any statistical category. The two teams are actually the 49th and 50th ranked scoring offenses in the nation (30.1 ppg for FAU, 29.4 ppg for Memphis) while being 91st and 99th in scoring defense (31.25 ppg for Memphis, 33.75ppg for FAU). FAU has played a slightly tougher schedule than Memphis (FAU's OOC slate included a win against Minnesota to go along with games against Oklahoma State, Kentucky, South Florida, and Florida). Memphis had a much easier OOC slate that included losses to Ole Miss, Arkansas State, and Middle Tennessee State (a team FAU beat earlier in the season). Memphis also had D1AA Jacksonville State on their schedule.

This should be one of the most fun games to watch this bowl season with both teams throwing all over the other's suspect defense. The game will come down to the two pass-happy quarterbacks, Memphis senior Martin Hankins and FAU sophomore Rusty Smith. Look for both teams to get close to 400 yards of total offense but I just feel FAU will want this win a little bit more and are a little more battle tested.

Line (wagerline.com): FAU -3.5, Total 66

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Utah vs Navy

Dec. 20 / 9 p.m

After a great season for Navy that included ending the 43 year jinx against Notre Dame, the Midshipmen come into the Poinsettia Bowl versus Utah without the man that got them there. Paul Johnson is now the head coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets so it is up to new coach Ken Niumatalolo. Navy will still run the triple option under Niumatalolo, but will they be able to regularly hit 9 wins like they have with Johnson?

Utah has won 6 straight postseason games, including the past 4 years in a row. After falling to 1-3 after their loss to UNLV back in September, Utah won 7 straight before falling 17-10 @BYU. Navy will be able to run all over the Utes, but Utah will be able to pass anytime they want against the undermatched Midshipmen secondary. If Navy can't slow down the passing game this one could be over fast. Either way it should be better than the other two previous Poinsettia Bowls (TCU crushing Northern Illinois 37-7 last year and Navy running by Colorado State 51-30 two years ago).

Vegas says go with Utah, and that is probably the smart play, but I'm picking Navy in the upset to start off the 2007 postseason the same way the regular season went.

Line (wagerline.com): Utah -9.5, Total 63.5

BCS Games Announced / Bowl Schedule

In a season that started with an upset, and was filled with dozens more, it was only fitting that it end with #1 and #2 in the BCS going down in the final moments of the 2007 regular season. At the top of the heap were LSU and Ohio State. The two teams that spent the most time ranked atop the polls will meet in New Orleans with the winner being the first team in the BCS-era to win 2 national championships

Over the coming weeks leading up to the big game we'll try and breakdown all the other match-ups including a couple of really great ones in the so called "smaller" bowls. For now here's a list of the bowl season.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Dec. 20 / 9 p.m. San Diego, Calif. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Mountain West vs. Navy/At-Large
Utah vs. Navy

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Dec. 21 / 8 p.m. New Orleans, La. ESPN2
Tie-Ins: Sun Belt No. 1 vs. C-USA
Florida Atlantic vs. Memphis

PapaJohn’s.com Bowl
Dec. 22 / 1 p.m. Birmingham, Ala. ESPN2
Tie-Ins: Big East (or MAC) vs. C-USA
Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss

New Mexico Bowl
Dec. 22 / 4:30 p.m. Albuquerque, N.M. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Mountain West vs. WAC
New Mexico vs. Nevada

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl
Dec. 22 / 8 p.m. Las Vegas, Nev. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Mountain West No. 1 vs. Pac-10 No. 4
BYU vs. UCLA

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Dec. 23 / 8 p.m. Honolulu, Hawaii ESPN
Tie-Ins: C-USA vs. WAC
East Carolina vs. Boise State

Motor City Bowl
Dec. 26 / 7:30 p.m. Detroit, Mich. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 7 vs. MAC
Purdue vs. Central Michigan

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Dec. 27 / 8 p.m. San Diego, Calif. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big 12 No. 3 vs. Pac-10 No. 2
Texas vs. Arizona State

Texas Bowl
Dec. 28 / 8 p.m. NFL Network
Tie-Ins: Houston, Texas
Big 12 vs. C-USA
Houston vs. TCU

Champs Sports Bowl
Dec. 28 / 5 p.m. Orlando, Fla. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 4 vs. Big Ten No. 4 or No. 5
Boston College vs. Michigan State

Emerald Bowl
Dec. 28 / 8:30 p.m. San Francisco, Calif. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 7 vs. Pac-10 No. 4
Maryland vs. Oregon State

Meineke Car Care Bowl
Dec. 29 / 1 p.m. Charlotte, N.C. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 6 vs. Big East
Wake Forest vs. Connecticut

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Dec. 29 / 4:30 p.m. Memphis, Tenn. ESPN
Tie-Ins: C-USA No. 1 vs. SEC No. 6
UCF vs. Mississippi State

Alamo Bowl
Dec. 29 / 8 p.m. San Antonio, Texas ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 4 or No. 5 vs. Big 12 No. 4
Penn State vs. Texas A&M

Petro Sun Independence Bowl
Dec. 30 / 8 p.m. Shreveport, La. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big 12 No. 7 vs. SEC No. 8
Colorado vs. Alabama

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Dec. 31 / 12:30 p.m. Fort Worth, Texas ESPN
Tie-Ins: Mountain West vs. Pac-10
Air Force vs. California

Brut Sun Bowl
Dec. 31 / 2 p.m. El Paso, Texas CBS
Tie-Ins: Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame vs. Pac-10 No. 3
South Florida vs. Oregon

Humanitarian Bowl
Dec. 31 / 2 p.m. Boise, Idaho ESPN2
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 8 vs. WAC
Georgia Tech vs. Fresno State

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Dec. 31 / 4 p.m. Nashville, Tenn. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC vs. SEC No. 5
Florida State vs. Kentucky

Chick-fil-A Bowl
Dec. 31 / 7:30 p.m. Atlanta, Ga. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 2 vs. SEC
Clemson vs. Auburn

Insight Bowl
Dec. 31 / TBA Tempe, Ariz. NFL Network
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 6 vs. Big 12 No. 6
Indiana vs. Oklahoma State

Outback Bowl
Jan. 1 / 11 a.m. Tampa, Fla. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 3 vs. SEC
Wisconsin vs. Tennessee

AT&T Cotton Bowl
Jan. 1 / 11:30 a.m. Dallas, Texas FOX
Tie-Ins: Big 12 No. 2 vs. SEC
Missouri vs. Arkansas

Gator Bowl
Jan. 1 / 1 p.m. Jacksonville, Fla. CBS
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 3 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame
Virginia vs. Texas Tech

Capital One Bowl
Jan. 1 / 1 p.m. Orlando, Fla. ABC
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 2 vs. SEC No. 2
Michigan vs. Florida

International Bowl
Jan. 5 / 12 p.m. Toronto, Canada ESPN2
Tie-Ins: Big East/Notre Dame vs. MAC No. 4 or 5
Rutgers vs. Ball State

GMAC Bowl
Jan. 6 / 8 p.m. Mobile, Ala. ESPN
Tie-Ins: C-USA No. 2 vs. MAC
Tulsa vs. Bowling Green

Rose Bowl presented by Citi
Jan. 1 / 4:30 p.m. Pasadena, Calif. ABC
*BCS vs. BCS (Big Ten Champion vs. Pac 10 Champion, if available)
USC vs. Illinois

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Jan. 1 / 8:30 p.m. New Orleans, La. FOX
*BCS vs. BCS (SEC Champion, if available)
Hawaii vs. Georgia

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Jan. 2 / 8 p.m. Phoenix, Ariz. FOX
*BCS vs. BCS (Big 12 Champion, if available)
West Virginia vs. Oklahoma

FedEx Orange Bowl
Jan. 3 / 8 p.m. Miami, Fla. FOX
*BCS vs. BCS (ACC Champion, if available)
Virginia Tech vs. Kansas

Allstate BCS National Championship
Jan. 7 / 8 p.m. New Orleans, La. FOX
*BCS #1 vs. BCS #2
Ohio State vs. LSU

Championship Saturday

We already know that Ohio State and West Virginia are going to the BCS by way of winning their conferences, but the other 4 big conferences will decide their champions today. Three conferences will have championship games while USC will battle UCLA for their chance to win the Pac10

Championship Games
MAC : Central Michigan vs. Miami, OH 11:00 a.m. ESPN2
CUSA: Tulsa @ UCF Noon ESPN
ACC: Boston College vs. Virginia Tech 1:00 p.m. ABC
SEC: LSU vs. Tennessee 4:00 p.m. CBS
Big12: Missouri vs. Oklahoma 8:00 p.m. ABC

Army vs. Navy Noon CBS
UCLA @ Southern California 4:30 p.m. ABC
Oregon State @ Oregon 4:30 p.m. ESPN2
BYU @ San Diego State 6:30 p.m. The Mtn
California @ Stanford 7:00 p.m. Versus
Pittsburgh @ West Virginia 7:45 p.m. ESPN
Arizona @ Arizona State 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
Washington @ Hawaii 11:30 p.m. ESPN2

Coaching Changes

The 2007 regular season isn't even complete and already we've had a number of coaching changes. I'll try and keep them all on this post

Nebraska

Ole Miss

Texas A&M

SMU

Baylor

Michigan

What I'm Watching (Thanksgiving Weekend)

Thanksgiving Day
Southern California @ Arizona State 8:00 p.m. ESPN

Friday 11/23
Ole Miss @ Mississippi State 12:30 p.m. LFS/GP (Ch. TBA)
Arkansas @ LSU 2:30 p.m. CBS
Texas @ Texas A&M 3:30 p.m. ABC
Boise State @ Hawaii 9:00 p.m. ESPN2

Saturday 11/24
Morning
Virginia Tech @ Virginia Noon ESPN
Tennessee @ Kentucky 1:30 p.m. CBS

Afternoon
Georgia @ Georgia Tech 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
UConn @ West Virginia 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma 3:30 p.m. FSN
Florida State @ Florida 5:00 p.m. CBS

Evening
Clemson @ South Carolina 7:00 p.m. ESPN2
Missouri vs. Kansas (in Kansas City) 8:00 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. TBA)
Alabama @ Auburn 8:00 p.m. ESPN

What I'm Watching 11/17/07 (picks in red)

Morning
Ohio State @ Michigan Noon ABC - The best rivalry in cfb (outside of Army/Navy) isn't for as big of stakes as last season's game, but it is still for the Rose Bowl, and if Michigan wins could be for a 2nd BCS team for the often mocked Big10. Hart, Henne, and Carr need this game more than the Buckeyes, especially after their BCS NCG are basically gone after falling to Illinois.

North Carolina @ Georgia Tech Noon LFS/GP (Ch. 777) - The Jackets try and lock up a bowl bid and get to 7 wins against a talented but young Tar Heel squad who are already dealing with rumors of their coach leaving for greener pastures after only 1 season.

Missouri @ Kansas State 12:30 p.m. FSN - Missouri has climbed to 5th (probably 4th next weekend now that Oregon has lost) and only have 1 nice victory on their resume with a win over Illinois the first week of the season. The Tigers must not look ahead to their game against Kansas next weekend or the Wildcats could sneak up on them. Not likely with the way KSU played against Nebraska, but this is the same team that crushed Texas.

Kentucky @ Georgia 12:30 p.m. LFS/GP (Ch. 781) - Is anyone playing better than Georgia right now? This team could steal back their way into the NCG if LOTS of craziness goes down over the next two weeks. They are also looking very good for an at large BCS spot if Tennessee wins the SEC East

Afternoon
Duke @ Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. NBC - A battle of 1-9 teams has never gotten as much pub as this week's ND/Duke game. The Irish are in uncharted waters having never lost 9 games in a season, and could finish off with two more losses if they don't play better than they did against Air Force last weekend. Duke hasn't stopped anyone, but they are capable of putting up points.

LSU @ Ole Miss 3:30 p.m. CBS - LSU is the unquestioned #1 team now that Oregon has lost (at least until Kansas plays Missouri next weekend) and is down to a 3 game season for a trip to New Orleans. The Tigers need to beat Ole Miss, travel home and defeat Arkansas, and then beat Tennessee or Georgia in Atlanta on December 1st. They should get by Coach O's team easily on Saturday.

Evening
West Virginia @ Cincinnati 7:45 p.m. ESPN - Battle for the Big East's BCS bid. WVU also is keeping an eye on the Big12 teams and hoping they knock each other off leading to a possible birth in the national title game for the Mountaineers.

Boston College @ Clemson 7:45 p.m. ESPN2 - Two weeks ago BC was a national title contender with a Heisman candidate leading the offense. Two losses later and the Eagles are playing an elimination game for the ACC championship game. For the first time in memory Tommy Bowden's Tigers haven't imploded to close out the season.

Oklahoma @ Texas Tech 8:00 p.m. ABC - Oklahoma has been unstoppable and home and frighteningly vulnerable on the road. This is their last real test before the Big12 title game (assuming they can get past Okie State at home) but if anyone is to knock Oklahoma out of the national title picture it will be Texas Tech.

#2 Oregon @ Arizona

Pregame
The University of Oregon has risen to #2 in the BCS after Ohio State lost last weekend and travels to Tucson, Arizona to take on Mike Stoops' Wildcats. It has been another tough season in the desert, but Arizona feels they have a chance with their newfound offense with quarterback Willie Tuitama who has been playing much better the past few weeks. He'll have to play lights out against a suspect Oregon secondary in order to keep his team in a shootout because Oregon figures to have no problems scoring points themselves if Dennis Dixon is back to 100% healthy.


First Quarter
Oregon gets the ball and is able to drive fairly easily on Arizona before getting stopped at the 39 yard line of the Wildcats. Facing a 4th and 3 the Ducks decide to go for it with Dixon running the read play and keeping it himself for a 39 yard touchdown run where he wasn't touched. His knee looked healthy to me and I'm sure all the Heisman voters. Oregon then decides to line up and go for two and are able to convert successfully there as well. Two and a half minutes in and Oregon is already up 8-0.

On Arizona's first possession they are able to get a short completion before going for the long ball. Unfortunately for the wildcats the pass is easily picked off at the Oregon 43. The Arizona defense needs to do something to get off the field. They do well on the first two downs getting Oregon into another long 3rd down, but Dixon has all day to pass and completes it easily. Oregon is now at the UA 29 after only 3 plays. The Ducks run a reverse to WR Derrick Jones that goes down inside the 5. Dixon makes his first mistake. He has plenty of time to pass but waits a second too long getting the ball to his man Jones in the endzone. Flutie agrees with me that he might have tried to force it and the ball is picked off and returned out to the 45. That's only Dixon's 4th INT of the season.

Arizona really needs to answer here after the big interception. First down is the first running play and only gains a few yards. Second down and they go back to the pass and leave themselves with a 3rd and long. Tuitama picks it up with his legs and gets the ball down inside the Oregon 30 with an 18 yard run. Then Arizona is able to complete a quick WR screen that goes to the house. Oregon 8 - Arizona 7

The two teams then trade field goals to end the quarter, but Oregon has to pay a big cost with Dixon hurting his knee again and early signs say he's out for the rest of the game.
End of the 1st
Oregon 11 - Arizona 10


Second Quarter
Can Oregon do anything without Dixon in at QB? We get the answer quickly with a pick 6 of Brady Leaf for Arizona giving the home team the lead, 17-11 just 15 seconds into the 2nd quarter. The next possession doesn't go much better for Leaf with it ending in the first punt of the game. Arizona with the ball with decent field position and the lead early in the 2nd quarter. They don't get much on their first few plays but a roughing the passer penalty on Oregon gives the drive new life. A few plays later and Tuitama finds Mike Thomas deep for his 2nd touchdown of the game.
Arizona 24
#2 Oregon 11
11:34 left in the half

Oregon needs to go with a steady diet of Jonathon Stewart running the ball. He's easily the best player on the field for the Oregon offense. Sideline report now saying the trainers believe Dixon tore something in his previously sore knee. Oregon listened to me and ran Stewart 2 of their 3 plays, but are unable to pick up a first down again. Arizona looking for another huge score already up 13. Arizona isn't able to capitalize and has to punt for the first time this game. A good punt puts Oregon inside their own 20 trying to come back.

These Oregon receivers are killing Leaf. He isn't playing perfectly, but there have been a number of dropped passes. It could be timing issues, but if you're a major college receiver these are catches you must make. Then on 3rd down the protection breaks down and Leak is sacked for an 8 yard loss. In 18 snaps since Dixon has gone down Oregon has only gained ~40 yards of offense, and Oregon is forced to punt from within their own endzone. WOW. That could be the game. Senior Antoine Cason just returned the punt 55 yards for his 2nd touchdown of the quarter (he had the pick6 earlier in the quarter) to give Arizona a 20 point lead with under 6 minutes to play in the half.
Arizona 31
#2 Oregon 11
5:40 remaining

Oregon really needs to get an answer before the half. Leaf is now 1/6 for 4 yards and an INT. Oregon is only 2/8 on 3rd downs in the game. They are able to convert this one it appears with a quick WR screen. No way Oregon doesn't go for it here if they didn't get it. The Ducks do pick up the 1st down, but the good news doesn't last as the offense ends up moving backwards with another sack of Leaf forcing another punt that travels only 11 yards. Arizona gets the ball back with just over 2 minutes left in the half. The wildcats aren't able to get any points but they take care of the football and run some time off the clock. The punt isn't that great and Oregon will have it at their own 33 with just over a minute remaining before halftime.

Oregon is able to get a few quick yards with short passes to get on the Arizona side of the field before Leaf makes a very dangerous pass that would have been another 6 for Arizona. Leaf is able to make them pay for not making the interception by getting a deep pass inside the Arizona 15. With 33 seconds and 2 timeouts they have to be thinking endzone. Perhaps an ill advised short pass gets nothing for the Ducks and they have to burn a timeout with 25 seconds left in the half. Arizona is able to get right in Leaf's face but unable to bring him down. He gets the pass off but it isn't caught. Cason is right there ready to break on the pass. The 3rd down pass is way too high. Leaf didn't even give his receiver a chance with that one and Oregon is forced to attempt a field goal from 32 yards out and the kick is good. At least Oregon is able to add something, but they still face a huge deficit. Arizona just sits on it to end the half up 17.
#2 Oregon 14
Arizona 31
HALFTIME

Third Quarter
Arizona comes out going for the jugular with a deep pass on first down, but it falls just incomplete. Arizona is still gashing the Duck secondary with quick screens. An illegal hands to the face penalty negates a first down and puts Arizona in a very long 3rd down. A shovel pass gets back 15 of it, but they still are forced to punt. That is a small victory for Oregon who gets the ball back quickly to their struggling backup quarterback.

Oregon's potent offense is nothing without Dixon leading them. Leaf has an intentional grounding penalty that kills any chance of that drive going anywhere. This game has felt like it was over since midway through the 2nd quarter, and Brady Leaf isn't doing anything to change that. Arizona is letting the Ducks stick around by not getting on the scoreboard, but if they do you can go ahead and turn on the cartoons because no way Oregon can score 3 more TDs.

There's the play Oregon needed. Tuitama is flushed out of the pocket and doesn't protect the football and is hit from behind losing the football and giving Oregon the ball inside the Arizona 15 yard line. Oregon has to score here. One play and Stewart finds the endzone. A hold on Oregon brings this one back. The Ducks have realized Stewart is it for their offense and they will give him the ball again on 1st and long. Leaf is limping which totally takes away his effectiveness with the zone read play. On 2nd down Leaf almost throws an interception in the endzone which would be a HUGE dagger. Oregon is only 3/12 on third downs, and they need 13 yards here to keep the drive going. A false start penalty pushes them back even further and Leaf isn't able to get much on his passes with as bad as he's limping around. The Ducks have to settle for another field goal from 34 yards out and again the kick is good. Oregon isn't able to gain anything after the fumble, but they do get more points on the board.

#2 Oregon 17
Arizona 31
9:10 left in the 3rd

The potent Pac10 offenses aren't doing anything in the 3rd quarter against defenses that were being absolutely gashed in the beginning of this game. The teams trade disappointing drives and punts and Arizona has it back with 4:45 left in the 3rd. Arizona tries to put a drive together and does put together a few first downs before again being forced to punt. The Oregon bench is lifeless. This team has been playing without emotion since Dixon went out. Now with an injured Brady Leaf the offense is completely lifeless. Three quick passes that fall incomplete give Arizona the ball back again. Both teams seem to be happy with taking one shot down field before a short rushing gain and then a 3rd down with an incomplete pass before punting the ball away. The 7-0 Miami, OH win last night had just as much offense as this game as had in the last quarter. There's another Arizona punt. Both teams had the ball and punted in under two minutes total. One quarter to go for Oregon's NC hopes.

Fourth Quarter
Looked like it was going to be another 3 and out for Oregon, but Cason jumps the route a little too soon and gets a pass interference penalty called against him. He definitely got to the ball and the announcers think it was a ticky tack call. Still keeps the Oregon drive alive with now under 14 minutes left in the game. The Ducks can't take advantage and just have another 3 and out. And its a fake! Oregon rushes up the middle for a HUGE offensive gain (the longest since Dixon went out in the first quarter). Then Cason, the MVP for Arizona tonight for sure, forces a fumble on the fake punt. Arizona recovers! Fowler wants a review thinking the ground caused the fumble. The ball is out before he hit the ground. What a change in momentum. Oregon finally gets a huge play but after a 41 yard gain the ball is knocked loose giving Arizona the ball back.

The Wildcats get another couple of first downs but punt again. They keep giving Oregon chances, but Brady Leaf hasn't been able to lead his team to touchdowns. Oregon is down to 11 minutes left still down 2 touchdowns. Stewart breaks off two good runs in a row to give Oregon the ball in Arizona territory, but a quick WR screen to Derrick Jones leads to a fumble giving Arizona the ball again. These Oregon turnovers are sick. Looks like his knee was down, but with the Pac10 officials one can never be sure. The play is overturned and Oregon is facing a short 3rd down at the Arizona 39. Stewart fights forward for the first down. This is now easily the best drive Oregon has put together since their first touchdown. They've got a first down inside the 15 yard line with 8:28 left in the game. Stewart is carrying this team on his back. This drive is 16 plays 69 yards and has gone over 4 minutes. No play has gained more than 6 yards, though. They are definitely dinking and dunking their way down the field. Unfortunately for Oregon fans, Stewart was just helped off the field. Oregon has a first and goal at the 3. The backup running back, Andre Crenshaw, gets the carry and rushes for the touchdown. With under 8 minutes to play we've now got ourselves a ballgame again.

#2 Oregon 24
Arizona 31
7:53 remaining

Okay, Oregon, are you the #2 team in the nation? I know Dixon is out, but this isn't an elite Arizona team. Arizona hasn't scored since the 11:34 mark in the 2nd quarter. There is still a ton of time left in this game, especially since Arizona continues to try and pass which only stops the clock for Oregon. Tuitama is just 1 for his last 8 passes. He finds his TE there for the first down on an important 3rd down for Arizona. WOW. A personal foul facemask goes uncalled against Oregon which should have given Arizona an automatic first down. Instead they end up with a 3rd and 10 that only gains 9 yards. Stoops says go for it on 4th and 1 at the Oregon 36. A tough second effort may have picked up the first down on the off-tackle running play. The chains come in and Arizona does pick up the first down bringing the clock under 5 minutes.

That might be why college football is the greatest sport ever. How quickly fortunes can change. After getting a huge first down on a 4th and 1, Arizona loses the ball when Tuitama tries handing the ball off and it is recovered by Oregon. Reply shows his right knee is on the ground before he was able to hand it off. The fumble should be overturned and given back to Arizona. The Wildcat fans have probably never been happier to have their center step on their quarterback's foot causing him to fall down. Arizona is able to gain a few yards and get the ball to the 29 setting up a 46 yard field goal that is perfect.

#2 Oregon 24
Arizona 34
3:20 remaining

Oregon still isn't playing with any sense of urgency. Short crossing routes that stay inbounds aren't going to allow them to comeback. An incompletion on 2nd down followed by a short completion on 3rd down sets up a 4th and 4 that could be the ballgame and the BCS for Oregon. Leaf is able to complete a short pass over the middle to pick up the first down. Arizona students are ready to rush the field with 2:06 still remaining. And that should do it. Arizona gets another interception of Brady Leaf to get the ball back with 1:55 remaining. Oregon still has all 3 timeouts remaining, but this one should be done soon.

Arizona picks up a first down, and that's it. Oregon uses their final time out, but Arizona should be able to take a knee and finish this out. The Wildcats punt with 0:14 left in the game giving Oregon the ball at their own 25, but this game is over. A short completion and a deep incompletion end it, and Arizona wins back to back home Pac10 games for the first time since 1998.

#2 Oregon 24
Arizona 34
FINAL

What I'm Watching 11/10/07

All times Eastern

Morning
Michigan @ Wisconsin Noon ESPN - Michigan has assured themselves a chance to play for the Big10 title if they beat Ohio State next weekend. With all their stars being banged up it will be interesting how they play at Wisconsin before getting their hated rivals in the Big House in a week. Michigan could still be seeing Roses with 2 more victories, something which was unimaginable back in September

Texas A&M @ Missouri 12:30 p.m. FSN - Coach Fran is all but done in College Station, but it sure would give the Aggie faithful something to smile about if they can beat the Tigers going into their annual Thanksgiving Day showdown with Texas in 2 weeks

Alabama @ Mississippi State 12:30 p.m. LFS/GP (Ch. 780) - Bama lost a heart breaker to LSU last weekend in Tuscaloosa all but eliminating them from the SEC West chase. They'll need to win out and hope for LSU losses to both Ole Miss and Arkansas. Still Saban can increase his team's bowl by avoiding his predecessor's biggest transgression - getting Croom'd. If Bama wins Saturday they've got another sure win against ULM before the showdown against Auburn that the Crimson faithful are paying Saban $4million a year to win to get to 9 wins on the season.

Arkansas @ Tennessee 12:30 p.m. LFS/GP (Ch. 779) - After falling 42-29 to Kentucky on September 22nd Arkansas was left for dead in the SEC West. Now they 3 nice wins and brought their record back to 6-3 after the upset victory over South Carolina in which both Darren McFadden and Felix Jones rushed for over 300 yards. While they still would need LSU to lose to Ole Miss to have a chance at the SECCG for a 2nd straight year, beating Tennessee and Mississippi State could give Houston Nutt another year in Fayetteville. If the dynamic Hog pair can get similar production against the Vols this one could get ugly.

Afternoon
Auburn @ Georgia 3:30 p.m. CBS - UGA has climbed into the top10 of the BCS and are at the head of the SEC East after their big win over Florida 2 weeks ago and their win over Troy last weekend. The Dawgs are thinking SEC championship and Sugar Bowl. Auburn still has an outside shot at a BCS at large if they win out and LSU wins the SECCG. This could be a battle for the Sugar Bowl between the Hedges.

Florida State @ Virginia Tech 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. 777) - Florida State isn't the same program that dominated the ACC during the 80's and 90's, but they showed last week in Boston that they are still a force in conference play when they show up. Can the Seminoles knock off another division leader on the road?

Texas Tech @ Texas 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. 778) - Both teams would need Oklahoma to lose out to be able to make the Big12 CG and that isn't going to happen, but Texas is still playing for a BCS at large if they can get by Texas Tech and Texas A&M. A 10-2 Longhorn team would be very appealing to someone wanting to sell tickets to one of those big money bowl games.

Illinois @ Ohio State 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN (reverse mirror) - The Buckeyes are giving us a repeat of what they did last season. March through the Big10 unscathed on their way to a monster showdown with Michigan for a chance to play in the National Title game. Of course, they still have to get by a pesky Illinois team that has speed and playmakers on offense. If Illinois can catch Ohio State looking ahead and not playing focused football (which is how they looked for 3 full quarters against Wisconsin a week ago) they should have an excellent chance at pulling the upset. Jim Tressel is too good of a coach to let that happen 2 weeks in a row.

Evening
Florida @ South Carolina 7:45 p.m. ESPN - A game that used to just be Florida dominance now has a whole new twist since Steve Spurrier started prowling the sidelines for the Gamecocks. This is Florida's last SEC game so they have to get this win and have some help to get to the SECCG and a trip back to the BCS. A 3 loss Florida still might be attractive to a bowl selection committee. Spurrier's team is all but out of the East race after losing to Arkansas.

Louisiana Tech @ LSU 8:00 p.m. GP (Ch. 777) - Homer pick. LSU hasn't lost to Louisiana Tech since 1904 when the Tigers fell 6-0 in Ruston. LSU has won the last 13 with the only game played since World War 2 being in 2003 when LSU won 49-10. Perhaps the Tigers can beat their instate opponent again on the way to a national title.

Kansas @ Oklahoma State 8:00 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. 778) - Kansas is undefeated and ranked #4...and not in basketball! The Jayhawks have taken advantage of a soft, backloaded schedule to get out to 9-0 start. With their biggest two games still to come with a match-up in Kansas City against Missouri and a possible showdown in the Big12 CG against top5 Oklahoma. Kansas gave up a ton of yards to Nebraska a week ago and will have to play some defense to slow down Okie State.

Southern California @ California 8:00 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. 780) - In the preseason this date was circled as the biggest game in the Pac10. Surprise losses to Stanford, Oregon State, and UCLA have taken the shine off of this match-up but it still means a lot to those in Southern California. Plus a 10-2 USC team would be a lock for a Rose Bowl birth if Oregon makes it to New Orleans.

Late Night
Fresno State @ Hawaii 11:00 p.m. ESPN2 - Fresno State can continue their role of BCS spoiler if they knock off the Warriors in Hawaii. Sadly this is one of Hawaii's biggest tests of the season.

What I'm Watching 11/3/07

Morning
Purdue @ Penn State Noon ESPN - Penn State needs this game bad after getting its doors blown off last Saturday night by Ohio State. If they can shake that one off they can still get back into the division race and cheer for Michigan loss to perhaps still get into the BCS (a 3 loss team will go this season)

Wisconsin @ Ohio State Noon BigTen (Ch. 220) - I can't actually watch this game in Atlanta because of course we don't get the Big10 network. Nice job, felllas. Just imagine if Wisconsin hadn't lost to Illinois....

Nebraska @ Kansas 12:30 p.m. FSN - In what used to be a blowout, just might still be a blowout early Saturday afternoon, but not the way it used to be. Nebraska can't do anything on offense and just lost its starting quarterback for the season. Not to mention they can't stop anyone from running the ball either. They did have Texas beat for the first 3 quarters last weekend before giving up about 1000 yards rushing in the 4th quarter. I am not sold on Kansas still, but they will stay undefeated until Thanksgiving.

Early Afternoon
Navy @ Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. NBC - If Navy is ever going to beat Notre Dame again, this would seem to be the year. Too bad they just got beat by Delaware. Roger Staubach finds another year of eligibility and passes all over the Irish

Texas @ Oklahoma State 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. 779) - Don't look, but Oklahoma State is looking like a legit threat in the Big12 South for Texas and Oklahoma. If the Cowboys can get past the Longhorns Saturday afternoon it will all come down to the Bedlam matchup with their cross state rivals for a chance to play Missouri/Kansas in the Big12 Championship game.

Michigan @ Michigan State 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN - Michigan is still tied for first in the Big10 and like always is looking ahead to the matchup against Ohio State in what could lead to the Rose Bowl for Michigan. Even if they lose that game, if the Wolverines win out they could still find themselves in the Rose Bowl (I told you a 3 loss team was getting in this season)

Evening
LSU @ Alabama 5:00 p.m. CBS - Saban Bowl I. If you're reading this, you've already heard plenty about this game.

Arizona State @ Oregon 6:45 p.m. ESPN/FSN Regional - #4 vs #5 in the game that should decide the Pac10 champ and possible the #2 team in the nation (at least this week). The loser still could get into the Rose Bowl to play Michigan (most likely) if they continue to win after this game.

Florida State @ Boston College 8:00 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. 777) - After years of dominance by FSU they now have the chance to play spoiler in Boston College's perfect season and national title hopes. BC squeaked by Virginia Tech in the rain a week ago needing a fantastic performance by senior Matt Ryan to pull off the victory. Can they do it another week? Even if they do, look for the Eagles to drop if Arizona State goes to Eugene and wins.
11-03 Sat. Texas A&M @ Oklahoma 8:00 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. 778)

What to Watch 10/27/07

Morning
West Virginia @ Rutgers Noon ABC/GP (Ch. 779) With Rutgers back in the Big East win after their upset of USF last Thursday night, this game is for second place in the conference behind undefeated UConn, but will probably decide who goes to the BCS and could be the start of National Title aspirations for the Mountaineers.
Colorado @ Texas Tech Noon ABC/GP (Ch. 780) - Can Texas Tech get back on track after the disaster last weekend against Missouri?
Mississippi State @ Kentucky Noon LFS/GP (Ch. 781) - Kentucky has played maybe the toughest 3-game stretch in the nation the last 3 weeks (South Carolina, LSU, Florida) and now could have a huge letdown after falling at home to Florida a week ago. Mississippi State is still fighting to get Sly Croom to his first bowl game in Starkville and to cool down the hot seat a little.

Afternoon
Southern California @ Oregon 3:00 p.m. FSN - Battle in Eugene to see who will take the Pac10 crown and a chance at the Rose Bowl (although Arizona State will have something to say about that) and keep their hopes up for a backdoor into the NCG
Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) 3:30 p.m. CBS - Florida has owned this series, but Georgia really needs a win after getting their doors blown off by Tennessee.
South Florida @ UConn 3:30 p.m. ABC/GP (Ch. 778) - Both of these teams will be keeping an eye on the WVU/RU game earlier in the day because either one of these teams could be in first place by the end of Saturday. Can South Florida bounce back after last week's first loss at Rutgers?

Evening
Kansas @ Texas A&M 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 - You wouldn't guess it, but Texas A&M is tied for first with OU and Okie State in the Big 12 South. Upstart Kansas has gotten out to 7-0 and hopes to stay a game ahead of Missouri going into their showdown in Kansas City November 24th. TAMU should run all over Kansas. Expect a close one, but I think the 12th man pulls off the upset like Coach Fran seems to do every year at College Station.
South Carolina @ Tennessee 7:45 p.m. ESPN - Even if Florida beats UGA earlier on Saturday, both of these teams have only 2 losses in the SEC and are still in contention for the SEC East crown. South Carolina still has UGA and UF to come, so they seem to be in better position. Neither of these teams looked good a week ago with Tennessee getting destryed by Alabama and USC only managing 6 points against Vanderbilt
Ohio State @ Penn State 8:00 p.m. ABC - Ohio State is back to a familiar position at #1, but most of the nation is waiting for them to actually beat someone. Does Penn State qualify? tOSU has had trouble in Happy Valley at night, and that's where they'll be Saturday night. We'll see if Joe Pa has one more upset off his sleeve. If so, he might find his way into a BCS at-large spot.
Cal @ Arizona State 10:00 p.m. FSN - Like Ohio State and Kansas, Arizona State has come out to an impressive undefeated record without actually beating anyone of substance. Their real season starts Saturday with a visit from the bears before going to Oregon and UCLA then getting USC and Arizona at home. These next 4 games will make or break the ASU season and could find them in the National Championship Game if they can win out.

#2 BC @ #8 Virginia Tech

Pregame
Thursday night football on ESPN has become a staple of important games in the past few seasons. No longer the afterthought MAC game of yesteryear, ESPN has partnered with the Big East to bring in a number of giant games (including West Virginia v Louisville and Louisville v Rutgers last season along with #2 South Florida losing at Rutgers just last week). Being ranked #2 hasn't been a good omen for teams so far in October. First USC lost at home to Stanford, then Cal lost at home to Oregon State, before South Florida's close loss a week ago. Now Boston College goes on the road to Blacksburg, VA, at night, on Thursday. Three major reasons why it might be four straight weeks that #2 might go down. Don't overlook this Virginia Tech team that has won five straight after getting blasted by LSU in week 2, and with a win tonight will be right where most saw them being during the pre-season, at the top of the ACC and ranked in the top 5 with the lone loss coming to the Tigers.

First Quarter
The rain has been coming down for days now in Blacksburg which will just be another advantage for VT who wants to play a dirty, hard-hitting defensive battle. Virginia Tech hasn't done much on offense all season and will try and win this game with Beamer Ball. Half an inch of rain is expected over night with temperatures being mid-40s to low 50s.

The first possessions for both teams go nowhere with Glennon throwing a few incompletions and scrambling for a few yards. He is nowhere near the athlete that Tyrod Taylor is and it is showing already. The teams trade punts and VT goes to work again. Glennon really doesn't look comfortable in the pocket. You wouldn't know this was the returning starter from a year ago. Brandon Ore will do his best to lead the offense, but he won't find any rushing lanes if Glennon can't do something with his arm. VT punts again setting up BC inside their 20.

BC gains 8 on their first two plays, but Matt Ryan's 3rd down pass attempt is nearly picked off and BC punts again. There's a huge mistake for the VT special teams. A running into the kicker penalty gives BC a first down. Somewhat of an iffy call there. BC doesn't take advantage and ends up having to punt again and downs it inside the VT 5 yard line.

Tech puts together a couple of plays and gets the ball near midfield before the end of the quarter.
End of the 1st quarter
VT 0
BC 0

Second Quarter
Virginia Tech draws first blood on an 8 yard pass from Glennon to Royal. It was a 16 play drive going 91 yards in 7:13, which also is the longest scoring drive of the season for the Hokies

VT 7
BC 0
10:31 remaining in the half

Now its time to see if Ryan deserves the hype. Can he come down and answer in the VT score in the rain? The VT defensive line and linebacking core are doing a great job getting pressure. Ryan is hit on both second and third down with him going down for a sack on 2nd and throwing a poor pass on 3rd. The BC offensive line has not allowed any pressure this season, but the speed of the VT defensive line and their stunting is really causing problems. Back-to-back 3 and outs for BC sets up the Hokies at their 30 up 7-0.

Glennon can't keep the magic going with his feet and VPI punts. Ryan really has to do something on this drive, but the rain is really starting to come down. 6 minutes left in the half, get your team back in this, Matt. This game is getting sloppy with all the rain as two straight passes have been caught and then fumbled. BC has been able to retain possession and now is facing a big 3rd down. Soft coverage allows Ryan to find a man in an underneath route to pick it up. Back to back plays pick up 10+ yards and BC has now driven inside the VT 30 with under 4 minutes left in the half. Ryan is 9/16 for 54 yards and VT takes their first timeout.

A dropped pass and a 13 yard loss on a sack pushes BC back outside the VT 45 and they have to punt. The ball again goes into the endzone giving VT the ball at their 20 with 2:42 remaining. First play for VT and Chris Fowler totally jinxes them on the broadcast talking about how VT wants to be careful with the ball and not turn it over. Glennon never gets the snap from the backup center, and BC is set up inside the VT 20. Ryan has to throw it away on both 1st and 2nd down before BC goes to the draw trap that picks up the 1st. Wow, late flag for false start moves BC back to 3rd and 15 from the 24. That's their 5th penalty for 35 yards. Need to get something here to bring 3 back into play. Well overthrown to Challenger. Looks like the WR ran the wrong route as he turned to the inside and it looks like Ryan was looking for the corner route. BC chooses not to go for a 41 yard kick with the wet weather. Using a 3 man rush VT gets directly in Ryan's face and he's forced to throw it away on 4th and 15. Virginia Tech dodged a HUGE bullet there after turning the ball over inside their 20 yardline. VT actually gained 5 yards of field position off of that change of possession.

First down for the Hokie and Brandon Ore goes right up the middle of the BC defense all the way to the BC 40 for a gain of 34. That's Ore's longest run of the night and the longest run given up by the BC defense this season. On first down Glennon evades pressure and throws a strike for an 8 yard gain...but it is negated by a block in the back that was totally unnecessary. That moves the ball back onto the VT side of the field. After two more negative plays VT is content to just take the lead into halftime.
Halftime
#2 Boston College 0
#8 Virginia Tech 7


Third Quarter
Boston College gets the ball to begin the half at their 20 after a touchback. Ryan comes out firing and gets the Eagles across the 50 in under 30 seconds before a great play for an interception by Brandon Flowers at the VT 42. Brandon Ore gets the carry on first down for 2 yards upping his total to 60 yards on 10 carries for the game. Virginia Tech can't do anything on 2nd or 3rd down and punt the ball back to BC. Unfortunately for Matt Ryan's team and his Heisman hopes he isn't able to get anything going either and the teams trade punts again. Will Glennon be able to scramble and keep a drive going again like he was able to do in the first half?

After another series of traded punts Glennon finds Eddie Royal, the only deep threat on Virginia Tech, for a gain of 40 yards. The way the Virginia Tech defense is playing tonight, another 7 might make this lead insurmountable. Boston College has as many punts as first downs at the midway point of the 3rd quarter. Following the deep pass play Glennon throws in INT, but it is nullified by a very iffy defensive pass interference call that sets up a 41 yard FG for Virginia Tech.

VT 10
BC 0
5:33 3rd

Boston College needs some kind of a spark. Matt Ryan is a very pedestrian 12/28 for 95 yards and an INT. He hasn't gotten much help from WRs falling down and not making plays. The constant Virginia Tech pass rush hasn't helped him find a rhythm either. Virginia Tech comes out and makes a statement with this defensive stand. Boston College moves backwards and loses 21 yards and has to punt from within their own endzone. Another HUGE special teams mistake for Virgina Tech as they rough the punter and give Boston College a first down on a 4th and 31. The punter might deserve an Emmy nomination after the acting job he did on that one. Can Ryan find anything in the passing game? He is completely focused on the rush and not on finding his receivers. The screen passes aren't working against this quick pursuit Hokie defense. Again Ryan misfires on a 3rd down (3rd and 4) and BC gives the ball back. If VT had any kind of offense this game would be over. Johnny Ayers gets off his 8th punt of the night downed at the 33 with under 2 minutes to play in the 3rd quarter.

The Hokies are finally putting a sustained drive together again. If they score a touchdown this game is over. They're driving now as the 3rd quarter ends.

Fourth Quarter
Of course the VT offense stalls and is forced to punt. It is almost surprising that any points have been scored at all in this game. Announcers are talking about the difference in this VT team and the one that got destroyed in Tiger Stadium by LSU back in September. What are the voters going to do if VT keeps winning and moves up to #2 behind LSU?

BC facing a 3rd and 11 with 11:10 left in the game from their own 35. Again they aren't able to convert (which they haven't done the entire 2nd half) and have to give the ball back. BC is slowly running out of chances to do anything this game. They're really going to be in trouble if VT keeps converting on 3rd down and if BC keeps trying to arm tackle Brandon Ore. BC is the #1 rushing defense in the country statistically coming into this game, and the Hokies are moving the ball somewhat well for them.

The Hokies take 4 minutes off the clock and leave Matt Ryan with 6:09 to bring his team back. That's not going to help. First play on this drive and Ryan throws it right at safety D. J. Parker. The match-up zone works perfect and sets up VT inside the BC 30. Virginia Tech can't get any points, but they do eat over 2 minutes off of the clock and pin BC inside their 10. Matt Ryan can get his name back on the Heisman list after a horrid first 3.5 quarters if he can lead a comeback here. If not, BC's chances of the BCS in general might be gone.

Ryan does complete a few passes and quickly gets the Eagles inside the Virgina Tech 30 to the 27. Ryan then runs for a first down to get them inside the red zone for the first time today. On 3rd down Gunnell makes a fantastic catch for a TD (just their third 3rd down conversion of the game out of 15). That is a perfect throw by Matt Ryan. That was the exact type of drive I was talking about that Ryan just engineered. He made plays with his arm and his legs to move his team inside the redzone before throwing a perfect pass for 6. XP is good. We have a ballgame on our hands

BC 07
VT 10
2:11 left

Now comes the decision. BC has 2 timeouts left. Do they kick deep and hope to hold, or go for the onsides kick? Royal is the best weapon VT has and he's back deep to return. Boston College goes for the onsides kick and they have it! The ball didn't travel 10 yards, but a VT player came up to try and recover it and wasn't able to hang on. Matt Ryan lines up at the 34 with 2:07 to play. Two quick plays and BC is at the VT 40 with under 1:20 to play. With 0:58 left BC takes their 2nd time out.

Coming out of the timeout Ryan does a great job of keeping the play alive buying time before throwing a strike to get the ball inside the redzone with 40 seconds left. On 2nd down Ryan finds his TE open in the endzone for a touchdown, but it is coming back for a hold. VT continues to only send 3 but still are getting pressure. That's the 9th BC penalty for 83 yards. The Eagles are now at the 24 with 26 seconds left. An incomplete pass down the seam leaves them with 3rd and 20. Ryan buys time and avoids the 3 man rush to find Callender in the endzone for a touchdown. He was wideopen. It is unreal how Virginia Tech can have 8 men back in coverage and leave the top BC pass-catcher that open.

#2 BC 14
#8 VT 10
0:11 left

Virginia Tech gets the ball back but after 2 incompletions and a failed hook-and-ladder the game ends with BC pulling off the upset.

Final Score
#2 Boston College 14
#8 Virginia Tech 10

BCS Week 2

The BCS Rankings for October 21

1. Ohio State
2. Boston College
3. LSU
4. Arizona State
5. Oregon
6. Oklahoma
7. West Virginia
8. Virginia Tech
9. Kansas
10. South Florida
11. Florida
12. USC
13. Missouri
14. Kentucky
15. Virginia
16. South Carolina
17. Hawaii
18. Georgia
19. Texas
20. Michigan
21. California
22. Auburn
23. Connecticut
24. Alabama
25. Penn State
26. Wake Forest
27. Rutgers
28. UCLA
29. Boise State
30. Wisconsin
31. Purdue
32. Texas Tech
33. Georgia Tech
34. Maryland
35. Clemson
36. Texas A&M
37. Cincinnati
38. Kansas State
39. BYU
40. Oregon State
41. Fresno State
42. Illinois
43. Oklahoma State
44. Vanderbilt
45. Air Force
46. Tennessee

The Computer Poll Rankings (average)
I like looking at this because computers don't have biases the same way humans do. This may be the "best" way to judge teams. Current BCS ranking in parentheses

1. Boston College (2)
   
2. LSU (3)
   
3. Ohio State (1)
   
4. Arizona State (4)
   
5. South Florida (10)
   
6. Virginia (15)
   
7. Kansas (9)
   
8. Virginia Tech (8)
   
9. Oregon (5)
   
10. West Virginia (7)
    
11. Florida (11)
    
12. Kentucky (14)
    
13. Missouri (13)
    
14. Oklahoma (6)
    
15. South Carolina (16)
    
16. Auburn (22)
    
17. Connecticut (23)
    
18. Wake Forest (26)
    
19. Michigan (20)
    
20. Georgia (18)
    
21. USC (12)
    
22. Alabama (24)
    
23. UCLA (28)
    
24. Rutgers (27)
    
25. Boise State (29)
    

Others receiving votes: Georgia Tech, Maryland, California, Penn State, Hawaii, Purdue, Clemson, Texas A&M, Oregon State

Most Underrated (Overall BCS rank lower than computers):
Virginia (9)
Wake Forest (8)
Auburn, Connecticut (6)
UCLA, South Florida (5)
Boise State (4)
Rutgers (3)
Kansas, Kentucky (2)

Nearly Even
BC, LSU, South Carolina, Michigan (1)
Arizona State, Virginia Tech, Florida, Missouri (0)

Most Overrated (Overall BCS rank higher than computers)
USC (-9)
Oklahoma (-8)
Oregon (-4)
West Virginia (-3)
Ohio State, Georgia (-2)

Proof that the computers are able to look past the USC, Oklahoma, and Ohio State brand names and put teams like Virginia, Wake Forest, and Connecticut into the top20. One can only hope that we one day move to a more computer based ranking system with less weight put into the human polls.