|
|
| NUMBERS ONE AND TWO LOSE IN FINAL WEEKEND
|
|
December 2, 2007
|
|
Matt, SCS.com Staff Writer
|
Contact Matt
|
 Ohio State, pack your bags. You are heading to New Orleans. Their opponent? Heck if I know, or if anyone knows for that matter. The injury to West Virginia QB Pat White crippled WVU‘s offense, while Missouri was just outplayed in a game that was tied at halftime. A win would've sent Missouri to the national title game, and you get outscored 24-3 in the 2nd half? You do not deserve it.
Who does deserve it? In my opinion, it is between LSU and Oklahoma. Kansas did not even make it to the Big 12 Title game, so they are behind Missouri and Oklahoma. OU, with Bradford, looks like the best team in the country. Georgia, ranked 4th in the BCS coming into the weekend, does not deserve it over LSU. Both have two losses. However, Georgia was thrashed by Tennessee 35-14. LSU beat Tennessee to win the SEC Championship this weekend. I would rather have the SEC champ with two losses than the 2nd place team in the East with two losses. Virginia Tech’s loss to Boston College earlier in the year is the reason they will be on the outside looking in. USC is playing solid football, but their loss to Stanford is too embarrassing to get the invite to New Orleans.
Oklahoma deserves the invite, but LSU will get it.
BEST GAME
LSU over Tennessee
The Vols took a one-point lead in the 4th quarter. A BCS bowl bid was in reach, but LSU’s defense snatched it away. Erik Ainge threw two interceptions in the 4th quarter. One was a pick six, the other was an interception inside LSU’s 20. I have to give props QB Ryan Perrilloux. He started for only the second time this year and played good enough to earn LSU the victory. This win should catapult LSU into the national title game.
Runner-Up: West Virginia over Pittsburgh
BIGGEST UPSET
Pittsburgh over West Virginia
No one saw this one coming, but we should have. West Virginia was ranked number 2, which has become the magic number for upsets this year. WVU was out rushed by the Panthers 158-104. QB Pat White exited the game midway through the 2nd quarter. He reentered the game with 6 minutes left down 13-7 and gave a valiant effort, but he was too hurt and shaken to lead WVU to a score. If someone told me Friday night that Pittsburgh was only going to score 13 points, I would have said they had no chance to beat WVU. However, Pittsburgh’s defense dominated a banged up Mountaineer team who blew their chance at a trip to New Orleans.
Runner-Up: Oklahoma over Missouri
BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE
Oklahoma
When 1st ranked Missouri played 9th ranked Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, I had a weird feeling in my gut. Was Missouri really going to win and advance to the national championship? No. Oklahoma made sure that everyone knew how good they are by blowing out the Tigers 38-17. Oklahoma played like the number one team. Oklahoma held Jeremy Maclin and Chase Daniel in check the whole game. On top of a good defensive performance, OU was solid running the ball and effective throwing it. They are an all-around good team that could beat Ohio State or LSU on any given Saturday.
Runner-Up: USC
MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAM PERFORMANCE
Missouri
Oklahoma looked impressive, but Missouri played its worst game of they year when it mattered most. Their spread offense was shut down. Their dynamic special teams player, Jeremy Maclin, could not make a game changing play. OU exploited Missouri‘s average defense with a balanced offensive attack. The Tigers had a nice run, but reality has set in. They are a program on the rise, but it was just not meant to be this year.
Runner-Up: West Virginia
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Kevin Smith - RB -
UCF
Smith ran for 284 yards and 4 touchdowns against Tulsa in the CUSA Championship game. Smith is 180 yards away from breaking the single season rushing record held by Barry Sanders.
Colt Brennan - QB -
Hawaii
Brennan threw for 442 yards and 5 touchdowns, and most importantly, no interceptions. Brennan led Hawaii over Washington, who was winning 21-0 early in the 2nd quarter. Brennan gave a Heisman worthy performance.
Xavier Adibi - LB -
Virginia Tech
Adibi picked off Boston College QB Matt Ryan and ran it back 40 yards for a touchdown. The pick six sealed the win for Virginia Tech, who will be heading for the Orange Bowl.
Brock Bolen - RB -
Louisville
Louisville did not sell out their final home game against Rutgers. The team could have given up on the season and rolled over. Led by RB Brock Bolen, Louisville overcame a 14 point deficit to defeat Rutgers 41-38. Bolen carried the ball 13 times for 117 yards and two scores.
Rudy Carpenter - WB -
Arizona State
Carpenter threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns against rival Arizona. ASU‘s 20-17 win keeps their BCS bowl hopes alive.
LOOKING FORWARD
Tonight, the BCS bowl bids will be handed out. Ohio State is a lock for the BCS title game. LSU, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Georgia, and USC are BCS locks, while Kansas, Missouri, Arizona State, Hawaii, and Illinois will battle for the at-large bids. Good luck this year BCS, because this might be your last.
|
|
|
