2010 - week 7

If I didn't know any better, I would say this year is doing it's best  impression of the wild and wacky '07 season. This past Saturday saw six teams ranked in the top 25 lose to unranked opponents. And for the second week in a row, the number 1 team went down. So hold on to your britches, it's going to get crazy.

And guess who's back?

That's right, SEC referees are back. Last year the SEC officiating got so bad, one crew was suspended, and the SEC commissioner had to threaten fines to anyone who spoke their mind about said officiating. Now I'm not saying this was the reason Arkansas lost to Auburn, but it definitely had a big impact. The first "incident" was a forced fumble on the goal line that was recovered by Arkansas(and was called a fumble on the field), but then reversed to a touchdown for Auburn. Why the call on the field was reversed I'll never know. But after review, there was no evidence to overturn it, right, touchdown Auburn. Next, the game turned into an old fashioned shootout thanks to backup QB Tyler Wilson filling in for an injured Ryan Mallet. Mallet went out in the second quarter due to a mild concussion, he is day to day. Wilson threw for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns! When as soon as it looked like Wilson was going to be the savior of the game and pull out a huge road victory, the game turned. Arkansas was down 44-43 with nine or so minutes left in the game, and the Hogs were driving. Running back Broderick Green took a hand off, and was being tackled, almost his entire body was on the ground, and the ball popped out. An Auburn player picked it up and ran 47 yards to the end zone. Touchdown Auburn. Another review that clearly showed Green was down, but the call went Auburn's way again, call stands. After that, Auburn had the momentum, and the game in hand. Now like I said, I don't know if Arkansas would have won the game, but those two calls resulted in 14 Auburn points. What is not a controversy, is Cam Newton. He was unstoppable, and the Hogs had absolutely no answer for him. He will run it all over every single opponent they face, and can throw it just well enough to make some plays. He is now the front runner for the Heisman. I hate him. Final score 65-43, Auburn.

One and done.

As number one is Ohio State. They are the second team in as many weeks, the other being Alabama two weeks ago, to lose when ranked number one. The reason being they ran into what may be a better one-two combo of running backs than said Alabama. Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson get all the hype(of course) around the country, but John Clay and James White of Wisconsin may be better. Against a stout Ohio State defense, they went a combined 179 yards rushing and 3 td's. Ohio State had not allowed ONE 100 yard rusher in the last 29 consecutive games. My man Terrelle Pryor did not play well, showing he's human after all. He only passed for 156 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception, and only ran for 56. Final score 31-18, Wisconsin.

I love this.

I mentioned it in my shout outs section, but I just love how Texas beat Nebraska. It may not seem that significant, other than Nebraska was ranked fifth, and Texas was coming off two straight losses. The main reason I was happy to see it, was the fact that in the off season, Nebraska decided to bolt for the Big 10 following this season. After the Huskers lost to Texas in the Big 12 championship last year on a last second field goal, Nebraska and their fans have been very anxiously awaiting when Texas came to Lincoln this year. It was going to be a sweet ending to a bitter rivalry while Nebraska rode off into the Big 10 sunset after a redemption victory. WRONG!!!!! Texas took it to them in their own house, and sent the Husker nation off into slow-ville conference country with a loss. HAHAHAHA!!!! Awesome. Texas QB Garrett Gilbert completely outplayed Taylor Martinez, one week after I praised Martinez to the high heavens. Since I don't care anymore this season what Texas does, I can enjoy this one because frankly, I don't like either of these teams. But when one team cries and whines, then gets beat, I like it. Sorry Nebraska, you have to actually play the game after you circle it on your calendar. Final score 20-13, Texas.

Speaking of the Big 12.

The most under the radar undefeated team in the nation is Oklahoma State. Sure they haven't beaten anyone that is ranked, but that's not their fault, they have won every game they have played. Does that make them overrated? We'll see. But for now I do know this, Justin Blackmon is one of the top three receivers in the nation. This guy is piling up video game numbers. Just this week he had 10 catches for 207 yards and a score in a victory over Texas Tech. For the season (7 games) he has 57 catches for 955 yards and 12 td's, that's impressive. The Pokes seem to have a wide receiver factory in the basement somewhere. Oh and in case you didn't hear, Okie State won in Lubbock for the first time since 1944, a fact that was stated 614 times on Saturday. OSU gets its first real test this week against Nebraska. Final score 34-17, Oklahoma State.

Speaking of not winning in forever.

The Baylor Bears are currently sitting at 5-2 after a 31-25 win over Colorado, needing only one more win to become bowl eligible for the first time since the Civil War. I stated a few weeks ago that they would be lucky to win six games this year, but it looks like they may do it. Although their remaining schedule of games goes like this, a 5-1 Kansas State team, then have to go to Texas in Austin, then Stillwater versus Oklahoma State, then A&M at home, then finish with OU at home in Waco. I foresee a 1-4 ending to the season, if they're lucky.

Maybe the best.

Game of the week. An unbelievable rally put on by Kentucky in the second half stunned South Carolina. A week after beating the number one team, South Carolina was looking good taking a 28-10 lead into halftime. But the start of the second half was the Randall Cobb show. Kentucky's do it all star accounted for 27 yards rushing, and caught eight passes for 63 yards, including the game winning touchdown with just 1:15 remaining. And also ran in the two point conversion following his td. Somehow Kentucky completely shut down South Carolina, in part due to running back Marcus Lattimore going down with an injury early in the second half. SC had its chance though. After the Kentucky go ahead score, the Gamecocks drove the ball into Kentucky territory with about a minute or so remaining. Called timeout, and tried to go for the win in regulation. But the pass to the end zone was intercepted, and instead of trying to drive the ball down for a filed goal, the game was over. Final score 31-28, Kentucky.

What I suspected.

Now that Denard Robinson and Michigan have played a couple of games into the conference schedule, it isn't looking as good. Robinson started the season just torching teams for huge yards, touchdowns, and wins, but not anymore. Although he re aggravated an ankle injury, he was ineffective against Iowa, and had to leave the game in the third quarter. He still had 105 yards rushing, but no touchdowns, and only 96 yards passing with one td and an interception. The talk sure gets quiet fast when you don't play as well for just a couple of weeks. Final score 38-28, Iowa.

TBSATCUBS.

That's my acronym for "The Boise State And TCU Blip Section." Boise State won 48-0 over San Jose State, and TCU beat BYU 31-3.

Still improving.
Florida State is now 6-1 after its 24-19 victory over Boston College, and the blowout loss to OU seems like it was years ago. How many of you thought Fla State was going to be in a transition year after that game? I sure did. But it looks like now they have a legitimate shot to win the ACC. I don't see anyone else stepping up. Of course, it is the ACC, maybe Rece Davis will bring back the ACC wheel of destiny to the show.

Speaking of OU.

The BCS standings were released Sunday, and who was number one? Oklahoma, I'm sure enraging regions of the country. But thanks to earlier talked about wins by Texas and Florida State, OU looks better and better. They played arguably the toughest non conference schedule out of ANYONE in the country, and came out of it undefeated. And thanks to its style points victory over Iowa State this past weekend, shot themselves into number one. I certainly did not see it coming, and don't act like you did either. OU is now the team that has been ranked number one the most amount of weeks since the BCS inception, over everyone. I know they can't win BCS bowls anymore, but that's for another day. You can't argue with their offensive star power however. QB Landry Jones, receiver Ryan Broyles, and running back Demarco Murray may be the best trio in the country. If all three are healthy, they cannot be stopped. It showed against Iowa State. Final score, which is also the blowout of the week, 52-0.

Bye bye.

To Florida. They have now lost three in a row, the latest coming to Mississippi State. Yes, that Mississippi State. The offensive problems look to be improving, the Gators out gained Miss State 361 to 245 in total yards. But two Florida turnovers, and a missed field goal with four seconds left gave them their third consecutive loss this season. A little different considering they were 26-2 the two seasons prior to this year. I still think John Brantley will be pretty good down the road, but Florida is out of the top 25 and scrambling to pull it together. It was rumored Urban Meyer flew to Tebow's house following the game searching for wisdom and advise . Final score 10-7, Mississippi State.

JV basketball score of the week - Eastern Michigan over Ball State 41-38.

Until next week,

Nance