Things We Learned from Week 12 in College Football

1. Ron Zook has Mikel Leshoure at the top of his 2010 Christmas list. The Junior RB for Illinois had a career day against Northwestern on Saturday when the Illini played the Wildcats in the worst venue ever to host a college football game — Wrigley Field. Leshoure ran for 330 yards and 2 TDs as the Illini beat the Wildcats 48 – 27. This stopped an Illini losing streak at 2 games. They had lost in the Big House to Michigan in 2OT and then at home to …. Minnesota??? The win made the Illini bowl-eligible, finally, after just a few weeks ago they were thinking a 9-win season in Champagne. Not so fast my friend.
2. Nebraska and Bo Pelini might want to talk about his sideline demeanor. Chancellor Periman has already come out this morning with his displeasure at the antics of his head football coach. He called it "unfortunate" and "something we'll have to address." He was speaking to Pelini's verbal abuse of officials resulting in an unsportsmanlike penalty as well as reports of Pelini chasing after an official before shaking Aggie coach Mike Sherman's hand after the conclusion of the game. But IMO, the biggest question is what exactly this was all about. Martinez had to leave the game earlier when his OL stepped on an rolled his already severely injured ankle. Pelini has LOTS of 'splaining to do IMO.
3. There is just something about a game involving Houston Nutt and Les Miles when they get together on opposing sidelines … no matter the team. The Rebels were coming off a shellacking at the hands of the SEC-winless Volunteers from Tennessee and LSU was lobbying for potential BCS Championship aspirations. So what happens when the Rebel Black Bears visit Death Valley?? Oh just a complete track meet of course. It took 20 4th quarter points from LSU's anemic offense to finally win the game for the Tigers. Amazing that John Chavis' defense gave up 36 points and 420 yards to a very, very average Ole Miss offense.
4. Bedlam will truly be Bedlam this weekend when the Sooners roll into Stillwater. The Cowboys wrapped up their first 10-win regular season in school history by defeating the Jayhawks on Saturday. The Sooners offense finally showed life on the road in a rout of the Baylor Bears in Waco. So, what happens Saturday? Well, a Cowboy win and they go to the Little XII Championship game for the first time. A Sooner win and then we truly do have Bedlam in the Little XII South. If that happens and the Aggies beat the Shorthorns, then we go once again to the BCS Rankings due to a 3-way tie. More than likely it is winner take-all in Stillwater for the Little XII South representative.
5. On an extremely emotional night in Starkville, MS, the Arkansas Razorbacks showed just how far they have come as a program under the three short years of Bobby Petrino. This team showed the resiliency that hasn't been there since a guy name Frank Broyles roamed the sidelines for the Hogs. Leading 31- 28 and under 2 minutes to go in the game, with the ball, the Hogs call a run play on 3rd and 8 and Knile Davis fumbles for the second time. The Bulldogs run down the field and as time expired kicked the game-tying FG. After a Bulldog fumble out of the endzone for a touchback, a missed FB by Arkansas Freshman Zack Hocker, the second OT started with a Knile Davis 7-yard TD. Then on 4th and 7 from the MSU 21, the Hogs sacked the Bulldog QB Relf to end the game. That wouldn't have happened three years ago when the used car salesman roamed the sideline. Discipline and resiliency are now in the program along with lots of talent.

Brick of the Week

This week, the group did much better. However, there were a couple of games that were great candidates for BOTW honors. They were the Wisconsin @ Michigan and Stanford @ California games. I could go with either of the 2 who chose Michigan or the 2 that chose California to beat Stanford. Considering that California was never really in the game, maybe because the didn't fake any injuries this week, I am going with those 2. Therefore, the BOTW this week goes to Mr. Jason "Hey, sleep deprivation isn't good for making picks" Shirey and Mr. Lee "I can relate to sleep deprivation" Smith. Sorry guys. Cal really let you down this week after that great showing last week.

Pick of the Week

This week, it was very difficult to choose a POTW. There was truly only one game that could even be considered a POTW candidate. However, if I had to choose a game, it would have to be the NC State @ North Carolina game. And if you haven't seen the replay highlights of that game and how it ended, well, you truly are in for a treat. Therefore, this week, I am awarding the POTW to the 9 individuals who correctly picked that game. You can see who you are and gloat in your glory with family members and friends here. Congratulations.

Champion of the Week

This week, we had some great picks as the average pick was up almost a full pick over last week at 6.5. However, once again, we had one individual pick 9 out of 10 correctly. They only missed the one game that EVERY single contestant missed. That was the shocking thumping of USC by Oregon State in Corvalis (the House of Horrors for the Trojans). But, still, going 9 – 1 is very impressive. Therefore, the winner of week 12 Pick-Em is Mr. Steven "Hey, the Red Raiders finally found someone they can beat" Leija. Congratulations bud.

Actual Game Scores

Review the Game Scores on the site.

Week 12 Results

See how well you did this week.

Overall Standings

See where you stand after 12 weeks.

What did we learn from week 3 in college football?

1. We learned that Duke's run defense is non-existent. Or we learned that Dr. James Andrews really is the greatest thing to happen to knees/shoulders/elbows since tendons. Mark Ingram will be sending you a fruit basket for Christmas.
2. Mark Dantonio really isn't as by-the-book as we all thought. His call for a fake FG in OT to beat Notre Dame at home took ALOT of kahones. If it is unsuccessful he loses. It wasn't. So he won, but some 12 hours later suffered a mild heart attack. He is resting comfortably with the game ball though I hear.
3. Arizona can win a big game at home. Although they can still blow a 17 point lead in doing so. The Wildcats were quick out of the gate and scored late to beat back the Hawkeyes from Iowa. The Big Ten is shown to be weak again.
4. Hootie, Hootie, Hootie. First you go and lose at home to Jacksonville State. Then you win on the road in Nawleans, and come back home to get walloped again. This time by … Vandy??? Wow. Glad that whole Masoli thing worked out for ya.
5. Ryan Mallett looks poised to have the break-out year everyone predicted. With his ice-water-in-veins 32-second game winning drive to beat Georgia between the hedges, he shook of some, not all, of the disappointment from SEC road losses last year. Next up?? #1 Alabama comes to Fayetteville. Are. You. Ready?!?!?!?!?

Pick of the Week
So, two people expected the futility in Oxford to reach a new low this past weekend when the Dores from Vandy came calling on Hootie and the Ole Miss Rebels. I for one, thought if the Rebels had a chance to win an SEC game this year, this was the one. But oh well, I can handle them going 0 – 8. Remember Ed Ogeron anyone??? However, these two individuals didn't feel the love for Hootie and therefore predicted the upset. They have won themselves and all-expense paid trip to the local ice cream shop of your choice, granted all the expenses come out of your own pockets. The POTW goes to Mr. Jason "Home on the" Shirey and Dr. Brian "Mix and" Mashburn. Congratulations guys.

Brick of the Week
So, once in a blue moon, or twice if the moon is red, this scenario plays itself out in the old College Pick-em. An individual will sometimes go out on the limb to try and get ahead in the standings and they will succeed. Thus getting the coveted POTW. However, going to the well one to many times could be seen as a sign of desperation or just plain short-sigthedness. Either way, this individual won the POTW above with their Vandy over Ole Miss pick. However, the Mississippi school from "down south" didn't do like he had hoped. Therefore for his pick of Misstake to beat LSU in Baton Rogue, Mr. Jason "Hamels vs. Beachy is a lock for Philly" Shirey gets the BOTW as well.

Champion of the Week
In a week when the average correct number of picks for the group was a smidge under 7, it is quite remarkable that the winner actually got 9 out of 10 correct. That one they missed was the stunning (at least to some) upset of Vandy at Ole Miss. Had they gone with their gut on that one, they would have been a perfect 10 for 10. Next time they might go with the gut instead of dismissing it as some bad sushi from lunch. Either way, the winner of Week 3 of the College Pick-Em is none other than Mr. Ben "Houston definitely has a problem" Gilbert. Congratulations my friend.

Game Results of the Week

Week 3 Standings

Overall Standings

This is some great stuff from Clay Travis regarding Mike Slive.

"Is it an analogy to say that we were a little like a duck? On the surface we were very quiet, careful, deliberate, and underneath we were working."
– Mike Slive, SEC Commissioner

Read More …

tricky ricky probably stepped in it yesterday with his comments…

in case you missed them, they are here: barnes crying already

nolan fires back and tells ricky to expect the worst in Little Rock for the shorthorns…

Arkansas fans could be tough on Texas in South Region

this is going to be so much fun…

and next year?!?! oh my!!! man I can hardly wait to see if tricky ricky takes his ball and goes home…

talk about a baby…