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

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Week 12 Results

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Overall Standings

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So, some highlights and lowlights if you will from week 10 in college football:

1. Hey, Arkansas found a running game. And at a great time too when the Hogs needed it the most in the biggest road game of the season. By cruising past South Carolina, the Hogs now have a very decent shot at their first ever BCS bowl. They need to win out (UTEP, @ Miss State, LSU in LR) and have Auburn win out as well. This will give them 2nd place in the SECW and essentially 2nd place in the SEC. At 10 – 2 they would be a perfect candidate for the Sugar Bowl.
2. Cam Newton is being scrutinized pretty harshly the last couple of weeks. It appears this may become the norm in college football moving forward with start athletes, unless the NCAA does something quickly. Any star player from a questionable recruitment will be run over the coals by jilted schools to try and tarnish the star players reputation and the school he chooses. However, if these allegations are true with Newton, and Auburn knew, and played him anyways? Well, then, all bets are off.
3. The Hat. What more can you say or need to say than "The Hat". Kiss my grits. This guy is amazing. Simply amazing. The whole "Deal with the Devil" is starting to look very, very likely at this point. How else could you explain the fake FG in the 4th quarter down by 4? And it wasn't a simple straight-forward handoff up the middle for the 1st down either. It was a toss sweep left, toss reverse right for a HUGE gain that setup the go ahead TD. Really?? Two tosses on one play for a fake FG that were performed by individuals who don't normally execute that type of play? Oh, and let's not even talk about this.
4. Now the question seems to be is TCU legit or was Utah an impostor extraordinaire??? TCU travels on the road to face unbeaten and #5 Utah. The result was a massive 40 point victory for the Horned Frogs and it wasn't even that close. The only that could have been uglier than the score were the atrocious uniforms that Utah was wearing. I get the whole Veteran's Day celebration and everything, but those things were God-awful.
5. And finally, let's not move past another week in college football w/out discussing the severe mediocore-level of football currently being played in the Little XII. Two weeks ago everyone was agush about OU, Mizzou, and possibly Nebraska being able to play for the BCS Championship. Now?? Well, let's see. OU loses on the road to a very, very average Texas A&M team. Mizzou loses on the road to Nebraska (not that bad really since they haven't won there since, well, a long, long time) AND Mizzou loses on the road to a very below average Texas Tech team. What about Nebraska? They did beat Mizzou for their first loss right? Well, that same Nebraska team came within a failed two-point conversion attempt in the 1st OT on the road at … AIMES, IOWA of losing on the road as well. Geez. Folks it just doesn't get anymore mediocre than that. Oh, and Texas won't be bowl-eligible this year. HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

Brick of the Week

Talk about a game. Wow. I watched the first quarter, then came back for the 4th quarter and the subsequent 3 OT. Amazing game. It was amazing how defense was clearly optional in this game and there was so much on the line for both teams. Rich Rodriguez was teetering again after a great start to the season and needed this win at home to stave off some critics (still needs to dump Greg Robinson though). Ron Zook on the other side, if he could get a win here, could theoretically lead his team to a 9 – 3 season. Great considering he replaced everyone not named Zook on this staff last year. In the end, in a game dominated by offense, it came down to a defensive play … by MICHIGAN. Stopping the Illini short on their 2-point conversion in the 3 OT and winning 67 – 65. It is very hard to give the BOTW for this game, but EVERYONE except this person picked Michigan. So, ball bounces another way, and he is POTW. However, for his pick of Illinois, Mr. Jason "Is it softball season yet?" Shirey gets the award for Week 10.

Pick of the Week

There were a couple of candidates for POTW this week. We had one person who felt The Hat would upend Saban in his return to Death Valley. They were right. Although, I don't remember seeing anything about The Mad Hatter eating grass in the pick. So, we move to the next candidate. Having seen this team play on the road in Columbia should have been a sign to us all. But since we aren't all fast learners everyone picked OU to go to College Station and win. But they didn't. Not only did they not win, they must have left their Offensive Coordinator at home and let some guy from Slaughterville, OK call the plays. On two separate occasions inside the 5 with first and goal, the Sooners run 4 consecutive rushing plays. Net points? 0. So, for picking the Aggies to rise up and beat back the Rushing Stoops, Mr. Jerry "I never cheated on a journalism exam, I don't think." Tucker is your winner. Congrats my friend.

Champion of the Week

This week was another wild and crazy week in college football. Great games were to be found in almost every conference. Upsets were everywhere and when the dust settled we learned a little  more than we did going in and the biggest thing was that Bama won't play for its second straight BCS Championship. We learned also that Oregon's offense can have a "off-day" …. and score 53. We learned that LSU's defense is … decent. We learned that Utah was … O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D. We learned the TCU is … pretty salty. And finally we learned that Boise State … still whines. A LOT! And we learned that I guess it takes us getting to a week of upsets and conference titles being decided before we can find out who can really pick some games. This individual missed one game. ONE! And it was the 3-point loss by Saban in Death Valley. Therefore, by going 9 – 1, Mr. Jerry "Mizzou is DUE for a letdown" Tucker is your Week 10 winner. Congrats.

Game Scores for Week 10

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Week 10 Results

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Overall Standings

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