By Mark Walters
So after losing two consecutive BCS championship blowouts, and losing 35-3 to Southern California last week, it is evident that Ohio State does not belong in the national title talk this year.
Despite having possession for roughly four minutes more than the Trojans, Ohio State couldn’t find its rhythm in Los Angeles. They turned the ball over three times, and were outgained by more than 100 yards, 348-207.
USC QB Matt Sanchez, who could start ahead of Matt Cassel right now, threw for 172 yards and four touchdowns.
Even freshman phenom Terrelle Pryor-who shared time under center with senior QB Todd Boeckman-couldn’t figure out USC’s stifling defense. Good thing Ohio State is playing the Trojans of Troy this week.
USC is clearly the number one team in the nation, receiving 61 first place votes out of 64. The Buckeyes dropped to 13th in the AP poll, the biggest drop of the week. Kansas fell six places after losing a close one to South Florida, who moved up to No. 12. Other than that, some mild but standard shifting.
No. 14 BYU is starting to prove to me they’re for real after romping UCLA 59-0. The Bruins were BYU’s second Pac 10 victory, which will bode well for them in the polls when BCS talk begins in a few weeks.
At this point, Brigham Young is right up there with No. 20 Utah and No. 15 East Carolina in the mid-major teams trying to be this year’s BCS party crasher.
Last week’s game of the week, in case you missed it, was what Fresno State was calling its biggest game in school history, a late-night thriller against Wisconsin in the valley. Despite outgaining the Badgers 343-304, the Bulldogs fell 13-10. Fresno State couldn’t quite size up with its opponent, but the Bulldogs shouldn’t hang their heads. They showed heart and character against a better, stronger team-perhaps the best in the Big 10, and they managed to not drop from the rankings-they’re 25.
The SEC has a conference-first five teams in the top 10 this week. Georgia is 3rd, Florida is 4th, LSU 6th, Alabama 9th and Auburn 10th. What’s more is that Auburn plays LSU this weekend. Neither teams are battle tested, but Mississippi State gave the Tigers a scare last week. Auburn squeaked past its lesser opponent 3-2. 3-2! LSU has got to be the favorite against the Tigers, being that Auburn was 3-for-14 on 3rd downs, had 94 penalty yards last week, and fumbled the ball three times against the Bulldogs.
Elsewhere in the top heavy SEC, Tennessee hosts No. 4 Florida, and No. 3 Georgia travels to the desert to take on No. 24 Arizona State. Georgia got a scare last week at South Carolina, but sophomore RB Knowshon Moreno has 306 yards and seven TDs in just three games so far for the Bulldogs, so don’t be too hopeful of the upset. In the basement of the SEC, Vanderbilt looks to remain unbeaten as it goes to Oxford, Mississippi to take on the Rebels of Ole Miss.
In the ACC No. 18 Wake Forest will take on Bobby Bowden’s No. 24 Seminoles in Tallahassee. Bowden is tied with Penn State’s legendary coach Joe Paterno with career wins at 375. As long as the ‘Noles and Lions keep winning, the two ancient coaches will stay neck-and-neck. Paterno could take the lead this week though, if Bowden slips up against Wake. Temple travels to Happy Valley in a game that doesn’t even need to be played. I predict the Lions 66-10. No joke.
Other than that, No. 21West Virginia heads west to take on the Buffaloes of Colorado. Unranked, I like the Buffs in this one.
Also on the upset alert should be No. 17 Oregon, who barely managed to get out of West Lafayette Indiana last week with a win against Purdue. The Ducks host Boise State Saturday, a team that is very fond of pulling off upsets. Statue of Liberty, anyone?
Everything else looks like this: Notre Dame is at Michigan State, Miami (FL) is at Texas A&M, Iowa is at Pittsburgh, and No. 9 Alabama is at Arkansas.
I’m salivating at the thought of the games this Saturday. I’ll talk to ya next week