It's Official the BCS is a Mess

After Oklahoma's big win over Texas Tech this past Saturday, many people were very interested in how this would shape the BCS. Well the latest BCS polls are out and of course not without controversy. The top 10 teams in the BCS go in this order: Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, USC, Utah, Texas Tech, Penn State, Boise State, and Ohio State. The first team is right, but from their it is a mess. Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida all have legitimate cases for that spot. What really doesn't make since is how Florida is ranked number two in the Associated Press poll, but ranked fourth in the BCS poll. Texas is ranked number two in the BCS, but fourth in the latest AP poll. I don't understand the BCS, but really who does?

The real problem with the BCS is about to shine through in the Big 12 South. If Oklahoma can beat Oklahoma State this weekend, there will be a three way tie atop the Big 12 South standings between Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech with all three beating each other. This is where the mess starts. The BCS will have to rank one above the other and that is going to cause a feud. Each team has a case why they should be ranked above the other. Texas beat Oklahoma, Texas Tech beat Texas, and Oklahoma destroyed Texas Tech. Each has their case, but I feel that it will come down between Texas and Oklahoma. Ultimately, even though Texas beat Oklahoma, I feel Oklahoma will be in the Big 12 Championship. This is based all on "style points." Oklahoma would have had bigger wins as of late and they have been playing the best football. So there's your mess. Could we get a play-off anyone?

Games to watch this Thanksgiving weekend: Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State, Florida vs. Florida State, and Alabama vs. Auburn.

A New Heisman Favorite: Mr. Bradford

Oklahoma and Texas Tech played the biggest game of the year up to date. It was supposed to be the battle of two of the best teams in the nation. Key words "supposed to be." If you saw the game you know what I am talking about. Oklahoma slayed the Red Raiders, 65-21. It wasn't even close. Oklahoma just looked like the superior team playing a pop-warner team. They controlled the game on both sides of the ball and were relentless. The main reason I wanted to focus on this game was not only the BCS complications, but the race for the Heisman trophy. Sam Bradford, Michael Crabtree, and Graham Harrell all came in as potential Heisman Trophy candidates, but only one left a true favorite.

Oklahoma's Sam Bradford came into the game with 38 touchdown passes compared to only six interceptions. He left the game with a school record 42 touchdown passes and still only six interceptions. Since Oklahoma's loss to the Texas Longhorns, Sam Bradford has tosses 19 touchdowns and only one interception. If you watched Saturday night's game you could tell that Sam Bradford is the best player in college football, not by his stats, but his overall presence on the football field. Texas Tech knew he would throw the ball, but still couldn't stop it. Bradford managed a nearly perfect game. He only threw 19 times, but completed 14 of them for over 300 yards. He was truly remarkable and if Bradford can beat Oklahoma State next week, he will probably be up on stage in New York accepting the Heisman Memorial Trophy.

What a Week: A Rhodes Scholar, Blowouts, and Rivalries

What a crazy college football weekend it was. This past weekend had its share of close games, blowouts, rivalries, and one very happy young man. First of all, let's put football aside and focus on academics. A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about Florida State safety Myron Rolle, pictured above, and how he was one of the seven finalists for the Rhodes scholarship. Saturday, gameday, was the date of his interview. He had to have had a million things running through his mind, but Rolle managed to be himself and won the Rhodes scholarship. Rolle thought he would miss his first college game in his career because of his interview, but he was granted permission to board a private jet to meet up with his teammates that night to battle Maryland. Rolle arrived in the second quarter and was able to help lift his team to a 37-3 victory and remain in contention for an ACC title. What a great day for Myron Rolle. Now he has the decision of choosing between the NFL and going to Oxford to study. Whatever he does I am sure he will make the right decision and congratulations on a job well done.

The game of the week between Texas Tech and Oklahoma proved to be not much of a game at all. Oklahoma pounced on Texas Tech early and never looked back demolishing the Red Raiders 65-21. Cincinnati kept their hopes alive for a BCS bowl with their first ever victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers, 28-21. It looks like the Sugar Bowl or Orange Bowl for the Bearcats. Congratulations to the Penn State Nittany Lions as they are smelling the roses and heading to the Rose Bowl with their convincing victory over the Michigan State Spartans. How about the Oregon State Beavers? The Beavers won again yesterday on a game winning field goal in the final seconds defeating Arizona. If the Beavers can defeat in-state rival Oregon next Saturday, they not the USC Trojans, will be headed to the Rose Bowl.

All Eyes On Norman

It could very well be the biggest the game of the weekend, let alone the entire season in that matter. It's the one I told you I would have a whole other blog for. This is the biggest game in the history of one of the programs. Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma. Texas Tech has already had the two biggest games in the history of its football program this season thus far, but this is the one that will make all the difference. This is the biggest game in the Texas Tech athletic program, ever. Texas Tech comes into the game undefeated and sitting at number two in the country in the BCS, AP, and coaches polls. If Texas Tech wins this game they are a lock for the Big 12 title game and win the Big 12 South. Plus if they can pull this off they have a very realistic shot at playing for the National Title. This is not only a big game for the Red Raiders, the Sooners can do some good too if they win. If Oklahoma can win this game and their game against Oklahoma State, they can very possibly jump both Texas and Texas Tech in the BCS standings, thus giving them a trip to the Big 12 title game. This is going to be a game of match-ups and who ever wins the battles, will win the game.

Texas Tech and Oklahoma come in with two of the most prolific offenses in the country, with Oklahoma being first in scoring offense and Texas Tech a respectable third. This game is going to come down to if Oklahoma can stop Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, who have connected for 18 touchdowns. If Texas Tech can step up on defense and limit Sam Bradford. So whoever has the biggest impact on defense is liable to come out the victor. Come Saturday night I know I will be watching, will you?

Rivalry Weekend

This could very well be the biggest weekend of the college football season, well in terms of rivalries and big games. This weekend is jam packed full of meaningful, BCS affecting games. First of all let's get it started in Columbus. The Ohio State Buckeyes battle the Michigan Wolverines, enough said. This is considered one of the top rivalries in the country. It ranks with North Carolina and Duke in basketball, the Patriots and Colts in the NFL, and the Yankees and Red Sox in baseball. This year doesn't mean as much. Ohio State is a heavy favorite playing a 3-8 Michigan team and rightfully so, but you have to imagine that Michigan is still going to bring it. In state rivals California and Stanford play with everyone remembering "the play." Vanderbilt and Tennessee take it to the field in Knoxville to decide who is "it" in Tennessee. The oldest rivalry in college football is also taking place this weekend, Harvard and Yale. Last, but not least Indiana travels to West Lafayette to play the Boilermakers for the Old Oaken Bucket. For all these rivalries there are also huge BCS complicating games this weekend.

Penn State and Michigan State are playing in College Park this weekend to settle who will lie in a bed of roses. If Penn State wins this game it is off to the Rose Bowl, but if they lose and Michigan can somehow beat Ohio State, the surprise team in the Big Ten conference will be playing in Pasadena for a chance to win a Rose Bowl. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh play this Saturday night basically for the Big East title. They both hold their own destiny in the Big East and if the Bearcats can beat the Panthers at home and win their final game, they will be headed off to their first BCS bowl game. Oh yeah there is one more big game this weekend, but that is a whole other blog in itself.

Florida Gators: National Title Bound?

The Flordia Gators are back. After a season in which they didn't make a BCS bowl game, Florida is starting to play like they did a few years ago when they won a little thing known as the National Title. Urban Meyer's Gators are back in the National Title hunt. After an early home loss to the Mississippi Rebels everybody started to right them off, but since then the Gators have won six straight games. On their current win streak they have beaten each team they have faced by at least 28 point or more. This win streak includes wins over three top 25 teams in Georgia, LSU, and South Carolina. The Gators have averaged an unbelievable 49.8 points per game during their current six game win streak.That is just unheard of in the SEC, a conference that is supposed to be known for it's defense. This past weekend in their game against South Carolina, the Gators tallied up 56 points against one the best defenses in the country. By the way, Florida also handed Steve Spurrier, the former Florida Gators head coach, his worst lost in his long and lustryous head coaching career. Florida is playing great, but why is everyone stating that the Gators will be playing in the National Championship game?

The Gators are by far the hottest team in the country, but they still have two meaningful games left (technically three if you want to call the Citadel a game). The Tim Tebow led Gators still have to play in-state rival Florida State and the number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship. Florida still isn't ranked in the top two and they aren't even the best team in their conference. For all the praise that Florida is getting, let's let them play out their games first. If Nick Saban has anything to say about it, his Alabama Crimson Tide will be playing for the National Title, not the Florida Gators.

Oregon State=Rose Bowl?

The Oregon State Beavers are 6-3 and setting at 5-1 in the Pac-10 conference. Nothing too impressive really, but wait did I fail to mention that the Beavers are ranked 23rd in the country and hold their own destiny in the Pac-10? Yes, that is true. The Beavers, not the USC Trojans, are currently on the inside track to the Rose Bowl. Oregon State and USC are currently tied atop the standings in the Pac-10 with one loss apiece, but Oregon State has the advantage with their upset of USC earlier in the year. The Beavers next three games aren't going to be easy though. If the Beavers want to earn a trip to the Rose Bowl they are going to have to defeat California, Arizona, and Oregon, teams with a combined record of 19-9. This part of the season is the time the Beavers are usually playing their best football. In 2006 they started 2-3, but finished 10-4. Last year they started 2-3 and finished 9-4. This year is quite the same, but a little different as well. Oregon State started the season 2-3, but could end up finishing it with a Rose Bowl Victory. This is a great story about a team that could end up stirring things up in the BCS.

This weekend is full of potential upset games. Texas visits Kansas to battle it out. The last time the Longhorns visited Kansas they lost, thus turning around Kansas's football program. The old ball coach makes his return to the swamp, when his Gamecocks battle the Florida Gators. This game should be on upset alert with Florida possibly looking ahead to their battle with Alabama on December 6. Last but not least, Bobby Bowden and his Florida State Seminoles play against the Boston College Eagles. BC is a good team who always comes ready to play, so the Seminoles better keep their eyes open.

The BCS Busters

They're known as the BCS busters. The teams that weren't supposed to be here. They sneak up without much notice and take advantage of every loss most teams suffer. These are the teams from the NON-BCS conferences. This year is different. Three teams are trying to crash the party and earn a BCS bowl berth. The Utah Utes, Boise State Broncos, and Ball State Cardinals are all stirring up noise in the BCS. Utah sets a perfect 10-0, while Boise State and Ball State are both 9-0 respectively. Can they really burst onto the scene and steal some spots in some BCS Bowls?

Utah, out of all the teams, has the best shot in my opinion. The Utes have the best win out of all three of the teams, with their win over the previously 12th ranked TCU Horned Frogs last week. Utah is also setting at the highest BCS position, seventh, out of the non-BCS conferences. Another thing going for the the Utes is that they still have to play 16th ranked BYU and they have the experience of playing and winning in a BCS bowl. It looks like the Utah Utes will have a chance to play in a BCS bowl, if they remain undefeated. The biggest thing going for the Boise State Broncos would have to be their experience. The Broncos are setting at number nine in the latest BCS rankings. With their best win coming against Oregon, it looks like the polls are favoring the Broncos a bit because they know they've been here before and had success. Remember when the Boise State Broncos took on the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl and won on the infamous "Statue of Liberty" play. It sure seems to me that that is playing a factor in their high ranking. Their is definitely a possibility that they could be chosen for a BCS bowl. Last, but not least, the Ball State Cardinals are making their case for a shot at a BCS bowl. The Cardinals are ranked 14th in the latest BCS rankings, meaning they are currently sitting outside the top 12, the mark to get a shot at a BCS bowl. The Cardinals have three games left to prove they are worthy of this honor. It looks doubtful, even if they do finish undefeated and win the MAC, for a third team to get a shot at a BCS bowl. Plus the Cardinal's best wins have come against Indiana and Navy. It has been a great year thus far for the Cardinals, but it looks like they could be the team on the outside looking in.

Stunned: The Nittany Lions Can't Escape the Blows from the Hawkeyes

Stunned. Shocked. Broken. These words all described the feelings of the Penn State Nittany Lions after their loss to underdog Iowa. Penn State was undefeated heading to Iowa, and left as just another one-loss team. The Lions were favored by many to go undefeated and play in the BCS National Title game. All hopes were lost Saturday as the Nittany Lions were stunned by the Iowa Hawkeyes on a last second field goal, 24-23. Once again Shonn Greene led the attack for the Hawkeyes as he racked up 117 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Greene has rushed for over 100 yards in every game this and is the nations' third leading rusher. With Penn State choking, could the other two undefeated teams keep their streaks alive?

The number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide traveled to Death Valley to battle the defending national champion, LSU Tigers. This game was full of excitement and storylines. It was Nick Saban's first time going back to Baton Rouge since he left the Tigers for the NFL's Miami Dolphins. Saban and his Tide were able to avoid all the distractions and escape with a 27-21 overtime victory. The Crimson Tide was able to score in overtime off of a John Parker Wilson's touchdown run and wrap up the SEC West. With this win, it means that they will battle Florida in the SEC Championship.

The undefeated Texas Tech Red Raiders made the biggest statement of the weekend. The Red Raiders battled the ninth ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys in Lubbock on Saturday night and gave them a Texas style beat down. Texas Tech punted on their first possession and never looked back from there, as they scored touchdowns on their next seven possessions. The Red Raiders demolished the Cowboys, 56-20, further submitting themselves as one of the best teams in the country. Graham Harrell continued to improve on his run for the Heisman with six touchdown passes (By the way Michael Crabtree caught three of those). It will be very interesting to see if the Red Raiders can run the table as the battle the Oklahoma Sooners in two weeks.

Myron Rolle: The "True" Student Athlete

What defines a student athlete? A student athlete is defined by his/her determination to work hard, manage time, and have the will to balance both. Unfortunately in today's world athlete comes before student. This goes on at the high school and colliegiate level. It is a rarity to see a student athlete actually put student first. With so much emphasis on sports in America, education seems to take a backseat. So when you actually see a big time division one student athlete putting student first, it is a special moment. If that's the case, Florida State's Myron Rolle defines a "true" student athlete.

Myron Rolle is the ultimate student athlete. Rolle has started 30 straight games at Florida State since his freshman season and graduated in just over two years. Rolle is studying to become a doctor. Just recently Myron Rolle became a finalist for one of the 32 Rhodes Scholarships. The Rhodes Scholarship is a very distinguished award. The scholarship provides an all expenses paid two or three years of study at Oxford in England. It is a remarkable feat for anyone, let alone a top division one safety. This has left Rolle with a decision though. Should he stay a student or an athlete? Myron Rolle is projected to be a high draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, but if he gets the scholarship it would eliminate that this year anyway. Rolle will already miss his first college game verse Maryland in order to interview for the Rhodes Scholarship. It is a decision he will have to make, but Rolle has always insisted on putting student before athlete. Either Rolle takes the instant money and fame in the NFL or follow his dream of becoming a doctor. Whatever he endeavours I'm sure he will be great at both. This is truly a remarkable story and I applaud Myron Rolle for choosing student before athlete.

P.S. some games to watch this weekend: Alabama vs. LSU, Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech, and USC vs. California.

A Rocky Road for Tennessee

Phillip Fulmer and Tennessee go hand in hand. Fulmer has been prowling the sidelines for the Volunteers for the past 17 years as the head coach. He has been at Tennessee for more than 35 years as a coach and a player. Rocky Top was home to Phillip Fulmer. Fulmer is one of the best and most respected coaches in college football. Just as everything was going great, things suddenly turned. In the preseason the Volunteers were ranked 18th nationally and were supposed to compete for an SEC East title amongst the likes of Georgia and Florida. After playing in the SEC title game last season, Tennessee returned eight starters on offense including their entire offensive line and both starting tailbacks. With the return of so many starters and the fact that Tennessee is a national power, the feeling around Knoxville was pretty good. Tennessee could potentially have a great season and everything would be back to normal in Tennessee. WRONG! Tennessee started the season with a loss to unranked UCLA, who was starting their third string quarterback. Everything started to spiral downhill from there.

Thus far the Volunteers are 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the SEC East. Somebody had to go. That somebody was Phillip Fulmer. On Monday Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton asked Fulmer to not return next season. Fulmer accepted the decision of the university and will not be back directing the Vols next season, though he will finish out this season. Fulmer had a career record of 150-51 in his 17 seasons as head coach, including a national title in 1998. Since the end of the 2001 season, Tennessee has lost 31 games. It may be fine for most schools, but not Tennessee. Tennessee has the resources and support to be great year in and year out. Simply put, Fulmer was not winning enough games. For all his great success, it looks like Fulmer will be remembered as the guy who led a national power to the edge of disaster.

Da Red Raiders!!

Amazing. Jaw-Dropping. Unbelievable. These are the words and feelings I spoke and felt at about 11:30 on Saturday night. The Texas Tech Red Raiders and Texas Longhorns played a classic game on Saturday night. If anyone missed out on watching that game, I will pray for you. For those of you who were privileged enough to have witnessed such a masterpiece, you should hold yourself to a higher order. For all the games that have the hype, this one exceeded it. It was truly remarkable.

The Texas Longhorns traveled to Lubbock looking to return 9-0, but not so fast my friend. The Red Raiders played a beautiful game, in the first half. The Red Raiders were dominating both lines of scrimmage and held a 22-6 lead over the previously ranked number one team in the nation. In the third quarter Texas outscored Tech and trailed at the end of the third quarter 29-19. From the gun in the fourth quarter, Colt McCoy hooked up with Malcolm Williams for a 91-yard touchdown pass. This shaved Texas Tech's lead to only three points and it wouldn't last for long as Texas was starting to look like the "Texas" we had come accustomed to. After a field goal from Texas Tech, Texas running back Vondrell McGee scored a touchdown with 1:29 remaining putting the Longhorns up 33-32. This is when it started to get interesting. The Red Raiders had dominated the entire game. They had sacked Colt McCoy four times and intercepted a pass. The offensive and defensive line had played great, but they had still managed to give up a 19 point lead. This was a spot Texas Tech wasn't used to, so how would they respond? They responded like all great teams do. The Red Raiders marched down the field knowing they only needed a field goal to win. After a near interception by Texas, Tech pulled off one of the most memorable finishes I have ever witnessed. With eight seconds to go, Graham Harrell dropped back and delivered a strike to Michael Crabtree on the sideline. Crabtree caught the ball and broke two tackles, while avoiding stepping out of bounds, and pounced into the endzone. Texas Tech 38, Texas 33. Texas Tech pulled off the greatest upset in the history of their program.