Everyone thought Oct 6th was going to be showcase Saturday in college football. Once again, the football Gods reminded us to take nothing for granted, and that college football is by far the greatest sport. #3 Oklahoma, #4 Florida, # 5 West Virginia, #7 Texas, # 10 Rutgers, #13 Clemson and #21 Penn State all lost to unranked opponents. #11 Oregon's loss to #6 Cal was the only acceptable loss of the day. #9 Wisconsin had another close win beating Michigan State, #2 LSU needed a strong second half to defeat a lowly Tulane team and #1 USC somehow managed to beat Washington despite 3 turnovers and 16 penalties for 161 yards. While Ohio State's road victory against Minnesota looked convincing, the Golden Gophers exposed some weaknesses in the Buckeyes armour. The Top 10 was not a safe place to be yesterday.
If yesterday happened in any other sport, most people would yawn because the regular season is less important in all sports except college football. Every week is a playoff game in college football. Win, you are still in the hunt. Lose and you are most likely out of the BCS Championship picture. Few teams have the capability to withstand a loss and make it to the title game, but this year may be the first BCS Title game where both teams have one loss. Yesterday's outcomes support this contention.
Depth has found its way into college football. Sure, the usual suspects are still leading the way, but many of the middle tier programs are inching their way to the top. Look at the Top 25, Boston College, South Florida, Kentucky, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Missouri, Hawaii, South Carolina. Despite their loss yesterday, throw in Rutgers too. One-third of the Top 25 is occupied by teams with little or no historical significance to college football.
Although the season is still young, BC, Virginia, Colorado, Kansas State, UConn, Syracuse, South Florida, Illinois, Purdue, Kentucky, Arizona State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State can say they are 1st Place in their conference. Obviously this will change as the season progresses, but September brought some surprises. For my money, this is why college football rules the day.
October 6th will still be monumental to the 2007 season. Florida plays at LSU who will be looking for redemption, Texas or Oklahoma will have two losses and be out of the title hunt, Ohio State will need to beat a resurgent Purdue team on the road at night, Wisconsin plays a tough Illinois team on the road, Nebraska or Missouri will get a leg up on the Big 12 North, Rutgers tries to avenge last season's loss Cincinnati, Clemson and Virginia Tech will try to avoid a second loss, Georgia travels to Tennessee looking to keep their SEC East title hopes alive, and Kansas plays Kansas State as both will try to keep pace with the either Missou or Nebraska for the North title. In addition, Thursday's match-up between South Carolina and Kentucky will have huge implications on the SEC East race. Seasons will be made and lost next weekend.
Early predictions:
Oklahoma runs wild on Texas. Missou topples Nebraska in a close game. LSU beats Florida by 10. Ohio State wins by taking control in the 2nd half, Wisconsin beats Illinois by touchdown, Kansas State drops Kansas soundly, Rutgers gets back into the win column, Georgia continue to roll, Kentucky will lose for the first time this season, Virginia Tech will win by 3.
Have a great week.
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