Fourth and inches… (game week of November 17, 2007)

By T Erickson  |   Friday, November 16, 2007  |  Comments( 1 )

College Football
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Arizona's upset victory over Oregon Thursday night cleared the path for Kansas to move up in the rankings and lock in a national title game berth, if they can just manage to win out ...

Actually, Kansas was set to pass Oregon by the end of the season with the extra points they would pick up for wins over two top 10 teams (Missouri and Oklahoma). However, if you're a gambler, the safe bet is still on Oklahoma or West Virginia to be playing in New Orleans on January 8.

► A twist of irony to Arizona's victory ... The Wildcats served up the Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl Game berth to their arch rivals Arizona State ... now, all the Sun Devils need to do is take care of business with USC on Thanksgiving Day, and then knock off the hand that just fed them the following week.

Should ASU make it to the Rose Bowl Game, they could very likely find themselves pitted against Ohio State in a rematch from 11 years ago when Jake the Snake Plummer was outdueled by Joe Germaine and the Buckeyes in a thrilling last-minute finish.

► Michigan's loss to Wisconsin could really tarnish the Rose Bowl Game this year if the Wolverines go on to defeat Ohio State this Saturday in Ann Arbor. Michigan dropped to #23 this week in the AP rankings. A win over Ohio State would give Michigan the Big Ten title and the automatic berth in the Rose Bowl Game, however, they would be 9-3 and probably ranked no higher than #15.

Traditionally, the Rose Bowl officials always desire a Big Ten champion versus Pac-10 champion match-up in the Rose Bowl Game, and normally, they wouldn't care if it was Michigan or Ohio State. It's just that a 10-2 Wolverine team on a 10-game winning streak and ranked in the top 10 is a far cry from what they will end up with now if the Maize and Blue successfully defend their home turf against the Buckeyes. You can't blame them for wanting Ohio State. The Buckeyes haven't been to Pasadena in ten years, and with a win over Michigan, they'd be 11-1 and ranked in the Top 5.

► Illinois proves the balance of power is shifting in the Big Ten. Illinois' shocking victory over Ohio State was accomplished with a more youthful roster of talent, led by sophomore-sensation QB Juice Williams. Ron Zook is a remarkable recruiter and the Fighting Illini will be a force to reckon in the conference for the foreseeable future. Pat Fitzgerald is doing a number with Northwestern's program, and Bill Lynch seems to be keeping Terry Hoeppner's vision on track at Indiana University. Now, if Minnesota could just turn their program around ...

► Locker or Brennan: which QB took the bigger hit? Washington's Jake Locker and Hawaii's Colt Brennan both sustained monster hits when they tucked the rock and headed up field in their respective games last Saturday. Arguably, Brennan took the meaner of the two hits. He left the game midway thru the third quarter of the Warriors' game against the Fresno State Bulldogs and didn't return, although he was able to wobble off the field with the aid of Hawaii's medical staff.

The Warriors travel to Reno to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack this Friday. "I'll be out there and ready to play," said Brennan. Meanwhile, clips of Marcus Riley's big hit on Brennan have become rather popular on YouTube.com ... key words: Brennan and Fresno.

Locker sustained his injury in the first half of the Huskies' contest against the Oregon State Beavers. He lay motionless on the ground for several minutes and was ultimately placed on a secure stretcher to protect his back and neck from movement. An ambulance transported him from the field to a local hospital. Fortunately, reports are that he suffered a neck stinger and strained muscles, but nothing worse. He could possibly be out for the rest of the regular season schedule.

►Heisman top 5 ... Pat White (West Virginia) and Darren McFadden (Arkansas) have re-established their claims to this illustrious award ... Andre Woodson (Kentucky) is still in the running, as is Dennis Dixon (Oregon) and Chase Daniel (Missouri). Dropouts include Mike Hart (Michigan) because of lingering injuries, and Matt Ryan (Boston College).

►Best Games of the Week ...

Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Wolverines: Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth is on the line, not to mention bragging rights for the next year.
Kentucky Wildcats at Georgia Bulldogs: The Wildcats would like to play the spoiler and enhance their chances for a prestigious tier 2 bowl game with a win over another top 10 ranked team.
BYU Cougars at Wyoming Cowboys: Brigham Young can clinch a share of MWC title with the win. The Cowpokes can bandage their season by preventing that from happening. Wyoming is 4-1 at home this year. Unfortunately, an audience of about 10 will see this game, thanks to "the Mtn." channel's microscopic footprint.
Vanderbilt Commodores at Tennessee Volunteers: Big rivalry in the state with potential repercussions in the SEC North Division.
Duke Blue Devils at Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Just to find out the answer to one question ... "Can this season get any worse for Charlie Weis?"
New Mexico Lobos at Utah Utes: Utes are on a roll and trying desperately to challenge for the MWC crown. Lobos need the win to secure bowl consideration.
Oklahoma Sooners at Texas Tech Red Raiders: No lead is ever safe when Tech has the ball. Come to think of it, no lead Tech has is ever safe, either. Will the Sooners be the next to fall victim to the curse of #2?
Boston College Eagles at Clemson Tigers: The winner will play in the ACC title game.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Cincinnati Bearcats: Crucial game that will help decide the outcome of the Big East and WV's BCS title hopes.

►Upset Specials of the Week ... Last week (2-2, season 18-17) ...

Arizona Wildcats over #2 Oregon Ducks: already predicted this in the AP Top 25 weekly review.
Nevada Wolf Pack over #13 Hawaii Warriors: Hawaii doesn't play well away from the islands and that freshman QB for Nevada is a clone of Vince Young when he's on his game.
Texas Tech Red Raiders over #3 Oklahoma Sooners: Because #2 just isn't safe this year. Plus, it's in Lubbock.
Cincinnati Bearcats over #5 West Virginia Mountaineers: Cincy is tough at home, but arguably, this is the riskiest call.

Todd Erickson is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the author of Road to the Rose Bowl (Silverback, 2005) the definitive book on the last 50 years of match-ups and tradition in the Rose Bowl Game.

Get more original college football insights at RealFootball365.com
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