Football

Random Thoughts From Around the Country: Week Ten

While Alabama had a Bye, other teams went Buh-Bye

By CB969@CB969onRBR Nov 4, 2013, 4:54pm CST

David Spade says "Buh-Bye" to a few more pretenders. Mike Meyers stars as Michigan, Chris Farley as Texas Tech, Adam Sandler is Miami. Fresno & N. Illinois are the extras.

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One of seven sacks for the Spartans (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Michigan State 29 Michigan 6

The Spartans are starting to look like a real contender for the Big Ten title after shutting down the Wolverines on Saturday. The MSU defense held UM to -48 yards rushing for the game. Michigan QB Devin Gardner was harassed all day including three sacks on three consecutive plays in the third quarter and seven sacks for the game. Gardner threw 14 for 27 for 210 yards, 0 TD and 1 interception. The Wolverines converted only two third downs in 14 attempts and 0 for 1 on fourth down.

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has this defensive unit dialed in as the third best team in points allowed at 11.6 (behind Alabama 9.8 and Louisville 10.6). Sparty has given up a total of 9 points in their last three games against Purdue, Illinois, and Michigan. On the season, they have accumulated 25 sacks, 61 tackles for loss (TFL) led by sophomore DE Shilique Calhoun (6.5 sacks, 11 TFL), and 10 interceptions. Look for them to face an Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

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Texas Tech upended. Too obvious? (Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)

Oklahoma State 52 Texas Tech 34

Typical Big XII football: 86 points scored (over/under was 70!), 59 first downs, and 1041 yards of offense. But it wasn't all good. The two teams collected 18 penalties for 173 yards, each had 2 interceptions and the Red Raiders lost 1 fumble. Losing QB Davis Webb threw the ball an astounding 71 times with 45 completions and 425 yards. What is it going to take for these young hotshot coaches to learn that you have to have a balanced offense to win championships?

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Devonta Freeman for one of his three scores. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Florida State 41 Miami 14

By now, everyone know the name Jameis Winston. However, Saturday's game belonged to FSU running back Devonta Freeman who compiled 176 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. Winston had good numbers (21 for 29, 325 yards) but threw two interceptions that could have been costly. Thankfully for the 'Noles, Miami QB Stephen Morris was just as generous with two INTs of his own.

Any hopes of a comeback for the 'Canes were dashed when Duke Johnson went down to an injury to end the third quarter. He will miss the rest of the season with a broken ankle.

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Saturday night's alright for fighting. (Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports)

Georgia 23 Florida 20

It is a meme come to life before our very eyes: Mark Richt has lost control of his team. An ugly embarrassing game that was marred by multiple fights and trash-talking ended with Aaron Murray expertly running out the last 8:17 on a 15 plays 67 yards drive that finished with a kneel down at the Gators 14 yard line. Todd Gurley had some big plays but, honestly, he did not look as sharp as he has been in the past.

Similar to the UGA celebration set off after beating LSU which led to a near loss to Tennessee and actual losses to Missouri and Vandy, the Georgia players and staff again acted like they just won the Super Bowl. The Dawgs are lucky they face Appalachian State next instead of Auburn or Georgia Tech.

Outback Bowl! WOOO! (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Florida falls to 4-4 and are staring down the barrel of a 5-7 or 6-6 season with Vandy, South Carolina, Georgia Southern, and FSU left on the slate. Is Will Muschamp in danger of losing his job a year after going 11-2?

Grab Bag:

Mizzou 31 Tennessee 3 - Alabama really killed any hope the Vols had. Mizzou jumped all over that. This Maty Mauk kid is alright. What's going to happen when James Franklin come back? Does Gary Pinkel dare mess with good mojo?

Notre Dame 38 Navy 34 - This was a heartbreaker. The Irish could not stop the Middies' triple option. Navy was driving for the winning score when on 2nd and 5 at the ND 32, running back Keenan Reynolds fumbled a pitch putting Navy into a third and 14. This O is built to take small chunks of yards and move the chains. They are not a passing team.

Southern Cal 31 Oregon State 14 - Interim Neanderthal Ed Orgeron is 3-1 and the Trojans are bowl eligible. Wouldn't it be hilarious if SoCal hired him full time? It would fill the Meltdown coffers for years to come.

Marshall 61 Southern Miss 13 - This is getting really sad as the losing streak reaches 20. Up next for the Fighting Favres: LaTech and FAU!

Kristi Malzahn's "SHUT UP!" of the week goes to the Miami Hurricanes. It reminded her of the season the Florida Gators had last year when they were playing over their heads and FSU reality smacked them in the jaw.

* 48 teams are now eligible for one of the 35 bowls. 23 teams are no longer bowl eligible.

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THURSDAY, NOV 7:
Oregon @ Stanford 8pm CT / 9pm ET ESPN - If the Cardinal (7-1) lose, they are done. A Dux (8-0) loss severely damages Oregon's chances.
Oklahoma @ Baylor 6:30/7:30 FOX Sports 1 - Loser of this one, is definitely eliminated.

FRIDAY, NOV 8:
Louisville @ UConn 7:30/8:30 ESPN - For football junkies and masochists only. (Check out "Grimm" or "Shark Tank" instead)
* There are also some terrible MAC games on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings if you are in to that sorta thing. Weirdos.

SATURDAY, NOV 9:
Auburn at Tennessee 11am/12pm ESPN
Missouri at Kentucky 11am/12pm ESPNU
Vanderbilt at Florida 11am/12pm FSN
Arkansas at Ole Miss 11:21am/12:21pm SEC TV
Mississippi State at Texas A&M 2:30pm/3:30pm CBS
Brigham Young at Wisconsin 2:30/3:30 ESPN- Mormons vs. Cheeseheads
Nebraska at Michigan 2:30/3:30 ABC- Whose head will explode first? Pelini or Hoke?
Hawaii at Navy 2:30/3:30 CBS Sports Network
Virginia Tech at Miami 6pm/7pm ESPN- Something to watch during commercials