(#1)
#8 Utah (8-0) – 28 vs. Air Force (5-3) – 23
Vs. 
How it all went down…It was the Falcons last chance to upset a BCS bowl caliber team this season and at home none the less. The Utes, however, wouldn’t be denied of their BCS bowl dreams building a 28-10 lead on the Falcons in the third. A late push by Air Force would ensue in the fourth, sparked on a 59 yard touchdown run by Falcons quarterback Tim Jefferson. Two big fourth down stops by the Utes late in the game, however, would put an end to the Flacons hopes. It was the closest scare the Utes had seen to date.
The fat lady started singing when…Jefferson rushed for a two yard gain on fourth and three with just over a minute left to play on the Air Force 35 yard line.
Where do we go from here coach...? For Utah, it’s the test they’ve been waiting for the entire season. A visit from Mountain West foe TCU. The Horned Frogs and Utes have clashed the last five years in tight battles with the Utes winning three of the last five. TCU walked away with the big 55-28 victory last season. My only hope: that the college Game Day crew will skip whatever SEC matchup is going on, for the top five battle in Utah. For Air Force, It should be wins the rest of the way. The Falcons dropped to 5-4, losing their last three, but apart from Army next, nobody exactly stands in their way of another bowl game.
It’s a numbers game… 5 – The Falcons committed five turnovers in the game. Three fumbles lost and two interceptions, while also turning it over on downs twice. Nobody can win with those numbers.
Player of the game…Eddie Wide, Utah, RB – 23 rush, 82 yds, 2 TD – 2 rec. 23 yds
(#2) (Thursday)
#16 Florida State (6-2) – 24 vs. North Carolina State (6-2) – 28
Vs.
How it all went down…To date, Florida State had been untouchable in the ACC. They were proclaimed cured of their up and down past and by the looks of it, on their way to their first ACC Championship. There’s one thing people forgot. This is an ACC team, where every Saturday is free game for any team. Now, it is NC State who sits in the driver seat of the ACC Atlantic division. The Seminoles built a 21-7 halftime lead on the Wolfpack, but came out flat in the second half allowing three second half touchdowns to NC State quarterback Russell Wilson. The Seminoles, however, had one last chance to win the game, driving all the way down to the NC State nine yard line. Before an unforgettable turnover ended their hopes.
The fat lady started singing when…Seminole quarterback Christian Ponder sold play action a little too hard with just 50 seconds left to go, dropping the ball while faking the handoff. The Wolfpack pounced on the ball and ran out the clock.
Where do we go from here coach..? For Florida State, it’s winning out and hoping either Maryland or Clemson takes down NC State. The Seminoles, however, need to bring in wins over the Terrapins and Tigers first. For North Carolina State, It had looked as if the Wolfpack may have been out of contention for the ACC, but at 6-2 on the year, NC State is very much alive. Especially if Wilson plays as well as he did in the second half Thursday night.
It’s a numbers game….. 6 –Wilson has six games this season with at least three total touchdowns. Thursday Wilson passed for one and rushed for three scores.
Player of the game…Russell Wilson (above), NC State, QB – 18-28 passing, 178 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT – 17 rush 69 yds, 3 TD
Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images
(#3)
#25 Baylor (7-2) – 30 vs. Texas (4-4) – 22
Vs. 
How it all went down…Things are a bit turned around in the state of Texas right now. The Cowboys can’t win a game to save their lives. The Rangers are in the World Series and Baylor and TCU are the best college football teams in the state. The Longhorns proved Saturday their offensive struggles against nearly everyone this season have been no fluke. Even worse, the offense is starting to drag down the Longhorns stout early season defense. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III threw for two scores and rushed for another in what was an upset win that wasn’t an upset at all.
The fat lady started singing when…Texas wideout Marquise Goodwin fumbled following a 21 yard gain on the Longhorns last chance to tie the game. The Bears recovered and ran out the clock with just over two minutes remaining.
Where do we go from here coach...? For Baylor, its three pivotal games reaming on the schedule that could give a dream season a scary ending or turn the page for the future of the program. With Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma remaining, the Bears still have a chance to make it to the Big 12 title game. It won’t be easy, however. For Texas, it’s finding out how to win again. The Longhorns have lost four games in the state of Texas this season, including three at home. With games against Oklahoma State and Kansas State remaining, the Longhorns better worry about becoming bowl eligible.
It’s a numbers game… 22 – One reason the Longhorns are struggling so bad is because they can’t find the endzone. Kicker Justin Tucker has an NCAA leading 22 field goal attempts on the season, connecting on 18 of them. Tucker went five or six Saturday, but three points isn’t enough every time.
Player of the game…Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB – 16-24 passing, 219 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT – 16 rush, 17 yds, 1 TD
(#4)
#15 Arizona (7-1) – 29 vs. UCLA (3-5) – 21
Vs. 
How it all went down…Backup Arizona quarterback Matt Scott started his second consecutive game with starter Nick Foles healing on the bench, and is beginning to show why he was heavily recruited throughout the PAC-10. The junior accounted for 390 yards of the Wildcats total offense as the rolling Wildcats won their third straight PAC-10 game. UCLA made things interesting in the fourth on a 49 yard flea-flicker touchdown pass by Bruins quarterback Richard Brehaut, but like they’ve done all season, the Wildcat defensive line would pay the bill late in the game, sealing the Arizona victory.
The fat lady started singing when…Brehaut was sacked and fumbled on second and four by Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed with just over a minute left to go.
Where do we go from here coach..? For Arizona, it’s one game closer to the Nov. 26 Oregon matchup, but first it’s a meeting at Stanford. Whether Foles is ready to go or not, the Wildcats will be ready against the No. 13 ranked Cardinal. For UCLA, it’s time to bring in more than their one PAC-10 win. The lone conference victory came against Washington State, which almost doesn’t count. Oregon State at home is on the plate next for the Bruins.
It’s a numbers game… 32 – The Wildcats piled up 32 first downs on the Bruins, while controlling nearly 38 minutes of the clock. Easy to do with 264 yards rushing.
Player of the game…Matt Scott, Arizona, QB – 24-36 passing, 319 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT – 12 rush, 71 yds
(#5)
Kentucky (4-5) – 17 vs. #21 Mississippi State (7-2) – 24
Vs.
How it all went down…I’m sure Mississippi State Head Coach Dan Mullen is elated his team is winning games, how their doing it, however, Mullen may be looking to change. The Bulldogs moved on to 7-2 on the year, winning their sixth straight game, third in a tight race to the end. Tied 17 all to begin the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs took the lead with just over 10 minutes to go on a four yard run by quarterback Chris Relf. The Wildcats would put together a 17 play drive in the fourth in an attempt to tie, only to come up 11 yards short of overtime.
The fat lady started singing when…Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline was intercepted on the Mississippi State one yard line with a minute and a half to go.
Where do we go from here coach...? For Kentucky, hopfully an end to an up and down SEC season. The Wildcats beat No. 10 South Carolina and took No. 2 Auburn to the final play but have failed to overcome opposing leads late besides. With Charleston Southern, Vanderbilt and Tennessee reaming, the Wildcats have a chance to end the year on a good note. For Mississippi State, time for perhaps the biggest test of the season in a trip to Alabama. The Bulldogs shouldn’t be considered out until the clock strikes zero. In 2007, when the Bulldogs finished 8-5, Mississippi State beat the Tide 21-12 following a Kentucky win.
It’s a numbers game… 6 – The Bulldogs are on their longest win streak since winning eight straight in 1999.
Player of the game…Chris White, Mississippi State, LB – 15 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 INT
(#6)
#2 Oregon (8-0) – 53 vs. USC (5-3) – 32
Vs.
How it all went down…The Blur offense of Oregon continues to wipe opponents out in the PAC-10. There hasn’t been as dominating an offense in college football since, well, 2005 USC. The Trojans were remarkably able to keep pace with the Ducks, eventually taking the lead over Oregon early in the third, 32-29. The Ducks then railed off 24 straight points on the Trojans. The fast paced offense of the Ducks has over taken every opponent they've faced this season. I’d be lying if I didn’t see it coming, because if not for a successful two point conversion on the Trojans final score, the 53-32 score would have been picked correctly by yours truly.
The fat lady started singing when…Oregon Wideout Jeff Maehl hauled in a short pass from quarterback Darron Thomas in the third quarter, taking it 30 yards for a score. It gave the Ducks a 36-32 lead and started the massive migration of second half points the Ducks have been famous for this season.
Where do we go from here coach..? For Oregon, don’t change a thing. I wouldn’t even know where to begin in thinking of what to change. The offense weakens opponents and the defense is disruptive. Oh, and the Special teams units are some of the nation’s best. For USC, there goes your bowl game. Beating the Ducks would have been as good as making it to a BCS bowl for USC, or the Car Care bowl for that matter. The Trojans can get back on track with Arizona State up next.
It’s a numbers game… 111-14 – The Ducks have outscored opponents in the fourth quarter this season 111-to-14, allowing just two fourth quarter touchdowns to date. Think the fast paced offense drains teams?
Player of the game…Jeff Maehl (above), Oregon, WR – 8 Rec. 145 yds, 3 TD
Photo Credit: AP Photo/ Mark J. Terrill
(Bonus)
#5 Michigan State (8-1) – 6 vs. #18 Iowa (6-2) – 37
Vs.
How it all went down…Michigan State had a chance to take a huge step forward in their quest for an undefeated season, however, the Spartans took one giant step backwards. MSU wasn’t just beaten by the Hawkeyes Saturday, but embarrassed 30-0 at halftime. Spartan quarterback, Kirk Cousins, who had been playing his best football on the season, threw three interceptions on his way to a rested fourth quarter. The Spartans had started slow in past weeks, but against Iowa Saturday, they failed to start at all.
The fat lady started singing when…Iowa running back Adam Robinson brought in a 32 yard touchdown pass from Ricky Stanzi in the second quarter. A 23-0 lead on the Spartans would be too much to come back from.
Where do we go from here coach...? For Michigan State, it’s most likely three wins to end the year. The Spartans don’t play Ohio State so a Big Ten title is out of reach at this point. With Minnesota, Purdue and Penn State to end the year, however, 11-1 isn’t all that bad either. For Iowa, it’s trying to knock off Ohio State at the end of the year. After a loss to Wisconsin a Big Ten title is a bit out of reach, but an OSU win would be huge.
It’s a numbers game… 31 – The Hawkeyes held the Spartans to just 31 yards on the ground. The Spartans had been averaging more than 225 yards on the ground through their first six games.
Player of the game…Ricky Stanzi, Iowa, QB – 11-15 passing, 190 yds, 3 TD – 1 rush, 26 yds
(Bonus)
Michigan (5-3) – 31 vs. Penn State (5-3) – 41
Vs.
How it all went down…Oh, how the ghost of footballs past has showed its face again on the Michigan sidelines. Oh, wait, that's just Rich Rodriguez. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was back to his old ways against the Nittany Lions, passing for 190 yards, while rushing for 191 yards. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, the Michigan defense was at its same ways Saturday night. Robinson kept the Wolverines in the game the entire night, while the defense did its best at keeping the Wolverines out of reach.
The fat lady started singing when…Penn State kicker Collin Wagner made it a 10 point game with 5:43 left to go in the fourth. Even if the Wolverines scored, it was clear the defense wasn’t going to be able to stop anyone soon.
Where do we go from here coach...? For Michigan, it’s really hoping the end of this season doesn’t mimic last years ending. Michigan has now lost three straight in Big Ten play and face a hot Illinois team next. At this point, fixing the defense is about personnel and Michigan just doesn’t have the players it needs to. For Penn State, it’s trying to become bowl eligible. The Lions face Northwestern, Ohio State and Michigan State, but also have Indiana in the mix. They should be able to get the Hoosiers number.
It’s a numbers game…#1– Penn State running back Evan Royster ranks No. 1 in school history in rushing yards following his performance Saturday. Royster now has 3,518 rushing yards in his career.
Player of the game…Evan Royster, Penn State, RB – 29 rush, 150 yds, 2 TD – 1 rec. 7 yds
(Bonus)
Florida (5-3) – 34 vs. Georgia (4-5) – 31
Vs.
How it all went down…One of the two teams wasn’t escaping the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party without a miserable record. The game looked content to go the Gators way up until the fourth quarter when a back-and-forth scoring battle ensued. The Gators held a 24-16 lead on the ‘Dogs before a 29 yard touchdown by Georgia tight end Orson Charles and two point conversion tied the game 24 all in the fourth. The teams traded scores again on a 51 yard touchdown run by Florida athlete Trey Burton and A.J. Green touchdown reception for Georgia with just over four minutes to play, making the game knotted at 31. Overtime would come next, where on Georgia’s possession, Florida safety Will Hill would intercept quarterback Aaron Murray, nearly returning the pick for six the other way.
The fat lady started singing when…Florida kicker Chas Henry connected on a 37 yard field goal in overtime.
Where do we go from here coach...? For Florida, it’s a sigh of relief. A loss would have been four straight dropped games for the Gators, something hard to come back from for any team, especially in the SEC. The Gators can still win the SEC East with wins over Vanderbilt and South Carolina. For Georgia, it’s a rough road to six wins. With Idaho State, Auburn and Georgia Tech in waiting, a bowl isn’t out of reach, but it may be with so many talented SEC teams this season.
It’s a numbers game… 3– The win for the Gators was the third straight game the Gators played decided by four points or less. Two had been the losses.
Player of the game…Trey Burton, Florida, QB/RB/WR – 2-2 passing, 26 yds – 17 rush, 110 yds, 2 TD – 5 rec. 35 yds
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