CigarSmokinFootball

Week 10 Cigar Butts

Great Weekend of football, good rivalry games, maybe we witnessed another rivalry born – that would be Memphis and SMU – there were last minute escapes, like Notre Dame, playing at home, and a 17 point favorite, overcoming a feisty Virginia Tech squad who was playing without their starting quarterback and with a lackluster record, – and then there were games that pretty much determined the post-season fate of some teams and maybe their coaches. Definitely their coaches. Let’s take a look in the rear-view mirror.

Georgia 24, Florida 17 – It has taken three games for UGA to get out of their funk, but they picked the right time to do it, – the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The game developed slowly, neither team established much of anything, the defenses were determined to stop each others’ running game. The Bulldogs struck first with a field goal in the first quarter followed with a touchdown in the second. Florida, a far less experienced team, didn’t back down, and even though all they had to show for the first half was a field goal, you could tell they were in the game. Georgia extended their lead in the third quarter and UF could sense that the game was starting to slip away. The Gators finally crossed the goal line early in the fourth quarter on a 23-yard pass play drawing them within striking distance, 16-10. Then UGA pounded the final nail in the coffin, a 52-yard touchdown pass to a WIDE OPEN, as in, there wasn’t a player in a blue uniform within 15 yards of Lawrence Cager. The following two point conversation put the Red and Black up by two touchdowns. Florida scored again at the three minute mark, putting them one score down, but the defense couldn’t stop the Dawgs from getting a first down, thus allowing their rival to run out the clock. Excellent game by both teams.

Oregon 56, Southern California 24 – Oregon has also struggled of late, they won – they’ve won all but the season opening marquee game against Auburn – but the “sizzle” hasn’t been there. USC had a lot riding on the outcome of this one. Coach Helton needed this win to help preserve his job, and keep his team in the running for the southern PAC-12 crown. The Ducks have a commanding lead in the north, their arch-rival Oregon State doesn’t seem to pose much of a threat, although they might later down the road. The Trojans began with a 16-play scoring drive before the All-Star Oregon quarterback threw his second interception of the season. USC was suddenly up by 10. It was looking promising for Helton and company. And then, the bottom fell out. Oregon scored on each of the four turnovers by Southern California QB Kedon Slovis. In all of 19 minutes, the Ducks had a commanding lead. From that point on they toyed with the Men from Troy.. These Trojans were defeated as badly as their namesakes after bringing the Wooden Horse through the gates. Since the powers-that-be, excepting the President of the University, have already stated that they want Urban Myer as their new head coach, the final result was not favorable for embattled coach Clay Helton.

Utah 33, Washington 28 – in a game that was one of the most entertaining of the day, the Utes of Utah had to fight like the devil to win and stay in the lead in the PAC-12 South. Of course, at the time they didn’t know that USC was going to collapse before the Fighting Ducks. Utah was down by 11 at halftime, and the Huskies of the Northwest were hyped, expecting a victory. But College Football Games are 60 minutes long, not thirty, and the UU Defense had the opportunity to change the course of the game, and that’s what they did. They forced U-Dub QB Jacob Eason to throw three INTs, one that resulted in a Pick-6. The Utah Offense took advantage of the gifts they were presented, and the lead was theirs. UW did not go quietly into the night. In the closing minutes, and down two scores, the Huskies battled back and scored a touchdown. If only they could have recovered that onside kick, if only, but they didn’t, and Utah was able to run out the clock.  

Notre Dame 21, VA Tech 20 – The VaTech Hokies came into South Bend a 17-point underdog, but they didn’t play like it. Back-up Quarterback Quincy Patterson led the Hokies through several three and outs before he found his rhythm. At halftime the score was tied at 14-14, and ND was uncharacteristically helping VA Tech. The Irish drove three times deep into Tech’s territory, only to give the ball away. In the second half, the Turkeys (which is what a Hokie is) captured the lead on two field goals and it starting looking like they were going to pull off an upset. Then with 29 seconds left in the game QB Ian Book ran 7 yards for a touchdown capping an 18-play, 87-yard drive to win the game. Was that a “roughing the passer” phantom when Virginia Tech intercepted Book on the Irish’ final drive? In all honesty, the home team won, but it is not sitting well with Irish faithful. Too close for comfort, it was. There are rumblings among the deep-wallet supporters that Coach Chip Kelly just might be shown the door at the end of the season. And, there will be no head shaking over that. If the Democrats can try and impeach a President over rumors and hearsay, then a coach’s future after a close win can be in jeopardy. Wonder how quickly they’ll go after Urban Myer?

Shot Cigar Butts

Clemson 59, Wofford 14 – Who makes the schedule for Clemson? Yawn!

Auburn 20, Ole Miss 14 – The Rebels need help, plenty of help, mostly at Quaterback, but even with that, they still came close to surprising the Tigers on the Plains.

Michigan 38, Maryland 7 – The Wolverines beat the Terps. Wow! I’m not impressed.

Memphis 54, SMU 48 – This was all Memphis, ESPN GameDay was there, they had a sell-out crowd, and the teams put on a show. Great spectacle. Too bad one team had to lose. Alas, it was the Mustangs

Cincinnati 46, East Carolina 43 – The BearCats pulled this one out in the last seconds.

Boise State 52, San Jose State 42 – At the start of the fourth quarter, SJS was ahead and the Broncos were on upset alert.

Kansas State 38, Kansas 10 – There were several pundits that picked the Jayhawks, and it looked like it wasn’t a bad a pick. But the K-State Wildcats had other ideas

Wake Forest 44, NC State 10 – Not sure if many have noticed, but the Demon Deacons have only lost one game, and they are playing some great football.

Baylor 17, West Virginia 14 – It took a last second field goal block for the Bears to remain undefeated, but they blocked WVA’s try. Cousin Carole Robin is happy.

UCF 44, Houston 29 – The Golden Knights pulled away late

Purdue 31, Nebraska 27 – To all those who thought the Cornhuskers were going to be a top 25 team, kind-of makes one wonder what they were drinking, smoking, thinking.

Texas A&M 45, UTSA 14– If the Aggies hadn’t won this game, I’m not sure I would have been able to keep the Daughter sane.

Liberty 63, UMass 21 – The Flames are now bowl-eligible for the first time in, like, forever

Miami 27, Florida State 10 – Speaking of coaches that are not cutting it, FSU is already looking for a new one. Despite a 14 million dollar buyout, Willie Taggart is out and the search is on. Doubtful they will go after Myer, he coached at Florida, after all. Lane Kiffin didn’t coach at Florida.

Oklahoma State 34, TCU 27 – The Pokes won when they should have

Mississippi State 54, Arkansas 24 – Arkansas is in deep trouble when MSU walks all over them like that

Oregon State 56, Arizona 38 – These Beavers didn’t start off the season very well, but they sure are gnawing their way into contention.

Tennessee 30, UAB 7 – The Vols won. Nuts.

Indiana 34, Northwestern 3 – The Hoosiers are making noise in the Great White North, just in case no one has noticed.

South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 7 – Well, Vandy played well for a little while. Coach Mason needs to talk with ex-Coach Taggart about buy-out investments.

Virginia 38, North Carolina 31- OK, ok, the Tar Heels lost, but they’re competitive and Old Man Mac is fielding a better product.

UCLA 31, Colorado 14 – The Bruins are actually getting better? Yep, it appears so

BYU 42, Utah State 14 – In the Battle for the Wagon Wheel, the Cougars played like they were an All Star team. Utah State is discombobulated currently.