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Cigars & Football – A Simple Blend

Week 7 Review

SyracuseClemson vs Syracuse– This is where it all began, and, before it was over, the CFB world had been spun on its ear. Number #2 Clemson went to the central part of New York State play the Syracuse Orange in the Carrier Dome. No problem, right? But the Tigers didn’t play like they deserved to be the #2 team in the country. The formerly fearsome Clemson front seven couldn’t stop the passing game by pressuring the Orange QB. Eric Dungey threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns. Highly hyped Clemson QB Kelly Bryant was knocked out of the game in the second quarter, and a case can be made that this is what caused the Tigers to fall flat, but he had nothing to do with their defense, which is where they fell the flattest. Syracuse played far above their supposed capabilities and set Upset Week in motion. Way to go Syracuse.

Washington State vs California– Switch now to the Left Coast for the next game on the schedule. It was the Wazzu Cougars versus the Cal Golden Bears. Number 8 WSU was taking the PAC-12 North by storm. All they had to do was keep winning until they met their in-state rival, the Washington Huskies, in the Apple Bowl. The Cougs were favored over the Bears by double digits, like Clemson was favored over Syracuse earlier in the day. But, a funny thing happened on the way to the Fair. The Cougars could do nothing right, throwing five INT’s and turning the ball over four other times. QB Luke Falk threw five, FIVE (5), interceptions! There is hardly a team out there that can win with that type of production and WSU is not one of them. It wasn’t just that Cal won, they beat the tar out of the Washington State, 37-3. It was a true beat down. Washington State’s yellow brick road to the Final Four took a huge hit.

065Auburn vs LSU – The Alabama Tigers (I love saying that, ALABAMA Tigers) came out of the gate and dominated the Louisiana Bayou Bengals. At halftime it was 23-14, Auburn. But LSU, and the LSU season, is the definition of split personality this year. Sometimes LSU plays very well, then all of the sudden they play very poorly. In the first half of the game, the poor team was on the field, but after half time, an entirely different team came out of the tunnel.  In the fourth quarter the Bayou Bengals scored two touchdowns and a field goal, taking the lead, 27-23. LSU managed to upset the number 10 team in the nation by this score. As an Alabama fan, I cannot help but laugh.

601Washington vs Arizona State – The number 5 Huskies had the PAC -12 North served to them on a sliver platter with WSU’s loss. ASU has been struggling all season and the seat of Head Coach Todd Graham was mighty hot. But the Sun Devils’ defense had a different game plan. They smothered Washington almost the entire game, not allowing U-Dub to score until late in the fourth quarter, Jake Browning and all. ASU QB Manny Wilkins completed 29 passes out of 41 for 245 yards, leading the desert and cellar dwelling Sun Devils to a stunning upset victory over the Huskies, 13-7. That made four top ten teams who fell this week.

Arkansas vs Alabama -“ In this carnage of upsets, it was nice (for a Tide fan) for a couple of teams to buck the trend. The Crimson Tide, on the first play from scrimmage, sprung RB Damien Harris for a 74 yard touchdown run. As you might expect, this took the wind right out of the Razorbacks’ sails. The Tide defense shut down the Hogs just about every way possible. Alabama rolled, 41-9. For the record, they’re still number 1.

Missouri vs Georgia – The number 4 team in the nation had no trouble with their own set of Tigers opponents, the Missouri variety. The Dawgs ran Mizzou into the ground, winning 53-28. For too long, in the minds of the Georgia faithful, this contest was quite evenly contested, something Coach Kirby Smart, if he’s smart, will straighten out this week. Doubt the Bulldogs will be number #4 when the new polls come out, as, more than likely, the SEC will fill the top two spots. Thaat’s okay, the SEC has a true Championship Game, remember? Georgia is in the SEC-East, Bama is SEC-West.

 

After this weekend there needs to be new category included called “Struggle Wins”. These are games where the team that won had to pull it out against a team they shouldn’t have struggled against, but did.

Purdue vs Wisconsin -The Badgers, who haven’t played a team with a winning record all year, finally faced one in Purdue. There was no excuse for Wisconsin struggling, but they did. Badgers won, 17-9, but they had to tough it out all game long. I’m telling you, watch Purdue Coach Jeff Brohm.

Georgia Tech vs Miami -The triple option attack caused the Hurricanes fits all day, and the Yellow Jackets’ defense frustrated The “U” offense. Fortunately, Miami was pulled out the win, 25-24. GA Tech came close, but no cigar.

Oklahoma vs Texas– The Sooners controlled the first quarter, but in the second quarter, Texas started a mini-comeback. As the game wore on, the Horns didn’t quit, contesting OU in every aspect. All the Sooners produced in the second half were field goals while UT scored touchdowns. It was close to being an upset, but the Sooners won, 29-24. It was close.

Michigan vs Indiana – The Wolverines’ invincible aura took a blow on Saturday as the Hoosiers came from behind to tie up the game at the end of the fourth quarter, 20-20. Fortuitously, Michigan pulled it out, 27-20, in overtime. The Wolverines have a knack for winning struggles.

Utah vs USC – The Trojans were ranked #13 in the nation, Utah wasn’t ranked at all. The Utes rocked USC all game long “ until the fourth quarter, that is. USC scored 14 points and won, 28-27. USC struggled all night, but win they did.

Cigar Ashes

Ohio State did not have any trouble with Nebraska, 56-14. I wonder if the Buckeyes even broke a sweat?

Michigan State slipped by Minnesota 30-27, but close is typical for the Spartans in all their games

Stanford had no respect for Oregon, winning 49-7

Boise State upset San Diego State 31-14. So much for the Aztecs being in the top 25.

Texas A&M played Florida, who were wearing their Gator Skins, arguably the ugliest uniforms in the college football world. Only Oregon can match this level of ugliness. The Aggies squeaked out a win, 19-17. The Daughter is very happy.

Arizona cut UCLA off at the knees, winning 47-30. Rich Rod is breathing easier.

TCU took on Kansas State and Kansas storms and weathered both, winning 26-6. Will the Horned Toads be in the Top Four this week?

Oklahoma State had a huge day against Baylor winning, 59-16. Poor Baylor. How the mighty have fallen.

NC State looked like they might stumble against Pitt, but they didn’t, 35-27

Memphis scuttled #25 Navy, 30-27, which can be classified as an upset. Personally, I hope the Middies continue turning the ball over half a dozen times a game, except against Notre Dame. Then I hope they play flawlessly.

Army had to stop Eastern Michigan’s two-point try to win the game, 28-27, and the Cadets did.

Mississippi State defeated BYU, 35-10, leading one to ask, why was MSU playing BYU?

South Carolina defeated Tennessee for only the third time ever in Knoxville, 15-9. I liked the South Carolina fans’ tee shirts that said, “Keep Butch Jones”.

Iowa State walked all over Kansas, 45-0. So much for a trap game.

Florida State beat Duke, 17-10.

Boston College joined the upset train, beating Louisville, 45-42

Ole Miss sank Vandy, 57-35. I hope the Commodores have learned to keep their mouths shut.

Virginia added to North Carolina woes, winning 20-14

Northwestern had turtle soup, courtesy of Maryland, 37-21

Colorado stormed back in the fourth quarter to beat the Oregon State Beavers, 36-33

North Alabama Roared to victory over Shorter 48-0! Roar Lions!

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