Spent much of the day/night in beautiful Miami watching ball games at various places -- Duffys, Brightside -- and some thoughts on what happened in week 8 in college football..
- Last game I saw was FSU losing to Sttanford at the Farm. Im actually surprised I didnt wake up to the news that Mike Norvell had been fired on the tarmac and told to book a Spirit flight back to Tallahassee. That's nine straight ACC losses in a row for the Noles. It's hard to fathom this is a team that beat Bama on Labor Day weekend
Some will state that Norvell and his buyout make him too expensive to fire. But you could counter by saying the cost of keeping him is even greater.
- THE Ohio State is a machine. Yeah, they played a Wisky team that has quite on Luke Finished. But the way the just go out and systematically take care of business week in, week out is impressive. From what I saw, Ryan Day is now opening up the offensive for Julian Sayin.
- It's interesting to see Texas A@M play in shootouts. For years, their identity has been 'the Wrecking Crew' defense and they would also lose as their offense stalled. Now they are going out on the road and putting up 45 points(while giving up 42). Marcel Reed, once again, was really good in leading the Aggies offense, and Ruben Owens is starting to round into form as the lead runner.
- Another team that week in and week out just goes about their business is Indiana. No let down at home vs Mich St. Fernando Mendoza, (24-28, 332 yards and 4 touchdowns) is firmly in the thick of the Heisman race. The Hoosiers should be significant favorites in their next five games to close out the season (especially with Penn St falling apart). I expect them to go 12-0
- Nebraska absolutely laid an egg vs Minnesota. How do Penn St fans feel about Matt Rhule after this?
- Bama-Tenn was a good game that really turned on one play. Last play for the 1st half with Tenn at the edge of the Bama goal line, down 16-7, Joey Aguilar throws a ball way inside and it gets pick sixed by Zabien Brown. So instead of being down 16-14 and getting the ball to start the 3rd, its 23-7. Ty Simpson has really grown in this Grubbs offense. Also, it's clear to me that it's Germie Bernard and not Ryan Williams who is their best player outside.
- I still think Texas Tech is the class of the Big12 but credit to Kenny D for having his Sun Devils ready to protect their house in Tempe.
- Is there a coach who gets more out of his talent than Clark Lea at Vandy. And is there a guy who has gotten the least of of his than Brian Kelly at LSU? Take away Zabian Thomas' great individual effort on his 62 yard TD, Vandy really controlled this game. They out-gained, out-first downed LSU, and held the ball for 36 minutes. Diego Pavia may not go down as the greatest player in Vandy history, but it's most impactful
- Notre Dame stayed in the playoff hunt by downing USC in South Bend in an entertaining affair. But I have a question, this storied rivalry isn't going to end, right? Would be a doggone shame if it did.
- Duke had early chances to separate from Gatech, but redzone turnovers killed them. Haynes King has shown that he's the type of player that gets stronger as games go on and can impose his will on games. Once again he goes 200/100(pass, run) for the day. Will anyone trip them up in the ACC?
- Finally, back to my #Canes, it's pretty simple, with the way Gatech is rolling, and with UVA being undefeated in league play(NCSt loss is not counted in ACC play this season), Miami is now basically in a win-or-lose situation. I think they have to win out to get into the playoffs. Can Cristobal rally the troops and go 6-0 the rest of the way?
