k9cane
Senior
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2011
- Messages
- 9,662
We are now in the home stretch of the 2025 college football season. Another great 'Footballpalooza' at Coach JB's Football Lounge and TD Cigar Bar. Some thoughts on what I saw....
- USC stayed in the playoff race on Friday night by defeating Northwestern 38-17 at the Coliseum. Key moment in this game, tied at 14, Najee Story picks off a screen. The big guy was rumbling towards the endzone but as he was hit by Jayden Maiva, he reached the ball out toward the goal line, and he fumbles out of the endzone. Touchback Trojans. KIds never stick the ball out going towards the goal line unless it's 4th down or the last play of a half/drive
A few players later(including a big King Miller run) USC scores, and the game flipped. The Trojans were simply too explosive for the tough but overly methodical Wildcats.
- Memphis had their playoff hopes evaporate, as their second half rally versus Tulane fell short. Jake Retzlaff had a near perfect first half and ran for a key first down that sealed the game. Tulane gets out of the Liberty Bowl with a big 38-32 win.
- You notice that Houston is now 8-2. Willie 'Puttin' on the' Fritz just wins wherever he goes. The Coogs overcame three INT's from Conner Weigman, who had a great chemistry with Phillip Dunnam all night (three picks for UCF). Tough, hard fought win for UH in the 'Bounce House'. For the most part they controlled this game physically.
- Kirby Smart gave an absolute masterclass on clock/game management at the end of the first half in Stark Vegas vs Miss St. Up 17-7, they had the ball in Bulldog territory, right around the 40. Smart had his punt team out, but then suddenly ran his offense out. They then drew MSU offsides. Then instead of just settling to get into FG territory, they kept attacking He let Gunner Stockton throw, and two plays later they scored a TD
Again, as the better team with superior depth, you lengthen games, you continue to put on the pressure -- and you can put away games early.
- Did Fernando Mendonza have his 'Heisman Moment' in Happy Valley? Or is that not possible when you're playing a sub-500 team? Regardless, great last drive capped off by an incredible grab by Omar Cooper.
- The score of 29-7 really didn't show just how dominant Texas Tech was against BYU. The high priced Red Raider talent controlled the game throughout. This is the best roster in the Big12. The folks in Lubbock are getting their NIL's worth with this squad.
- Texas A@M took care of business vs Mizzou. Yeah, it helped that they were playing a back-up freshman QB. Regardless, this is the most balanced and explosive Aggies offense I can recall. Ruben Owens looks like he has his burst back. Right now, in my view they are the clear #2 team in the land. Yeah, I know the Aggies have played a bunch of teams that have fired their coaches, but the WAY they are winning games is telling. They aren't just squeaking by for the most part.
- Julian Lewis struggled early but he gave Colorado something they need badly - hope. This is their QB of the present and future. While the Buffs lost in Morgantown, he got better and better as the game went on. Rich Rod is starting to turn things around a bit in his return to WVU\
- Once again Iowa took another heart breaking loss, as Oregon won at the gun on a walk-off field goal. Dante Moore didn't have a great game -- the weather was probably factor -- but he hit clutch pass on the last drive to put the Ducks in position to win the game. But Oregon has scuffled the last several weeks.
-Vandy beat Auburn in an OT thriller, 45-38, Diego Pavia had a huge game. But what I found interesting is that Auburn had it's best offensive showing of the season -- without Hugh Freeze on the sideline.
- Interesting day in the ACC, UVA was handed their first official ACC loss by Wake Forest (whose become a spoiler in recent weeks) and more shocking, L'Ville lost on a last second TD as Justin Wilcox passed up a chip shot FG that would've tied the game, and instead did the Herm Edwards: He played... to win.... the game. JK Sagapolutele was throwing lasers all game and he tossed the game winning TD on a whip route to Jacob De Jesus. This young mans arm talent is off the charts
- Nebraska went on the road to UCLA and played a home game in front of Husker Nation, 28-21, at the Rose Bowl. TJ Lateef and his dual threat capabilities has given the Huskers an added dimension to their offense. Emmit Johnson has been a very productive player for Nebraska and this game he garnered 100 yards both rushing and receiving.
- USC stayed in the playoff race on Friday night by defeating Northwestern 38-17 at the Coliseum. Key moment in this game, tied at 14, Najee Story picks off a screen. The big guy was rumbling towards the endzone but as he was hit by Jayden Maiva, he reached the ball out toward the goal line, and he fumbles out of the endzone. Touchback Trojans. KIds never stick the ball out going towards the goal line unless it's 4th down or the last play of a half/drive
A few players later(including a big King Miller run) USC scores, and the game flipped. The Trojans were simply too explosive for the tough but overly methodical Wildcats.
- Memphis had their playoff hopes evaporate, as their second half rally versus Tulane fell short. Jake Retzlaff had a near perfect first half and ran for a key first down that sealed the game. Tulane gets out of the Liberty Bowl with a big 38-32 win.
- You notice that Houston is now 8-2. Willie 'Puttin' on the' Fritz just wins wherever he goes. The Coogs overcame three INT's from Conner Weigman, who had a great chemistry with Phillip Dunnam all night (three picks for UCF). Tough, hard fought win for UH in the 'Bounce House'. For the most part they controlled this game physically.
- Kirby Smart gave an absolute masterclass on clock/game management at the end of the first half in Stark Vegas vs Miss St. Up 17-7, they had the ball in Bulldog territory, right around the 40. Smart had his punt team out, but then suddenly ran his offense out. They then drew MSU offsides. Then instead of just settling to get into FG territory, they kept attacking He let Gunner Stockton throw, and two plays later they scored a TD
Again, as the better team with superior depth, you lengthen games, you continue to put on the pressure -- and you can put away games early.
- Did Fernando Mendonza have his 'Heisman Moment' in Happy Valley? Or is that not possible when you're playing a sub-500 team? Regardless, great last drive capped off by an incredible grab by Omar Cooper.
- The score of 29-7 really didn't show just how dominant Texas Tech was against BYU. The high priced Red Raider talent controlled the game throughout. This is the best roster in the Big12. The folks in Lubbock are getting their NIL's worth with this squad.
- Texas A@M took care of business vs Mizzou. Yeah, it helped that they were playing a back-up freshman QB. Regardless, this is the most balanced and explosive Aggies offense I can recall. Ruben Owens looks like he has his burst back. Right now, in my view they are the clear #2 team in the land. Yeah, I know the Aggies have played a bunch of teams that have fired their coaches, but the WAY they are winning games is telling. They aren't just squeaking by for the most part.
- Julian Lewis struggled early but he gave Colorado something they need badly - hope. This is their QB of the present and future. While the Buffs lost in Morgantown, he got better and better as the game went on. Rich Rod is starting to turn things around a bit in his return to WVU\
- Once again Iowa took another heart breaking loss, as Oregon won at the gun on a walk-off field goal. Dante Moore didn't have a great game -- the weather was probably factor -- but he hit clutch pass on the last drive to put the Ducks in position to win the game. But Oregon has scuffled the last several weeks.
-Vandy beat Auburn in an OT thriller, 45-38, Diego Pavia had a huge game. But what I found interesting is that Auburn had it's best offensive showing of the season -- without Hugh Freeze on the sideline.
- Interesting day in the ACC, UVA was handed their first official ACC loss by Wake Forest (whose become a spoiler in recent weeks) and more shocking, L'Ville lost on a last second TD as Justin Wilcox passed up a chip shot FG that would've tied the game, and instead did the Herm Edwards: He played... to win.... the game. JK Sagapolutele was throwing lasers all game and he tossed the game winning TD on a whip route to Jacob De Jesus. This young mans arm talent is off the charts
- Nebraska went on the road to UCLA and played a home game in front of Husker Nation, 28-21, at the Rose Bowl. TJ Lateef and his dual threat capabilities has given the Huskers an added dimension to their offense. Emmit Johnson has been a very productive player for Nebraska and this game he garnered 100 yards both rushing and receiving.
