Week 7 #1 OU (6-0) 31 Kansas State (2-4) 21
This was billed early in the season as a rematch of the Big XII championship game, but that was before K-State lost 3 games. Surprisingly enough, it was exactly as the early billing would have suggested. Oklahoma came into this game with apparently too much confidence. They struggled early and often, and K-State came out looking like anything but a team that had only won 2 games this year (and had come off two straight losses - to Texas A&M and Kansas). Sophomore QB Dylan Meier looked poised and confident in the pocket, and K-State marched down the field to score on their first drive. It was Jason White that got OU back into this game, with consecutive touchdown strikes to Junior WR Travis Wilson, and an efficient passing drive to get OU close enough for Trey DiCarlo to boot a field goal for the Sooners to take a 17-14 lead into halftime. White finished the day with 256 yards on 20/31 with four touchdowns (five if you count the interception he threw to K-State LB Brandon Archer to start the second half), but the story of the second half was the OU Defense. While Adrian Peterson ran the K-State D ragged with 130 yards (104 after the half), Darren Sproles was held to 34 yards on only 13 carries. The Sooners stayed perfect and remain my #1 (by the narrowest of margins over Auburn and USC).
This Week: v. Kansas
#2 Auburn (7-0) 38 Arkansas (3-3) 20
Once again, the Auburn Tigers dominated an opponent in the first half, going up 30-7 before halftime (Arkansas' only score in the first half coming on a strike across the middle from Matt Jones to Chris Baker with 1:14 on the clock). Jason Campbell was unbelievable, going 17 of 19 for a career high 297 yards and three TDs. It will be truly scary to see Auburn play when they can dominate like this for a full 60 minutes. Auburn looks very much like LSU did last year, and if either OU or USC slips up, they will be in the Orange Bowl (assuming they can escape the SEC -- not an easy task by far).
This Week: v. Kentucky
#3 USC (6-0) 45 Arizona State (4-1) 7
Winning its 15th straight game so convincingly was a priority for the men of Troy after such a close win over the Cal Golden Bears. The pollsters had asigned a few of their #1 votes out, and the Trojans were feeling the heat. Their gameplan was absolutely perfect, forcing a lot of man coverage against a suspect sun devil secondary. Even after losing WR Steve Smith to a broken leg, the Trojans were able to capitalize on every mistake ASU made. Matt Leinart, displaying the form that had him an early favorite for the Heisman trophy, hit on 13 of 24 passes for 224 yards and 4 TDs (most of it to Freshman Dwayne Jarrett who stepped in for Steve Smith -- 139 receiving yards and 3 TDs) and didn't even play the 4th quarter. USC looked dominant this game, and doesn't face another challenger until Notre Dame (and they get the Irish at home). I don't expect anyone to beat this team if it plays to its full potential.
This Week: v. Washington
#4 Miami (6-0) 41 #10 Louisville (4-1) 38
This was just a really great football game, and it came down to a great return by Devin Hester for a TD and a powerful dive by Frank Gore to seal it. Louisville's Stefan Lefors played an outstanding first half, that had the Cardinals taking a commanding 24-7 lead into the locker room. Miami, however, did what it had to do and came out swinging in the third quarter. Lefors was forced to the sideline after he came back woozy from a major hit he took before the half. His replacement, freshman Brian Brohm, played well, but not well enough, as Brock Berlin hit 25 of 37 for 308 yards and 3 TDs to lead the Canes to victory in the Orange Bowl. This was a good Louisville team that should not lose the rest of the season. Miami's only real remaining test is at Virginia on 13 November. Escape that, and they could be playing at home this Holiday Season.
This Week: @ NC State
#5 Wisconsin (7-0) 20 #9 Purdue (6-1) 17
Wisconsin and Purdue squared off in what may determine the Big 10 Championship. The Boilermakers seemed to be the odds-on favorite for the Big 10 this year, especially with the cannon on Kyle Orton (who has a lot of people thinking about Drew Brees). Wisconsin, who just came off a big win in Columbus over Ohio State, proved to be the stronger team in West Lafayette, IN on Saturday. Not playing Michigan this year could prove a tremendous advantage for the Badgers, who do not face another major test until they travel to Iowa on November 20.
This Week: v. Northwestern
#6 Florida State (5-1) 36 Virginia (5-1) 3
The Seminoles jumped back into the lineup this week with a very convincing win over a Virginia team that I felt had the talent to contend for the ACC this year. UVA's linebacker corps is among the best in the nation, and the Offense was moving the ball against everybody they played. That is, of course, until they visited Tallahassee. The FSU defense was on all night, blitzing and pressuring Marques Hagans into mistakes and holding the Cavaliers to only 20 yards rushing. Special teams made some big plays as well, with linebacker Ernie Sims blocking a punt into the end zone early to put the 'Noles up 2-0. Overall, this is the best performance from Florida State all season. This was certainly not the same team that was smacked around by the Miami Hurricanes in their first game this season. Florida State's only remaining test is against Florida at home in the last game of the season. Virginia, on the other hand, gets the Hurricanes at home in three weeks, then faces Va Tech in Blacksburg in its final regular season game.
This Week: @ Wake Forest
#7 Texas (5-1) 28 Mizzou (4-2) 20
The Longhorns have not dropped a game after a Red River loss in the last five years. They almost did this past Saturday at home against the Mizzou Tigers. Missouri QB Brad Smith was sensational and Texas QB Vince Young looked terrible (with only three completions and two interceptions), but two big turnovers by Smith (including a two yard interception return for a touchdown by Texas LB Brian Robison) cost the Tigers the win and sole possession of first place in the Big XII North. Smith threw for 185 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 52 and a touchdown, but his efforts were in vain, as the Longhorns were able to get production from RB Cedric Benson (150 yards on 28 carries and two TDs) to close the game out and continue their tradition of winning after a Red River loss.
This Week: @ Texas Tech
#8 Cal (4-1) 45 UCLA (4-2) 28
Aaron Rogers made another strong statement in this game after the painful 23-17 loss to the Trojans a week before. His career high 4 TDs and JJ Arrington's career best 205 yards on 29 carries with two TDs gave the bears a solid victory over the Bruins. That is not to say that UCLA was without an answer, as Drew Olson connected on 20/36 for 299 yards and 4 TDs. The major difference in the ability to run the football. The Golden Bears rushed for 290 yards, while the Bruins were held to only 79. Cal won convincingly and rebounded well from last week's loss to the Trojans. They face Arizona State, Oregon, and Stanford at home, but must travel to Southern Miss in what looks to be their only remaining challenge.
This Week: @ Arizona
#9 Purdue (6-1) 17 #5 Wisconsin (7-0) 20
This Week: @ v. Michigan
#10 Louisville (4-1) 38 #4 Miami (6-0) 41
This Week: v. South Florida
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