Impressed/Depressed/Unmoved: Week 12 of the College Football Season

It's baaaaaack! Who was "It" and who was "*IT*" this week, in the View From North America.

IMPRESSED

Ohio State

Funnily enough, I thought this would be a upset. Terrelle Pryor's going to be very, very special, and Chris Wells' hurdle over his opponent was nothing short of spectacular. The Buckeyes profited from Illinois screw-ups, but isn't that what good teams do?

Oregon State

Still in prime position for roses after beating Cal in one of the best games of the season.

Penn State (the 2nd half)

The Nittany Lions got it together in the second half, and Indiana was obliterated, wiping away memories of a) the first half and b) something of that appalling display at Iowa.

Florida

The Gators may have played a South Carolina team that a) had no quarterback and b) was truly horrible but this is a great, great team. And they won't leave the "Impressed" list until they do something awful. Which seems unlikely.

Texas

This team is a worthy No. 3. Colt McCoy's going to the NFL, and the rest of the offense is scarily good. Winning in Lawrence hasn't been easy in the recent years, yet the Longhorns did is with style.

Vanderbilt

The Commodores are 6-4 and are bowl eligible! After they went 5-0, all we can say is...at last! Oh, and they should go 7-5 this year after they beat a rudderless Tennessee.

UNMOVED

USC

Southern Cal got the monkey off their backs by crushing Stanford in the second half. Let's not get too celebratory Trojan fans.....it was Stanford.

Alabama

The defense and special teams were great, but the offence wasn't. Methinks they are going to need all three to beat Florida in the SEC Title game.

Notre Dame

After nearly blowing it all against Navy, I have one thing to say, Charlie Weis: This ain't a revival in Irish fortunes.

DEPRESSED

Penn State (1st half)

After the fumbles, drops and 10 points against a weak-assed Indiana team in the first half of the wet, cold match-up of Saturday, I had that "Oh dear" feeling. Penn State will need to improve dramatically if they are to beat Ohio State and secure a Rose Bowl berth.

Georgia/Auburn

In 2005 the game was one of the greatest college football's ever seen. Three years later, and we were watching two teams that went from division favourites to also-rans in a matter of weeks, and they both played like it.

North Carolina

The UNC travelling support didn't show up, and nor did UNC. Thanks for ruining my prediction, Tar Heels....

Florida State

The move by Bobby Bowden to suspend five wide receivers before this monster ACC matchup was a good one. Can you say "Second all-time to Joe Paterno," Bobby? Florida awaits, and the Seminoles should have their wide receiving corps back. They'd better, or the Florida derby will get ugly...again.