50 Things We Learned from Week 12 in College Football

What a weekend college football just gave us.

The weekend was thrilling and it may be remembered for years to come. Three top five teams lost within 24 hours and the SEC somehow got better!

It was the first time since 1971 that three teams from the same division were ranked in the top three of the AP Poll (Big Eight- Neb, OU, Col). 

There were many things learned we this weekend, but what else can possibly go wrong from here on out?

Upsets and Chaos in the BCS

What in the world of Lee Corso is going on right now? We have learned this weekend to expect the unexpected when it comes to college football towards the end of November.

The madness started Friday night when Oklahoma State lost at Iowa State where they were three touchdown favorites. Next, Oregon lost at home to USC while Clemson lost at North Carolina State.

To cap off the night the fifth ranked Oklahoma Sooners were stunned in Waco against Robert Griffin and the Baylor Bears. Best weekend, ever?

SEC Is Good

Want an understatement of the century? The three top teams in the SEC West are also the three top teams in the entire nation. Can it get any better for the Southeastern Conference?

All-SEC BCS National Championship

Yes, it gets better because we are essentially locked and loaded for a BCS National Championship involving two SEC squads.

The only question remaining is to who those two teams will be?

Arkansas at LSU Is Can’t Miss TV

All of a sudden this game on a day after Thanksgiving at 2:30 eastern is one of the most important games remaining the nation.

The last time the Bayou Bengals were at home against Arkansas while also be ranked number one in the country was back in 2007. The Tigers were upset by “Run DMC” in triple overtime and yet they still ended up playing for it all.

So, who will and if it is Arkansas where does LSU drop to? 

Who Can LSU Afford to Lose to More: Arkansas, Georgia or Neither?

Some truly believe the Bayou Bengals will be playing in the BCS National Championship as long as they don’t lose both of their two remaining games.

Assuming they do not get blown out and lose by double digits there is a strong possibility that if LSU were to beat Arkansas and lose to Georgia, they would still be ranked in the top two.

SEC West Is Filthy Good

Luckily the SEC is not like the Big 12 and their tiebreakers have a little more logic.

There is so much uncertainty still remaining about who is the best of three teams in the SEC West, especially if LSU were to lose to Arkansas next Friday.

Regardless, this division is the best conference in the nation.

Tiebreaker Scenarios

If Arkansas were to knock off LSU it would come down to a head-to-head tiebreaker between the two highest ranked teams in the SEC West. It all depends on how much the Razorbacks beat LSU by according to some experts.

But, wait the top teams are ranked first, second and third. Despite the Bayou Bengals pretty much dominating for 11 games, should we drop them out of the title if they lose at home to Arkansas?

Alabama beat Arkansas so they would play in the SEC Championship of it comes down to the Tide and Razorbacks in the scenario.

Of course the simple tiebreaker in the SEC depends on who are the top ranked teams. The third ranked team is thrown out in the case of a three-way tie, so depending on who is first and second would determine who gets to go to Atlanta.

SEC Greatness in Title Picture

The SEC cannot get three teams in the BCS unless of course they are playing for the title and one of those two teams lose to Georgia.

If Georgia could beat the West winner they would then be playing in the Sugar Bowl.

Of course two of the top three ranked teams will remain among the top and play for the BCS title, most likely. I am all for having the best two teams play for it all, and you can’t go against the SEC right now.

We Learned That the Unexpected Can and Will Happen

This question is laughable since the unimaginable happened this past weekend. Clemson fell flat on its faces against North Carolina State, the Ducks comeback went wide left against the Trojans and the Sooners title aspirations were taken away by Superman aka RGIII.

There Is No Shot for Any Team Outside the SEC West

If you disliked the SEC with a ton of emotion you are only going to dislike them even more. The SEC is a near mortal lock to get two teams in the BCS National Championship.

Most have have gone over all the scenarios, but the madness from this past weekend only makes the SEC that much better of a conference. 

Only the Strong Survive, Sorta

Clearly, the SEC is the best in the game but my goodness. This season has gone to unchartered waters with the top three teams in the country all being from the SEC West.

If Arkansas were to lose to LSU we would certainly be locked for Alabama against LSU even if the Tigers lose to Georgia.

However, if Arkansas beats LSU we could see them play again in the BCS National Championship if Alabama were to win the tiebreaker and then lose Georgia. Confused on the scenarios yet?

Andrew Luck Still Deserves a Chance at the Heisman

Say that Andrew Luck and the Cardinal have an epic finish against Notre Dame in which Luck goes off RGIII style and Stanford wins.

Does Andrew Luck then deserve to jump or possibly surpass RGIII for the Heisman? Who deserves the Heisman at this moment?

Trent Richardson and Case Keenum Hang in the Balance

The two superstars are hanging around for a possible chance to hoist the Heisman Trophy. What are the chances Trent Richardson or Case Keenum win the Heisman?

It is more likely Richardson wins the Heisman since he could be playing in the SEC Championship and most people are unaware that Conference USA even has a championship game. Still, it may not be enough to surpass Griffin or Luck.

Heisman Belongs to RGIII

Just give the stiff arm trophy to Superman himself. Robert Griffin III is the clear cut Heisman frontrunner as he single handily carried his Bears in an upset victory over the Oklahoma Sooners.

He has now given us two wow moments this season. Totaling for over 500 yards and four touchdowns is just bonkers to think about. 

Michigan Is Hungry for Tostitos

The Wolverines spanked Nebraska by four touchdowns and it is doubtful that the Fiesta Bowl representatives pass on one of the best traveling teams in the country.

No offense to Andrew Luck and Stanford or Case Keenum and Houston, but they do not hold a candle in comparison to Denard Robinson and M GO BLUE.

Case Keenum and the Cougars Look Unstoppable

Most already knew how good Houston was offensively, but they have three monsters on the defensive side of the ball.

Sammy Brown, Marcus McGrew and Derrick Mathews have proven to beasts all season long. If they can continue to avoid turning the ball over, they will likely go 13-0 and play in a BCS Bowl.

Boise State Broncos Bounced Back

Boise State has a chance to crack the top five and at the same time they still could be left out of the BCS.

Many had completely written them off when they lost to TCU, but if the Horned Frogs do not crack the top sixteen they will not be playing in a BCS Bowl and the Broncos very well could be.

Stanford, Houston and Michigan Are the Clubhouse Leaders

Regardless of how high the Broncos may be ranked in two weeks, the three teams listed above are still the likely favorites to reach a BCS Bowl.

The Oklahoma State-Oklahoma loser will likely drop to the Cotton Bowl and possibly fall all the way down to the low-mid teens in the BCS rankings.

Penn State Can Still Win Fairly Ugly and Now Pasadena Is a Possibility

The offense has had its own issues, but I can’t doubt the player right now. With everything they are going through, one has to be pulling for the Nittany Lions.

They played their hearts out last weekend against Nebraska and despite the loss they bounced back to knock off the Buckeyes on the road.

We should give our hats off to Tom Bradley and his team because they now have a small possibility to play in the Big Ten Championship if they can knock off the Badgers at Camp Randall. Then, if they can beat Michigan State a trip to Pasadena would be quite the reward. 

Nebraska Is Not Strong

The wide receivers have had issues catching the ball this season and Taylor Martinez has had his fair share of struggles.

Rex Burkhead is a beast, but when he can’t get going the team pretty much has ZERO chance of winning. Plus, the defense was ran over by Fitzergald Toussaint and the Wolverines rushing attack.

Montee Ball Is a Machine

He cannot be human with the crazy numbers he has put up this season. 30 touchdowns is beyond being a bad man! If he can go off against Penn State and in a possible Big Ten Championship, this guy could be invited to New York.

Spartans Are Gaining Momentum

Though Indiana stinks this season without a win in the Big Ten, the Spartans still dominated them like they should have. We have seen MSU struggle to put away several teams this season, but they are playing arguably their best ball of the season right now.

Michigan State & Wisconsin Are on a Collision Course

The two are on a collision course for the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium and I do not mean to disrespect Penn State by any means.

Ohio State has struggled this season, but the Badges have been unbeatable at home this season. The only two losses were on the road and right now the Badgers look darn good.

The USC Trojans Are Back

The took the Stanford Cardinal to the limits and they beat Notre Dame in South Bend at night. Beating the Ducks in Eugene was a sensational victory as Matt Barkley looked like one of the best players in the country.

USC is not eligible to play in the Pac-12 Championship let alone a bowl game, but they will be back next season ready to kick some teeth in even if Barkley leaves. 

Kendall Wright Is Lucky and Good

Hauling in an 87-yard touchdown on a tipped pass was filthy to watch, but when Robert Griffin III is threading you the ball across the field, things seem to bounce your way.

Blake Bell Is a Touchdown Vulture

The future starting quarterback has a bit of Tim Tebow in him as far as running the ball near the goal-line. Bell may not be a better thrower than even Drew Allen (legit backup QB), but he can run the ball as good as signal caller in the nation around the end zone.

Landry Jones and Sooners Could Be Dunzo

If the Sooners cannot bounce back in two weeks in time for Bedlam then they will likely be done in the BCS as far as at-large bids. The same can obviously be said for Oklahoma State.

The Loss by Oklahoma State Was Probably a Fluke

Is Oklahoma State still a very good team? Sure, but Iowa State is a mediocre to average football team and clearly the Cowboys are only ranked so high because all of the computer rankings had them as the top team out there since the BCS rankings came out in late Oct.

But, many including myself are wondering if Iowa State could beat this team if they play 99 more times. The Cowboys are probably worthy of their number four ranking in the BCS because who else are you going to put ahead of them? 

Answer: Nobody for now

Brandon Weeden Played His Way out of the Heisman

Throwing three picks and losing will always outweigh throwing for 476 yards. Weeden will not only drop outside the top three in the Heisman rankings, but he will likely be a lock to miss out on an invite to New York with his three pick losing performance.

Southern Miss Were Not as Good as Most Thought

Or perhaps, you did not think they were deserving of being ranked like I did? The Golden Eagles already had a loss and now a second loss to UAB of all teams will drop them far from the top 25 for the rest of the season barring a C-USA Championship.

Florida State’s Offense Still Has Its Struggles

They had a billion injuries, but they had a few opportunities and they could not do it. Plus their superstar kicker Dustin Hopkins was 20-for-20. Yet, he went wide left and made Seminole fans have more nightmares.

The future still looks bright under Jimbo Fisher though since the rest of the state of Florida has had much more troubles.

Virginia Could Be Team of Destiny

Mike London is one fine coach and all of a sudden they are just one more major upset away from playing in the ACC Championship Game. Clemson is playing awful right now, so there is a chance the Wahoos will be playing in a BCS Bowl if they can knock off the scorching Hokies.

Hokies Are Now in the Top Five

Don’t look now, but the Hokies of Virginia Tech could win their next two games and play for the BCS National Championship! Ok, maybe there is no chance but it is really bizarre that the Hokes are one of the few teams who stand right (or far) behind the top three SEC giants for an appearance in Louisiana.

Georgia Is Awaiting the Winner of the SEC West

Georgia did not play well on offense in their 19-10 victory over Kentucky, but their defense played lights out. Richard Samuel IV should be back for the SEC title and Isiah Crowell will be used a lot more than he was used against UK.

SEC Can Spank the FCS Cupcakes, Sorta

Auburn struggled to put away Samford and Florida was losing early on against Furman. Still, they did not lose and with the three top teams in America coming from the SEC, life is all not bad for their fanbases.

Arkansas Is on Fire

Tyler Wilson is torching foes and the defense is starting to officially wreak havoc on every team in sight. Don’t be shocked if they come into Baton Rouge and knock off the top ranked Tigers since they did so in the same fashion in 2007.

Tennessee-Vanderbilt Should Both Go Bowling

After the Vols had a walk-off pick six in overtime, they will likely go bowling if they can knock off Kentucky. The same goes for Vandy if they beat Wake Forest.

Bearcats Are Not Ready

With Zach Collaros out for the season, the team took a beatdown thanks to Rutgers. They had a chance to win the conference and play in the BCS had they won out.

Big East Is Crazy

What is going to happen? We know West Virginia is looking good since they beat the Bearcats two weeks ago, but Rutgers is in the conversation right now. We have four teams that have two losses right now in the Big East. Yikes, this conference has been sloppy lately.

West Virginia Hold Most Tiebreakers

Geno Smith and his squad look like the favorites once again in the Big East since they have knocked off all of the team save Louisville. Unless there is just a two-way tiebreaker between the Cardinals and the Mountaineers, WV is looking like they will represent the Big East in the BCS. 

Louisville Is Improving Already Under Charlie Strong

In just his second season, the ‘Ville are playing impressive ball in terms of Big East football. They have been playing solid defense and they have freshman sensation in Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback. This program could be on the rise in football for years to come.

Big East Will Be in Orange Bowl

There is almost a 100% chance that the Big East winner will be the final selection in the BCS process. Since the Orange Bowl has the last pick, it is safe to say they will be stuck (let's face facts) with the Big East champions.

ACC Champion Winner Will Be in Orange Bowl

To state the obvious, the Orange Bowl take the ACC Champions since they have an automatic tie-in since the winner will likely not be playing in the BCS National Championship. I bring this up because we saw the ACC and the Hokies play the Bearcats and the Big East just a few years ago. 

The Orange Bowl May Be the Worst BCS Bowl to Watch…Again

The Orange has been awful in terms of selling tickets, TV ratings or simply anyway you want to put it. Nobody wants to see the ACC Champs and the Big East champs plays each other, but that is what we may be forced to watch.

However, West Virginia is a solid offense and they way they are playing right now, this bowl game will not be nearly as bad as it may seem.

Collin Klein Is a Stud

In case you doubted the man before, Klein has carried the Wildcats to new heights this season. It is simply amazing because Kansas State only totaled for 121 yards against the Longhorns, but they still won 17-13.

The Longhorns Offense Still Has Ways to Go

This offense under first year offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin still has ways to go before they become legit threats.

The defense allowed only 121 yards to Kansas State and they still lost! They ran for almost 200 yards but, they were held to two field goals that decided the outcome of this game.

The Pac-12 South Is an Absolute Mess!

Without USC being eligible to play in the Pac-12 Championship, this division is horrid to follow. Nobody wants to or is actually capable of winning right now. Arizona State played decent against Oregon earlier in the season, but they have been bad as of late.

If Arizona State can get a loss from UCLA (they play USC) and at the same time knock off California they will then play in the Pac-12 Championship. If both the Bruins and Sun Devils lose, then Utah will be playing in the Pac-12 Championship if they were able to also knock off Colorado. Yikes, my head hurts.

The Day After Thanksgiving Has a Ton at Stake

Arkansas-LSU will be huge of course, but Houston at Tulsa could completely shake-up the BCS standings.

The Cougars are in the top eight and are a lock to play in the BCS if they win out. However, a loss to Tulsa and they would likely drop to the mid-high teens which would allow a few more teams to dream big.

So Does the Entire Thanksgiving Weekend

Auburn against Alabama in the Iron Bowl has huge national championship aspirations and don’t forget that Michigan needs to knock off the Buckeyes to have any chance at playing in the Fiesta Bowl.

Also, don’t forget that the Wisconsin-Penn State and Virginia Tech-Virginia winners will let us know who plays for their conference championships.

Plus, Notre Dame-Stanford will be an enjoyable game that could affect the BCS if Luck loses in his final home game.

Week 12 Was Arguably the Best Weekend in Seemingly Forever!

I know we are just a few days away from LSU-Arkansas, but this past weekend was the most exciting, thrilling and entertaining weekend in a long time.

No argument made against college football and its ability to always keep us on the edge of our seats.

God bless college football!