From the Sidelines: College Football Weekly Report

Welcome back, everyone, hope you filled your belly with plenty of turkey and stuffing. However, it's time to get back to what matters, and that’s the college football world. We now pretty much have it set in stone on who will be in the title game. As I said last week, we were heading towards a rematch unless the Hogs could knock down LSU. 

For the first hour of that game, I thought we were heading to a mess of the BCS. In the end, though, Arkansas couldn’t hold on to 14-point lead in the second quarter. 

At this point, all I can ask for is a game that has points. Last time these guys played, we know what we got: a rough, tough to watch, low-scoring game that really didn’t get the football juices going.  Maybe for those that love defense but even those guys had to be looking for a touchdown. It will be a good game regardless, and we will find out who the best team is, even though Georgia will play for the SEC title this upcoming week.

Nothing against them, but here we go again with the arguments. How can a team represent itself for the national title when it didn’t even win it’s own conference? 

Just Jump the Fence 

How about them Cardinals! Folks, get excited here if you’re not already. Louisville went down to South Florida, a place they had never won at, and took it to the Bulls by 10 points.

What impressed me the most was the play of freshman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. He put together what I think was his best game of the season. What makes it even more important was it was the biggest game of the season! Throwing for three touchdowns and 241 yards on the road showed me this kid can be a big time player, and Louisville has a bright future ahead in the coming years.

Now all the Cards can do is become the biggest supporters of UCONN football that there is. Next week, the Cincinnati Bearcats will take on the Huskies, and a loss by the Bearcats will have Louisville packing their bags and heading to the Orange Bowl.

Cincinnati, however, has had success against UConn in the past. They have posted a 4-2 record against them since 2004. 

The important thing about this game is UConn also has a lot to play for. They are 5-6 on the season and in need of a win to become bowl eligible. If you're one of those people that look for signs pointing up for your team, then just know Rutgers beat Cincinnati, 20-3, and then got stomped on by UConn on Saturday 40-22. 

I think you're going to see the Huskies lean heavily on the backfield again in this game. They will try to ground and pound the Bearcats till the clock shows zero on it. Maybe it’s just the year for the University of Louisville. Can we be looking at 2006 all over again?

Now Just Use the Gate

I’m going to take a step back and put Kentucky football on hold here because we should talk about Western Kentucky and what’s happening in Bowling Green. Here is a team that was 2-10 last season and falling off the football map. One year later, this team is 7-5 and still has a shot to share the conference title if Troy can take down Arkansas State this upcoming weekend.

Keep the flashlight on, and let's shine it on running back Bobby Rainey! This guy took the rock 43 times. That’s a whole lot of Rainey if you're playing defense. It takes more then just a special back to do that. You have to have the endurance of a freaking racehorse and the strength of Paul Bunyan! 

Rainey stays atop the rushing leader with 1,695 yards. Giving him an average of 141 yards per game….impressive I must say!

The Hilltoppers have gone 7-1 in the last eight games, and their only loss was only to the No. 1 team in the nation, LSU. Now, it's obvious WKU isn’t on the level of the SEC, but it’s quite a story considering this team was just at rock bottom last year.

I hope someone sends this program an invitation to a bowl game this year. If they don’t, it’s a shame, and I’ll invite them to my very own backyard bowl game.

We Just Don't Have Cheese Here

Wisconsin destroyed Penn State yesterday in the game that put the winner in the first Big Ten Championship game. To be honest, I still think Wisconsin is a top five team, and if given the shot to play Alabama or LSU, I think you're looking at a hell of a football game. They have lost two games this year, one on a last play Hail Mary and the other on a final minute touchdown pass. 

Now, there are those who will say they lost those games, and that’s final. You have to win to succeed, or, as I like to quote in the words of Ricky Bobby, “If you ain’t first, you're last.” 

What does stand true in the world of college football is, you lose one game during the season, and many will tell you your title shot is gone. I just find Wisconsin to be so balanced and disciplined.

I talked about Monte Ball last week and why this guy hasn’t been put in the Heisman race. Ball rushed for 156 yards and found the end zone four times in yesterday’s win against a tough Penn State team.

I have to think Wisconsin is going to come out firing Saturday night in Indianapolis. That Rose Bowl bid is on the line, and the Badgers just will want to show they are one of the nation's top teams. I predict a 14-point victory over Michigan State. 

Thanks for Playing 

Robert Griffin III, or, as the kids call him, RG3 ended his Heisman hopeful run after a concussion forced him to exit the game early against Texas Tech. Here is a guy who at one point this season had more touchdowns then incomplete passes. You want a crazy stat, there you go. Many say this guy is the most exciting player in college football. It’s hard to argue against that. 

I’ve never had a concussion and don’t wish to feel what it's like. It doesn’t look fun.

If you missed the hit that took him out, here you go. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYeAeoTU2so

Boy, am I Thirsty

During Thanksgiving, my family always makes Brandy Alexander’s, a delicious treat that mixes ice cream, some brandy and whatever else gets put into the blender. It’s good stuff, and plenty of recipes are out there if you haven’t had one yet. I’ve seen them made a few different ways, even as far as put into a martini glass. I recommend them as a pre-dinner beverage!

Rock Bottom

Hello Indiana Hoosier football, welcome to what we call the bottom feeders. I basically look at Indiana football and think of those fish that go in the tank that just suck on the glass to keep it clean...let me research it real quick...

Pleco! That’s what they are called. No more Hoosiers, as I will now call them the Indiana Plecos.  Meet the newest mascot, Scooter. Cute little fella, isn’t it? The kids will love him.

Let me first explain why I’ve decided to name this besides the fact that that have a terrible football program going right now. Indiana finished the year 1-11 after losing to Purdue this past weekend. That one big victory came against those pesky Bulldogs of South Carolina State, who, by the way, are an FCS school. Indiana became the only major conference to not beat another FBS school this season.  I mean, come on, Hoosiers; at least show me you can beat Ball State!

Lead a Horse to Water, Then Trade it In

It’s being reported that Illinois coach Ron Zook has been fired from his position with the University of Illinois. Zook has had his ups and downs in his time with the Illini. In his seven seasons with the school, he posted a 34-51 record.  He was able to take the team to the Rose Bowl in 2007. 

Let’s be honest, when we look at the Illini, they are not exactly your every year powerhouse in the Big Ten. Some may say he did a great job for the school. 

I think Zook did what he could with what he had. A Rose Bowl bid and a bowl game last year will be what he is remembered by. I will say this about Zook: He did find a way to bring some good recruits to the school.

I’m sure he will find his way to another school by next year. Memphis is looking for a coach, and there isn’t much of an expectation with the program compared to its basketball team.

For Those That Asked

Last week, a few people asked how to get their loved ones to watch Beavis and Butthead with them.  To be honest, I don’t have that answer. 

I’d go with something like "it’s for research." When she questions what research, tell her it’s a “think piece.” She will probably say something like "I didn’t know you even knew how to think," then just smile and nod. 

Urban, Do We Look That Dumb?

The funny thing about this hiring...oh wait, it’s not official?

But Urban took the weekend off from ESPN? Oh, that had nothing to do with Ohio State? 

Are you sure? Wait, didn’t they hire him, like, two weeks ago?

I’ve followed this hiring for maybe six hours, because as soon as it was announced I knew, and so did just about every other football fan that was going to happen. Do Ohio State and Urban Meyer think we are that dumb? 

I understand the thought of not trying to make things awkward for Luke Fickell as he finished up his season with the Buckeyes. It’s the respectable thing to do! 

Didn’t Meyer retire from coaching to spend time with his family and to deal with his health issues? So was a year too much to spend with family?

Look, I have no problem with him accepting this job with the Buckeyes. In fact, why not put another big name coach in the Big Ten? The whole situation has been handled bad, and that’s my point. 

Look, if you don’t want Fickell back, then release him and then search for a coach. You know Urban would have been there if you brought him in for an interview tomorrow. 

Go Pro, Young Man

Dear Matt Barkley,

If you're reading this, please know you should go to the NFL. 

Thanks,

Bill 

Give Them the Belt

Next week will be an exciting week, as there are plenty of games on tap that will help sell some teams to the BCS bowls. 

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State

Clemson vs. Virgina Tech

Wisconsin vs. Michigan State

Houston vs. Southern Miss

LSU vs. Georgia

All those games will have some impact on the final standings. I'll be back later in the week to break down and give my picks for them. 

Do I see any upsets? You bet I do. Follow up with me later in the week.

Got a question or comment? Chances are I’ll use it in the next sideline report. Shoot me a note at [e-mail]