Sunset Vette

LSU had an off week this weekend, but not like Texas. LSU didn’t have to play. Texas did, and looked ugly doing so. But first, the SEC results for this week…

Didn’t Arkansas look great against Florida? They sure looked a lot better than LSU did, and they were playing on Florida’s home field. I watched the second half of that game and it was exciting. And scary. LSU has to play this same Arkansas team in a few weeks (for the famous “boot” trophy) and they look like they’re for real. Inconsistent, maybe, but for real. While Florida was lucky to escape with a win, ‘Bama rolled yet again over another ranked team as they took down South Carolina by the safe margin of 20-6. I’m guessing some more voters are going to consider flipping ‘Bama and Florida in the rankings. It doesn’t matter though; if each of them wins out they will meet in the SEC title game. Auburn – after what looks like a better loss to me after seeing what Arkansas did to Florida – lost at home to Kentucky. Their stay in the top 25 could be short. Next week they come to Baton Rouge to take on the struggling Tigers in what will likely make or break LSUs season. They can’t afford to lose another SEC game with Alabama looming on the schedule.

Meanwhile, just down the road from my house a little game called the “Red River Rivalry” took place. Oklahoma was looking to climb back into contention for the Big 12 title, and Texas was looking to continue to extend their undefeated streak. What happened was a game full of turn-overs and bad play on offense and a final score of 16-13 in favor of Texas. I don’t think they won the game, I think they managed to avoid losing. Oklahoma, however, lost Sam Bradford. I’m not sure that’s as big a deal for Oklahoma as it is for Sam… their backup QB played just fine. Bradford probably has to wonder what would have happened if he had entered the draft last year instead of coming back to play more college ball.

USC and Notre Dame went down to the final second. Literally. Notre Dame was sitting on the goal line with less than ten seconds remaining when they through an incomplete pass. USC started to celebrate, but the officials called everyone back onto the field and put one second back on the clock. At this point ND was playing to tie the game (or perhaps win if they went for two) and needed a touchdown to do it. The final pass attempt looked terrible, and USC continued their celebration. Overall it was an interesting game, but not the victory that ND fans were looking for. USC remains in contention and will likely move up as Virginia Tech lost to Georgia Tech.

Texas Tech… a team getting no respect. They lost to Houston and to Texas, but have defeated Nebraska and have a vulnerable Kansas team coming up. They wrap up their Big 12 schedule at Oklahoma State and hosting Oklahoma and finish out at Baylor. It will be interesting to see how they finish out the season.