Pitt led W Virginia 27-24 at the half & only trailed yardage-wise 268-264. There was a completely different game in the 2H as WV had a 373-30 yd edge & pulled away to a 45-27 win...

N Illinois was in a solid situation vs C Michigan catching them the week after clinching the MAC West Title & being installed as a home dog in their home finale. Garrett Wolfe, after 3 poor games, rebounded with 203 yds rushing & NI led 21-0 in the 2Q & coasted to a 31-10 win...

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Drew Tate's senior season was far below his, & everyone else's expectations as he struggled most of the year. LW vs Minnesota his stats were decent hitting 26 of 36 for 354 yds but he had a crucial fmbl & 3 int's which was one of the main reasons Iowa had a 565-467 yd edge but lost by 10 on the scoreboard. Tate also was a huge part of the reason that Iowa finished just 6-6 this year...

Connecticut was #9 in the NCAA in rushing at 206 ypg but had just 70 yds on 39 att's & Syracuse most likely ended their bowl hopes dropping their record to 4-6. The game wasn't even as close as the 20-14 final would indicate as UC had been outgained 306-166 until they went 98 yds in 15 plays getting a garbage 16 yd TD pass with :04 left on the clock...

Miami, Fl fell to new lows dropping to 5-6 losing to a 4-6 Virginia team on the road, a game the Cavs dominated. UVA had 21-11 FD & 349-263 yd edges & the big question for UM right now is who will be their next head coach...

SMU QB Justin Willis set a school record for TD's accounted for in a season with 28 topping Chuck Hixson's 1968 record. The Mustangs became bowl eligible for the 2nd time since their Death Penalty in 1987. Tulsa actually led 24-7 at the half before SMU rallied for the win...

Michigan played a great game vs Ohio St & leaves open the possibility of a rematch for the National Title Game. A one loss USC or one loss SEC Champion could keep them out of the mix but the Wolves' 3 pt loss in Columbus does raise some interest as to what they would do on a neutral field vs the undefeated & the #1 ranked Buckeyes...

BYU accepted a bid to the Las Vegas Bowl after rolling up 653 yds offense vs New Mexico & teams that accept bowl bids usually struggle the next week. BYU did have a boisterous celebration in the lockerroom with 'Viva Las Vegas' playing...

Our Power Plays forecast for the W Carolina/Florida game showed WC with zero pts & 53 ttl yds. The Catamounts, with a first time starting QB & having lost 8 in a row SU totalled 59 yds & zero pts with UF scoring on 9 of their 11 poss in the expected rout...

Idaho crossed midfield just 3 times vs Fresno St with their deepest penetration the 36 as FSU rolled to a 34-0 win...

After W Michigan was SOD on 4th & 1 at its own 29 to end the 3Q, Florida St got a TD to lead 28-13 but WM battled back with a 43 yd, 8 play drive for a TD, 28-20 (9:20) & then took over with 2:14 left down by 1 score. They went 44 yds in 16 plays converting on 4th & 10 twice, getting to the FSU 11 but on 4th & 29 their pass fell incomplete on the final play. WM had 17-12 FD & 262-251 yd edges...

USC clinched the Rose Bowl & has the best shot at the National Title Game. They actually trailed 9-6 but got a 49 yd FG with 4:09 left in the 3Q & then drove 78 yds in 7 plays & 56 yds in 7 plays on their next 2 poss for TD's to put #17 Cal away...

Rice blew 3 opportunities in the 4Q vs E Carolina but still prevailed. Trailing 17-9 they were SOD at the EC 36 (12:57), from the EC 27 they were int'd in the EZ (6:30) & after scoring a TD, the 2 pt failed with just 2:37 left. Rice got the ball back on a punt with 1:01 left & converted on 4th & 10 with a 50 yd pass to the EC 36 & with :03 left & frosh K Fangmeier was called on & nailed the game winning 50 yd FG to keep Rice's bowl hopes alive (hoping for their first bowl game since 1961). Earlier Rice missed FG's from 34 & 43 yds. The last drive was led by 3rd string QB Shepherd. Their starter, Chase Clement was knocked out (shoulder inj) after throwing an int in the 3Q...

It was a great situation for Cincinnati as they caught Rutgers off their big win over Louisville & everyone talking BCS & National Title Game implications. Cincinnati simply dominated & in fact Rutgers gained 116 of their 288 yds on their final 2 drives with UC up 30-3 as RU got a garbage TD with 5:34 left for the 30-11 final. RU was ranked in the Top 10 for the first time in their 137 year history & QB Teel was just 12 of 26 for 86 yds with 4 int's in the first 3Q's before throwing for 152 yds in the 4Q during garbage time..

Hawaii only led San Jose St 20-10 at the half but dominated much more than that. SJSt had just 67 yds offense in the 1H & UH had several costly penalties including one that negated a TD. UH corrected the problems in the 2H & finished with a 568-192 yd edge. Damion Fletcher became just the 2nd SM frosh to top 1,000 yds in a season...

LSU was very lucky to escape the Ole Miss game with a SU win. They trailed 20-7 in the 4Q & took over with 2:35 left down by 5. On 4th & goal from the 6 they got a TD pass between 2 defenders with just :14 left. The xp was blk'd forcing OT but Ole Miss fmbl'd & LSU nailed a FG for the win...

TCU punted on their first poss but then scored pts on their next 8 drives & held SDSt to 87 yds total offense & the Frogs rolled up 624 in a game just as dominating as the 52-0 final would indicate...

Carl Bonnell originally signed at Wash St but when he left the school Alex Brink took his scholarship. Brink hit 32 of 54 for 328 yds in the Apple Cup but Bonnell hit 14 of 27 for 271 yds & UW, despite being outFD'd 26-14, came away with a 35-32 win...

UK WR Keenan Burton caught multiple TD passes for a school record 4th straight game as UK clinched their first winning season since 2002. UK gave up a TD with :54 left to lead by 2 but the 2 pt conversion was stopped. UK rec'd the onside kick & ran the clock to :04 but fmbl'd & ULM's Hail Mary pass was incomplete. UK can actually finish in 2nd place in the SEC East if they upset Tennessee this week, as their highest ever finish in the SEC is 3rd...

Houston appeared in control vs Memphis leading 20-6 early 4Q but gave up a TD & then after driving to a FD at the 11 settled for a 24 yd FG with just 2:07 left. The FG was not only blk'd, it was ret'd for a TD & a stunning tie & UH needed OT to pull out the win...

Illinois QB Juice Williams, who had a fine true frosh season, hit just 4 of 17 for 65 yds vs N'western as IL fell to 2-10 & just 4-19 under Ron Zook...

Oklahoma's D has been stifling over the past 8 games & held Baylor to a season low 140 yds including -48 yds rushing. Even with their top 2 RB's sidelined by inj, OU rushed for 236 yds as the Sooners smacked BU 36-10 & needs a win over OSU & a loss by Texas to actually win the B12 South Title.

INJURIES OF NOTE

Florida Intl's leading tackler Keyonvis Bouie was inj'd in the 2H vs ULL with a possible MCL sprain. It was the first time in nearly a month that FIU was playing at full strength as all 16 of their suspended players were back & playing for outgoing Coach Strock, FIU led 7-0 but was outFD'd 19-8 & outgained 354-190 & lost 17-7...

Arizona QB Willie Tuitama hit 8 of 9 for 120 yds in the 1H as the Wildcats jumped out to a 24-10 lead but he was inj'd & missed the 2H. Adam Austin, his backup, hit just 1 of 5 for 13 yds but the Cats were able to complete a rare trifecta knocking off 3 straight ranked teams defeating #8 Cal, #25 Wash St & stunning Oregon on the road...

Virginia Tech's top RB Brandon Ore was inj'd in the 1Q vs Wake Forest & missed the rest of the game.

STREAK BREAKERS

The Irish had not won in green uniforms since 1985 losing 4 in a row & surprisingly decided to wear them as a huge fav vs Army. It did break the streak giving them their first win in the green uniforms. Brady Quinn had a streak of 226 straight passes without an int end. It was the longest streak in Div IA this year with the NCAA record being 271 set by Trent Dilfer in 1993.

SITUATIONAL HANDICAPPING

We used Kansas as a 3H LPS this past weekend as they were off a bye week, catching K-St playing in their 12th straight game & coming off their huge home upset over Texas at night the week before. KU needed a win to become bowl eligible while K-St clinched a bowl bid the previous week. This situation proved beneficial as KU rolled to a 39-20 win at home.

COACHES FINAL HOME GAME

One of our favorite systems is to play on a team whose coach is playing in his final home game. Iowa St got the expected emotional lift playing for their 12 year HC Dan McCarney who got them to 4 bowls in the last 6 years & upset Missouri at home. Missouri almost spoiled the celebration as on 4th & goal QB Daniel scored a TD but the Tigers were called for holding & on 4th & 11 they sk'd Daniel to end the game. ISU led the game 21-10 after their first 2 poss of the 2H...

N Carolina moved to 4-0 ATS since John Bunting was fired & got a sweet win over their rival, NCSt, 23-9. Ironically that win may just knock Amato out of his coaching spot with the Wolfpack. NC had a 147-8 yd edge in the 1Q late leading 10-0 & never trailed...

NT was also playing for a longtime respected HC who guided them to 4 bowls in 5 years & were hoping to give Coach Dickey a win in his home finale but they came up short losing 17-16 to Florida Atlantic. NT drove to the FA 35 at the end of the game but was int'd on the last poss. NT led 10-3 in the 2Q but gave up 2 TD's off TO's in the final 3:04 1H including a 39 yd IR TD...

Michigan St figured to have little emotion left after blowing a lead in John L Smith's home finale the previous week but actually had a shot of upsetting Penn St as they led 13-7 at the half despite having a couple of dropped passes, a blk'd punt & 2 missed FG's. Those mistakes ended up doing in MSU as PSU rallied for the win. MSU Brian Hoyer hit 30 of 61 for 291 yds as PSU Coach Paterno watched from the pressbox.

COACHES ON THE HOTSEAT

LT HC Jack Bicknell III was on the hotseat when his team finished 7 4 LY but with LT at 3-8 & being outscored an avg of 24 ppg, even if he wins the last 2 he will probably be on the way out...

We already talked about N.C. State head coach Chuck Amato & his loss in Bunting's final home game will likely have him on his way out...

Mike Shula is under heavy pressure at Alabama, especially with the Tide losing a 5th consecutive year to rival Auburn. Do keep in mind, Bama had to play Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee & LSU all on the road & gave each of those 4 a tough game, & could have easily won any of them. They also suffered a tough loss vs rival Auburn with a 364-261 yd edge. Shula's Bama team, who we projected #4 in the West due to their tough schedule & rebuilding year on defense, actually played better than we expected & he deserves to be around another season.

LOOKAHEAD

This time of year with conf championship games on deck, many teams look ahead to those game & mail it in for their season finale. This past week Middle Tennessee & Troy knew the winner of their game next week would not only win the SBC Title but get to a bowl game. Both showed some lookahead as MTSt was thrashed by S Carolina 52-7 & Troy gave up a TD & 2 pt conversion with :17 left & lost to Arkansas St at home, 33-26. Both games were basically meaningless however, with all the marbles riding on this week's outcome.

REVENGE

In the handicapping industry the term "revenge" is often overused. There is talk sometimes of some teams having 11 revenge games in a year which is ridiculous. There are some legitimate revenge games that take place in college football & one took place last week. LY Tennessee had lost to state rival & little brother Vanderbilt for the first time since 1982. VU put out a DVD entitled Victory in Knoxville celebrating the win. UT, coming off of 3 straight losses, simply dominated them this year on the road. They had a 429-218 yd edge in the 30-10 win.

POINTS LEFT OFF THE BOARD

Indiana rolled up 505 yds vs Purdue's 435 but they combined for just 47 points. Indy went on a 15 play, 76 yd drive but fmbl'd at the 1 in the 1H. Indy had a 57 yd fmbl return which appeared headed for a TD but the ball was knocked out of DB Porter's hands out of the EZ for the TB. Indy went on a 65 yd, 8 play drive but settled for a 26 yd FG & missed it. With 2:33 left, down by 9, Indy was SOD & PU ran out the clock...

BYU led New Mexico 28-3 & were well on their way to a cover & had 653 yds offense. The pointspread play of the game came in the 3Q with BYU driving as they were not only int'd but ret'd 88 yds for a TD, a 14 point swing & BYU only won by 25 laying 26...

In the 1H UCLA got a 56 yd TD pass & a 1 yd TD drive after an int for their 14 pts. Excluding the 56 yd rec, Ariz St had a 145-32 yd edge in the 1H & three times ASU had a 1st & goal but on 4 trips to the redzone they settled for 3 short FG's & were SOD at the footline. They opened the 2Q with a 62 yd drive but after a 1st & goal at the 4 settled for a 20 yd FG & despite dominating the half actually trailing 14-12. UCLA got their only offensive drive of the game going 75 yds in 13 plays for a FG & later added a 35 yd TD rec as the Sun Devil offense folded after that.

POINTSPREAD PLAYS OF THE GAME

As expected, Georgia Tech, the week after wrapping up the ACC Coastal Div Title with Georgia on deck, rested their starters in the 2H with a 28-7 lead. It appeared Duke would get the cover scoring a TD with 10:46 left to trail 42-21. With their backups in the entire 2H, GT converted on 3rd & 1 & 3rd & 3 & then on the pointspread play of the game on 4th & 2 got a 21 yd TD run by Evans with 4:59 left for the frontdoor cover...

Temple did not get its first FD until 5:43 was left in the half & Navy led 35-0 at the half & appeared on their way to a rout. Navy was actually held scoreless on their first 3 poss of the 2H & TU got a TD to get under the spread, 35-6 with 13:39 left. Navy rec'd the onside kick & 2 plays later had a 50 yd TD run & led 42-6. Navy punted with 8:09 left & Temple went on a 72 yd, 11 play drive. They had a 1st & goal at the 5 needing a TD for the backdoor cover but on 4th & goal from the 1, a HB option pass was int'd at the 3 & ret'd out to the 20. Navy would get 4 FD's on the next 6 plays running out the clock...

There were actually 8 key pointspread plays in the Texas Tech/Oklahoma St game. The main one happened when a 26 yd TD pass was reviewed & ruled down on the footline. TT had a 1st & goal but failed to get a TD & settled for a 19 yd FG (2:38 3Q). Later, TT had a TD pass dropped after a 2nd & goal from the 1 & settled for a 20 yd FG. Those 8 pts left off the board hurt as TT only won by 6 laying 6.5...

UAB/S Miss' Total was 45 & the two combined for just 23 points after 3Q's & it still appeared it would go Under, even with a 67 yd fmbl return for a TD, it was 23-20 when UAB took over at their 29. Fortunately, UAB was sk'd back to the 3 yd line & was sk'd for a safety with :38 left putting the Total at 45 for a push.

MISLEADING FINALS, BACKDOOR & FRONTDOOR COVERS

Arkansas appears to have had an easy 28-14 win over Miss St but the Bulldogs actually had a 355-256 yd edge with Arkansas getting an 87 yd IR & a 92 yd KR TD's. Arkansas did have a 24 yd FG blk'd with 2:19 left & Miss St gained their yardage edge by going 72 yds in 7 plays in the final 2:00...

While Boise St dominated Utah St with 24-7 FD & 488-188 yd edges, they gave up a 64 yd fmbl return for a TD early 4Q & USU got under the spread, 42-10. BSU with backup QB Tharp drove 70 yds in 12 plays for a TD with 7:54 left & finished at the USU 35. BSU played w/o star RB Ian Johnson (collapsed lung)...

UTEP had a 13-9 FD edge vs Marshall & outgained them in the 1H but MU turned 4 UTEP TO's into 21 points & led 35-14 & that was the key to their 49-21 win at home despite being outFD'd 20-17. RB Bradshaw rushed for 261 yds & became the first MU rusher since 1940 to score 5 TD's in a game...

S Mississippi & Under 45 looked like sure things with the Golden Eagles leading 23-0 in the 4Q. UAB rallied for 3 TD's, the last one a 67 yd fmbl return for a TD with just 5:18 left to pull within 23-20. The Total was 45 & to see how that game finished, check out

POINTSPREAD PLAYS OF THE GAME

Louisville was dominating USF leading 24-0 in the 4Q when USF stunningly got a 24 yd TD pass & then the 2 pt conversion to put them under the spread for the apparent backdoor cover with 5:53 left, 24-8. UL rec'd the onside kick & would drive 42 yds in 8 plays & a 7 yd TD run by Allen with 1:28 left to get back ahead of the spread.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS

The actual odds are 9,999-1 but twenty minutes after the OSU/Michigan game ended, the Ohio Lottery had their Pick 4 drawing & amazingly it came up 4239, the final score of the game.

TURNOVERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Maryland & BC each had 22 FD's but BC stunningly led 14 0 before their offense even touched the ball. They got 14 & 38 yd fmbl returns for TD's by Jolonn Dunbar on MD's first 2 poss for that lead & did not get their first offensive snap until 6:43 was left 1Q in their 38-16 win.