Editor's Note: Judd Hall is on a 7-2 run in college football. Be sure to pick up his latest winners here!
Just one week after a perennial doormat stood front and center for all to see, a traditional power took back the spotlight. Fifth-ranked Texas found itself being dominated for much of its game against the No. 1Sooners. At certain times, the Longhorns were down 14-3 and 21-10 before they reached halftime.
The Longhorns, who were seven-point underdogs at the Cotton Bowl, rode the right shoulder of quarterback Colt McCoy in the second half. Texas’ Heisman Trophy candidate went about his business, connecting on 13 of 16 passes in the third and fourth quarters for a touchdown. What’s interesting in how McCoy went about his work is only four of those completions were longer than 10 yards. In fact, his average pass went for 4.33 yards.
The victory improved Texas to 2-0 in the Big XII South. And the ‘Horns are early six-point home favorites against Missouri. This time around, it will be the Orange Bloods that will be the No. 1 team in the land.
As for last week’s darlings, the Commodores, things didn’t go quite as Bobby Johnson wanted. Vanderbilt entered its contest with Sly Croom’s Bulldogs as a small 1 ½-point road “chalk.” Yet two second half interceptions brought demise upon the ‘Dores, falling 17-14 to Mississippi State.
There were a couple other Top 10 teams that fell this week aside from the Sooners…who now find themselves eight on the Associated Press poll.
Mizzou came into last Saturday ranked third as a heavy 14 ½-point home favorite versus Oklahoma State, who also entered the game undefeated.
The popular belief is that one of the starting quarterbacks would walk out of this game with multiple interceptions…just didn’t expect it to be the Tigers gunslinger, Chase Daniel.
Daniel completed 75 percent (39 of 52) of his passes for 390 yards with one touchdown. Yet he tossed three picks, one of which led to the deciding to score, 28-23.
It also didn’t hurt Oklahoma State to gain 187 yards on the ground, pulling in nine first downs. The Cowboys have opened up as 20-point favorites in Stillwater for their upcoming tilt against Baylor.
Les Miles’ Tigers were supposed to be able to hang with Florida in Gainesville as seven-point road underdogs. Yet LSU couldn’t find a way to stop the Gators on the ground, giving up 265 rushing yards. Jarrett Lee didn’t make matters easier by lobbing a pair of interceptions in the 51-21 thumping.
Tough times were expected for Michigan since it’s learning how Rich Rodriguez’s zone spread offense. Yet last Saturday’s defeat to Toledo was not something anyone was prepared to deal with in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines converted just three of 13 third downs and were outgained 327-290 by the Rockets.
Toledo also found a way to pick off three passes as well, one of which accounted for its lone touchdown. As bad as things got for the Maize and Blue, they still had a shot to tie it in regulation…They missed a 26-yard field goal in the final four seconds to fall 13-10, but the chance to pull it out was still possible. This was one of the better paydays for bettors as the Rockets were 5/1 ‘dogs.
You can reach Judd Hall via e-mail at judd@vegasinsider.com
