Trent's Touchdown - Week 13

So, do you think Week 13 will mean more bad luck for top 5 teams, or will we actually get a ho-hum week? Week 12 gave use two more top 5 teams losing to unranked teams (that makes 11), the top Heisman contender going down with an ACL injury (which he sustained in the ASU game), and Notre Dame actually winning another game. You know what? I’m not shocked by any of it, thanks to everything that’s happened so far. My shock senses exploded with Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32. Anyway, to the early rundown, thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday:

1) Missouri (4) vs. Kansas (2) (in Kansas City) (8:00 on ABC) – The Border War actually means something this year. Two undersized, under-recruited QB’s lead their teams into the biggest game of their careers (until the Big 12 Championship and a possible National Championship Game). Todd Reesing and Kansas have been just filthy, making scores in the 40’s, 50’s 60’s, and 70’s (poor Nebraska) seem like child’s play. Their defense has been holding teams to paltry numbers. Of course, the flip side is the only team they played that was in the top 25 at the time was Kansas State (24). There out of conference schedule is Central Michigan, SE Louisiana, Toledo, and Florida International. Stop laughing, I’m not joking. Chase Daniel and Missouri have kept consistent with scores in the 40’s and a defense that keeps teams in the 20’s. There schedule is tougher with Illinois and Ole Miss out of conference, and Oklahoma (their only loss) and Texas Tech. I think people are underestimating Kansas in this one. Of course, it’s happened all season and look where they are.

2) USC (11) at Arizona State (6) (8:00 on ESPN on Thurs) – Oregon’s loss last week has opened the door for ASU to not only win the Pac-10, but also may be able to backdoor their way into the National Championship Game. Step one begins on Thanksgiving with the game against USC. USC has to be the most lackluster 2 loss team in the country. They don’t seem to do anything really well. I think they are following the formula of Miami right before their collapse (minus all the random violence). Basically, get a bunch of blue chip prospects, slap them together, put them on the field, and hope for the best. Seriously, can you tell between Sanchez and Booty (minus the fact that Sanchez sucks and Booty has a cool name)? They are all nameless, faceless blobs. No more Bush and White in the backfield. It’s just a hodgepodge of interchangeable parts, that do the job, but you’re not going to trust them at big times. ASU, on the other hand, is a good team that came together at the right time under the right coach. Gee, who do you think I’m rooting for here?

3) Connecticut (20) at West Virginia (3) (3:30 on ABC) – If you had told me at the beginning of the season that the UConn/WVU game would decide the Big East, I would have laughed in your face, then politely tell you that UConn is about a year away from doing anything dynamic. But then they go and slap together this season. They didn’t have a great schedule, but it’s not Hawaii’s. Of course, they only quality non-conference game scheduled they lost (Virginia), but Tyler Lorenzen quietly put together a respectable season. Not quietly was the season that WVU put together, considering they were the top team in the conference and have that high powered offense that has highlights featured on Sportscenter. But remember that last week WVU had a little trouble with a tenacious Cincy team. However, Cincy is better than UConn.

4) Virginia Tech (8) at Virginia (18) (12:00 on ESPN2) – These two are playing for the right to beat BC in the ACC Championship Game (yes, I’m still bitter over the Clemson game). VT had a horrible start to the season, when they struggled against Eastern Carolina and got whooped by LSU. Then they righted the ship and got back to getting it done. The only slip up was against BC, when they went to the prevent defense, which I think prevents the defense from stopping anyone. They are very good at fundamental football, which is the reason they win. Virginia started off with the loss to Wyoming (I forgot they had a football team) then went ahead and started to shock the world, until they came back down to earth against NC State. They have a very good defense; it’s just there offense doesn’t always help them out. VT wins this one, but Virginia’s defense makes it interesting.

5) Boise State (19) at Hawaii (15) (9:00 on ESPN2 on Fri) – Part of me wanted to avoid this game, but I just couldn’t. Its last year’s darling vs. this year’s darling. Hawaii’s hopes are resting with Colt Brennan, who took a whopping two snaps last game. He’s starting this game, but who knows how long he can go for. Boise State got derailed earlier this year against Washington (who plays Hawaii next week), but then got back to their winning ways. Basically, the winner of this wins the WAC, and possibly gets a BCS bowl invite. Hey, I’m all for anyone who is willing to beat on a Big 12 team.

6) Tennessee (18) at Kentucky (1:30 on CBS) – The one thing Georgia needs to claim its rightful place in the SEC Championship Game would be a Kentucky win. I’m not a big Georgia fan, but I really dislike Tennessee (for no apparent reason). I seriously don’t know what to expect from them. They get blown out by Cal, Florida, and Alabama, barely get by Vandy, but beat the holy hell out of Georgia. I would ask if that made sense, but considering the year we’ve had. Kentucky, on the other hand, just imploded on themselves after beating LSU, with there only win since then coming against Vandy. Kentucky can win, they just need to stop this downward spiral and play there game.

Extra Point:

7) You want to know how whacky this season has been. In two weeks time, we could have Ohio State, UConn, Virginia, Arizona State, Tennessee, and Kansas as the conference champions, with Kansas and ASU in the National Championship Game. Isn’t this an argument for a playoff? Don’t give me that bull that the whole season is a playoff either. The fact that UConn and Virginia could be playing in the Orange Bowl should be enough to shock anyone into pulling for the playoff system. The problem with the BCS is the same problem college football has always had, it’s completely arbitrary. It’s letting coaches and sportswriters with agenda’s and computers with no concept of sports to decide the champion, instead of the kids on the field. I know they are in school for an education, but if you’re going to do something, do it right.