The end of the season is near. It became official when two programs, Memphis and Western Kentucky, decided to axe their coaches. As someone that follows the Hilltopper program closely. it was about time. Some in the national media have criticized this move. But in a word ( or two) They’re wrong. Dave Elson had gradually weakened the program, even before their move to 1-A, and had shown no ability to make any improvements over their 3 years since.
THE NEW LAWSON LAMBERT TOP 25
1. Florida 9-0
2. Texas 9-0
3. Alabama 9-0
4. Boise St. 9-0
5. Cincinnati 9-0
6. TCU 9-0
7. Ohio State 8-2
8. Georgia Tech 9-1
9. LSU 7-2
10. Houston 8-1
11. Oregon 7-2
12. USC 7-2
13. Utah 8-1
14. Miami (FL) 7-2
15. Pittsburgh 8-1
16 Iowa 9-1
17. Oklahoma St. 7-2
18. BYU 7-2
19. Virginia Tech 6-3
20. Penn State 8-2
21. Wisconsin 7-2
22. Auburn 7-3
23. Arizona 6-2
24. Clemson 6-3
25. Oregon State 6-3
LAST WEEKS PICKS REAL RESULTS
Kansas 34 Kansas St. 27 Kansas St. 17-10
Oklahoma 41 Nebraska 24 Nebraska 10-3
Oregon St. 27 California 24 Oregon St. 31-14
Ohio State 14 Penn St. 13 Ohio St. 24-7
Alabama 20 LSU 10 Bama 24-15
NC State 31 Maryland 21 NC State 38-31
Notre Dame 34 Navy 14 Navy 23-21
William & Mary 31 Towson 7 W&M 31-0
Morgan St. 17 Norfolk St. 7 Norfolk 31-23
Johns Hopkins 28 Franklin&Marshall 24 Hopkins 51-13
It was kind of a mixed bag for me this week. Mainly I needed to avoid Big 12 predictions. I’m also officially off the Morgan bandwagon.
Best Game by a BCS Team: Ohio State
The Buckeyes had a lot of questions thrown their way this season. Questions about Jim Tressel’s big game coaching ability and questions about Terrelle Pryor’s QB abilities were high on the list. Both questions were at least partially answered by the beating Ohio State gave Penn State in Happy Valley. Ohio State is now in the drivers seat for a Rose Bowl berth.
Best game by a non-BCS Team: Navy
Navy was able to prove that their victory in South bend two years ago was no fluke. In the process they might have ended Charlie Weis’ tenure at Notre Dame. The most impressive thing for the Middies was how an undersized defense shut down Jimmy Clausen and the Irish for the first 3 quarters.
Best Individual Performance of the Week: Case Keenum, QB Houston
Case Keenum needs some love from this blog , period. He could win this award every week. I think he should be the frontrunner for the Heisman, But this week was special. In a tough conference rivalry game at Tulsa, he brought them back from the brink of defeat with a couple of amazing drives in the fourth quarter. After the 51 yard field goal sailed through the uprights , that he made possible with a 15 second 40 yard drive, his stat line read 40-60 522 yards and 3 TD’s.
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