Ohio State #1…alright, no big shocker there…but #2—South Florida! Hello? What a shock to the system—but that’s what this college football season has been in a nutshell. The big surprise is that for all of the upsets over the last three weeks (four unbeatens or top ten teams falling each week) the Buckeyes are just the third team to become #1 this year (LSU taking over for USC September 30th). That brings us to the beginning of the BCS where it doesn’t matter as much who’s number one, but who isn’t number three. Boston College fans can complain all they want about how they might be better than South Florida, but until they play someone better than UMass or Bowling Green, I’m not listening (don’t even suggest 1-6 Notre Dame as a real team this fall)…get ready for two months of jockeying before they announce the two schools playing for the national championship.
#12 VIRGINIA TECH lost quarterback Tyrod Taylor with a sprained ankle but won its game at Duke 43-14 after taking a 34-7 halftime lead. Now the Hokies prepare for a late season stretch that includes back to back Thursday night games against #2 Boston College and always-tough Georgia Tech.
UPSIDE— Sean Glennon—benched after the LSU loss for Tyrod Taylor at quarterback—came off the bench to throw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, turning a six point second quarter advantage into a 21 point rout at intermission. Eddie Royal entered the game with 9 catches for 60 yards; the senior special teams standout grabbed 6 passes for 90 yards and a score Saturday. The defense also responded well in the absence of injured linebacker Vince Hall.
DOWNSIDE— The running game continues to simply not exist—Branden Ore was held to 37 yards on 17 carries…and one has to think he’ll have less running room against the conference’s elite over the final five games. And wow--Fourteen penalties. That won’t hurt you against the likes of Duke, but just try that against BC next week.
VIRGINIA handed Connecticut its first loss of the season thanks to a 19 yard field goal by Chris Gould with 3:20 remaining in the fourth quarter…credit this victory to a Cavalier defense that notched four sacks and limited Tyler Lorenzen to just over 10 yards per completion while stuffing the Huskies running game (2.4 yards a carry).
UPSIDE— Nice outing by linebacker John Copper; the junior from Roanoke tallied 8 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup in the win. Another monster defensive stat: Virginia’s defense allowed Huskies just one third down conversion in 13 tries. Although the offense wasn’t as effective in weeks past, when it mattered in the 4th quarter they were able to drive 79 yards in 11 plays for the gamewinning field goal (the other two drives were for 59 and 65 yards).
DOWNSIDE— minus Cedric Peerman the running game had some problems behind Andrew Pearman and Keith Payne (the duo combining for 3.4 yards a carry)—Jameel Sewell actually led the Cavs in rushing…and without his major ground weapon the sophomore tossed a pair of interceptions.
MARYLAND prepared for Saturday's matchup with Virginia; enjoying their bye week and getting healthy for the Cavaliers. Linebacker Erin Henderson's knee renders the junior questionable while quarterback Jordan Steffy might miss the next month with a concussion.
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