College Football Corner... that's the Big 12?!?

Last year in this space I argued that the Big 12 was the equal of the SEC... and the case could have been easily made that Texas had as good a season as Florida, especially with the depth in the league last year. Not so this fall-- not by far. First, Oklahoma's freefall minus its reigning Heisman quarterback (two shoulder injuries and the movie "The Proposal") robs the league of a preseason national contender. Their showcase midseason game with Texas? An offensive nightmare that saw the Longhorns underwhelm everyone in a 16-13 clock-killing exercise. The other contenders? Texas Tech and Oklahoma State both lost September tilts to Houston (Texas A&M and Missouri both dropped their first two league tilts... Nebraska's a year away while two teams with outside shots at great years have been upset along the way (then-#5 Oklahoma State fell to Houston in September while previously unbeaten Kansas fell to 1-4 Colorado last Saturday). So now there's Texas and a team TBA in the title game... this is Division I Football? Not intramurals, but not on par with the SEC.

Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse had the weekend off and prepares for Akron. Will they stay with Greg Paulus at quarterback...or make the transition to freshman Ryan Nassib? The Zips are the best possible opponent for Nassib to get his feet wet against-- and he didn't play that poorly against West Virginia...I wonder if Nassib has Jon Scheyer's contact information.

MARYLAND and VIRGINIA continue to move in opposite directions; the Cavaliers into the Coastal Division lead and postseason possibilities...the Terrapins away from the football and an Atlantic Division that's any one's for the taking. Cavalier Congrats-- they kicked away from Torrey Smith... and kickoff returns were never a factor. Rashawn Jackson played well in the absence of Mikell Simpson (90 yards and the game-clinching touchdown). Cavalier Catastrophes-- it took over a half for the offense to heat up...and Jameel Sewell's injury takes the quarterback situation back a year; if he can't go they go back to Marc Verica...a year older and wiser-- but not faster. Terrapin Triumphs-- the pass rush tallied a season high five sacks... Terrapin Troubles-- four fumbles (two lost in UVa territory) and two interceptions (one run back for the Cavs go-ahead score)... a defense that posted just one takeaway in the rain... Nick Ferrara missed a pair of fourth quarter field goals-- although he was kicking into the wind both times. Next up: UVa hosts #11 Georgia Tech--12 noon start; Md at Duke Saturday--1:30 kickoff.

#4 VIRGINIA TECH saw its National Championship hopes dashed in the Atlanta night... slipping to 19th rated Georgia Tech 28-23. Barring a miracle run by the Yellowjackets, the ACC has taken itself out of the BCS title game race once again before Halloween. Hokie Highlights-- another fine offensive outing...with Tyrod Taylor completing 10 of 14 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown while running for 63 more and a score... Ryan Williams continued his century streak with 100 yards rushing-- the highlight a 66 yard scamper for a score. Hokie Humblings-- 309 yards rushing allowed? To a team that completed just one pass? VT gave up 272 of those after halftime--how un-Hokiesque. Minus three yards on punt returns? Beamerball, anyone? Next up: Thursday October 29th against North Carolina.