As we approach Halloween, a couple of the top teams in college and the NFL had fans on the edge of their seats. Some of them survived scary games, while others suffered frightening losses.
College Weekend
Oklahoma loss to Missouri and opened the door for someone to take the #1 spot. In the AP and USAToday Polls, Oregon took the top spot. However, in the BCS standing Auburn who defeated LSU owns the #1 spot. As I shared last week, the BCS is the only standing that you need to pay attention to. Auburn was rewarded for not just being undefeated, but beating three teams ranked #12 or higher. Following Auburn in the top five of the BCS are Oregon #2, Boise State #3, Texas Christian University (TCU) #4, and Michigan State #5.
The chase for the BCS Championship game will be tough for the schools behind Auburn because of the lack of difficulty remaining on their schedule. They all only have one ranked opponent left. Out of the four of them, only TCU will play a team currently in the top 10. This leaves an opportunity for Alabama to still get to the BCS game. In the final month of the regular schedule, they will play three ranked teams, LSU #12, Mississippi State #21 and Auburn #1.
NFL Week 7
In the first weekend since the NFL got tough on illegal helmets hits, there were some shockers, lucky endings and controversial calls.
Who Dat thought that the Cleveland Browns would even compete against the defending Super Bowl Champs? Probably only Browns players and die-hard fans. Cleveland not only competed, but they dominated the New Orleans Saints. Browns fans need to thank their defense and Saints quarterback Drew Brees for their second win. He was responsible for two of their three touchdowns. Drew threw two interceptions that were caught and returned for touchdowns by David Bowen. Browns win on the road, 30 -17.
The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to South Florida to face AFC rival Miami Dolphins. It was a close game in which Ben Roethlisberger fumbled at the end of the game right at the goal line. The refs confirmed the fumbled, but said that they did not have a clear visual of who recovered the ball, so they gave it back to Pittsburgh. I was not on the field, but from the replay I only see Dolphin uniforms all over the ball. Luck falls on the Steelers side. They get the ball back at the half-yard line, kick a field goal and win 23 – 22.
In Chicago, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler threw 4 interceptions that helped the Washington Redskins get their fourth win of the season. It was not all pretty for the Redskins. Donovan McNabb threw a couple of interceptions, but the defense shined returning one of Cutler’s interceptions for a touchdown and sacking him four times. Redskins win it 17 - 14. I have to give some credit to Redskin defensive tackle, Albert Haynesworth. He made an awesome stop at the goal line. He leaped over the offensive line and tackled Cutler, preventing him from scoring a touchdown and leading to a fumble. You have to see it. Now that’s defense!
New England Patriots get lucky in Southern California. San Diego Chargers miss a field goal with 23 seconds left that would have tied the game. Patriots win 23 -20 and remain tied for first in the AFC East with the New York Jets. Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings were not so lucky in Lambeau Field. Favre’s interceptions and controversial calls on two touchdowns led to a Green Bay Packers victory 28 -24.
Are you ready for some football?
Monday Night Football will feature a matchup between NFC East teams. The first team in the NFC East, New York Giants, will play the last team in that division, Dallas Cowboys, at Cowboys Stadium. After consecutive losses to AFC opponents, the Giants have won three in a row. Albeit those games were not against New England, Pittsburgh or the Jets, Dallas has won only one game. The Cowboys problem is not a lack of talent. It is a lack of focus and discipline.
I’ll be honest and disclose I have an affinity for the Cowboys. (I love Jerry Jones and what little cheerleader in the 80s did not want to be a Cowgirl???) So, even with the problems, turnovers and penalties, I’m going with the Cowboys. They are in a do or die situation and I think Tony Romo and Miles Austin will lead the team to their second win.
Ciao!
Heels & Helmets
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