I’m still pissed about my Sun Devils losing to USC on missed kicks by a Lou Groza award winner, so let’s get to some of my thoughts on some of this week’s games:

Oregon 53, Washington 16

In typical Oregon fashion, this game was close in the first half. And then in typical Oregon fashion, their high-powered offense outscored the Washington Huskies 35-10 in the second half to roll to their ninth win of the season. It’s the first time in 115 seasons that the Ducks have started the season 9-0.

Penn State 35, Northwestern 21

Joe Paterno became the first collegiate head coach to win 400 games, as Penn State came back to beat Northwestern, after being down by three touchdowns. My question, though: if you’re Pat Fitzgerald, head coach of Northwestern, do you let the Nittany Lions win? Do you let Joe Pa get his 400^th win at home?

Michigan 67, Illinois 65 (3 OT)

This was the highest scoring game in Michigan history and in Big Ten history. It was an offensive barn burner! It was nuts! Defense be damned, apparently! Thankfully there is a rule in college football that come the third overtime, extra points are no longer allowed – you have to go for two. Otherwise, I’m pretty sure this game would still be going on.

TCU 47, Utah 7

Well, considering at the time TCU was ranked fourth and Utah was ranked sixth, this should have been a close game. It was not, clearly. This bodes well for the new Pac-12 conference next year, of which Utah will be a part. Maybe my Sun Devils can beat the Utes.

LSU 24, Alabama 21

The win by the Tigers probably has shut Saban and the Crimson Tide out of contention for the National Championship. I’m sure this saddens not too many college football fans and Saban haters. This game was won on a crucial fourth-and-one play towards the end of the game, where DeAngelo Peterson ran a reverse and gained 23 yards which led to the game-winning touchdown for the Tigers. But the weirdest thing we learned from this game is that LSU head coach Les Miles eats grass from each stadium he plays in, every game. “I have a little tradition that humbles me as a man, that lets me know that I’m a part of the field and part of the game,” Miles said as a smile widened on his face. “You should have seen some games before this. I can tell you one thing: The grass in Tiger Stadium tastes best.”

Um, ohhhh-kay. The South is weird.

Texas A&M 33, Oklahoma 19

Texas A&M snapped a seven game losing streak to Oklahoma in a huge upset of the 11^th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. The Big 12 as a whole is mirroring the theme of this season of college football with the shift in who holds the power. Teams like A&M, Baylor and Texas Tech are on top of the Big 12 South, as opposed to teams like Texas and Oklahoma. Gig ‘em.

Stanford 42, Arizona 17

As I mentioned in a previous post, the University of Arizona has never been to the Rose Bowl. (insert maniacal laughter) And with Oregon rolling along as they are, and hopefully going to earn a spot in the title game this year, it means that the Rose Bowl team for the Pac-10 is still to be determined. And as an Arizona State alum, which comes with an extreme HATRED of the U of A Mildcats, I would like to keep them out of the Rose Bowl. Thankfully, Stanford had the same idea. Whew.

[source] [photo] [photo]

:::::

Even though Kristabella rooted for Stanford, she wants to remind you she still hates Jim Harbaugh.

Here are a few of my thoughts from this weekend’s action in the NCAA:

LSU 16, Tennessee 14

So, I don’t really like either of these teams. But part of me feels bad for Tennessee, who got screwed when Lane Kiffin left. But then that part of me doesn’t feel too bad, because good riddance! Lane Kiffin is an asshole.

This game went down to the wire. LSU pulled it out when Tennessee had too many men on the field and the Tigers were allowed a redo and Steve Ridley scored with no time remaining. This caused a Tennessee player to sob on the sidelines. SOB. Not shed a few tears, he was doing the whole-body-shaking-sob thing. You know, the kind you do when say, I don’t know, a family member passes away?

NOT IN A FOOTBALL GAME!

Alabama 31, Florida 6

Is anyone really all that surprised with this score? I’m not. The Tide is the real deal. And Florida is not. Although, I’m pretty sure Nick Saban should think of signing Florida quarterback John Brantley as he has an affinity for throwing completed passes to crimson jerseys.

Michigan State 34, Wisconsin 24

Wisconsin isn’t as good as everyone thinks. My Arizona State Sun Devils almost beat the Badgers, in Wisconsin. So this isn’t all that surprising. Michigan State ain’t no Austin Peay. Also, way to go Spartans, to win one for your head coach Mark Dantonio, who was coaching from a hospital bed. Get well soon, coach!

Oklahoma 28, Texas 20

I wonder if Texas wishes it would have moved to the new Pac-10 now.

Oregon 52, Stanford 31

This one was a lot closer on paper. Stanford was up 21-3 in the first half. But they totally lost steam, and the better team prevailed. It was so nice to see Jim Harbaugh get all pissy on the sidelines. (I have before expressed my irrational hate for Jim Harbaugh here on this site. It has not waned.)

Washington 32, USC 31

This was a hell of a game! Well, not if you’re a Trojan. Second-year Washington coach Steve Sarkisian acted like he just won the National Championship. It was a HUGE win for a head coach in a football program that was once good and has since fallen. Sarkisian was actually quoted post-game as saying that Saturday’s victory was the greatest day behind the days when his two sons were born. A bit of an exaggeration? Possibly. But the Huskies hadn’t won in LA since 1996. And despite having the worst receivers ever (CATCH THE DAMN BALL, YOU FOOLS! IT IS YOUR JOB!), Jake Locker was a rockstar and pulled his team to victory. Put that kid on a team with a better line and better receivers and he’s a Heisman Trophy candidate.

So tell me, what was your highlight of Week 5 of the 2010 college football season?

[photo] [photo]

Football Fiends,

It was an interesting weekend for the Pac-10. With the exception of Stanford @ UCLA, the Pac-10 went undefeated against four different conferences, including future Pac-12 member Colorado. Let’s take a look:

USC vs UVA : – 17-14 USC. Where did last week’s offense go? We sputtered offensively and GOD you know I love my Trojan football but when you’re heading into the 2nd quarter and the score is still 0-0, AND you’re sitting up in Row 90 with fog rolling in… well its not all that exciting. The good news is our defense looked much better this week. The bad news is it was against a mediocre at best ACC team. USC was up 14-7 at the half, 17-7 near the end of the 4th, and then the defense allowed a late TD from the Cavaliers. Winning 17-7 is one thing. Winning 17-14 is another and it is very strange to win and feel like you lost. I am very worried for the start of Pac-10 play. With USC @ Minnesota next week and @ Washington State the following week we should head into the meat of our schedule 4-0 but have no real clear indicator of whether this team is good, out of shape, or just plain bad. Our next home game is vs. Washington and GULP–Steve Sarkisian and Jake Locker scare me.

Oregon @ Tennessee – 48-13, Oregon. The Ducks are a force to be reckoned with. They went down to Rocky Top and hung 48 points on the Volunteers. Oh and by the way, those 48 points are the most allowed @ Tennessee since Washington State scored 52 points in 1988. With Oregon now ranked #6 in the Coaches poll, they are within striking distance of being a national title contender.

Stanford @ UCLA – 35-0, Stanford. I said in my 2010 Pac-10 Preview (Part One) that I wasn’t sure Stanford would be able to match last season’s 8 wins. I have changed my mind. Stanford is the main challenger to Oregon for the Pac-10 title. The Cardinal went into Pasadena and shut out Coach Neuheisel’s Bruins. Stanford being so strong is not that much of a suprise. Andrew Luck is one hell of an efficient passer, runner and clock manager. What is shocking, even to this Trojan is how bad UCLA is. Stanford was 9-16 on 3rd down conversions to UCLA’s 1-9. UCLA turned the ball over 4 times, Stanford never did. Kevin Prince threw 2 interceptions to Luck’s zero. UCLA fumbled twice, Stanford never did. Jim Harbaugh went in and decimated the Bruins. Oh, and by the way, Stanford pitched that shutout on the road without two of their best players – LB Shayne Skov and WR Chris Owusu. It will be interesting to see how Stanford’s season plays out. UCLA – well, they might finish ahead of Washington State, but right now it’s hard to imagine them really competing in the top half of the conference.

Cal vs Colorado – 52-7 Cal. Colorado is no powerhouse, but they may be nervous about their 2012 date to join the Pac-12 after being totally dominated by the Golden Bears in Berkeley. Cal’s new defense was remarkably efficient in dominating the line of scrimmage. Colorado turned over the ball five times, lost two fumbles and QB Tyler Hansen threw three interceptions.

Washington vs Syracuse -41-20, Washington. It is clear that this Washington team is on the rise. Sure, they absolutely SHOULD have beaten Syracuse, but 2-3 years ago this game would not have been a gimme. QB Jake Lockers connected with WR Jermaine Kearse for three teams en route to their convincing victory over the “Cuse. After getting off to a slow first quarter start, the Huskies rolled with Locker completing 22 of 33 and hitting seven different receivers. Washington’s offense was expected to be one of the best in the conference with Locker under center. Last week against BYU, the Huskies faltered. By the second quarter Saturday night, they hit their stride.

Washington State vs Montana State -23-22 Wazzou. Well hey, lookie there the Cougars won a game. Never mind that it took a herculean 4th quarter effort to make it happen. The crowds were rejoicing in Pullman Saturday night. Oh and that effort was required against an FCS opponent. I’m worried about my Trojans in Pac-10 play, but I am terrified for Wazzou. This program needs wins to gain the confidence to keep winning. And I am not sure they have quite the firepower for that yet.

Arizona State vs Northern Arizona -41-20 ASU. Looks impressive, right? It really isn’t. NAU is another FCS school that the perennial Pac-10 pre-season contender (until they implode) ASU should have beat without breaking a sweat. The game was 17-10 at the half and 27-20 at the end of three. Only QB Steven Threet’s two 4th quarter passes put the game out of reach for the NAU Lumberjacks.

Arizona vs Citadel -52-6 Arizona. This was just a good old-fashioned rout of another outmatched FCS team down in Tucson. I mean, do we really gain anything beating up on non-FBS conference teams. Sure Nic Grisby rushed for three touchdowns including one that was 62 yards. Sure QB Nick Foles completed 17 0f 22 passes in three quarters, but do we really know how this team will stack up against Oregon and Stanford? That is the problem I have with these cupcake out of conference schedules. Arizona is good, but Pac-10 play is brutal and it will determine just how good these Wildcats are.

-Your Gridiron Goddess

Source

[photo: Harry Howe, Getty Images]

Stanford routed the Ducks. It wasn’t even really all that close. At the end of the game, one of the people we were with, a fellow Chicagoan, was all “I didn’t know Jim Harbaugh coached Stanford! I LOVE Jim Harbaugh.”

And then I spewed hatred. And probably a little bit of actual saliva since I was drinking. Because I? DO. NOT. LIKE. JIM. HARBAUGH.

Why, you might ask? Well, I shall tell you. It is all because he forced Jim McMahon out of Chicago.

(I’ll just pause right here to let that sink in.)

This is normal, right? To have these irrational hatreds of athletes? For no good reason? Anyone? Bueller?

I understand rivalries. I hate University of Arizona (sorry Devra) because I went to Arizona State. I hate pretty much all of the schools in the Pac-10 for this reason. I am a Cubs fan, therefore hate the St. Louis Cardinals (although I think I actually hate the Houston Astros more. Stems from a deep-seeded hatred of Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio.) I am a Chicago Bears fan, so I don’t like the Packers or the Vikings.

But I have other hatred of players, coaches, announcers and teams, most for no good reason. And I’m not talking people I just want to root against. It’s meaner than that. I want to see them injured/destroyed. Here is a short list (with reasons)

• Sean Salisbury – his eyes are too close together
• Ray Lewis – because let’s be honest, he was involved in that whole thing somehow and got off scott free
• Derek Jeter – JUST BECAUSE! (And no, he’s not cute.)
• Lute Olson – he is the Anti-Christ
• Mack Brown – do I even have to LIST a reason?
• Torry Holt – he is a whiney bitch who REFUSES to get tackled and run routes in the middle of the field
• Kurt Warner’s wife – Hey lady! YOU ARE NOT ACTUALLY THE ONE PLAYING!
• B.J. Armstrong – pushed out John Paxson on the Bulls in the 90s

There are so many more, but I won’t continue. Wow. I should really get some therapy.

So tell me, who are the players/coaches/owners you love to irrationally (or rationally) hate?

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, I bet you’ve heard about the recent spat between former U of Mich great Jim Harbaugh, and well, the rest of the University of Michigan athletic department. In May, Harbaugh decided to take a jab at the academic standards at Michigan by telling the San Fransisco Chronicle how he really felt about the athletic department:

Michigan is a good school and I got a good education there, he said, but the
athletic department has ways to get borderline guys in and, when they’re in,
they steer them to courses in sports communications. They’re adulated when
they’re playing, but when they get out, the people who adulated them won’t
hire them.

Then Michigan star running back Mike Hart had a nasty retort, the media got involved and it all got ugly quick between the two parties. It’s great that Stanford has the highest academic standards of any Division 1-A program. And it’s pretty darn good that Michigan has the third highest academic standards in the Big Ten. I think that’s saying a lot for a team that has more football fans on a Saturday than any pro football team. (And probably makes more money.)

But the argument is getting lost in semantics. At the end of the day, should it really matter what athletes major in? I personally majored in History, and I can tell you straight up I’m not doing anything in that field. I think what college athletics should focus on instead is raising the athlete graduation rate percentage, and providing career counseling for ex-college players. So that athletes have choices and plans for what they’re going to do when college programs chew them up and spit them out. Or when the NFL doesn’t need them to run passing routes.

Fretting about whether these athletes go pre-med or biz school in their sophmore or junior year seems like a waste of energy. Really, at the end of the day, what matters more – if the player can remember who won the war of 1812? Or if they can put together a good resume for a job interview? I think the play calling is easy on that one.

———————————————————————-

Sara is a former member of the University of Michigan football team and currently blogs at: Self-Made Mom.