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Halfway home National title race becomes clearer after defining weekendPosted: Sunday October 13, 2002 9:30 PMUpdated: Monday October 14, 2002 11:59 AM
It was the most eventful weekend of college football in several years, so why waste any time? Here’s a snapshot look at how the national championship race stands after several changes to the landscape. One half of the Fiesta Bowl: Miami (6-0) or Virginia Tech (6-0). Neither is likely to be touched by the rest of the Big East. Only one tough non-conference date for each -- the ‘Canes at Tennessee on Nov. 9, the Hokies vs. Virginia on Nov. 30 -- stand in the way of a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup Dec. 7 in the Orange Bowl, with the loser almost certainly eliminated one step early. Hey, it’s just like the Final Four. Next-clearest paths: Ohio State (7-0) and Georgia (6-0). The Buckeyes catch a break in that they don’t face Iowa (6-1), which, besides Michigan, appears to be their biggest threat in the Big Ten. Both the Wolverines and Penn State come to Columbus. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, already are running away with the SEC East. Their biggest test could wind up being Nov. 9 vs. Ole Miss. Right in the thick of it: Oklahoma (6-0), Oregon (6-0), Michigan (5-1). The Sooners are high enough in the rankings that they may be able to weather an early-enough loss, i.e. Saturday against Iowa State (6-1). The Ducks play their next three at home prior to a key game Nov. 9 at Washington State. Following an emotional OT victory over Penn State, the Wolverines control their own destiny in the Big Ten, facing both Iowa and Ohio State. On the cusp: Washington State (6-1), LSU (5-1), Kansas State (5-1), N.C. State (7-0) and Iowa (6-1). The Cougars get both Oregon and Washington at home. The Tigers should score well with the computers if they keep winning, considering their only loss was to Virginia Tech. The Wildcats have Texas, Iowa State and Nebraska all at home. The Wolfpack still have Virginia (5-2), Maryland (4-2) and Clemson (3-3) on the road -- not to mention a Nov. 23 home date with Florida State. Tough road ahead: Notre Dame (6-0), Iowa State (6-1), Ole Miss (5-1). The next two weeks could break the backs of the Irish, who visit consecutively Air Force (6-0) and Florida State (5-2). The Cyclones, believe it or not, have remaining road games against Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas State (5-1) and Colorado (4-3). The upstart Rebels still have a ways to go, and road trips to Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and LSU won’t help. Still alive … but very badly burned: Texas (5-1), Florida State (5-2), Tennessee (4-2), USC (4-2), Washington (4-2), Colorado (4-2). The Longhorns rebounded from last year’s Oklahoma loss to reach the Big 12 championship, but this year have to go straight to Kansas State. The ‘Noles have several more opportunities for quality wins. The struggling Vols would seem to have little hope, but there is that Miami game Nov. 9. Wild-card: Air Force (6-0). The Falcons would surely soar up the rankings if they were to beat Notre Dame on Saturday, but it’s questionable whether their remaining Mountain West schedule would be enough to lift them high enough. Eliminated: Penn State (4-2), Florida (4-3), UCLA (4-2), Auburn (4-2) and Wisconsin (5-2).
Where do the Sooners hide him during those long stretches of the season when he disappears? It shouldn’t be altogether too surprising that the pint-sized senior could torch Texas for 248 yards and two touchdowns. After all, he scored six against them in 2000. What’s puzzling however, is how, much like in past seasons, this effort and his season-opening 237 against Tulsa, could sandwich four games in which he averaged just 56.5.
What’s that you say? The ‘Canes got lucky? We shouldn’t honor a team that so nearly lost to a team it was heavily favored to beat? Nonsense. Faced with a situation they hadn’t seen in any of their previous 27 straight victories, Ken Dorsey and Co. came back from a 27-14 deficit to add the most memorable chapter yet to what is becoming one of the most successful dynasties in the sport’s history. Remember, they are doing this not far off the heels of probation, with a first-time head coach, in an age when parity is greater than ever. A little appreciation, please.
Not just game of the week, folks. Game of the century! Game of the millennium! I defy you to find a more thrilling one in the previous … well, two-and-a-half years. Bobby Bowden and Larry Coker sure do live on opposite ends of the luck spectrum, don’t they? It’s believed the same cosmic force that caused otherwise reliable Xavier Beitia to push that field goal wide left is also the one that spurred Greg Schiano to take the Rutgers job.
Stewart Mandel covers college football for CNNSI.com. Got a comment, question or scoop for Stewart? Click here. |
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