I'm a Mizzou fan, and the only reason I'm not worried about the defense (which played very well in stretches today) is that the Tigers can outscore any team in the country.

I'm a bit worried about the D as well, but they do seem to get it up against teams we're worried about (Nebraska, Texas Tech). I'm sure they'll be ready to play next week.

Oh, Stuart, thanks for calling the Border War by it's real name and not the namby-pamby PC version.

There is nothing troublesome about Mizzou's defense the past two weeks or any other week. Mandel needs to start reading box scores if he's not going to watch the games. A bunch of those points were not yielded by the defense, or were scored in garbage time. The Tigers held the nation's top offense to 10 points.

The Kansas defense will fail to limit Chase Daniel and Co. They gave up 39 points at home to a horrible Nebraska team, and 28 to the only other team with a pulse that they played (OK State).

I just want to know why a coach making $2 million a year isn't on the hot seat after two 6-6 regular seasons (especially with two losses against teams with a combined 7 wins). Kirk Ferentz made a terrible call to go for it on 4th and 4 when down by 9 while in field goal range. If you need two scores to win, you take whatever you can get, then go for the squib kick.

It's a sad day in Hawkeye-land with a schedule that should have ended with at least 10 wins resulting in 6 and no bowl game.

Going to be a great day at Arrowhead... #2 v. #4 (or 3 if OU blows this game). And it will be a shoot-out! Rock Chalk!

I

Mandel's an idiot. Mizzou's offense can outscore anybody's in the nation. And that includes the Chickenhawks. I'll be looking for the trough of pasta on the KU sidelines next weekend!

Anyone check out Tebow's performance today?? He is now going to Throw for over 3000 yards and has a real shot at 1000 yards rushing if you include bowl stats. Add to that he is in the top 3 in QB ratings in the nation and owns one of the highest completion %, and how can he not be a clear cut favorite to win the trophy? The only thing against this kid is his team lost 3 games...3 games he played pretty well in I might add. I say who cares!! He is the best player in the nation and it should be obvious at this point. All the doubters said he was just a role player QB and could not handle the spotlight. They also said he could not pass. They also said he could not last an etire season in the SEC. They also said that the spread would not work in the SEC. YADA YADA YADA. He proved he can do it all and just imagine what he will do for two more years. Here's to the Gators getting 10 wins after beating FSU and winning a bowl game and taking another National Title next season!! Forida has a real shot at winning it in 08 and 09 and being a better team in history than USC the past few years...Go Gators!!!

"Forida has a real shot at winning it in 08 and 09 and being a better team in history than USC the past few years...Go Gators!!!"

Whoa chief. Only two teams (Oklahoma and Ohio State) have any claim whatsoever on surpassing USC's past few years

Fine..give Tebow the Heisman..he is pretty darn good. But you better not knock Hawai'i this week. Another road win...and a win without Colt. Don't rip on their schedule...its not their fault Michigan State didn't have the sack to play the game (they bailed in the spring). If UH knocks off both Boise and Washington (both at home), they must get a BCS shot

Yes, don't knock Hawaii. June Jones stated that their two point win over a traditional powderpuff without Brennan was proof Hawaii had many great players. I am just thankful I had no coffee in my mouth when I read that commentary.

Mandel, where are the posts? Distraught over the Ohio State result?

I'm a OSU fan but I think Tim Tebow should get the Heisman even if they aren't having the greatest season. He's been the best player this year.

So, think Roll Tide nation is still happy with Nick Saban after today? They don't have a prayer against Auburn next week, and for all the hype and glory that Saban brings, the team seems to have regressed after that LSU loss. A sign of a great coach is bringing your team back to compete the following week, and 'Bama has NOT done that. Ironic, ain't it?

After another upset of a top 5 team, I am now going to predict that Ohio State will play LSU for the national title.

LSU will beat Ohio State, at which point Michigan will offer to make Les Miles one of the 5 richest coaches in America.

What a crazy season.

Props to Matt Forte'. Really, over 2000 yards with ONE GAME TO GO. This is something that CANNOT go unnoticed. I don't care who you play (and Forte' DID do pretty well against a healthy Dorsey and his LSU teammates). Forte' should AT LEAST be sitting next to Tebow when the Heisman is announced. Job well done.

The Rose Bowl Committee now is going to become the biggest fan of LSU, West Virginia and Kansas or Missouri. They are very close to one of their dream matches - Ohio State vs. ASU (rematch of 1997) or Ohio State vs. USC. But their plans get screwed up if Ohio State advances to New Orleans.

Stewart - if you get to travel to KC next week for the KU-Mizzou game, I want BBQ reports in addition to your usual punditry.

Stewart,

I have to hand it to you. You called the Texas Tech upset. I couldn't find the page where you posted the score. Did you actually get the final score right? I thought it was something close to 34-27.

The Ohio State team that I watched today would give LSU all that it could handle.

Now that Les Miles is all but wearing big blue, let me be the first to nominate Mike Shula as his replacement. When you stop laughing, think about it...

WOW what a game between OSU and Mich...can you sense the sarcasm here?? Last year we were treated to "The Game of the Century" as it was dubbed by the media, only to find out we were watching the nations two most overrated defenses (I think it was Florida that showed all those points OSU and Mich. scored on each other was no fluke!!. This year we get to watch to sluggish, archaic offenses duke it out to a stellar 14-3 final score. Go Big 10!!!

Seriously though, what a great year it has been. TT just beat OK, Clemson choked yet again, and Bama got beat by a creampuff!! My Gators are out of the SEC race bt here's to the Dawgs taking the east over Tenn...I don't know if I can stomach seeing someone that Florida beat 59-20 getting a spot in the SEC Title game.

What are everyones predictions for next year?? I think the pre-season poles look like this in any given order...Florida, OSU, OK. All three are very young and very good for what they had to deal with this year. I knock the Big 10 quite a bit but OSU brings back a lot of players next year...it would not suprise me to see OSU and UF get BCS rematch in 08. Go Gators!!!

I don't care who coaches the Michigan Smithereens next year, because I think Ohio State and Illinois will be the class of the league.

Today LSU gave up 200 yards rushing to a 3-8 team. Darren McFadden and Felix Jones are up next.

Sniff. Sniff. What's that I smell? Upset?

(sheesh, I wish this blog had an "edit" feature!)

Could be, Netizen. SEC is always tough, and Arkansas has a pretty decent running back.

Next year? I would think LSU will still be there hanging around even given Dorsey and Flynn are gone and even if Les Miles decides that Ann Arbor is the "place to be." I think tOSU will be there . . how could you not, given their talent and youth? Florida for sure. Probably USC.

Now for the surprise. I think the Washington Huskies (who have NEVER played less than a Divsion 1-A school since the BCS was established, along with USC, UCLA, and Notre Dame) will have something to say about the outcome next year. Mark my words!

This year, I'll continue to root for LSU to get past Arkansas and either Tennessee or Georgia in the SEC Championship, and whoever shows up in N'Awlins against them in the BCS Championship game.

I'll give the visiting team 3 points for playing in N'Awlins and not in an ice rink, in mud, or underwater. Frankly, N'Awlins has had too much of the last two in recent past, and too little FEMA. I think the Tigers have done pretty well both on and off the field against adverse weather conditions in the last couple of years. Very well, indeed.

Geaux Tigres. I'm proud of you.

Sas

Wow. Never miss a chance to kick Notre Dame when they're down, do ya Mandel. Classless jerk.

When are people going to stop attacking a Kansas defense that has only given up large passing yard numbers because they've only trailed for around 30 minutes THIS ENTIRE SEASON. It's kind of hard to stop every pass when that's all the other team can do to get back. Oh and by the way, try a smarter argument next time rated77...there IS a lot troublesome about MU's defense...they have only held ONE opponent under 10 points. Maybe we've played some lame offensive teams, but K State had a lot more life against us than they did against you guys and you allowed them 8 more points than we did. Oh and 24 points allowed against Western Michigan and 17 against Illinois State??? And you're going to talk bad on OUR defense? We allowed 23 points our entire nonconference schedule. You allowed 24 to Western Michigan. Yes, we allowed 39 to Nebraska, but they had around 25 rushing yards going into the fourth quarter. They passed all game. Oh and those who say they aren't worried cause Missouri can outscore any team in the country...have they? I'm pretty sure they didn't score as much as Oklahoma...there is a team that has though, and unfortunately for you all, you play them next week. I'm not sure who's going to win next weekend. I think it'll be a great game, but stop acting like you are so much better than us. You guys have a bit of an offensive edge, we have a bit of a defensive edge. Deal with it. And get ready for a great game, and get ready to cheer on whoever wins in the Big 12 title game as I will. That being said, ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! ...and let's see a tiger extinction this weekend (because yes, our new shirts are much more creative and far more classy than the Quantrill Raid shirts...and they thought "Muck Fizzou" was bad???)

Oh and how about the biggest game of the year coming up next week in the oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi? Anyone else see a Big 12 North showdown potentially deciding which teams will play for the national title? I go to Kansas and I can say for all my optimism I never saw it. Not to start another conference debate, but how about the Big 12 this year? They've pretty quietly put up huge offensive numbers in what is known as a very hard-nosed defensive conference, and (considering the fact that I don't think it's loss will drop OU out of the top 10) 4 top 10 teams heading into the final week of their regular season? Say all you want about this conference but with great coaches in Stoops, Pinkel, Mangino, Brown, Chizik and Hawkins and young stars like Reesing, Daniel, Bradford, McCoy, Crabtree, Maclin, Goodson, and maybe even Ganz and Freeman, don't be surprised if the Big 12 is a top conference for a long time.

um except oklahoma, you guys did lose to oklahoma

I am, like thousands of current students, MU alumni, and the denizens of the state of Missouri, looking forward to the Border War on 11/24. I have to remind myself that this is college FOOTBALL; who would have ever thought that MU and KU both have a chance at a NCAA championship in FOOTBALL. This is great considering that KU will probably massacre MU in basketball this season.

6:38 AM

For gatorchomp - The OSU team you watched yesterday will give LSU all it can handle, just as the OSU team you watched last year did the same to Fla in the NC.
If I understood the posts this year OSU is doomed to fail whether it goes against USC in the Rose or LSU in the Sugar. Both USC & LSU have two more games to play meaning that OSU would have to face them after a team crippling 51 day lay off again before the bowl game. If OSU wins either they are a great team. If they lose it was because of an unfair lay off. That's the script right?

How 'bout those Texas Tech Red Raiders, Stewart? That's what I'm talkin' about -- A little DEE-fense and these guys can move from pretender/spoiler to contender. It was a very uncharacteristic TTU game, however. I noticed that, with 8 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, TTU was still leading by four minutes in total time of possession. Midway through the 2nd quarter, after several 3-and-outs from their offense, the Oklahoma "D" had already been standing around with hands on hips, trying to catch their breath. And, for much of the first half, Graham Harrell had displayed uncharacteristic mobility and, compared to the OU pass rush, exhibited pretty decent speed. Last night, Harrel joined B.J. Simmons and Cliff Kingsberry as one of three Tech quarterbacks in recent memory to pass for more than 5,000 yards in a single season. Of the three, Simmons probably appeared to have the sturdiest build and maybe even the strongest arm, but for this game, at least, Harrell appeared to be the most mobile of the three and a much more savvy runner than he had shown us, to date (btw, he's still wearing that knee brace, as I recall). All things considered, I thought OU got a decent game out of Halzle, their backup QB. He threw for two TDs and only one interception. So, aside from OU losing Bradford to an early concussion, I think that some big stops by the defense (holding the OU offense to just two field goals in the first half) and the added dimension of a mobile, scrambling Tech quarterback were the difference in this ball game. It bodes well for the Red Raiders that they will lose only one player, receiver Danny Amendola, to graduation and, of course, everyone in Raider Land needs to keep his/her fingers crossed and hope that Michael Crabtree doesn't decide to turn pro before his sophomore year. Otherwise, congrats to Texas Tech on a great, great win!

Last week when everyone, including Mandel, were writing off the Buckeyes, less emotional and more objective fans were saying , not so fast. I believe that OSU's chances may have gone out the window last night with WVU's win against Cincy.

It is still more than just a mathematical possibility that OSU will be in their second straight NC game and how ironic if it were OSU vs WVU.

IMHO opinion the NC game will be BIG vs BIG and if LSU does limp into the title game, they will finish second. That's my honest prediction right now as things stand today.

Regardless of his team's record, Tim Tebow is the clear choice for the Heisman and could possibly be the next 2-time winner. Of course you just don't know what the less objective voters are going to consider.

To Chris: there are other people who recognize the quality of play in the Big 12 this year, just don't expect objectivity from the delusional Senseless Egotistical Conference fan base.

"But you better not knock Hawai'i this week. Another road win...and a win without Colt. Don't rip on their schedule...its not their fault Michigan State didn't have the sack to play the game (they bailed in the spring). If UH knocks off both Boise and Washington (both at home), they must get a BCS shot"

The Big Ten (including Michigan State & Northwestern) dropped Hawaii from the schedule due to the travesty that was the end of the 2004 season. The officiating that gift-wrapped two games to Hawaii was some of the worst in recent memory... no lack of intestinal fortitude this year, just pure common sense.

Last week when everyone, including Mandel, were writing off the Buckeyes, less emotional and more objective fans were saying , not so fast. I believe that OSU's chances may have gone out the window last night with WVU's win against Cincy.

It is still more than just a mathematical possibility that OSU will be in their second straight NC game and how ironic if it were OSU vs WVU.

IMHO opinion the NC game will be BIG vs BIG and if LSU does limp into the title game, they will finish second. That's my honest prediction right now as things stand today.

Regardless of his team's record, Tim Tebow is the clear choice for the Heisman and could possibly be the next 2-time winner. Of course you just don't know what the less objective voters are going to consider.

To Chris: there are other people who recognize the quality of play in the Big 12 this year, just don't expect objectivity from the delusional Senseless Egotistical Conference fan base.

Jgault, you better believe Bama fans are still happy with Saban. He currently has the #3 ranked recruiting class for the coming year, and it will be #1 once the top player in the nation, Julio Jones, signs with the Tide. Saban may not be winning right now with Shula's players, but he will win big with his own. I think Bama's opponents know that, and I think they're worried.

Lack of serious Heisman (or any other award) consideration of Tim Tebow due to the fact that Florida has 3 losses because of a horrendous defense is heinous. Terrific Tim can only play offense. On second thought, maybe Urban should start Timmy at linebacker. It would be kinda' like Spurrier kicking a field goal during his Heisman season. Wow, I can see the headlines now: "Tebow moves to defense!"

Mizzou barely out scored Illinois in the first game of the season.

Why no love for Rashard Mendenhall in the Heisman watch?

As hard as it is to accept, getting beat by Georgia, FSU, LSU and even MSU is nothing compared to being beaten at home on Senior day by a team scheduled as a tune up to your biggest rival! I am sick of all the excuses and I mean all of them. The playes at 'Bama may not have been a top nationally rated group of players but certainly rated higher than the team that totally embarrassed tham Sat. I hope this feeling follows them forever!

The Mizzou fans are like all the rest (Oregon, Ohio State, West Virginia), they complain about the negative comments about thier team until they lose. Then you never hear from them again!!!! Ha! Ha!

Congrats to Indiana. They had a tough year. Losing their coach in the spring after a long illness. They knocked off a rival to finish 7-5 and now I hope they win a bowl game.

The Tigers can outscore any team in the county? Even OU, oh I guess not. I'm pretty sure Mizzu and Kansas both have amazing offences, but the Kansas D has also been top 10 in the country all year. I like to say this is Missouri's best year ever, and they are still behind Kansas. See ya on saturday.

Did they outscore OU? Good luck play good D against Kansas "in streches" on saturday. I really enjoyed reading all the mizzu fan comments, remindes me why I hate Mizzu and their fans.

As the past couple years have gone Ive listened to people constantly talk about how the LSU Tigers will get beat here and there and limp into the bowl game and lose. I will tell you this, being that I have watched and rewatched all LSU games for a long time. If LSU does what they need to, winning their next two games, it probably wont be that impressive to most but peep this little tidbit. LSU has the habit of doing this little thing called dominating their bowl opponent. Miami was too fast, Notre Dame, way too talented. It is all bull. If we are in the title game on astro turf, in our back yard, it does not matter the opponent. We will be ready for any taker. You can say whatever you want about other conferences and teams, but LSUs track record speaks for itself. We know how to get up for a bowl game. Especially the National Title Game.

On a side note, I do think it is total bull to have no conference title game and jump into the Rose Bowl. That is what we in the other conferences refer to as CHEAP.

Tebow for Heisman. Unless the Heisman voters are the same idiots who run the BCS Tebow should be unanimous choice. Even if you don't like the Gaytors, Tebow doesn't have a bad game. He's a one man team. Give him the Heisman. . .maybe he'll go to NFL early which is good for everyone else. In closing, GO DAWGS!!

Wow, the OK game looked like a clone of Oregon's situation on Thursday night. As a Duck fan, I appreciate all the kind words about Dixon and the team from OK fans, especially after last year (very possibly the worst call I have seen in several decades of playing/watching football).

Not being able to see a team at it's best due to injuries is crap, but also part of the game. Good luck next year.

wow i can't believe oklahoma lost last night.this is a great season for college football because no one is safe.All i need is for west virginia to lose to uconn and for mizzou to beat kansas and oklahoma beat mizzou in the big 12 championship and my beloved buckeyes are right back in da title game with a huge chip on their shoulder...And for all you haters saying we had a lackluster offensive performance against michigan...it was a rivalry game and both defenses showed up to play..Also we only threw 2 passes the whole 2nd half b/c of whether conditions...if we wanted to play action the wolverines we could have but tressel knew our defense would contain michigan's offense....Go BUCKS!!!

wow i can't believe oklahoma lost last night.this is a great season for college football because no one is safe.All i need is for west virginia to lose to uconn and for mizzou to beat kansas and oklahoma beat mizzou in the big 12 championship and my beloved buckeyes are right back in da title game with a huge chip on their shoulder...And for all you haters saying we had a lackluster offensive performance against michigan...it was a rivalry game and both defenses showed up to play..Also we only threw 2 passes the whole 2nd half b/c of whether conditions...if we wanted to play action the wolverines we could have but tressel knew our defense would contain michigan's offense....Go BUCKS!!!

wow i can't believe oklahoma lost last night.this is a great season for college football because no one is safe.All i need is for west virginia to lose to uconn and for mizzou to beat kansas and oklahoma beat mizzou in the big 12 championship and my beloved buckeyes are right back in da title game with a huge chip on their shoulder...And for all you haters saying we had a lackluster offensive performance against michigan...it was a rivalry game and both defenses showed up to play..Also we only threw 2 passes the whole 2nd half b/c of whether conditions...if we wanted to play action the wolverines we could have but tressel knew our defense would contain michigan's offense....Go BUCKS!!!

All I have to say is that Kansas will kick some Mizzou butt. Muck Fizzou as we always say. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK GO KU!

Charles:

Last year was last year; this year will be different. If you believe Tressel is even half the coach I think he is, you'll realize he's not going to let happen what happened last year. Also, do you or don't you think the layoff is hard on a team? You've mentioned many times the impact of first-stringers sitting rather than playing and being "tested", so are you discounting the layoff? I personally wish they were playing longer, and had a conference playoff, but right now it is what it is (and sorry, LSU#1, it really doesn't matter to us if you see it as "cheap" or not). In any case, you can bet Tressel will absolutely have them ready. He's done it before...look at his bowl record.

"One game does not a season make"...you might try remembering that when you based your future predictions on the single NC game last year.

As a follow up, if they lose, they lose. The layoff period is something that has to be dealt with just like anything else, and saying it's an excuse is BS. It can be an explanation, but that is a VERY different thing than an excuse; either way, you won't hear it from me regardless of how OSU performs this year.

I expect Kansas to beat Missou in a squeaker, then promptly lose to Oklahoma. LSU is set to lose to Arkansas or Tennessee (Ga if they are left). LSU could have easily lost 2-3 more games. Then we have to watch WVa beat a pitiful team.
I hope to root for Kansas in a national title game, because everyone loves an underdog, but I expect WVa vs. Ohio State. We could root for WVa. just because Ohio State is universally disliked outside their geographical area.

Interesting year though.
vjout

larry,
I realize one game doesnt make a season and yes I did say that it is cheap for those conferences to get to the Rose Bowl without playing a championship game. OSU had theirs yesterday, and it was one of the most dissappointing games i had ever seen. All the hype and build up for one of the worst games this season. I do realize the weather sucked, but not as bad as that game did. I do believe OSU is good but I would not go that far with Michigan. They are garbage just like I thought. Appalachan State proved that at the beginning of the year. If they are number two in the conference, thats really gotta hurt for OSU.

By the way, I know the saying is that one game doesnt make the season, but it sure as hell can be a measuring stick for what youve got. In bowl games, one game is all you got. Make it count because it is what you are remembered for.

>>>f I understood the posts this year OSU is doomed to fail whether it goes against USC in the Rose or LSU in the Sugar.

Charles-

I am just hesitant to discount the Buckeyes (or any other team) this year based on what happened last year which is why I find a great deal of humor in many of the posts in the blog. IMHO a lot of what happened in last years' NC game wasn't due as much to the layoff as it was the Buckeyes viewing the game as a coronation. In short, they overlooked Florida because they believed their own press clippings just as Miami did against OSU in 2002 and USC did against Texas in 2005. Had they not we still would have beaten them but probably not as bad. I believe that we have the strongest conference but we are by no means invincible.

Also, USC is a mere shadow of its former self. Oregon or AZ State would be a better matchup for Ohio State. Oregon is still a very good team without Dickson but Leaf needs some time to shake off the rust. Oregon with Dickson would have given any team fits, including LSU.

LSU #1 - Conference championship games aren't about finding the "best" team...it's about one more opportunity to make money for the conference. Are you really trying to convice me that if Tennessee upsets your beloved Tigers in the SEC Championship Game that they are the "best" team? Get over it.

The NCAA doesn't allow a championship game for conferences that don't have 12 teams, but being the very smart person you are...you already knew that.

So I've got an idea for you (and MOST, but not all), of the SEC fans. Let's just have an imaginary national championship called, I don't know....the SEC Champion...and everyone else can play for "#2." That way, you'll always be assured of getting your due for having the: 1. Best conference; 2. A championship game; 3. Supercoach Nick Saban; 4. and all those big stadiums to fill by playing the Sisters of St. Mary wheelchair league as OOC opponents.