It was arguably the game of the year in college football. It was certainly further evidence that the Pac-10 is back as a national conference.
After two overtimes and a touchdown with six seconds left in regulation, the Oregon Ducks outlasted Arizona 44-41 to take control of the Pac-10.
For a while, the stars seemed to align for Arizona. California upset Stanford during the the third quarter of the Wildcats' game, bumping one Pac-10 peer from Rose Bowl contention. Meanwhile, Arizona shrugged off a 14-0 deficit to take a 24-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
However, Oregon then rallied with 17 points in the final frame, including a highlight-worthy touchdown pass from Jeremiah Masoli to Ed Dickson with six seconds left that deflated the home crowd and dispersed the students, who had emerged nearby to storm the field.
Ohio State and Michigan may grab the headlines this fine November Saturday, but focus should also shift to the also-relevants, those programs like Arizona and Oregon and surging Clemson. We have no choice, really, since Florida and Alabama slotted in tomato cans Chattanooga and Florida International. For additional inspiration, look to the Big Tenleven's newest hackneyed rivalry between Penn State and Michigan State.
As usual we'll be here to talk about whats going on as its going on. So come on down, hit the keypad a little and join the conversation in the FanHouse Saturday College Football Chat starting at 3 PM Eastern.
After some competitive games last weekend, college football's powers are oddly synced in lining up the hapless for an uncivilized slaughter. Florida hosts Florida International. Alabama hosts Chattanooga. Texas hosts mutinous Kansas. TCU travels to Wyoming. Boise State travels to Utah State. Combined opponent records? 22 and 28 (.440). This is not good for the competitive image of college football. Like a frustrated Pete Carroll we want to ask, 'what's your deal?'
If that's not interesting conversation, perhaps the ugly hot seat discussions around Bobby Bowden and Mark Mangino will satisfy your taste for mid-day blood as distraction from the rat race. Man drama, embrace it! Point being, lets talk -- college football. You, me, some other FanHouse college football writers. This week's Midweek College Football Chat commences at 2 PM Eastern, chat application after the jump.
Saturday was to be the college football return for embattled Oregon tailback LeGarrette Blount, but a funny thing happened along the way -- the Ducks never found a need for him in an impressive 44-21 victory over Arizona State.
The 44 points marked the fourth straight game Oregon's red-hot offense has scored 42 or more. Meanwhile, the cold night at Autzen Stadium seemingly prompted the Duck coaching staff to give Blount -- suspended since Sept. 4 for punching a Boise State player and refusing to leave the stadium peacefully -- the cold shoulder.
One of the best conference races in college football has been the one going down in the Pac-10. Heading into today, five teams were still competing for a shot at the Rose Bowl: Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State, Arizona and USC. Stanford's wood-shedding of USC eliminated one contender in a big way, and Cal likely did Arizona the honors in bumping the Wildcats 24-16.
Arizona, of course, is the only team in the league not to have gone to the Rose Bowl. The fact has been a nagging itch for the Wildcat football program, desperate for consistency and a trip to Pasadena to hang their hat on.
The Wildcats likely won't get it in 2009.
Cal kept quarterback Nick Foles and the Wildcat offense in check throughout, limiting Arizona to just 17 first downs and 276 yards. Its a disappointing elimination for Arizona, which had won three in a row including a wild victory over surging Stanford, 43-38.
Like a star collapsing under its own weight, USC's football program is rapidly collapsing in on itselft under coach Pete Carroll.
For the second time in three weeks, USC was beaten. Badly. This time by Stanford, which walloped the Trjoans 55-21. The point total was the most ever surrendered at home by the Trojans; Pete Carroll's unbeaten November win streak went by the wayside.
Of course, the points surrendered record wasn't exactly something out of the yellowing pages of history. That record was an august two weeks old. Oregon beat Carroll by 27 on Halloween, 47-20 (tripling the previous record loss, 11 points, to Notre Dame in 2001). Saturday, Stanford did the Ducks eight points better.
ESPN College GameDay is at TCU for their battle with last year's darling, Utah. Unbeaten Cincinnati barely survived a home battle with West Virginia last night. Later today, Iowa and Ohio State face off to determine who goes to the Rose Bowl. Elsewhere, a resurgent Pac-10 is home to several critical conference battles in a wacky race. Yeah, its a good weekend for college football and we're going to enjoy this.
With all that on the docket, be sure to cherish a fine Saturday like this and keep the computer nearby. As usual College Football FanHouse is hosting a mid-day chat while immersed in the day's events. The chat commences at 3 PM Eastern, chat application after the jump.
Four weeks. Four weeks of games and then this muddy mess of a 2009 college football regular season is over. Meanwhile, an uncomfortable six teams remain undefeated. Until all that construction dust settles, and maybe afterward, we're left with angst and BCS drama as the politicking plays out. Lovely stuff.
This weekend should hopefully sort some of that out but in the meantime we've got opinions we'd like to share (pssst, Cincy won't get my BCS vote, not after letting Connecticut drop 45 on them last week), you've got yours. Its Thursday which means lets amicably sort it all out in the weekly FanHouse College Football Chat. You know the drill, chat starts at 2 PM Eastern, chat application after the jump, do join us.
Cal's electric tailback Jahvid Best, once a Heisman Trophy candidate was diagnosed with a concussion after taking a serious spill against Oregon State Saturday night. Midway through the second quarter, Best rose high into the air to hurdle Oregon State safety Cameron Collins on the way to a touchdown, but fell onto his back and neck and was left immobile from the play.
Best's helmet flew off from the impact with the ground and his arms immediately went stiff.
The running back was carted off the field on a stretcher and transported to a local emergency room for observation. According to Cal spokesman Herb Benenson, Best had feeling in all his extremities but suffered a concussion.
Best suffered what the team called a "mild concussion" last week against Arizona.
But coach Jeff Tedford said all other tests were negative.
For at least one Saturday, college football's prime time doesn't carry the headliner. Instead, it's the mid-day shift featuring games between LSU and Alabama and Ohio State and Penn State. Wouldn't you know, those overlap with our weekly FanHouse Saturday chat.
Elsewhere, its a quiet weekend at first glance but 11 ranked teams are on the road, something worth monitoring. So, swing on by and join us and our writers in an ongoing discussion through the middle of the the day. Chat (3 PM Eastern) application after the jump.
It was arguably the game of the year in college football. It was certainly further evidence that the Pac-10 is back as a national conference.
Ohio State and Michigan may grab the headlines this fine November Saturday, but focus should also shift to the also-relevants, those programs like Arizona and Oregon and surging Clemson. We have no choice, really, since Florida and Alabama slotted in tomato cans Chattanooga and Florida International. For additional inspiration, look to the Big Tenleven's newest hackneyed rivalry between Penn State and Michigan State.
After some competitive games last weekend, college football's powers are oddly synced in lining up the hapless for an uncivilized slaughter. Florida hosts Florida International. Alabama hosts Chattanooga. Texas hosts mutinous Kansas. TCU travels to Wyoming. Boise State travels to Utah State. Combined opponent records? 22 and 28 (.440). This is not good for the competitive image of college football. Like a frustrated Pete Carroll we want to ask, 'what's your deal?'
Saturday was to be the college football return for embattled Oregon tailback 
One of the best conference races in college football has been the one going down in the Pac-10. Heading into today, five teams were still competing for a shot at the Rose Bowl: Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State, Arizona and USC. Stanford's 
Like a star collapsing under its own weight, USC's football program is rapidly collapsing in on itselft under coach 
ESPN College GameDay is at TCU for their battle with last year's darling, Utah. Unbeaten Cincinnati barely survived a home battle with West Virginia last night. Later today, Iowa and Ohio State face off to determine who goes to the Rose Bowl. Elsewhere, a resurgent Pac-10 is home to several critical conference battles in a wacky race. Yeah, its a good weekend for college football and we're going to enjoy this.
Four weeks. Four weeks of games and then this muddy mess of a 2009 college football regular season is over. Meanwhile, an uncomfortable six teams remain undefeated. Until all that construction dust settles, and maybe afterward, we're left with angst and BCS drama as the politicking plays out. Lovely stuff.
Cal's electric tailback 
For at least one Saturday, college football's prime time doesn't carry the headliner. Instead, it's the mid-day shift featuring games between LSU and Alabama and Ohio State and Penn State. Wouldn't you know, those overlap with our weekly FanHouse Saturday chat.
