College Football Notebook: Michigan Zeros & Virginia Tech Heroes

9/8/2014

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Another riveting weekend of college football s behind us. Once again all the experts could not accurately predict all the mayhem and upsets. Certainly no one predicted the plight the Big 10 suffered. Heading into Saturday's action the one might conference had an opportunity to prove it' s strength nationally instead collectively the schools of the Big 10 fell well short.

The Middle Of The Pack

When you think Big 10 you think Michigan, Ohio State & Michigan State, we'll get to them in a minute. Early Saturday it was the middle of the road schools in the conference that were embarrassed.

First Purdue fell short at home against Central Michigan. A game not only the Boilermakers should have won but a game they should have won big. Things do not get easier for the derailed school as Notre Dame awaits them in Indianapolis this week.

Then North Western also lost at home to a lesser opponent in Northern Illinois. The Wildcats are in complete disarray as injuries have depleted their depth chart.

Although Iowa eventually did defeat the Akron Zips the game was not very pretty. Iowa struggled all day on both sides of the ball an are fortunate to get by the Zips.

If your a fan of the MAC you are extremely pleased with the play of their teams as they took two out of three against a formidable conference.

Ohio State Influx

Just a couple short weeks ago the Buckeyes were national favorite for a playoff birth. Yet time can be cruel and unforgiving. First Ohio State suffered a devastating loss at quarterback in Braxton Miller. Lost for the season the Heisman hopeful's injury has drastically changed the way the Buckeyes are received.

Saturday Ohio State hit an all new low losing to Virginia Tech at home. The Buckeyes with this loss may have not only cost them a shot at a national title but a conference championship as well. State's offense sputtered and stalled all evening and their defense was folded as if it was made of paper.

Urban Meyer faces his toughest test to date at Ohio State as he hope to salvage this season.

Michigan State Falls Short

Perhaps the most anticipated match up of the week was #4 Oregon hosting #7 Michigan State. This was an opportunity for State to lay their course to the playoffs. However after a terrific second quarter which put the Spartens on top and seemingly in control the tide turned. Mrk Dantonio's dominate defense was shredded like a fresh mozzarella at a pizza parlor. Oregon marched up and down the field at will in the second half. The Ducks defense earned some national respect as well as the Spartens offense was virtually non existent in the second half.

The good news for Michigan State after this loss is that they lost to a major contender. As they continue to play towards a Big 10 title their loss is far more forgivable or respectable at this time then Ohio State's or Michigan's loss.

Wolverines Out Classed

For the first time in this storied rivalry the Michigan Wolverines were embarrassed and shut out on national television against Notre Dame. Both schools are full of football tradition and as this series came to an end Saturday so to did any major Bowl hopes for the Wolverines.

Devon Gardner was punished and rushed all night by the Irish defense as they only seemed to allow him to work with star receiver Derrick Funchess. Every other aspect of Michigan's offense was almost non existent.

Irish quarterback Everett Golson had another career night throwing at will on the Wolverines. Golson threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns. His mistakes were limited as the Irish signal caller ha yet to throw an interception threw eight quarters this season.

Michigan head coach Brady Hoake may find himself on the hot seat the rest of the way. He ha failed to be a top 25 team on the road since he' arrived in Michigan.

AP Top
1 Florida State (38)
2 Oregon (16)
3 Alabama (1)
4 Oklahoma (2)
5 Auburn
6 Georgia
7 Texas A&M
8 Baylor
9 USC
10 LSU
11 Notre Dame
12 UCLA
13 Michigan State
14 Ole Miss
15 Stanford
16 Arizona State
17 Virginia Tech
18 Wisconsin
19 Kansas State
20 Missouri
21 Louisville
22 Ohio State
23 Clemson
24 South Carolina
25 BYU

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