Saturday Spotlight: Week 6
by Eric Loomis
The Saturday Spotlight Returns for Week 6 to take a look at the week that was in top 25 action and how those involved in last week’s upsets moved on.
A week after the college football world was rocked by a series of stunning upsets there were many teams looking for redemption and a handful full looking to build on the momentum they gained last week. Let’s take a look at who got it done this week in the quick hits
Quick Hits:
The nation’s new No. 2 team Alabama survived a close one this week as they were able to fend off Kentucky 17-14. Once again the Crimson Tide were able to jump to an early first quarter lead, but unlike their upset victories over Georgia and Clemson they were not able to build on it. This is a big win for Alabama simply because they proved to themselves they can win tough games when they aren’t at their best, that is a mark of a great team.
The Big Ten had some great in conference action this week as the three teams who many predicted would win the conference were all in action, including a prime time match up between Ohio State and Wisconsin. Many picked Wisconsin to knock off the Buckeyes here and use that momentum to potentially climb to a Big Ten title, but Terrelle Pryor had other plans. The sensational freshman lifted his team onto his back and did his best Vince Young impersonation, leading a fourth quarter drive for the winning score. Pryor is going to be scary for Big Ten fans in years to come, but the only thing more scary then the super freshman this season is Penn State.
The Nittany Lions walked into Purdue this weekend and dismantled the Boilermakers. Though it was not a blow out score, they went on the road dominated a solid opponent for 60 minutes on both sides of the ball. This team is for real.
Both USC and Florida managed to rebound nicely from their crushing upset losses of a week ago. USC came out like a team possessed as they lit up 23rd ranked Oregon 44-10. Florida laid a 31-point beating on Arkansas and managed to keep their hopes alive for an SEC title.
The teams that did the upsetting last week did not fair so well this time around. Ole Miss, Oregon State, Duke, Maryland and Michigan were all among the teams who pulled stunning upsets last week and this week they all got beat and in some cases beat soundly. The failure to capture the momentum of a big win has to have fans of these teams scratching their heads.
The big three of the Big 12 conference continued to roll. Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas all coasted to wins over conference foes this weekend and the hype around all three continues to build. If one of these teams can survive playing the other two without taking a loss it will be remarkable.
Upset Alert:
While there were not the big shocker’s of last Saturday, this week in the upset department there were some good teams who got knocked off.
Pitt was able to end USF’s undefeated campaign on Thursday night, taking down the 10th ranked Bulls by a score 26-21. Pitt has continued to under achieve in recent years, but they always seem to find a way to take down a ranked team.
North Carolina was able to add another notch to their belt as they took down No. 24 UConn. Connecticut was undefeated but had not faced a real test until making their way to Chapel Hill and after this performance it is safe to say the schedule may have had more than a little bit to do with their undefeated record.
Hawaii held on in over time to take down the No. 22 ranked Fresno State Bulldogs. This is a huge win for the Hawaii program going forward. Now that June Jones and Colt Brennan are gone this team needs something to identify itself by and this win is a step in the right direction
In perhaps the biggest upset story of the week Vanderbilt was able to ride it out and hang on to take down SEC foe and No. 13 Auburn. The Commodores fought back from an early 13-point deficit and proved why they are ranked in the top 20 as they moved in to first place in the SEC East. Vanderbilt is 5-0 and 3-0 so far in the SEC. Let that one sink in for a minute.
Spotlight Game of the Week:
This week had plenty of great finishes and come backs but it was one game, deep in the heart of Florida that stood out the most. Whenever Miami and Florida State hook up it is always a heated affair and this Saturday was no different. The two teams went back and forth in the second half as Miami tried to climb back from a 24-3 deficit. Young quarterbacks Robert Marve and Christian Ponder dueled in the pouring rain in a great game that came down to a last second onside kick attempt.
Spotlight MVP:
QB-Todd Reesing-Kansas
This week the MVP award goes to a guy who is never going to be the biggest guy on the field, but has the heart enough for two players. Kansas QB Todd Reesing is among the most exciting players in all of college football despite standing well below six feet tall. This week he was able to lead is Jayhawks to a miraculous 20 point comeback in a win over Iowa State. Reesing threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns in leading his team back from the brink.
Spotlight LVP:
RT-Chris Marinelli-Stanford
Marinelli started off the week with a bang, by saying some very inflamatory things about Notre Dame University, it’s football team, and people of Irish Catholic faith in general. He issued a half sincere apology by mid-week, but the damage had already been done. Marinelli questioned the Notre Dame defense, calling them out for having only one sack on the season. The Fighting Irish responded in a big way, collecting five sacks in a win over Stanford and Marinelli himself was responsible on a penalty or two.
That’s going to be all for the spotlight this week. If you have any thing you would like to say about The Saturday Spotlight send an email to ericloomis@newerascouting.com and your feedback may be used in a future edition of The Saturday Spotlight.