A few weeks ago, USC fans were in mourning over a Thursday night loss to Oregon St., believing the season was over. On the AM 830 airwaves, caller after caller talked about the “disaster” and all that was left was “playing for the Rose Bowl.”….
Well, just a few weeks later, the top rated teams are falling and Troy is in the thick of the National Championship hunt….
On Saturday, the #1, #2 and #3 ranked teams all lost, moving the Trojans up to #6 and in excellent position….
In Gainesville, Tim Tebow and the Gators blew out LSU, 51-21, showing once again the superiority of the SEC….
In Columbia, Missouri was shocked by Oklahoma St, 28-23, damaging Chase Daniel’s Heisman hopes….
And in Dallas, #1 Oklahoma fell apart late and lost to Texas, 45-35….
As usual, college football is a crap shoot, with everything changing dramatically from week to week….
Even though USC’s offense did not play well in their 28-0 shutout of Arizona St, the defense was dominant and completely shut down the Sun Devils. Looking at the Trojans schedule, it seems unlikely they’ll lose. Of course, that’s what everyone was saying before their recent trip to Corvalis….
As for UCLA, they looked okay in their 31-24 loss at Oregon, but for the second time in two weeks their head coach screwed up royally and cost them a chance to win….
Two weeks ago, against Fresno St, the Bruins stopped the Bulldogs on a third-and-12, setting up a mid range field goal attempt. There was a holding penalty against Fresno on the play, but of course the Bruins would decline and hold the Bulldogs to three points….
Incredibly, Rick Neuheisel accepted the penalty and Fresno threw a TD pass on the next play; which turned out to be the difference in another Bruin loss….
On Saturday, it was incompetent clock management by Neuheisel which cost the Bruins dearly….
On UCLA’s first possession, they faced a third-and-1 on their own 40. Unbelievably, Neuheisel called a time out to challenge the spot on the previous play, which cost him dearly at the end of the half. He lost the challenge, of course, and also the precious time out….
With around three minutes left in the half and UCLA facing a third-and-4 at the Oregon 38, they allowed the play clock to run out, costing them five yards. After the penalty, it was again chaos on the sidelines and the play clock was under five seconds as the Bruins broke the huddle. QB Kevin Craft then wasted another time out and it was mass confusion….
UCLA then had to punt….
With less than a minute left, the Bruins were inside their own 10 and in trouble. Oregon had only two time outs, and used both of them on the possession, stopping the clock. UCLA then shockingly threw an incomplete pass, stopping the clock and giving the Ducks time after a UCLA punt….
Sure enough, Oregon threw a TD pass just before the half ended and it was 14-0 at halftime….
But Neuheisel wasn’t threw with the stupidity….
With 2:36 left, UCLA kicked a field goal, cutting the lead to 24-17. With two time outs left, surely UCLA would attempt an onside kick, wouldn’t they? It seemed like a no brainer, because one first down for Oregon and the game is over….
Once again, stupidity reigned and Neuheisel kicked deep….
On the Ducks first play, LeGarrette Blount ran 69 yards for a TD, putting the game away….
Wow, what a comedy of errors by UCLA’s coach….
