Week 11 in Review

Week 11 Record
Straight Up: 5-6
Against the Spread:6-2

#3 Louisville (-6) at #15 Rutgers
My Prediction: UL - 31, RU - 24
Actual Result: RU - 28, UL - 25

Rutgers pulled off a stunning comeback to remain undefeated and possibly have a say in the national title race before it’s all said and done. I don’t think the “letdown” factored into this at all, as the Cardinals jumped all over the Scarlet Knights in the first half. You have to give Rutgers all the credit in the world for manning up and getting themselves back into the game. No gimmicks here. They ran the ball right at Louisville and played great defense after halftime.

Vanderbilt (+2.5) at Kentucky
MP: VU - 23, UK - 20
AR: UK - 38, VU - 26

I was convinced Vanderbilt was the better team before this game, having seen both teams a number of times this season. The Wildcats, meanwhile, may have proven that they’re not a fluke by winning a game that both teams needed desperately. I underestimated that offense, which took it to a pretty decent Vanderbilt defense late in the game to seal the win.

Alabama (+17) at #12 Louisiana State
MP: LSU - 21, UA - 10
AR: LSU - 28, UA - 14

As usual, the Tigers come out and quickly show you why they’re considered one of, if not the most, talented teams in the nation. But then, they proceed to play far below their capability and allow a mediocre Alabama team to keep the outcome somewhat in doubt for the duration of the ballgame. It’s what I predicted, sure, but that doesn’t make it any less maddening.

#13 Tennessee (+5.5) at #11 Arkansas
MP: UA - 27, UT - 21
AR: UA - 31, UT - 14

Tennessee continues to prove that they were overvalued after the way their offense played over the first several weeks of the season. I know they were starting a freshman at quarterback, but it was a freshman who had played well and made some big plays off the bench last week against a scary LSU defense. More importantly, I hope this game helps the rest of the nation realize just how good a player Darren McFadden really is.

South Carolina (+13) at #6 Florida
MP: UF - 20, USC - 16
AR: UF - 17, USC - 16

It’s just the same old song and dance for both teams. South Carolina plays an inspired game against a superior opponent, only to come up just short at the end. Florida does just enough against a team that really has no business being on the same field as them. Steve Spurrier put on a clinic as a playcaller, though. I hope Urban Meyer was taking notes on the sidelines.

#18 Wake Forest (+7) at Florida State
MP: FSU - 17, WFU - 14
AR: WFU - 30, FSU - 0

I really didn’t see this one coming, as much as I wanted the Demon Deacons to win this game. Florida State hits absolute rock bottom, with a empty stadium on national television, and they can’t do a single thing right in any phase of the game. Maybe Wake Forest is for real, but with the athletes they have, the Seminoles shouldn’t suffer a outcome like this against any team in the nation.

#21 Oregon (+5.5) at #7 Southern California
MP: USC - 34, OU - 20
AR: USC - 21, OU - 10

Another workmanlike effort from the Trojans. They obviously don’t have the firepower that we’re used to, so people may be undervaluing them a little bit right now. That Oregon State game lit a fire under them so, while I don’t think they’re going to light up the scoreboard any time soon, don’t be surprised if they run through this rough schedule the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I can’t believe I was so high on the Ducks only a few short weeks ago.

#3 Statesboro at Ware County
MP: SHS - 14, WCHS - 6
AR: WCHS - 20, SHS - 0

This outcome probably took a number of people by surprise. Because I was so used to seeing the Blue Devils at the top of the region standings at the end of the year, I failed to take note of the fact that the Gators have really turned it on since losing to Effingham early in the year. Both teams may have something significant to say when the postseason gets under way, though.

Liberty County at South Effingham
MP: LCHS - 21, SEHS - 10
AR: SEHS - 27, LCHS - 7

The run the Mustangs have gone on since getting drilled by Washington County probably goes to show you just how much more talent Bob Herndon was working with during his time in Guyton. I know South Effingham promoted from within, but they changed their offense and have seen it steadily improve in a year as good as any the young Mustang program has ever had.

#7 Marist at #9 St. Pius X
MP: MS - 24, SPX - 21
AR: MS - 31, SPX - 14

Not much of a surprise here. People seemed to forget about Marist after they gave the Tucker game away, what with region rivals Mays and St. Pius running unbeaten records up until very late in the season. All Marist did was win all of their remaining games, beating the two schools just mentioned, and take home another region crown.

Georgia (+13) at #5 Auburn
MP: AU - 28, UGA - 20
AR: UGA - 37, AU - 15

I’m sure this will be more than covered over the next couple of weeks. Georgia dominated Auburn, and I know they were the beneficiaries of a ton of mistakes, but they also committed more than their fair share. The key was Georgia’s ability to turn those mistakes into points and to prevent Auburn from cashing in on the Bulldogs’ own miscues. Beyond even that, this game was won in the trenches. Not only did Georgia run at will, but they also gave the quarterback all kinds of protection all day. Defensively, they pressured Brandon Cox into turnovers, getting to and rattling him early on.