College Football Week 13 Recap: Alabama and LSU Reach BCS Title Game, Denard Robinson Beats the Buckeyes.
By Ty Duffy
What will happen? We can presume the defenses will render the offenses ineffectual. Perhaps, if we’re really good between now in January, we might see a touchdown or two. The suspenseful element may still be the special teams. LSU is 5th in Special Teams Efficiency. Alabama is 67th.
The most interesting element may be how the AP votes afterward. The Coaches poll must select the BCS title winner as its national champion. The AP has no such obligation. If Alabama wins the BCS game by a field goal in overtime, are they the best team? Or is it LSU who won the regular season battle in Tuscaloosa, won the SEC title and has a more impressive resume?
The BCS maintains that every game counts. If the BCS is what makes every game “count,” none of next week’s games will count. Only one of last weekend’s games, the Iron Bowl, truly counted. The GAME OF THE CENTURY ended up not counting either. Alabama’s loss ended up earning them an easier route to the BCS title game.
Too Close to Call: Trent Richardson rolled over Auburn for 208 yards and a touchdown on 28 touches. Andrew Luck rebounded to toss touchdowns 32-35 in a 28-14 win against Notre Dame. Robert Griffin had three touchdowns in the first half, before being removed from the game with an apparent concussion. Montee Ball had 171 yards on 26 touches and another four touchdowns. Case Keenum torched what may be his toughest opponent of the season for 457 yards and five touchdowns. His team is 12-0. His TD-INT ratio is now 43-3. Good luck figuring that one out.
Rivalry Renewed: Michigan beat Ohio State and it was all Denard Robinson. The enigmatic all-purpose back has in the past been the Wolverines’ greatest liability, but, on Saturday, he was their greatest strength. He ran 26 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 14 of 17 passes for 167 yards and three more touchdowns. He bailed out the defense that had bailed him out so often. Without his effort we’d be analyzing another Michigan loss.
Michigan vs. Ohio State built Big Ten football. It’s no coincidence the conference’s perceived national import dipped with the rivalries. With both programs on the upswing, expect that to change. Mere competition added spice to one of sports’ greatest rivalries. So will conference and national title implications.
Commonwealth Cup: Talent met grit. Talent won overwhelmingly. Virginia needed a perfect game to win, but it was Virginia Tech that played one. The Hokies beat UVA at their own game, controlling the lines of scrimmage. David Wilson ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. The Cavaliers were held to just 30 yards on 26 carries. They also committed four turnovers. Frank Beamer has his eighth-straight 10-win season. Beating Clemson next weekend would secure his fourth ACC title in five years and all but guarantee his 15th top 20 finish since 1995.
Playoff Projection Using SRS
1. LSU (SEC) vs. 16. Arkansas State (Sun)
2. Alabama (-) vs. 15. Northern Illinois (MAC)
3. Oklahoma State (B12) vs. 14. Louisiana Tech (WAC)
4. Oregon (P12) vs. 13. West Virginia (BE)
5. Stanford (-) vs. 12. Virginia Tech (ACC)
6. Wisconsin (B10) vs. 11. TCU (MWC)
7. Oklahoma (-) vs. 10. Houston (CUSA)
8. Boise State (-) vs. 9. Michigan (-)
BCS Projection Using SOS and Hotel-Ticket Sales Ability
BCS Title: LSU vs. Alabama
Orange: Va Tech vs. LSU
Sugar: Michigan vs. Houston
Fiesta: Stanford vs. Oklahoma State
Rose: Wisconsin vs. Oregon
[Photo via Getty]