This Week in College Football: Gators In the Hunt
October 13th, 2006 by The Pundit[Cue The Pundit’s Patented Loud, Booming Voice, Pulsating Intro Music and Pyrotechnics]
So, 3-2 this week and 18-7 for the year. Hey, the Pundit will take it that record any day, especially when making a gutsy upset call against the USC Trojans. The only real shock to the Pundit was the futility displayed by Auburn (see below). Confidence… slightly bruised, but not broken after a tough week. By the way, if you picked Auburn to lose this weekend you are full of sh!t and you and the Pundit know it. Holla!
[Cue the drum roll]
THE PUNDIT’S POWER FIVE
1. Ohio State. The Bowling Green Eagles made for another bird defeathered courtesy of the Buckeyes. Can they do no wrong?
Next week’s opponent: Michigan State
Prediction: The Pundit doesn’t see the Buckeyes getting stopped here. Great teams take tough conference opponents and chew them up. And no one is even calling Michigan State tough this year. Ohio State by 3-4 TDs.
2. USC. The Huskies came very close in this one, which shows, if nothing else, that Ty Willingham can spark one-year turnarounds better than anyone in the game. The Pundit missed on the upset, but should get some props to have the sack to call it in the first place.
Next week’s opponent: Arizona State
Prediction: The Sun Devils’ horn and fork are somewhat dull this year. USC, with Dwayne Jarrett (right) back inb the lineup, shouldn’t have too much problem with them. Trojans by 21.
3. West Virginia. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are atrocious, so the Mountaineers get little love for beating a team that they are supposed to crush handily. The Pundit was expecting an bigger rout.
Next week’s opponent: Syracuse
Prediction: Syracuse has been playing better and the Mountaineers have been uninspired of late. West Virginia will struggle again, but will pull this one out in the second half. Mountaineers by 14.
4. Michigan. The Wolverines were on cruise control here as expected. Next victim, please!
Next week’s opponent: Penn State
Prediction: The Nittany Lions are tough, but they are missing the talent they had last year when they rose to the top of the Big Ten. This will be close, because Michigan is without Mario Manningham, who is a human highlight reel, but they should still win this one. Michigan by 10.
5. Florida. The Gators dominated the LSU Tigers! If you aren’t impressed with the quality of this Florida team now, the Pundit pities you. Interesting thought from the ESPN staff: All of the Gators big wins have been at home, and they are now on the road for the rest of their year. Can they sustain this level of excellence away from the Swamp? The Pundit doesn’t see undefeated season for Urban Meyer & Co., but they will come close. 
Next Week’s Opponent: Auburn
Prediction: The Tigers should be very fired up after losing to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Florida is on the road against one of the toughest defenses in the country. Hmm. Florida has been gutsy and have shown they can score on anybody, including one of the other top defenses in the country in LSU. Florida by seven, which will validate them as a legit contender.
Team Most Likely to Break Into the Top Five: Louisville (can we get the WVU game this week — PLEASE!?)
NOTE: The Pundit is not considering any non-undefeated teams for his Power Five. Realistically, undefeated teams are the only ones that matter in the hunt for the national title in the current BCS system, so the Pundit will continue to ignore one-loss teams as long as he can. If you are a fan of one of those teams, tough sh!t!
MOST RIDICULOUS STAT LINE OF THE WEEK
A battle of Sun Belt heavyweights, North Texas and Florida International, went to seven overtimes. The kickers for both teams then combined to missed eight field goals — in OT! Holy sh!t. Can you imagine sitting there watching that futility? They also missed some PATs during regulation! Come on now. Even the Pundit can make a PAT!
TEAMS THAT SHAT THE BED LAST WEEKEND
- Auburn. If two teams finish unbeaten this year (which the Pundit thinks is possible) the Tigers are done already. Get out the Shout stick!
- Florida State. What happened to the Seminoles? They can’t score points and acan’t lock anyone down on D? They might have to replace the mattress.
- Georgia. Not that the ‘Dawgs lost to some punk squad, but like Auburn, this put them out of the national title hunt. Props to the Vols, who are looking pretty good these days. Where’s the pooper scooper for UGA?
- Wake Forest. Okay, this not really fair of the Pundit, but they Deacons were still up on Clemson at home in the second half and couldn’t hold on. A win would have gotten them ranked and given them a shot to win the ACC. Think about that. Wake Forest as the ACC champs. That’s over now. It’s also time to change the sheets.
OREGON/NIKE TASTELESS, NASTY, F’UGLY UNIFORM ALERT
No contenders this week, but the San Diego Chargers’ throwback jerseys on Monday night weren’t the prettiest things the Pundit has ever seen.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Florida-Auburn. If Florida wins this and then wins out, they will be the only team that will even have a shot at Ohio State if the Buckeyes do the same. Ask yourself how many teams can beat LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, and Georgia in any one year (Georgia game is next week). Not many! Be there.
Rutgers-Navy. Rutgers has turned it around this year and has a bruising tailback that is fun to watch. The Midshipmen run the wishbone and have beaten some good teams. This matchup has no real value to it except to the fan that likes a good game when the conference games are a little boring.
AND THE WHAT THE F*#@?!?! AWARD GOES TO…
… The Auburn Tigers! Arkansas has sucked for the past 3-4 years… and beats Auburn at home to knock them of the SEC and national title hunt! The Pundit asks you, Tommy Tuberville & Co., what the f*#@?!?!
