LSU LOOKS LIKE #1, 120TH BORDER WAR GAME MIGHT BE THE LAST & AN EXTENSIVE NFL INJURY LIST
I thought Arkansas had a legitimate shot in Baton Rouge, but after 4 quarters of action, it was clear they didn't. Final score 41-17, LSU outscored the Razorbacks 20-3 in the second half & it really wasn't that close. It was clear to me LSU is the #1 team in the nation. What was also made crystal clear was the Tigers aren't loaded with NFL talent on offense, a couple of O-linemen & 2 wideouts maybe, but their running game is excellent & LSU has real depth. They run fresh players at their opponents & this is a big part of their success. One more thing, their special team play is the best I've seen. When you add a smothering defense with probably the best secondary around, this is the best team no question. I can't see a way Georgia can beat them in the SEC Championship game & whoever is matched against them in the BCS title game, good luck.
Tyrann Mathieu returns a punt 92-yards
Houston's Case Keenum led the Cougars to a perfect regular season after whipping Tulsa 48-16. The game was close for a half, Houston lead 13-10 at intermission, but Keenum came out smoking in the third quarter & 35-points later, they had their undefeated season. He threw for 457-yards, 5 touchdowns & no picks. It was Keenum's 12th 5-touchdown pass performance in his career at Houston. Senior wideout Patrick Edwards had another monster day catching 4 touchdown passes in his 181-yards receiving. He made one of the great comebacks from severe injury in recent college football history & I have so much respect for what the former walk-on has accomplished since breaking his leg in about 27 pieces in 2008 at Marshall. Providing 9-2 Southern Miss holds serve today against 2-9 Memphis, they'll be Houston's opponent in the Conference-USA championship game next week. With a win, Houston will be this season's BCS buster.
Edwards carted off in '08 at Marshall
Tonight's annual battle for L.A. supremacy pitting UCLA against USC has an added dimension. Yes UCLA has already won the PAC-12 South because Arizona State & Utah both lost Friday & USC should have won it except they're in the last season of a post season ban, it's not that. In the West Coast's most bitter rivalry, we have two players, one on each team, that will be on opposite sidelines for the first time & they have quite a history. USC junior safety T.J. McDonald, #7, will face a UCLA squad that has another #7, redshirt freshman safety Tevin McDonald, his brother. They're the sons of former USC & Forty-Niner safety Tim McDonald, who was a Pro Bowl performer, won a Super Bowl & also wore #7 in both his stops. T.J. has pro potential to be sure, but I haven't watched Tevin's play so far this season. I will tonight.
The 120th Border War will take place today in Arrowhead Stadium at 2:30 this afternoon. It could be the last time these bitter rivals face off in what is the nations second longest rivalry. It's a very sad day for me & thousands of college football fans who appreciate great tradition. I plan to enjoy every second of this game, I'm really going to miss it. The only thing that will make it tolerable would be a 30+ point win by the Tigers, which I expect. It could also be KU coach Turner Gill's last game, his 5-18 record might force the administration to look elsewhere for help rebuilding their program. Regardless, I expect the Jayhawks to play their hearts out trying to hand Mizzou their final Big-12 defeat.
A salute to Blue Springs(our old hometown) South High School who defeated St. Louis Christian Brothers High 40-37 to win the Missouri State 6A class championship. Blue Springs & Kansas City Rockhurst have dominated this class for more than a decade & once again they're champs. BSS was lead by Connor Harris who scored 2 touchdowns, kicked 2 field goals & intercepted two passes playing both ways. As we watched this game it became apparent the Christian Brothers' QB, Dalton Demos has a big future as a college quarterback. The kid can spin the ball & what an arm. I didn't see him throw any touch passes but he did throw rockets while rolling right & left. Every throw is almost all arm, he'll need to incorporate a core & legs into his throwing motion, but the kid has real talent. He's yet to sign a letter of intent, but Mizzou, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Miami, Ole Miss, Tulsa & Michigan State have made offers. Keep an eye out for this young talent. And to the South Jaguars.....Congratulations!
Connor Harris of Blue Springs South High
Todd Haley said on Friday newly acquired quarterback Kyle Orton would most likely be inactive as the Chiefs' third QB for their Sunday night game vs. Pittsburgh. He didn't arrive in Kansas City until Friday afternoon & had to undergo a physical, so no practice time. I expect he'll get the bulk of the first team snaps beginning Monday so he'll be ready to start against the Bears next Sunday.
Lions' defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh made a "real" apology Friday night. His explanation of his actions that led him to be thrown out of Thursday's game against Green Bay fell on deaf ears. He showed little contrition & the team preceded his apology with a strongly worded one of their own. He statement followed within an hour. I think Suh will get a substantial fine, something in the $100K range, plus a 2-game suspension. He needs to sit down for a while & think about how his actions have hurt his team's chances of making the playoffs. I really like this kid, but he was completely out of control Thursday & if he can't find some personal discipline, I think he's going to find himself sitting more & playing less.
The NFL injury list is extensive so let's get on with it. Michael Vick, Jeremy Maclin, & Nnamdi Asomugha missed practice again on Friday & all should be considered doubtful for Philly's game with New England. Darren McFadden will miss at least one more game, possibly two as he tries to rehab a foot sprain. Other Raiders carrying the "doubtful" tag are wide receivers Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore & Darius Heyward-Bey. Rams right tackle Jason Smith was placed on injured reserve because he hasn't been able to pass the required tests after sustaining a concussion 4 weeks ago. Detroit running back Jahvid Best was placed on I.R. for the same reason. Minnesota's Adrian Peterson was labeled "very, very doubtful" by head coach Leslie Frazier. Pittsburgh OLB Lamar Woodley will most likely give his ailing hamstring one more week to rest, they can handle the Chiefs playing in their street clothes.
Tyrann Mathieu returns a punt 92-yards
Houston's Case Keenum led the Cougars to a perfect regular season after whipping Tulsa 48-16. The game was close for a half, Houston lead 13-10 at intermission, but Keenum came out smoking in the third quarter & 35-points later, they had their undefeated season. He threw for 457-yards, 5 touchdowns & no picks. It was Keenum's 12th 5-touchdown pass performance in his career at Houston. Senior wideout Patrick Edwards had another monster day catching 4 touchdown passes in his 181-yards receiving. He made one of the great comebacks from severe injury in recent college football history & I have so much respect for what the former walk-on has accomplished since breaking his leg in about 27 pieces in 2008 at Marshall. Providing 9-2 Southern Miss holds serve today against 2-9 Memphis, they'll be Houston's opponent in the Conference-USA championship game next week. With a win, Houston will be this season's BCS buster.
Edwards carted off in '08 at Marshall
Tonight's annual battle for L.A. supremacy pitting UCLA against USC has an added dimension. Yes UCLA has already won the PAC-12 South because Arizona State & Utah both lost Friday & USC should have won it except they're in the last season of a post season ban, it's not that. In the West Coast's most bitter rivalry, we have two players, one on each team, that will be on opposite sidelines for the first time & they have quite a history. USC junior safety T.J. McDonald, #7, will face a UCLA squad that has another #7, redshirt freshman safety Tevin McDonald, his brother. They're the sons of former USC & Forty-Niner safety Tim McDonald, who was a Pro Bowl performer, won a Super Bowl & also wore #7 in both his stops. T.J. has pro potential to be sure, but I haven't watched Tevin's play so far this season. I will tonight.
The 120th Border War will take place today in Arrowhead Stadium at 2:30 this afternoon. It could be the last time these bitter rivals face off in what is the nations second longest rivalry. It's a very sad day for me & thousands of college football fans who appreciate great tradition. I plan to enjoy every second of this game, I'm really going to miss it. The only thing that will make it tolerable would be a 30+ point win by the Tigers, which I expect. It could also be KU coach Turner Gill's last game, his 5-18 record might force the administration to look elsewhere for help rebuilding their program. Regardless, I expect the Jayhawks to play their hearts out trying to hand Mizzou their final Big-12 defeat.
A salute to Blue Springs(our old hometown) South High School who defeated St. Louis Christian Brothers High 40-37 to win the Missouri State 6A class championship. Blue Springs & Kansas City Rockhurst have dominated this class for more than a decade & once again they're champs. BSS was lead by Connor Harris who scored 2 touchdowns, kicked 2 field goals & intercepted two passes playing both ways. As we watched this game it became apparent the Christian Brothers' QB, Dalton Demos has a big future as a college quarterback. The kid can spin the ball & what an arm. I didn't see him throw any touch passes but he did throw rockets while rolling right & left. Every throw is almost all arm, he'll need to incorporate a core & legs into his throwing motion, but the kid has real talent. He's yet to sign a letter of intent, but Mizzou, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Miami, Ole Miss, Tulsa & Michigan State have made offers. Keep an eye out for this young talent. And to the South Jaguars.....Congratulations!
Connor Harris of Blue Springs South High
Todd Haley said on Friday newly acquired quarterback Kyle Orton would most likely be inactive as the Chiefs' third QB for their Sunday night game vs. Pittsburgh. He didn't arrive in Kansas City until Friday afternoon & had to undergo a physical, so no practice time. I expect he'll get the bulk of the first team snaps beginning Monday so he'll be ready to start against the Bears next Sunday.
Lions' defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh made a "real" apology Friday night. His explanation of his actions that led him to be thrown out of Thursday's game against Green Bay fell on deaf ears. He showed little contrition & the team preceded his apology with a strongly worded one of their own. He statement followed within an hour. I think Suh will get a substantial fine, something in the $100K range, plus a 2-game suspension. He needs to sit down for a while & think about how his actions have hurt his team's chances of making the playoffs. I really like this kid, but he was completely out of control Thursday & if he can't find some personal discipline, I think he's going to find himself sitting more & playing less.
The NFL injury list is extensive so let's get on with it. Michael Vick, Jeremy Maclin, & Nnamdi Asomugha missed practice again on Friday & all should be considered doubtful for Philly's game with New England. Darren McFadden will miss at least one more game, possibly two as he tries to rehab a foot sprain. Other Raiders carrying the "doubtful" tag are wide receivers Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore & Darius Heyward-Bey. Rams right tackle Jason Smith was placed on injured reserve because he hasn't been able to pass the required tests after sustaining a concussion 4 weeks ago. Detroit running back Jahvid Best was placed on I.R. for the same reason. Minnesota's Adrian Peterson was labeled "very, very doubtful" by head coach Leslie Frazier. Pittsburgh OLB Lamar Woodley will most likely give his ailing hamstring one more week to rest, they can handle the Chiefs playing in their street clothes.
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