Sunday Evening Quarterback: Week 10
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by The Beast
Lessons
1. Karl Dorrell is finished at UCLA
Over the past few seasons in Westwood, UCLA fans have been calling for athletic director Dan Guerrero to ax head football coach Karl Dorrell. For all those Dorrell haters, you might finally be getting your wish. Prior to this season expectations for the Bruins were sky high as preseason magazines across the country labeled the Bruins as a legitimate threat to USC's BCS title hopes. Even the Los Angeles Times, predicted that the Bruins would be 11-0 prior to their December 1st meeting with the rival Trojans.
Three months later, the Bruins are in danger of missing a bowl game with Oregon, Arizona State, and USC awaiting. UCLA's last three weeks clearly showcase everything that has gone wrong with the Dorrell era, as inconsistency becomes their the mantra. On October 20th, the Bruins play extremely well at home against Cal in a 30-22 upset victory. Then they lost in consecutive weeks to Washington State and Arizona, two of the Pac Ten's worst teams. This inconsistent play been a repeating pattern throughout the Dorrell era.
So why all of the fuss now? Because the expectations were so high this past offseason. In the early years of Dorrell's tenure, the Bruins were pegged to finish in the middle of the conference and rarely received much votes for the top twenty-five. However, over this past offseason, Bruins fans across Southern California went out and bought Ben Olson jerseys, FUSC T-Shirts, and season tickets. All of the "new fans" and old boosters pointed to the fact that Bruins had just beaten USC 13-9 in addition to returning twenty starters on both sides of the ball. They expected this to be a ten win season but forgot that Karl Dorrell is still calling the shots in Westwood. The Bruins fans, who were celebrating in July, have now felt let down by their coach. They have seen their Bruins beat the likes of both USC and Cal but now might not even reach a bowl game. When expectations are high and teams fail his miserably, it's usually the coach that is axed. Provided a miracle happens and UCLA beats USC, Oregon, or Arizona State, it appears as if the Karl Dorrell era is quickly coming to an end.
2. There is something special about watching Navy
A November matchup between one win Notre Dame and a five hundred Navy team usually doesn't register on the national radar, unless you have a sweet deal with NBC. However, as the Navy-Notre Dame was winding down Saturday afternoon I was glued to my small television set just outside the L.A. Coliseum. Agree with me or not, but there is something special abut watching Navy play. All of Navy's players will be graduating in order to serve in the United States Navy, not to play for a professional football. These players epitomize the term "student athletes" Seeing those players run onto the field in celebration after forty-three years of failing to beat the Irish was truly a special site. For me, personally, seeing the Midshipmen end such a long lasting streak in dramatic fashion was a truly memorable site.
3. Ohio State is still relatively unproven
After ten weeks of the season, you would think that any college football analyst would have a pretty good feel for how a certain team is capable of performing and where it stands amongst the nation's elite. However, as the weeks pass on I still have no idea what to think of Ohio State. Yes, they have looked impressive in each of their ten victories this season but many have come against big time opponents. A team like Oregon has proven capable of winning on the road (Michigan) and beating legitimate top twenty-five teams (USC and Arizona State). Ohio State has yet to do either. Their road wins have come against mediocre Big Ten teams (Purdue and Penn State) and Pac Ten doormat Washington. Even more intriguing is the fact that the Buckeyes have failed to beat an AP top twenty-five team. All of their wins this season have come against Big Ten teams or below average MAC schools. With last season's loss to Florida still not so long ago, I have serious doubts of the Buckeyes measuring up to some of the other's nation faster and clearly better teams.
Player of the Week:
Darren McFadden, Arkansas. The Arkansas running back and Heisman Trophy candidate had 35 carries for an SEC record 323 yards and a touchdown.
Quote of the Week:
“If it comes down to everything being even and it’s X’s and O’s, I have to believe we’re going to win most of the time.”- Charlie Weis, 2005 Introductory Press Conference
Unless you're Charlie Weis, does anybody still believe this. It is not like Navy is so much more talented than the Irish.
Heisman Watch:
- 1. Dennis Dixon: Dixon continues to impress with another solid performance in a big game against Arizona State.
- 2. Darren McFadden: His record rushing performance gave new life to a previously dull Heisman campaign.
- 3. Matt Ryan: He was number one a week ago but three interceptions at home against an average Florida State team doesn't help much
- 4. Mike Hart: The Michigan tailback has been instrumental in bringing the Wolverines back into contention for the Rose Bowl.
- 5. Chase Daniel: Despite a loss to Oklahoma, the Missouri quarterback has been lights out this year.
My Top Ten:
- 1. Oregon
- 2. LSU
- 3. Ohio State
- 4. Oklahoma
- 5. West Virginia
- 6. Arizona State
- 7. Kansas
- 8. Missouri
- 9. Boston College
- 10. Virginia Tech
Looking Ahead
- 1. Can the USC defense, which had ten sacks against Oregon State, play as well *against Cal?
- 2. Will Michigan be looking ahead and lose next week against Wisconsin?
- 3. How will Matt Ryan and BC respond to their first loss this season?
- 4. Can UConn keep the train rolling next week at Cincinnati?
- 5. Is Kansas on upset alert next week at Oklahoma State?
