Hello, desert fans! Everybody okay? I know we have some
disappointed team aficionados; I feel for you. But, as time marches on, we
might be encouraged that we (yes, us, desert fans) are about half way through
the regular season, which means those in certain arid locations might be closer
to heading back to where we rightfully belong … ‘Nuff said!
Now to
the football teams and the games: Georgia looks like the team to beat—other
than regular powerhouse Alabama—after walloping Arkansas, 37 to 0. The Hogs had previously beaten Texas and
highly regarded Texas A & M, so some people (like me) thought that the
Razorbacks might provide more resistance. Nope. The Bulldog defense looks to be
one of the best college defensive times of all time, right now. Next on the
slate for the Georgia killers, their next victim, er, opponent: Auburn. The War
Eagle might actually put up some fight this Saturday afternoon. Best of luck to
the War Damners. The Tigers beat LSU, 24 -19 last week, so no one should sleep
on them. The previous one-score loss to Penn State on the road looks pretty
impressive still for Auburn, as now both the Nittany Lions and the Iowa
Hawkeyes are considered top notch, both in the top 5. And playing each other
this weekend.
As far as
prioritizing by ranking our seven Desert Fans’ squads, my BYU Cougars have
cracked the top 10 after handling the Utah State Aggies, 34 -20. They are now
second after Georgia! Running back Tyler Allgeier went beast mode with over two
hundred rushing yards against the second rival of the state, and second win.
The third string QB Jacob Conover helped score a bit more in the second half,
and we hope the first stringer Jaren Hall will be back to face the Inter-Mountain
West rival, Boise State Broncos (second string QB knocked right at the half
with concussion symptoms). While the Idaho flagship school, the Broncos, are
only 2-3, with some disappointing results thus far in 2021, they always have
pretty good talent[1].
Some former injured Cougars made it back onto the field, so there are hopes
that they are closer to full strength. BYU has not trailed all season, and they
have a few more Power 5 teams on their schedule. Should be interesting as
things shape up. Cincinnati has lesser talent to look forward to opposing, but
beating a former regarded good team in Indiana, and now Notre Dame makes them
look pretty good.
I waited
till this paragraph to touch on it more: the Notre Dame Irish fell to the
Cincinnati Bearcats, who I had underestimated. It was a close game; the QB who previously
downed the IU Hoosiers also was clutch for Cincinnati. He can beat you with his
legs, deceptive speed, when not making his throws. The Irish could not find the
offense like when they overwhelmed the Badgers, so they lost 13 -24. Notre Dame
now looks to rebound against the Virginia Tech Hokies, who are traditionally
well stocked with talent, but as we have discussed the whole Atlantic Coast
Conference seems to be down in 2021. Notre Dame can at least prove masters of
that conference with whom they have a multi-game yearly contract, despite their
distinct independent status.
Who is
best of the last three teams remaining that we root for: Clemson, Miami, or
Indiana? Not so fast Hoosiers: you look pretty lousy! The defense held up a
bit, but they were shut out for the first time since the year 2000 (technically
last century) 0 -24, in Happy Valley. The offense has been absent without leave,
the starting QB Penix has been injured and knocked out of a game/season for the
fourth year in a row. Things have to get better for them to have a chance at a
bowl of any kind. The Hoosiers thankfully have a bye this week; they have seven
more games to try to salvage a once promising season. All three losses were to
now top 10 opponents, sure, but the ways that they lost is discouraging
overall. And a good tailback (number two in carries) just declared that he is transferring
into the portal window, too. That is a bigger thing now in all college sports.
Others will have to step up.
Clemson
has fallen from the top 25! They played the former undefeated Boston College
Eagles and held on to win, 19 -13. While the offense continues to struggle in
production, the overall team is strong enough to get the victory. Quality win,
but not by much in terms of score. Looks as though the Tigers have a BYE
weekend.
Miami is
likely better than Indiana, possibly better than Clemson. I feel like if the
‘Canes lined up against my BYU Cougars, they would be a tough, tough, win. The
Hurricanes went up against UVAA, the Wahoos and lost in heart breaking fashion.
The game winning Field Goal went wide. I think left. Either way, the loss
leaves them at 2-3. Same as Indiana.
Next for Miami: a bye. Get better,
Mr. King et al. They got the horses to finish strong, right?
Last and
likely least, my Indiana Hoosiers. The QB who was doing mostly nothing against
the Nittany Lions has been knocked out; the future is not looking so great, as
noted above. Take the weekend off and try to finish this season strong.
Quick report on the service
academies: Air Force smothers the New Mexico Lobos, 38 – 10, Army loses to my
home state Ball State Cardinals, 16 – 28, and Navy ekes out a clutch win
against Central Florida Knights to get their first win in four games. Army
still ahead, at 4-1, and the Falcons are now 4-1 as well. The Commander’s Cup
may be close this year.
Last note about this weekend’s
toilet bowl: 0-6 Connecticut takes on 0-5 Massachusetts. Someone has to win! No ties since 1996, in case you were wondering.
I think the Huskies will take the Minutemen, but what does it matter, right?
In the end, why does anything matter? Okay, too cynical or
absurd a note to leave on. I will end
with:
Go, team! Finish this thing the right way, guys. Do your best, get
some rest. Have fun.
Till next week.
[1] As
a recent Boise resident told me, State has the “the nation’s winningest team”,
which I take to mean that the Broncos have the best winning percentage as a
program in all FBS football. They have not been around at this level, too long,
so maybe this tougher season will even some things out. Arguably Alabama, Ohio
State, Oklahoma, Southern California, and Notre Dame could makes some claims to
dominance, for sure.
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