The BCS Isn't About Football

The BCS isn't about the football
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Oregonian

With Sunday's release of the first set of Bowl Championship Series standings we can dispense with the disingenuous fiction that the BCS system enhances the importance of the regular season.

BCS apologists claim every regular-season game is like a playoff round, because one loss can knock you out of the running for the national championship.

Not true for Ohio State, blown out by USC this season 35-3 and ranked ninth in the BCS standings.

Not true for USC, beaten at Oregon State this season and ranked fifth in the BCS standings.

Not true for Oklahoma, beaten by Texas this season and ranked fourth in the BCS standings.

It is true for schools from the non-power conferences. That explains why Brigham Young, which suffered its only loss of the season to Texas Christian, is 21st.

TCU (7-1) is ranked No. 15 by The Associated Press and no slouch. Losing on the road to the Horned Frogs shouldn't be a disgrace, but that didn't help BYU.

I think Oregon State is ill-served by the BCS, too. More on that later.

The real purpose of the BCS is for the six major conferences (Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pacific-10 and Southeastern) and the major bowl games (Fiesta, Orange, Sugar and Rose) to hog as much of the postseason money and television exposure as possible.

A playoff system, particularly one including 20 teams -- the Championship Subdivision (I-AA) moves to a 20-team playoff in 2010 -- would threaten this monopoly. So the bowls and the BCS conferences fight like cornered rats any time a playoff is proposed.

To prevent it, college football's fat cats created a Byzantine set of rules slightly more complicated than the federal tax code, using two polls and six computer rankings to determine the two teams to play for the national title.

BYU and TCU belong to the mid-major Mountain West Conference. Unless the stars align perfectly, neither ever will get a sniff at the BCS title game.

Utah (8-0), another Mountain West member, probably won't either, even though the Utes have beaten Oregon State, the team that beat USC. The Mountain West is 8-5 this season in games against schools from BCS conferences.

The Mountain West gets snubbed not because of anything that happened on the field, but because it doesn't contain a Los Angeles or San Francisco-sized television market.

The supposedly objective, nonemotional, entirely rational computer component of the BCS rankings often is unintentionally hilarious. Take this week, when the computer average ranked Ohio State fifth and USC 10th.

Talking to reporters Sunday, USC coach Pete Carroll asked: "How does that happen?"

How, indeed.

Of course, college football programs are not static. The Buckeyes were missing their best running back and starting a different quarterback when USC took them apart in September. Maybe Ohio State is worthy now.

Which brings us to the Beavers. Oregon State (4-3) started slowly, losing a close game at Stanford, getting pounded at Penn State and losing another nail-biter at Utah.

The Beavers often start slowly. They don't match up well in the recruiting wars because of their relatively remote campus and limited resources.

Coach Mike Riley and his staff compensate by doing an exceptional job of locating and evaluating prospects others have missed. Then they develop their long-shot recruits into good major-college players.

It's not always a quick process, but the Beavers seem to improve as much as anybody from the first quarter of the opener to the fourth quarter of the bowl game. By the end of the season, Riley's teams usually are as dangerous as coiled rattlers.

That doesn't mean much when a three-loss team has been shunted out of the BCS picture by the first week of October. But if the Beavers were to run the table this year and finish 9-3, it's interesting to wonder what they might do in a 20-team playoff.

It's a pipe dream. Slow-starting teams that finish fast have about as much chance of crashing the sterile BCS world of polls and computer programs as a mid-major.

But OSU does have one advantage over BYU and TCU.

As members of the Pac-10, the Beavers get a chunk of Rose Bowl loot no matter how well they finish. As the BCS teaches us, it's not about the football.

It's about the money.
Ken Goe: 503-221-8040; kengoe@news.oregonian.com

Should ESPN'S Talking Heads Influence The NC Game?

Should ESPN announcers really try to influence who will play in the National Title Game, or should they just announce games and give fair and impartial analysis?

In my opinion with so much football left they should stick to their jobs and stop trying to sway voters as to who should play in the NC game.

The BCS games are more than just bowl games and a national title, they are huge sums of money to both the teams and their conferences. The conferences than can get two teams into a BCS Bowl fair much better than those with only one team at the " Big Party. "

This least weekend during on of the many different recap shows covering college football, had Kirk Herbstriet and some other talking heads tying to influence who should play for the National Title.

This coming weekend has the undefeated Nitnay Lions of Penn State pitted against the 1 loss Ohio State Buckeyes. Given the current records of the other Big 10 teams, this game may very well determine the Big 10 Conference Champion.

Kirk a Big 10 homer and former Buckeye quarterback not only points that out, but he and his cronies take it a step further. It is their contention that the winner of this game, should be in the NC game. Very premature, why are he and his cronies trying to sell this can of malarkey, just homerism? Sure and money, more money for his conference.

Lets review possible outcomes from Penn versus the Buckeyes. Should Penn win, they remain undefeated maintaining their #3 spot in the polls, providing numbers 1 and 2 stay undefeated and have the drivers seat in the conference title race. But does this qualify them for the national title game? I don't see how, their SOS is weak compared to teams in the Big 12 and in the SEC.

If Herb's former team the Buckeyes win, should they as a 1 loss team be there? I don't see why? USC proved Ohio State was overrated when they destroyed the Buckeyes back in Sept. If USC wins out, Herb wants his Ohio State team playing for the title instead of So. Cal I don't see how a win over Penn State erases the win of the Trojans over his Buckeyes.

Should #1 Texas and #2 Alabama finish the season with a perfect record, doesn't it only make sense to match them in the NC Game?

It is the same bias we saw in 2006. it wasn't fair then and it isn't fair now. The talking heads favoring the Big Ten Conference.

During the regular season Ohio State won a tight game over Michigan who finished the season with just the one loss. Ohio State was the only undefeated BCS team of the year.

Kirk and his cohorts quickly went to work lobbying, through their TV positions that the title game should be a rematch of Ohio State and Michigan. Making the 2006 Fiesta Bowl NC game a show case for the Big 10.

Urban Myer, coach for the Florida Gators took his case for his 1 loss team public, challenging the BCS decision makers.

Myer won, The Gators took on The Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2006 Championship Game played in the Fiesta Bowl. Yes there were two Fiesta Bowls that year, the regular Fiesta Bowl and the NC Fiesta Bowl.

For those that don't remember or didn't see the game between the Gators and Ohio State, it started out with an electrifying kick off return for 6 by the Buckeyes. After that is was all Florida State, crushing Ohio State 41 - 14

It is my opinion when Herbie and his pals continue year after year pushing Ohio State and the Big 10 down the throats of the voters and the fans, they create a backlash of resentment against the very team and conference he wishes to promote.

In conclusion Herbie, do your job as a football commentator and analyst, let the rest sort itself out. There is alot of money at stake, let the teams that earn it win it. There is more to college football and the Big 10. Every time you use your TV position to promote both over other teams and conferences, you do both your team and conference a disservice.

TCU Horned Frogs Unmask BYU's Cougars

Thursday night BYU entered the Horned Frogs stadium with nations longest winning streak of 16 games and ranked #9th in the polls and the favored BCS Buster.

BYU appeared to be unstoppable, allowing only 17 points in their previous 4 games, they had two shutout/blowouts over UCLA and their conference mate, Wyoming. Ranked in the top 10 and leading their conference they now faced TCU whose only loss was to Oklahoma.

Certainly this game would be BYU's first serious test, one that most felt the Cougars would pass with flying colors. In 16 consecutive quarters of football, the Cougs had held their opponents to less than 2 points per quarter.

Yet 16 minutes into the game the TCU Horned Frogs accomplished what the previous 4 adversaries had failed to do. Not only did TCU have the lead, they scored more than the other 4 teams combined. TCU scored the first 26 points and put BYU in unfamiliar territory, for the first time this season the Cougars were behind by more than 7 points.

Was this the symmetry of fate? Back tracking to 2006, The BYU Cougars visited the TCU Horned Frogs in Fort Worth facing a tough TCU team sporting the nations longest winning streak of 13. That game saw the Horn ed Frogs steak end and marked the start of BYU's winning streak that ended on October 16, 2008, the place where is started.

TCU's defense had a statement game, facing Max Hall the BYU quarterback. Hall was leading the pack for the MWC MVP and the entire non BCS conferences. MVP. He's among the nation's best in total offense and pass efficiency and is even being mentioned as a Heisman candidate.

Entering the game Hall had passed for 20 touchdowns versus 4 picks and sacked 4 times in 6 games. TCU sacked Hall 6 times, 4 times before the first half was over. Hall ended the game being picked 2 times and for the first time this season, with out a touchdown pass. His final game stats were 22 of 42 and with 2 picks, he was picked in one game half as many times as he was the previous 6 games. Hall had to see the TCU defense as an 11 man wrecking crew.

On both sides of the ball TCU was primed and ready for the Cougars, handing them their worst loss since 2005 when The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat the Cougs 49 to 23. The Cougars saw all their hopes for a national title shot fall with the TCU Horned Frogs 32 BYU 7.

What does all this mean for the BCS Buster contenders?

The USA Today Coaches poll has BYU falling 9 spots from 8th to 17 and in that AP Poll from 9th to 18th. While TCU earns an AP Poll NR of 15th and in the Coaches Poll jumping from 24th to 15.

The Utah Utes, The MWC other BCS Buster contender destroyed Colorado State and climbed in both polls. The Ap has them ranked 12th up from 14th while the Coaches poll moved them up one spot from 13th to 12th.

Right now ranking wise, the Utah Utes have the inside track to be this years BCS Buster and become the first team to make two BCS appearances. However, the TCU Horned Frogs control their own destiny, if both teams continue to win, this won't be decided by the polls.

TCU is hosted by the Utah Utes Thursday November 6 for a 6pm Mountain Time shoot out, winner take all.

BCS Busters Face Off: BYU vs TCU

Earlier this season I posted a story about the BCS Busters and how the picture was and still is clear as mud.

In September we had several leading contenders and some quality dark horses in the race. Since then the race has changed.

ECU was a leading contender looking strong. They finished last season in the Hawaii Bowl with a convincing win over Boise State.

They started out the season in the fast track with impressive wins over W. Virginia, Virginia Tech and a road win over Tulane, finaly losing in overtime to N. Carolina State. Currently they are on a 3 game losing streak, eliminating any hopes of being this years BCS Buster.

From the WAC Conference were tow contenders busting the BCS Party, Fresno State and Boise State.

Fresno started the season traveling back east to face Rutgers and came away with a quality win over a team in a higher ranked conference. The following week would give Fresno a real opportunity to advance their BCS dreams with a win over Wisconsin. In a hard fought game with the Badgers the Bull Dogs came up short.

However with the right scenarios taking place, Fresno still had an outside chance of being invited to the dance, similar to what Boise State had in 2007.

The Broncos were told if they beat Hawaii in the season finaly, they would be invited to the Sugar Bowl, becoming only the first BCS Buster to make two trips to the BCS Bowls and the first to get the invite with a single loss on their record.

Fresno's BCS dreams ended on October 4th in Fresno with a loss to the Hawaii Warriors.

Boise State is currently ranked #15 in the AP poll trailing both Utah #14 and BYU #9. The Broncos take on Hawaii tomorrow night putting their undefeated season on the line and hope to gain the inside track to win back the WAC Championship they held for 5 consecutive years, until last season, they surrendered the title to Hawaii.

The Mountain West Conference has two solid BSCS Buster contenders in BYU and the Utah Utes, however since they play each other at the end of the season, one has the chance to ruin it for the other. The slim outside chance of busting the BCS resides with conference mate TCU.

The Horn Frogs were treated cruelly in the polls after suffering their only loss to the Oklahoma Sooners. Yet the Horn Frogs are 6 & 1 with an opportunity tonight to get back in the top 25 while damaging the BYU Cougars bid for the BCS. These two teams square off tonight in what should be a tough hard fought game.

The game is televised but most of the country will not see the game. The Mountain West Conference has a high paying but spectator limiting television contract. So while the Cougars and the Horned Frogs are duking it out, most fans will be watching tonight's bill of fair offered by ESPN.

Tonight's game does have impact of the BCS Busters route to the BCS.

Should BYU lose they will be suffer in the polls and TCU can be back in the hunt with perhaps enough quality wins to make the party. TCU loses, they are left in the spoiler role when the match up with the Utah Utes.

Even though there are alot of scenarios possible on the road to the BCS, tonight's Cougar Horned Frog game and tomorrows BSU Hawaii game will shed some light on the race to the BCS, leaving the picture with fewer claimants and still as clear as mud.

Gun Fight At The Cotton Bowl Corral

Today 10 – 11 – 2008 was more than just another day at the Texas State Fair hosted by the city of Dallas. It also marked the 103rd meeting between the legendary Oklahoma Sooners and the storied Texas Longhorns.

Billed as the Red River Rivalry, prior to 2005 it was called the Red River Shoot Out, and today it was just that, The Red River Shoot Out providing football fans the gun fight at Dallas’s Cotton Bowl.

The #1 ranked undefeated Oklahoma Sooners were led by gunslinger sophomore and Heisman Trophy candidate Sam Bradford.

Bradford stats:
He has completed 106 passes of 146 attempts for 1,665 yards and completion percentage of 72.6 with a ypa of 11.4, 18 TDs versus 3 interceptions and 3 sacks and a rat of 204.97

The # 5 undefeated Texas Longhorns were led by gunslinger Colt McCoy a junior and Heisman Trophy candidate.

McCoy stats:He has completed 103 passes of 130 attempts for 1,280 yards and completion percent of 79.2 with a ypa of 9.85, 16 TDs versus 3 interceptions 5 sacks and a rat of 197.94

Even though Oklahoma entered the game favored, this was one game that should have been called even, that exceeded the pregame hype. Not only did they set a rivalry scoring record of 80 points, a combined aerial attack totaling 664 yards and 6 touchdowns. They had an explosive 96 yard kick off return, two point conversion, circus catches, one for a touchdown, a fake punt and naturally their fair share of controversial calls. A game that had something for everybody.

Emotions run high in arch rivalry games and this gun fight was no different, the two teams combined for 16 penalties and 128 yards.

Even though much this game was settled in the trenches, the running game offered 61 rushing attempts for a combined 209 yards and 3 touchdowns. While the gunslingers filled the air with balls, throwing 86 passes 56 completions and 2 interceptions.

Oklahoma drew first blood on a 5 yard pass from Bradford to Manuel Johnson, Jimmy Stevens kick. Texas answered almost 6 minutes later with a Hunter Lawrence 26 yard field goal, ending the first quarter scoring.

Oklahoma opened the second quarter with a blitzkrieg strike that only took 1 minute and 46 seconds, scoring on an 8 yard pass from Sam Bradford to Ryan Broyles, Jimmy Stevens kick.

First Quarter Score:

Oklahoma Sooners: 7
Texas Longhorns: 3

The Texas Longhorns answered in 12 seconds with Jordan Shipley electrifying crowd, scoring on a 96 yard kick off return. Hunter Lawrence kick.

Two minutes and 37 seconds later Oklahoma’s Bradford found Jermaine Gresham for a 52 yard score and Jimmy Stevens kick.

Six minutes and 44 seconds later Texas Longhorn Cody Johnson burst into the end zone on a 1 yard run, Hunter Lawrence kick.

As the quarter winds down, the Texas Longhorns end the first half with 33 yard Hunter Lawrence field goal.

Half time score:

Oklahoma Sooners: 21
Texas Longhorns: 20

The Oklahoma Sooners open the second half quickly, using a scant 3 minutes and 15 seconds, Sam Bradford hooks up with Manuel Johnson for Johnson’s scoring reception on a 14 yard pass, Jimmy Stevens kick.

Colt McCoy and the Longhorns retaliate 6 minutes and 12 seconds later with Jason Shipley getting his second score on a 2 yard pass from McCoy. Hunter Lawrence kick.

Hunter Lawrence and the Texas Longhorns close out third quarter scoring with 01:04 left in the quarter, Hunter puts one 28 yards through the up rights,

3rd quarter score:

Oklahoma Sooners: 28
Texas Longhorns: 30


Eleven minutes and forty two seconds into the fourth quarter found the Oklahoma Sooners resuming the lead on a 14 yard Sam Bradford to Manuel Johnson pass, Jimmy Stevens kick.

Even with a 30 -35 lead the Sooners position did seem tenuous. Earlier in the third quarter Oklahoma ball 3rd and around 9, leading 28 – 20 Stoops tried the fake punt, coming up a yard short of the first down. The momentum changed towards Texas.

Texas mustered a field goal gap closing field goal off that turn of events. The momentum seemed to stay with Texas.

Midway through the 4th quarter The Texas Longhorns answered the Sooners score with one of their own. Set up from a long pass Longhorn Cody Johnson plunged into the end zone from the 1 yard line, making the score 36 – 35 Texas. Colt McCoy followed up with a 2 point conversion pass to Quan Cosby, making the score Longhorns 38 – Sooners 35.

Four minutes and two seconds marked the end of the scoring with running back Cody Johnson bursting over the goal line on a 2 yard run, Hunter Lawrence’s kick being the final scored point.

4th Quarter:

Oklahoma Sooners: 35

Texas Longhorns: 45

This installment of the Red River Rivalry lived up to its billing and more. Both teams combined for 80 points, the most ever scored in the annual Red River Shoot Out, giving football fans, The Gun Fight at The Cotton Bowl Corral

Thank you Longhorns and Sooners for a great game.

What is going on at Fresno Bull Dog Stadium?

At the start of the season I wrote an article about poor officiating, bad calls and how they can impact games.

Fresno was included for the egregious call they benefitted from in their game against Wisconsin.The call was so bad the WAC Conference apologised for the miscall. For those that dont recall, it was a pass caught and the receiver took 2 to 3 steps and fumbled the ball. The refs got the call right and it was challenged by Fresno Coach Pat Hill. the pinheads in the booth got it wrong, ruling an incomplete pass and gave the ball back to the Bull Dogs.

Last Saturday at Fresno Bull Dog Stadium was the scene of more bad calls, that might have altered the out come of the game. The first call being a pass interference and the second was a roughing the kicker on a Fresno field goal attempt.

It was Fresno vs Hawaii, tie game at 29 each, the game was in the first overtime.

Hawaii had held Fresno on their first possesion, forcing the Bull Dogs to attempt a field goal.

The Hawaii defender trying to block the kick hit the ground and did roll into the kicker. The refs called it , running into the kicker , giving Fresno another chance for the field goal and again they missed. Meaning all Hawaii had to do, was put kick the field goal and they win.

Hawaii did go onto to win the game and did complain to Karl Benson and the WAC Conference regarding these two calls. The WAC response was the pass interference was a mistake and the running into the kicker call was poor judgement.

I am not implying that Fresno its team or staff are responsible for or party to these bad calls, I don't for one second think they are. The Bull dog mantra is anybody anywhere. they are known for hard playing smash mouth football, however this is two games this season, where home town officiating charges are hard to refute.

Fresno is penalty free during this game and Hawaii is tagged with 9 penalties? I have watched Fresno play over the years, they are a good team and play clean football, but penalty free? Like any team they make their mistakes of off sides, holding etc, all part of the game, but this type of officiating?

Totaly unacceptable, it damages the reputation of both Fresno State and the WAC Conference. Karl Benson and the WAC Conference need to get these refs squared away. This type officiating hurts the game and the conference. Making it more difficult to get BCS type teams to visit the WAC Teams stadiums.

The Annual Red River Shoot Out

The annual Red River Shoot is long last here. It takes place in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl the 2nd week of October. Featuring the Long Horns vs their arch Big 12 Rival the Oklahoma Sooners. The game of the weekend.

This may not be the oldest college rivalry, it might or might not even be the most important college rivalry, however this weekend it is the most meaningful game.

The Red River Rivalry as it is now known, since 2005, was originally called the Red River Shoot Out and was first played in 1900 while Oklahoma was still a United States Territory.

Texas leads the series with 57 wins to Oklahoma's 40 and there have been 5 ties.

Both teams are undefeated, the Sooners enter the game ranked 1st in the nation while the Long Horns are ranked 5th.

Each team is led by a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, Oklahoma is led by Sam Braford while Texas has Colt McCoy.

Both quarterbacks are game breakers with hot hands this season.

McCoy stats:

He has completed 103 passes of 130 attempts for 1,280 yards and completion percent of 79.2 with a ypa of 9.85, 16 TDs versus 3 interceptions 5 sacks and a rat of 197.94

Bradford stats:

He has completed 106 passes of 146 attempts for 1,665 yards and completion percentage of 72.6 with a ypa of 11.4, 18 TDs versus 3 interceptions and 3 sacks and a rat of 204.97

What makes this game this meeting so meaningful is whats at stake!

1. The annual bragging rights:

This years winner not only gets the annual bragging rights, but as added bonuses they can say, " we ruined your perfect season and or we knocked you from #1 or we knocked you out the top 10.

2. Inside track for the Big 12:

Which ever team claims victory has the inside track for the Big 12 Championship.

3. Shot at the National Title:

The winner of this game also lays more claim to getting into the National Title Game. The loser of the " Shoot Out" has never gone on the same season to win the NC game.

Regardless of who wins, college football fans are the winner. Watching one of the all time great rivalry games between two storied football legends in a game that has alot on the line.

Football fans check your local TV listings, get the BBQ ready, break out the chips and dips, invite over your friends and family and watch an old fashioned shoot out a the OK Corral " Cotton Bowl" known as the Red River Rivalry.

What Makes The Missouri Tigers Offense So Good?

So far they are perfect, sporting a 5-0 record after demolishing conference mate Nebraska in the Corn Husker's stadium.

Led by Chase Daniel, Mizzou is an offensive juggernaut averaging over 50 points per game and as of today are ranked #2 behind Oklahoma in the USA Today Coaches poll.

Daniel, a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate shows savvy on and off the field. Last spring he cultivated a friendship with Warren Buffett, The Oracle of Omaha. Mr Buffett is one of the richest men in the world and arguably one of the greatest investors of all time. Warren Buffett runs Berkshire Hathaway.

Daniel, a finance major, met Warren Buffett during a field trip last spring and they exchange emails two to three times a week according to the ESPN crew calling yesterdays Tigers - Cornhusker game.

What makes the Tigers so good? Is it the spread offense, the coaching, Chase Daniel? Probably yes to all of the above and more.

What statistic stand out the most? Is it their third down conversion rate, the number of points they put on the board, their take-way ratio? Certainly those are all strong statistics contributing to their current success.

The one stat that yesterdays game announcers shared is the one that stands out most for me. Through 5 games this season, no defense has forced the Mizzou offense into a 3 and out! Every single time the Tigers get the ball, they get at least 1 first down. Having never heard of that in the fifty plus years I have followed or played football I am left in awe of the Tigers.

In conclusion, that single stat helps explain why the Missouri Tigers Offense is so good, every time they get the ball, they get first downs!!!

The Season Of The Reshirt Freshman

Over the last few seasons we have seen red shirt freshmen breaking into the starting line up. Such as Jake Locker for the Washington Huskies.

Today it is more common than in years past. Why is this?

One might think and rightly so, kids are bigger and stronger. Better diets, training equipment, coaching and just better talented athletes coming out of high school.

I have seen three red shirt freshman debut this season and it certainly has been the season of the red shirt.

Starting off would be Kellen Moore of Boise State. He is the red shirt freshman for the Broncos. He has stood up to every test offered this season.

His biggest test came at the end of Sept, taking the unranked Boise State Broncos into Eugene, Oregon to face the then ranked 17th, Oregon Ducks in Autzen Stadium. For those who don't know, Autzen is one of the more difficult stadiums to play in college football.
Eugene is filled with rabid Duck fans and they do bring the noise.

Duck coach Bellotti's game plan was simple, stop the run and make Boise win with a freshman QB playing just his 3rd game of college ball and doing his first road trip.

Moore gutted the ducks, lighting them up for 386 yards and 3 TDs.

The next young red shirt I saw was Darron Thomas in the same BSU - Oregon game. He entered the game end of the 3rd quarter start of the fourth.

Bellotti had been hoping to save Thomas's red shirt, but being down 37 to 13 the Ducks needed something. In spite of being sacked once and picked twice, Thomas showed why the Ducks wanted him. He lit up Boise State for over 200 yards passing and three touchdowns, bringing the game to a 37 to 32 final.

The third red shirt freshman to shine last week was Oregon State's running back Jacquizz Rodgers.

This kid led the unranked Oregon State Beavers against the #1 ranked Trojans of USC at Resser Stadium in Corvalis, Oregon.

Rodgers is by all standards small for a running back standing 5'6 and weighing in at 198 lbs. However neither size or the men from Troys defense could stop the OSU running back from carving them up. Running for 186 yards and two touchdowns, Rodgers led this Beavers to a 27 to 21 upset victory over the mighty USC Trojans.

Is this the season of the red shirt freshman, the above three and others across the college football world say it is so.