Athlon Sports News
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 9
Mitch Light predicts the outcome of 10 of the week's biggest games in the Week 9 edition of his 2009 Weekend on Tap column.Ole Miss (-3.5) at Auburn
About a month ago, Gene Chizik was a leading candidate for SEC Coach of the Year honors. Now, after three straight losses, Chizik and his coaching staff are coming under fire. The Tigers’ last three losses have been disheartening — 44–23 at Arkansas, 21–14 vs. Kentucky and 31–10 at LSU. The Kentucky game was especially troublesome. Auburn led the entire way before giving up two touchdowns in the final seven minutes. Ole Miss is feeling much better about itself after last week’s solid 30–17 win over Arkansas. The Rebels’ offense was balanced (332 yards passing, 221 rushing), and the defense limited Arkansas to 45 net yards rushing. Ole Miss’ hopes of an SEC West title are very slim, but this team can still end up with 10 wins and a spot in a very good bowl game.
Ole Miss 30, Auburn 17
Georgia (+16) vs. Florida
I can’t remember when there has been so little buzz — both nationally and in SEC country — for the annual Cocktail Party. The point spread hasn’t been this high (16 points) since Steve Spurrier’s final Florida team won as a 19-point favorite over Mark Richt’s first Georgia team in 2001. And despite Florida’s relatively underwhelming play in recent weeks, it’s hard to envision Georgia putting up too much of a fight. We haven’t seen anything from the 2009 Bulldogs — on either side of the ball — that suggests this team is capable of beating Florida.
Florida 27, Georgia 13
Central Michigan (+4.5) at Boston College
Dan LeFevour made his collegiate debut against Boston College on the opening week of the 2006 season. LeFevour, then a redshirt freshman playing for Brian Kelly, came off the bench to throw for 221 yards and a touchdown and run for 72 and two scores in the Chippewas’ 31–24 nationally televised loss. Now, LeFevour gets another shot at the Eagles, and he has a team good enough to steal a win in Chestnut Hill. The Chips are 7–1 overall, with a win at Michigan State and a respectable 19–6 loss at Arizona. Boston College has been a pleasant surprise under first-year coach Frank Spaziani. The Eagles have been very good at home, with wins over Wake Forest, Florida State and NC State, but I have a hunch that LeFevour & Co. will find a way to pick up their second road win against a BCS conference foe.
Central Michigan 30, Boston College 22
Miami (-7) at Wake Forest
The Canes’ hopes of winning the ACC Coastal Division title took a big hit last week with an overtime loss to Clemson. Miami, with two league losses, trails Georgia Tech by one game in the loss column, and the Jackets only have two games remaining — Wake Forest at home and at Duke. Wake, with a 2–2 record, is in the thick of the wild Atlantic Division race. The Deacs, however, have a very difficult closing schedule, with Miami and Florida State at home and Georgia Tech and Duke on the road. Wake stepped out of ACC play last weekend and lost 13–10 at Navy in a game that was noteworthy because the Midshipmen did not complete a single pass. The Deacs’ defense will have to be far more wary of the forward pass this weekend. Expect a big day from the Hurricane offense.
Miami 34, Wake Forest 20
Kansas (+7) at Texas Tech
After jumping out to a 5–0 start against a soft schedule, Kansas has dropped two straight, at Colorado and at home vs. Oklahoma. The Jayhawks’ defense has been struggling, giving up 36 to Iowa State, 34 to Colorado and 35 to Oklahoma. That doesn’t bode well with Texas Tech on the horizon. The Red Raiders rank fifth in the nation in scoring (40.0 ppg) and have scored at least 30 points in four straight games. Defensively, Tech has been inconsistent. The Raiders gave up a total of 24 points in wins over Kansas State and Nebraska but got lit up by Texas A&M last week in a stunning 52–30 loss at home. The loser of this game will score at least 30 points.
Texas Tech 44, Kansas 31
Mississippi State (+3.5) at Kentucky
Their record might not be anything special (3–5 overall, 1–3 SEC), and they have lost four of their last five games, but the Mississippi State Bulldogs are much improved under first-year coach Dan Mullen. All four of their recent losses have come against ranked teams, and the average margin of defeat in those games has been eight points. The offense, so dreadful last year, has been more than respectable, with basically the same personnel. Kentucky snapped a six-game SEC losing streak that dated back to last season with a 21–14 win at Auburn two weeks ago and followed up with a solid 36–13 victory over UL-Monroe. This team has major issues at quarterback — true freshman Morgan Newton and career backup Will Fidler are sharing the position — but they do have one of the most underrated playmakers in the country in Randall Cobb. The key for the Mississippi State defense: Don’t let Cobb beat you.
Mississippi State 26, Kentucky 17
Kansas State (+25) at Oklahoma
Can Kansas State really win the Big 12 North? Well, the Wildcats are 3–1 in league play and have already defeated two of the four teams with two losses. After a slow start that included a four-point win over UMass and a two-point loss to UL-Lafayette, Bill Snyder’s team has somehow won four of its last five games. That streak, however, will likely come to an end this weekend in Norman, where K-State has only visited once since 2001. The Sooners have been a disappointment, but this team is still very talented and quite capable of winning its final five regular-season games. It’s not saying much about the strength of the Big 12 North when the division leader is a 25-point underdog against an OU team with three losses.
Oklahoma 38, Kansas State 14
South Carolina (+5.5) at Tennessee
Tennessee has dominated this series, with a 21–4–2 record, but the Gamecocks are 2–2 since 2005, including a 16–15 thriller in Knoxville two years ago. Steve Spurrier’s ’09 club has won five of its last six on the strength of one of the nation’s top defensive units. After getting torched by Georgia in a 41–37 loss in Week 2, the Gamecocks have given up an average of 16 points over the past six games. Tennessee, too, has been outstanding on defense. The Vols have allowed no more than 26 points in any game this season and the defense has not given up a touchdown in the past two games. This one will come down to which offense can muster up enough points. South Carolina has the edge at quarterback and receiver, while the Vols are better at running back and on the offensive line.
South Carolina 20, Tennessee 14
Texas (+9) at Oklahoma State
Take a look Texas’ schedule. This week’s trip to Oklahoma State has to be considered the biggest hurdle en route to a trip to the BCS title game, and the Horns are a 9-point favorite. Seems like it’s time for Texas fans to make their reservations in Pasadena. You don’t want to draw too many conclusions from beating a reeling Missouri team, but the Horns had to be pleased with their play last week in the 41–7 win in Columbia. Colt McCoy was sharp (26-of-31 for 269 and three scores) and the running game was decent, with 131 yards on 43 carries. Oklahoma State has survived — even thrived — without two of its Big Three offensive stars, but I’d sure feel a lot better about the Pokes’ chances with both Kendall Hunter and Dez Bryant in the lineup. They have won five straight, but you have to really search to find a quality win in that stretch.
Texas 27, Oklahoma State 20
USC (-3) at Oregon
It’s the game of the day in both the Pac-10 and on the national scene. Oregon has been on a roll since its Week 1 debacle at Boise State. The Ducks have been solid on offense (no surprise), but what has really stood out is this team’s play on defense. Over the past four weeks, Oregon has outscored the opposition by an average of 40–10. The USC offense has been putting up solid numbers, but the defense, which was so strong early in the season, has given up a total of 65 points over the last two games. It should be noted that the Trojans had big leads on both Notre Dame and Oregon State, but Pete Carroll can’t be thrilled with the play of his defense. What he has to love is what he has seen from true freshman quarterback Matt Barkley. Still undefeated as the starter, Barkley has been sensational over the past month, completing over 60 percent of his passes while averaging over 275 yards per game. This one should be a classic.
USC 30, Oregon 24
Last week — 8–2 overall (5–5 against the spread)
Season — 49–31 overall (35–43–2 against the spread)
HEADLINE ARCHIVE
2010 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 12009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 14
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 13
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 12
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 11
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 10
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 9
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 8
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 6
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 5
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 4
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 3
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 2
2009 CFB Weekend On Tap: Week 1
2009 Heisman Watch: Sam Bradford
"Wow, what a great honor it is to receive an award named after Johnny Unitas, one of the greatest football players ever,” McCoy said. “I had a chance to talk to John, Jr. and Raymond Berry last night when they told me I was this year's winner and I was pretty speechless.
“With all of the great quarterbacks around the country it’s definitely humbling to be picked as the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. But, like I told them last night, this is an honor I can't wait to share with my teammates and coaches. Without them I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything, so this is an award that reflects the success we've had as a team and is a tribute to all of them."
“With all of the great quarterbacks around the country it’s definitely humbling to be picked as the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. But, like I told them last night, this is an honor I can't wait to share with my teammates and coaches. Without them I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything, so this is an award that reflects the success we've had as a team and is a tribute to all of them."
Often times college football fans and the media become so enthralled with touchdown passes, elusive runs, ferocious tackles and quarterback sacks that we lose sight of other important matters of college athletics. The Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the top senior quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Foundation encapsulates all that is positive in college sports. The award acknowledges performance on the field for sure. But it goes beyond completion percentage and touchdown strikes. The award values character, citizenship, integrity and those who honor the game.
"The winner of the Golden Arm Award is recognized not only for his athletic accomplishments, but also for his character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and athletic abilities," says John Unitas, Jr., President of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award bears the name of the man many refer to as the finest quarterback ever to play the game of football.
In addition to honoring a player with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to deserving scholar-athletes from local area high schools both in Maryland and Kentucky.
"Despite my Dad's outstanding accomplishments, he never forgot his humble beginnings, and this won him a permanent place in the hearts of all who ever knew him," notes Unitas, Jr. "Giving life to his commitment to 'give back,' the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. was established to promote football on all levels by providing financial aid to deserving young athletes."
GOLDEN ARM WATCH LIST
Jarrett Brown
West Virginia earned its 15th consecutive victory over Rutgers, holding on for a 24–21 win in New Jersey. Brown completed 10-of-20 passes for 116 yards, as the Mountaineers punched their ticket to the Gator Bowl, where they will face Florida State and former WVU coach Bobby Bowden in his final game.
Daryll Clark
Penn State rolled to a 42–14 win at Michigan State in the Big Ten season finale. Clark completed 19-of-27 passes for 310 yards, four scoring strikes and zero interceptions in the final regular season game of his Nittany Lion career.
Armanti Edwards
Appalachian State rallied for an impressive 35–31 win at defending FCS champion Richmond in the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Edwards completed 21-of-33 passes for 216 yards, one touchdown — a game-winning four-yarder to Matt Cline with 10 seconds remaining — and zero picks, while scrambling on 12 carries for 51 yards and two trips to the end zone.
Matt Grothe
South Florida lost 29–27 to Connecticut, but Grothe did not play due to a season-ending ACL injury suffered against Charleston Southern on Sept. 19.
Max Hall
BYU won the Holy War over Utah, with a 26–23 overtime thriller in Provo. Hall’s stats were not overly impressive, as the senior signal-caller completed just 12-of-32 passes for 134 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. But his 25-yard scoring strike to Andrew George clinched the victory in overtime after the Cougars defense held the Utes to a field goal.
Tim Hiller
Western Michigan was shocked by Ball State, 22–17, in Kalamazoo. Hiller struggled in defeat, completing 33-of-62 passes for 354 yards, one score and four picks.
Mike Kafka
Northwestern pulled off a season-ending upset of Wisconsin, 33–31. Kafka played mistake-free football, completing 26-of-40 passes for 326 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in his final home game.
Dan LeFevour
Central Michigan rolled to a 20–10 win over Ohio in the MAC Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit. LeFevour completed 28-of-39 passes for 255 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in CMU’s third MAC title in four seasons. In the process, LeFevour broke the FBS record for career total touchdowns (passing, rushing, receiving), previously shared by Hawaii’s Colt Brennan (2007) and Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell (2008), with 148 scores (101 passing, 46 rushing, 1 receiving).
Corey Leonard
Arkansas State won its season finale, 24–20, against Western Kentucky. Leonard, however, was unable to play due to a knee injury.
Thaddeus Lewis
Lewis became the 60th player in FBS history to pass for 10,000 career yards during his final game at Duke. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils could not defeat Wake Forest, suffering a 45–34 loss.
Colt McCoy
Texas found a way to outfight an aggressive Nebraska team led by defensive tackle Ndumakong Suh, winning 13–12 on a 46-yard field goal that went through the uprights as time expired — for a second time. One second was added to the clock following an incomplete McCoy pass that sailed out of bounds before the game-winning kick. Under pressure all night, McCoy completed 20-of-36 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns, but did secure the most important stat of all — a victory that capped a perfect regular season, Big 12 championship and a trip to Pasadena for the BCS title game against Alabama.
Tony Pike
Cincinnati pulled off an amazing 45–44 win in the snow at Pittsburgh in the de facto Big East title game. Pike completed 22-of-44 passes for 302 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Trailing 31–17 at halftime, Pike threw three second-half scoring strikes — a 68-yard bomb to star receiver Mardy Gilyard, an 8-yarder to D.J. Woods and a 29-yard over-the-shoulder spiral to Armon Binns to take a one-point lead the Bearcats would not relinquish with 33 seconds to play.
Patrick Pinkney
East Carolina knocked off Houston, 38–32, to clinch its second straight Conference USA title and a trip to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Pinkney completed 21-of-34 passes for 262 yards, one touchdown and zero turnovers in a clutch win at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, N.C., where the Pirates have not lost since falling to the Cougars last year.
Todd Reesing
Kansas could not hold on to a late lead in the 117th Border War with Missouri. The Jayhawks lost 41–39 despite a career outing from Reesing, who completed 37-of-55 passes for a school-record 498 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
Zac Robinson
Oklahoma State lost out on a shot at a BCS berth by losing 27–0 at Oklahoma. Robinson fought through a shoulder injury to complete just 9-of-21 passes for 44 yards, no scores and one interception in the disappointing shutout loss to unranked OU.
Tyler Sheehan
Bowling Green took care of business against Toledo, winning 38–24 in the season finale. Sheehan completed 19-of-31 passes for 137 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in victory.
Riley Skinner
Wake Forest cruised to a 45–34 win over Duke, as Skinner completed 28-of-38 passes for a career-high 372 yards, a school-record five touchdowns and zero interceptions. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Demon Deacons.
Rusty Smith
Florida Atlantic held on to beat Florida International, 28–21, in Miami. Unfortunately, Smith did not play due to a season-ending shoulder injury suffered in a Halloween loss to Middle Tennessee.
Tim Tebow
Superman ran into Crimson kryptonite, as Florida fell to Alabama 32–13 in the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. In a disappointing effort, Tebow completed 20-of-35 passes for 247 yards, one touchdown and one interception through the air, while tucking the ball on 10 carries for 63 yards. The Gators will not compete for their third national title in Tebow’s four seasons. Instead, UF will play Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Chris Turner
Maryland lost its seventh straight game, falling 19–17 to Boston College. After missing two weeks recovering from a knee injury, Turner completed 11-of-17 passes for 101 yards during his final college start.
Joe Webb
UAB’s one-man offense was not enough to avoid a 34–27 loss to UCF. Webb did all he could, completing 20-of-35 passes for 322 yards, three touchdowns and one interception through the air, while adding 18 carries for 137 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
Juice Williams
Illinois lost a heartbreaker to Fresno State in a 53–52 shootout in Champaign. Williams completed 8-of-16 passes for 211 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, but was unable to lead the Fighting Illini to victory, as Illinois was outscored 22–14 in the fourth quarter of a one-point loss on Senior Day.