The same fans who didn’t appreciate the 9-6 slugfest between LSU and Alabama are usually the same people who are distracted in mid-sentence when a shiny nickel comes rolling by. And as last weekend played out, a rematch in the BCS title game between the SEC powerhouses makes perfect sense.
Down go pretenders Oklahoma State, Oregon, Stanford and Oklahoma while ‘Bama and LSU continue to dominate. Forget the rankings for a second, and just give both teams the eye test. An even better story line is, this time, the Tide would have to go into enemy territory, with New Orleans hosting the title game. Of course, don’t discount Arkansas throwing a monkey wrench into everything Friday.
â—† Good to see that Nebraska is settling right into Big Ten mediocrity.
â—† Tease of the week goes to Tide running back Trent Richardson, who told reporters after the victory over Georgia Southern that he had a “whole ‘nother year” at Alabama. Yeah, right. Only if the NFL is putting an expansion team in Birmingham next season.
◆ Urban Meyer teaming with the resources he would have at Ohio State? Be afraid, Big Ten . . . be very afraid.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
QB Jared Barnett, Iowa State: The redshirt freshman made No. 2-ranked Oklahoma State his latest victim, passing for 376 yards and three touchdowns and running for 84 yards in a 37-31 victory. In his first three starts, Barnett is 3-0.
CB David Amerson, N.C. State: He’s making himself an elite corner, grabbing pick No. 11 of 2011 in the 37-13 upset of Clemson. One more pick, and he’ll be tied for third in Football Bowl Subdivision history.
BIG NUMBER
479Passing yards by Baylor’s Robert Griffin III in the Bears’ 45-38 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday, breaking his own single-game record. He also broke his own single-season record for yards.
KEY GAMES
Arkansas at LSU, 1:30 p.m. Friday: The last obstacle standing in the Tigers’ way to finish the regular season unbeaten, as well as win the SEC West. Arkansas’ only loss was to Alabama in late September.
Alabama at Auburn, 2:30 p.m. Saturday: “War Eagle” vs. “Roll Tide.” It can only mean the “Iron Bowl.” Auburn would love nothing more than to spoil Alabama’s hopes for a spot in the BCS title game.
Ohio State at Michigan, 11 a.m. Saturday: As bad as Ohio State has looked throughout the season, its ownership of Michigan has stretched to seven years. The Wolverines last beat the Buckeyes in 2003.
