The Week That Was

The Nebraska Cornhuskers finally beat a ranked team on the road, and they did it the Husker way, with dominating defense. There is no longer any denying that the Blackshirts are back for Nebraska, led by Ndamukong Suh. Suh won't win the Heisman because somehow voters have become convinced that only offensive players or defensive players that play some offense are worthy of being named the best player in the nation. However, under a fair vote, there is no doubting that Suh is the best player in college football. He absolutely dominated Missouri's defensive line, and also dropped back into coverage, picking off a pass that helped seal Nebraska's victory. For three quarters it was very ugly, the Huskers looked awful on offense and insisted on throwing despite QB Zac Lee being completely inaccurate. However, in the fourth quarter something awoke within them, Lee started hitting his passes, the defense started creating turnovers and now Nebraska finds themselves as the favorites to take the Big 12 North. After Kansas barely beat Iowa State at home this past weekend I am much less worried about the Huskers trip to Lawrence. I am looking at when Choklahoma comes to Lincoln. Choklahoma has whipped Nebrasa the last few meetings, but this year I think the Huskers can take them.

Notre Dame had the weekend off but we are nowfive days away from perhaps the biggest game in Charlie Weis' coaching career. The Irish are now ranked #25 and get to face USC at home on Saturday. This is the Irish's best chance to beat the Trojans since Weis first year, when the Irish had the Trojans beat before Reggie Bush cheated and shoved in Matt Leinart for a touchdown. While I think the Irish can win I won't be entirely disappointed with a loss. However, if the Irish get embarrassed by the Trojans, then Charlie will have to go. USC is good but not nearly as talented as the other USC teams Weis has faced. The Irish have a fantastic quarterback in Jimmy Clausen, a good running back in Armando Allen, and a great wide receiver in Golden Tate. Defense is still lacking but the offense should be able to go score to score with the Trojans. I will have much more on this game Thursday in Cram Session.

Looks like I jinxed the 49ers, as they were shellacked at home by the Falcons 45-10. I didn't get to see the game but from the looks of things the defense completely collapsed, including CB Dre Bly's idiotic play where he intercepted it, then left the ball out to celebrate and fumbled and lost it to the Falcons. QB Shaun Hill also played like crap and it is obvious that the 49ers miss RB Frank Gore. I have complete confidence in coach Mike Singletary and am not too worried yet.

I wasn't expecting the Redskins to beat the Carolina Panthers, so of course they go out and get a 17-2 lead, getting my hopes up, then blow the game like only they can. The offense scored two touchdowns but that was all because of the defense causing turnovers. Otherwise, they couldn't move the ball at all. The Skins also lost Chris Samuels early, and had some guy named Batiste replace him and play like crap. Mike Williams started on the offensive line for the first time in 4 years. I doubt anyone caught his interview on Fox after the game but he is a weird dude. Fox also receives an EPIC fail for crapping out during the game. I also want to know why it is legal for the kicking team to block a receiving teams player on a punt into a returner who has called for a fair catch. The Redskins have now been the first win for the Panthers and the Detroit Lions. On Sunday they get the opportunity to be the Chiefs first win, as 0-5 Kansas City comes to FedEx.

The divisional playoffs are wrapping up quickly in baseball. The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles all swept their series. The Philadelphia Phillies can move on to the NLCS with win tonight over the Colorado Rockies. The only true surprise winner to me was the Angels as they finally exorcised their Red Sox demons. As I suspected this Red Sox team was not made for a long run in October. Their pitching was up in the air and their offense was a shell of its former self. It was especially gratifying to see that douche Jonathan Papelbon blow the game yesterday.