Week 12 College Review

Michigan 42 – Iowa 17 

At first glance: Michigan handled their business at home, putting Iowa away behind a strong performance from Devin Gardner at QB. 

Turning point:  When Gardner hooked up with his RB Vincent Smith on a 18 yard TD pass to put Michigan up 28-10 with 40 seconds left in the 1st half, Iowa never looked like the were coming back. 

Key Stat:  Michigan had 6 different players who took a handoff leading to a constantly fresh rushing attack and a 5.1 yard/rush average. 

Point of Interest: Denard Robinson was back on the field but not at QB. He started at running back and operated from various packages. Maybe a glimpse of things to come as he doesn’t really project to being a QB at the next level. 

Player of the Game: Devin Gardner. 3 TDs and 314 yards through the air really helped Michigan break their senior day losing streak. 

My prediction: Picked the winner, just a little higher scoring that I thought it would be. 

Highlights: 

Michigan: 

What this win means:  The seniors go out with a win for the first time in three years and they are still in position to take the Legends division if Nebraska slip up. 

Up next: @ Ohio State. After Wisconsin gave the Buckeyes a scare, the Wolverines will look to go one better and knock of the undefeated team. 

Iowa: 

What this loss means:  Bottom of the Legends division and no bowl bids. 

Up next:  vs #14 Nebraska. If Iowa decide to pull the upset of the Cornhuskers off on senior day it could make their season look a little better. 

Clemson 62 – N Carolina State 48 

At first glance:  A crazy shootout that went back and forth before finally NC State couldn’t keep up anymore. 

Turning point: Clemson scored 6 straight, unanswered TDs spanning the second and third quarters really killing the game. 

Key Stat:  42. Straight points that the Tigers scored. 

Point of Interest:  Mike Glennon. The commentators harped on about him all game (pretty annoying) but he really is a QB to watch in the upcoming draft, potentially being a 1st rounder. Lots of talent, just let down by his supporting cast.  

Player of the Game:  Tajh Boyd. Had 8 TDs on the day and set a ACC record. 

My prediction:  In my own literary stroke of bone-headedness, I managed not to include a prediction. However, I will be honest and know for a fact that I would have picked Clemson for the win, but I wouldn’t have though NC State would have scored so many. 

Highlights: 

Clemson  

What this win means: Has them level with Florida State with both teams having a tough SEC opponent to face in the last week. 

Up next: vs #12 South Carolina. Huge game for state bragging and recruiting rights, should be a good one. 

NC State 

What this loss means:  Means that their bowl bid won’t be as strong but doesn’t drastically change much with their season. 

Up next: vs Boston College. If their offence shows up like it did against Clemson this one should be easy. 

Stanford 17 – Oregon 14 

At first glance:  If it wasn’t for the A&M, Bama game last week, this would have been the upset of the year so far. Stanford played lights out defence and snuck it in OT. 

Turning point: There wasn’t really a moment in particular, but seeing as Stanford shut the Ducks out for two whole quarters it was always ominous. 

Key Stat: For me, the fact that not one play went over 100 yards rushing for Oregon really shows how solid their run game was (despite a 77 yard Mariota burst, but you can’t stop them all). 

Point of Interest: Alongside the Kansas State loss, BCS madness happened again, opening the door open for Alabama to sneak back to #2. 

Player of the Game: As a unit, the Cardinal defence was awesome, but for a singular player I will give it to freshman Kevin Hogan, so impressive in terms of maturity and his physical talents as a QB. 

My prediction: Couldn’t have been more wrong, nowhere near the 40-24 victory for the Ducks I thought. 

Highlights: 

Stanford  

What this win means: They couldn’t probably call in quite a few favours from SEC lovers if they needed and they could be going to the Pac-12 title game.  

Up next: @ #17 UCLA. This should be another great game after UCLA beat USC this weekend. 

Oregon  

What this loss means: No National Title game, and maybe not even a Pac-12 Championship, devastation. 

Up next: @ #15 Oregon State. Massive Civil War game, but even a win won’t make up for the lack of National Championship berth.