SB Nation Chicago - Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma: Irish keep undefeated season alivehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2012-10-30T07:30:22-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33180612012-10-30T07:30:22-05:002012-10-30T07:30:22-05:00Irish QB Golson impressive vs. Sooners
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson was poised under pressure in an impressive 30-13 road victory over the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday. </p> <p>While <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133679/everett-golson" class="sbn-auto-link">Everett Golson's</a> numbers were not flashy in Notre Dame's 30-13 statement victory over Oklahoma in Norman on Saturday, the game was one of the young quarterback's best. Golson made things happen on the ground and through the air, and most importantly, he did not turn the ball over.</p>
<p>With the win, Golson became just the fifth quarterback to beat the Sooners in Norman since Bob Stoops arrived. JJ Stankevitz at CSN Chicago <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnchicago.com/ncaa/notre-dame/irish-talk/Comparing-Golsons-performance-to-other-Q?blockID=794995&feedID=661">took a look</a> at how those other four quarterbacks performed in their victories.</p>
<p><b>2001: Josh Fields (Oklahoma State) -- 19/38, 231 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD</b> <b><br></b><b></b></p>
<p><b>2005: Tye Gunn (TCU): 24/45, 226 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD</b><b><br></b><b></b></p>
<p><b>2011: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37972/seth-doege" class="sbn-auto-link">Seth Doege</a> (Texas Tech): 33/52, 441 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT</b><br><b></b></p>
<p><b>2012: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36403/collin-klein" class="sbn-auto-link">Collin Klein</a> (Kansas State): 13/21, 149 yards, 0 INT, 17 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD</b><br><b></b></p>
<p><b>2012: Everett Golson (Notre Dame): 13/25, 177 yards, 0 INT 11 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD</b></p>
<p>Out of all those performances, only Doege's is clearly better than Golson's. The other four are pretty comparable, and Golson's is one of the two that does not feature a turnover.</p>
<p>Coach Brian Kelly was very impressed with how poised his freshman quarterback was under the pressure:</p>
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<p>"He led -- he actually sensed that he was leading," coach Brian Kelly said. "He was communicating, he was talking, he was doing things that you hope as you go through this process that start to see. He was confident, he was calm -- all the things that you need to see from your quarterback on the road against a very good opposition in Oklahoma."</p>
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<p>Golson's effort now has Notre Dame in a great position to run the table heading into bowl season, with the last major hurdle coming at USC Nov. 24. If he continues to play like he did against Oklahoma, that will likely become a reality.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/10/30/3574778/notre-dame-everett-golson-oklahomaJason Patt2012-10-28T09:01:20-05:002012-10-28T09:01:20-05:00Freshman Golson continues to impress at Notre Dame
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<figcaption>Wesley Hitt</figcaption>
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<p>Notre Dame's 8-0 season is even more impressive when you consider the team is starting a freshman at quarterback.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> football team improved to 8-0 this season after a 30-13 win on the road at No. 8 Oklahoma on Saturday.</p>
<p>Notre Dame's success this season has been for a number of reasons, of course. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of their so-far-undefeated run, including wins against a number of ranked teams, is their freshman starting quarterback. <a href="http://www.onefootdown.com/2012/10/28/3565374/notre-dame-defeats-oklahoma-post-game-thoughts" target="_blank">Notre Dame blog One Foot Down discussed</a> the maturation of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133679/everett-golson">Everett Golson</a> this season:</p>
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<p>I trust no one is sleeping on Everett Golson any longer? When was the last time this kid lost a football game? Man, what a winner and a baller. To think Notre Dame could go into Norman and play mistake-free football, run an efficient offense with a redshirt freshman---it's just crazy.</p>
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<p>Against Oklahoma, Golson was 13-for-25 passing for 177 yards. He also ran the ball 11 times for 64 yards and a touchdown and most importantly had zero turnovers. That was key for Notre Dame, who won the game on the strength of its defense and running game.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/10/28/3566200/notre-dame-vs-oklahoma-recap-reactionPatrick Hayes2012-10-27T22:54:41-05:002012-10-27T22:54:41-05:00Notre Dame stuns Oklahoma
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<figcaption>Ronald Martinez</figcaption>
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<p>Notre Dame proved they are a legitimate contender and worthy of top five distinction after marching into Norman on Saturday and stunning Oklahoma, 30-13.</p> <p>No. 5 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish">Notre Dame</a> walked away with a big victory on the road on Saturday night, beating No. 8 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oklahoma-sooners">Oklahoma</a> 30-13 at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.</p>
<p>The Sooners would trail 13-6 early in the fourth quarter, taking advantage of a short field to tie the game on a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115318/blake-bell" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake Bell</a> 1-yard touchdown run with just over nine minutes remaining in regulation. Notre Dame would answer with quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133679/everett-golson" class="sbn-auto-link">Everett Golson</a> leading the Irish on a 73-yard touchdown drive capped by Golson's 1-yard run to give Notre Dame a 20-13 lead.</p>
<p>Oklahoma and quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones" class="sbn-auto-link">Landry Jones</a> would get the ball with 5:05 remaining, but after a third-down conversion, Jones threw a devastating interception to kill the Sooners' comeback hopes. Notre Dame would put the game away with a field goal and touchdown in the final minutes, highlighted by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84658/theo-riddick" class="sbn-auto-link">Theo Riddick's</a> 15-yard scramble to give the Irish a 30-13 final margin.</p>
<p>Jones was 35-of-51 for 356 yards for Oklahoma, and was held without a touchdown pass for the first time this season. For Notre Dame, Golson was 13-of-25 for 177 yards, with his ground game adding 64 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>ND celebration, <a href="http://t.co/zKoGkQyT" title="http://twitter.com/slmandel/status/262398814713954304/photo/1">twitter.com/slmandel/statu…</a></p>
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) <a href="https://twitter.com/slmandel/status/262398814713954304" data-datetime="2012-10-28T03:42:07+00:00">October 28, 2012</a>
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<p><b>Box Score Hero: </b>The Notre Dame defense held the prolific Oklahoma offense to just 379 yards and 20 points while forcing one turnover, with the Sooners just 3-of-13 on third down. A good chunk of that yardage came in garbage time in the final minute. Linebacker Monti Te'o, who is making a bid for the Heisman Trophy, forced a key interception late in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p><b>Rankings Ramifications: </b>Oklahoma will certainly slip out of the top ten and will likely fall out of the top 15 after suffering two losses on the season. Both losses have come against top-5 teams, however, which could help them in the rankings.</p>
<p><b>But Did They Cover? </b>Oklahoma fell far short of covering the 11-1/2 point spread, with the Sooners favored in the game.</p>
<p><b>For More On This Game: </b><i>For more on OU football, visit <a href="http://crimsonandcreammachine.com">Oklahoma blog Crimson And Cream Machine</a>. </i><i>For more on Irish football, visit <a href="http://onefootdown.com">Notre Dame blog One Foot Down</a>.</i></p>
<p><b>Next Week's Schedule: </b>Notre Dame heads home to take on Pittsburgh at 3:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 3, with coverage on NBC. Oklahoma will face Iowa State at a time yet to be determined.</p>
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<p><i>This story originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/10/27/3565168/oklahoma-notre-dame-2012-results-score">SBNation.com</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/10/27/3565334/notre-dame-vs-oklahoma-2012-final-score-irish-roll-late-30-13SB Nation College News2012-10-27T21:34:49-05:002012-10-27T21:34:49-05:00Notre Dame leads Oklahoma 10-6 after three
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<figcaption>Ronald Martinez</figcaption>
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<p>Notre Dame has a 10-6 lead over Oklahoma after three quarters. </p> <p>Notre Dame holds a 10-6 lead over Oklahoma after three quarters.</p>
<p>The only touchdown of the game came in the first quarter when Irish running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84656/cierre-wood">Cierre Wood</a> rushed for a 62-yard gain to put Notre Dame up 7-3 with 7:05 remaining in the opening frame.</p>
<p>Notre Dame extended their lead to 10-3 on a 34-yard field goal by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133681/kyle-brindza">Kyle Brindza</a> before Oklahoma answered at the end of the second quarter with a field goal of their own to cut the lead to 10-6.</p>
<p>Neither team was able to score in the third quarter.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133679/everett-golson">Everett Golson</a> is 9-of-17 passing for 103 yards and has also rushed seven times for 63 yards. Oklahoma quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones">Landry Jones</a> is 24-of-33 for 233 yards, but the Sooners' offense has yet to score a touchdown in the game.</p>
<p>Notre Dame has held Oklahoma to 241 yards of total offense through three quarters. Notre Dame has 287 yards of offense for the game.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/10/27/3565102/notre-dame-vs-oklahoma-score-updatepardeeptoor2012-10-27T13:00:01-05:002012-10-27T13:00:01-05:00Irish will be without George Atkinson III
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Notre Dame running back and kick returner George Atkinson III did not travel with the team to Oklahoma due to flu-like symptoms, according to a report. </p> <p>Notre Dame sophomore running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/143394/george-atkinson-iii">George Atkinson III</a> didn't make the trip to Norman, Okla. for Saturday night's game against the Sooners because of flu-like symptoms, <a href="http://espn.go.com/chicago/ncf/story/_/id/8557375/notre-dame-george-atkinson-iii-vs-oklahoma?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">according to an ESPN report</a>. </p>
<p>This means the Fighting Irish will be without one of their most dynamic players when they match up with Oklahoma in one of the biggest games of the season. Atkinson is the Irish's third option at running back, but he's the No. 1 kick returner and a large contributor to the special teams unit (eight kicks for 155 yards).</p>
<p>Atkinson boasts a team-best 8.1 yards per carry with 301 rushing yards on just 37 attempts this season. The sophomore has four touchdowns this season, which inclues scores of 56 and 55 yards. </p>
<p>With Notre Dame off to its best start in 10 years, a win against Oklahoma would improved the fifth-ranked Irish to 8-0 on the season. . </p>
<p>The Sooners are 5-1 overall, 3-1 in the Big 12 and winners of their last three games by 21 points or more. </p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/10/27/3563382/notre-dame-oklahoma-injuries-George-Atkinson-IIIBrandon Scott2012-10-27T07:02:19-05:002012-10-27T07:02:19-05:00Notre Dame, Oklahoma square off in Top 10 battle
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Unbeaten Notre Dame travels to face their toughest test yet in Oklahoma on Saturday night.</p> <p>In the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oklahoma-sooners" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma Sooners</a>, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish" class="sbn-auto-link">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> face a stern test towards keeping their record unblemished on Saturday night.</p>
<p>After edging out BYU at home, 17-14, last week and beating Stanford 20-13 in overtime the week before, the No. 5 Fighting Irish (7-0) have kept their unbeaten record intact thanks in large part to their stifling defense, which is second in the nation in points allowed, giving up only 9.4 points per game.</p>
<p>The No. 8 Sooners (5-1, 3-1 in the Big 12) enter Saturday night's showdown on a roll, winning three straight games by respective scores of 41-20 over Kansas State, 63-21 over Texas, and, last week, 52-7 over Kansas. Their 44.7 points per game average this season ranks fifth-best nationally.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/notre-dame-oklahoma-odds-october-27-2012">According to OddsShark</a>, the high-powered Sooners opened the week as 10-point favorites at home. The line has only gotten higher, though, as it currently favors Oklahoma by 11½ points. The over/under total for combined points is presently at 47½.</p>
<p>Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and the game will be televised on ABC.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QUNbECssHWE" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1351289154512"></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/10/27/3560770/oklahoma-notre-dame-2012-schedule-game-time-spreadGriffin Gotta2012-10-25T16:25:49-05:002012-10-25T16:25:49-05:00ND's Manti Te'o hoping for another big game vs. OU
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Star Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o could further strengthen his Heisman campaign this Saturday against Oklahoma.</p> <p>It is often difficult for a defensive player to even draw a mention in the Heisman Trophy discussion, but Notre Dame linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84654/manti-te-o">Manti Te'o</a> appears to be gaining plenty of momentum in the race as the Irish continue to pull off wins.</p>
<p>The 21-year-old Te'o has reeled off double-digit tackle numbers in each of his last three games, and is the unquestioned leader of a dominant defensive unit that is currently giving up a meager 9.4 points per game. But with his only realistic chance for a Heisman nod ultimately tied to whether his Irish can run the table or not, some pundits, including <a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/ncaa/notre-dame/irish-talk/Teos-Heisman-chances-could-hinge-on-perf?blockID=793341&feedID=661&awid=5381413630898005167-914">J.J. Stankevitz of CSN Chicago,</a> believe that Te'o may need to put in another superstar-level effort against the Sooners this Saturday.</p>
<p>Oklahoma's high-powered offensive attack could be the toughest test Brian Kelly's team has seen this year, and another complete domination on the defensive side of the ball from Te'o and company amy give him an inside track to be invited to New York as a finalist. Fans and Heisman voters alike will be watching from around the country on Saturday to see if Notre Dame can keep its torrid streak going, offering up a prime chance for the fourth-year linebacker to steal the show on the field.</p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/10/25/3555530/notre-dame-manti-teo-oklahoma-heismanDave Ryan2012-10-25T10:50:21-05:002012-10-25T10:50:21-05:00The Hybrid: Notre Dame's season will end in Norman
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>All eyes are on Norman as Notre Dame takes on the Sooners, but there are about three or four other super relevant games in a top heavy -- but terrific -- upcoming college football weekend.</p> <p>No bones about it, last week sucked. But this week is supposed to be cool -- I think Fowler said so -- and I really just want to start talking about Oregon, so let's jump.</p>
<h3><u>The Hybrid</u></h3>
<h5>Selective Hits On The AP Top 25</h5>
<p><b>1) Alabama</b><b>: </b>Outkick The Coverage <a target="_blank" href="http://www.outkickthecoverage.com/all-that-and-a-bag-of-mail-sabans-retirement-fund.php">released a picture</a> of A.J. McCarron's mom (middle) last week.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1597541/ajmom.jpg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1597541/ajmom_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Ajmom_medium"></a> <br id="1350862221998"></p>
<p>She's also <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DeeDeeBonner">on Twitter</a>.</p>
<p><b>2) Florida</b><b>: </b>Oh, Ryan Lochte, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KcyCmoi540M">don't ever change</a>.</p>
<p><b>3)</b> <b>Kansas State: </b>Gotta truly love the Big 12.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
<p>Here's a crazy fact from yesterday. The Big 12 featured more touchdowns (48) than punts (47) on Saturday.</p>
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/260029023139295232" data-datetime="2012-10-21T14:45:24+00:00">October 21, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>They say K-State QB <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36403/collin-klein" class="sbn-auto-link">Collin Klein</a> is the new Heisman favorite. I'm cool with that.</p>
<p><b>4) Oregon:</b> After meh news and no game last week, Oregon rebounded nicely in a myriad of ways.</p>
<p>1. They began the week by defacing some stupid Arizona State "A" that no one cares about until people spray it with cool green vandalism. Here is a picture:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1610871/asua.jpeg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1610871/asua_medium.jpeg" class="photo" alt="Asua_medium"></a> <br id="1351016910299"></p>
<p>Whoops, I'm sorry, I realized I forgot to caption it.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1610887/asupwnd.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1610887/asupwnd_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Asupwnd_medium"></a> <br id="1351016932643"></p>
<p>2. As far as the game itself? Well, allow me to <a href="http://www.sundaymorningqb.com/2012/10/19/3524900/oregon-43-arizona-state-21-oh-the-humanity" target="_blank">quote mass amounts</a> of SB Nation's premiere college football writer, Matt Hinton.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Thank god Oregon had the basic decency to police itself. For Christ's sake, the Ducks led 43-7 with 11:33 to play in the second quarter. They scored six touchdowns in the span of 18 minutes, two of them coming on runs longer than 70 yards. The last four of those came in a span of a little over five minutes. They spent more than two-thirds of the game deliberately throttling down. Twenty minutes in, Oregon had done everything it came to do. The rest was just politely killing time.</p>
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<p>3. In regards to QB play...</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Including tonight, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136013/marcus-mariota" class="sbn-auto-link">Marcus Mariota</a> has only started seven games, but already he seems indistinguishable from any of the other quarterbacks we've seen at the controls of Chip Kelly's offense – athletic, versatile and seemingly in firm command of the vagaries of the read option scheme ... Mariota looked the part and then some.<br><br>The really frightening thought for the rest of the conference is that he's only a redshirt freshman, with plenty of time and room to grow into an obviously live arm. Prolific quarterbacks seem to emerge in Kelly's system looking more or less fully formed, putting up the requisite numbers and making the right decisions right out of the chute. If Mariota is the guy who finally adds a viable downfield passing element to the equation, the nightmare scenario for defensive coordinators will finally be upon them.</p>
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<p>This somehow didn't include Mariota's stat of getting a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in the game.</p>
<p>4. He also linked <a href="http://cjzero.com/gifs/BarnerForcePush.gif" target="_blank">this GIF</a>. Everyone look at <a href="http://cjzero.com/gifs/BarnerForcePush.gif" target="_blank">this GIF.</a></p>
<p>The caption was "Oh by the way <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37392/kenjon-barner" class="sbn-auto-link">Kenjon Barner</a> is now a Jedi who wields the Force to stiff-arm would-be tacklers to the ground without actually touching them."</p>
<p>5. One last block of Hinton.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Even in a horrific blowout, one of the pleasures of watching Oregon is knowing that, in any given game, you're likely to see at least a half-dozen things you've never seen before (only about half of which are fashion-related).<br><br>[...]<br><br>• A crazy swinging gate thing for a two-point conversion, run in by the kicker after being tipped by an ASU defender;<br>• An apparent Oregon touchdown nullified because officials wanted to review the previous play, but were too slow to signal dead ball before the Ducks had lined up and snapped it again. Upon review, the ruling on the first play (that Barner was down short of the goal line) was upheld, thereby costing the Ducks two touchdowns on a single review. According to beat writer Rob Moseley, that was the second time that exact scenario has unfolded this season.<br>• Two plays later, backup quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113644/bryan-bennett" class="sbn-auto-link">Bryan Bennett</a> was credited with a 1-yard touchdown pass to starting quarterback Marcus Mariota [ed- see!], the recipient of a wild, last-second option pitch as Bennett was being buried by a handful of Devils near the goal line. Because of course Oregon is running the option with both quarterbacks in the game at the same time.<br><br>That was all in the first quarter alone.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The first quarter alone! They are the coolest.</p>
<p>6. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/oregon-win-kickstarts-debate-earnest-ducks-beat-sec-042717440--ncaaf.html" target="_blank">Doc Sat</a>: "And Thursday's [Oregon] win did produce <a href="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/pxAoCkb0pr7_V8bP2SzbOA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusncaafexperts/pinkston-resize.jpg" target="_blank">a hilariously vengeful tweet</a> from former Pitt offensive lineman Jason Pinkston about Todd Graham, the coach that suddenly left the Panthers for Arizona State."</p>
<p>7. It also inspired Yahoo's Pat Forde to<a href="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Eiu.hMMfQs0z7t83NOPMtQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusncaafexperts/forderesize.jpg" target="_blank"> label SEC fans as insecure</a>.</p>
<p>Great success.</p>
<p>8. And, a few days later, they <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/63024/ohio-state-to-play-home-and-home-with-oregon" target="_blank">scheduled some games</a> with Ohio State. Even though it's years down the road, I'm going to blindly assume they'll be awesome and not crappy or sanctioned. Aright, let's move on to the suck.</p>
<p><b>5) Notre Dame</b><b><b>:</b></b> Incredible three point home win over a juggernaut BYU team. What's that? They weren't ranked and played a backup QB? Listen, just because football analysts love hard-nosed defense, doesn't mean it's an honorable thing. If an unranked spread team with a shitty defense and incredible offense comes in to your house and loses by three, there's this subtext with a lot of analysts that they play football 'the wrong way' because the spread is a 'gimmick'. If a team like BYU (great defense, spotty offense) comes in and loses by three, instead of getting hung up on their lack of offensive points, analysts will laud the defense for keeping it close. But the problem is, either way, you lose by three. There's no 'right way' to do it.</p>
<p>Remember this point as it relates now to ND this upcoming week.</p>
<p><b>6) LSU</b><b><b>: </b></b>Haha, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/lsu-photo-manipulation-erases-crosses-christian-fan-group-022942232--ncaaf.html" target="_blank">"LSU photo manipulation erases crosses on Christian fan group’s chests"</a></p>
<p><b>7) Oregon State</b><b><b>:</b></b> Undefeated, and it feels so good. The success this team continues to find makes you feel like there is a lot of right in the world; the vibe is very anti-college football. So, so welcome.</p>
<p><b>8) Oklahoma</b><b><b>:</b></b> Don't f this up.</p>
<p><b>9) USC</b><b><b>:</b></b> Haha, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/did-lane-kiffin-try-deceive-colorado-having-players-161506405--ncaaf.html" target="_blank">"Did Lane Kiffin try to deceive Colorado by having players switch jerseys?"</a></p>
<p><b>10) Georgia<br>11) Mississippi State</b><b><b>:</b></b> Undefeated? Yes. Ranked ahead of Georgia? No.</p>
<p><b>12) Florida State<br>13) South Carolina</b><b><b>:</b></b> How over is the dream? (Very over.)</p>
<p><b>14) Texas Tech<br>15) Rutgers</b><b><b>: </b></b>Undefeated and playing... *Kent State* this week?!</p>
<p><b>16) Louisville</b><b><b>:</b></b> Undefeated. Also just saw they don't play Rutgers until the last week of the regular season. This could decide the national title!</p>
<p><b>17) Stanford</b><b><br>18) Clemson</b><b>:</b> Before I let Clemson Tom do his thing, peep this V-Tech pick against Clemson last week. Almost subtle in its sheer brilliance.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XhQg3k7oeqQ"></iframe> <br id="1351016496137"></p>
<p>Aright, CT -- go right at it.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Thursday night, Clemson plays Wake Forest, a.k.a. Weak Forest. People keep telling me, "Tom, Wake Forest plays Clemson tough every year." Well, what happened a few years ago when we blew them out? Sure we won by a FG last year, but who cares? That was last year. I failed a spelling test in sixth grade, let's talk about that...oh, I thought we were discussing things with no relevance today.<br><br>Weak Florist isn't gonna want anymore of Clemson after this game. The NCAA might actually file bullying charges on the Tigers after this beating. The Geeks (WF) looked scared against FSU and played like they were more interested in a flag football game. I expect them to quit caring around halftime.<br><br>Seriously, what are they gonna do? They have no fans, no real student section, and their field looks like a high school stadium. Yeah, I'm worried about Wake -- only in basketball. though.<br><br>Following me on Twitter - @ClemsonTom<br><br>Have a Pawsome™ weekend!</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>19) West Virginia</b><b><b>:</b></b> I can't even look at you.</p>
<p><b>20) Texas A&M</b><b>: </b>Wow, did you screw up last week.</p>
<p><b>21) Boise State</b><b><br>22) Michigan</b><b><b>:</b></b> Project 17 made some major strides this week, as crappy Michigan is only five spots away from our coveted No. 17 ranking. But boy, did they make it painful to get there. The coaching staff has completely shackled Denard with passing plays not suited to his skill-set, no production from the RBs, and a playbook so conservative, it should be hanging out with Paul Ryan. Win's a win, I s'pose. Feels good to end that State streak.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/501222/MrPersonality.jpg" target="_blank">What say you</a>, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio?</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1266147/MrPersonality.jpg"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1266147/MrPersonality_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Mrpersonality_medium"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/501222/MrPersonality.jpg"></a></p>
<p>STFU, n00b.</p>
<p><b>23) Texas: </b>Texas Forever.</p>
<p><b>24) Ohio: </b>Good goin', eggheads, you did it! Finally. Don't make any of us regret this.</p>
<p><b>25) Wisconsin</b><b>:</b> Well, well, well, how the hell did this happen?</p>
<p>Speaking of things I don't understand... sometime between this year and last year, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball (pronounced: Mon-tee) said he wanted his name to be pronounced Mon-tay. Though it seems a little different, I was very willing to abide by that. After all, it's how he said his name was pronounced, right?</p>
<p>So you could only imagine my confusion and skepticism when I saw the headline <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/20654845/mon-tay-ball-is-now-mon-tee-ball-again" target="_blank">"Wisconsin's Mon-TAY Ball is now Mon-TEE Ball again"</a>.</p>
<p>Really?</p>
<p>I was so befuddled and irritated by this, but still, I decided to keep an open mind, knowing full well that the explanation would be nothing short of stupid. And here it is:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"The coaches have been calling me Mon-TEE now," Ball told Fox Sports Wisconsin. "They said, ‘Mon-TAY is done with. We don't want to see him anymore, and it's back to Mon-TEE.' I'm just going with it now."<br><br>Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said the change happened during Wisconsin's 38-14 win against Purdue.<br><br>"I didn't want to go public with that one," Bielema said. "I was riding back on the plane from Purdue [last week], and a couple of my coaches told me that everybody on the sideline was saying, 'Hey, Mon-TAY's gone, but Mon-TEE's back.'"</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So, essentially, the coaches decided he was Mon-TEE against his will, and he doesn't care. The sad part is this was probably our best case scenario. I'll give the last word on this situation to the homie Tom Fornelli at CBS, who wrote the post we linked.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Now if <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132124/joel-stave" class="sbn-auto-link">Joel Stave</a> would just change his name to Russell Wilson, this Wisconsin team might be unstoppable.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>ZING.</p>
<p><b>Teams Not Ranked I Want To Talk About Anyway</b></p>
<p><b>Temple:</b> Seriously, you don't even have to read the story, but this is a Top 10 headline of the year candidate: <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/temple-still-looking-12th-game-172458885--ncaaf.html" target="_blank">"Temple still looking for a 12th game – for this year"</a></p>
<p><b>Eastern Washington:</b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dot5OKwJtZE&feature=player_embedded#!" target="_blank">Awesome play</a> by the Eastern Washington QB. Bonus points for it being on the <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Red-Alert-Eastern-Washington-s-scarlet-field-of?urn=ncaaf-270513" target="_blank">Blood Field</a>.</p>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h5>Any Sweet Games This Weekend?</h5>
<p><b>Thursday<br>N/A</b></p>
<p><b>Friday Night Lights<br>Cincinnati at Louisville (16):</b> Will anyone watch this? Especially with Neuqua Valley (No. 1 seed) hosting Naperville North in the first round of the IHSA 8A football playoffs? Whatever, Louisville is undefeated. <a href="http://uoflcardgame.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Charlie-Strong.png" target="_blank">Charlie Strong</a>!</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1266171/friday-night-lights-gut-check-3_article_story_main.jpg"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1266171/friday-night-lights-gut-check-3_article_story_main_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Friday-night-lights-gut-check-3_article_story_main_medium"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://images.hitfix.com/photos/701685/friday-night-lights-gut-check-3_article_story_main.jpg"></a></p>
<p><b>Saturday<br>Colorado at Oregon (4): </b>I'd say "this is gonna be a bloodbath," but I feel like Colorado is *already* sitting in a bath of blood.</p>
<p>(By the way, we're already at the mid-afternoon games. The early slate suuuuuucks.)</p>
<p><b>Florida (2) at Georgia (10):</b> Game of the Week. While I'm 4x more interested in ND-OU, this game, objectively, is more compelling. Higher ranked team on the road, and if you add up the rankings (12), it beats ND-OU (13). Georgia has got to take some time away from screwing up to play well, right?</p>
<p><b>Texas Tech (14) at Kansas State (3):</b> Whoa, where did this game come from? Cool. Let's see how Collin Klein responds with that big Heisman target on his chest.</p>
<p><b>USC (9) at Arizona:</b> USC/RichRod. Eh, I don't know. This is sad.</p>
<p><b>Duke at Florida State (12):</b> Haha.</p>
<p><b>Kent State at Rutgers (15):</b> Booooo.</p>
<p><b>Boise State (21) at Wyoming:</b> Only one reason this made the list (see this column's conclusion).</p>
<p><b>Ohio (24) at Miami (OH):</b> The Battle of Ohio! (What, I'm sorry, was Ohio State ranked?)</p>
<p><b>Ohio State at Penn State:</b> Nope! All sanction jokes aside, I really think you should peep this game. Ohio State's offense is straight fire to watch, and Bill O'Brien has somehow turned PSU QB Matt McGloin into the best pocket passer in the Big Ten. They're doing a lot of cool tight end stuff, too.</p>
<p>Also: get well, Braxton Miller. We -- my fantasy team -- need(s) you.</p>
<p><b>Baylor at Iowa State:</b> These two teams are too awesome and goofy to not have something funny and bad happen.</p>
<p><b>Notre Dame (5) at Oklahoma (8):</b> Notre Dame has the 100th ranked passing offense in college football. They beat Purdue by three points. Though I have nothing but good things to say about their defense, overall improvements from last year, and future outlook, when it comes to their national title relevance *this* season, they are absolute frauds. This should be the game that proves this to us.</p>
<p>Oklahoma has won five games and lost one. The margin of victory in their five wins: 17, 56, 21*, 42*, 45. The deficit in their lone loss? Five points. And that came against Kansas State, the team currently ranked No. 3 in the country. Everyone knows about ND's defensive dominance (No. 2 in points against), but Oklahoma's defense ain't exactly full of slouches -- they're No. 12 in points against.</p>
<p>(* - against a current BCS Top 25 team)</p>
<p>But forget margin of victories and defensive stats, I think it boils down to this: Oklahoma is a real team that will score real points, and I simply don't think Notre Dame can keep up.</p>
<p>OU by double digits.</p>
<p><b>Mississippi State (11) at Alabama (1):</b> Well, what do you know? We get to have a fun mid-afternoon/night of CFB, while Alabama plays later against an undefeated Mississippi State team we can spend all day talking up. The bad news, group, is the spread of this game is 'Bama -24.</p>
<p>Hope status: crushed.</p>
<p><b>Oregon State (7) at Washington:</b> For Corvallis, Oregon State? No, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JZzZ3dPz3k" target="_blank">for me</a>!</p>
<p>Extremely nervous for the Beavs this week.</p>
<h5>Random Picture I Came Across While Googling Stuff For This Post</h5>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1266153/102310-CFB-Mark-Dantonio-JW_20101023161440_660_320_JPG.jpg"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1266153/102310-CFB-Mark-Dantonio-JW_20101023161440_660_320_JPG_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="102310-cfb-mark-dantonio-jw_20101023161440_660_320_jpg_medium"></a></p>
<p><i>via <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ndrwwTIJZVE/TTSXgymv0uI/AAAAAAAAADg/ogkyhDLuqbc/s1600/102310-CFB-Mark-Dantonio-JW_20101023161440_660_320.JPG">3.bp.blogspot.com</a></i></p>
<h5>Wrapping It Up...</h5>
<p>My heart goes out to the <a href="http://deadspin.com/5954244/wyoming-football-coach-suspended-fined-for-phenomenal-mr-fucking-howdy-doody-tirade" target="_blank">Wyoming coach</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/mizzou-director-video-operations-charged-7-600-strip-221610775--ncaaf.html" target="_blank">Missouri guy</a>, who were the true heroes of college football this past week.</p>
<p><i><b>Bobby Loesch is a weekly contributor to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com">SBN Chicago</a>. he can be reached at bobbyloesch@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/bobbystompy">@bobbystompy</a>.</b></i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/2012/10/25/3439030/florida-georgia-notre-dame-oklahoma-college-football-schedule-rankingsBobby Loesch