Hash Marks 11.14.08: Top 3’s Tests, A Look Ahead to the BCS Bowls, Heisman Race in Week 11, Plus Predictions for Week 12!

Posted by Cody Dalton on 11.14.2008

411mania’s Cody Dalton talks about the tough games for the top 3, a look ahead to the BCS Bowl games in January, the Heisman race with less than a month to go, and Predictions for Week 12 in NCAA Football action in this week’s edition of Hash Marks!

Thanks for joining me all for this edition of Hash Marks. I know I'm a day late, but I'm still bringing you the very best that college football has to offer. Let me get started right off the get-go with the wild games for the Top 3 teams in last week's poll….

TOPSY TURVY TOP 3



This past week, all of the top 3 teams faced big tests. #1 Alabama had to face LSU, #2 Texas Tech got the offensive Oklahoma State, and #3 Penn State had a tough rival and nemesis in Iowa. How'd they fair?

#1 Alabama def. # 16 Louisiana State, 26-21 (OT)

The Crimson Tide and their fans had to hold their breathe as they moved past LSU in overtime. John Parker Wilson willed the ball across the goal line plain to help Alabama keep their National Championship game hopes alive.

Remaining schedule:

11/15 – Mississippi State
11/22 – BYE
11/29 – Auburn
12/6 – SEC Title game vs. #6 Florida

#2 Texas Tech def. #9 Oklahoma State, 56-20

Of the three games, Texas Tech had the easiest road against what appeared to be the hardest opponent of the three. The Red Raiders easily cruised to a win with Heisman front runner Graham Harrell throwing for 6 touchdowns and limiting the Oklahoma State offense. When you score 56 points, you are going to be hard to beat.

Remaining schedule:

11/15 – BYE
11/22 – at Oklahoma
11/29 – Baylor

Iowa def. #3 Penn State, 24-23

Daniel Murray's kicked a 31-yard field goal with a tick on the clock remaining. It was like a repeat of Texas Tech's dramatic win over Texas, as the fans stormed the field. I do feel extremely sorry for Joe Paterno, especially seeing the press conference. He realized that it was probably his last chance to reach the big one. Now that chance is gone. Looks like the Rose Bowl and possible Southern Cal wait at the end of the road.

Remaining schedule:

11/15 – Indiana
11/22 – #15 Michigan State

Here are some of the other remaining schedules for key BCS players:

#3 Texas –

11/15 – @ Kansas
11/27 – Texas A&M

#4 Florida –

11/15 – No. 25 South Carolina
11/22 – Citadel
11/29 – @ No. 19 Florida State
12/06 – SEC Championship vs. No. 1 Alabama

#5 Oklahoma –

11/22 – #2 Texas Tech
11/29 – @ #13 Oklahoma State

#6 Southern California –

11/15 – @ Stanford
11/29 – Notre Dame
12/6 – @ UCLA

#7 Utah –

11/15 – @ San Diego St.
11/22 – #17 BYU

#9 Boise State –

11/15 – @ Idaho
11/22 – @ Nevada
11/28 – Fresno State


What's the likely outcome? Here is how I see it….

BCS National Championship Game:
#4 Florida vs. winner of Big 12 (Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma)

I think that Alabama was exposed in their slight win over LSU. I see Florida winning the SEC Championship game, leaving them to play either Texas Tech, Texas, or Oklahoma. A lot depends on the OU-TT match up, as well as the Big 12 Championship game.

Rose Bowl presented by Citi
#8 Penn State vs. #6 Southern California

What do the runners up in the BCS get? Well, one gets essentially a home game, while the other looks for redemption. Should be a great game.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
#9 Boise State vs. The 2nd Big 12 school (Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma)

It would be interesting if this were Oklahoma because we'd see a rematch of that classic Fiesta Bowl match up. Either way, I see Boise going down in this game if it happens. And I mean DOWN. Like Georgia over Hawaii down.

FedEx Orange Bow
Miami (defeating FSU in the ACC Championship game) vs. #11 Ohio State

This is a complete toss up, but this would be another classic rematch. Ohio State defeated the Hurricanes a few years ago (when a guy named Maurice Clarrett played there). Ohio State will get in just because the rules bend their way. No more than 2 schools can be represented from one conference in the BCS, meaning that Oklahoma, Texas, or Texas Tech will be left out of the equation. Once again, another reason to have a playoff system.

Nokia Sugar Bowl
currently #1 Alabama vs. currently # 7 Utah

I'm really going on a whim here because of my predicted Crimson Tide loss and I think this is the year of the non-BCS schools getting invites. This would be an interesting match up, but probably a slaughter. Who knows though? This Utah team looked good early in the year, especially against Michigan.

HASH MARK'S HEISMAN WATCH: WEEK 11



We are now just under a month to go in the running for the 74th winner of the Heisman Trophy. Here are how I believe things stand after the 11th week of college football…

#1 - GRAHAM HARRELL, QB, TEXAS TECH



He did it again. Harrell threw for 456 yards off of 40 of 50 passes and 6 touchdowns. He hasn't thrown an interception in three games. That's as impressive stat because his opponents were Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma State. Harrell already one of college football's most elite passers and continues to keep going. He has put himself in position to win this award and if all goes well, he'll validate Mike Leech's passing offense by being the first Heisman trophy winner from Texas Tech.

#2 - COLT MCCOY, QB, TEXAS



McCoy stays at the second position and still has a great chance. Some things need to happen in order for him to get himself back in position to win, but he's still there. Who knows? Maybe the voters will like McCoy's accuracy over Harrell's arm. If it were my vote though, Harrell is 1 and McCoy is 2.

#3 - SAM BRADFORD, QB, OKLAHOMA



I really like this guy, but his chances of winning are "slim and none". The kid will probably be one of the top guys taken in April's draft, but this award won't be his. Quite a shame too for a guy who is #3 on my list, but still one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.

#4 - TIM TEBOW, QB, FLORIDA



I have no problem with Tebow, but with all of these Big 12 quarterbacks, it is hard to move up. Unless one of those teams loses or comes close to losing, plus a lackluster performance by one of the candidates, I have to keep Tebow #4. That doesn't mean he is a bad player, but he isn't better than the guys in front of him on this list….at least this year.

#5 - JAVON RINGER, RB, MICHIGAN STATE



I have to keep Ringer here because he is phenomenal. Leads the nation in touchdowns and yards and has impressed me. With a few games remaining, he still has a chance to pad his stats. Will the guy get an invite? Probably not. Does he deserve one? Absolutely.


WEEK 12 PREDICTIONS

I stayed above .500 for another week with a slim 3-2 record for the week. I missed the Notre Dame-BC game and the Clemson-Florida State games. Hopefully, I can get better this week and improve on it. Let's see with this week's picks…



In the "Spurrier Bowl", I've got the Gators BIG over the Gamecocks. Florida really wants back in the National Championship picture and this win will get them some attention, as well as some looks.

I've got Alabama rolling the tide over Mississippi State. ‘Bama is a great team and MSU has had problems in the SEC even competing. This one won't even be close, as the Crimson Tide remain unbeaten.

The Longhorns will defeat the Jayhawks in what I expect to be an offensive game. If Todd Reesing can play well, Texas might be in trouble. I'll take UT by a couple of scores.

Penn State will rebound from their Iowa loss last week and get a win over Indiana, as they eye a date in the Rose Bowl.

Finally, in what I dub "the Battle of the ‘Taters", I'll take Boise State ousting in-state rival Idaho BIG.

Well folks, thanks as always for your supporting and joining me every week. I'll get your action from Week 12 and preview Week 13 in next week's edition! Who knows what will happen in this already wild November!


Until then…..



Cody Dalton's book on sale now! "Sideline Warriors: The Greatest Sports Coaches and Managers of All Time" – http://www.lulu.com/content/2003212