Tennessee might look back at its game against LSU and call it "a tail of two halves," or maybe even "a tail of two quarterbacks."
With apologies to fans of the NFL (and Charles Dickens for the previous pun), I can't think of a more appealing Monday night football matchup than LSU vs. Tennessee. With the imminent approach of Hurricane Rita last week, the SEC showdown in Death Valley was moved from Saturday to Monday night.
The game began with a bad omen for Tennessee: nearly losing the ball by fumbling the opening kickoff. Luckily Inquoris Johnson, the Vols' return man, was already down. Five plays later, Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge was hit by an LSU defender, fumbled the ball and LSU was in business. LSU running back Joseph Addai took the ball on the next play and darted 19 yards into the end zone.
The first half continued in the same fashion, with the peak coming when LSU pinned Tennessee on its own 1-yard line. Ainge dropped back to pass and as he was about to be hit, he tossed the ball up into the air to no one in particular. The ball fell into the hands of LSU linebacker Kenneth Hollis, who gladly accepted the gift-wrapped pick six. LSU 21 Tennessee 0.
Quarterback Rick Clausen was then given a second chance at leading the Vol offense. Clausen, who transferred from LSU, was the starter last week against Florida before being pulled in favor of Ainge.
Clausen proceeded to move the Tennessee offense with an amazing amount of efficiency, completing 21 of 32 passes for 196 yards, throwing one touchdown pass and running for another. Combine that with one of the nation's best defenses, and with a little more than two minutes left in the game, Tennessee found itself tied with LSU, 24-24.
Enter Tennessee running back Gerald Riggs Jr.
After the Vol defense had forced LSU's offense to settle for a field goal in the first overtime possession, Clausen passed the ball to Riggs for a 10-yard gain. Riggs then took the ball on a hand-off grinding out 7 yards. A 5-yard gain, again by Riggs, and the ball was on the 3. On third-and-goal from the 1, Riggs took the ball and forced his way into the end zone.
Exit Tennessee with an improbable come-from-behind victory. The honeymoon for first-year LSU coach Les Miles is now over.
The other highlight of week four in college football was South Florida's 45-14 trouncing of ninth-ranked Louisville. Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, known for running up the score against opponents, was given a taste of his own medicine. While leading 31-7 in the second half, the USF Bulls called a double-reverse pass for a touchdown in the back of the end zone. Petrino's facial expression was priceless.
Also from week five:
Michigan State established itself as the team to beat in the Big Ten by moving to 4-0 with a 61-14 thrashing of Illinois. Michigan State is averaging an incredible 49 points per game. Next up for the Spartans is in-state foe Michigan, reeling after losing its second game of the year, 23-20, and dropping out of the top 25.
Prediction: Michigan State 37 Michigan 27
For two quarters, it looked like the improbable might be possible as Oregon jumped out to a 13-0 lead against the No. 1 ranked Trojans. Southern Cal never showed a trace of panic, as its firepower began to take control of the game. Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart showed why they are the two best players in college football. Leinart threw 23-of-39 for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Reggie Bush rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. He also caught three passes for 49 yards and a score. When it was all over, those of us who had seen the score when Oregon had jumped out to a 13-0 lead and thought that an upset might be in the making simply felt foolish for ever entertaining the notion. The Trojans won 45-13. USC next takes on Arizona State in Tempe. There are some that predict this Sun Devil squad has the weaponry to give the Trojans a fight. I am not one of those.
Prediction: Southern Cal 52 ASU 21
The matchup of greatest interest in week five is Florida vs. Alabama. Urban Meyer looks to continue his "Urban Renewal" project as he takes the Gators on the road to Tuscaloosa. One of the major SEC stories this year has been the re-emergence of Alabama. The Crimson Tide might be that sleeping giant that has finally been awakened, having jumped out to a 4-0 start. Seeing Alabama struggle for the past couple years was nice, but the feeling they would eventually make it back always remained. This is the perfect opportunity for the Tide to show everyone they have.
The Tide has the running game to control the ball against Florida. They also have the defense to slow down Chris Leak and company. This will be quarterback Brodie Croyle's chance to be remembered as one of the great Alabama quarterbacks with the likes of Jay Barker, Ken Stabler, Joe Namath and others. With a loss, people might be ready to run him out of town, along with coach Mike Shula.
Prediction: Alabama 27 Florida 26
Other notable games:
Notre Dame vs. Purdue: Purdue fans have a serious inferiority complex when it comes to this in-state rivalry. The problem is, their football team also has a penchant for collapsing at the end of a game.
Prediction: Notre Dame 37 Purdue 28
Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia: The Hokies are looking quite impressive. Their defense is one of the best in the land, and Marcus Vick is starting to remind people of his older brother. WVU will get its first loss of the season.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28 WVU 17
I have picked Clemson to win the past two weeks, and they have lost both games in overtime. You might be thinking "hey, if they lost the last two games in overtime, and you picked them to win, keep picking them to win!"
It's tempting I admit, but somehow I get the feeling that Clemson's downward spiral will continue without my help.
Last week: 4-2 (14-6 overall)
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