Saturday stunners change contenders for national title
Two of college football's greatest elements are the upset and the buildup to games.
But these cornerstones, on occasion, smash into each other, and that's what happened last week.
Within 24 hours, five Top 10 teams lost, rearranging the national title race and welcoming new contenders (South Florida, Boston College, Cal) to the mix.
Stunner Saturday saw slip-ups from the reigning national champion (Florida), two seemingly unstoppable offenses (West Virginia, Oklahoma) and three foreseeable frauds (Texas, Rutgers, Clemson). But it also dimmed the lights on what was supposed to be a showcase day.
With must-see matchups like LSU-Florida, Texas-Oklahoma, Virginia Tech-Clemson and Georgia-Tennessee, today was college football nirvana.
Those games still have intrigue, but the spotlight is no longer locked on Baton Rouge, Dallas and Death Valley. Instead, it shifts to places like Champaign, Columbia, Mo., West Lafayette, Ind., and Manhattan, Kan.
Florida's home loss to Auburn puts a new spin on what could have been the season's most meaningful regular-season game. If the Gators fall at top-ranked LSU, they're out of the title hunt. If the Tigers stumble, their road to N'awlins gets rougher and the Pac-10 becomes the nation's best conference.
After watching Sam Bradford and the Oklahoma offense dismantle Tulsa, I bought into the Sooners as a title contender. Who could hold them to fewer than 50 points? Colorado, evidently.
Oklahoma is left to bury what's left of Texas before setting its sights on a surprising Big 12 North that pits two unbeatens (Missouri and Kansas) against two recharging superpowers (Nebraska and Kansas State).
Despite its sagging national reputation, the Big Ten boasts two of today's most appetizing games.
Of the league's three remaining undefeated teams, only Ohio State has looked impressive, but the Buckeyes must win at Purdue. Fifth-ranked Wisconsin, the Big Ten's junkballer (consistent success, no style points), visits Illinois as a 2.5-point underdog.
Picks & misses: It wasn't the banner day many had hoped for, but new storylines should make it just as memorable.
Last week worked out perfectly, a 3-1 record with my lone misstep (Oregon over Cal) being one I had hoped would be wrong. As the Bears rest up during their bye week, here are my four picks to click.
Wisconsin at Illinois, 11 a.m., ESPN
The skinny: Vegas knows to stick with a hot pick, and so do I. Wisconsin has the nation's longest win streak, but it ends today against a team with a better defense and more talent.
Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas, 2:30 p.m., Ch. 7
The skinny: Colt McCoy's final tally last week: 4 interceptions, 13 quarterback hurries and a concussion. He bounces back today, but Oklahoma carves up the Texas secondary.
Ohio State at Purdue, 7 p.m., Ch. 7
The skinny: The Buckeyes have the nation's best defense this side of Baton Rouge, and they will pressure Curtis Painter into one too many mistakes.
Florida at LSU, 7:30 p.m., Ch. 2
The skinny: The Gators have struggled the last two weeks, and LSU could give quarterback Tim Tebow fits. Should be a good one, but the Tigers survive at home.
Rittenberg on the season: 12-8