Another week of football. That means another week of lessons learned. I’m on vacation in California leading up to the Breeders’ Cup, so the biggest lesson I learned today is that Joshua Tree is a really, really cool place. Crossroads Cafe – best bacon cheeseburger in the state. I haven’t tasted them all (though I would love to), but I am still confident of the claim. Despite the trekking through the desert and the eating of burgers, I did manage to fit some football time in, too. Here’s what sticks out:
1. Texas is good. I have to admit this finally. I have been a skeptic, but in consecutive weeks they have dismantled Oklahoma (in the second half, at least) and Missouri. I now have no real choice but to admit that they are the best team in the country. Of course, that pronouncement has been the kiss of death for USC and Oklahoma.
2. There is hope for UCLA. Yesterday my wife and I sat in the hot sun in the Rose Bowl watching UCLA beat Stanford. It was a sloppy game on both sides, and neither squad is ready for prime time. There are reasons for the Bruins to be optimistic, though. They were down by four with just over two minutes left, and they were pinned deep on a punt. They drove 87 yards for an impressive score to get the win. Rick Neuheisel has a big job ahead of him, but this was again proof that he is on the right track. Seeing a game in the Rose Bowl was a thrill, by the way.
3. BYU was hugely disappointing. I have no idea how to explain that performance, and I’m not even going to try to fgure out how they will bounce back.
4. Penn State raised some questions. Coming into ths weekend I was confident that Penn State was the class of the Big Ten. Now I’m not so sure. They blew out Michigan (who doesn’t these days?), but it took them well over a half to get going. If they struggled this badly here then it is hard to no what they will do against Ohio State and the like.
5. Washington State might be the worst team in the country. They lost 69-0 to a conference rival at home. I’m not going to spend any more time explaining the statement.
6. The Cowbys are cooked. From the best team in the league to losing to the Rams by 20 in a month. I’ll be shocked if Wade Phillips last the year. His replacement is already on staff, after all.
7. Jeff Garcia is a hugely underrated QB. I keep saying that, but that’s because he keeps winning. Tampa Bay is automatically worth a serious look any time he starts.
8. Double digit underdogs were 8-0 ATS coming into this week. They were 2-1 ATS this week thanks to a Seattle TD in garbage time. Very interesting.
9. The Saints were shut down totally on offense ths weekend, and Reggie Bush will miss at least next week’s game to have a date with Dr. James Andrews for his knee. So much for the playoffs in N.O.
10. Has there been an elite team in recent history that is as ridiculously inconsistent and untrustworthy as the Chargers? Oh yeah, maybe the Colts this year. Those are two franchises with serious woes.
