Clemson upsets Florida State, Texas Tech looks to win
Congratulations Clemson for beating Florida State and pullingoff one of the year’s most surprising upsets.
This happened in a week that featured Tennessee upsetting Miamiin the Orange Bowl, Notre Dame nipping Navy on the last play tosecure their 40th straight win over the Midshipmen, Auburn losingto ‘Ole Miss because of a dropped pass in the end zone, Dukeupsetting Georgia Tech, and Miami tight end Kellen Winslow blowinga gasket in a post-game interview, calling himself a “f-ingsoldier.” After all this, the Tigers still took the cake.
You couldn’t ask for more in a football game; this one hadit all. Father Bobby Bowden coaching against son Tommy: son needinga win to keep his job; father wanting a victory on his 74thbirthday.
All signs pointed to a Florida State rout. Clemson had neverdefeated Florida State or a team ranked in the top three. TheTigers were one of the worst teams in the nation against the run,and FSU was one of the best in rushing. It didn’t matter. Thestars were aligned; it was Tommy’s destiny to beat hisdad.
But then again, maybe it wasn’t fate; maybe it was theundying support from the Clemson fans. Draped in everything fromorange tiger tails to orange overalls to orange underwear, theTiger faithful never stopped cheering. They started about 10 hoursbefore game time and didn’t stop until the wee hours ofSunday morning long after the goal posts were ripped down anddropped in the middle of town square.
Or maybe it was the ludicrous play-calling of FloridaState’s offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden. Against the weakClemson front, he called only 17 running plays compared to 52 passplays. This led to the FSU offense spending only 23 minutes on thefield.
Whatever it was, it was magical. It was a win people will betalking about at Clemson 50 years from now. It will be mentionedwith the 22-15 win over Nebraska that secured the 1981 nationalchampionship. It will become legendary. Congratulations Clemson.You shocked the world.
Texas Tech at Texas
As a result of the recent BCS poll, the Longhorns find theirnational championship hopes rejuvenated. If that doesn’toffer enough incentive, Texas will be out to avenge lastyear’s 42-38 loss.
Texas Tech’s Keys to Victory
The Red Raiders are going to have to get their offense goingearly. There is no doubt they are potent, averaging over 600 yardsper game, but they have struggled early in the past few games. Ifthey are unable to score in their first few possessions, they willget buried.
Look for head coach Mike Leach to come out throwing the balldeep. Don’t be surprised if there is an early attempt downthe field to receiver Wes Welker. Tech will need to be careful tostay away from cornerback Nathan Vasher. He is one of the bestcover corners in the country.
Texas’ Keys to Victory
As impressive as the Red Raiders have been on offense, they havebeen equally as inept on defense, giving up over 30 points pergame. Texas will look to exploit this weakness by giving the ballto running back Cedric Benson early in the game. This strategy willserve to move the chains as well as keep the dangerous Tech offenseoff the field.
Look for freshman quarterback Vince Young to do a lot of runningfrom shotgun sets. Young torched the vaunted “BlackShirts” of Nebraska two weeks ago so he could have a fieldday against the much weaker Tech defense.
Unless coach Mack Brown is a complete moron (some argue he is),Texas will try to keep the ball on the ground as much as possiblein order to keep the score down. If it turns into a shootout, allsigns point to a Texas Tech victory.
Prediction: Texas Tech wins 41-31.
Notes
Ohio State hosts Purdue in the Horseshoe this week. The Buckeyesare fresh off another close game as they defeated Michigan State33-23. If they want to beat Purdue, they will have to get pressureon Boilermaker signal caller Kyle Orton. This will disrupt theirtiming-based passing game. The Buckeyes will get the necessarypressure and the win in a nail biter.
Kansas State travels to Nebraska with the winner almost all butassured a spot in the Big 12 championship game. The Wildcats arefinally starting to look like the team that everyone expected inthe preseason by winning their last four games. The Huskers shouldprove difficult, but the ‘Cats will win and keep the streakrolling.
