Monthly Archives: November 2011

Scout’s Notebook: Oklahoma St@Texas Tech

SCOUT’S NOTEBOOK: OKLAHOMA STATE@TEXAS TECH

A Big 12 tussle between Oklahoma State and Texas Tech turned out to be a one-sided affair in favor of the undefeated Cowboys, who beyond Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon feature a host of other very talented and mostly unsung contributors.

Livin’ large and in charge

While many bring up the names of quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Case Keenum and Kellen Moore as the prime Heisman Trophy candidates, none have been as consistent as Brandon Weeden, who unlike Keenum and Moore has directed his team to big wins over top programs in the Big 12.

The 28-year-old field general was once again outstanding versus the Red Raiders, completing 31 of 37 passes for 423 yards and five touchdowns. He did that by masterfully stepping away

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Scout’s Notebook: Ole Miss@Kentucky

SCOUT’S NOTEBOOK: OLE MISS@KENTUCKY

Last Saturday’s showdown between SEC bottom feeders Ole Miss and Kentucky (won by the Wildcats by a 30-13 tally) was hardly a clash of the titans, but it was nonetheless an opportunity to getting a close look at some promising prospects that have a chance to make it at the next level.

Always the “Guy”

Outside linebacker Winston Guy is a self-described “headhunter,” who uses his athleticism and phenomenal instincts in going downhill and defending the run. He didn’t wind up with as many tackles as his teammate Danny Trevathan (10 vs. 17), but Guy’s takedowns were generally more memorable given the sheer force with which he hits people.

The senior wasted no time in making an impact by setting the edge on scatback Jeff

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Rosstradamus Ramble—Week 9

What a bizarre week of football. I can’t remember a group of games worse than those played at 1pm, nor can I remember a group of crazier games played at 4pm. Upsets, comebacks, wild finishes—everything we needed to make up for the soporific early games.

Was that elite enough for you? I’d hope so. Eli Manning, who had played mediocre at best for three quarters, played lights-out football in the fourth quarter to lead his Giants to a thrilling 24-20 win over the Patriots. It wasn’t thrilling for Giants fans for the first three quarters, at least offensively. Manning was 12-26 for 157 yards and a terrible interception through the first three acts of this four-act drama. But it’s the final act that matters most, and has throughout Manning’s career. In this version, he went 8-13 for 93 yards and two touchdown passes. He even threw in

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Scout’s Notebook: Stanford@USC

SCOUT’S NOTEBOOK: STANFORD@USC

The Pac-12 battle between Stanford and USC was one for the ages, which saw the quarterbacks from both squads bring their “A” games, along with a host of others who flashed their skills on prime-time television .

No Luck involved in this one

Andrew Luck was sharp from the get-go, completing 29 of 40 throws for 330 yards and three touchdowns. In his first drive, he was successful in stepping away from pressure and throwing the ball on the move, as he did on a 23-yard hook-up with wide receiver Griff Whalen with Nick Perry breathing down his neck.

On 1st-and-15, Luck was very poised and confident in going through his progressions and coming back to his shallow option, Levine Toilolo, for seven yards.

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BCS Busters & FCS Watch

BCS Busters Top 10

1. Boise State Broncos (1) <br Record: 7-0 (2-0)<br Last: Idle<br Up Next: 11/5 UNLV
<br 2. Houston Cougars (2) <br Record: 8-0 (4-0)<br Last: Won vs. Rice<br Up Next: 11/5 UAB
<br 3.  Southern Miss (3) <br Record: 7-1 (3-1)<br Last: Won UTEP<br Up Next: 11/5 East Carolina
<br 4. TCU Horned Frogs (5) <br Record: 6-2 (3-0)<br Last: Won vs. BYU<br Up Next: 11/5 Wyoming
<br 5. BYU Cougars (7) <br Record: 6-3<br Last: Lost TCU
Up Next: 11/12 vs. Idaho

6. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (NR) <br Record: 5-3 (4-0)<br

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BCS Busters & FCS Watch

BCS Busters Top 10

1. Boise State Broncos (1) <br Record: 7-0 (2-0)<br Last: Idle<br Up Next: 11/5 UNLV
<br 2. Houston Cougars (2) <br Record: 8-0 (4-0)<br Last: Won vs. Rice<br Up Next: 11/5 UAB
<br 3.  Southern Miss (3) <br Record: 7-1 (3-1)<br Last: Won UTEP<br Up Next: 11/5 East Carolina
<br 4. TCU Horned Frogs (5) <br Record: 6-2 (3-0)<br Last: Won vs. BYU<br Up Next: 11/5 Wyoming
<br 5. BYU Cougars (7) <br Record: 6-3<br Last: Lost TCU
Up Next: 11/12 vs. Idaho

6. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (NR) <br Record: 5-3 (4-0)<br

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Rosstradamus Ramble—Week 8

Week 8 is over, and some serious statements were made. Some, like the ones made by the teams that reside in Pennsylvania, were positive ones; others, like the one made by a certain quarterback, were…something else.

Not a Giant Victory…

The Giants defeated the winless Dolphins. They had to come from behind to do so, at home, but then the Giants always seem to play down to the level of their competition. I’m not sure why—and clearly neither is Coach Tom Coughlin—but one can write it off as “a win is a win” or one can be concerned about the team’s mental focus. It’s the same type of mentality that’s seen Big Blue falter at the end of nearly every season under Coughlin.

Eli Manning continued his outstanding season, going 31-45 for 349 yards and two touchdowns. Once again, he played interception-free football. However, despite

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