'Showdown Saturday' to 'Elimination Saturday'
Following upsets, OU, Texas and Florida must win to remain in title picture
Phil Sandlin / APFlorida coach Urban Meyer walks away from the team during a timeout moments before Auburn defeated Florida 20-17 on a last-second field goal. The loss has taken some of the luster off the Gators match-up Saturday night at LSU.
Q: Yeah, yeah, I've heard enough about Florida-LSU and Oklahoma-Texas (they aren't as big a deal now after the losses). Is there anything else worth watching this weekend?
-- Andy Wu, Syracuse, N.Y.
A: Of course, Andy. If you take Florida-LSU and Oklahoma-Texas out of the equation, here’s where I’m directing my remote-control clicker:
- Ohio State (5-0) at Purdue (5-0) – Are the Buckeyes really that good? Hey, are the Boilermakers really that good? We know Purdue QB Curtis Painter can put up some big numbers. If he does it against Ohio State’s defense, we’ll be impressed. Prediction: Ohio State 24, Purdue 23.
- Nebraska (4-1) at Missouri (4-0) – Potential showdown in the Big 12 North. Nebraska’s season has largely been brutal (routed by USC, narrowly escaped Ball State), but slowing down QB Chase Daniel and the Tiger offense will get Bill Callahan’s heart singing again. Prediction: Nebraska 35, Missouri 27.
- Wisconsin (5-0) at Illinois (4-1) – Ron Zook’s Fighting Illini can make a quantum leap here, by upsetting the Badgers (with the nation’s longest Division I-A winning streak at 14 straight games). Although Wisconsin surely knows how to win, especially against Illinois (9-2-1 in the last 12 meetings, including 5-1 at Champaign, Ill.), it says here Zook’s team will enjoy another breakthrough Saturday. Prediction: Illinois 24, Wisconsin 21.
- Virginia Tech (4-1) at Clemson (4-1) – Loser may be on the outs in the ACC championship race, but Virginia Tech has some slight wiggle room (only loss was to SEC foe LSU). Once again, Clemson failed to capitalize on a good start with a lifeless performance in a 13-3 loss at Georgia Tech. Prediction: Virginia Tech 19, Clemson 14.
- Cincinnati (5-0) at Rutgers (3-1) – Nobody is talking about Cincinnati in the Big East race. Remember, the Bearcats knocked Rutgers out of last season’s BCS bowl picture with a 30-11 stomping. But you have to think the Scarlet Knights, bounced by Maryland last weekend, will avoid losing two straight games, especially at home. Prediction: Rutgers 20, Cincinnati 17.
Q: Are the next two games make-or-break to Matt Ryan's Heisman hopes? Boston College plays Notre Dame and Virginia Tech.
-- Laura Peters, Blacksburg, Va.
A: Well, Laura, certainly those are high-profile exposure games, something every aspiring Heisman Trophy candidate needs for the trip to New York.
As long as Ryan keeps performing as he did in September – more importantly, as long as Boston College keeps winning, I feel he’s going to be in the hunt. For one thing, he’s an excellent player, a steady leader, someone who exemplifies the award’s ideals. For another, he plays in a major media market, on the East Coast, and that’s bound to bolster his recognition.
For the record, here are my updated Heisman favorites:
- 1. WR DeSean Jackson, California.
- 2. QB Andre’ Woodson, Kentucky.
- 3. RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas.
- 4. QB Matt Ryan, Boston College.
- 5. QB Tim Tebow, Florida.
(Also for the record, I’m not a Heisman voter).
Q: Did that 59-year-old player finally play? Is this just some huge gimmick?
-- Sandy Beach, Bainbridge Island, Wash.
A: Not as yet, but it’s still a great story.
Mike Flynt, 59, is playing linebacker for Division III Sul Ross State in Texas. He was on that school’s football team in the early 1970s, but got kicked out of the program for fighting, missing his senior season. It was always his greatest regret, even when he became the strength and conditioning coach at Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M.
Flynt, encouraged by his buddies, investigated the possibility of returning and learned he was eligible (even though he’s the only AARP member in college football). He is said to be in great shape, although it’s hard to imagine him consistently competing against 20-year-olds. He has declined most interview requests, so I tend to think it’s a sincere effort at achieving a life goal, not an attempt at gaining attention.
How old is Flynt?
He’s a grandfather.
In 1965, he played on the first state title team at Odessa Permian, the school featured on Friday Night Lights.
When he originally played college football, Sul Ross State was in the Lone Star Conference, which also featured Harvey Martin and Dwight White.
This senior-year senior citizen is a great human-interest story.
Joey Johnston writes regularly for msnbc.com and is a columnist for the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune.
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