Monday, October 4, 2004
Auburn, Georgia, Purdue are for real
Questions just answered in college football, and those about to be ...
By Mike Lopresti
Gannett News Service
Saturday was illuminating. Auburn is for real. Georgia, too. And Purdue.
"We had something to prove," said Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville of the 34-10 romp at Tennessee. But don't they all?
In Jason Campbell, the Tigers were supposed to have a shaky quarterback who could not win tough games on the road.
Not anymore.
Georgia had been floundering on offense, with no good reason why.
Not anymore.
Purdue's Joe Tiller was 0-11 on the road against the VIPs on his schedule - Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Notre Dame. Not anymore.
Saturday's 41-16 bashing of Notre Dame took care of that.
The bad news was suggestive, too.
Of how long ago, for example, 2003 is for national champion LSU. The 45-16 wipeout at Georgia was a blow to its pride and joy - its defense. "I haven't been surprised much," Tiger coach Nick Saban said. "But I was today."
And how high the price Tennessee must pay, throwing two freshmen quarterbacks into the fire of the SEC. Five interceptions against Auburn. The Vols hadn't had five in a game since 1949.
"We heard how good they were supposed to be," said Auburn's Junior Rosegreen, a larcenous defensive back who had four of the thefts himself. "You can't write a big check unless you're prepared to cash it."
And how Ohio State's close-call magic is no longer reliable. Not even against Northwestern, a team that last beat the Buckeyes in 1971, on an angry day for Woody Hayes.
"Thirty-three years is long enough," said Northwestern coach Randy Walker after the Wildcats won 33-27 in overtime Saturday night.
"It's tough to accept," said Ohio State tackle Rob Sims. "Not so much about the streak, but we lost to a team we didn't think we could lose to."
And this Saturday, the big guys get answers.
No. 7 California finds out if it can hoodwink No. 1 USC again, its three-overtime upset last year the Trojans' only loss in 25 games.
No. 5 Texas finds out if No. 2 Oklahoma still is its worst nightmare, after four straight losses to the Sooners, including 65-13 last year.
"They haven't beaten this team four straight times," said Longhorn defensive end Tim Crowder. "Our defense has a whole different attitude. I think that attitude will make a big difference."
No. 14 Minnesota finds out if its 5-0 record is a mirage, at No. 13 Michigan. Which finds out if it can get away another week with starting two freshmen in the backfield.
"The worrisome part is you go to bed on Friday night and you're not sure what you'll see on Saturday," offensive coordinator Terry Malone told the Detroit News of quarterback Chad Henne and running back Michael Hart.
The questions grow more important, wrong answers cost more. And a season begins to bubble.
LATE SHOW
Did basketball start early? No, San Jose State truly did beat Rice 70-63, in football, in the highest scoring regulation game in Division I-A history. There were 19 touchdowns, and San Jose State quarterback Dale Rogers passed for 359 yards and five touchdowns - on only 10 completions. "The conventional rules of football," San Jose State coach Fritz Hill said, "did not apply."
Presumably, the fans went wild. All 4,093 of them.
"It's frustrating. How many times can I say it?" - Joe Paterno, on Penn State (2-3) having scored 10 points the past two games.
"I've never seen a team show such a lack of class and be 0-4. " - Louisville's Brandon Johnson on East Carolina. The Cardinals, who won 59-7, claim the East Carolina players stomped on their logo on the field before the game, hurled insults, and one player spit at them.
"Either we can't do it physically, or we can't do it mentally ... or maybe we just can't do it." - Michigan State coach John L. Smith, trying to find answers after a 38-16 loss at Iowa and 2-3 start.
Northwestern's 33-year losing streak against Ohio State came to an end with 33 points against the Buckeyes. The winning touchdown in overtime was scored by No. 33, tailback Noah Herron ... on his 33rd carry.
