a good day for a trojan/hokie

For the first time this season, Jesse and I faced an unfamiliar dilemma. With the Trojans and Hokies playing almost simultaneously (the USC game was at 7, the Tech game was at 8), how were we going to watch our games? Well, thankfully, Bailey’s solved this problem for us by showing the Tech game on a couple of screens in the Burgandy Room, where the DC Trojans congregate. Things went smoothly at the bar except for a momentary snafu. During the first quarter of the USC/Stanford game, one of the 4 large TV screens on the wall switched over to the Arkansas/South Carolina game. Someone at Bailey’s needs to read my post on the faux USC.

Anyways, on to the (short but sweet) recap:

• Ohio State beat Illinois…except I wasn’t yawning. The Illini (record 2-8) actually held the mighty Buckeye offense in check, limiting them to a season low 17 points. Damn…if Illinois can stop the Buckeyes, they might actually be beatable.

• Speaking of looking beatable, Michigan survived quite the scare from Ball State. It was 4th and goal for the Cardinals (I had to look that up) of Ball State with a handful of seconds left. A touchdown would tie the game. Fortunately for the Wolverines, the Ball State quarterback threw an incomplete pass and the game was over.

• Maryland barely beat Clemson. Holy crap, is Maryland actually 7 and 2? That’s insane.

• And speaking of the ACC, freakin’ NC State couldn’t pull off the upset against Georgia Tech. They did hang on for most of the game and I’m sure every Hokie at Bailey’s was hoping for an upset. But the Wolfpack didn’t deliver and the Hokies saw their hopes for an ACC title game berth dwindle.

• Virginia Tech beat Miami in an exciting defensive battle at the Orange Bowl. Brandon Ore, who’s coming out party was last Thursday against Clemson, was basically held in check by Miami’s defense. Ore may have only had 79 yards on 28 carries, but he scored both of Tech’s touchdowns, including the game winner with a minute left in the game. The win spoiled a great defensive effort from the Hurricanes who have now lost 4 games this season. If the Hokies continue to play like this, they have a good shot at a major bowl (possibly Peach or Gator).

• And finally, USC killed Stanford. The Trojans played really well on offense, converting on many 4th down situations (often for big gains). The defense did well too as they took a page out of Frank Beamer’s book and blocked a Cardinal field goal, their only attempt to score the whole game. Although it’s true that the Trojans dominated this game, I’m hesitant to call this game the start of their great comeback. Why? Well, because Stanford is the Duke of the West. USC probably could’ve sent out the Spirit of Troy (our band) to play against the Cardinal football team and still win. Our true test begins next week against Oregon. I’m praying the Trojans show up to play.

Speaking of the Oregon game, I will be decked out in cardinal and gold and spending most of Saturday at Bailey’s (Tech game at 3 followed by a USC game at 10).

UPDATE: Holy crap! I totally forgot to mention two of the most exciting games!

• I gotta give mad props to Louisville for totally exposing West Virginia as the non-top-five team they are on Thursday! Everyone outside of the state of West Virginia breathed a collective sigh as the Mountaineers' BCS title hopes were dashed by the upstart Cardinals. I could definitely stomach Louisville going to Glendale. WVU is the next to last team I would be able to stand going to the Fiesta Bowl. Texas would be the last team.
• The LSU Tigers slipped past the Tennesee Vols in another game that featured a last second touchdown to seal the victory. It was definitely an exciting game to watch. Thanks Tigers for aiding USC's jump in the polls!