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 Friday, December 13, 2002
Weekend wrap-up: Coaches have OU confident
By Terry Bowden
Special to BCSfootball.com
Bowden's Weekly Chat Show
Every Saturday throughout the season, ABC studio analyst Terry Bowden will weigh in his assessment of the day's games, the highlights, the lowlights and the surprises.
Three Game Balls:
|  | | Torrance Marshall's interception return for a touchdown was the difference in OU's win over Texas A&M last year. |
Bob Stoops: It seems like we talk about the Oklahoma Sooners every week. And rightfully so, they are the only undefeated team in the NCAA. But every time they win, the coaches are quick to tell us it was because of Josh Heupel or their offensive scheme or improved defense. It's about time we give credit to Stoops and the OU coaching staff. This week, the game ball has to go to the guy who gets these players to never give up. When everything seemed to be going wrong, the Sooners kept fighting and fighting, and finally found a way to win when linebacker Torrance Marshall intercepted a Mark Farris and returned it 41 yards to win the game over Texas A&M.
Of all their victories, this one convinced me more than all the others that the Sooners have championship capabilities.
Bill Snyder: After two losses and a bit of inconsistent play, I was ready to write off the Wildcats. It's easy to blame Kansas State's winning records on perennially weak non-conference schedules, but after Saturday night, that is no longer accurate. Kansas State has won twice against the Cornhuskers in the past 33 years, but more importantly, the Wildcats have won two of the last three meetings.
Depending on Kansas State's visit to Missouri this week, who's to say that the snows won't be blowing sideways in Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 2, when Oklahoma faces this Wildcat team in the Big XII Championship Game?
Bob Davie: Notre Dame is not in a conference, but somebody should give this guy a Coach of the Year Award. Everybody had written his career off at Notre Dame coming into the season. Even if he had a winning season, it didn't look like he would be able to save his job. After watching Saturday's old-fashioned Fighting Irish rushing attack produce 380 yards, and looking ahead to their two final opponents, it's time to pencil in a 9-2 season in South Bend and a trip into the Bowl Championship Series.
Maybe the Irish should be thinking about one of those $1.2 million contracts for Davie now that they are being handed out everywhere.
Surprises of the day:
Auburn: I'm not so surprised that Auburn beat Georgia this year; the Tigers have been playing better football than the Bulldogs. But Auburn fans know how difficult it is to beat Georgia at home, which makes this victory extra sweet. The Tigers hadn't beaten the Dawgs at Jordan-Hare Stadium since 1990 (Yours truly was 0-1-1 at home and 3-0 away).
Now, it looks apparent that a win over a disastrous Alabama program could give Auburn a place in the SEC Championship Game.
|  | | Roger Meyer, left, and Fred Barr take down Damien Anderson. The Hawkeyes shut down the Northwestern offense. |
Northwestern: I am really surprised about Northwestern's offense. How can a team score 54 points one week against Michigan and then struggle against an Iowa team with the league's worst defense the next? I never thought I would see it, but this Northwestern team was overconfident. It just goes to show you that boys will be boys no matter how bright they are.
Mississippi State: There was no real surprise here that the Bulldogs ran all over Alabama, considering the sad state of affairs with the Crimson Tide. But we should note that Mississippi State's 29-7 victory over Alabama was the biggest margin of victory in the history of the series, and that the Bulldogs have now won four of the last five games in the series.
When Alabama announced head coach Mike DuBose would not be retained three weeks ago, the Crimson Tide eliminated any chance DuBose had of pulling off a good finish to the season. Mississippi State now has to hold its breath to make sure that Starkville is not the place that 'Bama turns its attention to find a new coach.
Helped themselves:
Oregon State: Every time they win at Oregon State this year, it seems to be a first, but the Beavers were just not very good before Dennis Erickson got there. The Beavers have their highest ranking since 1968, their most wins (9) since 1939, and they beat USC for the first time since 1967.
This week, Oregon State hosts Oregon in the Civil War. With a win, the Beavers would give themselves a chance to get to the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 1966 season.
Texas: No one was more disappointed than me in Texas after the Longhorns lost to Oklahoma, but coach Mack Brown has quietly gotten his team back in big bowl contention. Saturday's convincing victory over Kansas was their fifth straight, and it was accomplished without the help of Major Applewhite. Maybe Brown was right and the Longhorns really are one year away from being national championship contenders.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes are back in the hunt for the Rose Bowl. They have fought back from a bad season in Columbus last year, and responded with an 8-2 record. With Michigan coming to the Horseshoe this Saturday, the Buckeyes could find themselves in Pasadena if they get help from Indiana and Illinois.
Hurt themselves:
Georgia: The Bulldogs were supposed to win the SEC East. After losing to Auburn this weekend, and if they lose to Georgia Tech on Nov. 25, this season would turn out to be disastrous. Quincy Carter's injury-plagued season didn't help, but it is definitely not the year for the Bulldogs.
Nebraska: I hate to admit it, but this looks like a Nebraska team that never had a chance to be a team that was nothing but average. The Huskers, who barely made it out of South Bend, have lost their two big games. Oklahoma blew them out and Kansas State held Nebraska to 239 yards of total offense. Nebraska won't be enjoying a BCS bowl this fall.
Drew Brees: I know, I know. There is still a chance he can win the Heisman and he is still my choice, but he has thrown way too many interceptions in big games. He had three more interceptions in the Boilermakers' 30-10 loss to Michigan State. Purdue must beat Indiana this week to earn a trip to Pasadena, but it might not be enough for him to stay in front of Josh Heupel or Chris Weinke.
Terry Bowden is ABC's college football studio analyst and hosts a weekly audio chat on BCSfootball.com on Thursdays at 5 p.m. ET.
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Oklahoma's Torrance Marshall intercepts A&M quarterback Mark Farris and returns the ball 41 yards for the winning TD.
Terry Bowden discusses the BCS rankings, and the 2000 Bowden bowl.