Real Kato Blog: College Football Week Something Something

Okay... I fully realize that I failed to post my usual college football recaps and previews for the past couple of weeks, and for my two readers that look for those things, I apologize. Let's sum up a bit.

Michigan

When Russell Bellomy came in to replace Denard Robinson halfway through the Nebraska game, that spelled the effective end of Michigan's Big Ten title hopes. Denard left with an elbow injury and Bellomy went 3 for 16 with 3 interceptions, and the passes that were on target were dropped by the receivers.

The next week Devin Gardner began practicing again at quarterback, and he proved to be adequate for the job, guiding Michigan to a comfortable win over Minnesota and then a thrilling, come-from-behind overtime win over a good Northwestern team. Gardner will start again today against Iowa, who is terrible this year; it seems likely that Gardner will also start against Ohio State, who is terrifying.

Denard Robinson is officially listed as day-to-day but will probably miss the rest of the regular season, save perhaps a symbolic snap or two to wrap up his senior season. It's a shame: he's been the soul of this team for three years, largely responsible for holding the team together through the coaching transition. There is no one who has been more important to the team, and he's an amazingly modest and likable guy to boot.

So here's to you, Mr. Robinson... I hope you're well in time for the bowl game, which probably won't be the Rose Bowl, but may at least be in your home state of Florida on New Year's Day.

N.C. State

I still can't figure this team out. Coming off a statement win against Florida State and a squeaker against Maryland, they have a complete fourth quarter defensive collapse against their biggest rival, UNC. Then they get demolished by a terrible Virginia team. They have a good showing against also-terrible Wake Forest; now they have to face #11 Clemson. Who knows, maybe they'll win this.

There are two main stories for the Wolfpack this season: the vaunted defensive secondary has not been very good, and the injury-plagued offensive line has had trouble in both run-blocking and pass protection. Glennon, who is a pretty decent quarterback, has shown flashes of brilliance but can't win games on his own. So all that adds up to inconsistency and a somewhat disappointing season.

The Clemson game looks scary matchup-wise, but with a season-ending win over Boston College, State will end up 7-5 and will likely make its way to the Belk Bowl or the Music City Bowl. At least the Belk Bowl is in driving distance.

Big Ten

Nebraska and Wisconsin look like they're on their way to the Big Ten Championship game. Unless Nebraska suffers some major collapse against Minnesota or Iowa, they're in. Wisconsin has clinched already, as Penn State and Ohio State are both ineligible in the Leaders division. Ohio State, though, does look like the best team in the league, despite some inconsistency on both sides of the ball. It's safe to say that this is a down year for the conference overall.

Michigan State gets the honors as the most disappointing team of the year. Once favored to win the conference, they're now sitting at the bottom of the Legends division and needing another win just to become bowl eligible. Northwestern, meanwhile, has overachieved but has lost a string of heartbreakers. Penn State has been a turnaround surprise, showing a lot of resilience in a tough season.

Nation

Well, I was wrong about Alabama being unbeatable... they fell to two-loss Texas A&M (though the Aggies' losses were to LSU and Florida). To be sure, Alabama had three turnovers to help A&M, but A&M also racked up 418 yards of offense. This game was no fluke.

Meanwhile I was totally wrong about Florida and Georgia too; Florida is showing a lot of cracks, and Georgia beat them and looks resurgent. But the big SEC story is that there are no unbeaten teams, and so for once, the SEC might not get to the national championship game.

No, the title game will probably go to Oregon and Kansas State. Oregon still runs the spread better than anyone and is simply demolishing opposing defenses with 55 points per game. Kansas State, meanwhile, has quietly crushed everyone in the Big 12 and has a quality non-conference win over Miami FL. Still, the Wildcats could get overtaken in the BCS by Notre Dame, who has somehow found a way to remain undefeated despite their sometimes shaky offense. (I still think Michigan should have won that game.)

Today Michigan plays Iowa on ESPN at noon, and N.C. State takes on Clemson at 3:30 on ABC/ESPN2. Your Game of the Week is Stanford against Oregon at 8:00 on ABC. You can bet that everyone in the SEC will be rooting for Stanford this week.

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