Week 5 Recap and a glimpse into Week 6

Well, if you learned anything from the 2007 season, no ranked team is safe. Thursday night's game between USC and Oregon State was a fitting beginning to another crazy week in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Oregon State dominated in the trenches en route to a 27-21 win that looks closer than it actually was. Jacquizz Rodgers at 5' 6" 180, ran wild against a USC defense that limited mighty Ohio State to 207 yards of total offense and a mere field goal. The Oregon State offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage against a defensive line stocked with future NFL players and coaches effectively motioned in wide recievers for additional blockers to lead the way for Rodgers' 186 yards.

In SEC news, Houston Nutt was able to pull off a win in the Swamp while the team that didn't want him anymore got thoroughly demolished for the second week in a row. Ole Miss' win sends shockwaves through the conference. A perinial bottom feeder in recent years, Ole Miss has always had the talent, but couldn't turn the corner with Ed Orgeron. Jevon Snead played with poise and Houston Nutt gambled late and it payed off as they won 31-30. I admit, it was not Tim Tebow's best performance, but Ole Miss was able to play with the same high level of intensity and emotion from the first quarter to the fourth. In the fourth quarter, Ole Miss scored on an 86 yard pass from Snead to Shay Hodge, who was absolutely wide open, blocked the tying extra point after giving up a score to the Gators, and solidified the win by stuffing Tebow on a 4th and 1 play up the middle. This is a monumental win for the Rebels. This is the win they needed to help rebuild a dying program. As an LSU fan, I congradulate all Rebel fans, and look forward to the revival of the great LSU-Ole Miss rivalry.

For Florida, on the other hand, this is a disasterous loss. They must go undefeated the rest of the season to get a chance at the title, which means beating number 3 LSU in Gainesville, number 11 Georgia in Jacksonville, number 19 Vanderbilt in Nashville, and either LSU or number 2 Alabama in the title game. Its possible, but very brutal and I predict at least one more loss for Florida.

Another "upset" in the SEC was not a surprise to me. As I had predicted, Alabama defeated Georgia 41-30. I did not know they would be as dominant as they were in this game; however, I knew they had the talent and potential to win this game. Nick Saban has a great talent for not only recruiting the top players, but preparing them to play immediately. Julio Jones is already among the best recievers in the SEC and was a thorn in Georgia's side all night, finishing with five catches for 94 yards and a great touchdown reception. All eyes point to November 8th when Bama goes to Baton Rouge for maybe the last test remaining on their schedule. If LSU is still undefeated, this has the possibility to be a 1 vs. 2 showdown for not only the SEC West, but also a spot in the BCS Championship Game.

But enough looking that far ahead.

Tomorrow: Week 6 predictions and impact players.

Enjoy.