FOOTBALL

In college football, there was a crucial match-up this weekend between #3 TCU and #5 Utah.  Both teams were undefeated, and the loser of this game would lose all hope of playing in a BCS game.  Plus, both teams have fingers crossed that they could be considered for the National Championship Game.  These schools have been playing amazing football, and only a showdown could indicate who is actually better.  Utah has an explosive offense and a seemingly impenetrable defense.  TCU has a fantastic offense, led by potential Heisman Candidate Andy Dalton, and a defense that gets better by the week.  So what happened?  This game wasn’t close at all.  TCU came into Utah and wiped the grass with them.  Dalton threw for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns in a huge statement game.  TCU basically said to the voters, ‘Hey, we just crushed the #5 team in the country, put us in the National Championship Game against Oregon or Auburn’.  This year will definitely be a controversial choice considering that TCU most likely won’t lose a game this year.  TCU 47, Utah 7.

In the NFL, all the experts are saying that the New England Patriots are the best team in football.  People think they’re back to true form.  Tom Brady is playing great, their offense is clicking, and their defense appears to be creating cohesion from week to week.  They have the best record in the NFL, and they looked to continue their winning in Cleveland.  The Browns may not be a top notch team, but they certainly aren’t the doormats they used to be.  Rookie Colt McCoy out of Texas has given them leadership and a will to win. They’re jelling around him.  So while the Pats thought they would manhandle the Browns, nothing could have been further from the truth.  And… this was a battle of the Bill Belichick and his protege and nemesis Eric Mangini.

The Browns got out to a big lead behind their burgeoning star running-back Peyton Hillis.  Hillis has been spectacular this year, and may be a part of the most lopsided trade of the past few years.  The Browns got him straight-up for their ex-starting QB Brady Quinn.  Um, great trade!  And in the second half, the Browns continued to roll behind Hillis.  He finished the day with 184 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Browns sunk the Pats.  Cleveland 34, New England 14.

And in Sunday Night Football, it was the lowly Dallas Cowboys visiting Green Bay at Lambeau field.  Prior to the season, this was viewed as a big marquee match-up. However, Dallas has had a putrid season, and after losing Tony Romo, don’t even look remotely competitive with Jon Kitna at the helm.  Cowboys fans thought maybe their team would show-up and play with some dignity considering they were thought to be Super Bowl contenders at the beginning of the season and were 1-6 going into the game.  Perhaps, sure, but this was not to be.  Green Bay simply dominated the Cowboys up and down.  Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 285 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Jon Kitna threw 2 interceptions.  It’s as if the Cowboys have quit on their coach Wade Phillips and consider the season a wash.  Don’t be surprised if Cowboys owner Jerry Jones makes an announcement this week that Wade Phillips is being let go.  Green Bay 45, Dallas 7.