Looking like a pattern

and not one that I'm excited about.

For the second straight week, the majority of our group ended up in the 6-4 or 505 range. And it's not like there was a big set of upsets in the top 10 to explain it, either; the only surprise was when Doug's Frogs ruined BYWho's chances of being the BC$ spoiler for this year. Other than that, I can't really explain the poor showing on our part. After all, things happened as expected:

• Both Nebraska and tOSU won, so life in Duarte CA was good. The best part was that both games were on the idiot box, so we got to see the Pelini's and the Pryors. Oh, and the "Beanie Hop".
• Texas made Mizzou look lost, and looked like the #1 team in the country in the process
  
• State Penn toyed with MACh1gAAn before burying them in the second half
• toOSU beat up on Baylor, although BU's freshman QB still hasn't thrown an interception
• Georgia continued Vandy's slide. But, on a positive note, the 'Dores are probably going to a bowl game!
• Oklahoma beat their former offensive coordinator (his title, not a crack on him as a person)
• U$C played against a high school team. Did you know that Wazzou had open tryouts for a QB?
• Kentucky beat Arkansas. Wow, Paula, football and basketball. I guess you'll have to wait to get payback when we bet on track and field or something

Nope, the games that killed us were the Cal fold at Arizona and Rutgers' upset of UConn (Dan, I can't believe you didn't choose your dad's alma mater). Dan was the only person to correctly go with the WaHoos, though, so he earns some style points there. Only some folks picked the Directional School Game of the Week correctly, and got points for Central's upset of Western. For other folks, just remember this- Duke is the basketball school; Miami plays football.

Sadness in small schools- APU dropped a close 16-13 game to Southern Oregon on a last second field goal, while Anderson got smoked by Franklin at Homecoming (just like old times) . Loras also lost to Wartburg- The DuHawks must have been Don'tHawks. (thanks- I'll be here all night. Try the veal)

Video of the week comes from the "Are you sure my brother isn't officiating college football?" department. From the LSU and oUSC game:

Nice stick... I'm sure that the QB will not be made fun of this week in film study- that never happens. Wonder if there was a beer involved?

Like his Cowboys, Michael is making a run at the top of the standings, and won his first week!
Of course, he has to share with Dan, but that shouldn't be all that new. Aaron... uh, what happened?

Jake got some extra snuggle time with Abbie this week, and it led to a number one points finish.
Emily finished in third, so the real test will be to see if Carrie can improve next week after she visits the Gross family. Doug and Jordy finished near the bottom, in spite of their teams doing amazing this week.

Cat continues to make a push to the top of the rankings for picks:
No major changes in the points pantheon (word of the day calendar, thanks), but Dan is threatening to move up the bottom of the charts, in spite of "missing a week".

The big game this week will decide the Big T1e1n title and whether or not I get to spend Mihret's college fund on Rose Bowl Tickets (it's college football, so that's kind of educational, right?). State Penn travels to Columbus for a #3 and #9 matchup with the Buckeyes. As a reminder, the Nittany Lions have never won at the 'Shoe since joining the conference. Reminder number 2- last visit was not so good for Joe Pa. Reminder 3- There's a reason for the "State Penn" reference. Reminder 4- it also applies to their fans (coarse language).

OK, enough of that- Auburn has a great Thursday night game against WVU- I wonder if they miss their defensive coordinator yet. Illinois faces the shell of Wisconsin, Kentucky travels to Tebow's house, and Nebraska tries to get an INT from Baylor. Texas hosts toOSU with national title implications, and the Georgia LSU game might mean an SEC title. It's "little brother" time for Michigan State and MACh1gAAn, and payback time as Mississippi travels to Arkansas (say howdy, Houston Nutt). U$S tries to do what Cal couldn't but UCLA could, and Notre Ame will visit Seattle. I'm praying for a major upset.

It's homecoming at APU, and the Cougars host Dixie State (from Utah. Make your own judgements). Anderson looks to rebound against Defiance on the road. Our small school game of the week is a classic HBCU conflict between Kentucky State and Tuskegee.

Located in the state capital (no, it's not Lexington or Louisville) of Frankfort Kentucky, the Thorobreds call home a beautiful campus that was established in 1890 to prepare teachers to benefit the Commonwealth. as the 13th president of KSU, Dr. Mary Evans Sias has seen technology expand the campus boundaries and connect more students with the vision of the institution: "Inspiring Innovation. Growing Leaders. Advancing Kentucky"

Founded by the great Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee has a vast history that most Americans should be aware of. From the work of George Washington Carver (a funnier take can be read here) to the Tuskegee Airmen's dedication during World War II, members of the Tuskegee community have served their nation in ways that often have been overlooked.