You watch enough football and you're pretty sure you can envision most scenarios prior to the snap. However with very little fingernail left on Saturday night, a fake field goal was the last thing I expected; when, in retrospect, it was the only option.
Michigan State kicker Dan Conroy has attempted and made a handful of kicks during his two seasons in East Lansing. However none were 46-yard attempts to tie Notre Dame in overtime, from the right hash, on national television. So as I stood among the 78,000 or so, all I could imagine was a snap hook and a sad walk back to the tailgate. And clearly Mark Dantonio thought that scenario likely as well.
And then this happened:
And now I feel like this has been exorcised:
See you next year in South Bend.
As we look forward to each year we know that some of college football's brightest stars will see their seasons end far too prematurely. And with Case Keenum's campaign over following a knee injury during the loss at UCLA on Saturday night, the Houston Cougars have lost their offense, and fantasy owners are now desperately seeking some kind of replacement.
Based on the number of quarters he's played this season, the Cougars will have a case to make should Keenum decide to pursue a 6th year of eligibility due to a medical redshirt. Based on prior precedence there seems a very good chance that he could return in 2011.
But whether or not Keenum does decide to pursue professional opportunities or another year, 2010 is a year that has gone up in smoke for one of the nation's most explosive offensive units. Here's hoping he makes the best decision for Case Keenum, a quarterback whose name will dot the NCAA record books whether or not he ever takes another collegiate snap.
Thirteen Other Observations from Week Three
-Brian Kelly is clearly among the nation's brighter coaches, however to paraphrase this guy
his ego is writing some pretty big checks. And the turning down of holding calls and going for it late in tight games may cause a warm seat for a coach that is good enough to win without taking huge risks.
-One again...nice going Tuberville. Texas Tech is a few spots below Buffalo in total offense, and four spots ahead of Army.
-After Auburn ran the ball 47 times while putting it up only 14, it's clear that our good friend Gus Malzahn is becoming a grown up. Thankfully we have...
-Dana Holgorsen, who has a starting quarterback throwing six touchdowns. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon are the clear top passing duo at this juncture. Blackmon checks in with 24 catches for 431 yards and eight scores.
-It's easy to pile on Jake Locker following a 4-20 passing performance against Nebraska, but maybe this will finally get some Mock Draft "gurus" to stop placing this Husky among the top quarterback prospects. While a great college quarterback, Locker is more Drew Stanton than Drew Brees. And he's not even in the same neighborhood as Andrew Luck and Ryan Mallett.
-Granted I will still a little "euphoric" after the game, however when I reached my hotel room I couldn't help but notice that Stanford was this close to hanging 70 points on Wake...and Jim Harbaugh was dialing up blitzes late in the fourth quarter. Hmmm.
Oh, and Mr. Luck is an absolute stud.
-Brian Kelly is piling up a bunch of yards in South Bend, and the Cincinnati offense looks out of sync. With the Sooners on tap and some decent Big East foes left on the schedule, it's time to sell the Bearcat offense. Zach Collaros will not be able to produce with consistency.
-Russell Wilson now has 56 career touchdown passes against only 12 picks.
-I think Mark Ingram is ready for a full load of carries.
-How does Scott Tolzien throw it for 246, John Clay run for 123 and Lance Kendricks catch for 131 (and Wisky not turn it over) and still the Badgers only score two touchdowns?
-I'm really interested to see what Geno Smith can do down in Baton Rouge next week. He's been one of the nation's most surprising/impressive performers through the first three weeks.
-So Jerrod Johnson threw for one score and four picks against Florida International, and the Aggies needed three fourth quarter touchdowns to grease out a win? I guess my glowing assessment last week had some jinx to it.
-Did the Cal Bear defense watch any film, or were they living up in the trees this week? Seriously, that defense was the most ill-prepared unit I've seen this year. Guess what? Colin Kaepernick tucks it and runs once in a while.