Two Top Teams Fall Before Sat during Week 9
October 31, 2009 by Allison Boyer
Filed under Football
The Saturday games for Week Nine 2009 haven’t even started yet and already we’ve seen two top falls fall. That’s what I call a good beginning to the week!
Really, who watches Thursday games? I always forget they’re on unless I’m channel surfing and pass ESPN. This week was no exception, but when I saw the game’s score, I was sad I had missed it. Unranked North Carolina topped #13 Virginia Tech 20 – 17, proving that the Hokies really were ranked too high (something I had muttered to a friend last week). Both teams are now 5 – 3, but this wasn’t just a lucky win for the Tar Heels. The UNC defense SHUT DOWN Virginia Tech, holding them to less than 100 yards rushing during the entire game.
The real hero of the night, however, was Casey Barth. With the last seconds running off the clock, he kicked a 21-yard field goal to win the game and the crowd at Lane Stadium began to file out to the parking lot with long faces.
Nobody knows the kicker's name...until you need him. Image: Newscom
Although they’ve lost some key games, I think UNC is better than most people think. Have they done enough to warrant a ranking in the AP top 25? Maybe. After all, Oklahoma was in the mix at #22, even though their record of 4 – 3 is less than mind-blowing. I think we’ll know more when the Tar Heels go up against Miami in two weeks, so I’ll look forward to that game.
A game that I did catch was last night’s #21 West Virginia at South Florida. Even though South Florida was unranked coming into Week Nine, I had a suspicion this would be an interesting game. Ultimately, the Bulls won 30 – 19, and once again, this game was all about defense. Noel Devine, the Mountaineers’ golden child in the world of rushing, couldn’t do anything the entire game. On the other hand, South Florida’s quarterback B.J. Daniels finishing the game breaking person records with 232 yards throwing, 104 rushing, and three touchdowns. There’s no doubt in my mind that this team should be ranked going into Week Ten. They may not be BCS bowl game contenders, but they’re a solid group who deserves some recognition.
Today, all eyes will be on the USC – Oregon game to see who will rule the Pac-10. Let’s not forget the other games, though. Week Nine has already show us that the ranked teams can fall, and with the lower have of the Top 25 being so shaky, it’ll be interesting to see who else tumbles and how it changes for next week.
