The Weekend That Was: October 10th

LSU-Florida was a snoozefest - Seriously, was there anyone out there not wearing purple and gold (or maybe even those wearing purple and gold) who thought LSU would cross the goal line? Ever? I mean, that game could've gone two weeks and Jordan Jefferson wouldn't have gotten the Tigers anywhere near a touchdown. Despite a conservative Florida gameplan, a couple of Gator turnovers, and a home crowd that was encouraging them on with everything they had, LSU's offense looked downright inept. You know, just like it has the rest of the season. Urban Meyer, I've always admired your work, but this conservative style sucks. I know your receivers are terrible and your defense is next-level good. But would it kill you to throw more than 20 yards down the field more than once a game? Just for fun? Like I said, it's not like LSU was ever going to score, so why the need to button it up? Goodness.

Florida State isn't going bowling - As a diehard Seminole fan, it pains me to say this, but here are the facts: They have 4 losses already, and remaining road games against Florida, North Carolina, Clemson, and Wake Forest. Can they win two of those? Sure. But who's to say they can win two of those and hold serve at home, where they haven't beaten a D-1A opponent since November 8, 2008? The offensive is explosive when it doesn't turn the ball over, but the defense gives up big play after big play after big play, and there doesn't seem to be any hope on the way. This is a lost season, and it may only get worse. Damn it all.

Arkansas is fun to watch - Here's the recipe for a fun team to watch: good offense, bad defense. That's it. Well, the Razorbacks check out well in both spots. Their offense is capable of lighting up anyone (except Alabama, it seems), but the defense can't stop me and 10 of my best friends (yes, I have tremendous hands and quickness on the outside, but still). QB Ryan Mallett has been exceptional this year, and I am VERY interested to see how he does against Florida's defense. You know, that defense that refuses to let anyone score. They've given up 2 touchdowns in 60 possessions this season. That's silly.

Jevan Snead sucks - Remember the big stink when Steve Spurrier "accidentally" voted for Snead over Tim Tebow for preseason All-SEC quarterback? Well, it looks even worse now. Snead has been an interception machine this season, showing that it's a lot harder for some guys to play when expectations have been raised. Anyone who thought Ole Miss was a Top 10 team was crazy to begin with, but even I didn't expect them to look this inept. Maybe Arkansas knew what it was doing when it forced out coach Houston Nutt, precipitating his move to the Grove.

The Big Ten race is wide open - Iowa is good, but they're going to lose a few games. Any team that plays everything that close to the vest is bound to get bit at some point (especially with road games at Wisconsin and Michigan State coming up before their trip to Columbus). Ohio State was thoroughly outplayed by Wisconsin, but by virtue of two interception-return TDs and a kickoff return TD, they won by a substantial margin. The aforementioned Badgers are very good, but can't seem to get out of their own way in some games (the Ohio State game obviously, but the Fresno State win was much too close as well). Heck, I haven't even mentioned Penn State, who keeps beating really bad football teams but losing to the only good one they've played (Iowa). I assume the Buckeyes will win the conference due to having superior talent, but I wouldn't bet a dime on it.

Jimmy Clausen, your table is ready - Over the first two years of his career, Clausen got a lot of hate from a lot of people (myself included), and rightfully so. He was erratic and never looked comfortable in the pocket (mainly because his line was atrocious). However, this season he's been a godsend to the Fighting Irish, who are 4-1 thanks to #7's last-minute heroics time and time again. Even in their lone loss to Michigan, Clausen put them in a position to win until the defense allowed the Wolverines to march down the field for the winning touchdown. Clausen's biggest test of the season will come this weekend when the USC Trojans roll into South Bend. The USC defense is good, but not great, and if Clausen really is elite, he'll hang with USC and force Matt Barkley to make a few plays to win. This game is, undoubtedly, the most intriguing of this weekend's matchups...yes, better than Texas-Oklahoma.

Teams that impressed me - Arkansas, Washington, Oregon State, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Duke

Teams that disappointed me - Indiana (really? sigh), Ohio State, Georgia, Northwestern, Kansas (not the offense, though), East Carolina

Games I'm looking forward to this weekend - USC at Notre Dame, Texas vs. Oklahoma, Cincinnati at South Florida (Thursday), Iowa at Wisconsin, Arkansas at Florida, Missouri at Oklahoma State

~~ Lank