Orange Squeeze

Oklahoma State had gone 66 years before finally winning in Lubbock last year.  So just how odd was it, that in their first visit back, the Cowboys put "66" on the scoreboard against a Texas Tech team that has nose-dived since a massive upset win over Oklahoma 3 weeks ago.  

I'm sure there have been happier days before.

The Red Raiders scored more points in that game (41) than in their next three games combined (33), and have given up a total of 159 points in that same span.  In fact, had it not been for Cornelius Douglas' fumble return for a score, Texas Tech would have wound up scoreless; which I'm pretty sure hasn't happened in Lubbock. 

The Cowboys made light work of the Red Raiders, scoring just about every time they touched the ball in the first half.  It also didn't hurt that Texas Tech was intent on shooting themselves in the foot; something that the Cowboys defense appreciated, considering that they didn't have to spend almost 40 minutes on the field.  Still, the defense recorded 3 takeaways, each of which was converted for a touchdown.

Joseph Randle had 3 rushing scores to bring his season tally to 21 TD, trailing Wisconsin's Monte Ball (23 TDs), and Justin Blackmon got to pad his stats as well; but a person making a "Heisman statement" was Brandon Weeden who went 31-37 for 423 yards and 5 TDs. 

Weeden became the school's all-time leader in touchdown passes, and is 3 scores short of matching his totals for last season.  Throughout the season, he has slowly built his resume which will receive a massive boost should the Cowboys beat Oklahoma in their season finale. 

Next up for the Cowboys is Iowa State on Friday night.  The Cyclones are on a 2 game win streak, but I doubt they'll be able to match the Cowboys' firepower.

Out of the Woods.

For Charles Woodson, the road culminating in a Super Bowl championship has its own share of twists and turns.  As is always the case, what matters more is not the destination, but the journey, and what you learn from it.

Word on the block was that Woodson was washed up and when most teams opted to pass on him, Green Bay took a chance on him, signing him in 2006.  Five seasons later, the Packers are reaping the benefits of that gamble.  Woodson has been a key component for the Packers as his career has experienced a renaissance of sorts.

Woodson was injured on this play

In five seasons with the Packers, he has recorded more interceptions (30) than he did during 8 seasons with the Oakland Raiders (17).  He also holds the franchise record for most defensive touchdowns (8 total; 7 on interception returns, 1 on a fumble return).  Quarterbacks prefer not to throw in his direction, which leaves him free to help in run support and the occasional blitz (which he's really good at).  Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and Nick Collins have been the beneficiaries of Woodson's versatility.

It was rather amazing that Green Bay survived his absence during Super Bowl XLV, after he broke his collarbone during a pass break-up in the first half (picture).  While he wasn't on the field, his emotional half time speech fired up the Packers and they went on to victory; helping erase the painful (and embarrasing) memories of Super Bowl XXXVII, when the Raiders got routed by Tampa Bay.

Woodson during his time at Michigan.

In Green Bay, Woodson has made three straight Pro Bowl teams (2008-2010) and was named the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year; an honor that is rarely awarded to defensive backs.  He has also avoided any major injuries, something that plagued him during his later years in Oakland.

Woodson was drafted 4th overall by the Oakland Raiders in 1998 after an an All American junior season, in which he won the Heisman Trophy (the only primarily defensive play to win the award) and was part of the Michigan team that won a share of the national title; the school's first since 1948.

Woodson in the Black Hole

His career started off on a high note, as he won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.  He was also a 4 time Pro Bowl selection, a 2 time "First Team All Pro", and helped changed the fortunes of the Raiders who had yet to record a winning season since moving back to Oakland from Los Angeles in 1995.

From 2000-2002, the Raiders won the AFC west division but would only make one Super Bowl appearance.  They lost to the Ravens in the 2001 AFC title game, but seemed to be on the right track after beating the NY Jets in 2002 Wild Card game.  Then came a trip to Foxboro, MA. 

The Raiders were leading 13-10 with a little under 2:00 minutes left, when Woodson came on a blitz, sacking Tom Brady and forcing a fumble that was recovered by Oakland's Greg Biekert for what appeared to the game clinching play.  The problem is that things got a little complicated.  Thanks to a little thing called the "Tuck Rule", New England retained possession, tied the game and went on to win in overtime.  A few seasons later, Tom Brady is the proud owner of 3 Super Bowl rings; go figure.

Woodson admitted to thinking about the "tuck rule" incident every now and then.  However now that the Packers are the champions, he should be able to close the door on that chapter.

And it's on to the next one.

Cam Newton has decided to call time on what has been arguably the greatest "one & done" season in college football history.  He has had an interesting journey over the last three years; starting in Gainesville, FL through Brenham, TX and finally stopping in Glendale, AZ.

His decison to turn pro isn't exactly a surprise; hardly anyone expected him to return for his senior season.  With Andrew Luck opting to return to school for another year, the chance that Newton might be drafted 1st overall have probably increased.  The only quarterback rated higher than him in the draft is Missouri's Blaine Gabbert. 

No offense to Gabbert, but if he and Newton were to switch teams (coincidentally, both Mizzou and Auburn are nicknamed "Tigers"), I don't see Auburn lifting the crystal football.  The #1 spot could be snapped up by Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who has yet to decide whether or not he'll go pro.


Bo knows Heisman (1985); Pat Sullivan circa 1971

Neither the defenders on the field, nor the scandals off it could prevent Newon from becoming the third Heisman trophy winner from Auburn; joining Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson.  There is no denying that he will be considered as one of the best quarterbacks to have played the collegiate game.  He has been to Auburn what Vince Young was to Texas in 2005, and Tim Tebow was to Florida in 2008.

Bo, Cam & Pat: the Auburn trinity

How high he goes in the draft might depend on how he performs at the NFL workouts.  A lot of experts feel that he may have been better served by another year in school.  He may not have the mechanics or timing down (the so called "intangibles"), but these are things that good coaching will usually fix.  Intangibles or not, Newton is a proven winner and he is the kind of player any coach would want to have on their squad.

The rule of thumb regarding the NFL draft is to always go when you're "hot".  If you feel that you're both physically and mentally ready, you make the move.  If you feel that there's things you can improve on or goals to accomplish, you stay. (You can also to check out my article A little bit of defense; a whole lotta Luck to read my thoughts on Stanford QB Andrew Luck; who had yet to make his decision at the time)  

A great college career doesn't always translate into a great a pro career.  I'm sure a lot will be expected from Newton at the next level, and only time will tell whether or not he comes through.  I'm not predicting any future success or anything like that, but I won't be surprised if his star continues to shine in the NFL.  

Cam Newton vs the Heisman Jinx; who wins?



Since the 2000 season, the winner of the Heisman trophy has played in the national championship game in all but 2 seasons (2002 & 2007).  Only two of those winners (Matt Leinart, 2004 & Mark Ingram, 2009) have added the crystal ball to their bronze statue.


For some reason, the Heisman trophy winner has followed up a great season with probably one of their worst performances ever.  Even though the trophy is awarded for the regular season performance, I'm starting to think that maybe it should be awarded after the bowl games.  If bowl game stats count toward a player's total stats for the season, then I see no reason why they just can't move the Heisman Ceremony to mid-January.  It's only a one hour special anyways.


If they did so, we might have had a different winner in each case and Vince Young and Tim Tebow would probably join Archie Griffin as 2 time winners.  It's already bad enough that the Heisman trophy now is almost exclusive to only Quarterbacks and Running backs whose team is playing for a national title.  I'll cover that in another discussion.

Will he fall victim to the jinx?

For all the off field headlines and what not, Cam Newton definitely proved himself a worthy winner of this year's award.  Every time his team needed him, he answered the bell.  Despite a flawless performance in the SEC Title game, his crowning moment was when he led his team, down 24-0, to a win against Alabama.  Did I forget to add that this game was in Tuscaloosa and that Alabama were the defending national champion?

At 6'6", 250 lbs, he's just as big as his offensive linemen, if not bigger, but is he too big for the jinx?  Last year, Mark Ingram proved himself against a Texas team that was among the best at stopping the run.  However for the most part, 'Bama had a good defense as well and created enough turnovers to hold of the Longhorns.


Matt Leinart led a very good USC team against an Oklahoma team that quite honestly, should not have been in that game.  I'm not just saying that because OU lost, but Auburn was just as deserving as any; they beat more ranked teams down the stretch including Tennessee (twice).


Let's take a quick look at past winners who failed in the big game.


Chris Weinke, 2000.  Led a high flying Florida State into the title game against Oklahoma.  The offense never really found its rhythm against a stifling Oklahoma defense.
Eric Crouch, 2001.  Despite an outstanding season, Eric Crouch and Nebraska were overmatched against Miami and have never been the same since.
Jason White, 2003.  Written off before the season even started due to his 2 reconstructed knees, he ended up posting what was one of the most prolific seasons for a QB in school history.  Against LSU, he played through hand and foot injuries.  What's crazy is that as bad as Oklahoma played, they still could have won the game.
Reggie Bush, 2005.  Say what you may, but he put together a season that hasn't quite been seen in recent times (well, at least until Cam Newton this year).  While Bush wasn't quite as explosive in the title game, Vince Young was.  Enough said.
Troy Smith, 2006.  Had quite an outstanding season and was the very reason Ohio State was playing in the title game.  In the game against Florida, Ted Ginn was injured only seconds into the game and Smith desperately missed his "go-to" guy.  He spent the entire evening running for his life.
Sam Bradford, 2008.  Despite being the trigger-man in Oklahoma's point-per-minute offense, Florida got the better of the Sooners in this game due to one simple aspect; coaching.

Newton's law states that an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.  Let the games begin.