Phi Bloga Recapa, Week 6

You're probably saying to yourself, "Cian, in last week's Phi Bloga Recapa you ran a picture of a SEC themed cake, what's with repeating yourself like a simpleton?"

Maybe you're not saying that at all, maybe you're momentarily consumed with that freckle between your thumb and index finger... but assume you did care passionately about my visual choice to kick off this week's Phi Bloga Recapa.

And I will answer, as long as the people continue to create college football themed confectionery, I will find it and post it in celebration.

The Auburn-Vandy game was a treat to watch, especially for those of us wired for defense. How huge was that goal line stand by Vandy in the game's opening minutes? Plus, one can't overstate the cool headed play of backup Mackenzi Adams coming in for Chris Nickson. He was on the money, throwing on the move. And his cleats churned up some turf, playing the option well.

It's hard not to feel real excited for Vandy right now... well, except if you're an Auburn Tiger with two close losses in the SEC this year.

With that, here's a look around sports blogfrica for reactions to this week's college football results.

Pittsburgh 26 South Florida 21. Chas from Pitt Blather says:

They made mistakes. They screwed up on special teams. They turned the ball over a couple times. Stull threw some horrible passes. Mistakes were made. Yet, instead of retreating into conservatism and everything Wannstedt has usually done, he let the team stay aggressive and keep attacking. The defense kept going after Grothe. The offense still threw the ball — downfield.

The players responded. Their energy was excellent the entire game. It was the sort of effort and game Pitt fans have been wanting to see. It’s not about making the offense more “exciting” or something it isn’t. It is seeing Pitt use the players in ways that takes advantage of their skill sets rather than just jamming them into the system regardless of fit.

West Virginia 24 Rutgers 17. 5th Year Senior at West BY GOD Virginia says:

WVU 24 Rutgers 17

NEXT

Alabama 17 Kentucky 14. TerryP at RollTideBama says:

I want you to ask yourself before we continue. Is there a soul, just one, that truly believed the Crimson Tide would be entering their first off week of the season undefeated?

You, the guy that just raised your hand, you are lying.

...

There are more things we can point to that weren’t what was expected from this game. None of them are on the Kentucky side of the ball.

We knew they would come out in man coverage, and they did. We didn’t do a good job of getting open against that coverage. When that happens, combined with poor protection of the quarterback, the perception that the QB had a bad day is reality. The perception that is it all his fault, is demonstrably false.

We knew Kentucky would come out and “stack the box” with 7 and 8 men against the run. A Kentucky team that stopped the vaunted Alabama rushing attack leads one to perceive they did well against the Alabama running attack. The reality that Alabama still accumulated 282 yards running the football tells you they failed to contain the Alabama attack.

Something many have perceived is this is a team that needs a break. Very true. After playing six games this season at a very, very high intensity level the Alabama squad is emotionally, mentally and physically tired. This off week couldn’t come at a better time.

Vanderbilt 14 Auburn 13. Diezba at Star & Stripe says:

The magnitude of this victory is difficult to overstate, because with the win, these Commodores continue to demolish program records.

It was the first time since:

• 2006 that the Commodores held an opponent to so few passing yards;
• 1991 that Vanderbilt has won 3 consecutive games in a season;
• 1982 that Vanderbilt beat three consecutive SEC teams;
• 1974 that Vanderbilt has beaten such a highly-ranked team in Nashville;
• 1955 that Vanderbilt beat Auburn;
• 1950 that Vanderbilt beat Auburn in Nashville and went 3-0 in the SEC;
• 1947 that a ranked Vanderbilt team beat another ranked team;
• 1943 that Vanderbilt started 5-0; and
• 1941 that Vanderbilt started 5-0 in a full season.

It was only the third time in the history of football at Vanderbilt that the Commodores are 3-0 in the Southeastern Conference.

Ohio State 20 Wisconsin 17. Jason at Eleven Warriors says:

Saturday night in Madison marked Terrelle Pryor’s first start in a hostile road environment and with one slick 11 yard keeper with just over a minute to go, he crossed some other things off of his list. Pryor got his first comeback victory and the satisfaction of hearing Mark May praise his performance (through gritted teeth no doubt) looped on ESPN throughout the night. He played a part in snapping the Badgers’ 16-game home winning streak, the second-longest in the nation. He handed Bret Bielema his first ever home loss and helped even his own coach’s record against the only team that had logged a winning mark against him.

Pryor’s night was far from perfect. He made his share of mistakes and seemed to let a hesitation funk stick with him for the middle quarters. You could also argue that Beanie Wells was just as, if not more important to the team’s effort. But it will be Pryor’s 80-yard victory march and the plays he made on that drive that will be remembered for years to come. He was so clutch, in fact, that we’re considering switching the nicknames up a little and calling LeBron Terrelle in High Tops.