Upsets and Setdowns: Hokies Top Nebraska in Final Minutes, Washington Beats No. 3 USC

Florida won the game, yes, as Tennessee’s late-game comeback bid faltered, but Tennessee certainly gave the Gators more than they’d bargained for. And more than that, it seems the Vols exposed a real area of concern for this year’s Florida team. Despite Florida’s phenomenal defense, and Tim Tebow anchoring the offensive attack, the Gators lacked explosion in the passing game, today.

Tennessee was resilient, sure, but Florida allowed them to linger longer than last year’s team would have. It’s anybody’s guess as to whether that’s a credit to the Vols defense or a case of the Gators offense still searching for its signature weapons downfield.

After Notre Dame’s field goal, Michigan State responded with a swift, 7-play drive that was capped by a 7-yard touchdown run by Larry Caper, his second score on the day. The Spartans missed the extra point, however, which means that where a field goal would have won them the game, now they’ll have to score a touchdown in order to win.

The field conditions in Seattle are bad enough to keep both teams from producing a huge amount of offense, and it appears to be working in the Huskies’ favor. Trojans quarterback Aaron Corp’s stat line isn’t deplorable, but ESPN’s Ted Miller wonders whether it’s time to give his backup a shot.

Sounds like an overreaction to me. In any case, if Washington can hold on and win against the No. 3 team in the nation…oops, I hope I didn’t jinx it.

While on the road, the Utes have scored 14 un-answered points, including a Jeremiah Masoli fumble that Oregon’s Robert Johnson recovered and ran for a touchdown. Masoli is having a rough game, having completely only 4 of his 14 pass attempts.

After it looked like the Florida Gators were about to put this game firmly out reach with another touchdown drive, Tim Tebow was stripped approaching the endzone—his second turnover of the game. He’s mortal, after all. Tennesse was able to return the fumble 40 yards, and a few successful runs later, Montario Hardesty took an off-tackle run 17 yards into the endzone.

The Gators are still firmly in control, thanks in large part to Tebow’s otherwise dominant play. Still, what looked to be a foregone conclusion ten minutes ago, now, well, is still pretty much a foregone conclusion. But Tennessee has the ball now, and even though they can’t pass, down just 10 points, they have an outside chance, here.

With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, Notre Dame is up two scores, thanks to a long field goal from Nick Tausch. The Irish offense is moving the ball well, and had a chance at touchdown… had Golden Tate not dropped a perfect ball from Jimmy Clausen. That marks the second time in two games that Tate has had a key pass fall through his hands, a highly uncharacteristic mistake from one of the nation’s best wide receivers.

After Jeremiah Masoli’s second touchdown pass of the game, Oregon has opened up a 18-point lead on the Utes. Despite recovering two Oregon fumbles, Utah quarterback Terrance Cain hasn’t been able to capitalize, throwing for only 92 yards.

The wildcat is taking over, I tell you! And now that offensive mastermind Charlie Weis has adopted it, I think we can officially deem the takeover complete. (Sorry… It’s Notre Dame. It’s Charlie Weis. How can I not be a sarcastic jerk?)

In any case, after a picture perfect pass from Jimmy Clausen to Golden Tate brought the Irish within striking distance, Notre Dame RB Armando Allen lined up at quarterback, faked a hand-off, and then lofted a Tebow-esque touchdown pass into the arms of senior wideout Robbie Paris.

When I woke up this morning, I was legitimately pumped about the prospect of watching a classic Tennesse-Florida game. That enthusiasm was tempered when expert after expert explained to me that the game wouldn’t be close. And appraising things objectively, it really shouldn’t be. Still, Tennessee’s defense looked great at the outset, and perhaps more miraculous, they’re offense just showed signs of life, as well.

Johnathan Crompton still can’t “pass”—problematic for your starting quarterback—but Tennessee’s running game more than compensated, carrying them into the Gators redzone on their opening drive. The Vols had to settle for a field goal, so let’s not go too crazy, but at least for a moment, we’ve got ourselves a ballgame.

After a big return from Florida’s speedster Brandon James, Tim Tebow and the Gators offense looked to be rolling their way to an easy touchdown. That is, until Tebow was forced into an intentional grounding penalty, forcing the Gatros into a third-and-20 situation. Not even Tebow could convert in that scenario, and Monte Kiffin’s Volunteer defense was able to limit the Gator juggernaut to a field goal.

Midway through the first quarter: Florida 3 Tennessee 0, and the Vols are driving in Florida territory.

Hokies running back Ryan Williams punched through the end zone on a one-yard run, capping a drive that was sparked by Dyrell Roberts’ 76-yard return of the opening kick.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw a 21-yard pass on his only attempt so far. At this rate, he’s on pace to have one of the best passing performances ever. Sample size? Get out of here with that nonsense!

According to ESPN.com’s Ted Miller, USC’s All-American safety Taylor Mays won’t play vs. Washington in today’s game. His absence will be a significant blow to the USC defense, and doubtless, to Mays, himself. As Sports Illustrated’s Arash Markazi explains:

The centerpiece of today’s football action is the game in Blacksburg, where No. 19 Nebraska plays a game of footed ball with No. 13 Virginia Tech. The results of the game itself may be moot, as Gobbler Country already simulated the contest in NCAA 10:

For posterity’s sake, though, let’s check in with Corn Nation, which exhorts the Cornhuskers to value turnovers, execution, and a fast start.