* Cal won, 50-31, but the score was 20-17 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Bears are not a good team this year. In fact, based on the current schedule, there’s not another sure win the rest of the way. Road games against Ohio State and USC are next, and on form, it’s pretty much a lock that Cal will come home 1-3 to face the same Arizona State team that beat the hell out of Illinois last night. \u00a0It’s looking grim for the Tedford era.<\/p>\n
* Vanderbilt’s loss last night was closer than the score indicated, but they got only 10 points off three red-zone drives in the first half – the last one a turnover inside the 10 to end the half. They never recovered. \u00a0The offense simply could not get on track – John Donovan’s play calling is coming in for heaps of abuse today – and Jordan Rodgers is just not effective under center. \u00a0He ends up running the ball too many times, deliberately or otherwise, and the actual running game with the much-vaunted deep field of running backs has failed to materialize. \u00a0At least next week is Presbyterian – as sure a thing as is possible to imagine – and after road tilts at Georgia and Missouri, the schedule begins to soften down the stretch. \u00a0Even so, 6-6 may be the best to hope for, and both of Vanderbilt’s recent 6 wins seasons began with a winning streak of at least 3. Overcoming the slow start might be the biggest challenge.<\/p>\n
* Robert Griffin III has paid immediate dividends. \u00a07-7 for 123 yards and a touchdown to open his NFL account, the rookie QB finished with over 300 yards passing, two touchdowns, 40 yards rushing and no turnovers (not to mention a passer rating of 139.9). And he delivered all this with a rookie starter at running back (who himself had two rushing touchdowns and almost a hundred yards on the ground). \u00a0I can’t remember the last time the Redskins hung 40 points on anyone, let alone on the road, let alone on a team as formidable as the Saints. \u00a0It might be time to re-evaluate the long-term prospects for this franchise; eight wins suddenly looks a lot more reasonable with the sloppy game the Eagles put together and the last-place schedule the Skins get to play (starting with the Rams next week).<\/p>\n
* First live Vandy game since 1996 in six days. Of which more later.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
* Cal won, 50-31, but the score was 20-17 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Bears are not a good team this year. In fact, based on the current schedule, there’s not another sure win the rest of the way. Road games against Ohio State and USC are next, and on form, it’s … <\/p>\n