Football Mayhem

Okay, I must post another football entry because one of the biggest upsets in college football history (there is a debate whether it's bigger than Michigan - Appalachian State) just occurred. Stanford beat USC!!!! WOOOOOOO - HOOOOOOOOO! (That was akin to my screaming and jumping up and down when they won.)

THE STORY
So, USC is one of Michigan's biggest rivals (we lost to them last year in the Rose Bowl) and was ranked #1 in the country until last week, when they slipped to #2. Considered one of the best college football teams in the country, USC was undefeated this year, and had won 35 consecutive home games. The last time they lost at home was also to Stanford, in 2001.

On the other hand, Stanford has only won one game this year against San Jose State, averaging a loss of about 30 points per game last season. USC was favored to win this game by six touchdowns. Stanford's regular quarterback was out having suffered a seizure last week, so in his place was a sophomore QB who had only completed 3 passes in his career.

I only tuned in to the last quarter-and-a-half of the game, but it was the most exciting football I have seen this year. Stanford was down by 6 points, 17-23 and had the ball. With 4th down and 20 to go, the young QB threw a risky pass to the receiver, who caught it amongst 4 defenders just inside the 9-yard line for a 1st down. They got within 5 yards of the endzone on the 1st down but then suffered a penalty pushing them back to the 10-yard line. After a few incomplete passes, they were again at 4th down and goal. The QB completed a pass down the left side well within the endzone.

And the screaming and jumping up and down commenced! It was unbelievably nerve-racking and so gratifying (I always like to root for the underdog, but especially in this case). It was amazing. And the Coliseum (USC's stadium) was silent. I must say that I can empathize since Michigan was in their shoes not so long ago. Then, over at the LSU-Florida game (LSU is now ranked #1 but currently losing in a close game to #9 Florida), they announced the score of the Stanford-USC game. The LSU fans all bowed to honor Stanford's win.

This is when I love football.

P.S. For more info on the game, check out these articles:
http://www.heraldnewsdaily.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=174759&source=2
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/pac10/2007-10-06-stanford-usc_N.htm
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_7106598

In other news, UNC (way unranked) beat Miami (almost ranked), Illinois (unranked) beat Wisconsin (#5). Unfortunately, Ohio State (#4) beat Purdue (#23).