2007 COLLEGE SEASON IN REVIEW...

With the College Bowl games now underway, let’s take a moment to reflect on the 2007 season.  Here is one handicapper’s vote on the BEST and WORST performances for the year, prior to the bowl games…

BEST GAME OF THE YEAR –
Navy’s 46-44 overtime win over Notre Dame. Not only did it snap a 43-game series losing streak, it left you with feel-good goose bumps watching it happen.

MOST PUZZLING GAME OF THE YEAR –
Stanford 24, Southern Cal 23.  Not only did the Cardinal win as 39-point underdogs, they were outgained by 234 yards in the game.  Go figure.

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A LOSING CAUSE –
North Texas freshman QB Giovanni Vizza throwing for 478 yards and 8 TD’s in a 74-62 loss at home against Navy.  That’s what happens when you allow 572 rushing yards in a game.  Runner-up: North Texas WR Casey Fitzgerald caught 18 passes for 327 yards in a 45-31 loss against SMU.

BEST UNDERDOG –
Ucla.  Bruins dressed up as dogs five times this season, taking home the cash in all five contests.  Runner-up: UTEP.  The Miners posted a neat 7-1 ATS mark as dogs.  Money line dogs: a three way tie between Maryland, Temple and Virginia – all of whom won four games SU as puppies.

BEST GAME IN AGES –
Illinois 28-21 win over Ohio State marked the first time since 1956 that the Illini had defeated a top-ranked team.  Runner-up: Kansas 76-39 win over Nebraska.  The Jayhawks were 1-30 SU in the previous 31 meetings in the series.

BEST ESCAPE ARTIST –
Virginia.  The Cavaliers won six games by a combined total of 12 points.

WORST FAVORITE –
California.  Bears were 1-7 ATS as chalk, with Kent State righ on their heels at 1-6 ATS as favs.  Worst Money Line favorite: Kent State - the Flashes lost six games SU as chalk.  Runners Up: California, Kansas State, Louisville, Miami Florida and Oregon - each with four SU losses as favorites.

WORST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR –
Miami Florida’s 48-0 loss against Virginia in the final game ever at the historic Orange Bowl.  Talk about stinking up the joint.  Runner-up: West Virginia’s 13-9 loss at home against Pittsburgh, as 29-point favorites, in their final game of the season.  Easily the biggest choke-job of the year.

BIGGEST COLLAPSE OF THE YEAR –
California.  The Bears were 5-0 and ranked No. 2 in the nation when they lost 31-28 at home against Oregon State.  The went on to win one of their next five games.  Runner-up (tie): Nebraska.  Cornhuskers started the season 4-1 before dropping six of the final seven games.  They allowed an average 46 PPG in the last seven games. South Carolina: Gamecocks started the year 6-1 before losing their final five games of the season.   

That’s my take on the 2007 College Football regular season.  Drop me a line and let me know yours.  If I get enough response I’ll post the best (and worst) replies…