Alabama Falls into Vanderbilt Trap

Longtime fans of college football could see it coming a mile away. On one hand we had Alabama, undefeated, ranked #1 in the nation after beating longtime foe Georgia in what was called an “Instant Classic”, a "game for the ages", going on the road to play perennial SEC cellar dweller Vanderbilt. Problem is…… Vandy was a very well prepared eager hungry team that had already beaten Virginia Tech and taken Missouri to double overtime. Result: Vanderbilt 40 Alabama 35. I lived in the Nashville area for 12 of the best years of my life. I know their frustrations first hand and I don't want to take a thing away from the Commodores. They played the best game in Vanderbilt history and they earned it with great offensive play calling, great defense, and sheer determination.  It was a weekend full of upsets. The Crimson Tide was not the only casualty. Texas A&M destroyed previously unbeaten Missouri 41-10 and Arkansas shocked unbeaten Tennessee 19-14 in the night cap. Texas rose to #1 after being idle, preparing for the Red River Rivalry game with Oklahoma Saturday. Miami (Fla.) roared back from 25 points down to sneak past California 39-38. Army and Navy are both 5-0 for the first time since 1945. Heck fire, that's even before my time and that's going back a few years. The Billingsley Report is top heavy with Big 10 teams after the SEC implosion. Oregon is #2, Penn State is #3 and Ohio State is #4. Should make for an interesting match when the Buckeyes travel to Eugene Saturday. Projections will be posted Monday.