The Rome report

Everyone will be talking about Graham Harrell’s game-winning touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree with one second left in Texas Tech’s 39-33 win over Texas this past Saturday. Even though it was a great play, I believe the biggest play of the game was a drop. With the Red Raiders driving for the winning score, Harrell threw a pass that was tipped and went straight into the air. Texas’ freshman safety Blake Gideon ran under the ball and dropped an interception that should have been caught and ended the game. On the very next play, Harrell connected with Crabtree to end the Longhorns’ perfect season.

Gideon’s drop might have cost the Longhorns more than just a win. It might have cost Texas a shot at the national championship and it may have cost Texas quarterback Colt McCoy a chance to win the Heisman Trophy. The drop might even cost Texas a shot at the Big 12 title.

I don’t blame Gideon for losing the game. Football is a team sport and everyone is responsible when the team loses, but I have to believe that dropping that interception will be on Gideon’s mind for the next few days.

Also.

Alabama, Penn State and Texas Tech remain the only undefeated team from BCS conferences. With only two teams being able to get into the national championship game, it makes you wonder what will happen if all three stay unbeaten. If that scenario happens, Alabama and Texas Tech will get into the title game and Penn State will be locked out. The biggest reason this could happen is because of the teams’ schedules.

The Crimson Tide and the Red Raiders play in the two toughest conferences in the country, the SEC and Big 12, respectively. Those conferences are thought to be a lot tougher than the Big Ten, Penn State’s conference. Because of the difficulty of the conferences, the schedules of Alabama and Texas Tech are tougher. If Alabama runs the table, it will have defeated four top-25 teams. Those teams would be Clemson, Georgia, LSU and its opponent in the SEC championship game (which would likely be Florida). All of those teams still remain in the top 25 with the exception of Clemson.

If Texas Tech wins out, they will have defeated at least four top-25 teams. Those teams would be Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. It could even face another top-25 team in the Big 12 title game if Missouri were to make it. All of those teams remain in the top 25.

If Penn State stays undefeated, it will have defeated three top-25 teams. Those teams would be Illinois, Ohio State and Michigan State. Only Ohio State and Michigan State remain in the top 25. Some people downgrade the Ohio State win because of the whipping the Buckeyes took from Southern
Cal.

Even though Penn State could be locked out of the title game, I think the Nittany Lions will be fine. Right now I believe Alabama will suffer its first loss in the SEC championship game against Florida and Texas Tech will suffer its first loss against Oklahoma. Those losses will make Penn State the only unbeaten from a BCS conference and a lock for the national championship game.