The Great Escapes

(10) TCU 20 - Air Force 17 : TCU got out of Colorado Springs by the skin of their teeth due to a late Frogs fumble. A late TD by the Falcons brought them within 3 points. But the Horned Frogs were able to hold strong and keep their BCS hopes alive. The conditions were less than advantageous for TCU. But as a whole, this game was held in control by TCU for almost the entire game. The final score indicates a close one though it should probably have been 20-10. But all in all, I think this is something that might get TCU in trouble as it has in the past (see Utah loss last season.) In the Gary Patterson era TCU has always played tremendous defense that keeps them ahead/in games. But when they get a chance to take a commanding lead and shut the door, they rarely do it. They need to learn how close games, especially to help their tough defense out. Because their D always comes to play.

Pittsburgh 24 - Connecticut 21 : This is exactly the game Pitt would have lost a year ago. Winning the grind-it-out close one's wasn't the Panthers' forte the past few seasons under Dave Wannstedt. Midway through the 3rd Pitt trailed Randy Edsall's Huskies 21-6 when QB Bill Stull hit WR Jonathan Baldwin down the seam for a 26 yard TD pass making it 21-13. This connection between Stull and Baldwin almost seems like a right of passage in this teams growth from a year ago. Stull's having a career year in which he has become a more polished passer and reduced mistakes. Baldwin, a highly touted recruit coming in last season, has followed up a quiet freshman year with a strong sophomore campaign that has included him becoming the go-to target in the passing game. But back to the action. Now in the 4th Stull hit TE/WR/RB Dorin Dickerson for the score 27 yards out. Pitt proceeded to get the 2 point conversion to tie the game. They later scored on a game winning field goal as time expired and celebrated their Big East triumph. The thing I didn't mention in that summary was the defense which really picked up its game in the second half. But with a lack of offense in recent seasons I had to give the Pitt O some love. Congrats to Pitt. Wannstedt is one of the good guys you want to see succeed.