Just because failure isn't an "option" for BCS contenders in the top 25 doesn't mean that even the best teams don't slip screw up once in a while. Remember, we're talking about college kids here, between the ages of 18 and 23. Like most people their age, college football players can and do lose focus, even (and perhaps especially) in the most crucial situations.
Mississippi State misses put on big road win
Take No. 16 Mississippi State and, more specifically, quarterback Chris Relf. The Bulldogs were in prime position to escape Jordan-Hare Stadium with a win over SEC West foe Auburn. MSU managed to once again drive the ball with ease against the Tigers' tired defense while time continued to tick away.
The Bulldogs stopped the clock with 10 seconds left in the game and two yards between them and Auburn's end zone. On the last play of the game, Relf, a human bulldozer at 6'4" and 245 pounds, decided to take the ball himself on an option play, rather than pitch it out to one of his teammates, and was stopped a yard shy of a touchdown, leaving time to expire and MSU to wonder what might have been.
Garrett Gilbert almost makes Texas toast
At least Relf had a strong game all-around. The same can hardly be said for Texas' Garrett Gilbert.
The Longhorns' junior quarterback managed to complete only two of his eight passing attempts for eight yards and two interceptions before Mack Brown benched him in the second quarter in favor of sophomore Case McCoy.
And by Case McCoy, I mean the younger brother of Texas legend Colt McCoy, whom Gilbert took over for in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game after McCoy was knocked out with a shoulder injury.
The younger McCoy and freshman David Ash managed to lead the 'Horns back from a 10-0 deficit to beat BYU, 17-16. Gilbert played no part in the comeback, other than that of poorly dressed cheerleader.
Ohio State almost ousted at home by Toledo
Like Texas, No. 15 Ohio State narrowly escaped defeat at home to a lesser opponent.
Then again, at least BYU stirs up images of rousing on-field success once in a while. The same can't exactly be said for Toledo. To be fair, the Rockets are a decent team, one that won eight games in 2010 to claim its first winning season since 2005.
The Buckeyes, on the other hand, would be the six-time reigning champions of the Big Ten, if not for the fact that the school vacated all of its wins from 2010 after the whole Jim Tressel-Terrelle Pryor situation blew up in everyone's faces.
A slight disparity between the two teams? Perhaps.
Though still not as slight as the five-point margin by which the Buckeyes won, only after scoring a touchdown with 3:17 to take the lead and stopping Toledo short in the red zone with under a minute left to play.
A.J. Burnett Steve Garrison Phil Hughes Damaso Marte Mariano Rivera Kerry Wood
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