#2 Oregon @ Virginia - After a glorified scrimmage against Nicholls State, things get a bit tougher this week as the Ducks head to the eastern time zone for a date with the Cavaliers. The Ducks O is lead by dual threat Sophomore QB Marcus Mariota.
The Cavs will have to find a way to slow down the Ducks vaunted offense because they won't be able to keep up in a shootout.
45 - 17 Oregon.
San Diego State @ #3 Ohio State - After starting 2-3 last year the Aztecs ran off 7 straight wins before their bowl loss to BYU. The offense is lead by JR RB Adam Muema, possibly the best SDSU RB since this guy...
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| Marshall Faulk |
The Buckeyes are on a mission and should easily be able to start 4-0. How does HC Urban Meyer guarantee that? Scheduling these guys helps...
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| Jay Paterno |
Other national title contenders have a much tougher road. 'Bama not only has to navigate the SEC, but also decided to play a road game at VA Tech. The Hokies are no slouch, especially on their home field. So is Urban Meyer a great coach in an average conference? Or a good coach in a bad conference? It depends on who you ask.
The Buckeyes first legitimate test will come against Wisconsin at home on Sept 28th. Their next toughest game will be their last game of the season against their bitter rival Michigan. The Game looms large on the schedule. Michigan would love nothing more than to knock off an undefeated OSU squad in the Big House and crush the OSU title hopes. Until then, Braxton Miller will continue to pile up ridiculous numbers and the media will continue to profess their love for Urban Meyer.
Buckeyes 45 - 17
South Carolina State @ #4 Clemson - Clemson took care of business at home scoring a huge 38-35 win against Georgia in their opening game. QB Tajh Boyd officially threw his hat into the Heisman ring with an outstanding 5 TD effort (3 passing, 2 rushing). The Tigers will be favored in every game until Oct 19 when they get the FSU Seminoles in Death Valley. If they can avoid an upset until then, that game will have national title implications. As for this glorified scrimmage, let's just say I'm not using any good material on a cupcake like this.
54-3 Clemson
San Jose State @ #5 Stanford - West Coast Sparty is coming off an 11-2 season, one of their most successful in school history. They opened last season with a 3 point loss to Stanford and want some revenge this year. HC Mike MacIntyre left to take over the dumpster fire that is the Colorado program. The last time Colorado was relevant? (Sorry Michigan fans)
The Spartans are lead by new HC Ron Caragher. SJSU took a page out of Stanford's playbook and hired Caragher away from the University of San Diego, where he took over for Jim Harbaugh after Harbaugh left for Stanford. Can Caragher match his predecessor's success with a program that is, historically, a difficult place to win?
The Cardinal replaced Harbaugh with HC David Shaw in 2011 and barely missed a beat. Shaw has gone 11-2 and 12-2 in his two seasons at Stanford, including Stanford's first Rose Bowl win since 1972. After taking over as a RS FR in the middle of last season, QB Kevin Hogan stabilized the Cardinal offense and was named MVP of the Rose Bowl.
31 - 17 Stanford
#6 South Carolina @ #11 Georgia - DE Jadeveon Clowney's first game was sub par. The Gamecocks rolled UNC, but Clowney looked almost disinterested at times and took some plays off. One game does not a season make, but the Heisman voters are a fickle bunch with short attention spans who are easily distracted...
Georgia may have the toughest first month of the season of any team in the nation. The Bulldogs opened with a tough loss at Clemson, and now much face South Carolina in Athens, then a virtual bye week against North Texas before taking on #12 LSU in Athens. If Georgia can run the rest of that gauntlet...
26-23 Bulldogs
Sam Houston State @ #7 Texas A&M - The Manziel "Autograph-gate" has finally come to a conclusion, and that conclusion is...
You're in Timeout, Mister!
The NCAA... I'm at a loss for words. Is the NCAA trolling us? Do you think the investigators were sitting around a table figuring out the strangest/funniest way they could come up with to punish a player who, by their own admission, did nothing wrong? Who's making up the rules in Indianapolis?
30 minute timeout!? Really!?
38-10 A&M
E Kentucky @ #8 Louisville - After easily dispatching with Ohio 49-7 to open the season, the Cardinals and Heisman candidate QB Teddy Bridewater continue their soft as cotton schedule against FCS opponent E Kentucky this week. My guess is Louisville wanted to see how they'd fair against only the Eastern part of Kentucky this week before they take on the entire state of Kentucky next week. This is another trap game leading up to a rivalry game against an in state rival next week. Louisville will have to iron out any wrinkles in their schemes this week as Wildcats HC Mark Stoops would love to ruin the Cardinals title hopes before they even get started.
52 - 3 Louisville
UAB @ #9 LSU - The Tigers scored a victory over a tough TCU team in their opener. QB Zach Mettenberger was efficient, leading a balanced Tigers attack. LSU will have a couple cupcakes before opening up SEC play against Auburn in a few weeks. The Blazers lost in OT to Sun Belt rival Troy in their opener. Things will only get tougher for UAB as they face a much tougher D this week.
45-10 LSU
#12 Florida @ Miami -Da U is another program in the NCAA crosshairs, and has been for some time. HC Al Golden will be coaching his 26th game in Miami, and for the 26th game, he won't know the fate of his program that's been self imposing penalties for two years hoping to appease the NCAA investigators. How long has the NCAA dragged this thing on? Let us count the ways...
- The Miami Heat have won back-to-back NBA Championships (June 2012 and June 2013)
- The Miami Dolphins have gone through three head coaches (Tony Sparano, Todd Bowles, Joe Philbin)
- Reggie Bush played his entire career for the Miami Dolphins (the NCAA loves Reggie so much)
- The world didn’t end on 12/21/12
- The Royal Baby was conceived and born
- Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria actually spent money on the roster, then sold it all off
- Trayvon Martin was shot, George Zimmerman was arrested and acquitted
- Detroit Filed for Bankruptcy
- Casey Anthony was acquitted
- The Miami Cannibal hit the news
- The NBA solved it’s lockout
- The NHL ended it’s lockout
- The Miami Hurricanes have played two seasons and are two games into a third
If Miami wants to get this over with, the solution is easy, have Jay Bilas start tweeting for them...
Florida's D looked stout as usual against Toledo last week but it was again a lackluster offense that turned in a 24 point effort against Toledo. If the Gators can get their offense in gear, they will be right there with 'Bama as national title contenders this season. If not, HC Will Muschamp will find himself on the hot seat in Gainesville.
23-20 Florida
#13 Okie State @ UT-San Antonio - Okie State QB JW Walsh won the starting gig after sparking the Cowboys O to a 21-3 win against Miss State in their opener. Walsh relieved QB Clint Chelf who was ineffective. Walsh was effective through the air and on the ground, getting the offense some momentum with a 46 yard scamper. The Cowboys D held the Bulldogs in check all night. UTSA is trying to build a program after a successful 8-4 inaugural season at the FBS level. HC Larry Coker knows a thing or two about winning, having coached Miami to a national title in 2001. The Roadrunners are well coached and are building a nice program in San Antonio. Scoring an upset against a Big XII team would go a long way for their program, but I don't see the Cowboys offense being held in check in this one. Go Cowboys!
#14 Notre Dame @ #17 Michigan - Most big time program's seem to have a Sugar Daddy, or in Oregon's case, a Sugar Corporation. Michigan is no exception as it just received $200 Million from Billionaire Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. No word yet on whether that entire donation will be put towards a new football facility seating 200K with a retractable roof, on field cameras with a 1st down line visible in the stadium, a locker room with robot servants and a visit from the ghost of Bo Schembechler at half time of big games or if, you know, some of it might actually go towards academics.
The Wolverines kicked off the post Denard era with a 59-9 romp over Brian Kelly's former school, Central Michigan. The game was over by the half as Michigan lead 35-6. QB Devin Gardner threw for a TD and ran for another but also threw two picks. Despite the offensive barrage, there is definitely room for improvement as Michigan faces Brian Kelly's current school this week.
Do you consider Notre Dame v. Michigan to be a historic rivalry? Irish HC Brian Kelly does not... but Kelly later reversed course and lauded the game. So which is it? Nobody can ever replace the Buckeyes as the most hated rival in Ann Arbor, but from what I've heard from Michigan fans, Notre Dame is either second or third depending on a Wolverine fans' hatred of Sparty.
The Irish scored on their first two possessions against the Temple Owls and won easily 28-6, giving HC Brian Kelly his 200th win of his career. And he was ecstatic about it...
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| 200 WINS!!! |
34 - 26 Wolverines
#15 Texas @ BYU - Texas HC Mack Brown is on the hot seat in Austin this season. Many 'Horns fans think it's time for Brown to step aside and feel the game has passed him by. And as FR QB Jameis Winston of FSU was having his college coming out party on national TV at the expense of Pitt, Texas fans couldn't help but wonder, what if Winston was wearing burnt orange instead of gold & maroon?
Florida State phenom QB Jameis Winston wanted to go to Texas
Is this a modern day version of the legendary recruiting story of Joe Paterno recruiting Jim Kelly to linebacker instead of QB? Of course that recruitment took place in JoePa's heyday of the 80's and PSU is Linebacker U, but that doesn't make 'Horns fans feel any better. The only thing that will is QB David Ash lighting up opposing defenses ala Colt McCoy or Vince Young.
The 'Horns installed an up tempo offense for this season and QB David Ash started off shaky tossing two INT's against New Mexico State in the second quarter. Fortunately Ash steadied himself and tossed 4 TD's as Texas stomped the Aggies 56-7. Texas will look to keep the offense in gear against the Cougars of BYU.
The Fightin' Steve Young's lost 19-16 to Virginia when the Cavs scored the go ahead TD with 2:36 remaining. BYU QB Taysom Hill completed only 13 of 40 passes and the going does not look to get any easier against a Texas D eager to prove they belong in the national title discussion.
45-10 Longhorns
WVU @ #16 Oklahoma - The Mountaineer faithful could feel it comin' in the air tonight...
The Book of Genesis is playing out in Morgantown. God creates Rich Rodriguez as his regent, but Rich Rod proves disobedient by bolting to Michigan and God destroys the WVU program through Coach Stew. The new post-Stew program is equally corrupt, but God does not destroy it, instead calling one man, Dana Holgorsen, to be the seed of its salvation. At God's command, Holgorsen descends from the press box onto the sidelines, where he dwells as an offensive guru, as do his players, Geno Smith and Tavon Austin. Geno and Tavon leave for the NFL and through a lack of defense, the WVU players descend to a 7-6 season. With 85 scholarship players in all, God promises them a future of greatness. Genesis ends with Coach Holgorsen in Morgantown ready for the coming of the next Geno Smith and a national title.
There you have it... Genesis.
The Sooners held a potent LA-Monroe offense scoreless to open the season. In his first collegiate start QB Trevor Knight's rushing ability that was on display against the Warhawks. Knight was only 11 of 28 for 86 yards through the air, but did connect for 3 TD's. He rushed for 103 yards and 7.9 yards per carry. Like most dual threat freshman QB's, his running ability is way ahead of his passing abilities right now. Knight has a few games to figure it out before facing tough defenses capable of limiting his ground game for three weeks in a row. Notre Dame, TCU and Texas won't let him run wild. On the other hand, the Mountaineers will be chasing him all over the field.
31-17 Sooners
'Cuse @ #19 Northwestern - 'Cuse lost a boring and offensively challenged game in to PSU last week in Giants Stadium, spoiling HC Scott Shafer's debut. The Orange played solid D but could not take advantage of some PSU turnovers and couldn't cover WR Allen Robinson once he entered the game. QB Dwayne Allen was inconsistent, combing some nice throws with some awful tosses, including a game clinching INT on a severely under thrown ball with under 2 minutes left.
The Wildcats flew west and took care of business against Cal to open their season. It wasn't pretty as the Wildcats D couldn't get off the field against a Cal team starting a true freshman at QB. Northwestern also lost starting QB Kain Colter to a concussion on it's first offensive series. They needed two pick sixes to put away the Golden Bears 44-30. Dynamic RB Venric Mark was also limited with an injury. Despite the obstacles, Northwestern is 1-0. They'll have to put together a better effort this week if they hope to knock off a 'Cuse team that plays much better D than Cal. This is my upset special of the week.
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| Go Orange! |
TN Tech @ #21 Wisconsin - New HC Gary Andersen is known for his spread offense, but the Badgers picked up where they left off last season running the ball for 393 yards against a UMass team that is trying to get their talent level up to the FBS standards. Wisconsin had three RB's gain more than 100 yards on the ground. The Badgers completed only 9 passes but made them count, as WR Jared Abbrederis hauled in 2 catches for 122 yards and two TD's. The ground game should be all they need again this week as they take on FCS opponent TN Tech. The Badgers won't play a tough game until Sept 28th at Ohio State.
56-7 Badgers
Southern Miss @ #22 Nebraska - Southern Miss is now the proud owners of the nation's longest losing streak at 13 games. Second year HC Ellis Johnson is still looking for his first win since taking over the program from Larry Fedora. Prior to last season, Southern Miss had posted 18 straight winning seasons. To say Johnson is on the hot seat would be inaccurate. A more apt analogy would be he's in the Abyss between the 7th and 8th levels of Dante's Inferno...
43-14 Nebraska
Buffalo @ #23 Baylor - The Bears haven't missed a beat since RGIII left Waco. Baylor put up their most points since The Great Depression in a 69-3 shellacking of Wofford to open their season. RB Lache Seastrunk, who sat out last season after transferring from Oregon, debuted with 111 yards and 2 TD's. Seastrunk is a dark horse Heisman candidate...
Buffalo played tough against an Ohio State team thought to be a national title contender. The Bulls lost 40-20 but it was actually closer than people expected. Is Buffalo under rated or were the Buckeyes playing down to their competition? Buffalo can play some D so we'll find out this week if Baylor's offense is as good as they think.
45-21 Baylor
SE Louisiana @ #24 TCU - The Horned Frogs O was held in check by LSU last week in a 37-27 loss. Fortunately for TCU, that's the stingiest D they'll face this year. TCU should have an easier time against FCS SE Louisiana Lions.
45-20 Horned Frogs
Wazzu @ #25 USC - There's a QB controversy brewing in So Cal as Trojan QB's Cody Kessler and Max Wittek both played underwhelming in their opening game against Hawaii. Despite a roster full of 4 and 5 star recruits, Lane Kiffin can't seem to figure out how all the pieces go together.
Wazzu put up an inspired effort against Auburn before losing 31-24 last week. The Cougars had a couple chances to tie the game in the final minutes but couldn't connect on 4th downs. Wazzu has been in the basement of the Pac 12 since Ryan Leaf was tossing TD's and his potential was being compared to Peyton Manning's.
HC Mike Leach is as polarizing as the sun's magnetic shift...
On the other hand, Lane Kiffin is not polarizing at all. Everyone thinks he's an asshole. My theory as to why he's such a terrible game day coach... he's actually Daniel Tosh trolling USC and college football attempting to be the greatest troll of all time.
Well played Tosh, well played.
24-20 Washington State.
Since we're on the topic of look-a-likes, were you aware that Gary Schandling swam from Cuba to Key West?
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| Gary Schandling |
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| Diana Nyad |
Games of Note
Directional Michigan @ Penn State - If you watched the first half of the PSU v. 'Cuse game last week you'd have thought JoePa was still on the sidelines. It was boring. 6-3 at the half with little offense. PSU WR Allen Robinson was suspended for the first half for allegedly punching teammate Adrian Amos during practice. He started the second half and immediately made an impact, catching a 51 yard TD pass from true freshman QB Christian Hackenburg. Hack showed off his cannon of an arm on a few deep balls but also had threw two INT's. Those were forgivable for a frosh making his first start, but if he hopes to produce like now Raiders QB Matt McGloin he'll have to cut down on the turnovers. The running game was non-existent against an 8 man front for most of the game. The Orangemen's plan was to make Hack beat them, and he did it. There should be some more running room for RB Zack Zwinak this week against E Mich.
38 - 10 Penn State
Old Dominion @ Maryland - How ridiculous can the NCAA regulations get? For your consideration, I submit to you the following:
We can’t get the game ball until after we leave school because it’s against NCAA regulations. We have the game ball but it’s in the archives,” Whitfield said. “That was crazy when I heard that (about game balls) when Coach (Randy) Edsall first got here,” said Whitfield, a fifth-year senior.
The NCAA told the Baltimore Sun that the school would not be in violation of extra benefit rules by awarding a player a football. "The answer is yes. A student-athlete can keep a game ball," NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said in an email response.
So why is Maryland with holding game balls? It's again due to NCAA rules.
On the field, Maryland flogged Florida International 43-10 last week. All world WR Stefon Diggs had 98 yards and 1 TD. QB CJ Brown was 20 of 23 and tossed 3 TD passes. ODU is in their first year of a 2 year transition to the FBS level where they will join Conference USA. Maryland's secondary will see plenty of action this weekend as the Monarchs like to toss the rock around the field. If it's defense and low scores you enjoy, this is not the game for you. Maryland will have to avoid a shoot out, but should be able to put up some points and create turnovers.
38 - 24 Terrapins
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