Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Thoughts on College Football after week 1.

Well, that hallowed time of year has arrived.  The first week of D-I college football is in the bank, so let's see what we have learned.  We'll keep it simple for this one and go through the games for the top 25 coming into the week.

1. Alabama: Well, the score against San Jose State was not a surprise, well not unless you expected the Tide to break 50.  We didn't really learn much at all from this game.  We knew the Tide was loaded with talent, and frankly, I doubt that any player on San Jose would start for Bama.  I say this for this game, even with Bama missing a Heisman winner and their star DE.  They are loaded for bare.  Actually, we did learn one thing, their AD is smart enough to schedule a D-I team for their tune-up game to pad their schedule.  After all, would you rather play SJSU, or Jacksonville State?  Ole Miss?  Are you listening?

2. Ohio State: Well, Pryor looked really good, and appears to be continuing to improve as a Quarterback, rather than an athlete.  Ohio State was loaded last year and brought near everyone back.  Marshall was a relatively solid play for the first week, compared to some of the other top teams, and Ohio State is undoubtedly a top 15 team.  But, that is not news.  The questions will be answered more this week.  Miami is good, great at times.  If OSU can beat them solid, we might  have something to talk about.  As for questions, I still question if they have a #1 WR, though Sanzenbacher and Posey were both productive against Marshall.

3. Boise State: Man, what an exciting game.  Kellen Moore and Tyrod Taylor are both for real, and should get serous looks from the NFL when their time comes.  But, what did we learn about Boise?  They are not #3 in the country.  Toot your horns all you want.  they are good, they are probably a top 10 team, but you can't be in the title hunt when you don't have a corner to cover the other team's #1 and Boykin for Va. Tech was more than they could handle.  I expect them to be unbeaten, with only 1 real challenge remaining on their schedule unless someone surprises, but this team is going to have to improve to have a legitimate title shot.  IMO

4. Florida: Wow, the Gators looked about as bad as you can when you win by 22.  Their D is very good, and they have a lot of speed, but Brantley better figure it out quick.  Actually, no, Brantley, you just go ahead and stink it up.  Please? For me?  They should drop out of the top 10. Now.

5. Texas: Meh.  The Horns are ranked at 5 for where people think they will be.  Rice is a possible bowl team out of C-USA, but the Horns should have beat them worse.  That said, Rice never threatened.  I have the feeling that the Horns jumped ahead and hit snooze.

6. TCU: The Horned Frogs are good, and they proved it against a very good Beaver team.  However, a message to Mr. Dalton.  You team wears purple jerseys......purple....please throw it to the guys wearing purple.  Thank you, that is all.

7. Oklahoma: A 7 point win against Utah State?  Really?  At home?  Yeah, might want to step it up a little better than that with the Noles coming to town. Just saying, the FSU boys are going to make Utah State look like they were running in mud.

8. Nebraska: Well, at least the Huskers played a D-I team.  I think this is the first year that we really get to see what a Bo Pelini team is going to look like.  Well, his team is better than Western Kentucky, and I am pretty sure they will be better than Idaho, and Washington, and South Dakota State...so we won't know if they are any good until October 7th.  Wait, did Pelini used to coach in Manhattan?  Cupcakes anyone?

9. Iowa: Well, for once Stanzi led them to a win comfortably.  Hey, and the backup QB Vandenberg was perfect...that's cool right?  Yeah, Eastern Illinois?  Come on guys

10. Virginia Tech: Well, the #10 ranking looks about right.  Tyrod Taylor is the man, Boykin is an NFL type of receiver, and the defense looks like it is going to be alright.  What is going to be fun for this team, is that East Carolina game in 2 weeks.  In case you didn't know, East Carolina is running the old Texas Tech offense now.  We will find out how good that young defense really is.

11. Oregon:  Holy...er....Oh my....DAMN.  Did you see what the ducks did to New Mexico?  A note for the PAC-10 and anyone else who has to deal with this team.  I would seriously consider punting it out of bounds if Cliff Harris (2 returns, for 125 yards and 2 TD's) is back there.  Just a thought.  Oh, and that 72 points, that was without LaMichael James.

12. Wisconsin: Let's put it this way.  They won by 20 and it was not as close as that sounds.  Wisconsin is their normal meat grinder on offense and was stout on defense as well.  Mind, you UNLV is not USC, but they are an occasional bowl team.

13. Miami: 12/15, 210 yards, 3 TD and done at halftime.  That was Jacory Harris' line against Florida A&M.  They will throw the ball, I don't know if anyone in the country can cover Hankerson, their D-Line is one of the best in the country,and they have an unproven left tackle.  That is what we know.  Ohio State will help us clarify shortly........yup, can't wait for that one.  I am going to feel so dirty rooting for the Canes.

14. USC: Matt Barkley was recruited to run this offense and Kiffin in place and calling the plays, you could see why.  It's true enough that the Warrior defense is not the best in the country, but Barkley did what he should do to their defense.  The Trojans need to get used to hitting people on defense in a hurry though, or that #14 ranking won't last.  Hawaii exposed their secondary in a big way, and their front seven is going to have to give them some help.

15. Pittsburgh: If anyone had taken the time to ask, I would have told you that #15 was too high.  I also would have told you that ranking Utah outside the top 25 was a joke.  But then again, I am always right when I can tell you who will win after they do.  Pitt will be fine as Sunser gets a few more starts, and Utah will win a lot of games....again.

16. Georgia Tech:  Well, they won.  Big.  Over nobody.  So, what did we learn about the Ramblin Wreck?  Not. A. Damn. Thing.  Their leading passer at 8 yards, and they put up 41 points.  *Yawn*

17. Arkansas: See above in reverse.  301 for Mallett, 67 for their leading rusher, won by 44.  Seriously, I didn't even know there was a school called Tennessee Tech.  This is a big time offense, but you can't play in shootouts every week and make a real run at an SEC division title, can you?

18. North Carolina: This team has serious depth and Butch Davis can still coach.  That won't matter if they don't get some of their players back though.  Just an amazing performance considering what was missing from their roster. 

19. Penn State: Soooooooo, Bolden can play a little bit huh.

20. Florida State: The Noles did what a Noles team used to do to their warm-ups.  This was ugly.  Ponder was 12/14 with 4 TD's and never saw the field in the second half.  E.J. Manuel was 10/13 for 129 yards in the second half.  They aren't what they were, but they already looked faster than they have in years.  Course, that might have been relative with Samford on the field against them.  We'll know after next week.

21. LSU: Really?  Did they really only beat a depleted UNC team by 6?  Yeah, I know, it took a late comeback by the Heels to make it close, but they better find their killer instinct by the time conference play gets here.  Oh, and giving up 412 yards passing to T.J. Yates....yeah, that's not a good sign.

22. Auburn: Cam Newton is something to see boys.....seriously.  You need to make time.  9/14 passing for 186 and 3.  15 rushes for 171 and 2.  Yeah, you read that right.  I know it was Arkansas State, but this guy is big, fast, and has a strong accurate arm.  A little raw, and he is learning, but he is getting there is leaps and bounds.  6'6", 247 and he busted off a 72 yards touchdown run....yes R.U.N.  72 yards.   marinade on that.

23. Georgia: Well, they beat a D-I by 48.  But this is Georgia, they better beat Lala like that.

24. Oregon State:  The Beavers are tough, but they have laid themselves out a heck of a non-conference.  They need to get more out of their QB's.  9/25 is not enough to keep the heat off of the Rogers brothers.

25. West Virginia: Coastal Carolina is D-I right?  Well, they are in basketball.  Hmm, I think I would have rather seen these 2 teams play in basketball.  I think they both made the tournament.  Hmm, oh yeah, we should have a tournament for football.  Wait, sorry.  Yeah, Noel Devine is wicked.  And the D pitched a shutout, but *Yawn*, sorry, where was I?

Ok, that was kind of long.  I'll shorten up for the rest of the season.

See you next week!!

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