Rearview: Chomp on This

The Florida Gators have played and defeated 2 top ten opponents, outscoring LSU and Georgia by a combined total of 100-31. The Georgia Bulldogs have lost to 2 top ten opponents, getting outscored 90-40 in those meetings. If we look at the ground Florida has covered, it can be said that the Gators played down to the competition, with the only loss coming against the lowest profile team on the schedule (Ole Miss), with none of the higher profile programs even posing a threat. As for the Bulldogs, who opened as the nation’s No. 1 team, the lackluster play early began their slide, and punches delivered by conference heavyweights completed it. This would leave you to believe either Georgia was highly overrated to begin the year or the roster hits eventually took their toll. I choose the latter.

THE ORANGE WAS BURNT

The Longhorns were making an unbelievable run through ranked opponents, until they reached Lubbock. The speculation has always been that neither of the ranked Big 12 programs is strong on the defensive side of the ball, and it was Texas’ 116th ranked pass defense that eventually led to their fall. Not that the Red Raiders are much better at defending the pass, as the teams combined for 768 passing yards on Saturday night. But when you play a game of “last with possession wins”, even with a lead and under 2 minutes to play, you’re left at the mercy of your defense and the opponent.

THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Be it the dogs or cats, Washington’s FBS programs are equally terrible. On Saturday, both Washington and Washington State were outscored 114-0 in losses to USC and Stanford. The 56-0 beating of Washington enabled the Trojans to record their third shutout victory of 2008. It’s the first time USC has shutout 3 Pac 10 opponents since 1965. If I’m choosing the better team in the state of Washington, I’d probably look at the lower level. Willingham’s Huskies nearly pulled an upset victory over BYU, but the greater feat may have been Eastern Washington’s fight with Texas Tech for a half, before being dominated in the second.

GONE BLUE

We knew things would be tough in Ann Arbor for a transitioning program, but we also thought the likes of Toledo, Utah, Notre Dame, and Miami of Ohio on the schedule would soften the misery. Instead, having those scheduled games makes the Michigan Wolverines appear even more woeful, as they managed to defeat just one of those opponents. Combine those losses with those in the Big 10, and I’ll witness something I’ve personally never experienced in my lifetime, a Wolverine team that will have a losing finish. Saturday’s loss to Purdue kills any hopes of Michigan having Bowl eligibility, snapping a streak of 33 straight. It also guarantees that for the first time since 1967, the Michigan Wolverines will finish below .500. And just think, the announcement that Lloyd Carr would be stepping down as the Michigan head coach last year actually led to celebrations. I think the only celebrations now sparked by the play of the Wolverines are in Columbus and Morgantown.

DIGITS

The Oklahoma Sooners currently own the nation’s longest home win streak (23), and have won 43 of the last 44 in Norman.

Iowa State’s Leonard Johnson set a FBS record with 319 yards on 9 kick returns against Oklahoma State.

Missouri and Baylor combined for 928 total yards of offense.

Georgia Tech’s victory snapped a 12 game losing streak to the Florida State Seminoles.

Arkansas has won 17 straight against Tulsa.

Tulane’s last victory over a ranked opponent occurred against LSU in 1982. Since then, the Green Wave is 0-32.

LSU has notched 22 consecutive victories over non SEC opponents.

Wisconsin’s defense held Michigan State’s Javon Ringer to his lowest output of the season, 54 yards on 21 carries.

West Virginia’s Pat White has now eclipsed the 4,000 and 5,000 yard marks in career rushing and passing.


THE GALLOPING FINISH

Oklahoma- an offensive machine
Auburn- an offensive catastrophe
Tennessee- offense transferred to Duke
Florida- Chomping towards the top spot
TCU- the best in the Mountain West
Duke- instant improvement despite the losses
Minnesota- got greedy
Arizona State- pitiful
West Virginia- rising
Connecticut- reeling
USC- still trails Oregon State in Pac standings
Notre Dame- just one victory over programs with winning records.

Rearview: Horns continue game of ‘catch me if you can’

Another Saturday and another ranked opponent. Such has been the life of the Texas Longhorns. The Horns have been the BCS leader since defeating their first ranked opponent, the Oklahoma Sooners, three weeks ago. Their weekend disposal of No. 6 Oklahoma State now makes it 3 consecutive ranked opponents to collide with the burnt orange, and and 3 more notches in Mack Brown’s belt. And still there is no time for a breather, as they now prepare for the undefeated and 8th ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders to invade Austin next weekend. Texas has built an impressive BCS resume, and if they manage to make it 4 victims in as many weeks, I doubt anyone can catch them in the BCS standings. One more game, and then smooth sailing ahead. Well, until you reach that Big 12 title game, where they would most likely have a rematch with Missouri. I’m sure the Tigers would love another shot, but I don’t think the result would be any different.

LIVE FOR TODAY, WORK TOWARDS TOMORROW

The Nittany Lions got their first victory in Columbus since they joined the Big 10. In this battle of BCS heavyweights, neither team ran over the other, and nearly punched to a draw. This one was already set up to be a defensive battle, and the Buckeyes may have lost the game on a coaching error. Todd Boeckman had plenty of success in previous years against Penn State, but the Buckeyes chose to ride young Terrelle Pryor, and the horse came up lame in the end. Preparing a young man to be your program’s future leader is one thing. Preparing your team and putting them in the best position to win their biggest game in conference is another.

FREE FALLING

If we’re wondering if the SEC has dropped off, I think this weekend continues to give signs. Not only did Auburn jump out of conference and drop a game to West Virginia, but Vanderbilt took a hit from Duke. How can you continue to make the “top to bottom” claim, when the the perennial bottom sitter of the ACC just claimed a victory over the middle of your conference? What makes the swelling around the black eye stand out even more is Mississippi State edging Middle Tennessee State after a long fought battle. LSU has definitely dropped off defensively. A couple of weeks ago, it was shocking to see a Tigers defense give up 50+ points. Now, just two weeks later, they’ve done it again.

DIGITS

-Saturdays Victory over Tennessee marked the 1st time in 16 years that Alabama has won back-to-back games in the series.

-Georgia's victory in Baton Rouge snapped an LSU streak of 30 consecutive Saturday home victories.

-Kentucky has now lost 22 consecutive games to Florida.

-Oklahoma tied a school record with 55 first half points in their victory over Kansas State.

-USC’s defense allowed just 88 passing yards to Arizona’s Sonny Dykes offense.

-Rutgers’ Mike Teel threw for a school record 6 touchdowns in Saturday’s upset of Pittsburgh.

-Virginia’s defense limited Georgia Tech to just 7 completions in their upset victory.

-Louisville’s defense held South Florida to just 8 rushing yards in their upset victory.

-Ball State has 4 opponents remaining and 0 games to be played on Saturdays.

-Another Hokies loss to Florida State makes it 34 years since Tech has won a game in Tallahassee.


GALLOPING FINISH

Kansas- Defense isn’t played in this state
Kansas State- See above
Kentucky- just got scored on again
Kent State- I just wanted another “K” school here
Pitt- Wanny is owned by Schiano
Penn State- Is Joe Pa really coaching in that booth?
Ohio State- Is Tressel really coaching from that sideline?
Minnesota- dodges Penn State in scheduling
Michigan- hasn’t dodged anything in 4 weeks
Pac 10 officials- called a holding penalty on USC’s #5 (Reggie Bush?)
Arizona State- The season’s great pretender
Week 9- no surprises in the BCS 10

From The Horse’s Mouth- Week 9 Spotlight Games

With the preliminary BCS standings revealed, the landscape has a different look. For now on, all digits preceding a program’s name will reflect their position in the BCS standing, and no longer represent positions in the AP poll. As always, the AP may come into play down the stretch, if it appears college football may be headed towards a split title. But until then, the AP poll is irrelevant, as its data is not part of the BCS equation.

(3) Penn State at (9) Ohio State

The horse’s must see rating: 10

Quickie: Are we still doubting the legitimacy of the Nittany Lions championship contention? Here’s a golden opportunity to strengthen their worth and remove those doubts. The Buckeyes have regained their swagger and are riding the momentum from last week’s drubbing of Michigan State. Preseason analysts claimed the Big 10 title runs through Columbus. Let’s see if Joe Pa can come out clean on the other side, leaving Tressel and Ohio State in his rearview.

NITTANY LIONS (8-0)
Last week- W- Michigan

Penn State’s record remains unscathed, largely due to the winning of key position battles that enable them to bury their opponents. Their foes have been overpowered at the skill positions, as well as in the trenches. One key match up this week will be Jordan Norwood looking to get off the block and find space against NFL first round corner prospect Malcolm Jenkins. Appearing as the favorite target for quarterback Daryll Clark, Norwood was limited to just 4 catches and 28 yards in last week’s victory, and must have more production for the Lions to be positioned for this win. Just as the sturdy Buckeyes defense limited Michigan State’s Javon Ringer, running the ball may again be troublesome for this week’s opponent, and an elscalation of their season's passing attempts and yardage may be the difference between winning and losing.

BUCKEYES (7-1)
Last Week: W-Michigan State

It’s homecoming in Columbus, and Ohio State hasn’t lost one of these games since 2001. They're coming off their most impressive victory of the season, after appearing sluggish in earlier weeks. Quarterback controversy is squashed (for the moment), and the roster is filled with believers again. The Buckeyes enter Saturday’s game ranked 10th in the nation defensively, a tribute to the unit that has carried them this far. The offensive unit holds concern, with the inconsistent play of inexperienced freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Though he has slowly showed signs of improvement, one has to wonder if he’s improved enough to conquer these incoming Lions. A healthy Chris Wells should relieve some of the strain placed on the passing game in previous weeks, allowing the Buckeyes a more methodical approach to move the sticks.

Xtra Points: Defensive strength outweighs offensive presence, and I pick the Buckeyes to prevail victorious for their 7th straight homecoming. With a switch in venue, I’d give the opposite choice, but I believe Ohio State’s young signal caller will find comfort in the friendly confines of the Shoe, allowing him to play smart and efficient in this high profile game.

All Time Series: Buckeyes lead 12-11
Streak: Buckeyes won 2

(6) Oklahoma State at (1) Texas- Gundy’s program is on a magical ride, but it stops in Austin. The Horns should roll the Cowboys.

Auburn at West Virginia- Before the season began, this was one hell of game that would be played with BCS implications. Know I’m not really sure what it is, but you can catch in airing Thursday night on ESPN.

(8) Texas Tech at (23) Kansas- If you’re looking for a Big 12 shootout, here it is. This game features the nation’s 58th and 65th ranked defenses, and the 2nd and 14th ranked offenses.

(7) Georgia at (13) LSU- The loser is officially knocked out of the BCS championship race, but would still remain hopeful to win the SEC.

(5) USC at Arizona- The Sand Trap

Notre Dame at Washington- Come on now! It’s the “Ty Bowl”!

UCLA at California- Two schools with the same fight song. That has to be annoying to listen to in the stands.

Upset special- Virginia over (18) Georgia Tech, (23) Kansas over (8) Texas Tech, (9) Ohio State over (3) Penn State

Rearview: A spanking in East Lansing

The obvious key to derailing the Michigan State Spartans is containing super back Javon Ringer. The Ohio State Buckeyes did just that on Saturday, limiting him to just 67 yards. Of course, Containment is easiest when you jump all over your opponent, forcing them to abandon the running game. An immediate indicator is Ringer’s 16 carries, his lowest total of the season. The Buckeyes led 28-0 at the half, building to 35-0 by the end of the third, before completing the 45-7 drubbing of the 20th ranked Spartans, their highest offensive output on the season. With questions and worry surrounding the Buckeyes past performances, they gave a quick message and delivered a Big 10 statement, which basically said “The champs are here”.

And speaking of spankings, Southern Cal was swinging its own paddle, which is already reviewed here.

GRABBING A BULL BY THE HORNS

The Texas Longhorns are rolling, and the Missouri Tigers latched on and were taken for a ride. Stampeding out of the gate, the Horns had hung 28 before every fan was settled in their seats. Riding the momentum from last week’s victory over Oklahoma, Texas left no doubt about the top spot in the polls. Although we all knew Missouri’s defense wasn’t challenging, I think most expected the Tigers’ offense to at least keep pace. Missouri has now dropped games in consecutive weeks, but can still be considered a favorite in the Big 12 north, meaning they may meet Texas again. Is that a good thing?

FEAR THE TURTLE…SOMETIMES

The most difficult team to figure out is the Maryland Terrapins. They’ve squeaked past Delaware, and lost to both Middle Tennessee State and Virginia. On the flip side, they’ve defeated 3 ranked opponents this season, with No. 20 Wake Forest being the latest victim. The Terps host N.C. State next week. Maybe they should hold their weekly practices as if the Wolfpack were ranked.

TOP 25 UPSETS

(9) BYU defeated by TCU
(17) Virginia Tech defeated by Boston College
(18) North Carolina defeated by Virginia
(21) Wake Forest defeated by Maryland
(25) California defeated by Arizona

Did you notice that 3 of the 5 occurred in the ACC?

DIGITS

-After a poor start, Virginia has now won 3 straight. Their victory over North Carolina marked the 14th straight defeat the Tar Heels have suffered in Charlottesville.

-Syracuse’s Greg Robinson is now 2-22 in Big East play since taking the head coaching job.

-Maryland’s blanking of Wake Forest is the first time the Deacons have been shutout since 1998.

-For the first time in his coaching career, Alabama’s Nick Saban is 7-0.

-1896 was the last time Missouri beat Texas in Austin.

-Colt McCoy’s 82 career touchdown passes overtakes Vince Young as Texas’ leader in that category.

-LSU was aided by a season high 6 sacks in their escape of South Carolina.

-In the last 10 quarters of football, Southern Cal has outscored their opponents 114-0.

-In the shutout of Washington State, the nation’s second longest scoring streak was snapped at 280 games. Michigan is the leader in the category.

-BYU’s upset loss to TCU snapped the nation’s longest win streak, at 16 games.

-Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford threw for a school record 468 yards in the Sooners’ victory over Kansas.

-1939 was the last time Baylor won a game in Stillwater.

-Baylor’s Robert Griffin set a new FBS freshman record, with 155 consecutive pass attempts without an interception.



GALLOPING FINISH

Texas- Without a doubt
Mizzou- Without a defense
Kentucky- Phew!
Tennessee- Not the worst in the SEC
Clemson- New coach, same result
Washington State- Terrible
Virginia- Huh?
Michigan- 2 halves= 1 whole game
Wisconsin- missing out of conference play
Michigan State- A dead Ringer
Ohio State- resembling 2007
Penn State- Catch me, Bowden, if you can.
USC (west)- Bye Week
Northwestern- Bowl eligible
Washington- Willingham is 0-6
Oklahoma State- Shhh
Week 8- BCS standings are here!

Rearview: Is Tennessee the biggest disappointment?

Looking back at the preseason polls, I was nearly tempted to call Clemson the biggest disappointment of the 2008 season. But even with the misfires and miscues of the Tigers, the Tennessee Volunteers are by far more deserving of the tag. Sure, Clemson had a top 10 preseason ranking and loads of expectations. But when you look at the Volunteers, the preseason No. 18, their 2-4 start doesn’t even tell the entire story. The Vols have yet to defeat an opponent from the SEC (0-3), or anyone from a BCS conference (0-1). Of their two victories, only the 35-3 clobbering of UAB was impressive. Not so impressive was the 13-9 nail biter over Northern Illinois. Next week, Tennessee will host Mississippi State. And though I never thought I’d be saying this, it may be a battle to prove the worst program in the SEC.

What about Phillip Fulmer? Is it difficult to terminate a coach with a BCS championship under his belt? The last I checked, Larry Coker was still unemployed. The loss to UCLA in the opening week was telling, and merely a premonition of things to come. It wasn’t the awful Bruins shockingly beating a very good team. There wasn’t a good team on either side of that Rose Bowl field.

COACHING 1, 2, 3

The coaches are often criticized for the casting of their ballots. They can’t possibly watch all the games to even begin to place programs in an order of power. What’s worse than seeing Steve Spurrier vote Duke No. 1 at the start of each season? Maybe it’s watching the coaches’ numbers 1, 2, and 3 all fall on the same football Saturday. Oklahoma, Missouri, and LSU all failed to hold their positions. I guess if you’re Alabama, it was a great week for a bye.

SCRATCHING MY DOME

How crazy was the ending in Chapel Hill? I’m not talking about the reception, fumble, recovery, and the endless review with no time on the clock that marked the games end. I’m talking about the Notre Dame call on that final play. You need a touchdown, you have no time outs remaining, and you have 11 seconds on the clock. Why do you throw a pass 10 yards short of the end zone in the middle of the field? Isn’t it a sidelines or end zone pass that allows you to live for another play?

DIGITS

-The USC offense committed 4 turnovers on 4 consecutive possessions. QB Mark Sanchez alone committed 2 turnovers in back-to-back possessions deep in his own end, and Arizona State was still denied points by having 2 consecutive field goal attempts blocked by the Trojans.

-Chase Daniel hurt his Heisman campaign, by throwing 3 interceptions in the 2nd half of the loss to Oklahoma State.

-Florida’s 51 points marked just the 5th time in LSU’s history that they’ve surrendered 50 or more points in SEC play.

-The Buckeyes defeated the Boilermakers 16-3 without scoring a single offensive touchdown. The total offense for Ohio State was 222 yards. They totaled 211 yards on 6 punts.

-The 80 combined points scored by Texas and Oklahoma is a record amount for the 103 years of the rivalry.

-Michigan State is now 6-1, and Javon Ringer is 12 yards shy of 1000 on the season. In the lone loss to Cal on the opening weekend, Ringer recorded his lowest rush production (81 yards).

-In 4 quarters between the hedges, the Tennessee Volunteers rushed for just 1 yard.


THE GALLOPING FINISH
Michigan- sometimes you have to sink before you can swim.
West Virginia- even in victory, still struggling.
Virginia- huh?
Rutgers- A bowl of Rice. No Rice. No Bowl.
Northwestern & Vanderbilt- Reality check
Auburn-Guess who Franklin was rooting for?
Arizona- back on the burner for Mike Stoops.
BYU- creeping. Shh.
Florida- explosive
Oklahoma- lost their best defender for the season. Uh oh!
Texas- Hooked’em
Week 7- Outstanding!

From the Horse’s Mouth: Week 7 Spotlight Games

Enter college football’s 7th week and let the separation begin. There are still a few stragglers, with games being played out of conference, but we’re mostly digging deeper into conference play and aligning the conference powers. The most anticipated game of the weekend is the top five match played along the Red River, which is already previewed here. But there are other important games on the schedule with BCS implications.

(4) LSU at (11) Florida

The Horse’s must see rating: 10

Quickie: The Gators followed up their upset loss to Ole Miss by thrashing defenseless Arkansas last week. On Saturday, Urban Meyer’s high powered offense welcomes the nation’s 14th ranked defense to the swamp.

TIGERS (4-0)
Last week-W-Mississippi State

When you look at the defending national champions, you see Les Miles’ squad still sitting quietly among the nation’s top 5 and with a leg up in the SEC west. What you don’t see is a team still virtually untested and searching for an identity. Florida will represent the best offense the Tigers have seen all year, after colliding with FCS Appalachian State, North Texas (0-5), Mississippi State (1-4), and 20th ranked Auburn. The Auburn Tigers provided a signature victory, but it’s a team that ranks 104th in the nation in offense.

GATORS (4-1)
Last Week-W-Arkansas

The Gators are averaging 36 points per game, which is tops in the SEC. The dynamic Percy Harvin has missed two practices, and is still wearing a protective boot, but is listed as probable for Saturday’s game. Running back Emmanuel Moody (ankle) is doubtful. Their opponent represents the top offense in the SEC, with a between the tackles pounding attack. The Florida defense allows less than 100 yards rushing per game, and will find it necessary to continue that success to win this ballgame.

Xtra Points: In a meeting between the last two BCS national champions, the difference in this game may be on special teams and field position. The Gators average nearly 28 yards per return, and LSU’s Trindon Holiday is second in the nation in punt returns (25.14).

All Time series: Gators lead 28-23-3
Streak: Tigers won 1


(17) Oklahoma State at (3) Missouri- Everyone talks about Mizzou. No one talks about Oklahoma State. This game will have just as much impact on the BCS picture as the one being played in Texas.

(6) Penn State at Wisconsin- Look who’s creeping up the Chart. It’s Joe Pa and his Nittany Lions. If they can escape Camp Randall Stadium, with the other games being played, PSU will be sitting pretty in the polls.

Tennessee at (10) Georgia- Would Fulmer dare fall to 2-4 and remain winless? It isn't that the Vols haven't recorded a victory over an SEC opponent, but they've also yet to beat an opponent from a BCS conference. Imagine needing a must-win and having to earn it between the hedges.

Notre Dame at (22) North Carolina- For the first time in history, a 4-1 Irish team is unranked. Jimmy Clausen has matured, but now faces the national leaders in interceptions.

Clemson at (21) Wake Forest- This is a Thursday night game. Why are ranked teams still playing on Thursdays? The outcome is rarely a good one.

New Mexico at (9) BYU- You see names of BYU opponents and figure they may just skate their way through the schedule. That’s not true, because the Mountain West is a solid conference.

Arizona State at (8) USC- With both Rudy Carpenter and Mark Sanchez listed as day-to-day, this is shaping up to be a battle of backup quarterbacks.

Rearview: Can Georgia Tech win the ACC?

Looking back at the end of the 2007 season, I wouldn't have pondered the possibility that Georgia Tech had the potential to win the ACC. After all, transitioning teams often play poorly in their first year, especially when you’re changing an offense. The most logical explanation would be the program not having a roster equipped for the new playbook, with future recruiting being of the utmost importance. Just look at Michigan, Auburn, and Arkansas. Those are better examples of how transitioning offenses normally appear in the introductory season.

But the Yellow Jackets have a different story, able to provide just enough offense, in support of an outstanding defense, to win games. They are currently 4-1 (2-1 in conference), with the lone loss coming on the road to Virginia Tech by a mere 3 points. They still have a few landmines awaiting, with road games against Clemson and North Carolina. But overall, I really like their chances.

Now, do I even dare ask the next question? Can Vanderbilt win the SEC?

KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR

BYU is a team likely to roll from here to there without a blemish. With just 7 games remaining, the undefeated Cougars are cruising, with the lone obstacle appearing to be the season finale against Utah. If we get more shake ups atop the polls, and the Cougs finish as the only unbeaten, it’s going to be pretty hard to justify leaving them out of the BCS title game. Isn’t it?

BUY OR SELL THE IRISH?

Offensively, Notre Dame seems to be clicking, but there’s still some mystery surrounding the team. Are they as good as their 4-1 record would indicate or is that a reflection of their opponents? I think we’ll get a better indication in the coming weeks, but maybe that 11 win season is a possibility? They have some tough road games remaining with North Carolina and USC, while also hosting Pitt. By the time they get to Navy on November 11th, we should know exactly what they’re all about.

DIGITS

Illinois QB Juice Williams set a Michigan Stadium record with 431 all-purpose yards.

Alabama rushed for 282 yards against Kentucky, with Glenn Coffee accounting for 218 of that total on 25 carries.

Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell has passed for 12, 709 yards in his 3 years as a starter.

An interception thrown against Arkansas snaps Tim Tebow’s string of 203 pass attempts without a pick.

Purdue’s loss to Penn State marks the Boilermakers’ 15th consecutive loss to ranked opponents.

After hanging 49 points on Baylor, the Oklahoma Sooners are now 10 points shy of being the first program to reach 30,000 points.

With 4 rushing TDs, Antone Smith tied a Florida State school record.

After trailing Oregon 10-3 in the second quarter, USC scored 41 unanswered points in their 44-10 victory.

Mizzou wins their 1st game in Nebraska in 30 years, by drubbing the Huskers to the tune of 52-17. It also marked Nebraska’s most lopsided loss since 1955.

By edging the Badgers, Ohio State snapped Wisconsin’s 16 game home winning streak.


GALLOPING FINISH

Virginia- Peter Who?
Fresno State- Aloha?
Oklahoma- solidified their ranking
USC (west)- Actually looked like USC (west)
USC (east)- stick with Smelley and build on it.
Texas Tech- Anything you can do, I can do better.
Mizzou- see comment above.
Vanderbilt- The best team in Tennessee? Who would have thought?
Ohio State- The Pryor arrangement is working out well.
Oklahoma State- 5-0. “I’m a man!”
North Carolina- Any Butch Davis doubters still lingering?
Miami- I thought defense was the anchor.
Florida State- see comment above.
Week 6- eh. It was so-so.

Rearview: Feeling a little UPSET?

What began on Thursday, continued to roll through the weekend. If Oregon State was the Hurricane that struck USC two days ago, it was downgraded to a tropical depression that rolled across the country to wash away several clean slates. It’s called the “upset”, and when the dust settled on Week 5, there were a total of 7 teams among the nation’s top 25 that became victims.

Oregon State over No. 1 USC
No. 8 Alabama over No. 3 Georgia
Ole Miss over No. 4 Florida
Michigan over No. 9 Wisconsin
Navy over No. 18 Wake Forest
Maryland over No. 20 Clemson
Houston over No. 23 East Carolina

TIDE ROLLING

Alabama looks scary good. Don’t they? Just take a look at what they just did. They went into Athens, against a very good program, and didn’t just play between the hedges, but owned the field. There are plenty of people that don’t like Nick Saban, especially in the SEC, but you can’t deny his football genius, and his ability to turn programs around in a hurry.

THE NUTTY PROFESSOR

Houston Nutt may be criticized for rarely raising a program to elite status, but if it’s one thing he’s good for, it’s a signature upset. Be it Arkansas over LSU in 2007 or Ole Miss over Florida today, the Nutt is always good for one weekend of giant killing.

ABANDON SHIP

The East Carolina Pirates came out of the box with consecutive victories over ranked opponents, which gave them a national ranking. The Pirates have now lost consecutive games to unranked opponents, after barely escaping unranked Tulane in week 3. It's time to take a closer look at their early opponents, and a more distant glance at possible greatness.

DIGITS

-On this upset weekend, 3 of the nation’s top 4 teams met defeat.

-Ole Miss snapped a 9 game SEC losing streak by beating the Gators in the swamp, where Florida had won 21 of its last 22 games.

-1994 was the last time Wisconsin won a game at Michigan. And this weekend, marking the 500th game played in the Big House, the Badgers failed again.

-Navy’s upset of Wake Forest marks the Midshipmen’s 1st victory over a ranked opponent in 23 years.

-Toppling UCLA gives Fresno State’s Pat Hill 14 victories this century over BCS opponents, more than any other mid-major program.

-For the first time in 46 years, Northwestern is 5-0.

-Duke snapped a 25 game ACC losing streak with their victory over Virginia.

-Houston’s upset of East Carolina marked their 1st victory over a ranked opponent in 12 years.

-Against a stout Georgia defense, Bama scored on their first 5 possessions.



GALLOPING FINISH

Texas- It’s time to start talking about the Horns.
Penn State- Possibly has just one Buckeye obstacle in their way.
Auburn- Who needs an offense?
SEC West- the better division in the conference?
Maryland- And to think we laughed at this team.
Nebraska- more work to do
Arkansas- knowing Petrino’s history, let’s list him as a “flight risk”
Notre Dame- found their offense?
Washington State- Puke!
Georgia- props to the “no quit” attitude
Utah- remember them? They are ranked, ya know?
Oklahoma- Number 1
Week 5- absolutely crazy!

A Re-Pete of 2003? Be very afraid

If you’re a Trojan fan you have to be happy with the program’s current position, but you also have to be worried about the future. Sitting atop the national rankings with the majority of first place votes can make you feel comfortable, but if you view the path for the remainder of the season, you have to wonder how long they can cling to those votes, as well as considering how long before voters begin to lose interest.

If you look at the top 25 rankings, noticeable absences are Pac 10 programs other than USC. Not only are there no Pac teams ranked, but neither is Notre Dame, the Trojans’ only remaining out of conference opponent. When you stare upon the paved path to season’s end, if there are no changes in coming weeks, USC will play no more ranked opponents this year.

If 3 or more BCS teams finish the season undefeated, USC could possibly be in danger of being snubbed from the BCS championship game. With no ranked opponents, they won’t receive a favorable score from the computers. Meanwhile, the Big 12 and SEC have all the ranked guppies aligned in a row, and would be the clear computer favorites in an undefeated season. We should remember this from the 2003 season, when the top ranked Trojans were left out of the BCS title game because of what they lacked in strength of schedule, and was forced to play in the Rose Bowl instead. As the Victor in the 2004 Rose Bowl, the AP awarded the Trojans a national championship trophy, giving us the first and only split of the BCS era.

Since then, changes have been made in the system, obviously recognizing the ’03 blunder. Now the human element makes up two thirds of the equation, but that also does not work automatically in USC’s favor. By December, most voters will have forgotten the Trojans’ body of work to begin the season. What they’ll remember is the number of unranked victims they stepped over down the stretch. To leave a lasting memory of each from beginning to end, and hold the interests of voters, USC will have to “leave no doubt”, leaving a path of destruction behind them.

The polls are never Pac 10 friendly, and the coaches’ poll usually shows preferential treatment to the SEC. Vanderbilt entered the coaches’ top 25 by going 4-0, but their opponents combine for a record of 7-9, and two were mid-majors. Alabama shot from the bottom of the polls and into the top 10, by only posting wins over Clemson, Western Kentucky, Tulane, and a very bad Arkansas team. And the worst ranking for the season, so far, had to be Florida State jumping into the top 25 last week, after only scoring 2 lopsided victories over FCS opponents. You should never reward a program for victories outside the FBS, and definitely not a program that scheduled FCS programs in consecutive weeks.

Pete Carroll claims to not pay attention to the polls, and doesn’t even have a vote. He always says all he can do is play the games and let others sort it out in the end. To avoid a repeat of 2003, it’s time to pay attention to those polls. It’s time to be unsportsmanlike and leave no doubt. It’s time to make a statement each weekend or face the probability of being omitted from the championship game. They say you should never look too far ahead, but if you're a Trojan, you look back at the history, and it's really hard not to see what has happened and fear a re-occurrence.

Rearview: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

No, this isn’t about a spaghetti western, but it is about the west. And to be more specific, it’s about the Pac 10 conference. After coming off the blocks with some impressive victories on the resume, this weekend’s showing went from the extremes of spectacular to embarrassing.

The "collision in the coliseum" turned out to be anything but what it was advertised, and more of what was expected. Ohio State and USC didn’t actually collide. With USC’s 35-3 victory, it looked more like the Buckeyes were run over. But the Pac 10 highlights for week three end there, with the other members not fairing as well.

Oregon State posted a victory over Hawaii, and Oregon fought from behind on the road to top Purdue in overtime. But anything good stopped there. Both UCLA and Washington were drubbed by ranked BYU and Oklahoma, being outscored by a combined score of 114-7. Washington State was routed by Baylor on Friday night. Arizona fell to New Mexico, Stanford to TCU, Cal to a struggling Maryland team, and Arizona State was upset in their own house by UNLV.

IRISH EYES ARE SMILING

Either the Fighting Irish have given us an indication of how far the Michigan program has fallen or they’ve finally awakened those echoes. Their 35-17 victory over the Wolverines is by far the most impressive win since Brady Quinn was the signal caller in South Bend. With Michigan now 1-2 on the season, at some point people will start questioning whether or not this team will finish bowl eligible.

LET’S HEAR IT FOR JOE PA

Only 3 weeks in, and in my opinion, Penn State has been the most impressive Big 10 program. Their opponents may not have been mighty, but they’ve managed to destroy each, as a superior team should.

DAWG DAY AFTERNOON

Spurrier’s gamecocks fought the 2nd ranked Bulldogs for 4 quarters and still remained on their feet. The South Carolina defense gave Georgia all they could handle, but in the end, it’s that same error prone gamecocks offense that is their own worst enemy. The difference in this 14-7 contest was a goal line fumble. And I can’t help thinking, with the defense in South Carolina, they wouldn’t need an explosive offense to be a major player in the SEC east, just one that makes fewer mistakes.

Auburn only needed 3 points to defeat Mississippi State, as the Bulldogs only managed to score 2. The Tigers always play well defensively, but there has to be some concern about the offensive unit. The offensive change played a major role in my decision to not pick Auburn as a preseason favorite to win the SEC west. They’ll need more than a FG to beat LSU next week. And if they don’t progress over the course of the season, I believe this year’s Iron Bowl will belong to Bama.

ACCent on the “A”

After a bad start to 2008, the ACC showed some victories they can be proud of in week 3. As a whole, Virginia was the only loser of the weekend, with North Carolina, Maryland, Florida State, and Duke picking up victories over out of conference opponents. Speaking of Duke, in just 3 weeks, new coach David Cutcliffe has already managed to equal the programs win total (2) for the 3 previous years combined.

DIGITS

*BYU’s current win streak of 13 games began after a loss to UCLA. Since then, they’ve beaten the Bruins twice. In the 3 games over a 12 month period, UCLA had a different head coach for each (Karl Dorrell, Dwayne Walker, Rick Neuheisel).

*BYU’s Max Hall tied a school record with 7 touchdown passes against the Bruins.

*With BYU, UNLV, TCU, and New Mexico all posting victories, the Mountain West Conference went a perfect 4-0 against the Pac 10 this weekend.

*Mizzou’s Chase Daniel has now passed for 9,153 yards, surpassing Brad Smith’s 8,799 to become the school’s all time leader in the category.

*With USC’s victory over Ohio State, the Trojans remain undefeated under Pete Carroll against the Big 10. Going into Saturday’s game, the margin of victory against his 4 Big 10 foes was 28 points. The Trojans defeated the Buckeyes by 32.

*Which would you rather face in 1-on-1 coverage, Jeremy Maclin or Michael Crabtree?


GALLOPING FINISH

Wazzu- may be the worst program of all the members of BCS conferences.
Oklahoma- made sure Pac 10 refs couldn’t decide this one.
Mississippi State- Any love left for Sly Croom?
E. Carolina- how does it feel to wear the “X”?
Arizona State- getting exposed as a fraud early this year.
Illinois- not looking like someone that will contend in the 10.
USF- The best program in the Big East?
Virginia- Don't expect schedule strength help for the Trojans from the Hoos.
Purdue- Four quarters equal one whole.
Week 3- I loved it! But overall, it was so-so.

Rearview: 22 men on a dead man's chest

With the publishing of the polls last Tuesday, I griped about teams jumping into the top 25 and others being left out. By Saturday, the play on the field transformed personal theories into something factual. By far, my greatest argument was for the Pirates of East Carolina, the biggest poll snub. Not only did they beat the ranked Hokies in the opener, but they were clearly the better team for four quarters. Proving to be anything but a fluke, the Pirates came out this Saturday and proved they were better than the ninth ranked West Virginia Mountaineers. Is there a team existing in the current AP or Coaches poll with a better body of work in these two weekends of football?

The Pirates have jumped into this week's coaches poll, after the blatant disrespect in week one. But I still believe No. 20 is too low. The higher powers are obviously looking to protect the top two positions and any possible invasion of Mid-Major conferences into the BCS championship game. It's a hell of a lot harder to reach No. 2, when you start at 20 and will finish up against unranked conference opponents.

CAN YOU SMELL IT?

Fall is in the air, and that new aroma that tickles your nose is called “parity”. It’s the result of the reduced number of NCAA scholarships, acting as an equalizer, and giving nearly everyone a legitimate chance of victory. Let’s stop with the best conference “top to bottom” garbage, because there aren’t many bullies left. Check these scores.

(3) Ohio State 26, Ohio 14
(17) USF 31, UCF 24 OT
Virginia 16, Richmond 0
NC State 34, William & Mary 24
Middle Tennessee 24, Maryland 14
Colorado 31, E. Washington 24
Texas A&M 28, New Mexico 22
Michigan 16, Miami (Ohio) 6
Arkansas 28, Louisiana-Monroe 27
Connecticut 12, Temple 9
Pitt 27, Buffalo 16
Notre Dame 21, San Diego State 13

The list can go on and on, with the point being, it’s time to rethink your cupcakes, because college ball appears to have a “healthy choice” menu these days. Those listed games were guaranteed paddle swingers and impression points in the past. Nowadays, those games make BCS conference programs appear weak, regardless of a win or loss. Is there really a bottom of any conference that hasn't brought embarrassment to their group in the opening weeks?

GRAND THEFT

It always leaves a nauseous feeling in your stomach, when someone invades your home and robs you of valuables. In Seattle, the valued item was at least a tie that would have sent Washington into an overtime period against 15th ranked BYU. This thief was already wearing stripes, before conviction and sentencing. Pac 10 officials called an excessive celebration penalty against QB Jake Locker, following a touchdown that drew his team to an extra point away from a tie. The 15 yard penalty pushed the Huskies backwards on the PAT, and it was blocked to seal the one point victory for the Cougars. You make the call:

DIGITS

BYU claimed their 2nd consecutive 1 point victory over Pac 10 opponents. Each game ended with a blocked kick to seal the victory (UCLA, Washington).

In Ty Willingham’s 4 years in Washington, the Huskies are just 4-3 against opponents from mid-major conferences.

The East Carolina defense has allowed 0 passing touchdowns in 2 games versus ranked opponents.

The Gators 26-3 victory over Miami snapped a 6 game losing streak to the Canes.

After trailing 14-0 to Marshall, Wisconsin scored 51 unanswered points.

If no program from the Big East or ACC jumps into the upcoming AP poll, the Big East will have as many representatives in the top 25 as the Mountain West (2), with the ACC having one fewer, and as many as the WAC (1).

Oregon amassed a school record 688 yards of offense in their 66-24 victory over Utah State.

We won’t see the words “hot seat” in reference to Steve Spurrier, despite the Gamecocks losing 6 of their last 7 games.

UTEP has lost 8 consecutive games, and Mike Price isn't immune from hot seat discussions.

Michigan’s Rich Rodriguez wins his 1st game in Michigan on the same day Bill Stewart loses his 1st in West Virginia. Both coaches are now 1-1.


GALLOPING FINISH

Penn State- very impressive
Ohio State- less than impressive
Miami- Young with a glimpse of hope
Wazzu- God Awful
Maryland- Embarrassing
Syracuse- Equally embarrassing
Buffalo- Loving what Gill is doing with the program
Notre Dame- 11 win prediction not looking good
Georgia Tech- Feisty in the “rebuild” mode
Arkansas- It may get ugly in SEC play
Mid-Majors- Thumbs up
Pac 10 officiating- Thumbs down
Week 2- better than I thought it would be

Massey ranks Temple No. 1

While people are debating over Buckeyes, Trojans, and Bulldogs as the No. 1 team in the nation, Massey has already spit out its choice. For those that don’t know, Massey’s results are used in the computer portion of the BCS equation. And when I think back to 2003, when the computers made up two-thirds of the formula, and then see the opening ranks in 2008, all I can do is shake my head.

According to Massey, the ratings are based on win/loss outcomes relative to schedule difficulty. Margin of victory is not a factor, and neither are point differentials. USC, Georgia, and Ohio State are in a 3rd place tie, along with 51 other programs. The team(s) sitting above them are Temple and Rice, tied for the top spot.

I’m not sure how you make sense of the rankings, considering Rice defeated SMU over the weekend, and Temple beat Army. Where is the strength in that? The rankings also have the SEC as the top rated conference, followed by the Big 12. The Pac 10 and Big 10 rank 7th and 8th, with the ACC at No. 13. The Big East doesn’t appear until the 32nd spot. Between the Pac and Big 12, you’ll find the Southland, Pioneer, and Mid-American Conferences, but these numbers are strictly based on the amount of teams in conference, amount of teams that played, and the average win/loss records after one weekend.

Massey Ratings

From The Horse’s Mouth: Week 2 Spotlight games

The second week of the college season isn’t giving us a better showing on the schedule. It’s another week built for blowouts and shutouts, but there’s always the potential for those unexpected occurrences, as witnessed in the opener.

Miami at (5) Florida

The Horse’s must see rating: 7

Quickie: This would be one hell of a game, if we rewound the clock to 2001. But regardless, any division-I battle for the state of Florida has to be spotlighted. The Canes are looking for long lost respect and a return to the upper echelon of college football. As for the Gators, they’re just looking for another national championship, which would mark their second in 3 years.

CANES (1-0)
Last opponent: W-Charleston Southern

Miami showed patience in Randy Shannon’s first year, but I’ll guarantee that in 2008 his ass will experience a burning sensation that penicillin will not cure. Winning is the only remedy, and the victories must come often. It wasn’t just the 5-7 season that brought the grumblings. It was how they lost. Of the 119 division-I programs, Miami finished 110th in total offense. Passing ranked them in the ACC cellar. And if they were looking for something to build on in 2008, losing 48-0 to Virginia Tech in the final game wasn’t the way to do it.

QB Robert Mavre will return for game 2, after sitting out the Canes 52-7 victory over Charleston Southern with a suspension. Even without their named starter active, Miami finished with 416 yards of offense, but that’s hardly a fair measuring stick of improvement, when those yards are accumulated against a program from the football championship subdivision. To have any chance against the Gators, the Cane’s must utilize the talents of running backs Javarris James and Graig Cooper, who combined for 1264 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2007, despite James being plagued by injury.

GATORS (1-0)
Last Opponent: W-Hawaii

What do you give a man that has everything? Tim Tebow has a conference championship ring, national championship ring, and a Heisman Trophy. Players dream of collecting just one of those items in their collegiate careers, and Florida’s junior quarterback already has all three. When the bar is set that high, the next goal would be a repeat of all three, only this time posting an undefeated mark. With the establishment of a running game, Tebow can lighten his offensive load, and the Gators offense can show more balance. Jeremy Demps, Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody will provide the legs, giving Tebow more of a true passer look. WR Percy Harvin is probable for Saturday’s game, bringing his game breaking abilities back to the field, after missing time rehabilitating from heel surgery.

Xtra Points: Bernie Kosar was the last freshman to start quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes, and Randy Shannon will now start two in consecutive weeks. The inexperience at the position will hurt them, as the lone weakness for the Gators is the secondary. If you can’t exploit Florida’s softest unit, you can’t win this game. Defensive coordinators bring the house against first year quarterbacks, and I expect the Gators to do the same. Miami has just 11 starters returning from last years squad, and the youth will show on the field.

All Time Series: Miami leads 28-25
Streak: Miami has won 6 straight

(8) West Virginia at East Carolina

The Horse’s must see rating: 7

Quickie: If not for the Pirates’ upset victory over Virginia Tech, this game probably wouldn’t be on the list, but it’s suddenly intriguing. East Carolina has proved itself against a ranked BCS opponent. West Virginia hasn’t. The Pirates are at home and confident, and we’re still waiting to see the true look of Bill Stewart’s 2008 Mountaineers.

MOUNTAINEERS (1-0)
Last Opponent: W-Villanova

Even if it was against lowly Villanova, Pat White has temporarily silenced his critics. The quarterback actually looked like one, powering the Mountaineers offense on the strength of his arm, instead of the trampling with his legs that we’re accustomed to. He achieved career highs in attempts, completions, and touchdowns in the 48-21 victory.

The West Virginia defense spent their Saturday defending the run, as the Wildcats remained committed to pounding the rock with 50 rushing attempts. They can expect more of the same against East Carolina, who showed 41 rushes against the Hokies to just 25 pass attempts. The Mountaineers show a lot of man-to-man coverage, and East Carolina may get some good looks down field, but beware the closing speed in the West Virginia secondary.

PIRATES (1-0)
Last Opponent: W-Virginia Tech

One ranked opponent down, with another on the way. Quarterback Patrick Pickney didn’t have eye catching numbers against Virginia Tech, but a stat that jumps out is no interceptions against that Hokies defense. It will take another mistake free performance against WVU to give his team an opportunity to record their second upset in consecutive weeks. Brandon Simmons and Jonathan Williams will carry the majority of the load, hoping to use their legs to set the Pirates up with more manageable third-and-short situations. No back is a comparable replacement for the departed Chris Johnson and his 4.2 speed, but as a unit, each brings a different dimension to the running game.

The Pirates defensive unit returns 9 starters, including all 4 defensive linemen. C.J. Wilson is the star of the group, and a legitimate Pro prospect. Together they'll fill running lanes and make West Virginia earn every yard. But as good as the line is against the run, they don’t offer much of a pass rush. Their 27 sacks in 2007 ranked them last in conference USA and 60th nationally. If they have a repeat performance of their failure to reach opposing quarterbacks, Pat White may again be staring at big passing numbers.

Xtra Points: If East Carolina pulls this off, they will without a doubt be ranked in next week’s top 25. If West Virginia loses this game, the warm reception for new coach Bill Stewart will quickly move to a chill.

All Time Series: WVU leads 17-2
Streak: WVU won 7 straight

Oregon State at (19) Penn State: The Beavers fumbled away an opportunity to open on a high note, falling to Stanford in the opener. We get to see what PSU is made of, after they rolled easily last week against the FCS.

Ole Miss at (20) Wake Forest: The ACC is said to be bad, while the SEC is said to be the best from “top to bottom”. Mississippi State’s opening loss to Louisiana Tech surely doesn’t support the SEC theory, but Ole Miss gives them another opportunity to prove it.

Central Michigan at (2) Georgia: The Bulldogs continue to lose key players, and it will be interesting to see what QB Dan LeFevour can do, if given time to throw. Colt Brennan was the highly touted mid-major slinger last year, and the Bulldogs didn’t allow him to breathe.

San Diego Sate at Notre Dame: Anxious to see what the Irish look like in 2008? You won’t find out here. Keep in mind that San Diego State lost to FCS Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in their opener.

Buffalo at Pittsburgh: For some strange reason, I like Turner Gill over the ‘stache.

It should be another entertaining week on the college gridiron. But as we watch, let us also keep the storm victims of Southern coast and gulf areas in our thoughts and prayers.

Rearview: Game Ball goes to Tommy Bowden

Tommy Bowden had no interest in talking to reporters after Clemson’s 34-10 loss to Alabama. Why would he? What is there to say that I can’t say for him? The No. 24 Crimson Tide were better coached, more prepared, and despite their youth, the better team on Saturday.

The Alabama game plan was obvious. Limit the strength of the opponent, which they did, but credit Tommy Bowden with an assist. Coming into 2008, I doubt there was a more publicized backfield tandem in college football than Clemson’s James Davis and C.J. Spiller. The dynamic duo was limited to a combined 20 yards in 4 quarters of football, with the team finishing with an overall zero on the rushing stat sheet. Credit an Alabama defense that aimed to force the Tigers to beat them with the arm of Cullen Harper, but Tide fans should also give thanks to Tommy Bowden for his unbalanced attack, rushing just 14 times as a team, with Spiller and Davis having just 8 carries between them. Give Bowden the “defensive game ball”, for doing more to stop the Clemson running game than anyone else in the stadium.

Clemson was billed as one of the most potent offenses in the country. It was to be their staple for the season. With 3 legitimate Heisman Candidates on offense (Harper, Spiller, Davis), the Tigers offensive unit failed to find the end zone once, with the team scoring their only touchdown on special teams. Nick Saban is very good at what he does, but Tommy Bowden made it a hell of a lot easier for him.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Both Mizzou and Illinois have conference championship dreams. And in the case of Missouri, maybe an even bigger prize. But after watching the teams wrack up over 1000 yards of offense against each other, I’ll say any championship run won’t go very far. Defense wins championships, and it’s the weakness of both programs. Defense was the difference between Missouri winning and losing the Big 12 in ‘07, with 2008 already appearing without change.

QUESTION

Now in his 4th year at Pitt, is there anyone in America that still believes Dave Wannstedt is the savior of the Panthers’ program?

Bowling Green 27, No. 25 Pitt 17

DIGITS

*3 high profile coaches opened their seasons with victories for their new employers. Bobby Petrino, Houston Nutt, Bo Pelini.

*3 coaches opened on sour notes. Rich Rodriguez, June Jones, Mike Sherman.

*0 is the number of points scored by NC State in their last game of 2007 (Maryland) and first game of 2008 (South Carolina).

*Kentucky defense 14, Louisville offense 0

*Navy’s Shun White ran for 348 yards and 3 touchdowns, on just 19 carries

*Virginia Tech’s upset loss to East Carolina ended a streak of 17 consecutive victories for the Hokies in games where the special teams blocked a punt or kick.

*4 penalties assisted Virginia on their only scoring drive against USC. The Trojans now have 2 weeks to prepare for Ohio State.

*Pat White passed for a career high 5 touchdowns. He also recorded a career high in pass attempts (33) and completions (25), while breaking Marc Bulger’s West Virginia’s career record for total offense.

*With his 33rd and 34th touchdown passes, Kellen Lewis became Indiana’s all time leader in the category, surpassing the numbers of Antwaan Randle El.

*BYU’s Max Hall threw for 486 yards.

*Arizona’s 70-0 victory over Idaho marked the most points scored by the Wildcats since 1921. The 49 first half points is a school record. Willie Tuitama’s 47th career touchdown pass broke the school record.

*373 career victories moves Joe Paterno into a tie with Bobby Bowden.


GALLOPING FINISH

ACC- puzzling
Michigan- as expected
East Carolina- Who’s next?
Mississippi State- What happened?
Wake Forest- under the radar, Shhh.
LSU-still here
WVU- See East Carolina above
Auburn- the media won’t even give you a peep
Texas Tech- Eastern Washington scored 24 points?
Oregon- now down to quarterback No. 3
Cal- still claiming opening day BCS victims at home
FAU- talked trash about the Horns before gameday?
Miami- giving us a better look next week.

Virginia Hoo? Trojans win in 52-7 rout

Shake off the worries about the health of Mark Sanchez. End your concerns about the bad hip of C.J. Gable and busted hand of Joe McKnight. Offensive line problems? Where? The Trojans flew to Virginia and made quick work of their opponent, drubbing the Wahoos by a score of 52-7.

From the first play of scrimmage, domination was evident. Virginia was losing the war in the trenches. The secondary was slower than the receivers they covered. Inexperience at quarterback suffered the punishment of experienced USC linebackers, and only one sideline saw anything “special” from the special teams unit. As coach Al Groh put it, “they came with everything we planned for”, but the Cavaliers were helpless to stop it.

Mark Sanchez showed no signs of being slowed by injury, airing it out for 338 yards, 3 tds, and 1 interception. The lone interception came on a passed tipped by Joe McKnight and into the waiting arms of a defender. The Trojan hurler stood tall and poised behind center, sometimes rolling in the pocket to dissect the secondary. The offense struck quick and often. And after 3 possessions, the scoreboard read 21-0, with the game's outcome becoming a mere formality.

8 Trojan horses rumbled out of the backfield, combining for a total of 218 yards on 41 carries, and 4 touchdowns. C.J. Gable rushed for 73 yards and a score, with Joe McKnight chipping in 60 yards and a touchdown, averaging 10 yards per carry. McKnight also caught 4 passes for 24 yards and a touchdown. Damian Williams led all receivers with 7 receptions for 91 yards, but he never found the end zone.

Overall, the Trojans combined for 558 yards of offense to Virginia’s 187. The offensive names will make the ESPN highlight reel, but the defense in this game was beastly. Virginia was limited to just 32 yards rushing on 21 carries. Their only score was a gift, as penalties against USC marched them down field, where they scored on a 7 yard run by Mikell Simpson. The Hoos turned the ball over 4 times, with three coming on fumbles. In the end, sophomore quarterback Peter Lalich gave his assessment of the Trojans.

“Their speed was pretty unbelievable the whole game. It’s something they have across the board, at every position, and they really were able to use it to their advantage”.

The Trojans can celebrate on their flight back to the west coast, but then it's back to work, preparing for a much better Ohio State team in two weeks. That one won't come so easily.

Fight On!