Was Florida the right choice for Emmanuel Moody?

Emmanuel Moody didn’t care much for sharing. Recruited from the lone star state, he had expectations of becoming the next feature back at USC. Instead, he became another piece of a “running back by committee” offensive scheme. He finished his freshman season with 459 yards on 79 attempts, the second leading rusher on the squad, despite an ankle injury forcing him to miss the last 4 games of his first season. But by the following spring, after descending on the depth chart, he chose to no longer exist in the shadow of others, and was destined for the state of Florida.

Florida was the defending national champions, and possessed all-world quarterback Tim Tebow. But as strong as the Gators were in many categories, they lacked a true running game and a feature back. In regards to Moody, it was a likely match made in heaven. But now that he’s seen the playing field of his new home, did he make the right decision? His new program has just one loss, same as his old, but they are marching into the National Championship game. If it was a quest for a ring, apparently the Swamp was a great selection. But when it comes to playing in the shadow of others, nothing has changed.

Moody considered himself the forgotten man in the 2007 USC spring camp, but is virtually invisible in the 2008 Gators offense. Tim Tebow and wide receiver Percy Harvin are easily the offensive stars, with Jeffery Demps and Chris Rainey the featured tailbacks. His numbers are nearly identical in his first year at Florida as they were at USC (417 yards on 57 carries), though he’s averaging more yards per carry against Florida’s opponents. He again missed 4 games, and his best output was 116 yards against the Citadel, in a game where he scored his first and only touchdown since leaving Southern California.

The youth of the Trojan stable drove Moody out, but what he finds in Florida is more of the same. Demps is only a freshman, and Rainey a sophomore. Just as none of Southern Cal’s backs were short on eligibility, neither are his new teammates in Florida. By mid January, Moody may be fitted for a ring. But if his intention was to spotlight his talent, he may find the dark cloud of competition has followed him to another coast.

Lane Kiffin headed to the SEC

ESPN.com is reporting that former USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has accepted a deal in principle to become the new head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. The 33 year old Kiffin left Southern California in 2007 to coach the Oakland Raiders. He was terminated on September 30, 2008, after less than two years in a Raiders organization that made him the youngest coach in their history. Lane is the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

Phillip Fulmer coached the Tennessee Volunteers for 16 seasons, winning one National Championship. In the midst of poor team performances in the ’08 campaign, and one of the worst seasons in Tennessee’s history, he was forced to resign, and will step down at the end of the season. Kiffin’s knowledge of recruiting hotbeds, having worked as recruiting coordinator at USC, may have proved the difference in his selection over other candidates.

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.

Pasadena in January appears more likely

Sometimes there’s just no getting around that “oops”. Last year, with the madness of the season, USC nearly had the opportunity to overcome the horrible loss to Stanford and still qualify for the BCS championship game. It was the second loss, to Oregon, that ultimately did them in. And even then, it was still close. Two years ago, it wasn’t the slip up against Oregon State that kept the Trojans out of the National Championship game, it was the “oops” at the end, losing the regular season finale to UCLA. This year, it’s appearing more and more likely that the bad outing against the Beavers will stick and deny USC another title opportunity.

There’s still a lot of college football to be played, but if you look at the current BCS standings, and the games to be played by those ranked opponents, it would take a couple of heavy hitters to also fall flat on their faces against lesser opponents for the Trojans to have a chance. A big blow was Ohio State losing to Penn State on Saturday. Not only did the Buckeyes serve as a road block for lower ranked programs nipping at the Trojan heels, but their loss may have granted Penn State a free pass to Miami.

Texas has just one obstacle remaining, and that’s this weekend’s opponent, Texas Tech. Even if the Red Raiders bring down the Horns, with USC’s dismal performance against Arizona, and a winless opponent in Washington this week, there stands the chance that Tech would leap-frog Southern Cal in the BCS standings. For Trojans fans, the game in Lubbock is a “lose-lose” situation, unless you believe the Red Raiders wouldn’t win out.

Then you have a softened SEC, and Alabama rolling through it. The SEC West is the Tide’s to win, and the lone obstacle may be Florida in the SEC title game. Then again, depending on this weekend’s results, it may be Georgia, and we already know what Bama did to the Dawgs. But again, it’s another “lose-lose” situation, because the SEC champion, regardless of who it is, will likely finish ahead of USC.

This leaves us viewing the postseason through Rose colored glasses, and that isn’t even certain. For USC to even have a date in Pasadena, they need Oregon State to lose another game in conference, as a tie-breaker would be the head-to-head meeting with the Beavers, and they would receive the automatic bid. The most important thing is to not lose again. Even if Oregon State was to win out, a one loss Trojans team would surely pick up an at-large BCS bid and appear in a BCS game. If you really look at it, that may actually be better for the fans, if we can’t play in the championship game. Just imagine, Penn State rolling into the National title game, and a USC Pac 10 champion drawing Big 10 runner up Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Why not? Illinois had 3 losses and got there. It would mean the Buckeyes and Trojans would meet 3 times in a two year span. I don’t know about you, but give me someone else. After all, the drubbing of Big 10 opponents becomes…well…boring.

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!

From the Horse’s Mouth- Week 5 Spotlight games

If you enjoyed week 4, this week gets even better. We get two SEC heavyweights battling again, a couple of contests that will stand large in deciding the Big 10, and a fallen program facing another that appears to be rising.

(8) Alabama at (3) Georgia

The Horse’s must see rating: 10

Quickie: The Georgia Bulldogs figured to have some bumps in the road towards an SEC championship and possible appearance in the BCS title game, but I doubt playing an Alabama team ranked in the top 10 in week 5 was one of the expectations. The overachieving Tide are now among the nation’s elite and appear as the Dogs’ second SEC foe and first AP ranked opponent of the season.

BULLDOGS (3-0)
Last week- W-Arizona State (2-2)

Georgia is often advertised as “Knowshon Moreno and the Bulldogs”, but there’s much more than that. Their trip to the desert not only earned the respect of western viewers, but gave us an opportunity to learn more about the third ranked team in the nation. Although Moreno has more than lived up to the hype, equally impressive is the poise of QB Matthew Stafford. Stafford appears as a solid first round draft prospect, commanding the Bulldogs offense with a combination of skill and leadership. A player overlooked in all the mass publicity is freshman wide receiver AJ Green, who caught 8 passes for 159 yards in Saturday’s victory over the Sun Devils. Tagged as a freshman, Green has the appearance of someone that has being playing the college game for years, and is easily an overlooked weapon of the offense. The Bulldogs defense is solid, making each opponent fight for each yard gained. They defend the ends well, but don't appear to have that same pressure up the middle as they did in 2007.

TIDE (3-0)
Last week: W-Arkansas (2-1)

Nick Saban has said to hell with a rebuilding plan, and uses the better motto of “the time is now”. After opening impressively against Clemson, the Tide has continued to roll. They’ve done it with a mixture of youth and experience, and an offense that continues to put up big numbers. Although we weren’t really sure what to expect from the Tide in 2008, they may have found something in running back Gary Coffee. Coffee ripped an Arkansas defense on Saturday for 162 yards, averaging more than 16 yards per carry. When the backs are churning, it relieves the stress from QB John Parker Wilson, and phenomenal passing statistics aren’t necessary to earn victories. A pressuring defense and workmanlike offense has Alabama sitting undefeated and ready for more.

Xtra Points: The team most effective in stopping the run is the team that will win this game. The quarterback match up isn’t favorable, with Matthew Stafford having a clear edge, so it’s more important for the Tide to establish something on the ground than be put in a position where a victory would be riding on Wilson's arm.

All Time Series: Alabama leads 35-25-4
Streak: Georgia won 3

(22) Illinois at (12) Penn State

The Horse’s must see rating: 9

Quickie: After watching Ohio State over the course of the first few weeks, it’s clear that the Big 10 race is wide open. Penn State remains my favorite, and they’ll receive their first true test in this Big 10 conference opener.

NITTANY LIONS (4-0)
Last Week: W-Temple (1-3)

Joe Pa’s Lions may have off field issues, but on field, everything appears to be clicking. Though their first 4 opponents combine for a record of just 5-10, Penn State made quick work of each, as they should. Their defense has been stingy, while the offense has recorded a low of 45 points and high of 66. The 40 or more points scored in each of the first 4 games are a school record. Powered by the offensive line, sophomore running back Evan Royster has found the end zone 7 times in the 4 games played. That line has also offered protection for QB Daryll Clark, who has only been sacked twice in 4 weekends. In comparison, Penn State sacked Temple quarterbacks 7 times in Saturday’s 45-3 rout of the Owls.

FIGHTING ILLINI (2-1)
Last Week: W-Louisiana Lafayette (1-2)

The Illini have the early season out of conference loss to Mizzou, but still remain in the running for the Big 10 title, and anything else, if others begin to stumble before them. It’s been an up and down season for QB Juice Williams, who has thrown for 7 touchdowns but also been picked 5 times. His most impressive passing day came in the loss to Missouri, where he wracked up 451 yards in the air and 5 of those touchdown tosses. But since the opener, he hasn’t thrown for more than 150 in any game, and is on the wrong side of the touchdown to interception ratio (2/3). The Jekyll and Hyde act doesn’t only represent the Illini QB, it’s descriptive of the program. After appearing impressive in the opener, though they did lose, this team struggled last week to edge Louisiana Lafayette. Now they head to the Big 10 opener and we wonder which team will show up.

Xtra Points: If there is a team that plays according to their competition, it would be Illinois. Going to Happy Valley to play the 12th ranked Nittany Lions, they better bring their “A” game, and leave the gameplan from last week at home. If Williams fails to give the true look of a quarterback again this week, the Illini will suffer a lopsided defeat.

All Time Series: Penn State leads 12-3
Streak: Illinois won 1

(9) Wisconsin at Michigan: The wolverines have a streak in jeopardy. Michigan has won 22 consecutive Big 10 home openers, and with a rebuilding program and a ranked opponent coming in, it will be difficult to maintain.

Minnesota at (14) Ohio State: The Gophers are the surprise team, opening 4-0. The Buckeyes are another surprise, as the experience of the roster hasn’t proven to equate to dominance on the field. They now weigh their hopes on the inexperience of freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Arkansas at (7) Texas: An old rivalry renewed, but shouldn’t prove to be much of a battle. Look for the Horns to win this one big.

Tennessee at (15) Auburn: The coach’s seat in Knoxville has been uncomfortable. Look for the tigers to light a match.

(25) Fresno State at UCLA: The Pac 10 should take another mid-major hit here. For the first time in 44 years, a Bruins offense has failed to score a touchdown in back-to-back games. And this is occurring with Norm Chow as the offensive coordinator.

Colorado at Florida State: The Buffs are undefeated and for real. The Noles appeared to be real, until they finally played a program from the FBS.

Purdue at Notre Dame: For two years now, the Boilermakers have struggled to hold leads. The Irish struggle to get ahead. Don’t let the halftime score fool you. Despite what it may read early, this one won't be over until the fourth.

(24) TCU at (2) Oklahoma: Can the Mountain West continue to do some damage? Nah. I really doubt it happens against Bob Stoops.

(1)USC at Oregon State: The Trojans return to the scene of the crime. Preview here.

Virginia Tech at Nebraska: A program rising, and another falling? Guess which is which, and you can probably predict the outcome.

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.

Week 3 Heisman Peformances- Receivers

I have only 3 receivers on Heisman watch, and one, Percy Harvin is dropped with the Bye week adding to his lack of production. In 3 weeks, Harvin has just 32 total yards of offense and 1 touchdown. This is a position least likely to win the award, and Jeremy Maclin is easily the front-runner, considering he gets many touches in a variety of ways. Michael Crabtree is the best pro prospect, and despite opponents singling him out as the biggest weapon of the Red Raiders offense, he remains active and equally productive in each game.

RECEIVERS

Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Opponent: Nevada

6 receptions, 172 yards, 3 tds
6 returns, 62 yards, 0 td

Season: 12 receptions, 223 yards, 4 tds
All Purpose: 538 yards, 5 tds
(297 return yards, 1 td)
Opponents: Illinois, SMS, Nevada

Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Opponent: SMU

8 receptions, 164 yards, 3 tds

Season: 24 receptions, 395 yards, 5 tds
All purpose: 398 yards, 0 tds

DROPPED

Percy Harvin, Florida

ON THE BUBBLE

None

Horse’s receiver choice: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Mizzou
Horse’s overall choice: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Next update: Week 6

From The Horse’s Mouth: Week 4 Spotlight games

I actually like what the fourth week has in store, because not only does it bring some key conference games involving both the SEC east and west, it also combines some out of conference match ups between some big name programs. We have a Florida State team that has climbed back into the rankings and will receive their first true test of the season, and an entire group of mid majors continuing their quest to invade the BCS.

(3) Georgia at Arizona State

The Horse’s must see rating: 10

Quickie: For the first time since Eisenhower was president, The Georgia Bulldogs will play a regular season game in the western time zone. The last trip came in 1960, where they fell 10-3 to USC in the Los Angeles Coliseum. They face a Sun Devils team fresh off an upset loss to UNLV that pushed them out of the AP top 25, and leaves them hanging by a thread in the coaches’ poll.

SUN DEVILS (2-1)
Last Week: L-UNLV

Anyone reading me over the course of 2007 knows I had the Sun Devils consistently on “fraud alert”. 2007 featured 8 games at home, bottom of the barrel out of conference opponents, and a loss to each power opponent they played.

QB Rudy Carpenter is a pro prospect, and near the top of the 2009 class at his position. But seldom do we get a good look at his abilities, because his line buckles and fails often. Carpenter was sacked 58 times last season, and has already eaten turf 5 times through the first 3 games of 2008.

BULLDOGS (3-0)
Last week: W-South Carolina

Georgia faced a challenge against a stiff South Carolina defense on Saturday. The Gamecocks limited the Dogs to 289 yards of offense, and allowed running sensation Knowshon Moreno just 79 yards on 20 carries.

The Bulldogs’ pass defense currently ranks 11th of the 12 SEC programs (263.3 ypg), and will face a Sun Devils passing offense ranked 1st in the Pac 10 (324.7). Pressuring the quarterback is of the utmost importance, as Dennis Erickson will likely go back to airing it out after losing in an upset to the Rebels, with the Devils altering the game plan and showing a big increase in rushing attempts and decrease in pass attempts. Expect them to go back to their strength, and Georgia to flex theirs. Georgia’s 42 sacks led the SEC last year, and can play a major role against a program that still struggles to protect their quarterback.

Xtra Points: I’ve seen some funny things happen in the Arizona desert. The last SEC program to visit Tempe was LSU in 2005. It took a tremendous comeback and late fourth quarter score for the 5th ranked Tigers to edge the 15th ranked Sun Devils in a game that ended 35-31, and saw an LSU defense surrender 560 yards of offense to the Devils. The tone should be set early. And if ASU opens by being overpowered by the Georgia defensive front, Carpenter is in for a very long day.

All Time Series: No prior meetings.

(4) Florida at Tennessee

The Horse’s must see rating: 10

Quickie: As rumor had it, it didn’t matter where you coached before or the success you had, because no coach could just walk into the SEC and take over. Well, Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, and Les Miles all have. It took Saban just 4 years to not only win the SEC, but also a national championship. It took Les Miles just 3, and as little as 2 for Urban Meyer. Meyer now looks to make it 4 straight victories over Tennessee’s Phillip Fulmer.

GATORS (2-0)
Last Week: BYE

The book on the 2008 Gators was an explosive offense with a suspect defense. The offense was supposed to offer more firepower, with an addition of a running game. I’m still waiting to see that ground game, because they haven’t showed much of it. Emannuel Moody is obviously buried deep in Meyer’s doghouse, but is expected to have more carries against the Vols than he has all season. That season total for Moody is “2”. Percy Harvin was limited in his first game back, either by the Miami defense or the rust of sitting out for weeks. I expect a more productive game from Harvin against the Vols, as he’s slowly worked back into the rhythm.

VOLUNTEERS (1-1)
Last Week- W- UAB

The Vols are still searching for an identity. Are they the preseason power as reflected in the polls, or the team dominated in the trenches by UCLA in week one? The victory over UAB still leaves these men behind the mask, and they should reveal their true faces on Saturday. Neyland Stadium offers a small advantage, as the Gators are 2-3 in their last 5 games away from the swamp (losses to Michigan, LSU, Georgia). Even in their road victories, the Gators aren’t nearly as impressive as they are on their home field.

Xtra Points: Arian Foster and the Vols ground game could be the key if Fulmer is to end the streak. In 3 losses to Florida, Tennessee has no runs of more than 6 yards. A 1-2 start would be awful in Knoxville, and though I don’t like to call a game in the fourth week a “must win”, for Tennessee, this is one.

All Time Series: Tennessee leads 19-18
Streak: Florida won 3

(6) LSU at (10) Auburn- The two teams played a thriller last year that ended with Matt Flynn finding a receiver in the end zone with time running out. I’m not sure this one will be as classic, with that new spread offense at Auburn looking about the same as the one in Michigan.

Notre Dame at Michigan State- The Irish can match their win total of a year ago. The Spartans can continue their ownership of the Boys from South Bend.

Miami at Texas A&M- As a ranked team, the Aggies were dominated by the Canes in 2007. Toss out the numbers next to the names, and expect more of the same.

(18) Wake Forest at (24) Florida State- Are the Noles back? They will answer that on Saturday.

(21) WVU at Colorado- In the thin mountain air, have no fear of Colorado coach Dan Hawkins. Fear his son, Cody, the Buff’s quarterback, instead.

(20) Utah at Air Force- What? Are you still sleeping on the Falcons?

Portland State at Washington State- Why is this game listed? It’s because I believe Washington State is bad enough to lose to this team.


Boise State at (17) Oregon- This game has upset written all over it. Oregon is limited to using their 3rd and 4th team quarterbacks. That’s about the same as UCLA, and things aren’t working well for the Bruins.

Week 3 Heisman Performances- Running Backs

Of all positions, the early season running back statistics offer a lot of deception. Some may have greater numbers in terms of yards, but you have to take into consideration how many times they carried the ball to achieve those numbers. The average gives you a better idea of how productive a back may be, just as the amount of carries may show a workhouse that is valuable to the program’s production and success. For example, Joe McKnight’s carries through two games are less than other backs for a single game. But of all the runners on the list, McKnight’s 9.2 average per rush is the highest. Shun White, my bubble back, averages a ridiculous 12.5 yards, and already has a 300 yard performance under his belt. But with his Navy team being below .500, I couldn’t put him on the list with a losing record.

Ohio State’s Beanie Wells was dropped from the list this week, due to lack of production. The toe injury has caused him to miss consecutive games now, and he has only the opening performance against Youngstown State to use for measurement. Michigan Mike Hart’s absence with injury was costly in 2007, and when Beanie returns we’ll have to see if he can work his way back into the mix. Also dropped is Clemson's James Davis. Davis has one performance over 100 yards, and two others that don't total 100 yards combined. Unlike some other backs, Davis doesn't accumulate any stats in other areas of the game, so his strength is strictly running with the rock. Here’s the list of running backs in no particular order.

RUNNING BACKS

Joe McKnight, USC
Opponent: Ohio State

12 carries, 105 yards, 0 tds
AVG: 8.8

Season: 18 carries, 165 yards, 0 tds
AVG: 9.2
All Purpose: 224 yards, 1 td
Opponents: Virginia, Ohio State

Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
Opponent: South Carolina

20 carries, 79 yards, 1 td
AVG: 6.3

Season: 46 carries, 306 yards, 7 tds
AVG: 6.7
All Purpose: 434 yards, 7 tds
Opponents: Georgia Southern, Central Michigan, South Carolina

DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
Opponent: Washington

16 carries, 100 yards, 0 tds
AVG: 6.3

Season: 46 carries, 312 yards, 3 tds
AVG: 6.8
All Purpose: 414 yards, 3 tds
Opponents: Tenn-Chat, Cincinnati, Washington

C.J. Spiller, Clemson
Opponent: NC State

10 carries, 61 yards, 1 td
AVG: 6.1

Season: 18 carries, 143 yards, 4 tds
AVG: 7.9
All Purpose: 447 yards, 6 tds
(210 return yards, 1 td)
Opponents: Alabama, Citadel, NC State

P.J Hill, Wisconsin
Opponent: Fresno State

26 carries, 112 yards, 0 tds
AVG: 4.3

Season: 70 carries, 379 yards, 4 tds
AVG: 5.4
All Purpose: 379 yards, 4 tds
Opponents: Akron, Marshall, Fresno State

BYE

Noel Devine (West Virginia)

DROPPED FROM LIST

James Davis (Clemson), Chris Wells (Ohio State)

BACKS ON THE BUBBLE

Shun White (Navy), Evan Royster (Penn State)

The Horse's RB choice: Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
The Horse's overall choice: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Next Update: Week 6

Week 3 Heisman Performances- Quarterbacks

The race for the Heisman Trophy hasn’t taken full form, but it’s slowly revealing a shape. Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel and Max Hall have jumped out quickly with huge numbers, while some others find themselves in vicarious positions. Overall, quarterbacks continue to stand out, with quite a few lighting up stat sheets in the first 3 games.

Rudy Carpenter took a heavy hit with a loss to UNLV. As it stands now, for Carpenter to pull himself out of the hole and make it to New York, his Arizona Sate Sun Devils will probably have to defeat both Georgia and USC, and he needs to be impressive against both. That would also suggest that he needs to win the Pac 10 and secure a top 10 finish. The most memorable number from Todd Reesing’s game against South Florida is “1”. One interception late in the game set up the Bulls with field position to kick the game winning field goal. Reesing can easily make up for that error, considering the Big 12 has so many Heisman candidates and exposure games. Here’s the list for week three, in no particular order.

QUARTERBACKS
New to list: Matt Grothe, USF

Mark Sanchez, USC
Opponent: Ohio State

17 of 28, 172 yards, 4 tds, 1 INT

Season: 43 of 63, 510 yards, 5 tds, 2 INTs
Rating: 166.57
Opponents: Virginia, Ohio State
Record: 2-0

Matthew Stafford, Georgia
Opponent: S. Carolina

15 of 25, 146 yards, 0 td, 0 INT

Season: 46 of 74, 634 yards, 4 tds, 0 INT
Rating: 159.97
Opponents: Georgia Southern, C. Michigan, S. Carolina
Record: 3-0

Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Opponent: Washington
18 of 21, 304 yards, 5 tds, 0 INT

Season: 64 of 81, 882 yards, 12 tds, 2 INTs
Rating: 214.43
(1 rushing td)
Opponents: Tenn-Chat, Cincinnati, Washington
Record: 3-0

Juice Williams, Illinois
Opponent: Louisiana Lafayette

Pass: 13 of 25, 147 yards, 1 td, 1 INT
Rush: 11 attempts, 35 yards, 0 tds

Season: 65 of 92, 722 yards, 7 tds, 1 INT
Rating: 139.94
(Rushing: 46 attempts, 219 yards, 2 tds)

Opponents: Mizzou, E. Illinois, Louisiana Lafayette
Record: 2-1

Chase Daniel, Missouri
Opponent: Nevada

23 of 28, 405 yards, 4 tds, 0 INTs

Season: 65 of 90, 973 yards, 10 tds, 1 INT
Rating: 197.48
Opponents: Illinois, SMS, Nevada
Record: 3-0

Cullen Harper, Clemson
Opponent: NC State

20 of 28, 262 yards, 2 tds, 1 INT

Season: 54 of 80, 642 yards, 3 tds, 2 INTs
Opponents: Alabama, Citadel, NC State
Record: 2-1

Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
Opponent: SMU

31 of 48, 418 yards, 5 tds, 0 INT

Season: 93 of 152, 1,251 yards, 8 tds, 3 INTs
Rating: 143.74
(1 rushing td)
Opponents: E. Washington, Nevada, SMU
Record: 3-0

Todd Reesing, Kansas
Opponent: USF

34 of 51, 373 yards, 3 tds, 1 INT

Season: 103 of 141, 1,041 yards, 9 tds, 2 INTs
Rating: 153.30
(1 rushing td)

Opponents: FIU, La Tech, USF
Record: 2-1

Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State
Opponent: UNLV

13 of 23, 242 yards, 2 tds, 1 INT

Season: 62 of 87, 975 yards, 6 tds, 2 INTs
Rating: 183.56
Opponents: N. Arizona, Stanford, UNLV
Record: 2-1

Matt Grothe, USF
Opponent: Kansas

32 of 45, 338 yards, 2 tds, 0 INTs

Season: 61 of 93, 780 yards, 7 tds, 2 INTs
Rating: 156.58
(1 rushing td)
Opponents: Ten-Mart, UCF, Kansas
Record: 3-0

Max Hall, BYU
Opponent: UCLA

27 of 35, 272 yards, 7 tds, 1 INT

Season: 91 of 117, 1,095 yards, 12 tds, 2 INTs
Rating: 186.82
Opponents: UNI, Washington, UCLA
Record: 3-0


BYE WEEK

Pat White (WVU), Tim Tebow (Florida), Colt McCoy (Texas)

DROPPED FROM LIST

Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan)

ON THE BUBBLE

Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan)

The Horse’s Early QB Pick: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
The Horse’s Early Overall pick: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma