Games I watched this weekend:
NC State-South Carolina
Oregon-Boise State
Penn State-Akron
Oklahoma State-Georgia
Oklahoma-BYU
Alabama-Virginia Tech
Washington-LSU
There were other games I had, but I didn't see enough snaps to truly say I was watching them. All the games listed above i saw in their entirety or at least 80%.
Top performers of the week
LB Eric Norwood, SC
Norwood was one of the primary reasons Russell Wilson and the NC State offense went nowhere the entire game Thursday. Norwood totaled 8 tackles and 2 sacks in the week.
WR Eric Decker, Minnesota
Minnesota barely beat Syracuse in overtime, but Decker was a constant threat to Syracuse all day and came through in crunch time for Minnesota as he caught 9 balls for 183 yards.
CB Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State
Cox shutdown AJ Green for the most part of the day, as he led Oklahoma State to an astounding 10 point defensive performance. Cox had several pass break-ups and was all over the field.
QB Max Hall, BYU
Hall had a few mistakes but he led his team to victory in the absence of top tailback Harvey Unga and against constant pressure all day from one of the most talented defensive lines in the country.
RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
By the fourth quarter, Ingram was just running the defensive players from Virginia Tech over. Ingram had 150 yards against one of the nation's stingiest defenses and he wore them down as the game progressed.
Best Performance in a loss - Jake Locker, Washington
Washington was competing with LSU the entire night and that can be credited to Locker. During crucial third downs, Locker would come up big with his feet and even though they lost, hope is being restored up in Washington.
Disappointments
1. Oregon - The offense didn't just sputter, they failed. Blount was pathetic not only after the game, but during the game. A former 1000 yard back totalled -5 yards against a defense with 2 returning starters. Jeremiah Masoli looked like he was going to get it going on his third quarter touchdown drive, but he was way to inconsistent and this offense doesn't look anything like it was last season. Jeremiah Johnson will be missed in Eugene this season, now that Blount is gone.
2. Iowa - Iowa did lose two All Big Ten defensive tackles, but the team just didn't look like a team with so many returning starters after ending the season on such a high note. Stanzi didn't put up very good statistics against Northern Iowa and they had to block 2 kicks just to hold on to win. The loss of Jewel Hampton for the season could spell trouble for a team that relies heavily on the run game. Iowa has a long way to go if they want to compete with Penn State at the end of the month.
3. Oklahoma - Yes, losing Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham would be devastating to any team, but Oklahoma wasn't exactly stiking lightning when Bradford was in there. I though DeMarco Murray should have gotten more carries and the team just couldn't capitalize on opportunities in places they thrived last season against BYU. Bradford could be back for Miami and Oklahoma should be fine until then, but in college football one loss can be devastating.
4. The ACC
The ACC's cellar-dwellars are known to be bad, but to lose to both Richmond and William & Mary shows the conference's deficiencies at the bottom. Duke and Virginia were embarassed and Maryland was destroyed by a good California team. NC State and Wake Forest lost to average teams in South Carolina and Baylor. The conference does not look strong at all, as the top of the conference struggled to move the ball as Alabama essentially tripled Virginia Tech's yardage output.
Surprises
1. Possible importance of Michigan-Notre Dame matchup
Several people have Notre Dame highly ranked, but Notre Dame has a recent history of not living up to whatever expectations are thrust upon them. The receivers are known to be good, but the offense was absolutely rolling at the beginning of the game against Nevada and they also shut down a competent Nevada offense led by Colin Kaepernick. Michigan only played Western Michigan, but they dominated and Tate Forcier looked solid in his first career start. Michigan isn't expected to compete for a Big Ten title, but they look much improved.
2. Mizzou
Mizzou proved yesterday that they can compete with Nebraska and Kansas for a Big 12 North title. Weatherspoon and company shut down Juice Williams and company on defense and Blaine Gabbert showed the offense hasn't missed a beat with the deparature of graduated quarterback Chase Daniel. The former highly touted quarterback had a stellar first performance in an unexpected easy win over their rival.
Final Thoughts - College football and all its surprises has already started. Two top ten teams have already gone down with Virginia Tech (although inevitable that one would) and Oklahoma. Oklahoma was a preseason sweetheart, but unexpected injuries and just a new season can change what people think they know. Navy almost provided a shock to the nation only to see Ohio State hang on. The ACC struggled mightily in the opening week. The Pac 10 and Big 10 weren't spectacular and even the SEC wasn't flexing any muscles. The Big 12 looks like the premier league right now with convincing wins out of conference by Missouri and Oklahoma State, but the conference favorite Oklahoma fell. The parity of college football......
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