What a Wild Weekend It Was

By: Derek Giardina

This past weekend was one of the more entertaining weekends of college football in a long time.  We saw nine ranked teams take a loss this with five of those teams being ranked in the top 10.  After watching many games over the last couple of weeks the one thing I have noticed is that there is no clear cut number one team.  I’m convinced.  This season’s National Champion could be someone other than what people expect (USC or LSU).  There is lots of parity this season with each conference having at least three strong teams.  There are also a lot of other solid teams I’ve watched play that aren’t really being hyped up like I believe they should be (BC, Kentucky, and Cal). 

After this crazy weekend the AP voted LSU as the countries number one team leapfrogging them over USC.  Neither team lost but USC had a tough battle at Washington and only walked out with a three point victory.  However, I’m not so sure that LSU deserves gaining 11 first place votes after their performance against Tulane.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been saying that LSU is the top team in the land since day one, but they certainly didn’t show me enough this weekend to gain 11 votes from the AP.  LSU ended up with a comfortable 25 point victory, but was out played throughout the first half before showing up to play football in the second half. 

USC on the other hand completely dominated Washington but because of all the penalties (16 for 161 yards) and 3 costly turnovers, the Huskies were able to keep the score close.  Booty did not impress me much in that game, so I’m beginning to question whether or not he will be able to lead this Trojan team to victory in the coming weeks when the schedule starts getting tougher ( @ Oregon and @ Cal). 

Oklahoma was the #3 ranked team, but lost on the foot of Kevin Eberhart.  Oklahoma had a 24-7 lead, but watched the Colorado offense string together some solid drives late in the game that tied the game and eventually win the game on a 45-yard field goal as time expired.  Oklahoma’s season isn’t over yet, but they must put together a couple of impressive games the next two weeks as they play back to back games against ranked opponents (Texas and Missouri).  They also will be rooting for LSU and USC to take a loss at some point in the season which certainly can happen, but Oklahoma doesn’t control their own destiny in my opinion.

Florida went into the weekend as the #4 team and had looked very impressive in their previous four contests, but Auburn gave them trouble Saturday night.  Auburn has been a team of ups and downs this season as they tend to play to the level of their competition, but they have the talent to be a top team.  Florida lost the game 20-17, but as I said about Oklahoma I will repeat for Florida.  Florida still has a shot at the National Championship, but they are in a better position to get there as they have a game against LSU this weekend.  If they happen to beat LSU they should move up to the #2 ranking in the country assuming USC wins at home against 1-3 Stanford.

Texas also fell this weekend.  It doesn’t surprise me much that they lost since they haven’t played well at all this season.  They clearly have lots of issues on both sides of the ball and they are not playing like a top 10 team.  Texas must win this coming weekend against Oklahoma to gain some respect, but I feel like they may have been overrated from the beginning a la Michigan, and now their chance at a National Championship is all but over. 

In a game where the outcome did not surprise me, #5 West Virginia lost to #18 South Florida.  The thing about West Virginia is that they are a one dimensional team but they are very successful at it.  However, when you put them up against a very talented and highly underrated defensive unit such as South Florida, the West Virginia offense will be held in check.  South Florida seems to have Steve Slaton’s number after holding him to his first non-100 yard rushing game of the season and holding him to a season low of 43 yards last year excluding West Virginia’s bowl game when he had a left thigh bruise and his status was in question leading up to the game.  The Mountaineers now have a tough road in front of them if they want to get back into the National Championship hunt, but a BCS game isn’t out of the question as long as they get back on track and win the Big East Conference. 

The fifth top 10 team to lose this weekend was fellow Big East team, Rutgers.  The Scarlet Knights have one of the more lethal offenses in the country, but the Maryland defense did a great job to keep Ray Rice in check.  Rice ran the ball well, but didn’t have his typical game as he too was held under 100 yards and only 1 touchdown (he has averaged 3 per game).  Rutgers was a great story last year when they surprised everyone by going 11-2.  Rutgers too is in the same boat as West Virginia in terms of a National Championship, but are in better position in the Big East standings as they have yet to play a conference game. 

The Big East and Big 12 took the biggest hit this weekend in my opinion.  The Big East had already lost Louisville which was a preseason favorite to make a run at a National Championship, and now both West Virginia and Rutgers fell in the same weekend with one of the losses coming to a mediocre ACC team.  The Big East now turns to South Florida and Cincinnati as both teams remain unbeaten, but the Bearcats are going to be tested against some quality opponents the next few weeks and they may fade.  However, South Florida in my opinion is a very solid team that plays great football on both sides of the ball.  It’s funny to believe that South Florida is the highest ranked team out of Florida right now at #6. 

The Big 12 also took a very big hit as the power of that conference now comes into question.  Texas hasn’t shown much life at all this season but they were still ranked in the top 10.  Oklahoma also falling after blowing a big lead hurts the entire conference.  Oklahoma was the one bright spot in a rather weak Big 12 conference.  Oklahoma needs to put a hurting on Texas this week and then follow it up with an impressive performance against Missouri.  If Oklahoma can walk away with two convincing wins against these two teams and hope that that USC and LSU fall somewhere down the line, then the Sooners may get back into the National Championship talk.

Games to Look for this Weekend

Thursday 7:30 - #8 Kentucky @ #11 South Carolina

Prediction: Although Kentucky and QB Andre Woodson have looked spectacular, I think that South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier will have this team ready in a must win game to keep pace in the SEC East Conference.

Saturday 8:30 - #9 Florida @ #1 LSU

Prediction: This is one of the most anticipated match ups of the season.  Both teams are on prime time television and have a chance to showcase themselves to the rest of the country.  I’m going to say that LSU wins a close one.

Saturday 3:30 - #10 Oklahoma @ #19 Texas

Prediction: The Red River Shootout belongs to Oklahoma this year.  I don’t see any way that Texas can compete with the Sooners.  Texas QB Colt McCoy is banged up and the defense isn’t playing with any heart.

Saturday 9:15 - #25 Nebraska @ #17 Missouri

Prediction:  Will be a tight game early but I see Nebraska pulling away in the second half with their running game.  Missouri has been a great story thus far, but I think their Cinderella run is over.

Saturday 8:00 - #20 Cincinnati @ #21 Rutgers

Prediction: Rutgers gets back on track at home and ends Cincinnati’s perfect season.  Cincy has a solid speed defense, but I believe this Rutgers offense has what it takes to expose the Bearcats.

MY TOP 5

1. LSU
2. USC
3. California
4. Ohio State
5. South Florida

HEISMAN WATCH

1. Andre’ Woodson – QB, Kentucky
2. Tim Tebow – QB, Florida
3. Darren McFadden – RB, Arkansas
4. Matt Ryan – QB, Boston College
5. DeSean Jackson – WR, California

Email Questions and Comments to: derekgiardina@sport-buzz.com

Time for the Longhorns to Step Up

By: Derek Giardina

Three weeks into the season and the Texas Longhorns have yet to show that they are worthy of their AP ranking.  After last season I, along with many others, believed that the University of Texas would be a powerhouse this season, but now I am biting my tongue.  I know, I know, we’re only three weeks into the season, but if this team doesn’t show some fight soon, they will be in for another Pre-New Year’s bowl game. 

Last season, red-shirt freshman Colt McCoy took over the reigns of the offense after quarterback Vince Young decided to forego his senior season and declare himself eligible for the NFL Draft.  McCoy was put into a great situation in his first season as the starting quarterback for the Longhorns.  Selvin Young and Jamaal Charles returned to the UT backfield and Limas Sweed returned to improve on his stellar sophomore season at wide receiver.   Texas ended the season with a 10-3 record and McCoy tied the record for passing touchdowns by a freshman quarterback with 29 on the season. 

Following the National Championship game last season, I began thinking about which teams should be preseason top five, and which teams have a legitimate shot at winning the National title for the next season.  The University of Texas was one of the few teams that came to my mind because I believed they would have a dominant offense teamed with a stingy defense.  Apparently the Associated Press agreed with me and gave Texas the #4 rank in the preseason, however this is the highest ranking the Longhorns have held during the first three weeks of the season.  The Longhorns have bounced around in the last three polls with ranks of #7, #6, and #7, respectively. 

Yes, the Longhorns are currently in the Top 10 with a 3-0 record, but in my opinion they are the most overrated team that is in the Top 10.  They have yet to play a full 60 minutes on both sides of the ball in three games, and haven’t shown the heart and determination it takes to be a National Championship team. 

Texas opened up the season at home against Arkansas State, which should have been a tune up game for the Longhorns, however it was only an eight point victory.   The offense showed an inability to finish drives, and the defense looked shaky in the fourth quarter as they gave up 10 points and allowed Arkansas State to make it a one possession game. The following week, they hosted #19 TCU and won 34-13, but they were trailing 10-0 at the half.  The UT offense clawed back in the third quarter to tie the game and then exploded for 17 points, with the defensive unit adding another 7 on a fumble return.  Texas only showed up for the second half, which they dominated on both sides of the ball.  Just this past weekend, however they showed their inconsistencies again.  The Longhorns allowed the University of Central Florida to hang in the game in its entirety, but held on to win 35-32. 

Turnovers have been a major problem for the University of Texas as they have thrown 5 interceptions and lost 2 fumbles in the three games they’ve played.  Last season, McCoy threw only 7 interceptions all season, and he has just about matched that number in his sophomore season. 

The Longhorns certainly have not looked like a Top 10 team thus far, and their schedule is about to get much more difficult.  It will force the Longhorns to play consistent for 60 minutes if they expect to walk away from the game with a win. 

The University of Texas must get their act together quickly if they want to contend for a conference championship and the right to play in a BCS game.  They have what should be a tune-up game this weekend against Rice before they get into Big 12 play the following week.  Also, they are only three weeks away from a battle with #3 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry.  Since Texas won in convincing fashion last season, it is expected that OU has redemption on their minds – not to mention they look like a team that can win the National Championship. 

Along with on-field problems, Texas has also had problems off the field this season as six members of the team have been arrested since June.  The latest arrest is Running Back James Henry, who has been charged with two felonies in obstruction and tampering with evidence stemming back to a July incident where two members of the team were arrested.  Last week, Safety Tyrell Gatewood was arrested on drug charges. 

Games to Look for this Weekend

Thursday 7:30 - #20 Texas A&M @ Miami (FL)

WHY A&M MUST WIN:  A&M’s schedule has included cupcakes thus far but they have a national ranking and a 3-0 record.  A win here would give the team a major confidence boost heading into their Big 12 schedule.

WHY MIAMI MUST WIN: They need to save their season after the beating they took from Oklahoma two weeks ago.  A win here gives Miami a top 25 ranking and can get this team back on track in time for their ACC schedule.

PREDICTION: MIAMI

Saturday 3:30 - #12 South Carolina @ #2 LSU

WHY SO. CAR MUST WIN:  It shows the rest of the SEC that they are for real and also puts some pressure on Florida because this will be a two team battle for the right to play in the SEC Championship game.

WHY LSU MUST WIN: This is a big test for LSU and they must keep up with ‘Bama who is ahead in the standings with a 2-0 record.

PREDICTION: LSU

Saturday 3:30   #10 Penn State @ Michigan

WHY PENN ST. MUST WIN: Because of their ranking.  They haven’t looked great thus far and a loss here would more than likely end their chance for a National Championship.

WHY MICHIGAN MUST WIN:  They can’t lose three games in a row at the ‘Big House.’  They can also resurrect their season and play for a Big 10 Championship, but it begins here with a major game against a top 10 team.

PREDICTION: Michigan in the upset! Yes, you read that correctly.

MY TOP 5

1. LSU
2. USC
3. Oklahoma
4. Florida
5. West Virginia

HEISMAN WATCH

1. Steve Slaton – RB, West Virginia
2. Darren McFadden – RB, Arkansas
3. Tim Tebow – QB Florida
4. Colt Brennan – QB Hawaii
5. Matt Ryan – QB Boston College

Email Questions and Comments to: derekgiardina@sport-buzz.com