The Ole College Try

Welcome to the weekly installment of the almost weekly perspective of college football.  As a refresher, I write this column as if every player is a Heisman Trophy candidate. Why? Because it is ridiculously ludicrous that the networks, including the World Wide Leader, nay, especially the World Wide Leader, emphasize the Heisman Trophy race this early in the season. After all, who knew who Johnny Manziel was at this time last year.  Consider this my sarcastic homage to stupid reporting.

Heisman Watch

Quarterback Edition

Favorite - Teddy Bridgewater - Louisville - Still the legitimate front runner for this award, and he continued his dominating performances, albeit against absolutely nobody.  Another 397 yards and 4 TDs will keep him at the top of this list for a long, long time.

Aaron Murray - Georgia - Clemson - Almost 400 yards and 4 Touchdowns against a supposedly tough South Carolina defense.  Murray and the Bulldogs, off a loss to Clemson, takes over the driver's seat in the battle to win the SEC east.

Rising - Marcus Mariota - Oregon - He might be the most athletic quarterback in the country, and Oregon has a legitimate chance to make the BCS championship game.  He had 199 yards passing with 2 TDs, and another 122 yards rushing with another score.  Toughest QB to defend in the country.

Dark Horse - Taysom Hill - Brigham Young - Was outstanding in the Cougars' upset of then number 15 Texas.  In fact, Hill directly led to the Longhorns ouster of their defensive coordinator.  Hill threw for only 129 yards, but rushed for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns in BYU's 40-21 victory.

Falling - Braxton Miller - Ohio State - No MCL, No Heisman.

Running Back Edition

Favorite - Todd Gurley - Georgia - Had another 134 yards against the Gamecocks.  He is easily the best running back in college at this point.

Rising - De'Anthony Thomas - Oregon - Only 124 yards, but only he accrued that total on only 11 carries.  With Mariota is an incredible 1-2 punch for the ducks.

Sleeper - Andre Williams - Boston College - He totaled 204 yards against Wake Forest, and was the primary reason the Eagles won their ACC opener.

Wide Receiver Edition

Paul Richardson - Colorado - He had his second 200 yard receiving game, and has 4 total touchdowns on the year.  If he keeps this up, the race for the Biletnikoff is over.

Jordan Matthews - Vanderbilt - He had another 6 catches for another 100 yard game (111 yards), and he might be, gulp, the best receiver in the SEC.

Jeremy Gallon - Michigan - He had 8 receptions for 184 yards and 3 TDS against Notre Dame, and more importantly was incredibly dynamic.

Defensive Edition

3.  Ik Enempkali - DE - Louisiana Tech - The undersized defensive end leads the NCAAs in sacks, and his name is Ik!

2.  Damonte Horton - CB - Washington State - 2 interceptions this week, and anytime you play defense on a Mike Leach coached team - that is something.

1.  Za'Darius Smith - DE - Kentucky - He had 3 of his 4 sacks this week against Miami (OH).

Player to Watch

Odell Beckham - WR - LSU - If LSU is going to truly challenge Alabama and Texas A & M for the SEC West crown, someone is going to have to step up and get open for Zach Mittenberger - that person is going to be Beckham.

My New Favorite Player Besides Baker Mayfield - the Walk On Freshman

Spiffy Evans - Returner - Boston College - Sometimes it is all in the name.

Players of the Week

This section will be more week specific as the season goes forward, but for the first week, it is hard to differentiate the players of the week from the players of the season, as the season has only lasted 1 week.

5.  Jeremy Gallon - Michigan - See above

4.  Brennan Clay - RB - Oklahoma - Rushed for 170 yards, and the Sooners needed every single one of them as they defeated West Virginia only 16-7.

3.  Teddy Bridgewater - See above.

2.  Za'Darius Smith - Kentucky - See above.

1.  Paul Richardson - See above.

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Devin Gardner - QB - Michigan - Overall the QB had a very good game against the Irish, however, his scramble into the end zone in which he was tackled for a safety, I mean, while he was being tackled for a safety he decided the throw the ball backwards and it was recovered by the Irish for a touchdown was absolutely ridiculous.  He is lucky that he played well enough that this play did not hurt the Wolverines in the long run.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Jim Grobe - Wake Forest - Trailing Boston College by 10 in the waning seconds of the first half, Grobe decides to go for it on fourth and goal close to the end zone.  The Eagles hold, and instead of being down a TD at halftime, the Deacons are down two scores.  They never recovered.  If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times - TAKE THE POINTS!

Predicted BCS Championship Game Matchup

Alabama v. Oregon - This is by no means a foregone conclusion, as both teams have tough roads ahead, but they look like they are the best two teams - albeit a bit flawed.

Rant(s) of the Week

Oklahoma State is being chastised by a series of articles in Sports Illustrated that identify rampant drug use, improper payments, and other assorted cover-ups.  But what struck me is that one of the allegations is that the hostesses for recruits were having sex with the recruits.  Really - this is news?!  Everyone that I know that has ever been recruited by any college football team has had this happen to them.  It was even one of the subplots of the movie the Program!  How is this newsworthy - or even a violation?

Under Performance of the Week

Texas - We were told that Texas was going to be back, instead, after a drubbing by BYU their defensive coordinator gets fired.  Can Mack Brown be far behind.  Even after a loss - Will Muschamp must be laughing.

Last Week's Trivia Answer

N/A this week.

Trivia Question of the Week

The Miami Hurricanes defeated the Florida Gators in Miami - OK Miami Gardens - on Saturday.  Who was the winning quarterback the last time the teams met in South Florida?

Match up(s) to Watch

3. Louisville v. Kentucky - As Louisville's schedule is definitely a bit light, the Cardinals need to show they can light up schools from the SEC, even if it is only Kentucky.

2. Tennessee v. Oregon - I would love to see how Oregon's offense stacks up against an SEC defense - albeit not a stellar one.  At least this will give us a bit of a preview of what we really have in Oregon.

1. Alabama v. Texas A & M - Duh!

The Ole College Try

Welcome to the return of the almost weekly perspective of college football. For those that don't remember, I write this column as if every player is a Heisman Trophy candidate. Why? Because it is ridiculously ludicrous that the networks, including the World Wide Leader, nay, especially the World Wide Leader, emphasize the Heisman Trophy race this early in the season. After all, who knew who Johnny Manziel was at this time last year.  Consider this my sarcastic homage to stupid reporting.

Heisman Watch

Quarterback Edition

Favorite - Teddy Bridgewater - Louisville - The legitimate front runner for this award after last season ended, did not disappoint against Ohio, throwing for  355 yards and 5 TDs, all while showcasing his pinpoint accuracy.

Tahj Boyd - Clemson - Absolutely shined during the game of the week; 270 yards and 3 TDs passing, 2 more TDs rushing - all against the defense that gave Alabama all that it could handle in the SEC Championship game.

Rising - Jameis Winston - Florida State - The number 1 ranked quarterback recruit out of high school showed why in his first start.  The red shirt freshman was 25-27 for 356 and 4 TD, while also running in another score.

Dark Horse - Vernon Adams - Eastern Washington - The sophomore quarterback led the upset over #25 Oregon State by passing for 411 yards and 4 TDs, and rushing for 107 yards and another 2 TDs.

Falling - Football Johnny - Texas A & M - Because some voters will hate his attitude.

Running Back Edition

Favorite - Duke Johnson - Miami - 186 yards rushing with a TD, and another 38 yards on one reception.His big test is this week against a generally stout Florida Gators defense.

Todd Gurley - Georgia - 154 yards and 2 TDs on only 12 carries.

Rising - Mike Davis - South Carolina - 12 carries or 115 yards and a long 75 yard TD run.  Could the Ole Ball Coach be turning into a running team?

Sleeper - Jordan Hall - Ohio State - Yeah, right.  Like since when is an Ohio State running back a sleeper.  Ever since Braxton Miller was given all of the pre-season, hype, that's when.  Hall finished with 159 yards.  Let's see if he can keep that up against real teams.

Wide Receiver Edition

Rashad Greene - FSU - 8 catches for 126 yards, almost all of them in the first half.  Despite playing opposite the more physically gifted Kelvin Benjamin, Greene seems to be Winston's favorite target.  If Winston is close to what he was against Pittsburgh, Rashad Greene will have a huge season.

Jordan Matthews - Vanderbilt - 10 catches for 178 yards and a TD, despite being Vanderbilt's only real offensive weapon.

Jared Abbrederis - Wisconsin - 2 catches for 122 yards and 2 TDs.  Now that is efficiency.

Defensive Edition

3.  Kyle Fuller - CB - Virginia Tech - Fuller looked like he is the real deal, having an interception and making several other fantastic passes defensed in the Hokies loss to Alabama.  Alabama only scored 2 offensive touchdowns.

2.  Anthony Harris - S - Virginia - Very few defensive players had a game like Harris; 11 tackles, 1 sack and an interception.

1.  Khalil Mack - LB - Buffalo - Very few players had a game like Harris, except Buffalo's Mack, who had 9 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and 1 INT, which he returned for a touchdown.

Player to Watch

Christion Jones - WR/Ret - Alabama - Scored three touchdowns; 1 receiving, 1 punt return and 1 kick-off return, and was the difference maker for Alabama over Virginia Tech.  And, he managed to stand out on an offense that includes A.J. McCarron, T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper - among others.

My New Favorite Player

Baker Mayfield - QB - Texas Tech - The walk-on Freshman quarterback - yes, you read that correctly, WALK-ON FRESHMAN, started for the Red Raiders leading them to a 41-23 victory over SMU and finished the game 43-60 for 413 yards and 4 TDs, and ran in another score.  He finished the game 15-18 for 175 yards in the fourth quarter.  I guess he was not overwhelmed by the situation.  He apparently was also telling jokes to the other Tech players in the huddle during the opening drive.  Did I mention that he is a WALK-ON FRESHMAN.  I imagine Kliff Kingsbury will find him a scholarship at some point.

Players of the Week

This section will be more week specific as the season goes forward, but for the first week, it is hard to differentiate the players of the week from the players of the season, as the season has only lasted 1 week.

5.  Teddy Bridgewater - Louisville - See above

4.  Christion Jones - Alabama - See above

3.  Jameis Winston - FSU - See above; would have been higher if the game was against somebody other than Pittsburgh.

2.  Khalil Mack - Buffalo - Very impressive performance generally, but even more so considering it occurred against Ohio State.

1.  Vernon Adams - Eastern Washington - A victory of ranked FCS Oregon State will do that for you,

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Malcolm Mitchell - WR - Georgia - The Bulldogs leading returning receiver tore his ACL and is out for the season.  His injury occurred while attempting to celebrate a touchdown with a full body bump - a touchdown that he did not even score himself.  He landed awkwardly, and will not play again this season.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Frank Beamer - Virginia Tech - Beamer is here not so much because of anything specific, but as the head coach that supposedly stresses special teams harder than any other coach, how can he let Alabama run away with the game through two special teams touchdown return.  If not for those scores, Virginia Tech is right in that game with Alabama.  Perhaps it is time that Beamer hired a special teams coordinator, and not try to do everything himself.

Predicted BCS Championship Game Matchup
Alabama v. Ohio State - For those that forget, this is not what I think the game should be, but rather, at this point, what I think the game will be.  Way too early to take this seriously though.

Rant(s) of the Week
No real rant at this point - BECAUSE COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK.

Under Performance of the Week

Georgia - Yes they were away; yes they played a quality opponent and yes they did not play particularly bad.  However, for the team that is supposed to be the most likely to knock off Alabama in the SEC, they sure had their national championship aspirations undercut really early in the season.

Last Week's Trivia Answer

N/A this week.

Trivia Question of the Week

None - why?  Because I forgot that I did trivia questions, so I forgot to have a good one for this week.  Hopefully I will remember next week.

Match up(s) to Watch

3. Syracuse v. Northwestern - OK, so I don't really want to watch this football match up, but this is one helluva match up for the school's sports broadcasting departments.

2. South Carolina v. Georgia - Georgia needs this win badly after the Clemson loss, and South Carolina looks to  bury Georgia in the SEC East standings early.  A Georgia win keeps them in the SEC (which means national) championship hunt.  Should be a hard hitting game.

1. Florida v. Miami - In what could be the last game in an intrastate rivalry in a long time, Miami has their best chance against Florida in a long time.  With Duke Johnson, Miami has the best single player on the field.  Can he play against the Gators vaunted defense?  Can Florida find their offensive identity against a defense that struggled much of last year, but looks to be much improved?  Can Stacy Coley hold onto the football?  All important questions to be decided at noon on Game Day.  Oh yeah - and I will be in attendance.  Did I mention that I will be in attendance?  Because I will.