The Ole College Try

This is your weekly wrap-up of the college football season, told from a couple of days distance simply to let some of the stories simmer a bit. Truth be told, I was at the Miami-University of Florida game (with it's own stories and post later this week), so I really didn't get to see a lot of football this week. Therefore, we have an abbreviated version.

Heisman Watch

Given the Beenie Wells injury, and the fact that I will most likely want to write about Knowshon Moreno later in the year, consider this an all-QB edition.

Favorite - Chase Daniel QB Missouri - He has started out like a house on fire, going 16-17 for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns this week against South Something Missouri State (OK - I know the something is supposed to be East). Coming off a Heisman-like campaign, he has reached the top of the charts for now.

Sleeper - Juice Williams QB Illinois - 124 yards passing and 174 yards rushing for 3 total touchdowns coming off a nice passing game against Missouri. Juice is an exceptionally fun player to watch, and gives the Illini a chance in every game.

Rising - Riley Skinner QB Wake Forest - All he does is play well and win games. This week he had 267 yards passing in a win over a rapidly improving Mississippi.

Falling - Tim Tebow QB Florida - He really hasn't played that well in the first two games against Hawaii and Miami. The Hurricanes defense had him really flustered for the first three quarters, until bailed out by a blatantly awful replay call. Since he doesn't have the great statistical numbers of others, he has to play well and be a "leader" as well as be multi-dimensional, which he hasn't.

Statistical Favorite - In what will most likely turn out to be the Graham Harrell portion of this blog - Max Hall QB Brigham Young. He followed up his 486 yard 2TD performance opening week with a 338 yard 3TD performance against Washington.

Defensive Leader - Myron Pryor DT Kentucky - Even before his 72 yard fumble return for a TD against Louisville, he and fellow DT Corey Peters were controlling that game. No single defensive player has had as much of an impact this year in the games I have watched.

Player to Watch

Sean Spence, FR., University of Miami - He spent practically the entire game in the Florida Gators' backfield. He is going to be an absolute monster. Star written all over him.

My New Favorite Player

Franshaw "Boo" Jackson - QB Ohio University.
Let me count the reasons why. 1. His name is Franshaw. 2. His nickname is Boo. 3. As a backup QB, he almost led Ohio University to the first victory by an Ohio school over Ohio State since Oberlin College in somewhere near 1936. 4. His hair.

Predicted BCS Championship Game Matchup

Right now, it looks as if it is USC v. Oklahoma. SEC is too tough this year, with their champion possibly having 2 or 3 losses. I expect USC to win by somewhere around 1 zillion points this week. In honor of this prediction:


Rant(s) of the Week

1. That was absolutely not an excessive celebration you morons. The fact that the Pac-10 recently stated that it's officials were correct in penalizing QB Jake Locker is even more asinine. Washington deserved the chance to send that game into overtime, or possibly, to go for 2.

2. Instant Replay is supposed to make the officiating better, not overturn the correct call. First, the ruling on the field was "incomplete pass". Second, there is nothing in the replay that conclusively shows that his elbow hit the ground in the field of play. Third, he never had full control of the ball to begin with, in bounds or out of bounds. Fourth, if you have to ask what play I am talking about you haven't been paying attention.

Congratulations of the Week

To East Carolina, who could have absolutely rested on their laurels after an upset win over Virginia Tech, but instead took it right to West Virginia, for its second upset victory to start the season. I can't see anybody in Conference USA that wants to play them right now.

Underperformance of the Week

A lot of strong candidates for this one, especially in a week in which Ohio U almost pulled off the shocker against Ohio State, San Diego State doing the same thing at Notre Dame and the aforementioned East Carolina game. However, the winner this week is the University of Maryland, who lost 24-14 against Middle Tennessee State.

Trivia Question of the Week

Four colleges have had alums that became both a President of the United States and a Super Bowl winning starting Quarterback. Name the Universities. (And for those that will ultimately ask - the Presidents and QBs are different people). Put your guesses in the comments. Answers next week.

Hopefully this week we can see some much better matchups.