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 and to gain a bit of perspective. Although you may have a different take on the past weekend, I can only truly comment on games that I have seen, and I didn't get to watch that many games. Damn work.

Heisman Watch (Running Back Edition)

Favorite - Donald Brown - Connecticut - 190 yards against Louisville in a nationally televised game. He has 906 yards and 11 touchdowns in just 5 games. His lowest total of the year was against Hofstra in week 1, 146 yards, but 4 TDs.

Sleeper - Charles Scott - LSU - Not very well known, yet, but he has gained 535 yards and scored 6 TDs in only 4 games, including 141 yards and 2 TDs last week against Mississippi State. He could be the reason that LSU coach Les Miles said that his Tigers could run on anybody.

Rising - Javon Ringer - Michigan State - 897 yards and 12 TDs, including 198 and 1 TD last week against Indiana. This must have been a let down for him after putting up 282 and 201 against Florida Atlantic and Notre Dame the past two weeks.

Falling - Knowshon Moreno - Georgia - Only 9 carries for 34 yards in Georgia's loss to Alabama.

Statistical Favorite - Shun White - Navy - Since I have already mentioned the two top rushers in the NCAA, Brown and Ringer, I thought I would just honor our academies and the nations rushing leader per attempt. White averages an amazing 9.4 yards per carry.

Defensive Leader - Terrence Cody DT - Alabama - Alabama's defense deserves a ton of credit after holding Knowshon Moreno to just 34 yards (after a scintillating performance against Clemson's Davis and Spiller). Cody gets selected because the middle of the line is always where it starts, and he has 3 1/2 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to go along with his 13 tackles this year. Plus, he's from Florida.

Player to Watch

I am going to leave this open b/c this award also goes to ...

My New Favorite Player

Jacquizz Rodgers, FR. RB, Oregon State University. The freshman rushed for 186 yards and 2 TDs against the heretofore vaunted USC defense, helping lead the Beavers to its upset victory over USC. Plus, his name is Jacquizz.



Predicted BCS Championship Game Matchup

Oklahoma v. Alabama. I am becoming a believer. I don't know if LSU could even run against that Alabama defense. Still a long way to go.

Rant(s) of the Week

1. Georgia's blackout - It isn't very formidable to have blackouts, brownouts, whiteouts, etc. when the other side knows that it is coming a week in advance. I know you can't keep that type of information a secret nowadays, but don't go out of your way to publish it.

Congratulations of the Week

To Alabama - for really waking everybody up to how good they really are. Also to Oregon State for a scintillating performance against USC, and a huge upset.

Underperformance of the Week

Wake Forest - who followed up its victory over Florida State with a 24-17 defeat at the hands of Navy.

Trivia Question of the Week

In honor of Javon Ringer's performance to date, this week's trivia question is, Who holds the Division IA record for most career games rushing for over 200 yards and how many games was it? Answers next week.

Last Weeks Answer

Brodie Croyle was the former record holder for TDs and total offense at Alabama until broken by John Parker Wilson.

Matchup(s) to Watch

1. Ohio State v. Wisconsin - Boring? Yes. But an important game nonetheless.

2. Oregon v. USC - USC must bounce back to have any chance of staying in the national championship picture. Oregon could smell blood in the water.

3. Auburn v. Vanderbilt - Important SEC tilt, as Auburn already has 1 loss in Conference, while Vandy is trying to move to 5-0.