The Ole College Try

Here is this week's 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 this is my perspective. I was at the Tennessee/Florida game this weekend, so I did not have the opportunity to watch as many games as normal. I still saw a good amount though.

Heisman Watch

Big 3 Edition (Since ESPN told me only 3 candidates exist)
Despite the World Wide Leader's belief, I am discontinuing this section as clearly, Bradford and Tebow should no longer be considered candidates given their early performances. I have no doubt they will play their way back into play by the end of the season.

Quarterback Edition
Jacory Harris - Miami - 656 yards and 5 TDs in only 2 games, against Florida State and Georgia Tech. 270 yards and 3TDs, against 0 interceptions against Georgia Tech alone, while completing only 80% of his passes. Looks like we could see our third straight sophomore quarterback Heisman winner.

Running Back Edition

Favorite - Jahvid Best - California - 131 yards and 5 TDs against Minnesota in a 35 - 21 victory last week. And on top of that, he is the third leading rusher in the country so far, only 35 yards behind Ryan Matthews of Fresno State.

Statistical Favorite - Still Taylor Potts - Texas Tech - 1,281 and 12 TDs, including 420 yards against the vaunted Texas defense.

Miscellaneous Position - LeRoy Vann, PR - Florida A & M - 2 punt returns for touchdowns in each of the first two games. He has 4 on the season already. The FCS (that's Division I-AA for those of you that refuse to make the jump into the present) record for a season is 5!

Defensive Leader - Eric Berry - S - Tennessee - His interception against Florida gave him 13 for his career. And, he was all over the field against Florida as well. He seemed to make every tackle around the line of scrimmage.

Sleeper - Ryan Mallett - QB - Arkansas - 717 yards, and 6TDs in only two games, including 408 and 5 against Georgia. The best part is 0 interceptions, in 61 attempts, for an ungodly 193.49 QB rating.

Rising - Case Keenum - QB - Houston - The NCAA's returning total offense leader has 725 yards, 7 TDs, 1 interception in only 2 games, which includes the upset of then number 5 Oklahoma State.

Falling - Tim Tebow - Only 540 yards passing in 3 games, and he has already been sacked 4 times (keeping in mind that his first two games were against Charleston Southern and Troy.

Player to Watch

Ryan Mathews - RB - Fresno State - The nations leading rusher carries a hefty 9.1 yards per carry so far this year, including 234 against Boise State.

My New Favorite Player

Eric Berry - S - Tennessee - I used to be on the Taylor Mays of USC was the best safety in the country bandwagon. After seeing Berry play, that is no longer the case.

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Aaron Corp - QB - USC - OK, so picking on a backup quarterback and calling them a goat may not be completely fair, but backups at USC are not your normal backups, and Corp was the starting entering fall practice. He went 13 - 22 with 1 interception in USC's loss at Washington (who won exactly as many college football games last year as I did). Each of the 9 incompletions looked horrendous.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Urban Meyer - Florida - Was whispering around town about scoring 100 against Tennessee. He should start by trying to score 24. He should also start by trying to stop the run. Blaming the flu on Sunday is not classy at all Coach. Not at all. If you think that the flu is going to be an issue, be up front about it, don't sneak it in after a lackluster effort. You insult your opponents by doing that.

Predicted BCS Championship Game Matchup
Texas v. Florida - No reason to change it yet, but Alabama is starting to look real strong. We will see what Miami has these next two weeks.

RANT OF THE WEEK

Not one person in the media has come out against Urban Meyer this week (see above). I understand the the entire sports-media complex wants to see Tim Tebow in the championship game, but that does not excuse Meyer's antics this week before and after the Tennessee game. At least one legitimate national columnist or commentator should have brought it up.

Congratulations of the Week

Zac Robinson - QB - Oklahoma State - Not only bounces back from the Houston loss to defeat Rice, but his two touchdowns set the Oklahoma State record for career touchdown passes.

Under Performance of the Week

USC - I understand that Corp is your backup quarterback, but a loss at Washington is not a good way to follow the huge win at Ohio State.

Game of the Week

Georgia 52 - Arkansas 41 - Georgia QB Joe Cox threw for 375 yards and 5 TDs, and he was the least productive quarterback on the field. Just an outstanding aerial show by both offenses (and/or pathetic display by the defenses).

Play(s) of the Week

Texas's Sergio Kindle sacks Texas Tech's Taylor Potts, and separates Potts from the football, AND HIS HELMET, to lead to Colt McCoy's final touchdown pass and to preserve the Texas victory.

Trivia Questions of the Week

As stated above, Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson set the Oklahoma State career touchdown record. Whose record did he break?

Tim Tebow's 30 consecutive game streak with at least 1 touchdown pass was ended by Tennessee. Who holds, and what is, the record for most consecutive games with at least 1 touchdown pass?

Last Week's Trivia Answer

Last week's question was, "Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour set the MAC Total Offense Recor. Whose record did he break?" The answer is Marshall's Byron Leftwich.

Matchup(s) to Watch

4. Iowa v. Penn State - I have no doubt that Penn State remembers last year's heartbreaking loss to the Hawkeyes. I also have no doubt that Penn State has looked beatable this year. I am sure they win at home, but it looks like it is going to be a great game to watch.

3. Texas Tech v. Houston - Should be another offensive juggernaut with around 1 million passing yards.

2. Arkansas v. Alabama - It's time for Ryan Mallett to show us if he can play against a real strong defense. It's time for Alabama to show that it is ready to take on the Gators.

1. Miami v. Virginia Tech - As stated previously, the Hurricanes are my favorite team. But, this this is also a potential conference championship game. Could the Canes be 3-0 heading into Oklahoma week?