The Ole College Try

Here is this week's wrap-up of the college football season, told from a 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 did watch an absolute ton of games this week, so lots of information in this week's Try.

Heisman Watch

Big 3 Edition (Since ESPN told me only 3 candidates exist)
As stated earlier - I no longer subscribe to the Big 3 theory (Bradford, McCoy, Tebow).


Quarterback Edition
Tony Pike - Cincinnati - 1,223 yards, 11 TDs, with a 70% completion rate. One of two very important offensive reasons Cincinnati should be looked at seriously for the BCAS Championship game (plus their schedule).

Running Back Edition
Ryan Mathews - Fresno State - 592 yards and 5 TDs, despite being the primary weapon upon which every defense is focused. Of course, he is helped by Cal's obliteration. I still expect Jahvid Best to be back on this list soon.

Statistical Favorite - Still Taylor Potts - Texas Tech - 1,602 yards and 13 TDs, including 321 yards against a surprising Houston team that humbled Oklahoma State as well.

Miscellaneous Position
Marshawn Gilyard - WR - Cincinnati - 31 catches, 442 yards and 6 TDs, including 9 for 177last week against Fresno State.


Defensive Leader - Eric Norwood - LB - South Carolina - Definitely going to give Eric Berry a run for Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC. Norwood runs sideline-to-sideline, has 6 sacks, and even an interception so far this season. Standout in the 'Cocks upset of then number 4 Ole Miss.

Sleeper - Kellen Moore - QB - Boise State - Leading the country in passing efficiency for a team likely to finish the season undefeated.

Rising - Ryan Williams - RB - Virginia Tech - 492 yards and 8 touschdowns to date, including lighting up Miami for 150 yards and 2 scores.

Falling - Jacory Harris - QB - Miami - Perhaps I was a little to hasty to anoint Jacory Harri as the third straight Heisman winning sophomore quarterback. Tough loss to V-Tech, however, if Graham, the power forward-turned-tight end catches one of the two passes on the second drive in the third quarter, the score is 21-14, and it is a whole different ballgame.

Player to Watch

Eric Decker - WR - Minnesota - Perhaps the only reason to watch Minnesota, this exciting receiver is well worth the price of admission.

Taylor Wyndham - DE - Kentucky - If you have to ask why, then you either (a) don't know me; or (b) don't read this blog regularly.

My New Favorite Player

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)
Matt Pipho - T - Miami - His horrendously awful pass blocking led to the Hokies' constant harassment of Jacory Harris, and his run blocking was even worse.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)
Joe Paterno - Penn State - To not have your team ready for this game is absolute abomination. With their weak schedule, 1 loss completely knocks Penn State out of the Championshp hunt.

Coach of the Week
Kirk Ferentz - Iowa - Is there a coach in the country that constantly does more with less than Kirk Ferentz?

Breakthrough Performer of the Week
Jean Pierre-Paul - DT - South Florida - George Selvie is a high NFL draft pick caliber on the end of the line, but Pierre-Paul more than upheld his own against the middle of the Florida State line in the Bulls upset of the Seminoles. A couple of sacks and dozens of pressures, Pierre-Paul looked to me like that 4th round draft pick that plays for 10 years in the NFL.

Breakthrough Coach
Dan Mullen - Mississippi State - A goal line stand by LSU away from upsetting the Tigers. Mullen has made Mississippi relevant, and better than they should be right now, while the offense at Florida has grown stagnant. (Mullen was the Offensive Coordinator for the Gators before coming to Mississippi State). Mullen earning his coaching stripes in a tough, tough conference.

Predicted BCS Championship Game Matchup
Texas v. Alabama - Alabama is looking much stronger than Florida right now. Texas does not look like they have a challenger unless Bradford returns, at top form.

RANT OF THE WEEK

Would the officials at least learn the rules. If two players possess the ball simultaneously, the offensive player is deemed to maintain possession. Afterward, if both players then fall to the ground, the play is over, and the offensive receiver is down by contact. If the defensive player then takes the ball away, the offense maintains the ball, it is not an interception. I hope you learned your lessons Big Ten officials in the Michigan/Indiana game, plus the replay official.

Congratulations of the Week

Jim Leavitt - Coach - South Florida - A big in-state win against the Seminoles that should cement Leavitt as one of the better coaches in the country.

Under Performance of the Week

Miami - They did not show up to play in the first half against Virginia Tech. They just were not yet ready to handle the pressure of the big time.

Game of the Week

Michigan 36 - Indiana 33 - Just an exciting game from start to finish. Indiana has not won at the Big House in 42 years. Michgan scores a touchdown, Indiana answers a couple of drives later, only for Michigan to score again on the next drive. Toss in the phantom interception call, and you have the makings of a great 4th quarter.

Play(s) of the Week

Second week in a row for a defensive play. Kentucky's defensive end Taylor Wyndham knocking Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, TFO.

A strong runner up to Safety Chad Jones of LSU, who, on Mississippi State's potential game winning drive, made the play on third, and fourth down. On third down he jumped high into the air to deflect a pass to a wide open tight end. (Jones was easily 5 yards away from the intended receiver while no other player was in the end zone). On fourth down, Chad Jones made the initial hit on quarterback Tyson Lee. LSU won 30-26.

Trivia Question of the Week

South Florida's Freshman Quarterback B.J. Daniels led the Bulls to an upset victory over the Florida State Seminoles. From what hometown does Daniels hail?

Last Week's Trivia Answers

Last week's first question was, "Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson set the Oklahoma State career touchdown record. Whos recod did he break. The answer is Josh Fields.

Last week's second question was, "Tim Tebow's 30 consecutive game streak with at least 1 touchdwon was ended by Tennessee. Who holds, and what is, the recod for most consecutive games with at least 1 touchdown pass? The answer is Ty Detmer, 35 games.

Matchup(s) to Watch

4. LSU v. Georgia - LSu just hasn't looked like a top 4 team yet this year, so the competition of Georgia, who has played Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Arkansas and Arizona State to date, should prove a tough test. The winner of this game is likely to be better than anyone thought.

3. Alabama v. Kentucky - Although the transitive property does not specifically apply in sporting events, Kentucky hosting Florida and Alabama back-to-back can give us a glimpse as to the quality of those two teams vis-a-vis each other.

2. USC v. California - Neither of these teams can afford to lose their second conference game. This was supposed to be the game in the conference, before the losses to Washington and Oregon, respectively. Winner still in the hunt for the Rose Bowl (and outside shot at the BCS Championship game), losers season becomes very disappointing.

1. Oklahoma v. Miami - The matchup this week east of the Mississippi. Can Miami's youngsters bounce back from the VTech defeat? Is Oklahoma the same team with Landry Jones? Will Sam Bradford play? Is Miami more comfortable at home? Either way you slice it, this game should be exciting.

And once again, for good time's sake!