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?

The Ole College Try

Once again, I will doing a 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. Generally this column will come out on Tuesday. 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.

Heisman Watch (Since the World Wide Leader tells us its never too early)

Big 3 Edition

Favorite - Colt McCoy - Texas - 317 yards and 2 TDs in a laugher against Louisiana-Monroe. Of course, McCoy is aided by Tebow playing less than one half and Bradford's shoulder.

Quarterback Edition (other than the big 3)

Max Hall - Brigham Young - 329 yards and 2 touchdowns in Brigham Young's thrilling defeat of Oklahoma, including the game winning touchdown pass with 3:03 remaining.

Running Back Edition

Favorite - Jahvid Best - California - He has the best chance (pun intended) to usurp the big 3, and he started off successfully with 137 yards on only 10 carries in a old-fashioned whooping of Maryland.

Sleeper - Matt Asiata - Utah - Started Utah's potential undefeated campaign with 156 yards (albeit on 36 carries).

Rising - Nobody is rising after only one week.

Falling - Sam Bradford - Oklahoma - due to injury.

Statistical Favorite - Aaron Opelt - Toledo - 423 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 52-31 defeat at the hands of Purdue.

Miscellaneous Position - Jordan Shipley, WR - Texas - 180 receiving yards and 1 TD for Texas. Easily Colt McCoy's favorite target. (And did you hear, they are roommates?!)

Defensive Leader - Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith CB - UTEP - 18 tackles against Buffalo. 18!!! As a cornerback!!!

Player to Watch

Jacory Harris - QB - Miami - A little bit of a homer pick as the Canes are my favorite team. But, it was a helluva start to a very difficult starting schedule with 386 passing yards against Florida State. Even if the Canes are not yet championship material, they will certianly be entertaining.

My New Favorite Player

Byron Haut - Boise State - Boy can he take a punch! (Really this award goes to Jacory Harris). This leads me to ...

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

LaGarette Blount - RB - Oregon If you even have to ask, but for posterity's sake, his after game punch of Haut, and his tantrums directed towardteammates and security were completely uncalled for. Not sure season-long suspension is the correct penalty though.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Jim Tressel - Ohio State - A field goal at that point makes the score 32-14, and the game is over. Why did you go for it? Navy almost made you pay!

Predicted BCS Championship Game Matchup
Texas v. Florida - With Florida's schedule, and Sam Bradford's injury, this is the most likely outcome at this point. Still waaaaayyyy too early to tell.

Rant(s) of the Week
Ok, so LaGarette Blount needed to be punished for his behavior, but his entire senior season? Why not suspend him for 4 games plus the bowl? OR the first 3 conference games plus the bowl? His entire senior season - that is just plain ludicrous!

Congratulations of the Week

Brigham Young - Even with the injuries to Bradford and Greshem, this was a huge win for Brigham Young, and could be a big step toward the BCS Championship game for the Cougars.

Under Performance of the Week

Ohio State - Way too close of a game for Ohio State if they want to be in the National Championship hunt.

Iowa - Yes, you get 2 blocked field goals, but the fact that you needed both of them to win against Northern Iowa is pathetic.

Trivia Question of the Week

Florida's Brandon James returned a kickoff against Charleston Southern for a touchdown. In what year was the last time previously that Florida had returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Matchup(s) to Watch

3. Marshall v. Virginia Tech - Marshall has historically had an effective offense. Virginia Tech is coming off a week in which in gave up 498 yards.

2. Notre Dame v. Michigan - Not because everybody says this is supposed to be a big game, but because it will be interesting to see Michigan's two freshmen quarterbacks Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson in their first big college game. Perhaps Rich Rodriguez does know what he is doing.

1. USC v. Ohio State - Last year we had the Collision in the Colosseum, or as those of you who read this blog remember I correctly predicted USC's blowout by glossing the game "The Suckfest in South Central". Sorry to disappoint you Buckeye fans, but if you couldn't slow down Navy's running game, what do you think you are going to do to Joe McKnight, Stefan Johnson, et. al. Another blowout, which I am calling, "The Horseshit in the Horseshoe".

And So It Begins

As we are solidly in the middle of the first weekend of college football, I figure that there is no better time to unveil my pre-season All-American team. Although there are more than 11 offenseive and defensive players listed, the team is selected to account for the various offenses and defenses used around the country (trip receivers, spread, 3-4, 4-3, etc.). I chose to explain my picks in some instances, and not in others. Why? Because I am busy watching football. Now here are the Pepster Preseason All-Americans.

Offense

QB - Colt McCoy, Texas - Led his team in passing and rushing last year, and his completion percentage is off the charts.

RB - Jahvid Best, California; Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech; Jazquizz Rodgers, Oregon State - Best might be the best player in the country, averaging over 8 yards per carry last year.

WR - Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State; Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati; A.J. Green, Georgia - Gilyard is probably the best player nobody has ever heard of, and A.J. Green is the best sophomore receiver in the SEC, not Julio Jones.

TE - Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma; Aaron Hernandez, Florida - Gresham came back instead of being a sure-fire first round draft pick last year and Florida's offensive hopes depend a lot more on Hernandez than people realize.

T - Trent Williams, Oklahoma; Ciron Black, LSU - Both big and strong, and keys to their respective offenses. Black is a fourth year starter. Williams is the only returning starter on the line for Oklahoma.

G - Sergio Render, Virginia Tech; Rodney Hudson, Florida State- Render is a mountain. Tech will need him to jump start their running game.

C - Maurkice Pouncey, Florida - Florida deserves multiple offensive All-Americans, especially since I did not select Jesus at the quarterback position. And frankly, I can't tell the Pouncey brothers apart.

Defense

DE - George Selvie, South Florida; Jan Jorgensen, Brigham Young - Just watch Selvie play and you will see why. Jorgensen is the conference career sack leader, in a conference that does a lot of passing. My apologies to Greg Hardy and Sergio Kindle.

DT - Terrence Cody, Alabama; Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma - Not only are they immovable objects in the middle of the line, they make plays as well behind it.

OLB - Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri; Eric Norwood, South Carolina - Norwood is a beast, while Weatherspoon just makes tackles.

ILB - Brandon Spikes, Florida; Joe Pawelek, Baylor - You know I watch too much football when I place a Baylor player on my preseason All-American team. I think Spikes is the best player on the Gators, but somehow this will be misinterpreted as a dig at Tebow.

Keep an eye on Sean Spence, Miami.

CB - Trevard Lindley, Kentucky; Janoris Jenkins, Florida - Jenkins is a phenomenal athlete, and Lindley has garnered votes for All-American each of the past two years.

S - Taylor Mays, USC; Eric Berry, Tennessee - The easiest position to select on the team.

Special Teams

K - Shane Popham, Wake Forest - Not that I think is particularly that good, just wanted to see if anybody actually paid attention to whom I selected at kicker, and he seems to have kicked 1,000 field goals against FSU.

P - Zoltan Mesko, Michigan - Simply because of his name.

R - Brandon James, Florida - If he sees a hole, he's thinking touchdown.

Forgive me for any typographical errors, I didn't feel like proofreading with games on the television. Stay tuned for my weekly college football updates.