As if I don't have enough to do right now between work, family, fantasy football and sports gambling, I am going to try to revive an old favorite of mine - The Ole College Try - which is a weekly column on college football after each weekend's games. (To be honest, I find myself more productive the busier that I am, so let's see how long I can keep this up). This column is basically a recap of the season to date, with an emphasis on last week's games. For those that don't remember, I write this column as if every player is a Heisman Trophy candidate. Why? Because it is ridiculously ludicrous that the networks, including the World-Wide Leader, nay, especially the World-Wide Leader, emphasize the Heisman Trophy race all season at the expense of everything else. Consider this my sarcastic homage to stupid reporting.
I cannot promise that I will post every week, but I am going to try.
Heisman Watch
Quarterback Edition
Favorite - Darien Mensah - Miami - Led the Hurricanes to a 45-6 victory in an opening-week conference road game at Stanford. Mensah threw for 401 yards and had more TDs (5) than incompletions (3).
Rising - Josh Hoover - Indiana - Could he make it the second transfer-QB to Indiana winner in a row. For that to happen Indiana's defense is going to have to step-up for the Hoosiers to be in title contention, but Hoover's efficient 13/16 for 231 and 4 TDs made a statement that the offense is ready.
Sleeper - Kevin Jennings - SMU - The Mustang QB was electrifying Doak Campbell Stadium, even if the stadium itself suffered a power outage. He was 26-36 for 430 yards and 3 TDs as SMU won its ACC opener.
Falling - Bryce Underwood - Michigan - Although technically Underwood threw a game-winning Hail Mary; we all saw that for what it really was. And his 12-22 for 176 yards and only that last TD, while only maintaining a time-of-possession of under 20 minutes is not going to get it done.
Running Back Edition
Favorite - Believe it or not, there is no Running Back favorite for the Heisman - with all names way below the QBs and the WRs.
Rising - Jaylin Carter - Memphis - Hs rushed for 280 yards at an 8.2 yards per carry clip, including 5 TDs. If Memphis can maintain its spot in the Group of 5 to solidify a playoff spot, who knows how high Carter can rise.
Falling - Mark Fletcher - Miami - Although Miami's offense was rolling, the running game left a lot to be desired. Flecther gained 40 yards on 13 carries and he is way down the hype-train at Miami, behind Malachi Toney and Mensah.
Sleeper - Braxton Woodson - Navy - Yes, he is a quarterback, but he will always be judged on his rushing. His 200 yards on 23 carries for 3 TDs definitely puts him on this list, especially since Navy could be in the equation for Group of 5 bid to the playoffs.
Wide Receiver Edition
Favorite - Malachi Toney/Jeremiah Smith - Miami/Ohio State - Anything you can do I can do better. Toney finished his Friday night game with 12 catches for a Miami-record 234 yards and 3 TDs. Smith followed that up the next day with 8 catches for 151 yards and 2 TDs. These might be the two best players in all of college football.
Rising - Jeremiah McClellan - Oregon - If Oregon can make some noise, and this offense most certainly can behind returning starting QB Dante Moore, McClellan is going to have huge state. The big play receiver had 6 catches for 150 yards and 1 Touchdown in a great opening game against Boise State.
Falling - KJ Duff - Rutgers - The talent is there and the production is there (9 catches, 196 yards, 3 TDs). But, you cannot lose to UMass.
Sleeper - Carlos Hernandez - Wake Forest - Hernandez amassed 165 yards on only 5 catches - an amazing 33 yards per catch. He also caught 1 touchdown in Wake's opening round win against the Akron Zips.
Defensive Edition
5. Princewill Umanmeilen - DE LSU - Somebody has to represent LSU on this list after the absolute curb-stomping they put on Clemson.
4. Xavier Gilliam - DE - Tennessee - Has registered 3 sacks - ON 3 TOTAL TACKLES!!! That is efficiency.
3. Zack Riffin - LB - Memphis - He has 18 total tackles, and has added 1 interception and 1 pass defensed in addition.
2. Nick Session - S - New Mexico State - He is performing exactly like a safety should; 2 interceptions and 14 total tackles.
1. Matt Rose - LB - Stanford - A total of 21 tackles, and with how this Cardinal defense is looking, he will have the opportunity to make a whole lot more as they surrender long drives and lots of points.
Player(s) to Watch
Keelon Russell - QB - Alabama - The five-star recruit lived up to his billing against East Carolina, going 18-30 for 256 yards, while also rushing for 86 yards and a score. If Alabama is going to be Alabama - it will be on his back.
My New Favorite Player
Cooper Barkate - WR - Miami - The transfer from Duke will be a great foil for Malachi Toney, as he is talented in his own right. Darien Mensah's favorite target from last year hauled in 4 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, and will only be MORE open as teams realize they have to double-team this Toney guy. And, oh year - he started his career playing for Harvard!
Players of the Week (Just Week 1)
5&4. These will be included in future columns, but let's be honest, there were three players this week.
3. Jeremiah Smith -WR - Ohio State - 8 catches for 151 and 2 TDs, and nobody can cover him.
2. Malachi Toney - WR - Miami - 12 catches for 234 (a Miami record) and 3 TDs, and he made it look EASY!
1. Darien Mensah - QB - Miami - 27-30 for 401 yards and 5 TDs, and only 3 incompletions.
Goat of the Week (Player Edition)
Micah Davis - DB - Western Michigan - In stopping the final Hail Mary thrown by Michigan's Bryce Underwood, Davis established himself out-of-bounds before leaping to deflect the football with zero time left on the clock and allowing the Broncos to defeat the vaunted Wolverines, thus allowing the officials to steal an extra second and give Michigan another last-second chance. If he was only cognizant of his location on the field, Michigan never would have scored after time expired to win the game. (Please note sarcasm).
Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)
Mike Norvell - Florida State - By allowing the power outage and Doak Campbell Stadium to end, Norvell opened up his Seminoles to a home-opening loss in its season-opener and ACC-opener as SMU kicks a field goal to win the game.
LSU (1) v. Alabama (4)/ (2) Notre Dame v. (3) Miami
Again, still way too early to tell as tons of teams are still alive. Ole Miss is looking especially interesting, as are dozens of other teams, except Michigan.
Final Unbeatens
Too many to list right now.
Rant(s) of the Week
Big 10 officials on the final play, em, penultimate play, of the Michigan-Western Michigan debacle.
Under Performance of the Week
Michigan. Enough said.
Last Entry's Trivia Answer (from two seasons ago)
The question goes way back to December 2020, and is likely irrelevant now, but I am going to include it anyway. The question was, "Since the Iron Bowl was important this week, the question is how many consecutive times has Auburn won the Iron Bowl when the game was played at Jordan-Hare Stadium and both teams entered the game ranked in the AP Poll?
The answer was at the time, and still is 7. That streak is still active.
Trivia Question of the Week
Malachi Toney set a Miami Hurricanes' record with 234 receiving yards in the opener against Stanford. Whose record did he break and how long has that record stood?
Trivia Question of the Week
Malachi Toney set a Miami Hurricanes' record with 234 receiving yards in the opener against Stanford. Whose record did he break and how long has that record stood?
Match-up(s) to Watch
5. Navy v. FAU - Yes, the slate is so weak that this game makes an appearance. Navy could take an early jump to a claim for the Group of 5 playoff spot.
4. Oklahoma v. Michigan - Is Michigan as bad as they looked against Western Michigan (under 20 minutes in time of possession!!!) or will the literal second-chance Hail Mary propel them forward? A really good Oklahoma team led by John Mateer strolls into the Big House.
3. Memphis v. Boise State - If Navy wants a spot in the playoffs, they will have to go through this winner of this game. Literal playoff implications in week 2 with this game!
2. Louisiana Tach v. LSU - If LSU did THAT to Clemson, what do you think they could do to Louisiana Tech? This game is must-watch despite the fact this will NOT be close.
1. Ohio State v. Texas - Number 1 versus Number 4 in Austin. What is not to love about this game? Sayin' v. Arch! Both teams looking to make a statement for not just a playoff birth, but a high seed!!
