The Ole College Try

Welcome to the weekly installment of the almost weekly perspective of college football.  As a refresher, 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 this early in the season.  Consider this my sarcastic homage to stupid reporting.

Heisman Watch

Quarterback Edition

Favorite - Aaron Murray - Georgia - Jumps into the top spot after a phenomenal 298 yard 4 TD performance against LSU.  Georgia is 3-1, but has played against three teams ranked in the top 10, and looks like they will be able to coast into the SEC championship game.

Johnny Manziel - Texas A&M - Probably still the betting line favorite, but drops simply because of a ho-hum game (for him anyway) against a surprisingly good Arkansas team.  I look for him to reclaim the top spot if he can equal Murray's game when the Aggies play LSU.

Rising - Sean Mannion - Oregon State - Has a mind numbing 2018 yards with 21 TDs, against only 2 interceptions.

Dark Horse - Jameis Winston - FSU - After the Seminoles slow start against Boston College, rebounded tremendously to finish with 330 yards and 4 TDs, for a total of 1,048 yards and 12 TDs on the year.

Falling - Kenny Guiton - Ohio State - Hard to win the Heisman from the bench..

Running Back Edition

No change this week in the major runners - why?  Nobody played anybody this week.  The top 3, are simply the top 3 and that is it.  More discussion in those rising/sleepers.

Favorite - Andre Williams - Boston College - 149 yards against Florida State brings his total up to 505 on the year.  He is quietly having a fantastic season.

Melvin Gordon - Wisconsin - Second in the nation in rushing yards with 698 yards, but averaging an astounding 103 yards per carry.

Todd Gurley - Georgia - Still the best back in the country, in my opinion.  Maybe not as fast as Thomas or Seastrunk, but fast enough - and powerful.

Rising - David Fluellen - Toledo - Well, as I said last week, he was likely going to move up the rushing charts having already played a tough Florida defense, thus deflating his early season numbers.  He is now third in the nation is rushing yards with 626 after a 129 yard performance against Ball State.

Sleeper - Bishop Sankey - Washington - Washington is good, and a large part of that is because of Sankey.  Plus, his name is Bishop - akin to Reverend Jones from The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh - the best movie ever about basketball.

Wide Receiver Edition

Brandin Cooks - Oregon State - Leads the NCAA in receptions with 52 (next best is 40), yards with 807 (next highest is 691), and receiving touchdowns with 9.  To say that he is Sean Mannion's favorite target is an understatement.

Mike Evans - Texas A & M; - He has 28 catches for 691 yards (24.7 ypc).  Right now he is the best receiver in the SEC, and is projecting as a Top 10 pick.

Jordan Matthews - Vanderbilt - He has 40 catches for 586 yards, and is by far the only offensive weapon that the Commodores have.  Giving Evans a run for best receiver in the SEC.

Rising - Jarvis Landry - LSU - 24 catches, 540 yards and 7 TDs, including one last week against Georgia (as projected here last week).

Falling - Marquise Lee - Quarterback play is killing his chances.  Although he is still a likely top 10 draft pick, and has a respectable 30 receptions and 385 yards, but only 1 Touchdown on the year (he has 26 for his career).

Defensive Edition

3.  Keith Smith - LB - San Jose State - His 71 tackles average out to an amazing 17.4 tackles per game.  I don't care what team you play for, and what teams you play - that is a ton!

2.  Shaquil Barrett - DL - Colorado State - His 6 1/2 sacks headline his 12 1/2 tackles for loss.

1.  C.J. Mosley - LB - Alabama - I have been waiting for the big name defenders to make a name for themselves, and Mosely did that last week.  Nine tackles, including a safety, and he is now well on his way to All-American consideration.

Falling - Ha-Sean Clinton-Dix - CB - Alabama - Hard to do well when you are suspended.

Player to Watch

Braxton Miller - QB - Ohio State - Now that he is back starting for the Buckeyes, can he fulfill the praise given to him by none other than Urban Meyer who said that Braxton Miller is the best quarterback he has ever coached..

My New Favorite Player Besides Baker Mayfield - the Walk On Freshman

Conner Hempel - QB - Harvard - 16 for 22 for 296 yards and 1 TD (plus another rushing touchdown) in a 41-23 shellacking of Brown in the conference opener.  Hempel has led the Crimson to an average of 41.5 points per game so far on the season.

Players of the Week

5.  Clint Trickett - QB - West Virginia - The Moutaineers, fresh off a throttling at the hands of the Maryland Terrapins, turn to Florida State transfer Clint Trickett at QB, and in his first action of the season leads the team to a 31-20 victory over 11th ranked Oklahoma State on 24-50 passing for 309 yards.  Not phenomenal stats, but given the situation, an admirable performance.

4.  Sammy Watkins - WR - Clemson - The ever dynamic Watkins has 6 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.

3.  Aaron Murray - QB - Georgia - See above.

2.  Andre Williams - RB - Boston College - See above.

1.  Zach Mettenberger - QB - LSU - 23-37 for 372 yards and 3 TDs, with no interceptions, in a big game against Georgia.  Given Mettenberger's return to Georgia, from where he transferred and where his mother works for the football department, he could not have asked for a better performance.  Mettenberger is now getting some serious NFL consideration.

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Phillip Nelson - QB - Minnesota - The Gophers had the opportunity to start off the Big 10 with a win, and to go 5-0 to start the season and really make their mark.  However, they fell flat losing to Iowa 23-7.  Nelson went 12-24 for 135 yards; 1 TD and 2 Interceptions for a 26.1 QBR.  He also rushed 9 times for -18 yards.  Once again it looks like Minnesota will be relegated to the second division in the Big 10, although a bowl game is not out of the question.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Texas Coach Mack Brown - Both Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston wanted to play at Texas, only to be told that Mack Brown did not think that either would "fit into his system"..

Predicted BCS Championship Game Match Up

Alabama v. Oregon - Alabama's defense passed a test, shutting out Arkansas this week, so they stay in this spot, although Georgia looks really tough this year.  Stanford  is going to be a really tough match-up for for Oregon, but right now, Oregon looks poised to win the Pac-12 north.  The Clemson - Florida State match-up could become incredibly huge should the Tide or the Ducks falter, unless Stanford goes undefeated as well.

Rant(s) of the Week

The NCAA has managed to rule on the Penn State situation - twice - before it has made a decision on Miami.  This is ultimately ludicrous, as this has been hanging over the Hurricanes for four years now.
Enough is enough - come down with the penalties and let's move one.  And those penalties should not include a post-season ban because of "time-served".

Interesting Fact of the Week (Even if only to me)

Last week's fact continued with Jarvis Landry of LSU scoring a TD in his 7th straight game, and has now scored a TD in 9 of his last 10 games.

In the same game, Georgia's Aaron Murray had his 10th game of his career in which he has thrown 4 Touchdowns.

Under Performance of the Week

Oklahoma State - The 11th ranked Cowboys, whose vaunted offense that had twice scored over 56 points in a game, laid an absolute egg against unranked West Virginia, who had just been whipped by Maryland.  Oklahoma State lost 30-21, upsetting any hopes of a big Oklahoma-Oklahoma State showdown.

Last Week's Trivia Answer

The NCAA FBS record holder for most consecutive games with a touchdown is Larry Fitzgerald who scored a touchdown in 18 straight games from 2002-2003.

Trivia Question of the Week

Tahj Boyd of Clemson, with his four TDS, has now thrown and ran for a total of 102 touchdowns.  Who holds the ACC record for touchdowns (running and passing combined) and how many?

Match up(s) to Watch

5. Arkansas v. Florida - This spot last week was the UCF/South Carolina game, so look for this to be a good game.  I never thought I would be picking this as a match-up to watch, but Arkansas proved itself worthy in a 45-33 loss to Texas A&M, so this game becomes really interesting.  Florida's staunch defense versus Florida's last of offense.  Can Arkansas break through?.

4.  Maryland v. Florida State - The Terrapins are ranked for the first time in forever, and will want to remain that way.  Boston College showed some cracks in the armor of the Florida State defense, but the Seminoles offense was more than capable to handle the need for more points.

3.  Ohio State v. Northwestern - Would have been higher on the list had Ohio State not absolutely obliterated Wisconsin's vaunted running attack last week.  Pat Fitzgerald has done a tremendous job with the Wildcats, and shows that smart guys CAN play football.

2.  Washington v. Stanford - Stanford is a true national championship contender, but Washington, behind Bishop Sankey, is out to prove they belong in the same conversation.  Should be incredibly exciting.

1. Jackie Wagman v. Jason Schultz - OK, not really a college football game, but they are getting married on Saturday, and deserve congratulations, and a spot on this blog.  I will be at this wedding, so I will not be able to watch as many games as normal, so they are taking over the number 1 slot for this weekend.

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".

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.