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. I did watch quite a bit of games this weekend, although the replay and coaching issues during the Miami game may have discombobulated me for a while.
Heisman Watch (Big 12 QB edition - well except for the Defense)
Favorite - Chase Daniel - He has to be the odds on favorite now, unless he completely underperforms in a big conference game. Here is the only stat you need to see: Since he has started at QB at Missouri, they have not had a single three and out. NOT ONE! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Sleeper - Colt McCoy - Texas - Normally a Texas QB could never be considered a sleeper, but with all the talented QBs in this conference, and since Colt McCoy is no Vince Young, this is where I will slot him for now. What? McCoy is leading the Longhorns in rushing? Probably not a good sign going into the Red River Battle, but is still impressive nevertheless.
Rising - Sam Bradford - Oklahoma - 372 yards and 2 TDs in a shellacking of Baylor. His yearly totals are 1665 yards and 18 touchdowns to date. You would think that he would be hard pressed to beat his freshman year 176.52 QB rating (which I think was the highest in college last year, but I am too lazy right now to look it up), except for the fact that his sophomore rating to date is 204.97. Read that again! Impressive huh?.
Falling - Todd Reesing - Kansas - He is having a nice season, and can no longer be considered an overachiever for last season. The same cannot be said about the Jayhawks, however.
Statistical Favorite - Graham Harrell - Texas Tech - There is a reason why I called this the Graham Harrell category earlier in the year. 454 yards and 6 TDs passing (plus 1 rushing) against Kansas State. He is also now the leading passing (yards) in Texas Tech history, having passed the prolific Kliff Kingsbury. Remember, this is the team that has passed every down for the past 33 years.
Defensive Leader - Nathan Peppers DT - South Carolina - Mississippi coming off its electric win over Florida, could have thought it was going to go on a roll to make it a very interesting SEC west battle. Peppers made sure that didn't happen by scoring on a 29 yard fumble recovery in the second quarter. This is all I can come up with, as I am holding this category for LSU's Ricky Jean-Francois Jean Luc Picard Rocket Richard Martin St. Louis Vincent Lecavalier makes good on his promise to hit Tebow really hard.
Player to Watch
Demaryius Thomas - Sophomore WR - Georgia Tech - He caught 9 passes for 230 yards in the Ramblin' Wreck's 27-0 shutout over Duke. But, more importantly, HE WAS THE ONLY YELLOW JACKET WITH A RECEPTION, as QB Jaybo Shaw completed 9 of 14 passes, all 9 to Thomas. I know a lot of receivers think that they are the only legitimate target when they step on the field. Apparently Thomas was correct. Jaybo, sounds like he should be my new favorite player.
My New Favorite Player
Sean Spence - LB - Miami - The Dude is absolutely everywhere. Just everywhere. Scored a very important TD against Florida State. Spence is going to be a star. Unless, of course, Ricky Jean-Francoise makes good on his promise. Then I'll have to retire this category.
Predicted BCS Championship Game Matchup
Oklahoma v. Alabama. With the continued emergence of Charles Scott, LSU should probably be here, and I would put them here now, but I just don't want to jinx them before this weekend's game. For now, song girls at play.
Rant(s) of the Week
1. Coaches that don't know how to work the clock when down more than 1 score. Randy Shannon had approximately a 40 yard field goal on fourth down with just over 2 minutes to go down 9. His kicker has been very good this year, and has been successful from over 50. He kicks the field goal, you try to get the onside kick, and if it is successful, you have 2 minutes to score a game winning TD. Instead, Shannon goes for it, ultimately scores the TD, but then only has 15 seconds left with no timeouts to score. The onside kick was unsuccessful anyway, but even if it was successful, no legitimate chance to score a TD. A field goal in that situation gives you the chance. Antone Smith's non-fumble call on the first TD drive notwithstanding. The play was reviewed, the ball was clearly on his hip well before going down. Ugggghhhhh!
Congratulations of the Week
To Utah - the Utes beat upstart Oregon State fresh off their upset of USC. Oregon State should have had the confidence to beat Utah, but yet, they maintained their chance at a BCS bowl with a 31-28 victory to go 6-0.
Underperformance of the Week
To Wisconsin - They failed to take advantage of a clearly underwhelming Ohio State team, losing 20-17.
Trivia Question of the Week
In honor of Bradford's atronomical, QB rating, ahem, Passing Efficiency Rating, who holds the highest single season PER and the career highest PER. This is for Division IA, folks.
Last Weeks Answer
The NCAA Division 1A record for most career games rushing over 200 yards is 11, held jointly by Marcus Allen, Ricky Williams and Ron Dayne.
Matchup(s) to Watch
1. LSU v. Florida - Two top 11 teams, LSU top 5 and undefeated, Ricky Jean-Francoise throwing down the Tebow gauntlet, 8:00 p.m. start time, the Swamp, plus, I'll be there. Definitely the matchup to watch. How and why CBS passed this game for the Tennessee - Georgia tilt, I will never know.
2. Texas v. Oklahoma - So maybe LSU/Florida isn't the most important game to watch this weekend. Showdown at high noon for Big 12 South supremacy, and an inside track to the national championship game.
3. Vanderbilt v. Mississppi State - Not because both teams are great or because this is a scintillating rivalry, but simply to see if Vandy can keep up its momentum and go 6-0 overall, and more importantly 4-0 in the SEC.
