Hot Tickets

Games you want to see this weekend (chronologically):

Southern Miss @ (20) Kansas - UH got off to a hot start by upsetting one Big 12 ranked team. Can the Golden Eagles jump into the BCS buster discussion? For KU, can they pass their 1st real test? I'm thinking yes, as long as the Jayhawks basketball team doesn't show up.

(22) North Carolina @ Georgia Tech - It may not be pretty, but Butch Davis' Tar Heels are out to a 3-0 start. But now they have to prepare for Paul Johnson's triple-option attack. Can the Heels produce some offense early in this one? I'm thinking Georgia Tech will after being embarrassed against Miami.

South Florida @ (18) Florida St. - It's been 4 years since USF has had to play without Matt Grothe. Now that his career there is over (torn ACL) how will the Bulls respond? Who the hell knows which Florida St. team will show up. BYU-game Seminoles, or Miami/Jacksonville St.-games Seminoles?

(15) TCU @ Clemson - The Horned Frogs have hit a snag in every BCS run they have tried to make. Can this year be "the year" under Coach Gary Patterson? This will be their toughest non-conference test and in the most hostile environment they will see all year. They have to respond the way they can: tough D and mistake-free offense. Clemson is good. Clemson is the most talented team TCU will see this season. Don't let that Georgia Tech game early this season fool you, Clemson is still a contender in the ACC. C.J. Spiller is one of the most explosive players in the country.

Like I said, this is a game you want to see. But no one's televising it. Solid work.

(9) Miami @ (11) Virginia Tech - I like this matchup. Miami has looked great up to this point and looks to be the class of the ACC. Virginia Tech has looked so-so. But never underestimate the environment or Blacksburg, Virginia with Bud Foster at the reigns of the defense. Beamer-ball, baby.

(6) California @ Oregon - The Golden Bears have been anointed the front-runner in the Pac-10 now that USC has lost. But the Ducks have seemed to really shake off that loss in week 1 to Boise St. Both are coming off solid wins last week (Cal @ Minnesota & Oregon vs. Utah). Who will keep their Rose Bowl hopes alive?

Arkansas @ (3) Alabama - The 'Bama D will have to come ready to play in this one. Bobby Petrino has his QB in Ryan Mallett and the offense is clicking. Just ask Georgia who narrowly escaped Fayetteville last week. But the Crimson Tide offense should have a field day on the Razorback defense. Once again, just ask Georgia.

Arizona St. @ (21) Georgia - As I said above, UGA's defense barely got out alive against Arkansas last week. But Joe Cox really came into his own against a poor defense. Dennis Erickson's Sun Devil defense should pose more of a threat to Georgia's overhauled offense. But I'm curious to see if Arizona St.'s offense has made any strides.

Vanderbilt @ Rice - There should be a decent amount of smart kids on the field.

Iowa @ (5) Penn St. - Last year Iowa kept the Nittany Lions out of the National Championship game. This time it's at State College. Daryll Clark and Evan Royster have revenge on the mind. One thing to point out though: star LB Sean Lee may not be able to go for Penn St. Consequences?

(24) Washington @ Stanford - I really just want to see how the Huskies respond to being the talk of the town. Stanford doesn't lie down anymore. Harbaugh has them playing ball.

Texas Tech @ (17) Houston - You kind of wish they were playing this one at Reliant Stadium under these circumstances. Houston has had an off week to revel in the road victory over Okie St. Now back to the BCS march. Case Keenum will try to keep his magic touch against what looked to be a much improved Texas Tech defense last week against Texas. Leach's pirates are probably good and pissed off after a tough road loss and are looking to shut these non-BCSers up. Let's be honest: if you're attending this one get ready. It might last 5 hours. The ball will be in the air all night long. They might have to open room for a third digit on the scoreboards at Robertson Stadium.

Washington St. @ (12) USC - This one is going to get nasty. Like unforgivable nasty.

Ole Miss Sneads improvement

South Carolina 16 - (4) Ole Miss 10 : Well, that ranking was warranted, right? Jeez. These love-fests of teams that are a sexy off-season picks have got to stop. "But did you see how hot Ole Miss/Jevan Snead played at the end of last season?" Yes. I also saw a team that dropped some games they shouldn't have early. I also saw them beat an uninspired Texas Tech team (that didn't want to be there) in a bowl game. And finally, I also saw them buy into their own hype by not playing crisp football last night. Oklahoma St. did the same thing against Houston a couple of weeks ago, but at least the Cowboys looked somewhat competent. Ole Miss looked lost all game long. defensively I can give them a little credit, but the offense was vomit inducing. Pre-season Heisman candidate Jevan Snead had trouble just making completions. Other than an early drive and some Dexter McCluster speed runs, the running game was non-existent. I think we figured out how dependent this team is on running the football. This may have been the best thing to happen to this team. Because when they had success at the end of last season it was because they wanted it more.

As for the Gamecocks this is a huge win. The offense still has a lot of work to do but Garcia made plays when they needed them. A huge scramble down to the 2 yard line in the 3rd put South Carolina in better position to get one across the endzone. Steve Spurrier just has to find some kind of offense between the 15 and 5 yard line. It seems they can get things done when in the open field, between the 20's. But until they get inside the 5, it doesn't look good. But that D was nasty enough for their redzone offense not to matter. Ellis Johnson had Ole Miss stymied all night long. A TD pass and catch early in the fourth put the effort in doubt, but the defense rallied to hold the lead. And how good was Eric Norwood. This kid looks like a terror that could definitely climb up draft boards. He can play the run, cover the pass in zone, and his ability to rush the passer is amongst the best of any LBs in the country. His versatility is going to make him a commodity at the next level.

Two teams that are getting fun to watch; Do so for next 2 weeks

(6) California: The Golden Bears are on the rise and they hope this is the year. With USC going down last week Jeff Tedford has to almost be more worried than excited. How will his team respond to being the new conference favorite and ranked number 6 in the country? Jahvid Best and Kevin Riley have looked good early and the defense is tough. But they will get a quick test this weekend in hostile Eugene against the Ducks.

Oregon seems to have righted the ship since the debacle in Boise in week 1. The running game is once again deadly, even without LeGarrette Blount. Oregon's victory last week over Utah put the Ducks back in contention as a noise maker in the Pac-10. Now will the pass game come around?

This has the makings of being a good one. A victory for Cal would set up a showdown next week at home against who? Ah yes, USC.

(9) Miami: Randy Shannon's bunch has easily the toughest early season schedule. But they've passed the first 2 tests up to this point. Now for quite possibly the toughest task: Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Although Tyrod Taylor still hasn't figured out how to throw, Va Tech is still explosive on the ground. And we all know a Bud Foster defense is a good defense. Jacory Harris and company will have to execute as well if not better than they have up to this point. Honestly, I think they can. And the Hokies not being able to pass works out perfectly for Miami. The last team the 'Canes played that tried to run exclusively, Georgia Tech, was run out of the building. I expect the Hurricane defense to stay stout. And if they do, (like California) what does Miami get for winning? Oh yeah, a visit from the Oklahoma Sooners the following week. Yippee!

Barkley's coming back! The Washington game didn't count, right?

Pete Carroll said after Wednesday's practice that freshman QB Matt Barkley will be returning for USC's game Saturday at home vs. Washington St. Whoopie! Now cut that Aaron Corp kid before SC's lazy-ass/celebrity fan base stops showing up on the sidelines at the Coliseum for photo ops. Oh, and poor Washington St. They are terrible and have to take on the Trojans post-yearly upset to unranked team. I mean think about this statement: USC could really probably beat the Cougars by having any of their 20 5-star RBs take direct snaps in the Wildcat all game long and never throw. For serious.

'Cocks vs. Nutt

Lets get it going down in Columbia! Two teams that hope to be mentioned in the same breath as the Florida's, LSU's, Georgia's, and Alabama's of the SEC will meet in what should be a solid matchup.

Starting with Ole Miss, the Rebels have some high aspirations this season. After faltering early in the season last year, they turned it on in the second half by beating Florida and capping off their season with a trouncing of Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. Many feel the talent level is there for Houston Nutt's group and by their current ranking of number 4 in the country, the expectations are also. This could be their biggest road test of the season (though the Auburn Tigers would disagree) as they get SEC West foes Alabama and LSU both in Oxford. Many also feel that this could be their toughest task from the SEC East as they avoid the pitfalls of the (1) Florida Gators and the (21) Georgia Bulldogs. Their SEC East schedule includes the likes of road games tonight at South Carolina and next weekend at Vanderbilt, with a home game later against the re-tooling Tennessee Volenteers. They have also caught flack for their (extremely) weak non-conference schedule that includes Memphis, UAB, and two 1-AA schools (c'mon Ole Miss, really?) So, that said, they still have to go through the SEC West and then get through the SEC Championship game that will most likely involve the The Promise Keeper. So, if they get there, they'll eventually have to earn it.

South Carolina on the other hand has been sputtering somewhat in their rise to glory. Steve Spurrier was brought in to revitalize a traditionally 2nd fiddle program and to elevate it to the rest of its SEC brethren. Well, that hasn't happened yet. But, with the early play of Stephen Garcia this season many think that the Ole Ball Coach has found his QB. A week ago SC got into a shootout with UGA and almost came out the victor. So will the Gamecocks turn the corner? Or will they still just be the team that's good for an upset or two each year while still dropping a couple games they shouldn't.

This is a defining game for 2 teams looking to be mentioned in the elite in the near future. Who will step up and who will be looking forward to the Music City Bowl?

Ohio St, OU pick on little people from their home state

(11) Ohio St. 38 - Toledo 0 : Terrelle Pryor played better with his legs but that arm keeps giving him turnover trouble. The shifty Buckeye QB came away with 110 yards and a touchdown on the ground. To go with that he added 262 yards and 3 TDs through the air. But he still threw 2 INTs against a mediocre defense. Even so, I believe he comes out of this one with a little more confidence in himself and his receivers.

(12) Oklahoma 45 - Tulsa 0 : Landry Jones was the big story in Norman getting all "Sam Bradford" to the tune of 336 yards and 6 TDs. Ryan Broyles is also beginning to step up as the number 1 target which is a welcome sign with the conference schedule looming. I am definitely not writing off the Sooners in the Big 12 race.

Smooth Sailing for Boise St.

(10) Boise St. 51 - Fresno St. 34 : Boise St. went into Fresno on Friday night and did exactly what they had to. Though both teams' rushing defenses were non-existent, Boise was able to capitalize on early mistakes that Fresno St. could never recover from. An early Winston Venable pick-6 set the tone for the Broncos and, though the Bulldogs stormed back on the legs of Ryan Mathews, they couldn't over come the WAC's best team. Pat Hill's Bulldogs kept cutting the lead (much to the credit of Mathew's 234 yards &3 TDs) but the defense could not hold the backfield duo of Avery and Harper in check. The two combined for 383 yards and 2 TDs (rushing and receiving).

The only downside for Chris Petersen's squad is RB D.J. Harper is lost for the year with a torn ACL sustained late in this one. That definitely hurts, but I think the Broncos will be okay.

This now leaves Boise with road games at Bowling Green and Tulsa as their toughest remaining contests. In other words, book that flight to Arizona.

LSU out to 3-0 start

(9) LSU 31 - Louisiana-LaFayette 3 : LSU beat one of the red-headed stepchild schools in their home state on Saturday taking care of the Ragin' Cajuns at home. LSU's offense still very much looks like a work in progress. They didn't necessarily look bad, just didn't look good. Kind of like games Trent Dilfer played in.

Jahvid Best is the Heisman front-runner

(8)California 35 - Minnesota 21 : California continues its string of solid victories by notching their most impressive one yet. In their first true test of the season the Golden Bears passed with flying colors. On the legs of Jahvid Best and the new found consistency of Kevin Riley, Cal has really got thing moving in the right direction at the right time.

I've got Jahvid Best as my Heisman front-runner thus far after rushing for 131 yards and 5 TDs (yes, all 5) Saturday. Cal did a good job of moving the ball and Kevin Riley has minimized the mistakes that plagued him last season. If they can keep this up, they can capitalize on USC, Oregon, and Oregon St.'s early season misfortune. Could this be the year Jeff Tedford gets past USC for a Pac 10 Championship? They have to get by Oregon first this weekend at The Zoo. But all in all, this team bears watching.

As for the Gophers, I like the direction this team is heading. They're just not there yet. They stayed in this one giving Cal everything they had for 3+ quarters. Cal was just better. But Minnesota has to be a bit worried that the running game is still this bad. The days of Lawrence Maroney and Marion Barber seem like such a long time ago.

BYU, we hardly knew ya

Florida St. 54 - (7) BYU 28 : The dream ended as quickly as it started for BYU as Bobby Bowden's old ass gets a big victory in Provo. BYU sky-rocketed up in the polls after beating Oklahoma in Dallas in week 1 and devastating Tulane on the road a week ago. But then one of the most underachieving teams of this decade came into town and looked rather old school. Christian Ponder looked like freaking Charlie Ward running around and making plays all day long. He was 21-26 for 195 yards and 2 TDs through the air. He also racked up 77 yards and a TD on the ground. He was one of the three Seminoles with at least 5o yards rushing as they netted 313 yards rushing on the day. Ty Jones led the way with 108 yards rushing and 1 TD. Lonnie Pryor added 50 yards and 2 TDs also.

In addition to BYU's defense not showing up, the offense turned it over way too much. Max Hall was picked 3 times and BYU lost 2 fumbles on the day. So much for their slight National Championship hopes. BYU might (big might) still have an outside shot at a BCS bid if they can win out, but that would definitely take some help from a lot of other teams.

On the other hand, FSU has played 3 totally different games this season. A tough home loss in week 1 vs. Miami. Then they had to scrape together 2 late touchdowns to get by Jacksonville St. at home a week ago. Now this one? I'm just excited to see which Florida St. shows up next week against South Florida. Who knows? Because Bobby Bowden and Jimbo Fisher don't!

Penn St. & Ole Miss battle it out for no. 5 spot by playing inferior opponents

(5)Penn St. 31 - Temple 6: Penn St. takes down in state rival/cupcake Temple. The Nittany Lion run defense continues to look solid (as usual) while holding the Owls to just 46 yards rushing. Evan Royster led the way for Penn St. with 134 yards and a TD. Daryll Clark seemed a bit off throwing for just 167 yards, 2 TDs, and a pick. But none of that mattered as the defense was stingy and the running game was strong. And playing Temple never hurts. Upset alert though: Iowa (who was their lone loss last season) comes calling this weekend.

(5)Ole Miss 52 - SE Louisiana 6: Ole Miss could have slept their way through this one. Jevan Snead and Brandon Bolden did the heavy lifting in this one as they gear up for their first real test at South Carolina Thursday night. The game Thursday should be a good measuring stick of where they are as a squad.

Tide roll over some high school team from Denton, TX

(4) Alabama 53 - North Texas 7 - Alabama put it on North Texas Saturday to the surprise of no one. Greg McElroy threw a couple of TDs and ran for another against his old high school coach Todd Dodge. Dodge coached McElroy at Texas high school power Southlake Carroll before making the worst decision in his life and taking the coaching position at UNT. 'Bama ran the ball well and the QB play was solid. That Tide D is also still looking about as scary as It the Clown to a eight year-old.

Washington takes care of what the Ohio St. couldn't

Washington 16 - (3)USC 13- How about these Washington apples. Coach Steve Sarkisian and his stolen former USC defensive coordinator Nick Holt ruin Pete Carroll's reload season. It has to be extra sweet being that both he and Holt were on Carroll's staff a year ago. Though USC's RBs were the only ones who could stop USC on the ground (4 fumbles), the Huskies took down the 3rd (over)ranked Trojans in Seattle. At least Pete Carroll's vastly talented squads are consistent. They consistently drop a game they should easily win every season.

Sarkisian is actually turning Jake Locker into a QB. Even though Locker just played game manager on Saturday, he did a good job of it. He didn't throw any picks and kept his team in the game long enough to capitalize on USC slip ups. After being an inaccurate, INT-throwing machine the past two seasons, Locker finally looks like he may turn the corner as a passing QB. I'd currently take him over the two options at SC.

This game also almost definitely ensures the return of Matt Barkley. Aaron Corp looked less than impressive throwing for just over 100 yards with an interception while the Golden Child sat out with a shoulder injury. Even though, realistically, his line isn't that different than Barkley's a week ago against Ohio St. But lets be real, Barkley is sexier. And hey, it's L.A.

Weekend Wrap: 1 & 2 win, but had to work for it

1. Florida 23 - Tennessee 13- That 30 point spread that even I will admit looked like a definite possibility wasn't even close. Instead the Vols looked to play good old SEC/Jonathan Crompton-less football and manage the game with a ground game and defense. I'll give it to Kiffin, he did only what he thought his offense could do which was nothing. Tennessee played not-to lose badly by keeping Tebow & Co. on the sidelines. But I can't blame the guy. If I talked that much sh*t in the offseason I would do everything I could to not get my kids embarrassed.

The bigger deal may have been the first sign of vulnerability by the Florida Gators. For the first time this season no Percy Harvin was quite evident. Demps, Rainey, and James are good playmakers but don't have the combination of threatening tools that Havin brought to the table. The running game was good, but against a better team some kind of passing game has to be present. I personally wouldn't want Tebow having more total rushing attempts than all 4 of my other RB's COMBINED. But that defense is still nasty. They did exactly what they needed to against an offensively challenged team, making Jonathan Crompton look like Jonathan Crompton. Florida was never in trouble in this one. But I guarantee future opponents are going to have a look at this film.

2. Texas 34 - Texas Tech 24- At least UT finally played a competent team. If had to watch them play a Wyoming-ish team again I was going to puke. First things first: Colt hasn't looked that good yet. There are reports that he was slowed last week by the flu but who the hell isn't these days. He's just not all the way in sync and kudos to Ruffin McNeill for limiting the Horns offensively, especially in the first half. I know NO ONE would have thought this one would have been 10-3 at halftime. Texas made better adjustments at the end and won the game. Simple as that. Muschamp got his guys to play tremendous bend-but-don't-break defense and though they gave up over 400 yards through the air, Tech couldn't figure it out close to the goal line. Once again Jordan Shipley comes up big with a big return. This guy changes the pace of games on special teams. It's not even as if he runs a 4.2 40, I just think some guys have great vision and a knack for returning. And he's got it.

Possibly the biggest plus coming out of this one was the emergence of Tre Newton at RB. He ran it 20 times (mostly in the second half) for 88 yards and helped Texas to shorten the game towards the end. He got tough yards and even broke a nice little 20 yarder in the 3rd. It's been awhile since Mack Brown has been confident enough to hand the ball off 20 times to a single RB in a high profile game. We'll see if he carries over this success or if it was a one night hype.

On Tech's end, they just got beat. Texas is better athletically and they were at home to boot. If this one is in Lubbock I think it could have been a bit dicier. Potts showed that the Red Raiders haven't really missed a beat without Harrell. Potts actually might have more upside than his predecessor because he showed a strong arm. He just might have to work a little more on accuracy, as that was Harrell's specialty. I think Tech needed a little bit more out of their running game as the passing attack was having trouble close to the goal line. Texas was more physical at the line of scrimmage which forced Tech (who normally does anyway) to go exclusively to the air. But like I said last season, the underrated thing about Tech last year was their ability to run the ball better than they ever had before. They needed it Saturday night in the redzone but didn't get it. But overall, good effort. And much like Tennessee did to Florida, Tech showed some Longhorn vulnerability in this one.

Showdown in the Valley

A little Friday night delight this evening as 10th ranked Boise St. visits Pat Hill's Fresno St. Bulldogs. And we can all rejoice that we don't have to stare at that God-awful blue turf for 3 hours. Especially in HD. Jesus.

Kellen Moore and company romp into Fresno riding a 2-0 start to the season after avoiding everything Oregon could throw at them in week 1 (except LeGarrette Blount's fist) and doing what most do to the other Miami (of Ohio).

Now they have to take on what most believe might be the biggest test in the WAC this season in Fresno St. In other words, win this one and skip down the yellow brick road to another BCS birth, and showcase some new cute plays.

Fresno comes off a devastating loss last week in overtime at Wisconsin and hopes to gain back some street cred by beating the Broncos.

This brings me to start thinking about Fresno St. head coach Pat Hill. This guy seems like the hardest working non-Big Six coach to get no credit/no big six offers. Under Hill's tenure Fresno has been much like the results last week in Madison. Everytime Fresno gets on the cusp they crap it away like the Chicago Cubs. But one would figure that some major conference program would have scooped him up by now, even with his team's recent falters. Pat Hill just seems like the 25 year guy at your company that keeps getting passed on by the boss for premotion because they keep hiring young recent grad school hotshots who have more "potential". You know that guy. Like Dennis Quaid in "In Good Company". Bastards like Peterson and Whittingham of Utah win a BCS game, Dan Hawkins gets the Colorado job (and is currently trying his damndest to lose it), and so on and so forth. But I was loyal to this company!!!

But back to the X's and O's. Boise just needs to play Boise football and I think they've got this one, even if it's not in Idaho on a natural surface that doesn't give you a headache. Fresno has to play their best game to win and the running game has to get going early. They have good RB's and they need them to contol the game/clock. Keeping Moore on the sideline is their best bet.

I just hope Fresno at least gives them a fight. BCS births like Boise's are annoying with schedule like that.

Jacory Harris doing his best Ken Dorsey impression

Well okay, we get it. You're for real.

Number 20 ranked Miami built on their momentum coming out of the Florida St. game by blowing up Georgia Tech's triple option threat at Land Shark Stadium (really Buffett?) Thursday night. After getting torched for 472 yards on the ground last year in Atlanta, Coach Randy Shannon and Miami's defense put the clamps down on Paul Johnson's attack posting a 33-17 victory over the 14th ranked Yellow Jackets. Tech's best RB Jonathan Dwyer was knocked out of the game and they were held to just 95 yards rushing. TOTAL. When a triple option team (particularly one QB'd by Josh Nesbitt) throws for more yards than they rush for...oh sh*tburgers.

Miami's Jacory Harris continues to look more and more like he belongs in the lineage of greats at Quarterback U as he threw for 270 yards and 3 TD's. And yes, I get as tired as you do of hearing the World Wide Leader blow up Jacory as a "cool and collected leader" but I will fully agree with Espen. Harris leads not with talk but many times with a silent presence on the sideline that boosts the overall confidence of the entire team. He lets his play do the talking and it was yapping its ass off last night. He went 20-25 with no picks against what many think could be one of the best defenses in the ACC. Though he may not have a rocket arm and only weigh 150 lbs. soaking wet, he stands tall in the pocket and throws a catchable ball.
That's why he reminds me of Dorsey. A confident winner who makes the throws and thus far, wins games. I also like the fact that he has scrambling ability but he uses it for escapability rather than prematurely vacating the pocket. That's sometimes tough for an athlete of his ability to grasp this early in his career. He's a passer first and evades defenders only if he has to.

Which brings me to my next point. That offensive line for Miami is looking like a solid unit. Georgia Tech's pass rush is legit and they had a tough time even sniffing Harris last night. Some of Harris' early success can be attributed to his pass protection as he could have made a BLT last night before tossing a deep post.

And do not discount the tandem of Graig Cooper and Javarris James. The duo combined for 165 yards and 1 TD. That helped open up some serious play-action.

Only thing Miami fans might want to worry about is K Matt Bosher, especially in closer games down the road where field goals might be more necessary. Because he sucked.

ACC moves to Thursday to seem more intriguing

Tonight Miami hosts the Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech in a Thursday night early season match-up. They sure are getting the good ones in early in the ACC. Miami took down Florida St. on Labor day and Ga. Tech took out Clemson a week ago. If Beamer-ball didn't have a say in this I would just go ahead and call this thing the ACC championship game.

This will be interesting because Miami gave up the equivalent of the entire Florida coast in rushing yardage a year ago to Paul Johnson's 'Jackets and that pesky triple option. But Miami looked like they had taken a step (even be it slight) in the win at Florida St. The question will be can Jacory Harris keep his cool against a better pass rush? He had the magic in week 1 but we've learned that Florida St. (losing 9-7 to Jacksonville St. midway through 4th) may not be the same test that the Yellow Jackets will be. Miami has to get Javarris James and Graig Cooper going to ease the pressure off the passing game. Once they've done that then Jacory can let it fly to the likes of WR Travis Benjamin and TE Dedrick Epps.

As for Randy Shannon's defense, ASSIGNMENT FOOTBALL. You've got to play disciplined against the option or it will be a repeat of last year.

I like what Paul Johnson is doing down in Hotlanta. Georgia Tech reviving the wing-option game in the era of the spread is like the comeback of skinny ties but not nearly as annoying. Nesbitt seems taylor-made for the option (just don't let him throw), while Dwyer is a bruiser coming downhill out of the fullback spot. Sprinkle in Roddy White's speed and Anthony Allen who escaped from the black hole that now is Louisville, and you've got 4 legitimate running threats on every given down. That's not even mentioning WR Demaryius Thomas on the perimeter, but we'll mention him more when Nesbitt learns how to throw a spiral.

If the game sucks though, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia premieres tonight. WILDCARD!

Mike Vick woulda won that one...

So the post 2002 Ohio St. football program and Terrelle Pryor could have taken large steps for their respective legacies last Saturday. The Buckeyes could have gotten into the "Who gets to play Florida" talk, while Terrelle Pryor could have began to be mentioned as one of the top offensive threats in the nation. The OSU led late in the game midway through the 4th quarter then BAM! they got Carroll-ed.

This Ohio St. loss wasn't your standard ass-kicking that they generally get from any team south of the Mason-Dixon. The 18-15 heartbreaker was a new style for a team desperately seeking innovative ways to lose big games. I will hand it to the defense which showed up in a big way for 3 and 1/2 quarters. They held USC's passing game in check most of the evening and forced Petey Carroll's new main squeeze, Barkley-san, into 1 pick and 0 TD's. They also did a good job much of the night stifling the USC rushing attack which has more talent than some NFL backfields. Even though the D relinquished the lead in the 4th, you came away feeling the Bucks offense should have done more.

That's where TP comes in. I was waiting for Pryor to come up big within these circumstances: at home in arguably one of the best environments in the country, year 2 under Tressel's offense, and a rebuilt USC defense that lost more talent than most teams had last season. It was all falling into place nicely for the former #1 recruit out of Jeanette, PA. But just because he looks up to the dog assassin doesn't mean he shows up like him.

Pryor started the game off with an INT that almost seemed staged and was just as appropriate for Ohio St. in big games. A near pick-6 to the 1 yard line is not the game of field position that you want to play with an opposing young QB like Barkley. Not because he's dangerous, but because you don't want to spot a true freshman QB 7 points when your fans and D are trying to rattle him.

Pryor came back from the early pick to settle a bit but not completely. He never looked completely comfortable and just never totally settled in. It also didn't help that once they took the lead Sweater-vest ball began and that means 3 Boom Herrons and punt. Which set the Trojans up perfectly at the end of the game to rip out numerous still beating Buckeye hearts throughout the midwest. TP did get one more chance but the OSU offense looked like a home-made abortion trying to put something together without the lead/through the air.

Now props to Pryor for taking some of the blame on this one as he did in the post-game: "It just came down to me, and I take the whole blame for it." But TP did hit us with some knowledge after that though: "I mean, we should have beat them, point blank. We should have beat them by two or three touchdowns, easy. The ball was falling the wrong way." Well, that's one way of putting it, had you actually scored the 2 or 3 TD's needed to win a game by 2 or 3 TD's. And Terrelle, I know that "everyone kills people" and "everyone murders people" but you and the Tressel-vest hacked this one up. Because a rookie QB and new D for USC in your own backyard might have been the best opportunity to gain back some respect lost since the '02 Championship.

Barkley fest

Is anybody else a bit miffed at how much credit true freshman QB Matt Barkley is getting for the game winning drive against the Ohio St?
First, don't get me wrong. A 19-year old (or whatever he is) comes in and takes over one of the better programs of the last decade. Wins/snatches the job when Corp goes down in camp. Watches the stable of coutnless 4-5-star running backs that USC has accumulated over the past few years run wild in the opener. Then, throws a couple solid passes clearly set up by the threat of Joe McKnight on the game-winning drive. McKnight(and the defense) was the hero in that game but the media (I'm looking at you ESPN) can't get over the same old story of a cool, young kid from southern California who can toss it around the yard.
Let's back off a second and call it what it was. He did a hell of a job managing a game for a strong defense and a solid running game. And I was impressed by Joe McKnight. They tabbed him as Reggie Bush's replacement and finessed him into the offense in his first 2 seasons. But I liked the tough yards he got on the game winning drive while still doing the things he's known for like catching the ball out of the backfield, etc. He was getting yards after contact and eluding/dragging tacklers. He looked like a running back that can be a home run threat rather than a home run threat that runs the ball some too. Trust me Joe (and Reggie can atest), become a running back first, or else you're just a fast guy.

I started a Blog. ha

Well friends, I decided to start a blog about college football and whatever else may or may not be on my mind in the world of sports. I just needed an outlet, much like this man will need midway through the second quarter Saturday.