Week 3 Review

Some random thoughts and observations before we get on with giving out the usual helmet stickers.

First off, Michigan's offense sucks. Plain and simple, Rich Rodriguez needs time because the last time he took over a school they went 3-8 (WV, 2001). Also, the spread may seem crazy at Michigan, even though this is a school that loves to run, but its a far cry from Bo Schembechler and the 70s and 80s ground it out style. Of course, any man who can lead Tulane to an undefeated season can achieve anything.

USC's win means nothing to me. Just like all those wins Miami (FL) and Florida State used to have over each other in the first 2 weeks of the season, teams don't start to gel until week 5 or 6. They are still usually working the kinks out this early, just ask Tennessee after their debacle at UCLA.

Knowshon Moreno is for real. He's not too big for his size (Adrian Peterson) to where his body will break down on him eventually, nor is he too small to be a consistently great back at the NFL (Ken Simonton from Oregon State, (2001 class). Moreno has the vision, the speed, the cockiness needed, but not too much, and the agility to be one of the best. Ok, it's helmet sticker time. As usual, there are only 3, so let's delegate them wisely.

1. The MWC- I mean, who else deserves a helmet sticker after a weekend like that? UNLV pulled off a classic late-night win in the desert over yet another highly overrated Arizona State squad. Remember a few years ago when the Sun Devils had Sam Keller and Rudy Carpenter coming back at QB and it was supposed to be an embarrassment of riches, only a colossal screw-up could mess up that team? Anyways, props to the Rebels and Omar Clayton who showed tremendous poise for a sophomore leading his team to the victory. Also, BYU hammered UCLA, no surprise there. Too many weapons on offense for the Cougs and an experienced QB exposed the Bruins defense. New Mexico finished off Arizona, which is quite sad for Wildcats' fans. I don't care what anyone says, that preseason ranking of #4 in 1999 was what killed the program. They got cocky and became soft after being known for that vicious "Desert Swarm" defense. Anyways, great job Donovan Porterie and TB Rodney Ferguson of the Lobos. TCU owning Stanford couldn't have surprised too many considering the Horned Frogs always beat BCS conference opponents when they get a decent opportunity. Wyoming eeked out a victory over North Dakota State, which isn't that impressive, but considering they went into Minnesota and beat the Gophers last year, and as I said in my preview special, had won 22 of their previous 24 games, is excusable for the Cowboys. Learning from other's mistakes, like Minnesota's loss last year, is a good sign. Air Force also beat the sleeper picks from most "experts" in C-USA, the Houston Cougars, 31-28, after the game had been moved. The Falcons didn't even complete a pass. When was the last time a major college football team did that? I think it was Baylor in 1993 with J.J. Joe (or '92) against Rice when they ran Grant Teaff's veer formation I offense combo. Where's ESPN with the ruling on this one because they didn't have one? The only horrible thing for the MWC is Colorado State and San Diego State.

2. Great defenses stepping up- UGA has a lot of critics right now who will say that this South Carolina team lost to Vanderbilt, so how can the 'Dawgs be taken seriously? Well, for one, they won a road game in the SEC which is NEVER easy, and they made a huge goalline stop by forcing a fumble at the 1-yard line and the Gamecocks about to score. Then they made an INT inside the 10 with under :30 left to play. USC destroyed Ohio State, I think enough said on that one, although the Buckeyes didn't have Beanie Wells, but like that would have made a difference. OSU, start Terrell Pryor more, you'll thank me later. Iowa consistently shut down Iowa State in the red zone when the Cyclones had numerous chances to win the game/take the lead late. Thanks for ruining my upset special Iowa. BYU blanking UCLA because a shutout is always impressive, even if Kevin Craft is at QB. Vanderbilt for limiting Chase Clement, Jarrett Dillard and James Casey of Rice just enough to move to 3-0. I think that Owls trio of talented players is the best set of offensive weapons outside of the BCS conferences, anyone else agree? Auburn and Mississippi State get props for turning a great SEC football matchup into a baseball score, and finally, Wisconsin for doing what oh so few Big 10 Teams can do, go to California and win a game. You do realize Wisconsin's the only Big 10 team to win a Rose Bowl in the last 10? The rest is 0-5. And, the Badgers won twice.

3. Offensive shootouts- While big defenses were on display for some teams, not everybody was happily shutting down teams and making a claim for the top 10. Cal-Maryland played a game where the losing QB threw for 423 yards! Granted, it was all because Cal had fallen so far behind and had to try and come back, but still. Also, Temple and Buffalo couldn't stop each other, as evidenced by the final play of the game, when that gorgeous (albeit lucky) Hail Mary fell into the arms of Naaman Roosevelt as the Bulls won. Duke beat Navy 41-31, and for the Blue Devils, that is a major shootout. The Dukies have scored 40 points 3 teams, not including this one, since 2004, and one was against VMI so, come on, not an offensive juggernaut here. Kansas and South Florida played a thriller that wasn't decided until the last second, surprising for me considering how good these two defenses have been in recent memory. Western Michigan and Idaho put up 79 total respectively, not bad for 2 mid-majors. And, last but not least, Purdue and Oregon, who woke up from an early slumber to have a thrilling OT game. That punt return for Oregon was awesome, as was Kory Sheets, the Purdue TB who had 246 yards all-purpose on 35 touches, and 2 TDs.

Anyways, that's all for me kiddos, be back hopefully by Wednesday for the week 4 preview. A lot of teams seem to be off this week, hopefully that won't make for a boring slate of games.