College Football: My Musings

[R. Rich]

Well, the college football season is underway, and all I can say is FINALLY!!!!!!

 

First off, I suppose I must make note of the games in the "Top Ranked U vs Patsy" division. USC, Texas, and Cal looked impressive in beating some scrubs blah blah blah blah blah....

 

Shame on Tennessee and Michigan for lackluster efforts to start the year and double shame on OU, Auburn, and Texas A&M. If you're going to schedule those creampuffs (no offense TCU, as you've been a decent team for the past few years and all, but...), you should @ least beat them, wouldn't you say?

 

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Now, let's discuss the teams who actually scheduled some competition. Even though it pains me to say it, Notre Dame did look pretty good in beating Pittsburgh, even though I do believe the Panthers were highly overrated by everyone. Then again, they're in the Big Least, which is full of overrated teams. Nonetheless, the Irish offense did look good in Weis' system. Brady Quinn made some really nice throws and looked comfortable running the show, while RB Darius Walker looks to be a good one. I can tell why ND hired Weis, for his offensive skill, and it showed. Why was it again that the Panthers, a terrible defensive team last year (when they won the Big Least), hired defensive guru Wannstedt? Maybe they'll find out why next week. I dunno.

 

Another team that beat an overrated opponent, the Ohio State Buckeyes, showed everyone why they'll be a team to beat this year. The defense was all over Miami of Ohio's QB, Josh Betts (no Roethlisberger by any means). Offensively for OSU, Justin Zwick and Antonio Pittman had many questions to answer, and they did just that. Zwick played well and looks to keep the starting QB job while Pittman had a nice day on the ground, an area of concern this year for the Buckeyes. If Pittman can continue to play this well, they'll be in great shape.

 

So, which top ranked team was the most impressive, all things considered? Ask Dan Hawkins, the head coach of Boise State. I'm sure he knows the answer. Yes, I think the beating the Bulldogs of Georgia put on a very good Boise State team (led by one of the top coaches in college football, in my opinion) was the top effort of the week. They beat a top 20 (#18) team by 5 touchdowns (48-13)!!!!!!! DJ Shockley looked great. I guess he had plenty of energy, after having to sit and watch David Greene become the school's (and NCAA 1A's) all time winningest QB. Shockley threw for nearly 300 yards and 5 TDs and showed everyone that the loss of Greene won't be catastrophic for Georgia.

 

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Now, on to my beloved Nittany Lions. Escaping w/ a 23-13 win @ HOME over South Florida? Oh boy. New speed, new attitude, same old offense. Justin King and Derrick Williams look as good as advertised, but they need more to do, especilly in the archaic offense PSU is attempting to run. Michael Robinson looked awful @ QB; could Morelli be much worse? Robinson's decision making and awareness in the pocket leave much to be desired. Defensively, the Lions looked very good, even w/ the absence of LB Dan Connor and a DL thinned by injury and 'academic difficulties' (bad grades from a dumba**). Still, Tamba Hali, Alan Zemaitis, Paul Posluszny, and Matthew Rice did a great job of leading the PSU defense, which dominated early on but wore down due to an inefficient offensive effort. If the offense doesn't improve drastically, it's going to be a very difficult year, especially towards the end of the season (OSU, Michigan, Purdue).

[Mark VI]

I watched my Buckeyes beat Miami of Ohio. Our AiO was in attendance. Zwick did look good at times. Boeckman, the redshirt Freshman, may be the best of the bunch. Whether they start suspended Troy Smith next week vs. #2 Texas will be interesting. He's far more athletic and had a huge game vs. Michigan, prior to the suspension. Texas looks awesome right now. The athletic QB Vince Young scares the heck out of me.

 

Buckeye RB Antonio Pittman has the Willis straight arm and did look very good at RB. If the Buckeyes can get that reliable production at RB, they'll be tough but I still take it one game at a time. Especially with the huge game next Saturday night.

 

Auburn and Oklahoma both lose their opener. Who would have predicted that ?

 

I'm watching Va. Tech vs. NC State as I type. Football is back and I'm in my glory.

[CBusBillsFan]

I was at the OSU game and the new spread formations look great! I am really looking forward to this season and this Saturday night!!!!!

 

Michigan had some defensive questions to answer and they did, they proved that they're not up to snuff. Even Bo said this team is not tackling like a Michigan team. You CANNOT win in the Big Ten without D, you just can't.

 

Brady Quinn looks better every year and is from the same town that I am, so it's nice to see him do well. Although, he did go to my high school's biggest rival.

 

Well, NC St. just faked a punt for 44 yards...football is BACK!!!!!