Week 2 Recap and Week 3 Preview

All’s quiet on the conference realignment front; except for some of the rumors and back room meetings. I fear Texas is driving what will happen, and is just awaiting the best offer from either the PAC-12 or the Big-10. Enough about that, until more information comes out.

Well, I was 5-0 on my big game picks last weekend, which was amazing considering how the ASU/Missouri, South Carolina/Georgia, and Notre Dame/Michigan games ended. Of course, Oklahoma State and Alabama were no-brainers, and they both happened to cover as well…

Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 2 Top-10 recap:

1. Oklahoma State is good. Arizona is not. Though I did chuckle when the Wildcat radio announcers blamed UofSuck’s schedule for the reason their going to lose four of their first five. Sure, the games are against Oklahoma State, Stanford, Oregon, and USC; but is that the best you’ve got (blaming your schedule)? Come on, now. And Stoops took this weeks “acting like a buffoon on the sidelines” award.

2. As Missouri was lining up for a game winning 48-yard FG in the desert on Friday (at about 1:30am EST), a timeout was called. Good move by ASU, I thought. Ice the kicker a little bit. But wait; it was Missouri that called the timeout. Strange. Okay, maybe the Tigers saw something they didn’t like, and wanted to shift up personnel. Nope. And then another timeout by Missouri. What the heck is happening? I have never seen a team ice their own kicker before. And twice! Of course, he missed the kick and the Devils prevailed in overtime. Missouri’s coach tried to claim he was trying to draw ASU offside to get a first down; but there were no hard counts or anything. Chalk up another odd way for Missouri to lose a game (5^th down against Colorado and the Nebraska “foot” catch). Great game by Osweiler, by the way (353 yards, 5 total TDs, and 0 INTs). And he’s 6’8” by the way, in case you didn’t hear the announcers the 487 times they mentioned it.

3. Va. Tech is 2-0 for the first time since 2006? Huh, that was surprising, especially since they’ve won 10 or more in seven consecutive years. Still, not much to see in the ACC until Va. Tech and Florida State meet in the ACC Championship (likely sponsored by Dr. Pepper since there isn’t a Big-12 Championship game this year). In the meantime, we can continue our search to find out what a Hookie is.

4. In the first of four, high scoring wild finished (I’ll save ND/Michigan for last), Iowa State beat their in-state rival Iowa for the first time in four years in a back-and-forth wild 3OT game. The game went to O.T. after Iowa State fought back to score the tying TD with just over a minute left after giving up the second half lead. For Iowa State, a big win for a program who may get left out of the super-conference discussions. Though, I always found this rivalry weird; yeah, I know they’re not in the same conference now, but usually state rivalry games are at the end of November, not the middle of September.

5. Meanwhile, Auburn found themselves in the opposite position as they were in week one. This time, they were up 14 in the 4^th, but Mississippi came charging back; and appeared to have a great chance to score on the last play on a quarterback option. But, Auburn’s back-up safety tackled him literally at the one-inch line. Literally. Somehow, Auburn is 2-0.

6. And down in Athens, Georgia found themselves in desperate need of a win against South Carolina. After giving up the lead with two late 3^rd quarter TDs, Georgia scored early in the 4^th to tie the game, but in high scoring 4^th by both teams (5 TDs and a FG), the dust had settled and South Carolina sent Mark Richt packing with a 45-42 victory. What is going on with these SEC offenses? Isn’t this the defensive conference? Right now, the SEC has seven teams averaging over 40 (Arkansas, South Carolina, Mississippi State, LSU, Florida, Tennessee, and Auburn). Is there any defense out there?

7. Oh, that’s right: Alabama! While I was wrong in saying that Penn State wouldn’t get past the 50 in the first half (they actually did on their first drive which resulted in a FG). But, even though Penn State moved the ball fairly well the rest of the game, once Alabama scored the game was over. I still have Alabama #1, but this game did show a few things that the rest of the powerful offenses in the SEC could exploit in the future.

8. If Nebraska continues to struggle on both offense and defense against teams like Fresno State (especially in Lincoln), I’m scared to see what is going to happen on trips to Camp Randall, Penn State, and the Big House. One of the funniest faces I’ve ever seen is when Pelini challenged a call, thinking they stopped Fresno short of the one – which would have given Fresno a first-and-goal – only to have the ref say “after further review the ruling on the field  is reversed” (Pelini smiles) “it is not first-and-goal, it is a touchdown!” (Pelini looking like someone just stole his Christmas presents). Regardless, a win for the Huskers, and you know they’re licking their chops for Washington to come to Lincoln this weekend to avenge for that awful performance in the bowl game last year.

9. In the first PAC-12 matchup, USC beat Utah 17-14, or 23-14. The refs originally disallowed the TD at the end, possibly under the new “celebration before a score” penalty. But, later, they said it was unsportsmanlike conduct, which can only be a dead ball foul. So, they allowed the last second score on the blocked kick. Well, who cares, right? Well, as Al Michaels would say “this decision is a big deal for a certain number of you out there.” That’s right; USC was favored by 8 at a lot of sports books. So, if the TD was denied (as was ruled on the field), USC doesn’t cover, and if you bet on SC, you lost. Since the decision was changed two hours after game time, USC did cover, and you win your bet. I don’t think we’ve heard the last about this…

10. The only thing I’ll say about the Michigan-Notre Dame game is this: what a wild 4^th quarter. Okay, one more thing: I doubt any Michigan or Notre Dame fan actually enjoyed watching that game (I know both Anton and I did not), as our expectations of each team is so low, even when they are ahead, you know they’re going to blow it. Okay, one more thing: Is Notre Dame really on pace for 60 turnover this season? Fine, one last thing: what the hell were both defenses doing on those last possessions? That’s some of the worst coaching and/or execution I’ve ever seen in football. And yet, somehow, Notre Dame at 0-2 is favored against Michigan State this weekend. Take State, plus the points.

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (2-0) – Tide keep rolling…

#2 Oklahoma (1-0) – Big test on this road this weekend…

#3 LSU (2-0) – Ditto…

#4 Boise State (1-0) – So you’re on probation for three years for a bunch of infractions spanning multiple sports, and you get a ban on post-season play for…women’s tennis?

#5 Florida State (2-0) – Big test at home this weekend…

#6 Virginia Tech (2-0) – No more tests until the ACC title…

#7 Oklahoma State (2-0) – T. Boone’s not gonna live forever, ya know?

#8 Nebraska (2-0) – Please don’t lose to Washington again.

#9 Texas A&M (1-0) – We all know you’re peeking around the corner to Oklahoma State and Arkansas. But don’t forget about Idaho this weekend.

#10 Wisconsin (2-0) – Don’t overlook this weekend against Northern Illinois at Soldier Field.

Rising Fast:

Auburn – The defending champs could easily be 0-2, but find themselves at 2-0; soon to be 4-0. But, look out after that. The first four in October are @ South Carolina, @ Arkansas, v. Florida, and @ LSU; all currently in the AP Top-16.

Falling Faster:

Notre Dame – Is it too late to get UConn on the schedule? At least when ND turns it over 5 times against UConn, their offense is so bad they won’t move the ball at all. And yet, Notre Dame is favored this weekend against Michigan State?

Heisman Watch:

Andrew Luck, Stanford – I wonder what kind of numbers he’ll put at home against UofSuck’s defense this weekend?

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oklahoma – I’m liking this game more and more; I’d love to see OU’s offense versus Alabama’s defense (especially the LBs and secondary)

Week 3 Big Games:

LSU @ Mississippi State – Short week for both teams; but LSU has the huge advantage here. LSU had no problem at all with Northwestern State, while Mississippi State had that huge emotional loss @ Auburn. LSU 45 MSU 31

Wisconsin v. Northern Illinois – Don’t laugh; a neutral site game (@ Soldier Field) against an opponent Wisconsin will take lightly. Don’t be surprised if this one is closer than the experts think. Wisconsin 38 NIU 31

Arizona State @ Illinois – ASU finally beat a ranked team, and now has a chance to start PAC-10 play undefeated if they can go into Champagne and pull off a road victory. ASU is faster and strong than the Illini, but less disciplined. That will hurt them on the road – Illinois 27 ASU 24

Week 3 Game of the Week:

Oklahoma @ Florida State – Oklahoma destroyed Florida State in Norman last year; in fact, the game was over at halftime. Both teams are better this year than last, and Tallahassee hosts a big game for the first time in a long time. Oklahoma is the better team, but Florida State will have the advantage due to the wild crowd. Still Oklahoma’s offense is way too strong, and the Sooners win in a wild one: 41-34.

Until next time…