Five days of games, bookended by exciting finishes (South Carolina over Vandy and Va. Tech over Georgia Tech), and the season is officially underway! What did we learn? Well, the SEC is good, the Big 10 isn’t; the PAC-12’s top heavy, and the non-majors won’t crash the party this year. The Big East still sucks, the ACC is underrated, and the Big 12 is back. Sadly, not many exciting games this coming weekend, as teams hit up the FCS opponents for some easy pickings. Oh well, Week 3 promises to get a little more exciting.
Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 1 Top-10 recap:
1. No, Taylor Martinez is not winning the Heisman this year. He always looks good against C-USA and Sun Belt opponents in the opening games. Let’s see what happens when Nebraska gets into that Big 10 schedule. But first, they’ve gotta go to UCLA this weekend (upset alert?)
2. Alabama, Oregon, USC, and LSU all had solid performances in blow out wins, while South Carolina, Wisconsin, Clemson, and Oklahoma did not. What does this mean? Well, likely nothing as it’s still early, but I think there’s only five or six teams that have a shot this year, while the rest of the top 10 are playing for an at large bid at best.
3. Did Corso really say Notre Dame would finish 9-2 and get a BCS bowl bid? I expect that every year from Holtz, but never from Lee. A commanding win against Navy in Ireland, but remember when the Irish beat Navy all of the time? It’s sad that the Irish are celebrating a win against Navy.
4. Boise almost came away with yet another opening weekend road win against a ranked team. It wasn’t a surprise that Boise’s offense stunk; that’s expected after losing Kellen Moore, a couple of WR’s, and large chunk of their offensive line. What did impress me was how well Boise held up against the relentless rushing attack of Michigan State. Long gone are the days of Boise needing gimmick plays and trickery to win big games; this team can line up and play smash mouth football with the best of them. Well, for a week at least. I still don’t think they’d hold up week in and week out in a major conference.
5. It’s been awhile since we’ve had a “He’s running the wrong way!” Those always make me chuckle. Andrew Parker from Kent State will now always be mentioned with Jim Marshall from the Vikings.
6. They’re so excited in Tucson that UofSuck won in OT against Toledo. Let me repeat that. Toledo. Excited about beating Toledo, at home, in OT? Love it.
7. It’s going to be a long year for Stanford. They barely beat San Jose State, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose to Duke this weekend in the battle of the smart kids. Then they have to play USC. You could say their Luck is gone. Literally.
8. I was really excited to sit down and watch D’Anthony Thomas play this weekend, as the Oregon speedster has a darkhorse shot at the Heisman. The problem is that he won’t play a whole lot the next six weeks as Oregon will blow everyone out. Still, he had 119 total yards and three TD’s on only seven touches!
9. I had Wisconsin winning the Big 10 and heading to Pasadena again. Is it too late to change that pick? They really should be beating FCS opponents at home by more than six. Then again, with Michigan looking like a Junior College team against Alabama, Michigan State barely squeaking by Boise State and what seems like half the conference ineligible for post-season play, the Big 10 Championship race is wide open.
10. I watched the first quarter of the Alabama-Michigan game and saw all I needed to see to reaffirm that until they’re defeated (perhaps a couple times); they’re #1. Roll Tide.
Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:
Top-10:
#1 Alabama (1-0) – Good to see the AP get on board with ‘Bama in the #1 spot.
#2 Oregon (1-0) – Scored 50 in the first half against a 2011 bowl team. The Ducks can fly.
#3 LSU (1-0) – Badgers? We don’t need no stinking badgers ($10 to anyone who gets this obscure movie reference)
#4 USC (1-0) – That offense would score a lot of points on Sundays.
#5 Florida State (1-0) – Lots of “experts” have you getting into the title game. I’m not sold. Yet.
#6 Oklahoma (1-0) – Uh, you did realize you were playing UTEP and not UT?
#7 Wisconsin (1-0) – Uh, the season started Badgers. Careful going into Corvallis this weekend.
#8 West Virginia (1-0) – The Big 12 hasn’t had a recent history of strong defenses. West Virginia should go far in their first year in the conference.
#9 Georgia (1-0) – Remember when Georgia started off 0-2 last year and everyone was calling for Richt’s head?
#10 Clemson (1-0) – I usually have you ranked higher than this, only to be disappointed come week 2 or 3. Maybe this is the year?
Rising Fast:
Alabama – The Tide had the most difficult opening game of anyone, and yet they still looked the most impressive of anyone.
Falling Faster:
Savannah State – Congrats, you held Oklahoma State to less than 100. Can you do the same in Tallahassee this weekend?
Heisman Watch:
Matt Barkley, USC – Pretty good numbers in the opener, and it doesn’t hurt to throw a 75 yard TD pass on your first throw of the game. Barkley may end up getting penalized by voters though, because he’s throwing to two 1st round NFL wide receivers. He’s still my pick, but look out for Geno Smith at West Virginia. Back-to-back 70 point games and they’ve got three more cupcakes before they travel to Texas on October 6th. In the opener, Geno completed a sick 89% of passes for 323 yards and four TDs. So why am I still picking Barkley? I’m hoping for the Autumn Wind jinx of course!
BCS Title Game Prediction:
Alabama v. Oregon – I really want to see if Alabama’s defense can make Oregon look as small and slow as they did with Michigan. Doubtful, but I don’t think the Ducks will run wild like they will against everyone else.
Week 2 Big Games:
Nebraska @ UCLA – Nebraska hasn’t traveled to UCLA since 1993, though Martinez will be looking to show the Bruins that they missed out on not giving him a scholarship. Burkhead may not play which will slow down the Huskers running game and we all know what happens when Martinez becomes a one dimensional player. But, the Blackshirts will slow down this UCLA team that scored 49 on Rice in the opener, and the Huskers win in a close one 27 to 24.
Illinois @ Arizona State – Arizona State is a little more disciplined that past editions of the Sun Devil’s – thanks to a new coaching staff with a new attitude. Illinois’ QB may not play with a bum ankle. Look for another ugly game like the 17-14 grudge match in Champaign last year. But this year, ASU comes out victorious: 24-13.
Week 2 Game of the Week:
Georgia @ Missouri – Welcome to the SEC, Missouri. At least you’re at home. Though it won’t matter much. Georgia 34 Missouri 24
Until next time…
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