Week 2 is in the books, and in case you didn’t know, Oregon can score and score quickly, Notre Dame’s defense ain’t the 2012 crew that propelled the Irish to the National Championship game, Georgia’s still the best one loss team in the country, and whomever had Clowney as their preseason pick for the Heisman is an idiot. Oops.
Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 2 Top-10 recap:
1. After Tommy Rees threw that INT towards the end of the first half and Michigan scored yet again, I thought that game was over. Yet, at the end, Rees and company continued to fight back (even though the defense continued to suck it up) and we had another classic Notre Dame and Michigan finish. I’m really gonna miss that series. So many good memories. One last time next year in South Bend.
2. Well, Western Kentucky isn’t going to bust the BCS this year. It’s really hard to win games when you turn it over five times in six plays in the first quarter. Even against Tennessee.
3. Washington State beat USC in the Coliseum for the first time in 13 years, and did so without scoring an offensive touchdown. I wonder if Pat Haden is still 100% behind Lame Kiffin? USC has now dropped six of their last eight, after being the AP Preseason #1 last year. When are these AD’s gonna realize that Lame ain’t Monte, and he isn’t head coach material? Last season, for the first time in 50 years, a team went from #1 to unranked. Now they only put up 193 yards against Washington State (not exactly ’85 Bears material)? And remember his “success” with the Raiders (5-15) or his one year with Tennessee (7-6)? I wish I could be paid millions of dollars for repeated mediocrity.
4. You’re seeing a swagger from A&M that I don’t think many expected this soon into their SEC tenure. Of course, it’s only been against Rice and Sam Houston State, but Johnny Autograph and company seem to have picked up right where they left off last year. Just in time for Alabama to come to town.
5. Texas loses to BYU and Oklahoma struggled against a not-so-good West Virginia team. Let’s face it, Texas and OU just aren’t that good. The Big 12 looks to be Oklahoma State’s unless this latest pay-for-play scandal creates some distractions.
6. Ohio State rolled over San Diego State, and they did so without Braxton Miller for most of the game. He’s still day-to-day with that knee injury, but it’s pretty clear the Buckeyes are a completely different offense without him. Their chances of running the table diminish pretty quick if he’s not healthy.
7. LSU’s offense is firing on all cylinders, and they still have a couple warm up games before heading to Georgia on September 28th. If the Tigers can pull off that upset, it’s pretty smooth sailing until November 9th @ Alabama and @ Texas A&M following a bye week. The SEC West will be decided those two weekends.
8. Missouri and Tennessee are the only undefeated teams in the SEC East. Raise your hand if you thought that would be the case after week 2. Of course five of Tennessee’s next six are @ Oregon, @ Florida, v. Georgia, v. South Carolina, @ Alabama. Better make hay against South Alabama in a couple weeks.
9. The look on the Virginia fans’ faces was priceless after Mariota went 71 yards untouched on a QB draw on 3rd and five on Oregon’s first possession. Oregon is for real.
10. Once again, the game of the week lived up to the hype as Georgia South Carolina exchanged hay makers for four quarters. Georgia’s got a pro-style offensive, but their defense is going to need to improve before the LSU game in a couple weeks. After the LSU game, their schedule lightens up, with only Florida remaining as a currently ranked team. And you know what they always say, better to lose early than late. That close loss to Clemson is already a distant memory.
Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:
Top-10:
#1 Oregon (2-0) – 25.5 favorites @ Virginia and they won by nearly double that. Good luck traveling to Eugene, Tennessee.
#2 Ohio State (2-0) – Braxston Miller’s injury is cause for concern, but that again, you don’t play anyone until Wisconsin comes to town at the end of September.
#3 Stanford (1-0) – 3 TD victory over San Jose State, a team you only beat by FG last year. Don’t let me down, Stanford!
#4 Alabama (1-0) – The game we’ve been waiting a long time for…@ A&M.
#5 Louisville (12-0) – Okay, I’ll even give you the Cincy game now.
#6 Clemson (2-0) – Looking good, but I won’t be sold until you beat Florida State.
#7 Oklahoma State (2-0) – U.T. San Antonio exposed your defense. Then again, when has Oklahoma State ever had a defense?
#8 Georgia (1-1) – By far the best one loss team in football.
#9 Texas A&M (2-0) – Can you beat Alabama twice in a row?
#10 Florida State (1-0) – All of the sudden that game v. The U looks more difficult than your trip to the Swamp.
Heisman Watch:
Tajh Boyd, Clemson – Needs a big game against Florida State, and no other stumbles along the way. Though Bridgewater at Louisville is close behind, putting up video game like numbers.
BCS Title Game Prediction:
Oregon v. Ohio State – Ohio State needs to get healthy or they’ll be booted from this prediction even before the Wisconsin game. An Alabama loss this weekend and everyone will have Oregon #1 after they drop 60+ on Tennessee.
Week 3 Big Games:
UCLA @ Nebraska – Last year the Bruins surprised Nebraska. But that was in California, and not in Lincoln. And, how will UCLA be mentality after the tragic death of one of their players? Don’t think the Blackshirts improved much based on what they did against Southern Miss. Southern Miss hasn’t won a game since 2011. And, Nebraska did give up more than 300 yards in the first half to Wyoming in the opener. Emotionally, UCLA will be prepared. This game will come down to the turnover battle. Don’t expect UCLA to give up four times (including two pick sixes) like So. Miss did. UCLA beats Nebraska. Again. 37 to 31.
Tennessee @ Oregon – The only reason I have this as a big game is because it’s being played at the same time as Alabama @ A&M, so no one is going to watch. You really need to watch this Oregon team. They’re gonna be everyone’s #1 soon. Oregon 64 Tennessee 20
Wisconsin @ Arizona State – In another marquee Big 10 v. PAC 12 match-up, 20th ranked Wisconsin comes to the desert against unranked Arizona State. These teams are #1 and #2 in the nation in total defense right now, then again their first few opponents were crappy, with these teams winning the three games a combined 148-0. Remember that ASU nearly upset a much better Wisconsin team in Camp Randall two years ago, and this Wisconsin team struggled early in the year last year losing @ Oregon State. The biggest question is whether or not ASU’s defensive line can hold up to Wisconsin’s relentless rushing attack. Uh, have you seen Will Sutton?? And, interestingly enough, ASU comes in as a four point favorite. Oh, and ASU is 8-0 at home against the Big 10. Let’s make it 9-0. ASU 34 Wisconsin 31.
Week 3 Game of the Week:
Alabama @ Texas A&M – How do you even break down this match-up? Let’s rewind to last year…Alabama had just come home after an emotional come-from-behind win @ LSU @ night. A&M was hot, and Alabama was flat. A&M scored three quick TDs and it looked like Alabama was done. Then A&M missed that third extra point and all of the sudden momentum shifted. Alabama spotted the Aggies three TDs, committed three turnovers themselves, and yet still found themselves goal-to-go with a chance to win it in the fourth quarter. You know Saban and company have been scheming for this one since McCarron’s INT that sealed it for A&M. The key to this game will be if Alabama can retain its focus and composure; especially in front of a hostile crowd in College Station. A&M will score, and score quite a bit – this isn’t your 2011 or 2012 Alabama defense. And, this isn’t your 2012 Alabama offensive line that allowed that fourth quarter comeback against LSU, that second half comeback against A&M, and that dominant performance against Notre Dame. As much as I respect Alabama’s program, and as annoying as I find Johnny Autograph, I was even more shocked to see Vegas had Alabama as a seven point favorite. I think we’ll see something similar to the 2010 Alabama/Auburn game. Alabama just won’t have enough to slow down, or to keep up with A&M. Wrong team favored – A&M 27 Alabama 20.
Until next time…
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