Week 6 Recap and Week 7 Preview

Florida State, LSU, Georgia, and Texas all went down this weekend; which makes teams like Oklahoma and USC very happy. Better to lose early than late. Alabama and Oregon’s grip on #1 and #2 is very solid right now, and I can’t have West Virginia at #3 with how bad their defense is. So, South Carolina it is at #3, even though they have to go to LSU this weekend and host Florida the following week. Looking ahead to this weekend; there’s a bunch of trap games to look out for – Kansas State @ Iowa State (looking ahead to WVU), West Virginia @ Texas Tech (emotional win @ Texas, looking ahead to K State), Florida @ Vandy (emotional win v. LSU, looking ahead to South Carolina), and Alabama @ Missouri (looking ahead to @ Tennessee, v. Mississippi State, @ LSU, and v. A&M).

Here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 6 Top-10 recap:

1. While it wasn’t the good ole days of the “Catholics versus the Convicts”, I always enjoy seeing Notre Dame beat Miami. The Irish are the only team in college football that have yet to trail in a game this season. #2 in scoring defense, very few turnovers on offense, lots of forced turnovers on defense, and an incredible front seven on defense have the Irish 5-0 for the first time in 10 years. I do miss Lou Holtz though – remember when he said this before that epic Notre Dame v. Miami game in the late 80s? “After we win the game, if Miami wants to fight, fine, we'll meet 'em in the alley. And if they do, you save Jimmy Johnson's butt for me."

2. Georgia got down right thumped by South Carolina. How good is South Carolina’s defense? Well, I wouldn’t put it up there with Alabama, yet; but they held the SEC’s #1 offense to just over 200 yards of offense, and were a garbage time touchdown away from shutting out the Bulldogs who were averaging 48/game. Impressive, impressive win for Spurrier and company. Can they have a repeat performance this weekend in Death Valley?

3. That USC loss to Stanford seems so long ago. The Trojans have three more cupcakes before the November 3^rd matchup with Oregon. Assuming they don’t blow it @ Washington this weekend, USC will likely be back in the top 7 or so by that big game.

4. Florida’s defense, especially their second half defense, is the main reason the Gators are 5-0. LSU didn’t have a chance; and once again, their offense was exposed. The Tigers need to pick up the pieces quick as South Carolina comes to town this weekend. LSU’s defense will keep them in games, but they’ve gotta find a way to put points on the board.

5. Now that’s the Florida State team I’ve gotten to know over the past few years. Both Florida State and Oklahoma get the award for the last several years titled: “You lost to who?”

6. Missouri dropped to 0-3 in the SEC after losing to Vandy. I think Vandy is probably the happiest school in the SEC these days; knowing they won’t share the basement alone anymore.

7. Speaking of conference winless teams….UofSuck is 0-3 in the PAC-12. Even Colorado has a PAC-12 victory.

8. The Big 10 is so bad that the top 2 teams in the league aren’t eligible for post-season play. I think Minnesota still has a chance at getting to the Big 10 Championship.

9. No one’s gonna say that West Virginia has a good defense, but with their system, it works. With an efficient, quick-strike offense, it just means your defense is going to be on the field a lot. It’s almost like a reverse of what’s common football knowledge – WVU wants their defense out there to give their offense a rest. But, a dangerous trap game this weekend, in Lubbock, against Texas Tech, before the huge matchup the following week with Kansas State.

10. It’s not good when you score 38 and lose by 25. Yes, Nebraska, I’m looking at you…

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (5-0) – The Tide haven’t given up more than 14 points in any game this year. If that sticks, they’re the champs. Again.

#2 Oregon (6-0) – Bye week this week before traveling to the desert next Thursday.

#3 South Carolina (6-0) – Best South Carolina team I’ve seen.

#4 West Virginia (5-0) – You should be #3, and will be soon once South Carolina loses one of its next two (or both?), but I just can’t have you there now. Beat K State and we’ll talk.

#5 Kansas State (5-0) – Don’t forget about Iowa State this weekend! Gotta win that one first before the West Virginia game means anything.

#6 Notre Dame (5-0) – Can you finally beat Stanford for once?

#7 Florida (5-0) – Didn’t see this one coming…

#8 LSU (5-1) – Things can change in a hurry in the SEC. For the good, or the bad.

#9 USC (4-1) – If you’d quit turning the ball over, you’d still be in the top 5.

#10 Oregon State (4-0) – This is probably the worst Top 10 team I’ve had, but I just couldn’t think of anyone else to put here. At least beat BYU, please.

Rising Fast:

Florida – Didn’t see this coming. But look out @ Vandy this weekend – trap game – with South Carolina coming to the Swamp the following weekend.

Falling Faster:

Florida State – Getting shut out in the second half and losing to unranked NC State is not making the case that you belonged in the top 2.

Heisman Watch:

Geno Smith, West Virginia – Is this guy ever gonna throw an interception?

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oregon – Clearly the two best teams in football, though South Carolina may disagree.

Week 7 Big Games:

Stanford @ Notre Dame – Notre Dame has lost three straight versus Stanford, but the Irish haven’t given up a touchdown in three games. The bottom line for this game is if Notre Dame’s front seven can keep the pressure on Stanford. Otherwise, those huge tight ends could have a huge day. Notre Dame’s offense will be able to move the ball, but they need touchdowns and not field goals. How will Stanford be emotionally after a big overtime victory and then having to travel to the chilly Midwest? I like Notre Dame in a squeaker 24 to 21

West Virginia @ Texas Tech – Dust off the extra scoreboard lights again. We know WVU will score, but Tech has a powerful offense as well. Like I said last week, WVU is going to run into a team that has both a good enough offense to put up points, but also a good enough defense to sorta slow down Geno and company. But it’s not this week. West Virginia 48 Texas Tech 34

Texas v. Oklahoma – The Red River shootout is here, and nobody seems to care. Oklahoma wins 34-24.

Texas A&M @ Louisiana Tech – Yes, this is a big game. Both teams are ranked, and Louisiana Tech actually has the longest winning streak in the country right now at 12.Grab some extra scoreboard bulbs as well here – two top 10 offenses square off, but the problem is LT is 109^th in the country in scoring defense. Yikes. A&M 44 LT 38

Week 6 Game of the Week:

South Carolina @ LSU – South Carolina has struggled away from home, and Death Valley at night will be a little different than games at Vandy and Kentucky. We know both defenses will come to play, so expect a slow paced, low scoring game. The question is whether or not LSU can find any offense. South Carolina is the better team overall, and unless they have a massive meltdown, I see them winning a huge game on the road (and possibly jumping Oregon in the initial BCS standings) 17-13.

Until next time…

Week 5 Recap and Week 6 Preview

Not too much to discuss about this weekend, so let’s do a rapid recap and a rapid assessment of the Top-10 (in honor of the points put up this weekend by many of the fast paced offenses).

Here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 5 Top-10 recap:

1. In the #1 and #2 spots, Alabama keeps plodding along and Oregon keeps turning it up another notch in the second half to stay atop the polls.

2. I don’t even think video game QBs could put up the numbers that Geno Smith is putting up at West Virginia, and certainly I tried back in the day while playing Super Techmo Bowl.

3. Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, LSU, Florida, and even Mississippi State keep getting it done, and so it starts; let’s look at the schedule in the SEC over the next five weeks: Georgia @ South Carolina, LSU @ Florida, South Carolina @ LSU, South Carolina @ Florida, LSU @ Texas A&M, Mississippi State @ Alabama; Florida v. Georgia, and then Alabama @ LSU. If anyone of those teams makes is through that gauntlet undefeated, just hand them the title.

4. Is it funny that the Big 10’s best team is sanctioned and under probation?

5. I was wrong when I said a couple weeks ago that UofSuck would start off 3-0 and finish 4-5. That’s looking more like finishing 2-7. Love it.

6. I keep saying that Taylor Martinez would win the Heisman if Nebraska played in the Sun Belt Conference. It’s a good thing Wisconsin is playing like a SunBelt conference team. Regardless, big come from behind win for the Huskers versus the Badgers.

7. We’re starting to see lots of parity in college football, comparing the top of the polls to the bottom. Case in point: #19 Louisville. Their quality wins are a three point win over 0-4 Southern Miss and a seven point win over 1-3 Florida International.

8. The announcers on the ESPN Friday night game like to talk about how their games should be watched because it always seems to come down to the final possession. This week? BYU 47 Hawaii 0. Crickets.

9. I had Cincy beating Va. Tech, but since no one cares about Cincy or Va. Tech, I didn’t bother to even write that down. Oops.

10. Arizona State is sitting atop the PAC-12 South, yet isn’t ranked; despite their only loss coming on the road against Missouri (a game the Devil’s should’ve won). We still don’t know exactly what kind of team ASU has, but we’ll know soon. A week off, then a Thursday game against Division II Colorado (well, they should be Division II), then v. Oregon (on another Thursday night game, and one that I’m close to putting out an upset alert for), v. UCLA, @ Oregon State, and @ USC. Okay, maybe that’s why the Devil’s aren’t ranked (not that I actually think the voters look ahead more than a week; let alone watch any PAC-12 games).

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (5-0) – We haven’t done one of these in awhile: The Tide keep rolling…

#2 Oregon (5-0) – …but so do the Ducks…

#3 LSU (5-0) – …while the Tigers are dropping behind FSU in many people’s polls...

#4 Florida State (5-0) – …even though FSU hasn’t played anyone…

#5 West Virginia (4-0) – …and we all know now the Big 12 runs through Morgantown...

#6 Georgia (5-0) – ...because with the upcoming schedule, SEC teams are gonna start falling like embassies in the Arab world...

#7 Kansas State (4-0) – …which is good for the Big 12 (SEC teams losing, not embassies falling)…

#8 South Carolina (5-0) – …unless someone in the SEC squeaks through unscathed…

#9 Texas (4-0) – …’cuz I don’t think anyone in the Big 12 will because of teams like Texas and OU hanging around…

#10 Notre Dame (4-0) – …so, cheer cheer, cheer cheer for ole Notre Dame!!!

Rising Fast:

Washington – After barely beating SDSU to open the season, and getting shellacked by LSU, the Huskies beat Portland State and overrated Stanford (whom I haven’t had in my Top-10 at all) at home to somehow get into the Top-25. Good luck @ Oregon, v. USC, @ Arizona, and v. Oregon State the next four weeks.

Falling Faster:

Auburn/Arkansas – A combined 2-7, and 0-4 in the SEC. Ouch. Maybe the SEC is glad they grabbed Mizzou and Texas A&M?

Heisman Watch:

Geno Smith, West Virginia – Yes, Baylor’s defense sucks, but when you throw for 656 yards and 8 TDs (with only six incompletions) and you still don’t have an INT on the year; you’re in the driver’s seat for the Heisman.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oregon – Plain ol’ crimson and white uniforms that haven’t changed since time immemorial versus chartreuse and black uniforms that change by drive it seems. Kinda representative of the teams’ styles, don’t ya think?

Week 6 Big Games:

Washington @ Oregon – I only have this game listed because at the time it’s a Top-25 match-up. Enjoy your one week in the polls Washington. Oregon 58 Washington 24

LSU @ Florida – Has LSU been sandbagging the last couple of weeks? Is Florida’s defense really that good? Yes, and yes. This will be an ugly game in the swamp, but I still gotta think LSU has a chip on their shoulder after starting the year #1 in the AP and dropping down to #4 without losing. LSU 24 Florida 20

West Virginia @ Texas – Eventually, WVU is going to run into a team that has both a good enough offense to put up points, but also a good enough defense to sorta slow down Geno and company (Geno Smith that is; not uncle Geno). Texas has the offense, but not the defense. Also, keep in mind that Texas just beat Oklahoma State on the road in an emotional game, and next weekend has the annual Red River Shootout with OU. That spells trap game. West Virginia 51 Texas 34

Notre Dame v. Miami – Miami’s high powered passing game will test Notre Dame’s secondary, but Miami’s defense is pretty bad – 100^th in the nation in scoring defense; and that’s against teams like Boston College, North Carolina State, and Georgia Tech. Hell, Bethune-Cookman managed 10 against them. And, Notre Dame had an extra week to prepare for this one under the lights at Soldier Field, a near home game for the Irish. Notre Dame 31 Miami 27

Nebraska @ Ohio State – Nebraska proved it could win a Big 10 game in come from behind fashion, but it was at home and it was against Wisconsin. The Blackshirts allowed 27 points to a team that scored 10 against Oregon State and 16 against Utah State. Meanwhile, the cheaters at The Ohio State keep rolling along. Huskers lose in the Horseshoe: 34 to 24

Week 6 Game of the Week:

Georgia @ South Carolina – Everything here favors the home team (including the Vegas point spread). South Carolina has the better defense (6^th in the nation, giving up just over 11/game); the better running game; a two game winning streak against the Bulldogs; and Game Day is making the journey to Columbia, SC. The last time Corso and company were it town? When South Carolina upset then #1 Alabama in 2010. Also, keep in mind what Marcus Lattimore has done the last two times against Georgia: 182 yards and a 176 yards on a boat load of carries. That’ll be enough for the home team to prevail: South Carolina 28 Georgia 24.

Until next time…

Week 4 Recap and Week 5 Preview

My predictions are getting a bit better. I had ND over Michigan, Oregon over Arizona, Florida State over Clemson, and got the margin between Oklahoma and Kansas State pretty close, but picked the wrong winner. So goes it sometimes. But, we’re only four weeks in and already four of my preseason Top-10 teams have lost, in some cases twice. They should at least pay me a replacement referee salary to get this much wrong…

Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 4 Top-10 recap:

1. In the Thursday night game this week, we had a thriller between BYU and Boise State. Boise was 0-5 on 4^th downs because they apparently still haven’t been able to recruit a FG kicker, and BYU turned it over five times. Once again, Boise State didn’t have an offensive touchdown. It’s gonna be a long year for Boise’s offense. And someone needs to tell BYU that you need to score more than one point more than the total number of turnovers you have if you’re going to win.

2. Florida State is a strong team this year, but when (if?) they finish undefeated, do they deserve a shot against the SEC Champion (I’m still making the assumption that the SEC Champion is in the BCS Title game) over an undefeated Oregon team? No, I say. FSU hasn’t played anyone (other than perennially overrated Clemson), and they don’t have another currently ranked foe on their schedule until the finale against Florida (and I doubt a soon-to-be three loss Florida team will be ranked by then). On the other hand, Oregon will have played at least five ranked teams. For crying out loud, the Big East has as many ranked teams as the ACC right now. Sorry Seminoles.

3. The strangest thing I saw over the weekend (no, it wasn’t LSU’s QB Zach Mettenberger’s mustache – if you haven’t seen it, look it up) was a guy in Eugene, Oregon sporting a chartreuse storm trooper costume. The coolest thing I saw was the “0” on the scoreboard next to UofSuck after Oregon destroyed them.

4. The only two things that didn’t go right in the Alabama game were 1) they didn’t get the shutout, and 2) they didn’t cover the 50 point spread. And I’m told by the Uncle Geno Sports Bureau of Obscure Statistics that when Alabama beats Ole Miss this weekend, they’ll only be the second team in college football (behind Notre Dame in the ‘40s) to start five straight seasons at 5-0, and they’ve been ranked #1 by the AP in at least one poll in the last five years (second only to the Miami machine of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s). I’ll say it now. Dynasty.

5. LSU struggled this weekend, and even with a win, dropped to #3 in the AP poll, but they did what you have to do to stay a contender: win road games in the SEC. And now, Mettenberger, you know what you have to do: shave that awful ‘stache.

6. Once again, Oklahoma pulls the “lets lose a home game to a good team, though one we should really beat if we even play average.” What is that, like six straight years this has happened? Remember when Stoops was known as Big Game Bob? Maybe that loss to Boise in the Fiesta Bowl a few years back has permanently scarred him.

7. Clemson was able to move the ball and score lots of points against Florida State, but I think we saw why many have FSU as the team to knock the SEC off the BCS Championship platform. A very solid team from top to bottom, and now they don’t play anyone ‘till Florida the last week of the regular season.

8. Once again, the Michigan/Notre Dame game came down to the wire; and once again, Denard had a chance. This time though, that Notre Dame front seven played solid from start to finish – lane assignment football, they didn’t over pursue, they allowed short games, and of course it didn’t hurt that Michigan had almost as many INTs as completions. I’m sad to see that Notre Dame opted out of this series, but I guess the writing is on the wall for Notre Dame to fully join the ACC when TV contracts and other big financial business allows for it. I think Anton and I need to go have a candlelight vigil in the parking lot where Ted’s Tasty Hot Dogs used to be. RIP, Michigan/Notre Dame football rivalry.

9. Oregon State is 2-0, with both wins against ranked teams. Didn’t see this one coming at all.

10. In this week’s rendition of “How bad is the Big 10?”: Michigan State was down at the half to Eastern Michigan, Illinois was destroyed at home by Louisiana Tech, Iowa lost at home to Central Michigan, and Wisconsin struggled at home with UTEP. As a couple others have said: It’s a good thing conference play is starting so the Big 10 won’t look as bad!

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (4-0) – Before their third string defense gave up that late 75 yard TD drive (which included two successful first downs), FAU had 35 total yards. This ‘Bama defense is so good, that if they score more than 10 points a game, they’ll win ‘em all.

#2 Oregon (4-0) – Who knew the Ducks could play a little defense?

#3 LSU (4-0) – November 3^rd is all that matters.

#4 Florida State (4-0) – The defense finally had to play against the big boys. Let’s see how they respond getting into conference play (not that it matters if they keep scoring 50+).

#5 West Virginia (3-0) – How does a team in the first year in a new conference get Baylor, Kansas State, TCU, and Oklahoma at home?

#6 Georgia (4-0) – This may be Richt’s best team.

#7 Kansas State (4-0) – Off week, before getting to beat up on in-state rival Kansas.

#8 South Carolina (4-0) – One more cupcake, then it’s Georgia, @ LSU, and @ Florida.

#9 Texas (4-0) – Eventually some SEC teams are gonna lose, which is good for the Horns.

#10 Notre Dame (4-0) – I’m drinking the Irish Kool-Aid!

Rising Fast:

Oregon State – 2-0 versus ranked teams is good. And, the Civil War is in Corvallis this year. Keep an eye on that.

Falling Faster:

Arizona – Only five teams were shut out all weekend: Kentucky, Bowling Green, Tulane, Alcorn State, and UofSuck. How does Arizona get shut out by Oregon? My 7^th grade flag-football team could score on Oregon.

Heisman Watch:

Geno Smith, West Virginia – Not the greatest game for Smith, but no one behind him in the Heisman race did anything to speak of, either. And now he gets a shot at Baylor which has the worst total defense of any team in a major conference.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oregon – In their last game, Alabama’s offense looked like Oregon’s in the first half against FAU, and Oregon’s defense looked like Alabama’s in the second half against Arizona.

Week 5 Big Games:

Tennessee @ Georgia – “Rocky Top is back!!!!” was all the noise when Tennessee started off 3-0. A blow out against Florida at home, and now they travel to Athens. Such is life in the SEC when fans’ hopes from high to low in just two weeks. Georgia 48 Tennessee 27

Wisconsin @ Nebraska – This was my preseason pick for week 5’s game of the week, but with Nebraska stumbling against UCLA and Wisconsin, well, just stumbling; I had to pull it. Still a big game for both teams though. Can Nebraska look good against a real team? Then again, is Wisconsin a real team? Without that solid running game, Wisconsin will struggle to stay in games. And this is in Lincoln, where the Blackshirts want revenge after last year’s loss. Nebraska 38 Wisconsin 17

Ohio State @ Michigan State – This is a “big” game, only because it’s two ranked teams. Ohio State is 4-0 under Urban Meyer (but let’s be realistic, they’re toughest opponent was Cal, whom they almost lost to), but ineligible for the postseason because Tressel got caught cheating. Michigan State’s offense is atrocious, but they’re at home, and Sparty needs a win to stay in the discussion in the Big 10. Michigan State 24 Ohio State 20

Week 5 Game of the Week:

Baylor @ West Virginia – Get out the extra bulbs for the scoreboard: this one could set some records. Baylor’s offense is actually averaging more yards and more points a game than West Virginia’s. But Heisman favorite Geno Smith is going to absolute light up the Bear’s defense, as Baylor is worst among the major conference teams in yards allowed, and that’s been against SMU, Sam Houston State, and Louisiana-Monroe. West Virginia rolls: 55 to 31

Until next time…

Week 3 Recap and Week 4 Preview

I was wrong about all of my predictions last week except for the one that really mattered: Alabama continues to roll. The offense scores enough to decide the game by half-time, and then the defenses pride kicks in to try for a shutout. We’ll be seeing this blue print week in and week out. It’s scary fun to watch. I was also close when I mentioned USC would stumble eventually, though I didn’t see it happening against Stanford. But why not? Stanford has beaten them four straight now. ASU had a couple chances at the upset against Missouri but in the end, they just couldn’t make a play. Oh, and I think they just dropped another wide open pass. Florida beat up Rocky Top in the second half, and Notre Dame not only shut down the Michigan State running game, but dominated Sparty from start to finish. So, for my predictions…..oops. Will this week be any better?

Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 3 Top-10 recap:

1. Both LSU and Oregon both won 63-14 in the attempt to say “We’re #2.” LSU is leading the charge in the polls, but I have Oregon at #2. Why? They don’t play Alabama. Yet.

2. Auburn avoided the 0-3 start, and Louisiana-Monroe barely missed out on a 2-0 start…against the SEC! I wonder who’s the favorite to win the SunBelt? Gotta be the War Hawks after how they played against Arkansas and Auburn – both road games, both fourth quarter comebacks, and both O.T. games.

3. Dumbest stat of the weekend: “Notre Dame beats a top-10 team on the road at night for the first time since 1983.” Uh, the Irish rarely play night games, and they’ve rarely played top-10 teams (at least recently), let alone top-10 road teams. That’s like saying the Patriots have never beaten the Arizona Cardinals when the Cards blow clock management in the last two minutes resulting in a missed FG by the Patritos. Sheesh, just saying the Irish are 3-0 for the first time in 10 years is good enough. I’m still not drinking the Irish Kool-Aid though. Get by Michigan this weekend, and I might take a sip.  

4. Florida State is now giving up an average of one point a game. Sure, they haven’t played anyone, but that defense is leading the country in pretty much everything. The Seminoles are back! Well, are they? We’ll find out this weekend when they play Top-10 Clemson. Someone check to see if it’s a night game.

5. Geno Smith’s numbers at West Virginia are what you see in video games. 88% completions, tons of yards, and lots of TDs. In fact, he has as many TDs as incompletions through two games. The last guy to do that? Heisman winner RGIII last year. Sorry Barkley, you’re out – Geno’s in!

6. Texas is racking up 50/game and is creeping into my Top-10. We’ll see how they fare in their next three: @ Oklahoma State, v. West Virginia, and then of course the Red River Shootout against Oklahoma. College football is a better place when OU and UT are undefeated going into that game. Speaking of, will this be the year that Florida and Georgia are undefeated during the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party? I still can’t believe that hasn’t ever happened. At least I don’t think it has.

7. Do you think Virginia Tech wishes it was October already? Seems like the Hokies always lose one they shouldn’t early in the year and then rattle off 8-9 in a row to get back into things.

8. The most priceless view of the week was seeing Lame Kiffin’s face when USC had that 4^th and 40 play at the end of the game and he finally realized they weren’t going to beat Stanford. Again. Talk about a “deer in the headlights” look. I guess it’s about time for Kiffin to look for his next gig, right? I mean the dude hasn’t held a job for more than three years. Don’t believe me? Look:

1997-1998 Fresno State (assistant coach)

1999 Colorado State (offensive line coach)

2000 Jacksonville Jaguars (quality control assistant – whatever the hell that is)

2001 USC (tight ends coach)

2002-2004 USC (wide receivers coach)

2005-2006 USC (offensive coordinator – notably during the USC cheating years)

2007-2008 Oakland Raiders (head coach)

2009 Tennessee (head coach)

2010-???? USC (head coach)

Nine jobs in 15 years?

9. Other than Michigan State beating Boise State at home in week 1, does the Big Ten have a quality win? I can’t find one…and don’t say Ohio State needing a blown coverage to score a late TD to beat Cal at home.

10. In case you missed it (the game finished at midnight on the West Coast), Utah upset BYU in a bizarre finish. The Ute fans rushed the field twice thinking the game was over, once after an incomplete pass with :01 on the clock; and again after blocking the last second FG (a penalty was called for fans rushing the field before the play ended). And of course the 2^nd FG clanked off the upright. And that concluded week 3. Okay fine. I’ll mention it. Notre Dame’s in the ACC, but not in football. Yet.

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (3-0) – The distance between #1 and #2 grows by the week.

#2 Oregon (3-0) – You actually get to play a real team this weekend.

#3 LSU (3-0) – The schedule looks a bit easier now that we know both Auburn and Arkansas suck.

#4 Florida State (3-0) – I think you’ll give up more than one point to Clemson.

#5 Oklahoma (2-0) – This is usually about the time OU loses a random game. Is this the weekend?

#6 West Virginia (2-0) – I’m gonna keep saying it – the Big12 goes through Morgantown!

#7 Georgia (3-0) – Bulldogs looking good.

#8 Clemson (3-0) – Can you at least score a touchdown against that vaunted FSU defense?

#9 South Carolina (3-0) – Better win your next two against Missouri and Kentucky before that brutal stretch v. Georgia, @ LSU, @ Florida.

#10 Texas (3-0) – Oh hi, welcome back to the Top-10, Texas. We missed you. Not really.

Rising Fast:

Stanford – Hasn’t lost to in-state rival USC since the Bush administration.

Falling Faster:

Wisconsin – I don’t think I’ve ever put a winning team in the falling faster category, but after the loss to Oregon State and needing Utah State to miss a FG at Camp Randall to avoid another loss, you deserve it. The Badgers are 96^th in the nation in rushing. That’s not good.

Heisman Watch:

Geno Smith, West Virginia – Sorry Barkley; 50% passing, three INT’s and a 0-4 record against Stanford won’t get it done. Geno’s sitting at 88% completions for the year, along with nine TD’s and nine incomplete passes. Let me say that again. Nine incomplete passes (less than half of what Barkley had just against Stanford).

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oregon – I really want to see Oregon’s offense go against Alabama’s defense. My prediction remains the same though, a repeat for Alabama.

Week 4 Big Games:

Michigan @ Notre Dame – Michigan’s won five out of the last six in this series; including the last three while coming from behind with less than 0:30 left in the game. The best part about this series is that both Anton and I no longer have the expectation that our team will win. So, it’s been fun to watch the barn burners the last three years. Notre Dame’s defense is good, but their offense isn’t. Vice versa for Michigan. Which means we’re in for another wild one. But I’m starting to sip the ND Kool-Aid. Notre Dame 27 Michigan 24

Kansas State @ Oklahoma – Some folks (or at least video game programmers) have Kansas State not only winning the Big12, but appearing in the BCS title game. Oklahoma’s highly ranked, but hasn’t played anyone yet (what’s new?). Two fast paced, but slightly different offenses will put up lots of points. This is the type of match-up that OU often struggles with, but the game is in Norman, so I’ll give the nod to the Sooners. Oklahoma 38 Kansas State 35

Arizona @ Oregon – Arizona’s 4^th in total yards in the nation; Oregon is 7^th. Arizona’s averaging more than 46 a game, Oregon right at 54. Both teams score and score quick. UofSuck’s only chance is to slow the game down, and that’s just unpossible in Eugene. Ducks 51 UofSuck 31

Week 4 Game of the Week:

Clemson @ Florida State – Florida State’s 2^nd in the nation in scoring at 59/game and 1^st in points allowed at 1/game. No, that’s not a misprint. Sure, they haven’t played anyone at all yet, but make no mistake, the Seminoles are back. Plus, this is a revenge game, as Florida State was upset by Clemson last year. No upset this year – Seminole’s roll: 38 to 10

Until next time…

Week 2 Recap and Week 3 Preview

Now we’ve got some things to talk about! The SEC isn’t indestructible after all. The PAC-12 is back. The Big 10 still sucks, and the Big East still somehow gets a BCS bowl bid. There have been a few surprises already: who had Auburn starting off 0-2, the Arizona schools and Notre Dame 2-0, and Arkansas losing at home to a Sunbelt team? Certainly more surprises to come…

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

1. No, Taylor Martinez is not winning the Heisman this year. Is that an echo from what I said last week? Well, UCLA proved my point. When Martinez and Nebraska are forced into a one dimensional offense (like they were for much of the second half), they’re extremely beatable. And when the Blackshirts give up over 650 yards of offense and lost time of possession nearly 2:1, it was surprising that Nebraska was even in that game at all.

2. In the preview I said “if Wisconsin is going to win the Big 10, they have to be able to win in a tough place like Corvallis” and last week I said “Careful going into Corvallis this weekend.” What an embarrassing performance by the Badgers. Sure, Corvallis can be a tough place to play, and has certainly seen some upsets over the years, but 7 points for this offense? Ouch. Maybe the Big 10 should give up their automatic BCS bid along with the Big East.

3. Two minutes to go at the Big House, and Air Force still had a chance at a victory over Michigan. This just isn’t the Big 10’s year. And how about this; Denard Robinson had more rushing and passing yards than Michigan had in total offense. I don’t think they’ll be able to get away with that against Notre Dame, Nebraska, Michigan State, and Ohio State. Good thing they have Massachusetts this weekend.

4. Despite trying to give the game away in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame found a way to win it in the end and improve to 2-0 on the year. Several other “experts” seem to think this could be a nine win team now. I’m still not seeing it, especially with five of their next six against ranked teams.

5. Chizik’s in trouble at Auburn, and look who comes to town this weekend. Can the Warhawks of Louisiana-Monroe take out the War Eagle and go 2-0 against the SEC? And it doesn’t get any easier for Auburn with LSU and Arkansas after that. Is 0-5 start a possibility? If so, Auburn finishes 4-8.

6. Missouri and Texas A&M go down in their SEC openers; but they didn’t go down without a fight. Those were fun games to watch; and just showed a couple more reasons why the SEC is the best in football. Adding Mizzou and A&M is a little different than the PAC-10 adding Utah and Colorado.

7. At the beginning, I thought the PAC-12 was a two trick pony, with Oregon and USC set to dominate the conference. I’m not so sure anymore after seeing UCLA take down Nebraska, Arizona take down Oklahoma State, Oregon State take down Wisconsin, and Arizona State beat up Illinois and have a chance to do the same to Missouri this weekend. What seemed to be a single circle on the calendar (November 3^rd: Oregon @ USC) has now become a little more interesting.

8. Now Arizona fans know why Michigan ran Rich Rod out of town. Sure, their offense clicks, but their defense is so bad that teams like Oregon and USC may flirt with 70 or 80 points. A nice win against Oklahoma State for sure, but if the Cowboys don’t set school records for penalties and penalty yards (including two personal fouls by one player on a single play), it’s a different game. UofSuck will start out 3-0, but then finish 4-5. Enjoy it while it lasts, Tucson.

9. Just when I thought I’d seen it all, they had a running clock in the second half of the Florida State vs. Savannah State game, before they mercifully called the game because of weather. What’s next? Mom’s bringing them orange slices in little coolers during timeouts?

10. The most intriguing thing about Arkansas’ loss to Louisiana-Monroe is that there is now a scenario where a one loss SEC team doesn’t make it to the championship. Should Arkansas run the table, they don’t deserve a spot with that home loss to a Sunbelt team. And you better believe that Arkansas is going to be fired up for the game against Alabama this weekend.

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (2-0) – Test #2 this weekend @ Arkansas

#2 Oregon (2-0) – I’m waiting until Oregon actually has to play their starters in the second half.

#3 LSU (2-0) – Another 41-3 score is likely this weekend against Idaho.

#4 USC (2-0) – Suddenly, @ Stanford, @ Arizona, and @ UCLA don’t seem as winnable. The back end of their schedule has to have at least one loss (Arizona, Oregon, Arizona State, UCLA, Notre Dame), doesn’t it?

#5 Florida State (2-0) – The Seminole defense is only giving up 1.5 points a game. That’s pretty good, I think.

#6 Oklahoma (2-0) – A week off for the Sooners.

#7 West Virginia (1-0) – If they scored 70 in the Orange Bowl and 69 against Marshall, is 100 a possibility against James Madison?

#8 Georgia (2-0) – That road game @ Auburn near the end of the year doesn’t seem as scary.

#9 Clemson (2-0) – @ Florida State in two weeks; that’ll likely decide the ACC-Atlantic.

#10 Michigan State (2-0) – In the driver’s seat in the B1G.

Rising Fast:

The PAC-12 – 6-1 against major conferences this weekend; many of which were upsets (let’s forget about Washington losing 41-3 to LSU, Colorado losing at home to Sacramento State, and Utah losing to Utah State – maybe we can ditch those three schools and Washington State and change the name back to the PAC 8?).

Falling Faster:

Arkansas – All the preseason talk was about how Arkansas was finally positioned to not only win the SEC but also be in the BCS Championship. If lowly Louisiana-Monroe put up 550 yards, imagine what LSU and others will do?

Heisman Watch:

Matt Barkley, USC – A career high six TD passes against Syracuse. A good time for that to happen with Heisman candidate Geno Smith and West Virginia not playing this weekend. And next up for Barkley and USC, Stanford; while Geno will put up massive numbers against James Madison.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oregon – Defense wins championships; so I like Alabama to repeat and keep the title in SEC land for one more year.

Week 3 Big Games:

Florida @ Tennessee – Tennessee hasn’t beat Florida in 8 years; but neither team has done well recently against ranked opponents: Florida losing nine straight and Tennessee losing 11 straight. This one will be Florida on the ground and Tennessee in the air. Both teams have looked pretty good so far this year, but I give the slight edge to Tennessee in this one. Tennessee 27 Florida 24

Arizona State @ Missouri – Missouri is a seven point favorite in this one, and ASU’s defense has largely been untested so far this year. We know the Sun Devils will move the ball and score, but can they hold Missouri to under 30? Yes. This isn’t your Dennis Erickson Devils anymore. ASU 38 Missouri 27

USC @ Stanford – One of the more entertaining rivalries in the PAC-12 the last few years, but Luck is gone from Stanford, and USC’s offense is just too powerful. Eventually, USC and Kiffen will choke away a game they shouldn’t, but it won’t be this one. USC 41 Stanford 24

Notre Dame @ Michigan State – It seems like every time these two teams play, strange things happen. Last year, Notre Dame inexplicably blew out the Spartans 31-13. And of course two years ago, Sparty won in O.T. on the fake FG play where they snapped the ball about 12 seconds after the play clock expired (okay, maybe a little exaggeration). The bottom line is this: if Notre Dame can’t stop the run, this one gets ugly. And it will. Michigan State 31 Notre Dame 17

Week 3 Game of the Week:

Alabama @ Arkansas – I still have this as my game of the week for a few reasons. One, it’s a huge road test for Alabama. Two, it’s a bounce back opportunity for Arkansas. And three, both teams need this win to stay in the SEC picture. In 2010 season, Saban admitted that he didn’t do a good job of game preparation and relied too much on their previous national championship clout. And he vowed to not let that happen again. Another national championship and another #1 ranking later, I think he’s done a good job. Both teams are little banged up, but I don’t see Alabama losing this one. Alabama 30 Arkansas 16

Until next time…

Week 1 Recap and Week 2 Preview

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 1^st 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 6^th. 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…