2010 - week 2

Okay people, we are trying this blog thing for now. If you, or I don't like it, we'll go back to the "old" way. If you don't want to sign up for Blogger, let me know and I'll send this to you via email like I always have. Let me know your thoughts.

Also be sure to check out the websites at the top of the page, if you're ever not really sure as to what I'm talking about.

Anyway, what a fantastic weekend for football! This past Saturday was dubbed "Monster Match up," and let me tell you, it made me feel like a monster! At 2:30 there were three games that started that needed to be viewed by me, and I couldn't decide when to switch over to one game or the other. It was madness!

Here are the games I am talking about.

The first one I cared about was the Oklahoma-Florida State match up. Many Sooner fans were probably slightly concerned following last week's escape over Utah State, while FSU was riding high after their week one domination over Samford. And with Bob Stoops' brother Mark being the defensive coordinator for the Noles, skepticism was in the air. WRONG! OU came out firing from the start. Scoring on their first four possessions, in rout to a 34 -7 halftime lead. Clearly us idiots who think they know everything about football, were proven horribly wrong by Stoops(Bob) and the Sooners. They must have shown absolutely nothing in their opener, then brought it all out for this one. The offense was incredibly sharp, with everyone getting involved, and the defense held one of the top quarterbacks in the country, Christian Ponder, to just 113 yards passing, and picking him off twice. QB Landry Jones distributed the ball very well, throwing for 380 yards and 4 td's. OU receiver Ryan Broyles continues to pile up catches, grabbing 12 for 124 yards and a score. Now OU looks like a top ten team. Final score 47-17, Oklahoma.

Luckily.

The OU game was in hand, so I could switch it over to the Ohio State-Miami game. Two of the big name programs in all of the land, going at it in week 2. My man Terrelle Pryor, still has his critics, seeing if he can duplicate the big game performances. Well he did. Throwing for 233 yards and a td, and rushing for another 113 with a score. The other big name, Heisman watch list QB on the other side was Jacory Harris, who, well, didn't play as well. Harris threw four interceptions on the road against the number two team in the country. I don't know about you , but that won't win very many games. Ohio State also showed they were an elite team. Even after Miami returned a kickoff and a punt back for touchdowns, the Buckeyes were in control the entire game. Final score 36-24, Ohio State.

What turned out to be the best game.

Michigan-Notre Dame is a good rivalry, but has lost some luster in the last couple of years. Sure last year's game in Ann Arbor went right down to the end, but since there are no national implications to it whatsoever, it just doesn't have the wow factor. But even if Michigan or Notre Dame doesn't make it to BCS bowls this year, this was one heck of a game. Michigan took a 21-7 lead into halftime, with QB Denard Robinson running and throwing all over the place. But ND rallied in the second half to take the lead 24-21 on a 95 yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph! That's the wow factor I've been looking for! With just over three minutes left, Michigan gets the ball and goes right down the field, capped off by a Robinson two yard touchdown run with just 27 seconds left. The guy was spectacular. He is just a sophomore, and he has command of the Wolverine offense, and seems to run around at will. Granted, he hasn't seen a stellar defense yet, but still this was at Notre Dame, and in the final minutes. You have to give it to him. Rich Rod cools off the hot seat a little more. Final score 28-24, Michigan.

Up next.

The next big game of the day after that triple headed monster of games, was the Alabama-Penn State showdown. Oh who am I kidding, this game didn't excite me very much at all. Sure it looks good on paper, but did anyone really think Penn State had a chance? No you didn't. Penn State came to Tuscaloosa with a true freshman quarterback, and that still ever so slow Big 10 style of play. Once again, an SEC team handled them with ease. Who needs reigning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, when you have his "backup" Trent Richardson rushing for 144 yards and a td? The Nittany Lions only had 283 yards of total offense, and didn't score a point until the fourth quarter. Alabama's young defense seems to have answered the question of how good they're going to be. They picked off Penn State QB Rob Bolden twice, and held "star" running back Evan Royster to just 32 yards rushing. Joe Paterno is still somehow coaching, even though I swear he is secretly hooked up to a machine that keeps him standing. After the game, he told Nick Saban, "good game Bear." And yes, Bama QB Greg McElroy STILL hasn't lost a game as a starter since junior high. Incredible. Final score 24-3, Alabama.

Still unimpressed.

After a week one offensive showing that was downright horrendous, Florida, in my mind, has still not gotten it going. Yes they had 423 yards of total offense and scored 38 points against South Florida, but it wasn't until a 62 yard touchdown run by Jeff Demps again in the third quarter that started the offense. That td run only put Florida up 14-7, and Jeff Brantley again wasn't doing much through the air. I know it's not really time to panic in Gainesville, but I thought Brantley and the Gator offense was going to pick right up where that unnamed previous player left off. I'll believe it when I see it. Final score 38-14, Florida.

This week's "what the bleep" was that game?

Virginia Tech put up a great fight against Boise State in a loss last week. Tyrod Taylor cemented himself as one of the top play making quarterbacks in the country. Va Tech has been a top tier program in the country the last ten years, winning ten games almost every year, and a couple of BCS bowls in that span. So you would think even after a loss where they put everything out on the field, they could rebound and take care of business against James Madison. No not the person, the football team James Madison. Again, I have no idea where they are from,  or what conference they play in. But the Hokies just threw in the towel I guess by losing at home to an FCS school. James Madison could only muster 235 yards of total offense, and still somehow won. Sorry Va Tech, but you might as well call it a year. Final score 21-16, James Madison.

Nice.

I mentioned it in my shout outs section, but I have to go more into the Kansas win over Georgia Tech. A 15th ranked Georgia Tech team, that won the ACC last year, just lost to a Kansas team that just one week ago lost to North Dakota State! WHAT?! Seeing the match up on paper, one would think the Yellow Jackets would completely run over Kansas in dominating fashion. But you have to give it to head coach Turner Gill, who somehow completely turned around the team's attitude, and pulled out a nice win, that a week ago looked impossible. I mean, they lost to North Dakota State! It was 6-3! I now have a lot respect for Turner Gill. Final score 28-25, Kansas.

I almost forgot.

About them in general. But the USC Trojans seem to be a bit of an afterthought. The wrath of God punishment that was brought down upon them, looks like it may be affecting them. By losing a few juniors and seniors to transfer, and a couple of incoming freshman commits, could hurt them more than we thought. Sure they all said the moral of the team was fine, and the focus was still there. But I'm not seeing anything to be real excited about. Sure they're 2-0, but this is USC we're talking about. The same USC that won 7 straight PAC 10 titles, and a national championship in the last ten years. The same team that this week squeaked out a win over Virginia(they aren't very good) at home. In week one, when I forgot to talk about them, they beat Hawaii, but allowed 588 yards of offense and 36 points. I feel sorry for QB Matt Barkley, who will most likely turn out to be an excellent player for them. But unless he stays for his senior year, he will not be able to play in a bowl game. If I were him, I'd bolt after my junior year and call it a day. He can thank Reggie Bush for that. Oh yeah there was a game. Final score 17-14, USC.

Wish I wasn't impressed again.

But South Carolina may have actually turned the corner this time. Every year you hear me talk about how the Gamecocks are so over hyped, and to let me know when they win more than 7 games. The Ole Ball coach has never really been able to get them over the hump. But after a complete game over Georgia, I may be eating my words. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore is the absolute real deal, rushing for 182 yards and two touchdowns. And I'm afraid much ridiculed QB Stephen Garcia is playing some good football. The defense looks pretty legit as well. Holding Georgia's offense to 253 yards of offense. Being that these guys are in the SEC, I feel I may have to watch them a little more carefully than I would like. Final score 17-6, South Carolina.

Not missing him at all.

Oregon has been able to plug in Darren Thomas at quarterback in place of Jeremiah "The Thief" Masoli. In fact, it's safe to say The Ducks may have the best offense in all of the country. In their first two games, they have generated 1,167 yards of offense, and 120 points. The second coming on the road at Tennessee. The best running back duo also may reside in Eugene, with LaMichael James' "backup" Kenjon Barner taking a punt return 80 yards for a td, after he went for 173 and 4 touchdowns last week! And now that James is back from his suspension for assault, he was right back where he left off from last year, going for 134 yards and a score. Tennessee is in a bit of a rebuilding phase with a new head coach, but still had no answer as Oregon scored 45 points in the second half. Final score 48-13, Oregon.

Don't look now.

But Auburn may have themselves a quarterback. Cam Newton transferred in after a year at Florida, then a Juco stint, and has taken the reigns of the offense. I hate to say it, but the guy can play. He may not yet be a complete passer, but he can run, and he's big. He threw for 136 and a td, and ran for another 70 to will the Tigers to an escape on the road at Mississippi State. I don't know if Miss State is better than I thought, or Auburn isn't as good as most people thought, but without Newton, Auburn would have lost that game. Those annoying cowbells didn't seem to affect him, of course it doesn't seem to affect too many people considering Miss State has lost A LOT of games at home the last several years. Anyway, watch out for this kid, he is going to be a player. Final score 17-14, Auburn.

JV basketball score of the week - Wake Forest over Duke 54-48.

Last but never least.

The Hogs cruise, not as convincingly as I would have liked, over Louisiana-Monroe. Ryan Mallet is putting up Heisman numbers so far, 701 yards passing and six touchdowns. More importantly, a 73% completion percentage. The horrific defense from a year ago, that same defense that was ranked DEAD LAST in the SEC, has played extremely well. They have only allowed 5 points per game so far. But the real tests are coming, and coming fast. Final score 31-7, Arkansas.

Until next week,

Nance