College Football Week 3: Baryshnikovs and Two Left Feet.
Road Test Weekend has come and gone and the smoke settled nicely around the Top 10 in the country. Some teams danced away from others, while some were stuck in the mud. Dancing with the Stars also came back this week and Metta World Peace (a.k.a Ron Artest) was the first one eliminated. That mimics some of the teams in College Football from this past week as they have fallen out of the Top 25 and the national title picture. The Heisman race also picked up last week with some OUTSTANDING performances in high profile games. Can these teams and individuals keep up with their steps or will they fall face first on the floor? With that in mind, this week’s theme is Baryshnikovs and Two Left Feet.
BARYSHNIKOVS
- Georgia Tech Offense - The Ramblin’ Wreck was out in full force this week against Kansas. The Yellow Jackets rushed for a school record 604 yards and had a school record 768 total yards of offense. Those numbers are off the chart. I know Kansas is not a football power, but we ARE talking about a Big 12 team. Georgia Tech will get tested next week against a good North Carolina team that comes into Atlanta.
- South Florida QB, B.J. Daniels and WR Darrell Scott - Daniels went 20-29 for 377 yards and 4 TDs as the Bulls put up 70 points on Florida A&M. Scott was the star though as he had 12 catches for 146 yards and 3 TDs. The Bulls get a nice game against UTEP this week before beginning Big East play. Watch out for South Florida to possibly sneak out with the Big East title
- Alabama RB Trent Richardson - 11 carries is not a lot for an Alabama running back, but when those 11 carries turn into 167 yards and 3 TDs I would say that 11 is just fine. Richardson torched the Mean Green defense all day as the Tide rolled to a 41-0 victory. This week begins a two week stretch where the Tide will play at home against Arkansas and then travel to Gainesville the next week for a matchup with Florida.
- Clemson QB Tajh Boyd and WR Sammy Watkins - Boyd was 30-42 for 386 yards and 4 TDs. The sophomore QB torched an Auburn’s defense and broke the Tigers win streak. Freshman WR Watkins had 10 receptions for 155 yards and 2 TDs. These young Tigers have their work cut out for them next week against Florida State.
- Florida RB Chris Rainey - Rainey was literally all-purpose against Tennessee. He had 21 carries for 110 yards rushing, 2 catches for 104 yards and a TD and for good measure, he added a blocked punt. He is easily the most versatile player in the country so far and he will have to continue his high level of play as Florida approaches their hellacious October schedule.
Two Left Feet
- Ohio State Buckeyes - The Buckeyes looked abismal on offense against Miami and have fallen out of the Top 25. Joe Bauserman has lost his job to Braxton Miller and the rest of the offense seems to be non-existent. Ohio State will have to get things in order quickly if they want to be a contender in the Big Ten race.
- Arizona Wildcats - Maybe you can blame the scheduling gods for this one. Arizona started off with patsy Northern Arizona and looked great. Then all hell broke loose with their schedule. The went to Stillwater to play Oklahoma State and then hosted Andrew Luck and Stanford. Their defense has to be still gassed as I write this and things do NOT get any easier. Oregon comes calling to Tucson next and the Ducks are looking to prove a point to the nation.
- Florida State Seminoles - The ‘Noles looked good for a while against Oklahoma. They tied the game late and had the crowd into it. Then OU stormed back to take the lead and it was all over. Florida State is desperate to show that they are a legit contender, but that might not be so easy. QB E.J. Manual is likely out next week against Clemson and the game is in Death Valley. Two straight losses would but kill their championship hopes.
- Mississippi Rebels - Ole Miss……what can I say? It is one thing to get beat 30-7 in a game, but against that team? Should Vanderbilt beat ANYONE in the SEC 30-7? Maybe Vandy is great this year. I guess we will see next week againse South Carolina, but I wouldn’t bet on it. The Rebels are struggling and things do not get easier against a Georgia team that needs to win out to save their Head Coach. Ole Miss might not make bowl eligibility.
Heisman Race
- Boise State QB Kellen Moore – 32-42, 455 yds, 5TDs @ Toledo. Hottest QB in the country. Next week vs. Tulsa.
- Stanford QB Andrew Luck – 20-31, 325 yds, 2 TDs @ Arizona. Luck has not blown away anyone yet, but it is early. Next Week vs. Idle
- Alabama RB Trent Richardson - 11 car. 167 yds, 3 TDs vs. North Texas. Trent has run over everyone so far, but a big test this week could be huge for him. Next week vs. Arkansas.
- South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore – 37 car, 246 yds, 3 TDs vs. Navy. South Carolina has the meat of their SEC schedule left so that should tell how strong he is, but Lattimore has looked DOMINANT early. Next week vs. Vanderbilt
- New England Patriots QB Tom Brady - 63-88, 940 yds, 7 TDs in 2 weeks vs. NFL. Why not? He is making NFL defenses look like college defenses so why can’t Tom crack our top 5. He is on pace for 7500 yards passing and 56 TDs. I think he should get some Heisman love as well.
