College Football: Week 2 Preview

The most excitement from week 1 came from the last game of the week as QB Kellen Moore rose his Heisman stock and his team's stock for a BCS championship game appearance with a 4th quarter comeback against Virginia Tech in what many would say was virtually a home game for the Hokies despite it being played in Maryland. Most top squad held their ground while the three teams mentioned last week (Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma) showed some signs of being a little rusty and going through a feeling out process with new players starting.

On opening night, Ohio State and Miami (FL) both looked very good on both sides of the ball against inferior talent as they prepare for a collision this week. While USC won, but their defense looked horrible. Against better teams, that might come back to bite them. As stated, Florida had some early trouble against Miami (OH); Texas did not look especially great against Rice; and Oklahoma barely got by Utah State. Teams that did not struggle at all were Iowa and Florida State. And Oregon might have had the most dominant opening game. Both Notre Dame and Michigan looked very good with some new pieces in place and their match this week is a must watch.

In terms of my top 5 game picks, I went 4-1 to start to season and it took an overtime game to keep me from 5-0. Illinois did enough to slow Missouri down and entered half time with a lead, but the second half was dominated by Missouri as they scored 20 unanswered points and shut down the Illini leading the way for their victory. In a thrilling game on opening night, Pittsburgh overcame an 11 point deficit in the 4th quarter to the game and force overtime after Utah played very good defense for the first 3 quarters. In overtime, one big mistake by Pittsburgh QB Tino Sunseri led to an interception and set up the game winning field goal for the Utes a couple plays later. Utah's win was a statement that they are not to be slept on. A lot of credit has to go out to North Carolina this week as they might have come up short against LSU, but considering they were undermanned; they almost escaped with a big win. LSU slowly piled up a big lead at half time before North Carolina QB T.J. Yates led a 4th comeback that fell ultimately short at the end as LSU won by less than a touchdown. The results puts a spotlight on both for different reasons.

TCU utilized the possession game to outlast Oregon State in what was a close battle. TCU QB Andy Dalton depended more on his legs at times as he struggled through the air while the Badgers could not keep the Horned Frogs off the field and thus leaving a star like HB Jacquizz Rodgers on the sideline more than Oregon State would have preferred. TCU's defense late was similar to the level we saw last year. And in the main event, as mentioned, Boise State led by QB Kellen Moore got the final laugh in a game that had both teams with all the momentum. Boise jumped out to 17-0 lead going into the second quarter before Virginia Tech dominated most of the 2nd and 3rd quarters and led late until that final score by Moore to WR Austin Pettis and shook up the BCS again. It will take a full season depending on how much each wins to know what Boise State's potential BCS fate will be. Regardless, Boise stunned most in attendance and many watching at home and showed that they can play with the big boys.

Now on to Week 2 with a bunch of big games.

Games featuring top 25 teams/some that might be interesting:

Thursday, September 9
No. 21 Auburn at Mississippi State: A bit of an intriguing matchup in the SEC early in the season. Auburn rebounded last year in the SEC, but must beware of a Bulldogs team at home.

Friday, September 10
No. 23 West Virginia at Marshall: An instate rivalry that could be closer because of its intensity and bragging rights.

Saturday, September 11
San Jose State at No. 11 Wisconsin: Nothing too fancy, but a solid running attack and solid defense from Wisconsin in this one.

No. 15 Georgia Tech at Kansas: Kansas did not look very good last week and might be overmatched against the spread offense of Georgia Tech.

South Florida at No. 8 Florida: Florida looked sloppy and should correct errors they made this week or else worries and doubts might begin to start in Gainesville.

Idaho at No. 6 Nebraska: This one could get ugly if Nebraska is clicking.

James Madison at No. 13 Virginia Tech: It should be interesting to see how Virginia Tech responds after losing to Boise State. This should be a game to get their mojo back.

Iowa State at No. 9 Iowa: Not much of a game here. Iowa might flirt with a shut out with a balanced attack on both sides.

UNLV at No. 20 Utah: Utah can back up their overtime victory with a blowout win. Or will they have a let down?

Tennessee Tech at No. 4 TCU: This one should not be as challenging for TCU this week and could turn into a rout by halftime.

Wyoming at No. 5 Texas: Texas was not especially great against Rice and must beware of coming out too slow again cause Wyoming could find a way to make this one a game.

No. 7 Oregon at Tennessee: Can Tennessee's defense restrain Oregon's offense enough to keep this one close? The success of the Vols' defense will dictate if Tennessee can spring the upset or least keep this one to a 3 score differential.

Louisiana-Monroe at No. 14 Arkansas: Arkansas can continue to take steps to show they might challenge in the SEC.

No. 19 LSU at Vanderbilt: LSU goes on the road a week after surviving a late scare against the Tar Heels. Vanderbilt might be upset-minded.

Virginia at No. 16 USC: USC should win, but how will their defense perform against an offense not as pass oriented as Hawaii's is.

No. 25 Stanford at UCLA: Stanford is among the top teams in the conference and have one of the better quarterbacks; both the team and quarterback look to show up an instate rival.


And of course, the top 5 games to watch this week.

Top 5
5) Michigan at Notre Dame: These two most years have compelling matchups. This year is not different. The two enter unranked again, but the winner could find themselves in the top 25 next week after a second solid win and performance. Michigan QB Denard Robinson has been exciting to watch after just one game and will keep the Irish defense on their heels. Last year, Notre Dame came up short at the end. I can almost see another close game with a late score to seal the game. Notre Dame avenges last year lost, but struggles slowing Robinson down completely. PREDICTION: NOTRE DAME

4) No. 22 Georgia at No. 24 South Carolina: An early hard-nosed battle between border rivals. This game was largely impacted by the ruling of Georgia WR A.J. Green's lengthy suspension. He is a game-changer and allows the Gamecock defense to zero in on other players not as dynamic. South Carolina did look pretty good in their opening game, but Georgia finds a way to score late and use enough defense to escape. PREDICTION: GEORGIA

3) No. 18 Penn State at No. 1 Alabama: Joe Paterno leads his Nittany Lions down to Tuscaloosa against the top team in the land, who will still be without their Heisman trophy winning running back. Joe Pa's young freshman QB Rob Bolden seems to have some poise, but it will be a tough environment. HB Trent Richardson for the Tide will give Penn State some headaches with his speed and power. Penn State keeps it close early before talent starts to separate the teams before halftime. PREDICTION: ALABAMA

2) No. 17 Florida State at No. 10 Oklahoma: Oklahoma was a bit rusty against Utah State while Florida State opened the season looking explosive on offense. Oklahoma is home and that should play a bit of factor in them being able to play more consistent this week. For most of the game, QB Christian Ponder from Florida State and QB Landry Jones from Oklahoma might enter a duel, but the running game of Oklahoma will separate the two teams later in the game. As a side story, Florida State's Defensive Coordinator is the brother of Oklahoma Head Coach, Bob Stoops. The Sooners reclaim their swagger. PREDICTION: OKLAHOMA

1) No. 12 Miami (FL) at No. 2 Ohio State: This week's featured game takes place in Columbus, OH. The two quarterbacks, Jacory Harris (Miami) and Tyrelle Pryor (Ohio State), know each other off the field and could make for an interesting rivalry between the two on and off the field during the game. Pryor's athleticism will the Hurricanes' defense on their toes. Harris will have to show he can have poise especially in the red zone, where he struggled at times last year. Jim Tressel's Ohio State success has been predicated on opportunities. Miami must protect the ball if they hope to stun the Buckeyes on the road. Harris will make one or two costly mistakes like he did at times last year. PREDICTION: OHIO STATE

This is the first big weekend of the year with a few big impact games. Should be interesting to see who performs and who struggles.