OBSERVATIONS

September 15, 2010

Two weeks into the season, there is a lot to be learned the rest of the way. Here are a few things I feel we already know.

1. The ACC is NOT back! Last weekend gave the ACC a chance to make a major statement. They did. They are not ready for the big stage yet. Miami broke a few big plays against Ohio State, specifically on special teams. However, the U was out coached and over matched in a double digit loss to the Buckeyes. Jim Tressel even took mercy on the Canes by kneeling on the ball inside the five with two minutes left. You also had Florida State getting run over by Oklahoma and Virginia Tech’s embarrassing loss to James Madison.
2. Don’t underestimate the FCS, especially on a short week. Did the JMU-Virginia Tech result sound familiar? I’m not even referring to Appalachian State’s legendary win in Ann Arbor three years ago. Last season on Labor Day night, Florida State played a grueling battle with Miami. The Noles won 38-34. Five days later they were back on the field. Rather than taking the following Saturday off, they hosted Jacksonville State of the FCS. (Yes, Ole Miss fans… THAT Jacksonville State.) It took a late TD and turnover for FSU to pull out a 19-9 win. The Boise-Va Tech game was originally scheduled to be played in October. TV wanted to move it to Labor Day. Boise State said fine… as long as their game the following Saturday could be moved. Maybe Frank Beamer should have paid closer attention to that concept.
3. Denard Robinson can run pretty fast. Okay, so you don’t have to be the “Voice of Reason” to figure that one out for yourself. There’s no question that he’s dangerous, but let’s refrain from sending him a Heisman just yet. He ran all over a UConn team that plays no defense and a Notre Dame team that also plays little defense. Give him credit for the record setting days he has had, but ask yourself two questions. Will he hold up all year against Michigan State, Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State carrying the ball 25-30 times? And, didn’t Tate Forcier look awfully good last year in September? Forcier was the toast of the Big Ten after he beat ND in the closing seconds and started 4-0. Michigan finished 5-7.
4. Those Mormons are crazy! So BYU is going independent? I guess they have a few things in common with Notre Dame, college football’s major independent. They are both religious schools which gives them a fan base beyond just alumni. They both have exactly one national championship and one Heisman Trophy winner in the last 30 years. BYU even has its own TV network, they can now explore further without any conference constraints. The problem is they just gave up on the Mountain West Conference when it was about to receive an automatic BCS bid. Even with the loss of Utah to the Pac-12, the additions of Nevada, Fresno State and most importantly Boise State had all but assured the MWC of a spot at the big boy table. Now, BYU is hoping they are given the same BCS qualifying rules as ND. That’s not likely. Even if it is, a nine win minimum and top 14 ranking only gets them on the “eligible for an at-large bid” list. It doesn’t mean anyone will take them.

Games of the Week:

Iowa @ Arizona –One year after winning a BCS game, the Hawkeyes are poised for bigger and better things. They are an untested 2-0 heading to the desert Saturday. With a veteran QB in Ricky Stanzi and four returning starters on the D-Line, Iowa will likely play for the Big Ten title (or more) when they play Ohio State in November. ESPN’s Ivan Maisel has predicted they’ll play for the BCS Title. Well, here’s a solid early test. Last year in Iowa City, the Hawks controlled the Cats all day. Arizona QB Nick Foles is one of a few Pac 10 QBs that are getting looks at the next level. I think Iowa is for real. Expect their defense to be the difference.

Arkansas @ Georgia – The Bulldogs are already backed into a corner. They are 0-1 in the SEC. A loss here, and they could be out of the SEC East race before fall officially arrives. It won’t help that they will still be without star WR A.J. Green. They’ll also have their hands full with Ryan Mallett and the Hogs offense. Arkansas has only won 20 of 54 games against the Eastern division since the divisional split in 1992. That’s the worst mark of any team in the West. Between the Hedges, I’ll take a desperate Bulldog team that is better coached.

Texas @ Texas Tech – The more things change, the more they stay the same. Tommy Tuberville is now the head man in Lubbock, but the Red Raider offense is still lethal. They’ve scored 87 points through two games. This will be Texas’s first visit since Michael Crabtree turned the Big 12 on its ear with a second to play in 2008. This is not an easy environment for visiting teams, especially ones with as many freshmen on the field as the Longhorns will have Saturday. Tech will make it interesting, but I still think the Horns escape with a win this time.