College Football 2008: The First Week Of The Upsets

This past week those in the college football world noticed an astonishing turn of events. USC lost its golden armor, UGA lost their strength, Florida lost its super powers, and the rabid Badgers could not handle the rabid Wolverines. This past weekend was the end of the road for one team and the beginning for others.

Let’s start with USC and Oregon State. USC came into this game with a little bit of arrogance. Everyone was talking about how they would run the table in the Pac-10 and that there wasn’t a team that could stop them this season. Well Oregon State heard what was being said and didn’t like it one bit. Oregon State jumped out to a 21-0 lead on the Trojans and took it from there. The one problem for Oregon State, however, was that they began to play, “let’s not lose the lead by turnovers” and went three and out on their next four possesions. USC, on the other hand, took their first two possesions of the second half and made it a 7 point game. Oregon State would intercept a Mark Sanchez pass and turn it in to a touchdown, saving what could’ve easily turned out to be a coemback win for USC. The lesson here is: if you’re beating a team at the end of the first half, continue doing what was working. If you’re winning because you’re attacking don’t stop attacking until the game is in hand.

Next we’ll go to the battle between Georgia and Alabama. There isn’t much that can be said about this game as Alabama came out ready to play and Georgia didn’t. Alabama jumped out to a 31-0 lead on UGA before Saban came down with a case of conservativitis. Though the Tide would only score 10 more points it prooved to be enough against the Bulldogs. The final score was 41-30 with UGA scoring two touchdowns in the final 5 minutes. Another lesson of what could possibly happen when you become too conservative: had Alabama not scored those ten points we would be looking at a 31-30 game where UGA would probably take the extra point on the first of their last two touchdowns leading to a 32-31 Georgia win. Granted Alabama scored 10 points but you can’t just change your game plan because you’re winning big in the first half. Keep doing what was working until the other team learns how to stop it or until the game is in hand.

Now we’re off to Gainesville, Florida — the site for the Rebels and Gators shoot-out. Florida would have problems with their offense yielding three fumbles and two turnovers-on-downs. Ole Miss threw one interception and had one turnover-on-downs of their own but they would also add a field goal and 4 touchdowns to compensate for their mistakes. The game was over when Urban Meyer decided to take a chance on 4th and 1 instead of giving their senior kicker, who hasn’t missed a field goal this season, a chance from 49 yards out. Florida had the lead going into the second half but Ole Miss came out in the third quarter and scored 17 unanswered points to take the lead again by 7. Florida scored to tie it in the fourth quarter but Ole Miss would answer for yet another 7 point lead. Florida drove down the field and put the ball in the end zone one last time but had their extra point blocked and their fate sealed. The lesson here is that no matter how good your team is, you can always be plagued by turnovers.

Our final stop is The Big House, where Michigan was playing their 500th game against the undefeated Badgers. Michigan lost four fumbles and threw an interception, all in the first half, and when Wisconsin took a 19-0 lead going into halftime, many people probably thought, “Jeez, this game is over. It’s 19-0 and Michigan has turned it over 5 times.” Don’t tell that to Rich Rodriguez and his team, though, as they came out in the second half with a passion. With a little over 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter Kevin Koger would catch a Steven Threet touchdown pass drawing the score within 12, 19-7. With a little over 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter Brandon Minor would race 34 yards for another touchdown, suddenly making it a 5 point game. The first play of Wisconsin’s ensuing drive would give the Wolverines their first lead of the game, as Linebacker John Thompson would take an interception the distance for a score and 5 minutes later Sam McGuffie would punch in a two yard run giving the Wolverines a 27-19 lead. The game wasn’t over yet, though, as Wisconsin would score with 19 seconds left in the game, needing only a two point conversion to tie it up. Everidge would complete the two point conversion, but to an ineligible receiver. The illegal man downfield penalty would force Wisconsin back 5 yards for another attempt and this time the pass sailed high to clinch the Wolverines stunning 27-25 comeback. The lesson here is that no team is ever out of a game until that final whistle blows.

None of these teams are out of the National Title picture by any means, with the only exception likely being Wisconsin. The Badgers droped to 17 in the AP poll and 18 in the USA Today Poll. Florida is down to 12, while UGA is 11th and USC is 9th. Florida and Georgia have the best chances of getting back to the top considering strength of schedule and also assuming that neither team loses again. Granted one of them will lose when they play eachother but the team that goes undefeated the rest of the way will have a good chance at the National Championship game. USC also has a solid shot at making it back to the big game but they will have to hope that certain teams lose while they finish their Pac-10 schedule unscathed. Nonetheless it is shaping up to be yet another very exciting college football season.

OSU At USC: In Review

Saturday September 13, 2008 the Buckeyes participated in the “Clash in the Collisieum” with the USC Trojans. I wouldn’t even really call it a clash, it was a clash between USC’s offense and OSU’s defense but it was a pillow fight when Ohio State was on offense — and USC put a piece of steel in their pillow cases.

The Trojans came out ready to play and beat the Buckeyes into submission. Mark Sanchez was 17/28 for four touchdowns and one interception. He threw for 172 yards and was never sacked. Joe McKnight led the Trojans rushing offense with 12 carries for 105 yards and with Stafon Johnson only getting 4 carries for 23 yards, it’s easy to say that McKnight is Carroll’s choice for the running back position. On the other side of the ball, the Trojan defense was impeccable, forcing two interceptions and a fumble to go along with five sacks. The Trojans were just fired up for this game and dominated the Buckeyes from start to finish.

The Buckeyes came into this game with one thing on their mind: National Championship or nothing. And honestly it seems as if they’ll come away with nothing this year. The Bucks couldn’t get anything going on offense after their second drive resulted in a field goal. They had a total of 207 yards, with 136 passing yards combined between Boeckman and Pryor. Boeckman was 14/21– not a bad percentage — but when thats only for 84 yards with two interceptions, one of which goes for a touchdown, it is not as impressive. Pryor was 7/9 for 52 yards, really not bad for a freshman who’s supposed weapon is running — which he had 11 attempts for 40 yards and was Ohio State’s second leading rusher for the game. No Chris Wells for Ohio State really hurt them as a team because the running game seems to struggle without him, but you can’t rely on just one running back. Ohio State was sacked 5 times (Boeckman 4 times, Pryor once) and  that doesn’t shine too well for the veteran offensive line.

In the end the game was pretty much decided at halftime when a touchdown was called back for Ohio State and Boeckman proceeded to throw a pick six to Ray Mauluga — who looked to have stepped out of bounds on the play.  But none the less it was 21-3, USC. When you don’t win the turnover margin, you’re most likely going to lose the game. The Trojans only turned the ball over once when, with 6 seconds left in the first half, Sanchez threw a pass into the end-zone that was intercepted. The Buckeyes however threw two interceptions and lost the ball a third time on a fumble.

“The Trojans proved to everyone why they’re the best team in the nation.”

This is being said by a lot of college football analysts. Don’t make me laugh, the Trojans don’t deserve the number one slot just yet. Sure, they beat Virginia 52-7 and the Buckeyes 35-3, but Viriginia is a team that is in a rebuilding year and Ohio State even had trouble with Ohio University. I understand that Ohio State is a good team and with Chris Wells I’m sure that it wouldn’t have been 35-3.  Having Chris Wells in the huddle is a huge boost in confidence for that Ohio State offense. However, the Trojans haven’t played against #2 Oklahoma, #3 Georgia, or #4 Florida and won’t unless they face one of them in the National Championship. You simply can’t imply that because USC beat Ohio State then that makes them the best team in the country. USC has a pretty breezy schedule from here on out, their toughest game is against Oregon on October 4th while Arizona State could give them a pretty good game as well. Right now the number one thing that USC is worried about is not getting depantsed by Stanford again.

Ohio State will be looking to rebound this weekend against Troy, a team that is averaging 45 points per game and beat a strong Middle Tennessee State team 31-17.  After having their game with LSU postponed, Troy took down Alcorn State 65-0. Ohio State needs to make sure that they don’t do with Troy what they did with Ohio and underestimate them as a team. Ohio State should win this one, but don’t be surprised if they struggle early. The final point here, is that if Ohio State doesn’t beat Troy by more than 14, then you can count on them losing the Big Ten to either Wisconsin or Penn State.

USC Or OSU? The Debate Is On!

The debate may even date back to the last time Southern Cal and Ohio State played: who would win in a match-up between OSU and USC?

The last time they played was back during the 89-90 season when USC “beat” the Buckeyes. The Trojans and Buckeyes were playing in brutal weather, Ohio State scored with a two point conversion to put them down 35-26. The referee called USC’s coach and OSU’s coach together to confer about the game being called. Ohio State’s coach said that if they didn’t get the onside kick back then they could call the game, which is what happened. The game was called after the Trojans recovered the ball. To make it even worse for the Buckeyes’ coach is that after the teams and fans left the stadium, the weather cleared. So the debate continues, who would win in a game between Ohio State and Southern Cal? We all have a chance of finding that out this Saturday.

Let’s just start by saying, the #5 Buckeyes are 2-0 and the #1 Trojans are 1-0. OK so they’re both undefeated, that doesn’t mean much since neither team has played many games. What does matter however, is who they’ve beaten. Ohio State shut down Youngstown State 43-0, oh you mean you’ve never heard of the Penguins? They’re an FCS team that used to be coached by OSU’s current coach, Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes looked horrific in their second game of the season without Chris “Beanie” Wells as they held off THE Ohio University 26-14, you mean you’ve never heard of the Bobcats either? They’re a team from the Mid-American Conference and are actually pretty good, but their games aren’t normally televised unless they’re are playing someone like OSU. Ohio State has a long road ahead of them if they continue to play like that. Although it was more than likely a time where you know you are playing a team at the top of the polls and look ahead towards them and don’t worry about a team that you should beat senseless, you still have to take it one game at a time.

The USC Trojans manhandled a Virginia Cavaliers team that looked pretty confused when they played. The final score was 52-7 and the Cavaliers looked as if they were sleep walking trough the game. Mark Sanchez may have had great numbers in that game but there were several throws that he made that the Cavalier defense just didn’t capitalize on. Other than Sanchez the running backs did pretty well too, but again the Cavalier defense just isn’t what it used to be.

Ohio State will have a tough time against the USC offense if they play like they did against Ohio, although I don’t think USC will spread the field nearly as much as the Bobcats did. If I were Pete Carroll though, I would be spreading that field like crazy, seeing as how the Buckeyes have a history of not being able to stop it. The Trojans need to get Sanchez to make smarter throws and realize that what he did against Virginia won’t work against Ohio State. Also, why not give the running backs the ball some more? C.J Gable and Joe McKnight combined for only 13 carries and 133 yards. Granted the Trojans ended with 208 yards on the ground but you’re two best backs only took the ball 13 times. I know that Carroll probably wanted to give Sanchez some good game experience against Virginia before facing Ohio State but you have 3 good running backs in Gable, McKnight and Stafon Johnson, get them some experience too.

As for Ohio State there is really only two things they need to do on offense: block a lot better than they did against Ohio and put Terrelle Pryor in for more than just two plays. They need to pull a 2006 Florida and work Boeckman and Pryor so that the defense can never get used to one quarterback.

There really is no clear cut winner. Ohio State fans are going to say that they’re going to win, and if they end up losing they’ll probably try to find an excuse like they did in 2006 when Florida beat them. USC fans are going to say that they’re going to win, and if they end up losing they’ll probably try to find an excuse such as not having an experienced quarterback.

As for my opinion I believe that Ohio State ends up winning the game on the fact that Sanchez isn’t ready for a big game this early. If the game was later in the season I would probabaly go with USC but Ohio State wins this one by a score.

Welcome To Summertime In Florida

Summer time in Florida, for most it means time to hit the beach, go for a nice swim, and just relax on a nice summer night. For Gator fans, it means it’s time to gear up for the next season and a drive towards an SEC and National Championship.

Let’s start out by saying that the Gators had a so-so season last year. Finishing the year 9-4 with a bowl loss to Michigan. Okay, so everyone thought that the Gators would destroy Michigan (at least almost everyone). I thought the Wolverines would give them a game, but I didn’t expect them to win. Well the past is exactly that, the past. The Gators are ready for the future and why not? It’s nearly the same.

Returning Impact Players

• Quarterback Tim Tebow: Heisman Trophy winner, SEC Champion and National Champion, now a Junior. Think about it, you don’t really need to say much about this kid. He had 55 total touchdowns last year, including the Capital One Bowl. 32 Passing touchdowns proved that he could throw the ball and rushing for 23 touchdowns proved that he was just the same power running QB that they had on that National Championship team. He will provide the same style of play that he did last year, but hopefully it won’t all come down on him again this year.
• Wide Receiver/Running Back Percy Harvin: Speedster, elusive, and now a Junior. He has been a great threat for the Gators as both a receiver and a running back. He rushed for 764 yards and 6 touchdowns off of 83 attempts, and caught 59 balls for 858 yards and 4 touchdowns last year. He’s had heel problems ever since he was in high school — off and on — but now that he’s had surgery it should help him out this season.
• Special Teams Guru Brandon James: Short, fast, and slippery, now a Junior. He is a great threat for the Gators in terms of special teams. Ask Michigan, they were afraid of him so much that they did their best to kick away from him every time. He returned 30 kicks for a total of 841 yards, and returned 14 punts for a total of 254 yards and a touchdown.
• Emmanuel Moody: Although he didn’t play last year because of his transfer year he will be a big impact for Florida this year. He was a good player for USC but an injury before the last 4 games of the season led him to transferring to Florida. He was USC’s second leading rusher his freshman season and looks to take the pressure off of Tebow for the Gators.
• Free Safety Major Wright: Call him “Florida’s New Eraser” or “Big Reggie Nelson.” Either way, this boy hits hard. He’s a major hitter for the Gators and will decleat you if you come near him. He’s quite possibly the hardest hitter the Gators have had in a while, next to Reggie Nelson.

Overall the team looks great. The offensive line is nearly the same as last year and same goes for the defensive line. There is a question as to who will replace Derick Harvey at one of the defensive ends, but that will be filled soon if it hasn’t been already. The rest of the team looks to be in top form, and the Gators will begin their strive for a National Title on August 30.