This Week in College Football 8/31 - 9/4

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

The 8-screen split on ESPN 2 is flippin' me out. Really though, the coach and QB cams are kind of useless.

 

I've got Miami in this one but am rooting for FSU. My second-favorite ACC team, and not in UVA's division. Osceola 4 life.

[Slayer 0]

Nice to see the production booth POV

[Spicy McHaggis 0]

Dama, I meant to get to this earlier, sorry man. But King is pretty much on the money with the backs.

 

C. J. Gable looks like he will break away from the pack of the new freshmen. Chauncey Washington was named the starter, but the young guys were already running him down just based on talent. Now, it looks like he may have to battle his own hamstring for playing time. Michael Coleman, a sophomore, is in there probably as one of the power guys because he is about 225.

 

Emanuel Moody is an interesting one, he looked like a combo of finesse and athleticism, perhaps he'll be the pass catcher. Gable, Moody, and another freshman, Allen Bradford, all scored their first touchdowns in the first game. Bradford was moved from safety, and with the potentially serious injury to Josh Pinkard, may be moved back to the defense although I'm only speculating. We didn't see too much of Stafon Johnson, but he is the last of the new backs.

 

The surprise of the first game was the fullback: Ryan Powdrell. He replaced Brandon Hancock who got injured again for the season, and was unbelievable. Can catch out of the backfield, in fact I believe he caught a TD, and they used him a lot on short yardage situations and as a pass blocker. He could be a real bruiser. And, of course, the great story was Desmond Reed. He's back at full playing capacity despite continuing nerve problems in his foot. He's actually a friend of mine and we had talked when he was named punt returner, but he didn't tell me how much he would be involved in the offense. Reed got a good deal of reps, especially on third down passing situations. It looks like he may take over the Reggie Bush role of splitting out wide from the backfield.

 

I always warn my fellow Trojans that Reggie Bush was a special player and we may never see someone like him, though we might. But I don't think you'll see one of these players become the new Bush or the new white. I think they'll sort of do that by committee. Quick strike runners, power guys, wide guys, pass catchers, & pass blockers.

 

As far as the receivers go, obviously to Dwayne Jarrett will be huge... his numbers weren't that great but he hadn't had a lot of practice. Steve Smith is back and had a pretty good game. The other veterans are Chris McFoy, and Patrick Turner who was the top recruit last year. Vidal Hazelton leads the freshman crop which includes Travon Patterson, David Ausberry, and Jamere Holland. Turner is 6'5" 230, Hazelton is 6'3", and Ausberry is 6'4". I think one of the biggest players this year will be tight end Fred Davis, he is a converted wide receiver and had an awesome game to start the year.

[snuffbox 0]

I really don't like this multi-view screen.

[UZI Suicide 0]

Did you guys see Edgerrin James?

 

The sideline reporter asked him about the game and it went something like this..

 

Edge: "They're winning me some bets, I'm making a lot of money tonight"

 

Reporter: "OK BACK TO THE BOOTH"

[iggymcfly 0]

OMG! Not sports betting! I hate when people mention that. It just ruins all the sports discussion for me. Edgerrin James must be really insecure.

 

Anyway, I thought Miami's defense looked absolutely suffocating in that first half. It seems like they start the season like this every year, but I really think they're looking at an ACC title. CFN's prediction of going 11-1 picking up a loss in Atlanta sounds about right to me.

[Damaramu 0]

This defensive speed on both sides of the ball is absurd. The defenses are faster than the offenses!

 

They mentioned something on ESPN radio today. They said that USC has become like FSU and Miami used to be. They just reloaded. People say that about a lot of teams but USC has so much depth it's absurd. It's more than reloading.

How are they able to do that? And why can't FSU and Miami do that anymore? They used to be able to but they seem unable these days.

It's looking like Texas may be in the same boat as USC now. Just reloading with a ton of depth and talent.

I wonder why OU can't do that? I guess OU isn't as sexy of a place to go as Texas or USC even though they have about as much tradition(as evidenced from my signature with the fact they rank #1 in a lot of all time categories). I wish OU could figure out how to reload like that. OU's problem is that the coaching staff gets raped every 2 years by teams looking for new head coaches.

"We need a coach! Look up OU's number!"

[iggymcfly 0]

I've really enjoyed this game despite the lack of scoring, but I really don't see how you can punt here. With the new clock rules and this little time in the game, you're giving away your best shot at winning the game. Even if you get a three and out, you're going to have less than 1:30 left.

[Urban Warfare 0]

Miami with the ball back, with a minute left. Let's see how they fuck this up.

 

Edit: FSU wins.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

Miami with the ball back, with a minute left. Let's see how they fuck this up.

 

Interception on 3rd Down....Game Over. Miami's Coach may have just lost his job.

[therealworldschampion 0]

This defensive speed on both sides of the ball is absurd. The defenses are faster than the offenses!

 

They mentioned something on ESPN radio today. They said that USC has become like FSU and Miami used to be. They just reloaded. People say that about a lot of teams but USC has so much depth it's absurd. It's more than reloading.

How are they able to do that? And why can't FSU and Miami do that anymore? They used to be able to but they seem unable these days.

It's looking like Texas may be in the same boat as USC now. Just reloading with a ton of depth and talent.

I wonder why OU can't do that? I guess OU isn't as sexy of a place to go as Texas or USC even though they have about as much tradition(as evidenced from my signature with the fact they rank #1 in a lot of all time categories). I wish OU could figure out how to reload like that. OU's problem is that the coaching staff gets raped every 2 years by teams looking for new head coaches.

"We need a coach! Look up OU's number!"

 

USC and Texas are the biggest name programs in talent-rich states, whereas the three Florida schools are all big name programs in one state with a lot of talent, so they clash more for that top talent.

 

Coker should go ahead and get his resume ready if they don't win the ACC.

[Damaramu 0]

Yeah but FSU and Miami used to be able to load up. It's just in the past few years that they can't load up. They can load up on defense though....just not offense and especially not QBs.

[naiwf 0]

The U(seless) are done for the year yet again on opening day of their season. Woo.

[iggymcfly 0]

Both defenses played tremendous, and I actually think Miami's defense played a little better, but FSU had Fagg to make big plays on the offensive side when they needed them and Miami just didn't have anyone to do it on offense. I wasn't sold on FSU going into this game, but I am now. They're a legitimate contender to win it all.

[therealworldschampion 0]

The ACC also isn't what it used to be and Miami isn't in the Big East anymore

[Guest]

Florida State has a great chance of walking through their conference schedule, setting up a big showdown with the Gators toward the end of the year. I've liked them ever since I was a little kid, so it's pretty cool.

[Damaramu 0]

Both defenses played tremendous, and I actually think Miami's defense played a little better, but FSU had Fagg to make big plays on the offensive side when they needed them and Miami just didn't have anyone to do it on offense. I wasn't sold on FSU going into this game, but I am now. They're a legitimate contender to win it all.

 

Think anyone on Miami's defense said "I hate that Fagg!"

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

Everyone in the Coastal Division lets out a little cheer for FSU. This was a pretty good game, much better than last year's opener even though the scores were similar. For the most part, the low score this time was because of insanely fast and talented defenses, not the incompetence of two brand-new offenses.

 

I do still sometimes wish they'd let this game go till later in the season rather than kicking things off with it. I imagine we'd see far fewer of the fumbles and gaffes that seemed to pop up pretty regularly tonight.

[cabbageboy 0]

I'm not sure how to react to this game tonight. On one hand I wasn't amazed by either team. As a U of L fan should I now be encouraged or worried about Miami on the 16th? It's hard to say what kind of D Miami really has since FSU is pretty crappy on offense. Even without Bush U of L has more weapons than FSU on offense, thing is our defense kinda blows.

[2GOLD 0]

Florida State is getting to be the masters of finding receivers with bad names. Crap Thorpe and De'Cody Fagg. I kinda wish Taco Wallace had went to Flordia State as well, then it would have been a great list of names.

 

Anyway, Jeff Bowden remains a horrible offensive coordinator and this "throw it up and see what happens" stuff doesn't fill me with joy for the upcoming season. FSU was doing everything in their power offensively to let Miami tie the game. Thank goodness the Noles still have a defense.

[Urban Warfare 0]

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas senior starting cornerback Tarell Brown was arrested and charged early Monday with misdemeanor drug and weapon charges, leaving his status in question for the No. 3 Longhorns' matchup with top-ranked Ohio State.

 

Brown, a senior starter, was arrested with Tyrell Gatewood, a backup junior linebacker and special teams player, and former Texas linebacker Aaron Harris.

 

Article

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

CRAP THORPE???

 

Oh jesus.

[CanadianChris 0]

Please tell me that's a nickname. Otherwise, I want to see the mother that named her kid that, and her toxicology report.

[Guest]

His name is Craphonso Thorpe. I'm sure everyone called him Crap.

[Damaramu 0]

New polls out. I don't feel like posting them. Maybe someone else will feel like it. But Texas/OSU is 1 vs. 2.

 

Doug Gottlieb just said on the radio that USC was the best team in the country until proven otherwise....I don't know about that one but they will move up to #2 after the Texas/OSU game.

[Guest Princess Leena]

USA Today Coaches Poll:

 

1. Ohio State (41)

2. Texas (14)

3. Southern California (4)

4. Auburn (2)

5. (tie) Notre Dame (2)

5. (tie) West Virginia

7. Florida

8. LSU

9. Florida State

10. Oklahoma

11. Georgia

12. Louisville

13. Michigan

14. Virginia Tech

15. Iowa

16. Miami (Fla.)

17. Tennessee

18. Clemson

19. Penn State

20. Oregon

21. Nebraska

22. TCU

23. California

24. Texas Tech

25. Alabama

 

Teams who lose week 1 should not be ranked. That is all.

[Guest]

LSU is ranked way too low. Other than that, this poll is fine, as USC shouldn't have been ranked below West Virginia like, ever.

 

Oh yeah, Tennessee should be higher than the U.

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

Doug Gottlieb just said on the radio that USC was the best team in the country until proven otherwise....I don't know about that one but they will move up to #2 after the Texas/OSU game.

 

That's a total BS comment. It would be one thing to say that if they'd won the championship game last year (in which case you'd pretty much have to say it) but it's pretty clear there is no "best team in the country until proven otherwise" this season, although I suppose the winner of the OSU-Texas game could lay claim to that title.

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

AP poll is out too:

 

AP Top 25

Rank Team Record Pts Pvs

1. Ohio St. (39) 1-0 1,568 1

2. Texas (7) 1-0 1,453 3

3. Southern Cal (3) 1-0 1,410 6

4. Notre Dame (8) 1-0 1,408 2

4. Auburn (3) 1-0 1,408 4

6. West Virginia (5) 1-0 1,356 5

7. Florida 1-0 1,191 7

8. LSU 1-0 1,185 8

9. Florida St. 1-0 1,130 11

10. Michigan 1-0 841 14

11. Tennessee 1-0 839 23

12. Georgia 1-0 836 15

13. Louisville 1-0 820 13

14. Iowa 1-0 800 16

15. Oklahoma 1-0 725 10

16. Virginia Tech 1-0 673 17

17. Miami 0-1 624 12

18. Clemson 1-0 564 18

19. Penn St. 1-0 467 19

20. Oregon 1-0 436 21

21. Nebraska 1-0 358 20

22. California 0-1 212 9

23. TCU 1-0 198 22

24. Texas Tech 1-0 196 25

25. Arizona St. 1-0 134 24

Others receiving votes: Alabama 96, Wisconsin 35, UCLA 29, Georgia Tech 27, Boise St. 25, South Carolina 13, Boston College 11, Texas A&M 11, Pittsburgh 9, Purdue 9, Rutgers 7, Tulsa 7, Arizona 6, Fresno St. 3, Missouri 3, UTEP 2.

[Guest Princess Leena]

My other beef is West Virginia. Does anyone really think they're better than LSU. Just because they have an easy Big East schedule and have a good shot of going undefeated, that doesn't mean you rank them higher.