Picks Week 3--Doldrum time

The slate in week 3 is just horrible. Very few games of note and SECESPN has once again chosen an SEC site for College Gameday...even though the best game of the week is in Tucson.

Texas Longhorns @ Texas Tech Red Raiders

Gomer: Texas Tech has all but disappeared from the national picture and now has a chance to force themselves back with an upset of a very overrated Texas squad. Mack Brown is one of my favorite coaches in NCAA Football but getting his offense to function this week and function consistently may be a challenge, especially on the road. I like Tommy Tuberville's squad in the upset. UT: 18--TT: 31

Chief: All the hype of this game comes from the 2008 thriller in which Michael Crabtree broke the hearts of Longhorn Nation with the game-winning touchdown (predicted by me!). This year, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT! There are very little similarities between those teams and these on the Lubbock turf. Many have suggested upset due to Gilbert's shakiness (first road test) and Tuberville's defensive pressure but I don't see it. Tommy Bowden (wait...it's Tuberville....but they look exactly alike) doesn't have the athletes to hang. UT: 31--TT: 21

Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Michigan State Spartans

Gomer: Notre Dame is slowly showing that they really aren't all that better under Brian Kelly. I think Kelly is going to be successful at ND, but it's fun to kick the domers while they're down. Mark Dantonio will have the Green and White ready to win this rivalry game and will be re-invigorated by the return of last year's best rusher, Larry Caper. Go Green! ND: 27--MSU: 37

Chief: Another game in the realm of 'who cares'. Brian Kelly showed last week that he (unfortunately for the Irish) brough his defense (or lack thereof) to South Bend. MSU has looked pretty decent so far and Notre Dame has disappointed (I guess you can only be disappointed if you actually expected a change). MSU should roll in East Lansing by playing some solid defense (Greg Jones is a beast). Dayne Cris might need more smelling salts this week. ND: 17--MSU: 27

Iowa Hawkeyes @ Arizona Wildcats

Gomer: Serious potential for a HUGE flop by the Big Ten and a massive statement by typical Pac-10 cellar dweller Arizona. Iowa is usually well-coached and disciplined but the Hawkeyes will need to be consistent on the road to pull out a win. Most may call for a shootout, but I expect a defensive battle... Stoops vs. Ferentz should be a good one. IU: 14--Zona: 12

Chief: I am sooooo close to pulling the trigger on this one. I do like the Hawkeyes but a road test against a very underrated Wildcat team. The Wildcats are extremely balanced with Nick Foles as a solid QB. Tuscon is actually a very tough place to go for top 10 teams (remember Dennis Dixon Oregon?). Regardless, the Iowa d-line is about as good as the Nebraska line that destroyed the Wildcats. I want to call it, but I just can't. It wouldn't surprise me if the Cats pull the stunner. This is by far the best game of the week. IU: 20--Zona: 17

Ohio Bobcats @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes

Gomer: I personally don't have an issue with the Bobcats until they play the Bucks. There's always that issue of a band "rivalry" and the little brother syndrome of many of the alumni of "Ohio, THE State Univesity" *vomit* The Buckeyes struggled two years ago in this game but the defense is hungry for a shutout and ready to send a message that the Bucks are ready for any foe, not just the opener, not just the "big" game, but for all-comers. Go Bucks. OU: 16--OSU: 40

Chief: Oh MAC teams...how we've missed your crapulence. This week's game should be (and better be) over by half. The Bucks let Boo Jackson hang around 2 years ago but don't expect the same this year. After the smothering defensive performance against Miami including 4 ints against Jacory 'Citgo' Harris, the Bullets should make short work of the Bobcats. Expect a more focused OSU redzone offense and kick coverage unit (only 1 redzone FG and no big returns). Let's face it, Bauserman should be running up numbers in the second half with the game already in hand. WE ARE OHIO STATE, YOU ARE TERRIBLE!! OU: 6--OSU: 48

Other Games

Boise @ Wyoming: Gomer: Boise Chief: Boise

UMass @ Mich: Gomer: Mich Chief: Mich

Ark @ UGA: Gomer: Ark Chief: Ark

GT @ UNC: Gomer: GT Chief: UNC

Kent @ PSU: Gomer: PSU Chief: PSU

Maryland @ WVU: Gomer: WVU Chief: Mary

NIU @ Ill: Gomer: Ill Chief: Ill

ECU @ VT: Gomer: VT Chief: VT

BYU @ FSU: Gomer: FSU Chief: FSU

USC @ Minn: Gomer: USC Chief: USC

IU @ WKU: Gomer: IU Chief: IU

Clem @ Aub: Gomer: Aub Chief: Aub

UF @ Tenn: Gomer: UF Chief: UF

5 Things We've Learned (Week 2)

Here's another weekly installment I'm hoping to add to the blog. Keep checking in weekly for these installments (tell your friends!). Expect to see 'Grading the Bucks', '5 Things We've Learned', and 'Picks' on a weekly basis but I haven't decided when to post. Here we go!

1) Boise State is screwed....or are they
After the enormous resume building win in DC over Virginia Tech, Boise appeared to have dispatched their main opponent and positioned themselves in prime position to sneak into the Championship game (if they finish undefeated). Someone forgot to tell Frank Beamer how important VA Tech's future success was to Boise's resume. The Hokies paid the Broncos back by laying a monster early season egg (wait, I think I've seen this one before...) and dropping a home game to FCS James Madison U. This certainly hurts Boise's perception and will as the season goes on, but let's look at the polls. Boise is still 3 in the poll that matters and the computer impact will be minimal. If VA Tech rebounds (which they probably will) and makes a run at the ACC title (no reason they can't), the resume builder returns. Before you jump down my throat, I believe this should kill the Boise momentum, but the coaches pretty much ignore the actual games and vote based on win/loss. Let's face it, if Bama, OSU, and Boise gone undefeated, no matter the spread, Boise is left out. This hurts Boise's argument vs. big conference (Big 10, SEC) 1 loss team, and I think that regardless of the VT outcome, Boise was left out unless there are no major undefeated teams--and probably still out vs. a 1-loss OSU, 1-loss Bama or 1-loss Oklahoma.

2) Those sanctions REALLY hurt USC
In week 1, USC showed an explosive offense under Lane Kiffin but the Monte Kiffin's defense couldn't even slow a mediocre Hawaii team. Major concerns on the defense, but it appeared the offense under Matt Barkley and Ronald Johnson would pick up the slack. Week 2 gave a different story with the Trojans squeaking out a 3 point win at home vs. a BAD Virginia team. The defense only gave up 14 (still a bit much with a missed FG), but the offense couldn't move the ball! The trojans are standing on the brink of mediocrity. I know they're 2-0, but it's a very precarious and nerve-wracking start in LA.

3) Is Michigan back....again (Same story different year)
Let me tell you a story about the Wolverines. Here's a team that had tough times the previous year, but a new QB emerged to lead an explosive UM offense to the next level in a big win in Week 1. Week 2 followed close behind with the Irish in which this 'savior of the Blue nation' scored a go ahead touchdown in the final minute to lead Michigan to a 2-0 start. Of course, I'm referring to 2009 and Tate Forcier. Wait, the same thing just happened this year. Sign me up for the bandwagon because 2009 ended successfully for the Blue! Wait...bowlless...again. Granted, Denard Robinson has been super explosive and exciting to watch in the first 2 weeks, but UConn is in the Big East (bad) and Notre Dame lost Jimmy Clauson from a mediocre team last year (bad). Not denying the excitement in Ann Arbor, but let's sit back and make sure this year is for real before we hand out the Heisman and take the Buckeyes from the Big Ten pedestal. To be honest, a winning season is a major victory. A 5-0 start isn't out of the question, but last year started 4-0 in Michigan. Let's see how they finish.

4) No love for Oklahoma
I was big on OU in the preseason due to the second year for Landry Jones's stache and a little less competition in the Big 12 with Texas taking a step back. I was also guilty of jumping back after their week 1 stinker vs. Utah State but they rebounded in a huge way against my boys from Tallahassee. Let's be honest, this FSU isn't the FSU of the 90s, but it is indeed a pretty good team that the Sooners throttled at home. I circled this game in the preseason as a likely Nole loss due to the Sooners home dominance, but week 1 game me hope for the upset...oops. After being dropped in the polls for squeaking by a bad Utah State team (lookahead maybe...I mean, absolutely), there was no rebound for smoking the Noles. I'm all for coaches and media being very flexible week to week with the schedule (they are WAY to rigid in that losses seem to be the only way for some teams to drop regardless of score), but if you punish the Sooners for a close win over a bad team, reward them for a big win over a good team.

5) Chip Kelly can coach offense
Oregon went on the road into vaunted SEC country (overrated) to fight the Vols on their turf. Granted, the Volunteers are a work in progress (come on, the coach had to teach the players how to shower), but they were SMOKED in Neyland stadium when the Ducks found their stride. I never really thought UT would win the game, but Oregon was able to run all over them (SEC defense what?). Let's not forget that Oregon lost their big play QB Masoli when he was kicked off the team for a felony (naturally, he ended up in the SEC. Where felons go) and big time punching back Blount and they still dominated the Vols offensively. LaMichael James threw his hat in the Heisman race by putting on a performance like that on the road in a really tough environment.

Those are my thoughts and let me leave you with a question: Is parity in college football dead? This past week in college football featured a multitude of premier matchups...and the big boys all cruised. When I speak to parity, I ask if anyone can get into the title talk that didn't start in the top 10? I don't think they'll be left out due to the voting process, I just argue that those in the top 10 at the beginning of the year (except VT) are a clear step above the rest.

It's looking like the championship will contain 2 of the following (because I don't see anyone 'joining the party'): Bama, OSU, Boise, TCU, Oklahoma, Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, Oregon, maybe Nebraska, maybe South Carolina). Any arguments?

Grading the Bucks (week 2--U Miami)

I felt that this would be a fun new addition to the blog. Following each game, I will grade the 3 main aspects of the Buckeye football team and the coaches. Spending so much time in the stands/recliner being the coach/commentator/etc., I think I should pass on the wealth of knowledge. Warning: I will be a tough grader because THE Ohio State University needs to be held to a higher standard.

Offense: B
Hard to complain too much after putting up 36 points on a top 15 team, but this is Ohio State. Pryor had a great game running the ball but the passing game held him back a bit. Granted, he made a few beautiful passes (Posey and TD to Saine), but way too many bad misses (most to the big TE Stoneburner). The primary detractor from the offensive grade is the red zone performance. I believe OSU was held to a field goal in 4 or 5 drives inside the 20...that just doesn't get it done. Finally, the running game never got going (except with Pryor). Herron ran well but not exceptional and Saine had a bad ground day. Good day but not enough.

Defense: A-
Here's my 'jerk professor'. This defense played a great game, but there were a few too many yards given up and bend don't break. I'd go A without the TD and A+ were it not for the TD and drive inside the 10. The first half was a solid A+ in which the defense gave up a FG after a 15 yard drive. 4 INTs, no matter how they come, is a huge victory. I thought Harris had too much time to sit in the pocket on most plays. Again, the Bullets only gave up 2 significant drives (one ending on a TD and the other with the spectacular Cam Heyward INT and 'sprint' 80 yards) so a great day at the ball park, but still a few things to shore up on the D-Line.

Special Teams: D
And we come to the negative. The special teams would have a solid F were it not for Jamaal Berry, Jordan Hall, and Devin Barclay. This is the worse kick coverage (two straight games) I've seen in the Tressel era. Yesterday was the first time in OSU history the opponent returned a punt and kick in the same game (both with horrible coverage). The bright spot was the OSU kick return game that could actually improve the grade more if Berry didn't trip on his own feet (bad) and Hall didn't get run down by the KICKER (Citgo). Let's not forget Barclay almost broke Nugent's record if he didn't go shankapotamus on his 6th field goal. Without the miss, I might have improved the grade because 5 field goals (even though they were short) certainly made a difference. Tressel certainly has work to do with kick/punt coverage and field goal kicking (never ok to miss a short one...never).

Coaching: B
Overall, the schemes were very good, but I can't give an A to a group that can't convert in the red zone. I like the option being mixed in and the designed runs with TP because that's been completely missing from this offense. A key factor offensively that was missing was Stoneburner. When Pryor threw to him, he missed badly. With a huge target like that, I really believe the OSU coaches need to target him far more. Overall, the run/pass mix was pretty solid. Defensively, the play calling was ok, but again, they let Harris get way to comfortable in the pocket. Harris showed that he had an NFL caliber arm with some beautiful touch passes. To counter that, rush him and force him into quick decisions...I felt we sat back too much.

Again, hard to be this tough on a team with a double digit win over a team ranked 12, but you need to expect perfection at OSU. Great week, big win, but still work to do (every coach's dream). On to the next one!