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?