Five Thoughts from the Week that Was

1) The days of the big boys shutting out the little sisters of the poor are rapidly diminishing.
Offenses have evolved such that it is nearly impossible to hold anyone to fewer than 10 points, no matter the discrepancy in talent.  The dink-and-dunk offense has led to nullifying great defensive line play and the penalties are such in favor of the offense, the shutouts have left us (for the most part).  Yes, Wisconsin got one this weekend...against a team that just joined FBS and they still needed some luck).  Oregon held 'powerhouse' Nicholls State to 3, but that was a lower level team.  Look at the bevy of FCS schools that took down FBS teams (even a ranked one).  This was unthinkable 5-10 years ago (except for Michigan).  The playing field is starting to be leveled, not to the point of equality, but definitely to the point of less embarrassment.

2) Home field is so important in college
Look at the Georgia/Clemson game.  Talent was reasonably comparable, and the difference was a botched snap on a gimme field goal. Death Valley is an extremely tough place to play (3rd loudest I've been to--1) Swamp, 2) Shoe) and it showed under the lights.  Pro football just doesn't have the same ridiculous atmosphere.  When in doubt, go with the home team.

3) Todd Gurley, Khalil Mack, Jadaveon Clowney, Teddy Bridgewater...some are NFL ready before 3 years. 
I hate suggesting reducing the requirement for college players, but it may be time.  Not because they need money (you know my opinion on that), but because some are ready to compete at the next level.  How Khalil Mack ended up in Buffalo still stuns me.  Bridgewater may not be bulky enough, but Clowney would compete in the NFL right now.  Also, Todd Gurley is certainly no 'girly-man' after what I saw against Clemson.  Maybe it's time to consider the number of years removed from high school for the NFL draft and reduce it to 2 (it will never go away).  All the football camps and the higher level of high school football leads to earlier maturation in a football sense.  They aren't mature enough (physically or emotionally) when leaving high school, but the football acumen is maturing more quickly.

4) Jameis Winston is good....really good.
It was one game, but Winston is a ball player.  My biggest takeaway was that he wasn't afraid to 'throw his receiver open'.  This is a skill that separates the elite from the very good.  Of course, he's not Tom Brady at this point, but the level of trust with his receivers and confidence in his arm is off the charts for a freshman.  Compare him to Terrelle Pryor.  Pryor had more physical gifts, but he always avoided throws until his receiver broke open.  This is why he was never considered a great passer.  Winston won't complete every pass all year and this mentality leads to more interceptions, but he's going to be fun to watch for the next couple years.

5) Johnny Manziel will screw up again...and soon. 
The focus is on Johnny Manziel thumbing his nose at the NCAA and being a symbol for defiant skill.  While many cower at the specter of Johnny Football and what he may do to the system, we need to remember who we're dealing with: an entitled spoiled brat that thinks he's untouchable.  What does this mean? He's about to screw up....again.  This is a pattern of behavior that doesn't show any signs of slowing.  Just wait, he'll shoot himself in the foot.