College Football Week 2

Week Two Power Rankings:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)
• The Crimson Tide were down two potential All-Americans against San Jose State, and what do they do? Crush them 48-3 in a brutal beating. Greg McElroy showed his true potential by completing 13 of 15 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown, while backup running back Trent Richardson averaged 6.6 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. As well Julio Jones caught six passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, showing why he is one of the top receivers in the country. Next week: vs. #18 Penn State
2. Boise State Broncos (1-0)
• Read article on Boise State below. Next week: Bye
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)
• With a major opponent this upcoming weekend, it would have been easy for the Buckeyes to overlook Marshall. However, the Buckeyes didn’t let that get to them as Terrelle Pryor was magnificent as he completed 17 of 25 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Yet, Pryor wasn’t the only option in the offense as Brandon Saine broke out of his cage unleashing for 103 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Dan Sanzenbacher also broke out of his cage as he caught three passes for 113 yards and a score. The Buckeyes have a major matchup this weekend but they should be prepared. Next Week: vs. #12 Miami
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)
• All week, people were wondering which quarterback would end up starting for the Cornhuskers. Coach Pelini went with Taylor Martinez, and he proved that he made the right decision. Martinez completed 9 of 15 passes as well as throwing for 136 yards, but it didn’t stop there, Martinez also ran for 127 yards on seven carries for 3 touchdowns. Star running back Roy Helu Jr. only received five carries, in which one was a touchdown but Nebraska ended up smashing Western Kentucky 49-10. However, the one flaw I saw was that Western Kentucky running back Bobby Rainey ran for 155 yards and a touchdown, which must be unacceptable for Nebraska football. Next week: vs. Idaho
5. Oregon Ducks (1-0)
• I don’t think one team was more anxious for the season to start than the Oregon Ducks, and they proved it by destroying New Mexico. Starting running back LaMichael James was suspended for a week and missed the game, as well as former star quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who was dismissed from the team last summer (read my college football preview to learn more), but the Ducks showed they didn’t need them as they accumulated 720 yards of total offense. Oregon won 72-0 as well as being up 59-0 by halftime. The Ducks had two runners over 100 yards, but Kenjon Barner scored four touchdowns. Oregon defense held New Mexico to only 107 yards, and I’m sure the coaches couldn’t be happier with their debut. It will be interesting to see how they end up in the Pac-10. Next week: @ Tennessee
6. TCU Horned Frogs (1-0)
• TCU just missed out on the national championship last season, and they realized that their hopes this year depended on their first game against Oregon State. It a back-and-forth tilt, the Horned Frogs defense stepped up to the table and contained Jacquizz Rodgers to 75 yards. Andy Dalton struggled throwing two interceptions, but the key for the Horned Frogs in this game was their ability to run the football. As a team they ran for 254 yards and three touchdowns with 134 yards and a touchdown coming from Ed Wesley. TCU benefited from a late bad snap that led to a safety, but the Horned Frogs know that they can compete with anyone in the country, no matter what conference they are in. Next week: vs. Tennessee Tech
7. Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0)
• Adam Robinson came to play, and he was the difference for Iowa as he rumbled to 109 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Rick Stanzi ended up limping for a moment, which must have given half of Hawkeye nation a heart attack. However, Stanzi returned and played well throughout the game, 18 for 23 passing for 229 yards and a touchdown. Almost as impressive was their defense, holding Eastern Illinois to 157 total yards, and helping Iowa’s offense overcome two lost fumbles. Next week: vs. Iowa State
8. Texas Longhorns (1-0)
• The score may say 34-17 in favor of the Longhorns but let me assure you that Rice gave the Longhorns a run for their money. The offense appeared limited at times, as Garrett Gilbert was 14 for 23 passing with 172 yards but no touchdowns. Tre’ Newton was the one to provide for his fantasy team as he scampered to 61 yards on 18 carries but three touchdowns were on the way. The Longhorns’ defense was excellent as they added their own touchdown and also shut down YouTube sensation Sam McGuffie (former Michigan recruit). Texas should be able to overcome their problems, but I foresee them slipping up at some point in the future. Also notable, Case McCoy, Colt’s younger brother, attempted one pass in his debut. Next week: vs. Wyoming
9. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0)
• The first half was an ugly one for the Badgers as they only led UNLV 17-14. However, the second half was a different story with the Badgers winning 41-21. Quarterback Scott Tolzien was an average game manager as he completed 15 passes in 20 attempts for 197 yards and an interception. The big difference was John Clay, who on 17 carries, ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Also, Montee Ball added two touchdowns and 79 yards on 16 carries. Next week: vs. San Jose State
10. Miami Hurricanes (1-0)
• Jacory Harris picked up right where all the expectations left off. Harris was 12 for 15 passing for 210 yards and three touchdowns. The Hurricanes avoided being tripped up at all by Florida A&M, especially a week before their big showdown against Ohio State. Leonard Hankerson was excellent catching the ball as he caught six passes for 115 yards and two scores. The Hurricane defense limited Florida A&M to 110 total yards, even though Florida A&M held the lead in possession 35 minutes to 24. Next week: @ Ohio State

Next week Top 3 games:
• #12 Miami Hurricanes @ #2 Ohio State Buckeyes
• #18 Penn State Nittany Lions @ #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
• #17 Florida State Seminoles @ #10 Oklahoma Sooners


Headlines:

Mark Ingram is out vs. Penn State
I have to admit it’s remarkable that I’m hearing stories of Mark Ingram becoming close to playing for Alabama so soon after arthroscopic knee surgery. "If there is anybody in the world that can play without practicing, it's probably Mark," Alabama coach Nick Saban said after Wednesday's practice. "He's a student of the game, he watches everything, understands everything, knows everything and he's a tremendous competitor. He has a lot of experience, but we would never put him in that situation." Ingram had left knee surgery last week, but Saban said he was able to do some running the past two days. After reading Saban’s comments, I believe that Alabama would try to rush Ingram back if they didn’t have Trent Richardson, who is good enough to be a starter at 99.9% of other college schools in the nation and should become a superstar after Ingram departs for the NFL. Mark Ingram is a very underrated running back in the lesser-known aspects of the game, but he can rest his knee for as long as Alabama plays beatable teams, as I believe Penn State has no chance of knocking out Alabama this Saturday. It will be interesting, and I expect Ingram back on the field against currently ranked #14 Arkansas Razorbacks on September 25th.

Contributing: Associated Press for Nick Saban quotes

A.J. Green is out for three more games
Georgia superstar and potential All-American A.J. Green is suspended for four games for violating NCAA rules on selling his jersey to an agent. According to ESPN’s Scouts Inc., they rate A.J. Green as the best wide receiver in NCAA and the fourth best prospect overall. What makes this decision so critical is the fact that Georgia has one of their toughest stretches of the season as they play #24 South Carolina, #14 Arkansas, and Mississippi State before Green can return to action. My biggest complaint with the suspension is that Georgia is going to sell Green’s numbered jersey to the fans to make a large profit from it, but Green can’t sell his own jersey. To me, that’s a rule that needs to be fixed. However, NCAA may not be giving full details, and Green may have a bigger relationship or has been lying about his relationship with an agent (which I covered in my College Football Preview). This is a devastating blow to Georgia, and it’s going to be an uphill battle to avoid going 0-3 in the next three games without their best player.


Boise State beasts Virginia Tech
I cleared my entire schedule on Monday to make sure that I would be able to watch the Boise State Broncos take on Virginia Tech Hokies in the biggest early season showdown. I predicted on my Twitter (nightengalejr if anyone wants to follow me) that Virginia Tech would beat Boise State in a close, high-scoring affair.

Gutsy move by the Hokies by attempting a fleaflicker on the first play of the game, which almost worked for a touchdown, if not for a pass interference. However, Taylor fumbled on the next play, helping Boise State hit a field goal on the subsequent possession. Next possession was awful for the Hokies, and ended up with a blocked punt by Austin Pettis putting the ball on the eight-yard line. In two plays, Austin Pettis scored a touchdown on a great pass from Kellen Moore. Another three-and-out for Virginia Tech after that led to another Boise State long drive, and eventually touchdown to take the 17-0 lead to end the first quarter. The big play on that drive was a roughing the kicker penalty, that gave Boise State beautiful field possession, and screwing over the Hokies’ chances of winning immediately. After the 17-0 start, I thought this game was over quick, and was ready to proclaim Boise State as the second best team in the nation and no close third.

However, that mindset quickly changed after the Hokies’ scored a touchdown to finally end the shutout. After a Boise State field goal, and then some field position battles, Boise State finally made a mistake with the fumble, leading to a Hokies’ touchdown and putting the game within four. Halfway in the third quarter, Virginia Tech scored a touchdown to finally take the lead, and Tyrod Taylor was finally using his mobility to his advantage. Taylor is an interesting quarterback as he is one of the few that is quick and agile but uses it to find time to throw, instead of taking off down the field. Unfortunately for the Hokie fans’ DJ Harper had a beautiful hole to run through, to gallop for a 71-yard touchdown. On the subsequent drive, Virginia Tech moved down the field before settling for a field goal. The field goal was missed, but Boise State was flagged for roughing the kicker, moving the ball up five yards and giving Virginia Tech the confidence to go for it. That led to a Tyrod Taylor 28-yard strike to Jarrett Boykin to take the lead.

At this point, I’m thinking this game may run up into the high 40s, but Brotzman missed an easy field goal on the left hash for the Broncos, and Virginia Tech capitalized with a field goal. After a conservative offensive possession by Virginia Tech, with about two minutes remaining in the game, Mitch Burroughs returned a punt 25 yards to the Broncos 44-yard line. Then the magic occurred.

Kellen Moore was the perfect general under pressure, as he made it look like clockwork:
• 1st and 10 at Broncos 44: Moore pass complete to Linehan for 11 yards
• 1st and 10 at VT 45: Moore pass complete to Burroughs for five yards
• 2nd and 5 at VT 40: Moore pass complete to Pettis for 14 yards, VT penalty for unnecessary roughness.
• 1st and 10 at VT 13: Moore pass incomplete to Young
• 2nd and 10 at VT 13: Moore pass complete to Pettis for 13 yards and TOUCHDOWN

Although the late hit was a horrible call, especially with how down to the wire the game was becoming. I just can’t see the reason the referee would make such a disputable call that close to the end of the game. Although I believe Boise State would have scored anyways, I understand Hokie fans’ frustatration with that call. With about a minute left, Tyrod Taylor wasn’t as successful as Moore:
• 1st and 10 at VT 35: Taylor pass incomplete to Roberts
• 2nd and 10 at VT 35: Taylor sacked for a loss of one yard
• 3rd and 11 at VT 34: TIMEOUT
• 3rd and 11 at VT 34: Taylor pass incomplete to Davis
• 4th and 11 at VT 34: Taylor pass incomplete to Boykin

Key Players:
QB Kellen Moore – 23 for 38, 215 yards and three touchdowns
RB DJ Harper – four carries for 80 yards and one touchdown
WR Austin Pettis – six receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns, one blocked punt
WR Titus Young – six receptions for 80 yards
QB Tyrod Taylor – 15 for 22, 186 yards and two touchdowns, and 16 carries for 73 yards
WR – Jarrett Boykin – six receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown

It was an incredible football game, and the perfect way to get the blood flowing for the rest of the season. Boise State deserved the win as they started off so fast, and should not be taken lightly. As they are not likely to be challenged until they face Oregon State, I think that should be a great game as the Rodgers’ brothers are speed demons and Boise State may not have the speed advantage that they are accustomed to.