We are currently in the waiting period for week four of the 2007 NCAA College Football Season. The first three weeks have been a wild ride to say the least. What have we seen so far? Well, normally about this time of year you would hear me say something along the lines, of the traditional power house conferences are dominating as usual, and the mid-major conferences are still fighting to be considered at the end of the season. Same old song and dance, right? Well, this season it’s been a little different. Okay, a lot different. So far this season we have seen one of the biggest upsets in NCAA regular season history, two traditional powers that have struggled more than any other time in history, a much maligned coach coming back to the college game and turning a sinking ship around, and not one single team that at this point has proven itself to be “the team to beat.” Some of you know exactly who I am talking about, but for those of you who don’t let me break it down for you.
THE UPSET
Where exactly is Appalachian State University? Well, if you didn’t know before, I am sure you know now. AppState, as the locals call it, is located in Boone, NC. Not much to talk about in Boone before the big game, but now the friendly folk there will be talking about this one for a long time to come.
Appalachian State University got paid a lot of money to travel to Ann Arbor, MI to take on one of the two winningest programs in college football history. The Wolverines of Michigan. The Big house was rocking for the season opener, lots of fanfare, cheerleaders jumping up and down, the band playing “The Victors March” and thousands upon thousands of Big Blue fans ready to see their boys destroy another mediocre team.
Sorry to disappoint you Ann Arbor, but not today. Not a whole lot went Michigan’s way in this game. Their defense gave up 387 yards in total offense to a team that the odds makers didn’t think would even see the end zone in this game. Michigan had plenty of problems on offense too. Losing 56 yards due to the seven penalties they racked up, turning the ball over twice, and holding the ball for almost four minutes less than their opponents, they gave themselves every opportunity to lose. And they did.
With time running down on the clock the Mountaineers of App State marched down the field again. This time they go to within field goal range, and kicker Julian Rauch stepped up for what would normally be a chip shot, at 24 yards, but at this point was probably the biggest attempt of his career. Confidently Rauch put it through the uprights to give his team a 34-32 lead with under thirty seconds to play. Michigan had one last chance, their leaders drove them down the field and they had the same opportunity. One chance to knock a field goal through to save the day. As the 100,000+ fans in the Big House held their collective breath, Michigan’s kicker gave it his best shot. To everyone’s surprise Corey Lynch of the Mountaineers got a hand in the right place at the right time, blocked the kick and gave App State it’s biggest win in school history. As they celebrated themselves off the field back to Boone, what happened at Michigan? The rumors began to fly and the “good people” of Ann Arbor are almost ready to run Coach Lloyd Carr out of town on a rail.”
SABAN : A Savior?
In every sport there are some who can hack it in the pro leagues, and some who can’t. Then again there are also some who don’t even try, and run away back to the college game. Such is the story of Nick Saban. Saban, once the outstanding coach of the outstanding LSU Tigers, now coaches the less than outstanding Crimson Tide of Alabama in the same conference. We all know the story, Saban took the head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins, only to vacate it as soon as possible and head to Tuscaloosa to say “Roll, tide roll.” Why? Who will ever know? I for one, could care less. I think he did the right thing. The right thing for him, I wont say this for everyone, but I think the college game is where he belongs, and as far as I am concerned the college game should be glad to have him, I know Alabama is.
After enduring several seasons that were mediocre at best the Tide fans were ready for someone to bring them back to national prominence. Nick Saban was just the thing they needed. Due to all the controversy with the Miami job, when he came to ‘Bama he automatically thrust the school and the program into the spotlight. Oh yeah, and he is a fantastic football coach too. He turned the LSU Tigers into the perennial powerhouse and a team that challenges for the national title every year, even after he was gone. Will he do the same for Alabama? Well, he is well on his way.
Last week was his first real test. A ranked team came to Tuscaloosa. That team, the Arkansas Razorbacks. They came in ranked #16 and were definitely the favorites in this game. However, one huge defensive stand, a last-minute drive led by John Parker Wilson and Matt Caddell and a final, game-winning pass into the end zone sealed the victory for the Crimson Tide. A huge win, and possibly a taste of things to come in the Saban era at Alabama.
Dominance?
Again I ask you, who is the dominant team this season? I realize that USC is number one and undefeated, but, I think that their trip to Nebraska revealed the weaknesses in the armor for USC. They gave up 427 yards to the Huskers, most of which were through the air. Granted the Trojans are amazing when defending the run, but if they come across teams with a fantastic aerial game, they are going to lose. Also, the Trojans turned it over. If there is one thing that Pete Carroll coached teams don’t do it is turn the ball over. I was surprised to see it happen and if it continues to do so, teams will beat them. I will say this, for now, they remain #1 in my book, but I don’t think they are indestructible.
Who else? LSU? I would say yes at this point, they have destroyed everyone they have played, but then again, who have they played? In my opinion they have only played cupcakes. Some will argue that Va Tech was a true test, well with a final score of 48-7 I beg to differ. I think their first real test will be Spurrier’s Gamecocks. When South Carolina come to the Bayou we will see two things. First, how good the Tigers really are, and second, if SC’s win over Georgia was fluke or if Spurrier has the Gamecocks primed for a run at that SEC crown.
Is there any other team that looks like they can’t be beaten? Florida? Maybe, but wait until they play South Carolina, LSU, and Georgia before making that call. Oklahoma? Can we say chokers? They will, trust me. Ohio State? Hmm. That’s a good question, ask me after the Penn State, Indiana, Purdue, and Michigan games.
Suffice it to say after only three weeks, I don’t think you can choose a dominant team. However, it will be very interesting to see what happens from hear on out.
Hello, the season has started.
What is going on in Ann Arbor and South Bend? These two cities boasting the two most winning programs in college football are not off to a very good start.
Let’s start with Michigan. Of course we already mentioned the embarrassing loss to App State, lets jump ahead to the game against Oregon. We are talking giving up a staggering 620 yards in total offense to the Ducks. Not to mention 4 turnovers and going 7-19 on third downs. After two games in a row like this the fans in Ann ArborMichigan struggling so badly. Although I am sure the good people at THE Ohio State University aren’t exactly providing moral support. are restless and want Carr’s head on a platter. It is almost sad to see, a powerhouse like
The luck of the Irish does not seem to be residing in South Bend, IN right now. I will be the first to admit that I am a biased Notre Dame fan. Born and bred in Indiana, I kind of have to be. This season though has been the first in a long long time that I have turned off the TV during ND games. I couldn’t stand it. The Irish looked like a pee-wee football team taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Bradshaw era. It is just painful to watch. It really is shocking too, how poorly they have played. I still firmly believe that Charlie Weis is one of the top 5 coaches in college football today and he will have them back, but its going to hard for him to endure all the mud that will be slung at him from people in South Bend.
These two winless teams met in week 3 at Michigan. It was not even something I care to talk about. Michigan 38 Notre Dame 0.
Lloyd Carr lives to coach another day and Charlie Weis said after the game that maybe his players and coaching staff were not awake yet, and were not aware that the 2007 season had begun. He decided they needed to go back to the beginning, so he is taking them back to training camp, literally. I guess we will see if it helps.
2 comments:
Very original thoughts Ryan, I just had a few feelings about your comments on USC. I am not a fan of USC, but I can't help but note their dominance.
First, I sensed a little bias leaning toward the Gamecocks but maybe that's just me, I haven't been impressed with them yet.
You really harped on USC's passing defense against Nebraska, though if you break it down almost all of those yards came in the fourth quarter, no doubt against second-team defense...since the 4th Q started out 42-10 USC. And, who cares about 380 yards through the air if you hold a team to 33 total rushing yards? Let's not forget they were playing in Lincoln, against a then top-15 team. Finally, USC only committed one turnover to Nebraska's 2 int's. If you want to talk turnovers--check South Carolina's numbers at LSU ;)
IF USC has an area it needs to clean up it would be penalties, 10 for 102 yards. That could hurt in the future.
Interesting comments and thoughts. I will agree that USC looks impressive, I was merely pointing out that they are beatable. However, considering Nebraska's near collapse against Ball State (from my very own hometown) last week I must admit that USC looks even better. Though I am currently a South Carolina resident, I hold no loyalties to the gamecocks or any other team here. I follow them, but don't exactly cheer for them. However, what Steve Spurrier has done in Columbia is impressive and I think the rest of the SEC better beware for the next couple of years. But as you mentioned LSU (Which is my pick for the national title at this point) did handle USC pretty easily last week, so there might be a learning curve that Spurrier and the other USC will have to deal with.
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