Texas, Stafford, Syracuse, and more ...
I watched quite a few games over the weekend but my most vexing problem was that the Ohio State-Texas game overlapped with Georgia-South Carolina. I kept flipping back and forth, but you can't really get a feel for a game by just watching bits.
Texas: Based on my limited viewing, it looked like the Billy Pittman fumble completely changed the game. Texas was on its heels the rest of the way. I was impressed with Troy Smith. Up to that point, I had viewed Smith as a competent quarterback, but not anything special. He improved his stock in my view based on the Texas game.
I don't know if Texas is done, though. They will still likely win the Big 12. Who else is there to challenge them? Arguably Oklahoma, but I don't think OU is going to beat Texas and remain unbeaten through their conference schedule.
This goofball makes me dislike Texas:
Please stop showing him on the sidelines.
Matt Stafford: Mark Richt got a huge break this weekend. Joe Tereshinski, III, Georgia's fifth year senior quarterback, who has done everything possible for the program, suffered a high ankle sprain on the first series of the Georgia-South Carolina game. This takes the pressure off Richt to keep the senior as the starter against immense fan pressure to play uber-recruit Matt Stafford. Stafford came into the game this weekend on the second series and showed why every college wanted him. He was throwing lasers to streaking receivers and hitting them in stride. He has a big arm and it showed Saturday. UGA's only touchdown came on a Stafford check at the line of scrimmage. Of course, he is a true freshman and it showed. Stafford threw three interceptions, one of which was not his fault and the other two would have been effective punts. The guy has a lot to learn, but he showed flashes of amazing talent. It will be fun to see what he can do with a full week of practice with the 1st team offense, as Tereshinski is out for at least three games. Will Stafford make it impossible for the senior to unseat him given his performance in those games? Jeff Shultz thinks so.
Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The SEC will be a lot of fun to watch for the next four years. Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, and LSU all have freshmen QBs that were rated as the elite of the elite when they were recruited. Plus, Chris Smelley of South Carolina has looked promising for the Cocks.
UGA's defense looked pretty solid, even to Mr. Shiny Pants.
Syracuse: Seven plays inside the other team's two and the 'Cuse can't score? Greg Robinson and Brian White: three runs by the fullback that get stuffed should tell you to do something else.
LSU: LSU looked like a machine for the first quarter of their game against Arizona. The Wildcats looked totally inept. So inept, in fact, that I was prompted to ask if they practiced last week. I know LSU had a few offensive hiccups later in the game, but the Tigers look ready for Auburn.
Alabama: Alabama without Tyrone Prothro is a defense, not a football team. I understand that Bama rarely wins in a blowout, but needing a field goal to pull a Vandy game out is troubling. After all, LSU, Florida, and Auburn loom.
The Pac-10: After gaining a great deal of credibility in my book over the past few years, the Pac-10 is trying to piss away that credibility with this season's early season games. Outside of USC, has any Pac-10 team impressed? I like Oregon, but the need for a trick play to pull out the Fresno game does not inspire confidence. I think Mike Belloitti is a good coach. Hopefully, he and the Ducks can redeem the Pac-10 this weekend by thumping the Sooners. The Minnesota-Cal game was a feather in the Pac-10 headband, but after the Tennessee game, Cal has a big black spot on its reputation.
Texas: Based on my limited viewing, it looked like the Billy Pittman fumble completely changed the game. Texas was on its heels the rest of the way. I was impressed with Troy Smith. Up to that point, I had viewed Smith as a competent quarterback, but not anything special. He improved his stock in my view based on the Texas game.
I don't know if Texas is done, though. They will still likely win the Big 12. Who else is there to challenge them? Arguably Oklahoma, but I don't think OU is going to beat Texas and remain unbeaten through their conference schedule.
This goofball makes me dislike Texas:
Please stop showing him on the sidelines.Matt Stafford: Mark Richt got a huge break this weekend. Joe Tereshinski, III, Georgia's fifth year senior quarterback, who has done everything possible for the program, suffered a high ankle sprain on the first series of the Georgia-South Carolina game. This takes the pressure off Richt to keep the senior as the starter against immense fan pressure to play uber-recruit Matt Stafford. Stafford came into the game this weekend on the second series and showed why every college wanted him. He was throwing lasers to streaking receivers and hitting them in stride. He has a big arm and it showed Saturday. UGA's only touchdown came on a Stafford check at the line of scrimmage. Of course, he is a true freshman and it showed. Stafford threw three interceptions, one of which was not his fault and the other two would have been effective punts. The guy has a lot to learn, but he showed flashes of amazing talent. It will be fun to see what he can do with a full week of practice with the 1st team offense, as Tereshinski is out for at least three games. Will Stafford make it impossible for the senior to unseat him given his performance in those games? Jeff Shultz thinks so.
Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.UGA's defense looked pretty solid, even to Mr. Shiny Pants.
Syracuse: Seven plays inside the other team's two and the 'Cuse can't score? Greg Robinson and Brian White: three runs by the fullback that get stuffed should tell you to do something else.
LSU: LSU looked like a machine for the first quarter of their game against Arizona. The Wildcats looked totally inept. So inept, in fact, that I was prompted to ask if they practiced last week. I know LSU had a few offensive hiccups later in the game, but the Tigers look ready for Auburn.
Alabama: Alabama without Tyrone Prothro is a defense, not a football team. I understand that Bama rarely wins in a blowout, but needing a field goal to pull a Vandy game out is troubling. After all, LSU, Florida, and Auburn loom.
The Pac-10: After gaining a great deal of credibility in my book over the past few years, the Pac-10 is trying to piss away that credibility with this season's early season games. Outside of USC, has any Pac-10 team impressed? I like Oregon, but the need for a trick play to pull out the Fresno game does not inspire confidence. I think Mike Belloitti is a good coach. Hopefully, he and the Ducks can redeem the Pac-10 this weekend by thumping the Sooners. The Minnesota-Cal game was a feather in the Pac-10 headband, but after the Tennessee game, Cal has a big black spot on its reputation.
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