College Football Week 1

It started out as a dud on Thursday. South Carolina's 7-3 win over N.C. State was highlighted by Erin Andrews' return to TV. The Oregon/Boise St. game was suppose to give us fireworks on the field and not after the game.

LeGarrette Blount's sucker punch heard round the world was probably the biggest story of Week 1. Not only did Oregon lose the game, their season is probably lost. The Ducks came in with high expectations and were considered to contend for the Pac 10. Blount played a key role as the starting RB in Oregon's offense. New coach Chip Kelly now faces an uphill battle as it looks to be a long season in Eugene.

Not only did Blount lose his senior season, but he also will lose a lot of money as his draft status is sure to fall.

But Week 1 gave us 1 one huge upset, some close calls and ended with a bang in Tallahassee as the Miami/Florida St. instant classic was reminiscent of the rivalry's past.

The biggest upset-BYU's stunning 14-13 victory over Oklahoma. Yeah, Sam Bradford left the game in the first half, but still the Sooners had much more talent on the field than BYU. Oklahoma committed 12 penalties and they failed to punch the ball in the end zone when they had 3 and goal at the one. On BYU's winning drive, Oklahoma's defense allowed the Cougars to move the chains on two third and longs and a fourth and 4.

Recently, "Big Game" Bob Stoops hasn't lived up to his name. The Sooners lost their opening game at home to TCU in 2005 so you really have to question Stoops' preparation. Now, the Sooners are no longer the best team in Oklahoma. Okie St. is now ranked 5. Wow!

Do you think Sam Bradford wishes he went pro early. There's another guy who'll lose money. I guess the moral of the story is: Leave school early while you're ahead.

Notre Dame and Michigan both won convincingly. So now everyone thinks both programs are back. These two powerhouses went a combined 10-15 last year, so it was huge for them to win their opening game against cupcakes. The Victors and the Irish face off this weekend, so one of them will be 2-0. Notre Dame's schedule is so easy that 9 wins is a gimme. And Michigan plays in a horrible conference, so anything's possible.

Which leads me to the Big 10.

We remember the Big 10 went 1-6 in bowl games last year. They opened Week 1 going 10-1. Wow! They must be back. Hold on Beano Cook! Ohio St. almost pulled a 2007 Michigan as the Buckeyes narrowly escaped Navy. The Buckeyes almost lost in the HorseShoe to a service academy!

Iowa looked good blocking back to back field goal attempts to seal the deal against...Northern Iowa!

Minnesota needed overtime to escape the treacherous wrath of the Syracuse Orange. Syracuse! A team that went 3-9 last year. A team that was starting a QB who hadn't taken a snap for five years, and that was in high school.

Northern Illinois gave Wisconsin all the Badgers could handle but Wisconsin held off the Huskies at home with a 28-20 win.

The Big 10's lone loss? How about the 37-9 shellacking against Mizzou. Yes, the Mizzou team that lost their two best players.

The Big 10 is the 5th best conference in college football, and they're barely ahead of the Big East. Barely.

Of course the SEC, Big 12, Pac 10 are clearly better than the Big 10. But now the ACC and Mountain West have gained supremacy rights over the horrid Big 10. The Mountain West! Yes. I'm afraid so. You could throw Ohio St. and Penn St in the Mountain West and they'd each lose 2 conference games. I can't wait for Big 10 conference play. Let's just say that the winner of the Penn St./Ohio St. game will go to a BCS game and get slaughtered again.

USC's 56-3 rout over San Jose St. was impressive considering the Trojans were starting a true freshmen in Matt Barkley. The Trojans also fumbled the ball twice in the first quarter. San Jose St. led 3-0 after one quarter.

A week ago, I would have said Ohio St. would finally win a big out of conference game with USC coming to Columbus. But after watching both teams' performance in Week 1, I'll take USC giving a touchdown.

The Stars At Night, Are Big And Bright...

You know the rest.

But, dam! Austin is such a great time! I'll never get sick of having to go there. And when your hotel is on 5th Street, that's a recipe that will always end up in complete out of control drunken debauchery.

Good times!

And when the bartender is easily mistaken for Jessica Simpson, "Why yes mam, I'll certainly have another beer. And be sure to come back and check on me every 5 minutes. Wait. That's way too long. I can drink beer faster than that."

The temperature dropped into the 40's at night, but that didn't keep the female talent from donning mini skirts and showing as much leg as possible. I mean come on! I kept asking around if there happened to be a Victoria's Secret photo shoot tonight.
I was in jeans and a sweatshirt and I might have been cold, but obviously I couldn't complain.

Sorry, I made a huge rookie mistake and failed to bring a camera down 6th Street. But I can assure you, if you've never been to Austin and spent the weekend on 6th Street, you haven't lived. It's a cleaner version of Bourbon Street. It's a mini Vegas minus the gambling. It's like the Village in NYC minus the stiff drink prices.

College Gameday was in town for the Red River Rivalry of basketball-Oklahoma in town to play the Longhorns. As the no. 2 team in the nation, all that was standing in the way of a no. 1 ranking for the Sooners was bitter rival Texas.


Texas took the lead early, and All World Blake Griffin was smacked in the nose and never returned to the game, diagnosed with a mild concussion. At the time, I wasn't sure of the injury. All I could tell was that Griffin had a bloody nose. However the look on his face was more telling as Griffin was in a complete daze. He sat on end of the bench for the rest of the game not even watching the play on the court. The guy was completely out of it.

Even with Griffin out, Oklahoma stormed back from a double digit deficit to take the lead in the second half. But Texas sensation A.J. Abrams decided to make it rain by scoring 16 straight points over the final 8 minutes.

Enjoy the pictures. Mack Brown was in the house, so was Colt McCoy (along with Mrs. Colt McCoy, and former Longhorn football standout Roy Williams. And of course Dickie V. and Erin Andrews along with little sis.

Mrs. Colt McCoy




EA's sister.

Horns Got Hooked!

Yes, it's that time of year again. The Holiday Season and another BCS mess. The BCS may be in worse shape the economy, thanks to the Big 12 South.

There's still one weekend of games left so anything can happen, and I'm sure it'll only get worse.

The biggest controversy (so far) is how Oklahoma jumped Texas in the BCS and now represents the Big 12 South in the Conference Title Game? We all know they each have one loss and Texas beat Oklahoma 45-35 on a neutral field. You would think the Longhorns would get the edge.

One thing's for sure. If Oklahoma beats Missouri in Kansas City (OU is a 17 point favorite), the Sooners will play for the National Title. If the Sooners lose, they're out. So along with Alabama, they control their own destiny.

Speaking of 'Bama. They're the number one team in the nation but face a HUGE showdown in Atlanta in a winner take all game for the SEC and quite possibly a spot in the National Title Game.

And by the way, the number 1 Crimson Tide are 9 1/2 point underdogs!!! against No. 4 Florida. That's insane!

Florida is definitely the best team in the nation. They have a Heisman Trophy winner, crazy speed on offense and defense, and great coaching. The SEC Title Game could be the game of the year and is must see TV.

So if the guys in Vegas are right, Oklahoma and Florida win their conferences. The Sooners go to Miami and play....the Gators?

Not so fast! OK, if Bama wins, they're in the Title Game. But if Florida beats Bama, do they jump Texas?

And let's take into consideration that I'm a huge fan of SEC Football.

Texas's only loss was on the road on the last play of the game to a Top 10 team. The previous play, the Longhorns dropped a tipped pass for an easy interception. Oh, that was big!

Florida lost at home to unranked Ole Miss!

At the beginning of the season, the SEC looked and started out as best conference in football. I'll even admit the SEC doesn't look so strong now, we'll wait and see how the bowl games play out.

So what are Florida's quality wins?

Georgia-a real disappointing season.
LSU-see Georgia.
South Carolina-not ranked at 7-5.
Florida St.-they play in the dismal ACC and the Seminoles have been off the map for some time now.

Heck, Bama's undefeated and again a 9 1/2 point! underdog basically because the Tide really don't have any quality wins.

Clemson-a preseason Top 10 team that may of had the most disappointing season in college football.
Georgia-See above.
LSU-the Tide was fortunate to win in Death Valley in overtime to a sub par LSU team.

Not only did the Longhorns get screwed by not playing the Big 12 Championship Game, they could get screwed again if Florida jumps Texas to play in the BCS Championship.

Wow! That's tough.

Could you believe this scenario. If the Gators beat the Tide, we could possibly be looking at a Big 12 South Showdown in the National Title Game. OU/Texas for all the marbles. That would be nice!

But of course if Oklahoma losses to Missouri on Saturday, all bets are off and we've again got another huge mess.

Guns Up!

Wow! What a game!

Texas Tech's 39-33 victory over the Texas Longhorns was the game of the year with the play of the year.

This was definitely one of the best games I've ever been in attendance for.

The game was up and down, finally climaxing on Graham Harrell's last second pass to Michael Crabtree, and then Crabtree finishing off the play with a broken tackle and a clear path to the endzone. All this coming just barely over a minute after Texas took the lead.

The Red Raiders definitely deserved to win. They were the better team all night and the electricity of the crowd and the entire town of Lubbock behind them, there was just no stopping Tech.

If these teams played 5 times, the Longhorns would win 4.

You have to give Texas a lot of credit. When your first offensive play from scrimmage results in a safety, you know you're in for a long night.

Texas Tech built up a 19-0 lead at home and the Longhorns were able to comeback and take the lead with 1:29 left in the game.

But Graham Harrell put together a Heisman Trophy winning drive and led the Red Raiders to an improbable win.

The funny thing is, Harrell may not be even be the best player in his huddle. Michael Crabtree is straight up sick. I've heard people say he's the best receiver since Tim Brown. Remember that name, Michael Crabtree, because it'll be a household name for years to come on Sundays.

So obviously now the Big 12 is the best conference in College Football. If not the Big 12, than the Big 12 South. The North is definitely looking weak with preseason front runners Kansas and Missouri not holding up they're end of the deal having more difficult schedules than last year.

Not only will there be another BCS mess come December, but you can see maybe a bigger catastrophe in the Big 12 South. There's a great chance that Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech each finish the regular season with one loss.

Texas Tech has Oklahoma St. at home this weekend. Following a bye, the Red Raiders than travel to Norman, a game they'll most likely lose.

So then you have Texas with one loss coming to Tech. Texas Tech with one loss coming from Oklahoma. And the Sooners with one loss from Texas.

Who goes to the Big 12 Championship Game? Well, from what I've gathered, the team ranked the highest in the BCS Standings following the final regular season weekend.

Wow! That's like picking the team from a hat!

I have no problem with Tech at No. 2 ahead of Penn St. I would rank USC, Oklahoma, Florida and Texas above Penn St.

The Florida Gators are the best team in College Football right now. They've got to be kicking themselves losing at home to Ole Miss-on a missed extra point!

So both the Gators and USC have one loss from very weak teams. That could really hurt both teams.

You know what? Not playing an extra game in a conference championship game just might kill Penn St. and JoPa. The winners of the Big 12 and SEC Championship Games get another quality win to factor in the BCS ratings, most likely against a Top 10 team. That extra quality win may propel a one loss Big 12 and SEC team above Penn St.

So USC's out.

But there's Penn St. and the Big 10 still sitting pretty for another BCS Championship embarrassment.

I'm actually rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend. Iowa City is a tough place to win on the road and an upset over undefeated Penn St. would be the biggest Hawkeye victory since the early '80s. The scary thing is, I can totally see Iowa winning this weekend.

How is Ohio St. ranked No. 11? I guess because the Buckeyes' have 2 losses coming to Penn St. and USC.

But what about Missouri at No. 14? Their two losses are from Texas and Oklahoma St.

So where are the best football players in the country from? That's easy, the usual suspects. SoCal, Texas and Florida.

Texas, Texas Tech, and TCU are having great seasons. QB's from the likes of Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell, Chase Daniel, Matthew Stafford and Todd Reesing all hail from Texas.

Pete Carroll and USC have a monopoly on SoCal football.

The Gators are clearly the dominant team in the state of Florida, but we've seen South Florida rise to a Top 25 team. And you can expect Florida St. and Miami to be major players in the near future. It's hard to keep those Florida programs on top because of all the in state talent has so many options to choose from. Also, we've seen these programs succumb to controversy and mishap.

The biggest surprise of the year? Nebraska taking Texas Tech to overtime in Lubbock.

Enjoy the scenes from Jones AT&T Stadium following Tech's upset over No. 1 Texas.