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.

College Football Week 6 Recap

So 6 weeks into the college football season and the Big 12 is looking for bragging rights as the best conference in the nation.

Not only does the Big 12 boast 4 teams in the top 7, but the conference has 4 leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy.

1. Chase Daniel-Mizzou
2. Sam Bradford-Oklahoma
3. Colt McCoy-Texas
4. Graham Harrell-Texas Tech

If Kansas doesn't blow their Week 3 game at South Florida, the Big 12 would have 5 teams in the top 10.

Two weeks ago, the SEC had 5 teams in the top 10.

The difference here? The SEC started playing conference opponents in Week 2. The Big 12 just opened up conference play last week. Sure, Kansas had South Florida scheduled and Mizzou opened up at a neutral sight against Illinois. But now Big 12 teams will be tested and we'll soon see who's a contender or pretender.

Texas won a tough road game at Colorado this past week. Folsom Field is always a tough place to play and come away with a W especially when Colorado has a decent team. Now the stage is set for the game of the week in the Cotton Bowl for the Red River Shootout vs. No. 1 Oklahoma.

The road doesn't get any easier for the Longhorns. After OU, they welcome Missouri at home, followed by Oklahoma St in Austin and then have to travel to Lubbock to play Texas Tech. No way the Longhorns win all 4 games.

Texas Tech silenced their critics last week by going on the road and crushing Kansas St. The Red Raiders are a scary team and know look like serious contenders in the Big 12.

Missouri blew through Nebraska and got their first win in Lincoln since 1978. Coming into this game, Mizzou's defense seemed to be the team's Achilles heal, but after only allowing the Cornhuskers 17 points in a night game at Lincoln, the Tigers just might have the complete package. Missouri hasn't had the lead for a total of 13 seconds this season!

As for the SEC?

So far, Alabama has shown Nick Saban is worth every penny. Saban has taken a young Crimson Tide team to the top of the nation's best conference. With one of the best offensive lines, Glen Coffee has been solid, running for 218 yards against Kentucky. Yeah the narrowly escaped Kentucky at home, but in the SEC, no game is a give me.

Vanderbilt had the biggest win it's school's history by beating Auburn Saturday night. The Commodores are 5-0 for the first time since the FDR administration, 1943!

Auburn might want to rethink the team's plans for offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. Franklin was brought in to bolster the offense with the spread attack. However the Tigers' offense has had problems putting up points. Remember the 3-2 victory over Mississippi St.? Franklin reminds me a lot of Bill Callahan coming to Nebraska to run the West Coast Offense. Didn't work out so much.

Auburn's lack of scoring is a complete waste of a dominant defense. War Eagle!

Don't look now, but Ohio St. is back in the BCS hunt. After a 20-17 win in Mad Town, the Terrelle Pryor experience seems to be working out. And Pryor will be running the Buckeye offense for the next 3+ years.

Pryor had his signature drive leading the Buckeyes from behind on the road in the fourth quarter. Pryor lead the Buckeyes on a 12 play, 80 yard drive and capped off Ohio St.'s win with an 11 yard touchdown run with 1:08 left in the game. Believe the hype with this kid. Already showing glimpses of one Tommie Frazier.

One game to mark on your calender-Utah at BYU November 22. Chances are both these teams will be undefeated and the winner of this game will receive a BCS bid. However, don't expect the winner to play for the National Championship.

I'll guarantee the teams in the BCS Championship will at least have one loss. One team might even have two losses.

The SEC and Big 12 will beat each other up and may not even have a representative in the Championship game. Penn St. has looked solid in the Big 10, but have yet to play a credible opponent.

Still, I don't see Utah or BYU going undefeated and jumping a power conference team with one or two losses.

What's this mean? It looks pretty good for an Ohio St. and USC. Championship matchup.

Wow! Could you believe that? This time the Buckeyes will have a healthy Beanie Wells and an experienced Terrelle Pryor. It still won't prevent Ohio St. from getting manhandled in another title game.

Go figure. Neither the Pac 10 or Big 10 have a Conference Championship game, you know, an extra game against a top 10 team.

But the door's still wide open for Bama, LSU, Florida and Georgia in the SEC.

And I think Oklahoma is solid, but they always seem to beat themselves somewhere down the road.

College Gameday Schedule

We already know the first week kicks off at Atlanta between Clemson and Alabama.

Week 2, ESPN College Gameday will be live from Gainsville for Miami at Florida.

Yeah, not a real high caliber matchup as the Gators are considered one of the best teams in the country and Miami...well, they're still rebuilding, I guess. But anyways, it's an in state rivalry where there's always a lot of blood on the line. Add the fact that the state of Florida always boasts some of the best high school football players in the country, this game is a huge recruiting tool for both schools.

Miami/Florida may seem like a one sided affair, but there really isn't any other intriguing matchups in Week 2. Throw in the fact it's Gator Nation and Kirk Herbstreit loves Tim Tebow (Can you really blame the guy), and this a great opportunity for ESPN to highlight the Gators.

Week 3? Duh! Ohio St. at USC. This is by far the most anticipated matchup of the season. Everyone's been talking about this game since the final seconds ticked away from last year's BCS Championship Game. The game looks to feature No 2 vs. No. 3.

The Buckeye's will be ranked higher, but won't be the favorite in Vegas. Ohio St. is playing with a chip on it's shoulder and would like to show the nation they can compete with top teams outside the Big 10.

A lot of people are saying this might be Jim Tressel's best team ever as they return 18 starters. USC quarterback Matt Sanchez so far has been unproven in his collegiate career. If Ohio St. can go to LA and upset the Trojans, the Buckeyes will most likely run the table the rest of the year and be the only undefeated team in College Football.


One other note. While many will knock the Big 10's nonconference schedule as a bunch of "cupcakes," give Ohio St. credit. The Buckeyes will play No. 3 USC in September and again next year, this just 2 years removed from their nonconference schedule that featured back to back years against the Texas Longhorns when the Longhorns were a top 5 team.

As of now, College Gameday Week 4 is leaning towards Tempe, Arizona when the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs continue their tough road schedule with a nonconference game at Arizona St. This is assuming both teams are undefeated and Georgia doesn't falter in a Week 2 "trap game" at South Carolina against Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks.

NCAA Football 2009, Top Ten Toughest Stadiums

I have a PS2. I only play the sports games.

Since 1991, I think I've bought Madden Football every year.

Nowadays, I still buy Madden, I buy NCAA Football, NBA Live, and occasionally college basketball and an MLB game.

I do get into Tiger Woods' Golf every now and then, but I'm more of a Golden Tee fan.

Yes, college football is officially upon with last week's release of EA Sports NCAA 2009.


Again this year's NCAA Football brings us the play-by-play and commentary from Brad Nessler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, why is Chris Fowler left out?

Like previous years, I'm sure the in studio pregame brings us to the much anticipated prediction from Corso and the donning of the Mascot headgear.

With the release of EA Sports NCAA 2009 (which I still haven't purchased), the Notorious DEK asked for my thoughts on this link (the top 10 toughest college football stadiums).

It really got me thinking. A rare occasion, especially in the middle of summer.

Editor's note: I have personally attended each of these stadiums for a prime time game.


10. Nebraska Memorial Stadium (81,067)



We all know how terrible Nebraska has been in recent years. Actually, people outside of the Cornhusker state might be unaware because Husker Football has been MIA.

The much embarrassing Callahan era is finally over and the Huskers have their man, Bo Pelini (yes, the same guy who should be in his 5th year as NU Head Coach) and the football hype and energy in Lincoln has nearly reached the same level of the previous century.

The 'Skers were 4-3 in 2007, highlighted by a 49-31 shellacking in Lincoln by USC. The game was far more unbearable than what the score says. The best thing about this defeat was the fact Nebraska fans finally realized (and admitted) Bill Callahan was the biggest bust since Ryan Leaf.

Memorial Stadium is known as being the 3rd largest city in the state of Nebraska on Gameday. The Stadium also boasts an impressive streak of 288 consecutive sellouts.

From 1991 to 1998 Nebraska held a 47 game home win streak.

After a 17-13 opening game lost to Florida St. (9/7/1985), the Cornhuskers were an astounding 111-6 at home from 1985 to 2002 (losing 27-24 on Nov. 2 at home vs. Texas).




That's 111 wins to 6 loses in 17 years! Holy Shit!

Go back and check my research, I couldn't believe it either.



9. Virginia Tech Lane Stadium (66,233)


In 2007, the Hokies finished 6-1 at home. Their only setback was a Thursday night loss to (at the time) unbeaten Boston College, 14-10. As you all remember, Va Tech was up 14-0 late in the 4th quarter when Matt Ryan somehow, someway lead BC with a Flutie like comeback.



Had Virginia Tech not blown this game, they may have been in the National Championship game.

If you've ever been to a Hokie home game, you know the adrenaline flowing throughout the stadium as the Hokies emerge through the tunnel to "Enter Sandman."











8. Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium (76,129)


On a personal note, Mad Town ranks as my favorite Big 10 Tailgate school (Definitely top 10 overall). During timeouts and between crucial plays, the PA jams to House of Pain's "Jump Around." The entire stadium jumps up and down, you can't hear yourself think and at the same time you worried about the entire stadium collapsing. Freakin cool.

The Badgers were perfect at home in 2007 (7-0). They're currently on a 14 game home winning streak since a 2005 home defeat to Iowa (20-10).

Since 2004, Wisconsin has been jumpin around at home with a 25-1 record.

7. Oregon Autzen Stadium (53,800)




Autzen Stadium may not have a large capacity, but with the upper tier hanging almost directly over the field, the fans' cheers land directly on top of opposing teams.

Compared to other major schools around the country, Autzen Stadium may lack in quantity, but with the noise on the field, quality is like no other.

Eugene, Oregon may be famous for Nike founding father Phil Knight, but also was the location for every fraternity member's favorite movie, Animal House.

In 2007, the Ducks finished 5-2 at home with losses to Cal and Oregon St.

Oregon has not been undefeated at home since 2000.



6. Oklahoma Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (82,112)


The Sooners protected their house in 2007, going 7-0.

OU has won 19 in row at home since a shocking 17-10 opening season loss to TCU (9/3/05).

Norman is crazy on Gameday. The Chicks are freakin hot! But the only thing holding Norman back is the state law of beer being only 3.2%! Yeah, you really can drink a case of beer.



5. Tennessee Neyland Stadium (102,037)


Good ole Rocky Top! If you're not wearing orange and white on Gameday in Knoxville, or any other day for that matter, you're probably not alive to be reading this. This is SEC country. You know you're on UT campus when all the streets are named either Pat Summit or Peyton Manning.

2007, the Volunteers were perfect at home (7-0).

2006 they were a shocking 5-2 with home losses to LSU and Florida.


4. Penn St. Beaver Stadium (107,282)


For those of you who think JoPa and the Nittany Lions are washed up, Penn St has finished 6-1 at home the past two years. They were perfect in 2007 (7-0), making them 19-2 at home in the last three years.

Beaver Stadium may be one of the most intimidating stadiums in the country and when the "White Out" occurs, look out! Definitely one of the most intimidating sights in all of college football.

Students camp out in front of the main gate weeks before a home game attempting to get the best seat in the house, aka Paternoville. JoPa has even been known to show up to the campsites delivering pizzas.

3. Ohio St Ohio Stadium (102,329)



Buckeye Mania is rampant in the state of Ohio. We've all heard about the riots which occur in Columbus, win or lose a big game. I don't think I've ever seen a town so passionate about their hometown team (which makes it so fun to see the Buckeyes lose in two straight National Championship games.)

I've personally seen a female Buckeye fan punch the lights outta of a male Michigan fan, at 6AM!

Upon leaving the Columbus Airport, I've seen a sign that says, "Thanks for visiting Columbus, unless your from Michigan."

Ohio St was 6-1 in 2007, a 28-21 upset by Illinois.

Since 2008, the Buckeyes are 40-3 at home with losses to Illinois, No. 2 Texas (2005), and No. 16 Wisconsin (2004).

2. Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)


Home to "The Swamp", "Gator Bait", and "The Chomp", this may be the only campus in the country where the mascot roams freely on campus. Yes, there are real live alligators present.

I can't wait to get my hands on NCAA '09 so I can run wild with Superman, um, I mean Football Jesus, um, I mean Tim Tebow.

In 2007, the Gators were 6-1 losing a heartbreaking game to War Eagle and the Auburn Tigers, 20-17.

Since 2004, Florida is 24-2 at the Swamp.




1. LSU Tiger Stadium (91,600)

Nicknamed "Death Valley", the stadium's nickname derived from "Deaf Valley." No explanation needed here. It's freakin loud!

Last year's epic 4th quarter comeback against Florida the crowd's noise measured at 129.8 decibels!

The reigning National Champions were 6-1 at home in 2007, losing the overtime to thriller to Darren McFadden and Arkansas, 50-48.

Since 2003, the Tigers are 32-3 at Death Valley.