On Saturday, the game of the week was USC at Oregon. Could Oregon break USC's reign as Pac 10 Champions and have the inside track for the Rose Bowl? Well yes, the Ducks won in convincing fashion.
This game proved 2 things. 1. Neither team will play for the National Championship. Although both are far better than Iowa. This Oregon team is for real and might be playing the best football in the country.
2. Oregon's opening game loss to Boise St. only bolsters Boise's BCS resume.
But enough about the game.
Eugene, Oregon is a great college town! If it wasn't for the weather, it might be worth attending. I've been to Eugene 3 times now and I think I saw the sun for a combined total of 45 minutes. No wonder weed is so popular in the Northwest. Well, weed is popular everywhere. But the best thing about Eugene and the University of Oregon? The cheerleaders/dance team. Incredible! The stories you've heard are all true. Yes, the squad consists of countless hot girls, but what really makes them stand out is there dance moves. The choreography is amazing! It's so great that it makes me wonder if the coaches frequent the local night clubs.
I've been to just about every major college football stadium. I've been on the field for some of the biggest college football games in the past 10 years. The Oregon cheer squad ranks up there with the best. In fact, they might be the best. It's a toss up between Oregon and Texas.
USC has the Song Girls, very rich in respect and tradition. UCLA's girls don't get enough credit because they always seem to be in the shadows of USC. But UCLA is solid when it comes to cheerleaders. The last few years, I think the Texas Longhorns' squad has been the best, because honestly, you can't beat those uniforms with the chaps. But the Oregon squad is greatly underrated. There must be 50 of them, and they're all smoking, lovable and overall just seem to be up for a great time. I'm sorry Austin, but after last weekend, the Oregon girls get the slight edge. But not by much.
I had a great view from the sideline of Saturday's USC/Oregon at Autzen Stadium. How great was the view? Let's just say it was sometime in the second quarter when I realized there was an actual football game going on, between two top 10 teams nonetheless.
I mean, you the throw the Song Girls and the Oregon Cheer Squad together in the same stadium and who cares about football. But after I picked my jaw up from the ground to take a look back at the screaming crowd, not one person was staring in awe of the real treat for this Halloween. I'm thinking, "What a waste!" Nearly 60,000 crazy college football fans and not one was concerned about where the real action was, the sidelines.
I never thought I'd be a fan of a Mariah Carey song, but that "Obsessed With Me" song, total lap dance song.
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.
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.
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!
