Opening Weekend Final Thoughts

Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead ? I picked a total of 16 games and finished 14-2, losing the Missouri-Illinois game (I never thought freshman QB Blaine Gabbert would play as well as he did and senior QB Juice Williams would play so poorly) and the Oregon-Boise State game.

Some final thoughts before I blog again on Thursday to preview the big upcoming slate of games this weekend. Sooner QB Sam Bradford will be sidelined for 2-4 weeks. He could be back sooner (no pun intended), but safe bet since Oklahoma will be playing Idaho St. this weekend followed by a bye, might have him ready for the Sooners BIG-12 match up with Baylor. Folks, Baylor is NO JOKE..and will be a major test, especially if Bradford is not ready. Unfortunately for Oklahoma, their trip to Miami could be a nightmare ! Best pass on that game and start versus Texas October 17th. Worse news could be TE Jermaine Gresham. I just heard head coach Bob Stoops press conference and they are having exploritory surgery to see if there is any significant damage to the cartlidge...if they have to do a surgical repair, Gresham will be lost for the season, huge blow as he is the only returning offensive starter that can catch the ball !

Another observation (and I'm not just picking on Oklahoma here) is that if you don't have at least 3 returning starters on the offensive line with at least 10 starts apiece, you will be in BIG trouble. I was really impressed by the following this weekend:

Notre Dame (yes....that team from South Bend). Clausen was great, the offensive line was great, the running game was great, the defense was great and Michael Floyd was all world. Another impressive performance, the Wolverines..who just happen to be Notre Dame's next opponent. Both freshman QB's (Forcier and Robinson) showed they have bigtime playmaking ability. The running game will have to improve, but the Michigan defense was overwhelming. I was actually impressed with Washington (even in losing 31-23 to L.S.U.). The Tigers had much more talent, but Coach Sarkisian had the Huskies playing with enthusiasm, their execution was much better, Locker (once acclamaited to the system) will be very good and running back Chris Polk is a star in the making. B.Y.U., nuff said about the Mountain West Conference. Trust me, this won't be the ONLY shock as in a few weeks, the Cougars will take apart Florida State by at least 17 points ! Brian Kelly showed everyone in America that he is a first class coach and the next "hot" head coach in college football. He lost TEN starters on defense and completely throttled the Rutgers offensive attack. He has QB Tony Pike playing at a high level and they should battle South Florida, Pitt and West Virginia for Big East (yes...after witnessing the Bearcats....the Big Least is no more) supremecy.

Big-12 picture, Oklahoma St. looked very good on defense (thank you Bill Young). The offense did sputter at times but Zac Robinson came through when needed and Dez Bryant proved he is a big time threat in the passing game. Georgia came out of the game really nicked up as starting offensive tackle Jonathan Sturdivant tore his ACL for the second straight year :-(. Gotta' feel bad for the kid as he worked his way back all winter and spring only to have the same thing happen to the same knee. I thought Nebraska played a very complete game. Head Coach Bo Pelini is a rising star. The former Ohio St. linebacker really has the Huskers playing agressive football. They are going to be a handful for Big-12 North teams. Dont' be shocked to see Nebraska in the Big-12 Championship game (actually I'm predicting Nebraska to win the Big-12 North). Impressed with freshman QB Matt Barkley. He started slowly but played within the context of the Trojan offense. New Trojan offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates made things fairly easy for the freshman and with the stable of running backs lined up behind Barkley, he had no difficulties after the first quarter. More on Barkley this week previewing the Ohio St.-Southern Cal. game. I thought U.C.L.A. played well, particularly on defense. The Bruins are on their way back and tangle with SEC foe Tennessee at Nyland Stadium this weekend.

To all, thanks for the comments, please keep them coming. I make mistakes and I'm not perfect (almost) ! See you Thursday !