Week 3 Final Wrap Up

Just when I thought I had all the answers, along comes week 3 !   This is why there is nothing better than college football....expect the UNEXPECTED.....UPSETS...SURPRISES, STUNNERS and SHOCKERS..lets get started.

Hey, I'm Husky Pride...I love my Huskies but I never thought they were going to actually BEAT Southern Cal. !   A couple of things to take away from this game.  For Washington Jake Locker made the throws when he needed to.  He showed arm strength and touch and also his running ability (1 rushing TD).  RB Chris Polk ran for some tough yards and Locker's receivers made some nice catches, especially true freshman James Johnson.  Trojan QB Aaron Corp played more like Aaron Corpse !  He was lifeless for much of the game.  He was just awful, the receivers again failed to get open, even on the intermediate routes and the running game (which did pile up over 200 yards) failed at critical times inside Husky territory.  In fact Southern Cal. went a MIND NUMBING 0-10 on third down conversions....yes...ZERO for TEN !   Even with this HUGE win, the Huskies are still 2 recruiting classes away from challenging for a Pac-10 title.  For Southern Cal., stick Barkley in there once he is healthy, open up the playbook and play to WIN and NOT TO LOSE !  
FINAL:     Washington 16-Southern Cal. 13

One of my ultimate LOCKS of the day, B.Y.U. playing at home against a sullen Florida St. team....so what happens ?  The Seminoles take the Cougars behind the woodshed and put a whuppin' on Max Hall and company.  This one totally caught me off guard.  Florida St. BARELY got by Division 1-AA Jacksonville St. last week and trample B.Y.U. ?   Noles' QB Christian Ponder threw for 2 TD's and ran for another.  Florida St. finished 12-15 on third down efficiency and also scored all 8 times they had the ball inside the B.Y.U. 20 yard line.   Great game plan....and defensive schemes really had QB Max Hall confused (3 INT's).  For Florida St., amazing bounceback (also for the ACC) and for B.Y.U., their BCS dreams have all but evaporated.
FINAL:     Florida St. 54-B.Y.U. 28

Revenge was on the menu as the Longhorns handled Texas Tech winning by 10.  This game was suprisingly closer than I thought.   I figured Colt McCoy would carve up the Red Raider defense.  Considering the offensive firepower on either side, the halftime score was 10-7 Texas ?   What gives ?  Second half, the QB's started heating up.  McCoy finished 24 for 34 for ONLY 205 yards, 1 TD's (2 INT's).  In a losing cause QB Taylor Potts completed an astonishing 46 passes in 62 attempts (he'll need Tommy John surgery after this performance).  for 3 TD's and and INT.  Eventually the Red Raiders offensive line began to break down and Potts took some realy shots (see Sergio Kindle sack late in the 4th quarter) which led to a Longhorn TD.  But, if this week has taught me anything..it's just WIN  !   Forget about style points....it's too difficult week to week.
FINAL:     Texas 34-Texas Tech 24

This was another surprising close finish.   I figured the Gators would pour it on the Vols down in the swamp.  Tennessee showed they have a very stingy defense, holding Tim Tebow to 115 yards (with 1 INT).  Tebow did rush for 1 TD.  The Vols continue to get shoddy QB play from Jonathan Crompton.  Luckily for Tennessee, they have a stellar recruiting class coming in next year (hopefully a new QB).   But as I previously stated, after watching games this weekend, a win is a win and Florida will take it.  
FINAL:     Florida 23-Tennessee 13

Cincinnati of the Big East invaded Corvallis, OR and won a very big game for themselves and the conference.  QB Tony Pike continues to shine going 31-49 for 332 yards and 2 TD's (with 1 INT).  The surprising Bearcats defense held Jacquizz Rodgers to an average of 3.7 yards per carry and just 1 TD.  This win in a tough environment (remember the Trojans have lost TWICE here in the last 5 years) should elavate Cincinnati into the top 15 in the polls. 
FINAL:     Cincinnati 28-Oregon St. 18

Another very close game that I thought would have been a total blow out.   Notre Dame barely gets by Michigan St. by 3.  Jimmy Clausen again played superbly completing 22-31 for 300 yards and 2 TD's.  On the downside, the Irish may have lost WR Michael Floyd for the season to a broken collarbone.  Michigan St. had a chance to take the lead with 1:10 left...but QB Kirk Cousins missed a wide open receiver in the end zone (there was NOT a Notre Dame defender within 10 yards of him).  The Irish then picked off Cousins' next pass to ice the win.  Notre Dame certainly has to address their defense in giving up back to back 30 point  plus games. 
FINAL:    Notre Dame 33-Michigan St. 30

I lost this one as I thought Nebraska was ready to make a statement.  They did make one, that they could not punch it into the Tech end zone FIVE times inside the 10 yard line and had to settle for 4 FG's.  Other than the first drive and last drive of the game, the Hokies offense showed nothing but Tyror Taylor hit the big pass at the end as Virginia Tech prevailed.  Huskers QB Zac Lee was less than effecitve throwing 3 INT's.  Nebraska did roll up 207 yards rushing (Roy Helu team leading 169 yards).  Back to the pack for the Huskers and for Virginia Tech a nice bounceback performance after their loss to Alabama.
FINAL:     Virginia Tech 16-Nebraska 15

Talk about your offensive shootouts !  Georgia and Arkansas combined for 93 points and 985 yards in a Bulldogs victory.   I had Arkansas in this one.   I didn't realize that the Razorbacks have absolutely NO defense (run or pass).  Georgia QB Joe Cox ripped the Hog defense for 375 yards and 5 TD's.   In a losing effort Ryan Mallette threw for 408 yards and 5 TD's in his initial SEC game.  I think the SEC is up for grabs....it's going to be a week by week process.
FINAL:     Georgia 52-Arkansas 41

Jahvid Best is truly turning out to be "The Best" RB in the nation rushing for 133 yards and 5 TD's !   Minnesota did make a game of it coming back from 14-0 and 21-7 deficits.  Gotta' love the Gophers new home "The Gopher Hole"...52,000 screaming fans.  Great atmosphere, but it looks like Cal is the class of the PAC-10 (at least this week).   They have the Trojans coming to Berkley in a few weeks...that should cement themselves as leaders for the Rose Bowl or at worst a BCS spot.
FINAL:     California 35-Minnesota 21

The nations longest winning streak (16 games) is history, compliments of Oregon.   The Ducks held on for a close victory at home.  RB LaMichael James ran for 156 yards and a TD to lead the Duck offense.  Jermeiah Masoli continues to struggle in the Oregon passing game completing only 4 of 16 passes for 95 yards and 1 INT.   Masoli did run the ball better (47 yards and a pair of TD's).  Utah QB Terrance Cain accounted for 236 total yards but through 2 costly INT's.   After riding high for the first 2 weeks, the Mountain West has come back down to earth after this weekend.
FINAL:     Oregon 31-Utah 24

The Pitt Panthers jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead in route to the victory of the Midshipmen of Navy.  Pittsburgh received some excellent QB play from the normally inconsistent Bill Stull.   Stull completed 17 of 24 for 245 yards and 1 TD.   The Panthers are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2000. 
FINAL:     Pittsburgh 27-Navy 14

The UConn "running on all cylinders" game was in fine form in Waco, TX on Saturday.  RB's Andre Dixon (149 yards and 3 TD's) and Jordan Todman (103 yards) powered the Huskes to the upset.  More amazing, the Husky defense held Baylor QB Robert Griffin in check and caused 2 fumbles which resulted in Husky TD's in the second quarter.  This is the second straight strong performance for the UConn defense.  The Big East performed well this weekend with (Cincinnati, Pitt, South Florida and UConn) coming away with out of conference victories.
FINAL:     Connecticut 30-Baylor 22

Check back tomorrow to see my Playmakers for week 3.  Surprising, one will be a defensive player !