Bluebook Notes #3: ‘05 Trojans Best Ever?

I sent an e-mail this morning to Pete Rozelle telling him not to bother sending Los Angeles an NFL franchise. Instead, I told him to talk to the NCAA and figure out a way to move USC out of the Pac-10 and into the NFC West. All joking aside, the 2005 Trojans are truly in a class by themselves. Last Saturday, I attended the game, and saw this team take a step towards being mentioned with some of the top teams of all-time with a 70-17 trashing of Arkansas.

The USC/Arkansas game reminded me of how overmatched Angola looked when they tried to stop the Dream Team. The Razorbacks looked practically helpless as Southern Cal drove down the field at will. For those of you who were unfortunate enough to watch the game, the Trojans scored 28 points in 1:56!

Matt Leinart is an unbelievable quarterback who can throw deep, throw with accuracy, and is a killer when he throws on the run. Reggie Bush will keep orthopedic surgeons very busy breaking defenders ankles all year while scampering to the end zone. Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith are a superb duo of receivers who serve as deep threats and great possession guys. LenDale White and Dominique Byrd are also great talents who just don't have enough reps to show what they can really do. To sum it all up, the Trojans are beyond loaded, and have a great shot at creating an unbelievable legacy.

The Trojans will most likely be 10-0 going into the game against UCLA, and from what I saw in the Rose Bowl on Saturday, the Bruins just might be 10-0, as well. The Bruins lit Oklahoma up for 41 points and demonstrated why they have one of the most balanced attacks in the nation. Drew Olson was spectacular, going 28-38 and throwing for over 300 yards. He spread the ball around effectively and utilized all of his receivers, and his stud tight end Marcedes Lewis.

The UCLA defense also played well, which has to be very uplifting for Bruins fans. Last season, Bruin defenders were atrocious against the run and not too much better against the pass. It looks as if those days are behind them, as they forced several turnovers and held Adrian Peterson to under 60 yards.

Even though Oklahoma got spanked, Sooner fans shouldn't get too down. OU played a sloppy game and gave the Bruins far too many opportunities to score. This is to be expected and the team will improve as the season continues. Speaking of improvement, Rhett Bomar made huge strides in the game against UCLA and has the potential of being even better than Jason White.

The HeisDAQ

The race for the Heisman Trophy fluctuates week by week. The HeisDAQ will let you know whose Heisman "stock" is rising and falling.

1) Matt Leinart, QB USC (strong buy) — Leinart was absolutely fantastic against Arkansas. He threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a beautiful 17-yard scramble to get into the end zone for another score. Leinart is having the season I thought he would have to in my Heisman preview in order to take home the hardware. As of right now, he's definitely the prohibitive favorite.

2) Reggie Bush, RB/KR/PR USC (buy) — Reggie Bush is truly a guy with other-worldly talent. He had over 200 total yards on Saturday and two touchdowns. The scary thing is that he seems to be getting stronger and stronger each week.

3) Vince Young, QB Texas (buy) — Young drops a spot due to a lackluster performance against Rice. He played reasonably well, but Jamaal Charles, Texas' freshman sensation at running back, played more like a Heisman candidate. V.Y. missed an opportunity to generate some gaudy stats, but the season is still young.

4) Chris Leak, QB Florida (buy) — Leak did a good job on Saturday leading Florida to a 16-7 victory over Tennessee. His numbers were solid (17-of-26, 179 yards) and the national exposure will certainly help boost his chances. Florida has a great shot to win the SEC, and they will need to do that, and stay undefeated for Leak to have a prayer to swipe the Heisman.

5) Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame (buy) — Brady Quinn had an unbelievable game on Saturday. He threw for 5 touchdowns and 487 yards. Unfortunately, even that effort wasn't enough for the Irish to beat Michigan State. A loss to the Spartans would normally drop most guys out of contention, but MSU is pretty solid this year, and the spotlight will never fade from any Irish quarterback with talent. That's why Quinn stays at No. 5, and he's got a yawner at Washington before two huge games against Purdue and USC.

6) Laurence Maroney, RB Minnesota (hold) — Maroney had another solid performance on Saturday — unfortunately, it was against sorry Florida Atlantic. He rushed for 145 yards and two scores, but its just not enough for him to warrant serious Heisman consideration. He will have to start racking up 200-yard games if his bid to win the trophy is to be taken seriously, and this week's game against Purdue is the perfect opportunity.

7) Drew Stanton, QB Michigan State (speculative buy) — Stanton has vaulted up the HeisDAQ standings to the seventh slot with an unbelievable performance against Notre Dame. He did damage with both his arm and leg, and has the Spartans undefeated and nationally ranked. Stanton should have another chance to pad his stats with a yawner against Illinois before the big game in two weeks against Michigan.

8) Drew Tate, QB Iowa (speculative buy) — Drew Tate has always had a knack for comebacks. Tate's stellar performance against Northern Iowa shows why this kid is one of the toughest competitors to ever suit up for the Hawkeyes. Even with all of the superlatives, however, Tate's chances of winning the Heisman are slim. If he has any chance, he will have to come up big this Saturday against the Buckeyes.

9) Gerald Riggs, RB Tennessee (speculative buy) — Riggs played a decent game against Florida, but it just wasn't enough for the Vols to win. He ran for 86 yards, but he just couldn't find the end zone, and this causes him to stay put in the HeisDAQ. He will have to start amassing more yards in the conference schedule, and with the uncertainty at quarterback, he should have plenty of opportunities.

10) Maurice Drew, RB UCLA (speculative buy) — Maurice Drew has always been one of the most underrated players in college football. He is quietly having a very good season, and is the second newcomer to the HeisDAQ. He must continue his excellent play and keep the Bruins undefeated if he wants serious consideration for the trophy.

Dropped Out — Ted Ginn, Ohio State; Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma

Others to Watch — Omar Jacobs (buy), D.J. Shockley (speculative buy), Reggie McNeal (buy), Reggie Ball (speculative buy), DeAngelo Williams (speculative buy), Brian Brohm (speculative buy)

Games to Watch/Picks to Click

In this section of Bluebook Notes, I highlight three of the best potential games for the next week. I will also give my pick as to who will come out victorious.

Season Record: 3-3 ATS; Last Week: 2-1 ATS

Iowa (+7) @ Ohio State

In my Big Ten preview, I noted that this would be the most important game of the season for the Hawkeyes, and it is a must win if they are going to win the conference. Iowa has not played to the level I thought they would, but Ohio State hasn't looked invincible, either. This game comes down to location, and since it's played in Columbus, I think the Buckeyes have the edge.

What the Hell is a Buckeye 24, Endangered Hawkeyes 13

Tennessee (+6 ½) @ LSU

The uncertainty around this game is amazing. Firstly, will there even be a game? Hurricane Rita is barreling towards the Gulf Coast and should make landfall on Saturday. If the game is not cancelled due to weather, Tennessee needs to decided which quarterback will lead this team. Erik Ainge is the early choice, and will face a team that is playing for so much more than football. Destiny seems to be on LSU's side, so I'm going with the Tigers.

America's Team 28, UTeetering on Collapse 14

Georgia Tech (+11) @ Virginia Tech

The major question that has to be asked is will Reggie Ball, Georgia Tech's star quarterback, play this weekend. His bout with viral meningitis was a successful one, but he is still undoubtedly feeling its effects. Chan Gailey would love to see him play, but he may have to go with freshman Taylor Bennett. This would be an unbelievable test for the frosh sensation, and I think he will fail in the chaotic environment in Blacksburg. If Ball can start, he will be facing his stiffest test in a Hokie team that has an outside shot at national title.

Vick's Hokies 35, Stung Hornets 13

The Mailbag

The mailbag is the final section of Bluebook Notes. This week's comes from Jaycee in Farmington Hills, Michigan:

Only a fool would think that Michigan will end up playing in the putrid Sun Bowl. The Notre Dame game was just a hiccup and we will still go undefeated in our conference. I'll be waiting to hear from you then.

Jaycee, you will be hearing from me at the end of the season, but I don't know if you will like the news. Michigan will not win the Big 10 this year, and there are at least three teams that should finish ahead of them. If you add Michigan State and Penn State to the mix, the Wolverines could potentially end up in (gulp) sixth-place. I don't think that's going to happen, but a fourth-place spot is definitely a possibility.

Do you think that I'm "off my rocker," or did I hit the proverbial "nail on the head?" Let me know! Send an e-mail to [email protected] and include your name and hometown. I'll do my best to include it in the next week's column.