Monday, September 28, 2009
Week 4: Five Things We Learned
As another weekend of college football has ended, let's take a look at a few things we've learned from last week's action.
1) The ACC still isn't there yet. It was evident after the collapses of Duke and Virginia to FCS teams, but after Miami's fast start and Florida State's blowout of BYU in Provo, there was hope at least that the Florida schools would make a return to challenge Virginia Tech and give the ACC some new life. That hope came crashing down this weekend. Virginia Tech, in routing the Canes, showed that it's still the team to beat in the conference. As for Florida State, this is the most confusing, roller coaster team I've ever seen. They survive a pitiful performance against Jacksonville State, follow it up with an impressive display against BYU, and then lay an egg against South Florida?
Bottom line: the ACC is Virginia Tech and everyone else, for now at least. And throw some charcoal lighter on the fire under Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, who has suffered two humiliating losses in a row at home to Middle Tennessee State and Rutgers.
2) The real BCS-buster shouldn't be Boise State, but rather ... TCU. While Boise's win over Oregon looks more impressive by the week, I'm much more impressed with the Horned Frogs, who sit 3-0 after going on the road and beating Clemson. There is a good chance that TCU can run the table, which could set up a scenario where either the Frogs or the Broncos could get taken off the BCS scene. If given an option, I'll take TCU, whose defense is continuously solid and helps set the offense up for success every game.
3) Gus Malzahn will be a head coach in 2010. If you saw Auburn's offense last year, compared to this year, you'd know why the above statement was made. Malzahn can turn the most vanilla offense into something electrifying, and after this season, a team like Virginia or Maryland could use a coach like Malzahn to not only right the ship, but get fans excited almost immediately on his arrival.
4) Florida might have trouble in their pursuit for a second title. The trouble lies in the form of Alabama, who'd they likely face in Atlanta. With the Tide D being as formidable as it is, I think the Gators would have a lot more trouble against them this year than last year. While I'd still pencil Florida in as the top team in the country this week, Alabama would be second, and rising steadily.
5) If Ole Miss wants any chance at being a contender in the West, they better give Kent Austin the playcalling duties. Of course, Houston Nutt told reporters a few years ago that "playcalling is overrated," yet watching the South Carolina game, I question many of the "overrated" playcalling decisions, notably why Dexter McCluster didn't get to shine until the fourth quarter. Of course, this has been a pattern of Nutt's for many years, and I'm sure Ole Miss fans will be commenting and attacking me all over again for bringing it up. No problem ... it's a process, but they'll slowly cross over in time.
Let's add a bonus to this one...
5a) Iowa has opened up some eyes after taking down Penn State in Happy Valley, but after seeing the Hawkeyes take down the Nittany Lions, my mind drifted back to Northern Iowa's near upset of Iowa in the first week of action. The Hawkeyes are good, but how about some credit to the Panthers of UNI? The team that's given Iowa the most trouble has steamrolled through its last three games, winning by no less than four touchdowns. As defending champions, Richmond appears to be the early favorites to repeat as FCS champions, but I'm definitely keeping an eye out on Northern Iowa ... who appear to be the real deal this year.