The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

We're two weeks into the 2011-12 season, so let's take an early look at the good, the bad and the ugly so far this season.

Without wasting another minute, here we go...

GOOD: Washington State's start

As dark as the last several years have been, how elated are the folks in Pullman for starting the year 2-0? Sure, the wins were over Idaho State and UNLV, but take a look at the current stats nationwide and you'll see the Cougars near the top in total offense. Add the fact that starting QB Jeff Tuel suffered an injury in the first game, and you're more impressed with the job Wazzu has done. Marshall Lobbestael has filled in nicely so far, and with how bad the bottom of the Pac-12 looks so far (cough, Oregon State, cough), the Cougars are potentially looking at their best season in a long time.

BAD: Florida Atlantic's offense

True, the Owls have played Florida and Michigan State, but to average 92.5 yards of offense defines what plain bad is all about. The Owls recorded just one first down last week in the 44-0 drubbing they took in East Lansing. Has the team just quit already after hearing Howard Schnellenberger is retiring after this season? Hopefully FAU picks it up in a hurry. Schnellenberger is too good a coach and had way too good a career to go out like this.

GOOD: Oklahoma State

Think the Cowboy offense lost a step when Dana Holgerson left for West Virginia? They haven't. OSU is a worthy challenger to OU and Texas A&M for what seems to be the final Big 12 crown. Tirade aside, Mike Gundy has done an outstanding job in bringing talent to Stillwater and turning Oklahoma State into one of the better teams in the country this season. Watching Justin Blackmon on the field is worth the price of admission to Boone Pickens Stadium. A BCS bowl game looks very much a possibility for the Pokes.

UGLY: Maryland's uniforms

Might as well chip in my two cents here. Half of Maryland's uniforms make me think I'm at Medieval Times. The other half makes me want to hail a taxi. The state flag does not need to be on a helmet! May I repeat: THE STATE FLAG DOES NOT NEED TO BE ON A HELMET. While the last helmets were a tribute to lazy, the new ones are just hideous. Can't someone just put the classic M logo with the Terrapin on it? That would be a better alternative than the eyesore they displayed against Miami.

GOOD: Florida State vs. Oklahoma

Thank the 'Noles and Sooners for scheduling this one. It's nice to see some of the big boys willing to take on tough non-conference challenges, especially early in the season. I'll give credit as well to LSU and Oregon, to Arkansas and Texas A&M, who play October 1st in Dallas, and even to Alabama and Penn State, though the Nittany Lions have greatly faded as a national power over the last couple of years.

BAD: UNLV

Thrashed by Wisconsin. Thrashed worse by Washington State. Ranked the fifth worst in total offense, the third worst in total defense and second worst in scoring defense. You'll find much better action on the Strip then at Sam Boyd Stadium this year.

GOOD: Iowa State

The Big 12 school that no one wants or discusses in realignment went out and beat in-state foe Iowa in triple overtime last weekend. As Cyclone AD Jamie Pollard said, ISU definitely needed that moment. Bask away, Cyclones. Small market, but big hearts found in Ames.

UGLY: Memphis

Think UNLV was bad? Dead-last in total defense. Third worst in scoring defense. Sixth worst in scoring offense. Seventh worst in total offense. Beale Street has nothing on these Tiger blues. Being dominated by Mississippi State is one thing. Losing 47-3 to Arkansas State? There aren't enough rocks in town for Memphis fans to crawl under. Larry Porter, you have your work well cut out for you.

GOOD: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

Bray's averaging 349 yards a game. has thrown for seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Derek Dooley can't ask much more from the sophomore quarterback right now.

BAD: Ole Miss offense

The Rebels are averaging 261.5 yards per game on offense. Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson is averaging 259 yards through the air ... and last week he only played the first half.

GOOD: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International

Louisville couldn't stop this guy all night. Don't let the Sun Belt jersey fool you. Hilton is the real deal; he has great hands and tremendous speed. NFL teams are lining up to get this kid.

UGLY: Missouri State's non-conference schedule

The Bears, who took a 51-7 pounding from Arkansas, now head this weekend to Oregon. Ouch. There's not a college football team out there who wants those two teams together in a three week stretch. Hope the Bears are getting paid well.

Ending on a high note here...

GOOD: James Franklin, Vanderbilt head coach

Franklin is a typhoon of fresh air into what was an immensely stale Vanderbilt program. He has relentlessly recruited, already lining up what could be the best class in Commodore history. He has pumped energy into his players, who have responded by starting 2-0, including a comeback win over Connecticut. He then brought on the field an energetic 11-year old-fan, born without a left leg and missing some fingers, but lacking nothing in heart and drive on the Vandy sideline. There's so much positive energy around Franklin that it gives one actual belief that Vandy's days in the cellar might start to change in the upcoming seasons.