Week 2 Review

"One is a coincidence, two is a development, three is a trend."  Most of the teams in college football have played two games now.  In my opinion, we don't really know much about how things will shake out after only two weeks.   But, we are beginning to get an idea.  Michigan and Notre Dame played a classic game in the Big House, USC and Ohio State played a great fourth quarter in the Shoe, Georgia and South Carolina played a surprisingly entertaining game in Athens and Purdue and Oregon played a great late contest in Eugene.  

Shame On You

The Colorado Buffaloes got shelled at Toledo on Friday night.  This was supposed to be 

a make or break season for Coach Hawkins.  He said anything less than ten wins would be disappointing.  Well, they have lost to Colorado State and Toledo (54-38).  They now have to win nine of ten to have a shot to win their tenth in the bowl game.  That is not going to happen.  Their defense is pathetic.  However, Colorado is still paying money to Gary Barnett so will they be able to afford the buyout required to get Hawkins out?

I wrote in my week two preview that Oklahoma State would be challenged by Houston but would manage to score just enough to win.  The Cowboys fell behind early, came back to take the lead, then got dominated in the fourth quarter and lost 45-35 at home

 to the Cougars.  Coach Gundy and the Cowboys had never received as much love as they did after their win over Georgia.  Programs that have never experienced prosperity have a very hard time dealing with it.  

Florida State looked very good against Miami in week one.  Their offense was the best I have seen it in quite a while and they Christian Ponder looked like a leader.  They lost the game but had to feel good about the way they had played.  Six days later, they nearly lost to Jacksonville State.  FSU trailed for nearly the entire game before scoring two late touchdowns to win.  If FSU doesn't return to the form they had against Miami, they will get embarrassed this week against BYU.  

Wisconsin is not a good football team.  After a two overtime victory at home against Fresno State, they could very easily be 0-2.  Look, they won and there is something to be said for that but they will not finish anywhere near the top of the conference.  I am not going to predict anything for the Badgers but Coach Bielema might be feeling the hot seat after this season.  

Kudos!

Nobody would touch Michigan's program with a ten-foot pole two weeks ago.  Rich Rod is now the toast of the town and Michigan is back in the Top 25.  As we know, winning cures everything.  Tate Forcier looked great against the Irish.  He led a nice drive down the field and threw a touchdown pass to Greg Matthews with less than 30 seconds remaining to give the Wolverines a 38-34 victory.  It looks bad for Charlie Weis (in his fifth year) to lose to Rodriguez (in his second year) and people are beginning to see the end for Weis.  I have to say, this one was not his fault.  His offense scored 34 points, Jimmy Clausen looked great and the Irish had a score called back on a penalty and one called back on a review.  Weis is responsible for the defense but he does not call the defensive plays.  A bad loss for the Irish, a great win for the Wolverines.  

I really don't like Lane Kiffin and Tennessee so I was thrilled to see the UCLA Bruins top

the Volunteers at Rocky Top.  So, kudos the Bruins.  Neuheisel has instilled a tough defense at UCLA and the offense was almost competent. Kevin Prince broke his jaw and he will be out for a few weeks but he had a nice impact in his first two games.  Next up for Tennessee, at the Swamp to face Tim Tebow and the Gators.  

Oregon did not deserve to beat Purdue.  They had been outplayed all night long and 

they should have fallen to 0-2.  A loss at home would have sent the Ducks fans to the ledge and calling for Chip Kelly's head.  At the end of the game, Purdue was unable to convert on a two-point conversion and Oregon escaped.  Oregon is capable of scoring and if they can figure it out, they could be a tough out in the PAC-10.  This was a win the Ducks desperately needed.  

Quick kudos the Iowa Hawkeyes.  After an extremely shaky performance against Northern Iowa, Iowa blasted Iowa State 35-3.  The Hawkeyes got four touchdown passes from Ricky Stanzi and beat a bad Cyclones squad.  Still, this was a good sign for a team that looked horrible in week one.  

Okay, tomorrow will be the week three preview and then I will preview Indiana's first road game of the season on Friday.  Until then, Stay Vigilant and God Bless America.