Here's to College Football

Ready, set, go.

Miami 27, Kent St. 10. 2 touchdown passes for Josh Betts and 172 yards rushing from Brandon Hunter get the Redhawks their first win of the year. The defensive effort was much better, despite giving up 338 yards passing. The Hawks still need to put 60 minutes of good football together, but the 4 game losing streak is over. Next up is the Battle for the Victory Bell against Cincinnati, the 5th oldest rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains. BRING BACK THE BELL!!!!!!!!

Ohio St. 27, San Diego St. 6. I'm glad I wasn't in Columbus when the Aztecs scored on an 80 yard TD pass to start the game. OSU didn't get things going until the 2nd quarter with Troy Smith's running being the difference. The Bucks get by the "sandwich" game as Iowa is up next in the Horseshoe.

Another note concerning this game: Being on ABC and finishing early, I was looking forward to watching the end of Miami/Clemson (it had gone to overtime). But, since I live in Ohio, I had to watch postgame Buckeye comments?!?!?! Miami/Clemson goes to triple overtime, and I'm looking at AJ Hawk's long hair (get a haircut AJ).

Michigan St. 44, Notre Dame 41 (ot). If you can achieve offensive balance, Notre Dame is still below average defending the pass. Drew Stanton threw for over 300 yards and gave the Irish problems with his mobility. Still, the Irish had this one, if not for their first 2 possessions of the 2nd half (interception return for TD, fumble at the goal line that led to another TD). Brady Quinn threw for 485 yards and 5 TDs, leading the Irish back from 21 down.

Louisville 63, Oregon St. 27. This was my upset special because I wasn't impressed with Louisville's play in the 2nd half at Kentucky. That play continued early as the Beavers went up 10-0. Then, the switch was flipped and Louisville got rolling. Brian Brohm at quarterback is very good, and he's only a sophomore. Michael Bush is a load at tailback, and the Cardinals have other great backs and receivers. Plus, the defense can run, and although undersized, are physical. The Cards might crack my top 10.

Some other quickies:
I won 4 out of 6 today that I picked, much better than last week. Wins were: Miami, Florida St., Florida, and UCLA. Losses were: Notre Dame, Oregon St.

Vanderbilt is 3-0 for the first time since the 1950s. They hung on to beat Ole Miss 31-23. Indiana is also 3-0 after beating Kentucky. Congrats to former Miami and now current Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner for his good start.

And what about those Pitt Panthers?!?!?! When he was hired, Dave Wannstedt was talking national championship. Well, after botching 2 field goal attempts that could've beaten Nebraska, Pitt is 0-3. Am I surprised?!?!? No, because Dave Wannstedt's middle name is M-E-D-I-O-C-R-I-T-Y.

Now for the Top 10:
1. USC. Currently up 28-10 in the 2nd quarter vs. Arkansas and I see no reason why they will lose tonight. Scary good on offense, but have given up some yards to Arkansas. They will be on upset alert at Oregon next week. Autzen Stadium is loud and Oregon can score points.

2. Texas. No problems with Rice tonight. Oklahoma and Texas A&M are their biggest challenges left, although next week's road trip to Missouri won't be easy.

3. LSU. The Tigers get a week off before Tennessee comes into town.

4. Virginia Tech. Little problem with Ohio U. 3 TDs for Marcus Vick. Georgia Tech comes to Blacksburg next week, which should be a competitive game.

5. Ohio St. Yes, there are teams undefeated below them, but I don't think Florida, Florida St., or Georgia could beat them (and this is coming from a Buckeye hater). Their defense gave up one big play and that was it. San Diego St. did nothing offensively. The offense will improve as Troy Smith settles in.

6. Florida. Tonight, I watched a totally different Gator team tonight. Focused and disciplined, two things they lacked under Ron Zook. They were balanced offensively, although they kept Tennessee in the game with their troubles of getting into the end zone. I think they'll win the SEC East.

7. Georgia. Not sure how good the Dawgs are. They took it to Boise St., but struggled with a South Carolina team that got beat up at home by Alabama. We won't find out for another 3 weeks when they play Tennessee.

8. Florida St. In the 2nd half, Drew Weatherford started to show some signs of life. He got some confidence throwing the ball, and his big receivers started to catch some balls. Their defense is opportunistic, although lucky the Boston College quarterback got hurt, killing the Eagle momentum.

9. The U. Kyle Wright was solid, and beating Clemson in Death Valley is a feat in and of itself. The defense and the skill people are talented. The same with FSU, if Wright can keep improving, The U will be tough. The ACC might be the strongest conference in the land.

10. Louisville. They looked like a Top 10 team today. Too bad they won't get a chance to prove it until bowl season. They have North Carolina and their Big East (or Big Least) games left.

Tennessee will make it back possibly into the top 10, if they settle on a quarterback to get their passing game going. Their athleticism on defense will keep them in games.

Don't count on Michigan making it back or Notre Dame. It will be interesting to see how the Irish play at Washington next week before back-to-back games with Purdue and USC. Michigan is ok, but nothing special. They'll contend to win the Big 10 still, but they're not as talented as Ohio St.

And from last night, my Northmont T-Bolts bounced back by beating Sidney 41-7 to go to 3-1. Next up is Trotwooooood.

In a non-football related note, my boy Jason Gore leads the 84 Lumber Classic in Pennsylvania by 2 going into tomorrow's final round. I told you to look out for him.

Tomorrow, it's Da Bears vs. Detroit. Maybe Da Bears will get into double-figures.