Best Weekend: Pac-10
Nine Pac-10 teams were in action Saturday (minus Arizona State), and they were 7-2 (3-1 against BCS conference teams). Of course #3 USC proved that a freshman quarterback is no obstacle for them in beating the #8 ranked Buckeyes in the Horseshoe, but other teams also made huge strides. #10 Cal, although playing an inferior opponent, went above 50 points for the second straight week, sending chills through the Hollywood hills. Washington got their first win since 2007 by beating Idaho ( a wins a win for the Huskies). Oregon edged by Purdue, Oregon State beat UNLV, and UCLA went into Knoxville and got a huge win over the Vols. Despite losses by Stanford (in the final seconds @ Wake) and a blowout loss to Hawaii by Washington State, the Pac-10 emerged as maybe the 2nd or 3rd best conference in America.
Honorable Mention: Matt Barkley
Beating widely publicized QB Terrell Pryor, proving his critics wrong, gaining faith from his teammates, eeping USC in title contention. Quite the weekend for the frosh.
Worst Weekend: Oklahoma State
With every group of sexy preseason picks, there's always one disaster. Oklahoma State has jumped off to an early lead for that coveted designation. Giving up 45 points to Houston? I know the Cougars have a high-powered offense, but that should not in any way be showcased that well against a Big 12 team. Especially against this "much improved" Bill Young defense. Anyways, a 1-1 start's not too good for a team with National Championship aspirations. Especially since they have a schedule that features Missouri, #2 Texas, Texas Tech, and at #12 Oklahoma left on their schedule. 2009 was the year for the Cowboys seeing their dynamic trifecta likely all gone next year. This looks to be a 9-3 or 8-4 team headed to either the Holiday Bowl or the Gator Bowl. Good thing their coach is "a man" and can handle a disappointing season like this.
Honorable Mention: Lane Kiffin
Losing to UCLA to home the week before traveling to the Swamp? One week at a time Lane, you'll learn.
Gameball for the weekend: Tate Forcier, Michigan
Making big plays when he needed to, Tate Forcier was huge for Michigan on Saturday. Talk about the composure of a kid being in front of 100,000+ against arch rival Notre Dame while losing in the final minute, only to drive down the field for the game winning score. He stepped up in the pocket all day long and made the ethrows he needed to, especially on the final drive. He dodged a multitude of defenders only to have a go-ahead touchdown pass to be dropped on the grass. But the next play, he delivered a perfect ball to the outside and gave the Wolverines the upset victory.
Honorable Mention: Andrew Aguila, Central Michigan
Booted a perfect onside kick, to give CMU back the ball, only to kick a game-winning field goal seconds later.
My Top 25 going into Week 3...
1. Florida (2-0) v. Tennessee
2. USC (2-0) @ Washington
3. Texas (2-0) v. Texas Tech
4. Cal (2-0) @ Minnesota
5. Ole Miss (1-0) v. SE Louisiana
6. Alabama (2-0) v. North Texas
7. Penn State (2-0) v. Temple
8. BYU (2-0) v. Florida State
9. Boise State (2-0) @ Fresno State (Fri.)
10. LSU (2-0) v. UL-Lafayette
11. Ohio State (1-1) @. Toledo
12. Oklahoma (1-1) v. Tulsa
13. Georgia Tech (2-0) @ #20 Miami (FL)
14. Virginia Tech (1-1) v. #15 Nebraska
15. Nebraska (2-0) @ #14 Virginia Tech
16. Cincinnati (2-0) @ Oregon State
17. TCU (1-0) v. Texas State
18. Utah (2-0) @ Oregon
19. Oklahoma State (1-1) v. Rice
20. Miami (FL) (1-0) v. #13 Georgia Tech
21. UNC (2-0) v. East Carolina
22. Michigan (2-0) v. E. Michigan
23. Kansas (2-0) v. Duke
24. Notre Dame (1-1) v. Michigan State
25. Missouri (2-0) v. Furman
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