Hey, miss you guys. Just wanted to say hello, how’s it going, how’s everything, how’s your team doing, how’s your coach, how’s your quarterback, etc. It’s been a wild year so far, right? Alabama is what we thought it’d be. Not so much with L.S.U., however. But count me among those folks who think that the Tigers will be fine; from my vantage point, I think that L.S.U. is keeping a ton under wraps, and that come November, you’re going to see a few wrinkles appear with a national title berth on the line. Florida should scare Les Miles and pals, on the other hand – the Gators can play a little defense, it seems.
Over in Big Ten country, I’m fascinated by the growth of Nebraska’s offense. Bo Pelini has had Urban Meyer’s number in the past; unfortunately, Pelini doesn’t have Glenn Dorsey chewing up blockers on his front in Lincoln.
Is Taylor Martinez good enough to remain poised against Ohio State’s ferocious defensive line? If the Cornhuskers can block Johnathan Hankins and John Simon, look for the offense to be extremely successful over the middle of the field. If not, it’ll be a long day for Nebraska.
Under the radar… Air Force and Navy begin the first leg of the hunt for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. Neither team has impressed me, though the Falcons did hang tight with Michigan back in September.
Georgia Tech needs a bounce-back game against Clemson – most of all, Al Groh’s defense need a bounce-back afternoon against one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. Groh is in very real danger of losing his job if this Tech defense doesn’t turn things around.
The winner of Georgia and South Carolina enters the driver’s seat in the SEC East, unless Florida pulls off the upset against the Tigers. Saying that the Gators lose, the winner in Columbia moves to 4-0 in SEC play, with a tiebreaker over the loser. And you know what? The winner should be considered a very realistic title contender – if the Bulldogs and Gamecocks aren’t in that conversation already.
Can Texas slow down West Virginia’s offense? I was bullish on the Longhorns’ defense in August, but it’s safe to say that Jackson Jeffcoat, Kenny Vaccaro and the rest of Texas’ group have been a disappointment. Now’s the time: Texas needs to step up, ramp up a pass rush, harass the Mountaineers’ receivers.
The Tech Trolley – trademarked, by the way (not really) – continues against lowly U.N.L.V., which travels to Ruston for a 7 p.m. start. The Bulldogs are for real, folks. Next week, they’ll make up the weather-postponed date with Texas A&M. It’s time to start thinking B.C.S., I think.
Anyway, I miss you guys. I’m sorry I don’t have any more details about Pre-Snap Read coverage on USA Today. But the re-ranking has moved over: Alabama first, Tulane last, the rest of the F.B.S. in the middle. I do have a new Twitter account, so please follow that for news over the next few weeks. Keep in touch – email me at any time and we’ll talk college football.
