This weekend in college football showed us that Houston is for real, the teams in the top 10 maybe did not belong there and that Tim Tebow is human.
UPSET OF THE WEEK
South Florida 17, (18) Florida State 7
Tallahassee native B.J. Daniels delivered for the Bulls in first collegiate start by going into Doak-Campbell Stadium and coming out with a big win for South Florida. Daniels threw for 215 yards and ran for 126 yards with 2 total touchdowns. While they probably still celebrating the win in Tampa, Bobby Bowden's team need to resurrect their season now at 2-2, and especially their home form after losing to Miami and barely beating Jacksonville State.
BLOWOUT OF THE WEEK
(2) Texas 64, UTEP 7
Colt McCoy exploded for 286 yards and 3 TD as the Longhorns pummeled the Miners in game in which UTEP was held to only 53 total yards while Mack Brown's team gained 639. Texas proved this week that they are worthy of their ranking.
MVP OF THE WEEK
Case Keenum, QB, Houston
Keenum was impressive throughout the whole game against Texas Tech, but the game-winning drive that he led was nothing short of phenomenal. Keenum lead the Cougars down the field in 5 minutes on 16 play, 95 yard drive which culminated in Keenum running the ball in from 4 yards out. Keenum not only showed the nation that the Cougars are a team that might crack the BCS this year, but he also showed that he can challenge the game's best for the Heisman.
HEISMAN TOP 5
1. Case Keenum, QB, Houston
Keenum's performance mentioned above gives him the lead in the competition so far.
2. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
Entering Big 12 play, McCoy and the Longhorns haven't faced a challenge yet.
3. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Tebow's injury in the third quarter against Kentucky came after an impressive first quarter. Luckily, Tebow and the Gators get next week off.
4. Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
Pike continued his stellar season leading the Bearcats to an impressive win over Fresno State, one week after going to Corvallis and beating Oregon State.
5. Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
Best was shut down by Oregon this week, but don't expect that to stop him, based on his games prior to the one against the Ducks, Best could keep his name in the race all season long.
AP Top 10 My Top 10
1. Florida 1. Florida
2. Texas 2. Texas
3. Alabama 3. Alabama
4. LSU 4. Cincinnati
5. Boise State 5. Virginia Tech
6. Virginia Tech 6. Houston
7. USC 7. Oklahoma
8. Oklahoma 8. USC
9. Ohio State 9. Ohio State
10. Cincinnati 10. Kansas
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Offense Lights Up Week 4 in Collegiate Ranks
Texas Tech @ #17 Houston (Sat. 9:15, ESPN2)
This weekend at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas, Texas Tech and #17 Houston (yes, they are #17, it is not a fluke), will combine in a shootout that has not been seen in a while. The matchup features two gunslingers, Texas Tech's Taylor Potts and Case Keenum for Houston.
Both quarterbacks have put up staggering numbers in the first month of the season, Potts has played 3 games, Keenum's Cougars had off last week, and the offense will continue to flow out of their veins Saturday night.
Throughout the Red Raiders' first 3 games, Potts has thrown for 1281 yards with a 69.5 completion percentage. The Abliene, Texas native has thrown to 13 different receivers, 6 of which have over 100 yards receiving already this season.
On the other hand, Keenum has thrown for 725 yards in 2 games with a 72.4 completion percentage. Keenum's stock rose when he led the Cougars to a 45-35 win over then-ranked #5 Oklahoma State in Stillwater two weeks ago.
No matter who wins this battle of the pass-heavy spread offenses, fans at Robertson Stadium should be in for a thriller. And for those who will not be in Houston, the game is on at 9:15 Saturday night on ESPN2.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND
(4) Ole Miss @ South Carolina (Thurs. 7:30 ESPN)
Jevan Snead and the Rebels will have their first chance to prove to themselves and to the nation that they are worthy of all the preseason hype. Meanwhile, Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks led by QB Stephen Garcia will also be out to prove that they belong in the talk for the SEC East second place race behind Florida.
Fresno State @ (14) Cincinnati (Sat. 12:00 espn360)
The Bearcats are coming off a big win out west against Oregon State and now will have a tough home test against a Fresno State team that fought hard against Boise State at home last week.
(9) Miami @ (11) Virginia Tech(Sat. 3:30 ABC)
Jacory Harris come into Blacksburg with after a big win last Thursday at Georgia Tech while the Hokies are coming a last-minute win against Nebraska at home on Saturday with late game heroics from Tyrod Taylor. The big concern for the Hokies is RB Ryan Williams, who was hurt during last week's game. Williams is a key to the Hokie running game and could be a huge difference maker, but so could Harris for the Hurricanes. This rivalry is finally back where it once was when both teams were in the Big East.
Arkansas @ (3) Alabama (Sat. 3:30 CBS)
The Razorbacks are coming off a tough loss in which their offense proved they could fight with Georgia(at least for 3 quarters). Ryan Mallett is a proven quarterback that could give the Bama defense trouble. On the other side, the Tide's offense has rolling as well with QB Greg McIlroy at the helm, they haven't missed a beat this season.
(8) Boise State @ Bowling Green (Sat. 7:00)
This may not seem like a great matchup for the Falcons but Boise is coming off a tough game against Fresno State and has to travel to Ohio and face a team from the MAC, a conference which has a tradition of upsets against top teams. This is my upset alert of the week and I would not be surprised if the Broncos' BCS hopes falter Saturday night.
Iowa @ (5) Penn State (Sat. 8:00 ABC)
Iowa has a slim chance of winning at Beaver Stadium, going against the white-out but this is a statement game for JoePa's Nittany Lions. Penn State needs to show the nation that it is a contender for the title again. With three very unconvincing wins against Akron, Syracuse, and Temple expect Daryll Clark to unleash a can on the Hawkeye defense all night.
This weekend at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas, Texas Tech and #17 Houston (yes, they are #17, it is not a fluke), will combine in a shootout that has not been seen in a while. The matchup features two gunslingers, Texas Tech's Taylor Potts and Case Keenum for Houston.
Both quarterbacks have put up staggering numbers in the first month of the season, Potts has played 3 games, Keenum's Cougars had off last week, and the offense will continue to flow out of their veins Saturday night.
Throughout the Red Raiders' first 3 games, Potts has thrown for 1281 yards with a 69.5 completion percentage. The Abliene, Texas native has thrown to 13 different receivers, 6 of which have over 100 yards receiving already this season.
On the other hand, Keenum has thrown for 725 yards in 2 games with a 72.4 completion percentage. Keenum's stock rose when he led the Cougars to a 45-35 win over then-ranked #5 Oklahoma State in Stillwater two weeks ago.
No matter who wins this battle of the pass-heavy spread offenses, fans at Robertson Stadium should be in for a thriller. And for those who will not be in Houston, the game is on at 9:15 Saturday night on ESPN2.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND
(4) Ole Miss @ South Carolina (Thurs. 7:30 ESPN)
Jevan Snead and the Rebels will have their first chance to prove to themselves and to the nation that they are worthy of all the preseason hype. Meanwhile, Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks led by QB Stephen Garcia will also be out to prove that they belong in the talk for the SEC East second place race behind Florida.
Fresno State @ (14) Cincinnati (Sat. 12:00 espn360)
The Bearcats are coming off a big win out west against Oregon State and now will have a tough home test against a Fresno State team that fought hard against Boise State at home last week.
(9) Miami @ (11) Virginia Tech(Sat. 3:30 ABC)
Jacory Harris come into Blacksburg with after a big win last Thursday at Georgia Tech while the Hokies are coming a last-minute win against Nebraska at home on Saturday with late game heroics from Tyrod Taylor. The big concern for the Hokies is RB Ryan Williams, who was hurt during last week's game. Williams is a key to the Hokie running game and could be a huge difference maker, but so could Harris for the Hurricanes. This rivalry is finally back where it once was when both teams were in the Big East.
Arkansas @ (3) Alabama (Sat. 3:30 CBS)
The Razorbacks are coming off a tough loss in which their offense proved they could fight with Georgia(at least for 3 quarters). Ryan Mallett is a proven quarterback that could give the Bama defense trouble. On the other side, the Tide's offense has rolling as well with QB Greg McIlroy at the helm, they haven't missed a beat this season.
(8) Boise State @ Bowling Green (Sat. 7:00)
This may not seem like a great matchup for the Falcons but Boise is coming off a tough game against Fresno State and has to travel to Ohio and face a team from the MAC, a conference which has a tradition of upsets against top teams. This is my upset alert of the week and I would not be surprised if the Broncos' BCS hopes falter Saturday night.
Iowa @ (5) Penn State (Sat. 8:00 ABC)
Iowa has a slim chance of winning at Beaver Stadium, going against the white-out but this is a statement game for JoePa's Nittany Lions. Penn State needs to show the nation that it is a contender for the title again. With three very unconvincing wins against Akron, Syracuse, and Temple expect Daryll Clark to unleash a can on the Hawkeye defense all night.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Del Potro's Win Announces Arrival to Top Men's Stage
With his 5-set win on Monday night at U.S. Open men's final against Roger Federer, the world #1 and 5-time defending champion, Juan Martin del Potro announced to the rest of the tennis world that he is legit.
Del Potro came out in the worst fashion looking like someone who did not deserve to play in the U.S. Open final. The 20-year old Argentine lost the first set 6-3. It could have been much worse but Federer's service game was horrible all night. Del Potro did gain a stronghold in the match until the late part of the second set when he was able to force a tiebreak and win the set 7-6(7-5). Del Potro was going in the third set, but two consecutive double faults gave Federer the set, 6-4 and all hope looked lost.
But, Del Potro showed he had a lot of fight left in him. Facing a match point down 5-6 , and 15-40, he delivered with two screaming aces down the middle of 128 mph and 131 mph to survive the break and force a tiebreak where he dominated. Benefiting from a Federer double fault in the first game of the tiebreak, Del Potro took control and won the set, 7-6(7-4).
The most impressive part of the match for Del Potro was the fifth set where did nothing less than dominate. He broke Federer in the second game of the set going up 2-0, and never looked back. Del Potro and Federer stayed on serve until 5-2 in the fifth set with championship point, Federer hit a ball long and Del Potro dropped to the ground. He slayed the giant of men's tennis, the best player of all-time, Roger Federer to win his first major title and snapping Federer's five year, forty match win streak in New York City.
This win will do wonders for Del Potro's confidence especially because he beat Rafa Nadal in the semis. Del Potro will finish in the top 5 this year and is a serious threat to Federer, Nadal, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic for the years to come.
Del Potro came out in the worst fashion looking like someone who did not deserve to play in the U.S. Open final. The 20-year old Argentine lost the first set 6-3. It could have been much worse but Federer's service game was horrible all night. Del Potro did gain a stronghold in the match until the late part of the second set when he was able to force a tiebreak and win the set 7-6(7-5). Del Potro was going in the third set, but two consecutive double faults gave Federer the set, 6-4 and all hope looked lost.
But, Del Potro showed he had a lot of fight left in him. Facing a match point down 5-6 , and 15-40, he delivered with two screaming aces down the middle of 128 mph and 131 mph to survive the break and force a tiebreak where he dominated. Benefiting from a Federer double fault in the first game of the tiebreak, Del Potro took control and won the set, 7-6(7-4).
The most impressive part of the match for Del Potro was the fifth set where did nothing less than dominate. He broke Federer in the second game of the set going up 2-0, and never looked back. Del Potro and Federer stayed on serve until 5-2 in the fifth set with championship point, Federer hit a ball long and Del Potro dropped to the ground. He slayed the giant of men's tennis, the best player of all-time, Roger Federer to win his first major title and snapping Federer's five year, forty match win streak in New York City.
This win will do wonders for Del Potro's confidence especially because he beat Rafa Nadal in the semis. Del Potro will finish in the top 5 this year and is a serious threat to Federer, Nadal, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic for the years to come.
Weekend Wrap September 10-12
This weekend gave us the opening of a new NFL season, some great college football finishes, a rain-delayed U.S. Open with a tirade to be remembered forever, and Tiger dominating yet again in the FedEx Cup.
TOP 5 PERFORMANCES
5. Case Keenum
The Houston quarterback led the Cougars to an upset of #5 Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Saturday. Keenum was 32-of-46 with 366 yards and 3 touchdowns. His last touchdown gave his team the lead for good, making it 38-35 and his defense added a touchdown for insurance at the end to upset the Cowboys 45-35.
4. Tate Forcier
The Freshman starter for Michigan gave Wolverine fans a performance to remember and Notre Dame fans a game to forget. Forcier threw for 240 on 23 completions and threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for 1, but his 2nd passing touchdown to Greg Mathews gave Michigan the lead 38-34 with 22 seconds left on the clock.
3. Drew Brees
In the Saints' home and season opener against Detroit, the gunslinger for New Orleans unleashed a passing performance that will be a start to a potentially record setting year. The quarterback threw for 358 and 6 touchdowns and gave fantasy owners a big first week. Brees completed passes to 8 receivers and 5 of them caught touchdowns, Jeremy Shockey was the only one who caught two. Brees will face a tough test next week at Philadelphia.
2. Juan Martin del Potro
The 6'6" 20-year old Argentine impress and shocked many tennis fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday by knocking out #3 Rafa Nadal in straigh sets, 6-2,6-2,6-2. Del Potro has the skill set to outduel any top player in the game and will put his skills on display again Monday afternoon in the men's final against world #1 and 5-time defending champion, Roger Federer.
1. Kim Clijsters
Clijsters' victory in the U.S. Open women's final Sunday night was unfortuneately overshadowed by the inappropriate outburst by Serena Williams in her semifinal with Clijsters Saturday night. Clijsters, who took two years off from tennis to raise a family, returned right where she left off, by winning the U.S. Open. The Belgian had won the 2006 final and then retired but in only her second major back, she conquered #9 seed Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, 7-5, 6-3 in the final.
TOP 5 PERFORMANCES
5. Case Keenum
The Houston quarterback led the Cougars to an upset of #5 Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Saturday. Keenum was 32-of-46 with 366 yards and 3 touchdowns. His last touchdown gave his team the lead for good, making it 38-35 and his defense added a touchdown for insurance at the end to upset the Cowboys 45-35.
4. Tate Forcier
The Freshman starter for Michigan gave Wolverine fans a performance to remember and Notre Dame fans a game to forget. Forcier threw for 240 on 23 completions and threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for 1, but his 2nd passing touchdown to Greg Mathews gave Michigan the lead 38-34 with 22 seconds left on the clock.
3. Drew Brees
In the Saints' home and season opener against Detroit, the gunslinger for New Orleans unleashed a passing performance that will be a start to a potentially record setting year. The quarterback threw for 358 and 6 touchdowns and gave fantasy owners a big first week. Brees completed passes to 8 receivers and 5 of them caught touchdowns, Jeremy Shockey was the only one who caught two. Brees will face a tough test next week at Philadelphia.
2. Juan Martin del Potro
The 6'6" 20-year old Argentine impress and shocked many tennis fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday by knocking out #3 Rafa Nadal in straigh sets, 6-2,6-2,6-2. Del Potro has the skill set to outduel any top player in the game and will put his skills on display again Monday afternoon in the men's final against world #1 and 5-time defending champion, Roger Federer.
1. Kim Clijsters
Clijsters' victory in the U.S. Open women's final Sunday night was unfortuneately overshadowed by the inappropriate outburst by Serena Williams in her semifinal with Clijsters Saturday night. Clijsters, who took two years off from tennis to raise a family, returned right where she left off, by winning the U.S. Open. The Belgian had won the 2006 final and then retired but in only her second major back, she conquered #9 seed Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, 7-5, 6-3 in the final.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Gresham's Injury Another Blow To Sooner Title Hopes
With the news that TE Jermaine Gresham is going under arthroscopic knee surgery and will miss his senior season, Oklahoma has been dealt another blow to its offense. With QB Sam Bradford's shoulder injury shelving him for 2-4 weeks, the Sooners are forced to turn to reshirt freshman QB Landry Jones and an inexpreienced receiving core. Oklahoma will have it fairly easy the next two weeks facing Idaho State and Tulsa at home, followed by a bye week. But after that things will get competitive, with a home games against a revitalized Miami program, an underrated Baylor team and then the Red River Shootout with Texas. If the Sooners have any hope of winning a national title this year, they will have to survive by basing their offense on the running game led by DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown. Although it will be tough, coach Bob Stoops will find a way to manage his team until Bradford comes back.
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