College Football Random Thoughts From Around the Country: Week 2

Craziness does not take a weekend off in college football.

Central Michigan 30 Oklahoma State 27 – By now you have probably heard all about this game. On 4th down with a few ticks left on the clock and a 27-24 lead, the Cowboys needed to run out the last few seconds. But taking a knee would give the ball back to CMU. The OSU quarterback dropped back and threw the ball as far as he could. The officiating crew correctly called it intentional grounding but errantly gave the Chippewas an untimed down which resulted in the wacky winning TD seen above.

After the game, Okie State coach Mike Gundy seemed dumbfounded (emphasis on the "dumb"). Later on after he and all the rest of America learned of the mistake, he started acting all smug, mad and trolling the refs. But HE screwed up too: 1) If this play is in his playbook, he should've consulted with refs at some point during the last 8 months to see what the outcome would be; 2) He should've complained a lot more than he did; 3) His team should have been able to defend the Hail Mary a little better; 4) The game should never have been that close! This was the #22 team versus a middling MAC team in Stillwater! CMU has not won more than 7 games in a season over the last six.

Blame the MAC crew and the Big 12 replay crew all you want (they were all suspended two games), but this one is on Gundy. Maybe he should've done this play again (link).

Arkansas 41 TCU 38 (2OT) - Credit the Razorbacks for going into Fort Worth and beating 15th ranked TCU. In recent seasons, Bert's teams have historically lost these early season games.

Lady Luck was smiling on Arky as they scored a late TD, converted a two point conversion with a minute left that had two handoffs and a pass back to the QB (above), a blocked 26-yard field goal by 6-10 OL Dan Skipper with 16 seconds left, and a double OT win. The Hogs' Rawleigh Williams appears to have picked up the rushing mantle for Arkansas with 137 yards on the night.

SIDE NOTE: I like Joe Tessitore but there were times during this game where he was screeching the play-by-play. Very annoying.

I'm pretty sure only 50 people can actually see the game from #Bristol pic.twitter.com/WxnuatSgNL

— Jon Sanderson (@CampSanderson) September 11, 2016

Tennessee 45 Virginia Tech 24 - The big spectacle of the weekend was played out at Bristol Motor Speedway. There were a 156,990 fans with a stirring opening and national anthem. Beyond that, it wasn't a big deal. If you can imagine watching an Alabama game from the roof of Tutwiler Hall, I imagine that is what this was like. Please U of A, do not agree to do one of these games. PLEASE.

The Hokies jumped out to a two touchdown lead but the Vols came storming back with the next 31 points. The Vols played well but managed only 91 passing yards from Joshua Dobbs. Let's face it. Va Tech is not a very good team. They are rebuilding just to get back to their usual mediocrity. 91 yards passing is not going to cut in when Tennessee dives into their SEC schedule starting 9/24 vs Florida.

SEC:

Alabama 38 Western Kentucky 10 - The Crimson Tide gave up their first TD of the season. They also had their second pick-six in as many games. But there were dropped passes, dropped interceptions, missed fumble recoveries, stupid penalties, and other unforced errors. Alabama fans are praying the team has gotten these mistakes out of their system.

Ole Miss 38 Wofford 13 - Not a great game but it was never in doubt. The Terriers scored ten of their points in the fourth quarter against the OM scrubs. The Rebs are still trying to figure out their running game.

Texas A&M 67 Prairie View 0 - TAMU did what they were supposed to do against an FCS team. If there is anything bad to say, it is that Trevor Knight was only 21 for 37 (57%) and had an INT. he also had three passing TDs.

LSU 34 Jacksonville State 13 - After two three-and-outs to start the game, Les Miles FINALLY benched ineffective Brandon Harris in favor of Purdue grad-transfer Danny Etling who sparked the team. To be honest, they could've pulled a guy out of the stands at the Navy game to play QB and it would've sparked this listless team. Etling first three possessions resulted in touchdowns. However, he did not complete a pass in the second half except to a guy wearing red, and also lost a fumble. The score looks good but there is trouble in Red Stick.

Leonard Fournette did not play as he reportedly nurses a sore ankle. If I was one of them big city fancy journalists, what I am about to say next would be deemed unprofessional and inscrutable: Could Fournette possibly be fabricating or exaggerating an injury so that he could save himself for future endeavors? (The opinions herein do not reflect the opinions of RBR and SBN. Okay, moving on...)

Florida 45 Kentucky 7 - Yes, it was Kentucky, and Kentucky is gonna Kentucky, but the Gators put up a good showing. It would have been a shutout had UK's ones not scored a last possession TD against UF's twos and threes.

Vanderbilt 47 Middle Tennessee 24 - Most 'Dores points scored since a 51-27 win over Mizzou in 2013 when James Franklin was in charge.

Mississippi State 27 South Carolina 14 - A nice rebound by MSU. Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (178 passing, 195 rushing) is starting to get a hang of things for the Bullies.

Auburn 51 Arkansas State 14 - Gustavo Malzahn wised up and stuck with one QB and was rewarded with a solid win against a bad team. Sean White went 17/23 for 244 yds, 3 TD and 0 INT. Kamryn Pettway (152 yds) and Kerryon Johnson (124) led the rushing attack that amassed 462 yards on the ground.

Missouri 61 Eastern Michigan 21 - Drew Lock tied a school-record with five touchdown passes.

Georgia 26 Nicholls 24 - Any accusation that the Bulldogs players are illiterate were proved false as they had no trouble reading their press clippings this past week. Full of themselves after beating UNC, UGA came out flat and sloppy, barely beating a bad FCS team (9-48 over the last five years). Jacob Eason was mediocre and Nick Chubb had 80 yards. The starters went the distance and the Dawgs needed a late first down just to hold off the only college founded by a Star Trek actress.

Houston 42 Lamar 0 - So, the Cougars did what you are supposed to do against a team like this. BTW, the Cardinals also lost to Coastal Carolina 38-14.

Whoops: Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud dropped the ball on the way to the end zone. https://t.co/wBAAynPddJ pic.twitter.com/1lv0Gxu6gz

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 10, 2016

Clemson 30 Troy 24 - Either Troy, Auburn, and Clemson are all on the same level or something is amiss in Tigerland. For the second straight game, Dabo's crew played down to their competition. The Clemson offense sputtered, being outrushed 141 to 122. Deshaun Watson had two INTs. And then there was the gaffe as seen above by Ray-Ray McCloud on a 74-yard punt return.

Florida State 52 Charleston Southern 8 - I have nothing to add here.
Ohio State 48 Tulsa 3 - or here.
Michigan 51 UCF 14 - see above.

Illinois State 9 Northwestern 7 - The 'Cats are 0-2 and have not even started Big 10 play.

GRAB BAG

Miami 38 FAU 10 - I said F AU! Last season, many of the wonks were tabbing Canes QB Brad Kaaya as the next big thing. Miami won despite his poor performance of 17-31 191 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT.
Louisville 62 Syracuse 28 – Lamar Jackson put up 411 yds passing and 199 on the ground, accounting for 5 TDs. A fine performance but c'mon – it's the 'Cuse.
Pittsburgh 42 Penn State 39 - I never thought I'd be saying this but James Franklin would've been better off staying at Vandy. He was 24–15 (SEC 11-13) with the Dores and is currently 15-13 (B1G 6-10) up north.
East Carolina 33 NC State 30 - Forget the Big 12, ECU should join the ACC. They have beaten ACC teams in 6 straight games since 2013. Adoption candidate...

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BAMA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

Southern Cal (1-1) A 45-7 romp over a Utah State team that was thought to be a decent team. JuJu had two receiving touchdowns. Up next: at Stanford.
WKU (1-1) Let's talk about the Hilltoppers. They have a pretty good defense, a decent passing attack, and a good head coach. Don't be surprised if they win the Conference USA crown. They host Vandy in two weeks.
Kent State (0-2) The Golden Flashes didn't even make it to the pan losing to FCS/HBCU North Carolina A&T 39-36 in OT.
Chattanooga (2-0) The Mocs beat up on poor little Presbyterian 34-0.

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ADOPT-A-TEAM

Thanks for all your suggestion last week. Since we at RBR are feeling mighty patriotic this week, we introduce a SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS section. Master of Ceremonies Ron Swanson will bring you an update on Navy, Army, and Air Force, all of whom moved to 2-0.

• Army 31 Rice 14 - The Black Knights outgained the Owls 414 to 289. In a sad note, starting cornerback Brandon Jackson died in car accident on Sunday.
  
• Air Force 48 Georgia State 14 - The Falcons scored early and often including a 99-yard kickoff return on their first possession by the unfortunately named Timothy McVey (google it). They possessed the ball 45:14 to 14:46, grounding out 464 rushing yards on a massive 83 attempts.
  
• Navy 28 UConn 24 - Who needs Keenan Reynolds? Senior Will Worth scored two touchdowns in his debut as Navy's starting quarterback. The Middies are again looking like a bowl team.

THE CIVILIANS

• Jacksonville State and USA both lost.
  
• Southern Miss head coach Jay Hopson might be one to keep an eye on. He has the Golden Eagles sitting at 2-0.
  
• North Texas 41 Bethune Cookman 20 - It is looking like Alabama transfer Alec Morris may have lost his job to freshman Mason Fine. Morris was only 4 of 11 for 13 yards and threw a pick six. It was his fourth INT on the young season. We may have to drop the Mean Green if this keeps up.

(SIDE NOTE, after collecting 102 yards receiving against West Virginia in Week 1, Mizzou's Chris Black did not record a catch against Eastern Michigan. This despite ten teammates catching balls in a 61-21 blow out. The UM boards have rumored attitude problems and injuries.)

ELIMINATED:

A lot of teams are teetering on the brink of elimination. For some, it is just a matter of time. Expect this list to get REAL long next week.

All non-Power 5 teams
NC STATE - lost to ECU
DUKE - lost at home to Wake
KANSAS - lost at home to Ohio (just plain Ohio, not Ohio State)
CAL - lost to San Diego State
BOSTON COLLEGE
IOWA STATE
KENTUCKY
MISSISSIPPI STATE
MIZZOU
NORTHWESTERN
OREGON STATE
VANDERBILT
VIRGINIA
WAKE FOREST
WAZZU

THE CONTENDERS

A way WAY too early look at the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture:

• ACC - Before the season began, many of the talking heads proclaimed that both Clemson and FSU would be in the CFP. Basically, they figured one would go 13-0 and the other 11-1 (thanks to the lame rest of the conference). While this is still a possibility for the Seminoles, the Tigers are not looking like the world-beaters they were last season. In addition, Louisville is looking like trouble for the rest of the ACC. Pitt and UNC both have potential to pull an upset.
  
• Big Ten - After two weeks of beating up on cupcakes, there is about to be a big shake-up in the B1G. Ohio State plays Oklahoma and Michigan State plays Notre Dame. Also, Oregon is at Nebraska.
  
• Big 12 - The BXII can expand, have a playoff (starting in 2017), whine and complain (Bob Bowlsby I'm looking your way) all they want but it does not look like they will have a representative in the CFP this year. After two weeks, only Baylor, West Virginia, and Texas have yet to lose. I have a hard time believing any of those teams go 12-0.
  
• PAC-12 - Stanford had a bye this weekend. Who schedules an off week on Week 2? They do have a math department on campus, right? The next three for the Cardinal are Southern Cal, @UCLA, and @Washington. Ouch.
  
• SEC - Alabama is ranked #1. Florida and Tennessee are improving. Texas A&M is still a dark horse.
  
• Notre Dame - The Irish play Michigan State this Saturday. Lose that and it's highly unlikely they find themselves in the Final Four.
  

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Krazy Kristi's "SHUT UP!" of the Week goes to Okie Lite coach Mike Gundy. You're a man. You're 49. You probably shoulda done some research first.

~~~~~

• Alabama WR Cam Sims sustained a bruised shoulder against Southern Cal and sat out last Saturday's Western Kentucky game. He is expected to be back for the Ole Miss game this Saturday..
• WKU QB Mike White left the Bama game after a big hit by Tim Williams. Coach Jeff Brohm said White left feeling "a little doozy" but should be okay.
• Star FSU safety Derwin James had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee. Coach Jimbo Fisher gave a two-to-six-week recovery timetable. The 'Noles face Louisville this weekend without him.
  
• Clemson starting linebacker Ben Boulware will miss next week's contest against FCS opponent South Carolina State to recover from a sprained right ankle. Surely it is just precautionary.
• Notre Dame cornerback Shaun Crawford is out for the season after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon in Saturday's 39-10 win over Nevada. Owie!
  
• Alabama may have dodged a bullet with former Tide commit Jonathan Ledbetter. The UGA defensive end remains suspended for this weekend’s game at Mizzou due to DUI charges on July 10 and a March arrest for a pair of alcohol-related misdemeanors. T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
• This week, news broke that the accuser of former Auburn running back Jovon Robinson had fabricated her story of domestic violence. Robinson was on a very short leash on the Plains and the accusation alone was enough to have him dismissed from the team. A very similar instance happened to short-time Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor. Both of these young men have made some poor choices in their lives and were given second chances, only to see their lives ruined by the careless spite by others. Not only do lies like these hurt the young men involved and their teams, but they also cast shadows on those who have legitimate complaints.

STAT OF THE DAY

Arizona State and Texas Tech combined for 1264 yards as the Sun Devils took this defense-optional exhibit to the tune of 68-55. The Red Raiders compiled only 72 yards of rushing.

KEY & PEELE PLAYER NAME OF THE WEEK

The U's have it! BYU has a wide receiver named Moroni Laulu-Pututau and a big ol' OL named Ului Lapuaho who caught a 4-yard pass in Saturday's lost to Utah.

LET'S GO BOWLING!

While it is a bit early to eliminate (especially with the silliness from last season), these teams are 0-2:

Arkansas State
Florida Intl
Georgia State
Iowa State
Kent State
Kentucky
UMass
Miami (OH)
Northern Illinois
Northwestern
Rice
Virginia
Washington State

HEISMAN HYPE
With the exception of TWO YEARS, the Heisman Trophy voting is basically a hype award. That being the case, we'll bring you "Who Will Win" and "Who Should Win".

• Who Will Win - Stanford golden boy Christian McCaffrey has very little buzz right now. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is looking rather pedestrian (50.9% passing, 2 INT vs Troy) but there is a long way to go in the season. Houston QB Greg Ward is setting laptops a-titter, but would the voters make that mistake again? There is a lot of whining out of Tallahassee about FSU's Dalvin Cook. That could turn voters off, even if he is worthy. LSU's Leonard Fournette did not play this past week.
  
• Who Should Win - Way too early. Nobody is really standing out.

After last weekend's snoozers, we are back to some semblance of college football. Most teams are getting into their conference schedules this weekend. Times are CT/ET.

Thursday, September 15
Houston at Cincinnati 6:30pm/7:30pm ESPN - Cincy should hang for a quarter or so. Go see Widespread Panic at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater instead.

Friday, September 16
Baylor at Rice 7pm/8pm ESPN - Go see a movie. Maybe "Sully"?
Arkansas State at Utah State 8pm/9pm CBSSN - How about bowling?
Arizona State at Texas San Antonio 8:30/9:30 ESPN2 - Gallette's.

Saturday, September 17

SEC:

The SEC has seven ranked teams:

Ohio at #15 Tennessee 11am/noon SECN- ugh
Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech 11:30/12:30 local - The GaTech of the SEC vs. Vandy of the ACC.
New Mexico State at Kentucky 3pm/4pm SECN- UK might actually win a game this year!
East Carolina at South Carolina 3pm/4pm SECN- This will be a tough one for SC.
Mississippi State at #20 LSU 6pm/7pm ESPN2 - Harris or the Purdue guy at QB?
#17 Texas A&M at Auburn 6pm/7pm ESPN - A big test for both teams.
#16 Georgia at Missouri 6:30/7:30 SECN- Mizzou has given UGA fits in recent years.
Texas State at #24 Arkansas 6:30/7:30 SECN Alt- bleh
North Texas at #23 Florida 6:30/7:30 ESPNU - Gators might put up 60.

"PLAYOFF" GAMES:

Florida State at Louisville 11am/noon ABC- Winner has a leg up on the ACC crown.
Michigan State at Notre Dame 6:30/7:30 NBC - An Irish loss likely eliminates them, but I'm thinking they prevail.
Ohio State at Oklahoma 6:30/7:30 FOX - An Okie loss might lock them out of the CFP.
Southern Cal at Stanford 7pm/8pm ABC- A pivotal game for both teams.
UCLA at BYU 9:15/10:15 ESPN2 - Loser is probably done for.

DURING COMMERCIALS:

North Dakota State at Iowa 11am/noon ESPN2 - NDSU has won 5 straight vs FBS. Might Iowa be victim #6?
Miami at Appalachian State 11am/noon ESPN - The U is ranked for the first time since 2013. It might be short-lived.
FAU at Kansas State 1:30/2:30 FSN - Not a great game. I just like seeing "FAU!" again.
Colorado at Michigan 2:30pm/3:30pm BTN - Another tough non-conference game for Harbaugh.
Oregon at Nebraska 2:30pm/3:30pm ABC- A mildly entertaining affair.
Pittsburgh at Oklahoma State 3:30 PM ESPN - An interesting cross-P5 game.

(Nothing else worth mentioning.)

CAN'T SLEEP?

Utah at San Jose State 9:30/10:30 CBSSN - The two Utes.
Texas at Cal 9:30/10:30 ESPN - Can Bevo handle success?
Hawaii at Arizona 9:45/10:45 PAC12 - For mega-fans only.

#ALABAMA

ALABAMA at Ole Miss 2:30pm/3:30pm, CBScalled by Unka Verne & Gary D. Allie LaForce will add witty little anecdotes, I am sure.

(In case you have not heard, the Crimson Tide's game with Kent State on Sept 24 is an 11am CT kickoff and will air on the SEC Network)

#RollTide!