College Football Week 2: A Few Games To Watch

R. Rich · 09-12-2009, 09:33 AM

Last week was a really good starter week, huh? From the drama of Boise State's beatdown of Oregon (and the ugliness that followed) to that fantastic finish in the Miami-Florida State game, it was a great way to welcome back college ball! How will Week 2 fare? Guess we'll find out, as there are some intruiging matchups on the docket.

Here's a few games I'll be watching/tivo'ing/VCR recording this week:

GAME #1: Pittsburgh @ Buffalo

Why this game?: As a fan of the UB Bulls (and a season ticket holder), I gotta throw my support for the "little team that did". The defending MAC champs will have a tough go of it, as the Panthers have to be feeling good following their 38-3 season opening win of Youngstown State. Meanwhile, UB got off to a strong start, building up a 23-7 lead and held on for the 23-17 win.

Player(s) To Watch Out For: UB WR Naaman Roosevelt (5 catches for 91 yards and a TD last week) is a reliable target for new UB signal caller, sophomore Zach Maynard (12-19, 159 yds, 1 TD). The Bulls lost star RB James Starks to a shoulder injury, but have junior Brandon Thermilus (25 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD) ready to step in. Safeties Mike Newton, a senior, and Davonte Shannon, a junior, are pretty solid as well. Speaking of losing your stud RB, the Panthers adjusted to life w/out LeSean "Shady" McCoy just fine in their win last week, as freshman RB Dion Lewis finished w/ 129 yards and 3 TDs on 20 carries last week. The team still needs to find stability @ the QB position, as senior QB Bill Stull (11-16, 123 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) and redshirt freshman Tino Sunseri (5-8, 80 yards, 1 TD) battling to become the starter. Pittsburgh's defense is led by junior DE Greg Romeus and senior CB Aaron Berry.

Prediction: UB is going to have a tough time getting a win this week. Lewis may or may not be the real thing (tough to go crazy over one week's work), but I think Pittsburgh has just too much talent overall to lose this one. Pittsburgh 28 - Buffalo 13

GAME #2: Troy @ Florida

Why this game?: I haven't watched the Gators yet this season, so I am really interested in seeing the development of former Hypeman Trophy winner and current Hypeman Trophy candidate Tim Tebow. I've heard some good things 'bout his performance last week, so maybe the kid has a shot in the NFL as a QB. We'll see.

Player(s) To Watch Out For: In addition to Tebow (10-15, 188 yards, 1 TD; 2 carries, 1 yard, TD), I want to check out Florida's All America LB Brandon Spikes. He's the defensive leader of Florida and a guy who can be a difference maker. CB Joe Haden is phenomenal, too. Watch him. The player I want to see from Troy is DE Brandon Lang. Here's another quick, undersized pass rusher from Troy. I wonder if he's @ the level of Osi Umenyiora or DeMarcus Ware, though. He'll get a chance to see what he's made of this week, that's for sure.

Prediction: Florida is an easy team to root against, as they're arrogant from the coach down to the players. But, you know what else? They're really, really, really, really, really, really, really good. The crushed Charleston last week by 59 (62-3). I don't think they'll win by that much, which is the good news for Troy, but I think the Gators could very well pitch a shutout, which is not so good for Troy. Florida 54 - Troy 0

GAME #3: that school @ Michigan

Why this game?: For the first time in some years, it MATTERS! The Wolves won big last week, giving RICH Rod a bit of a badly needed breather. that school finally got a Hypeman-worthy performance from QB Jimmy Clausen and appear to be loaded in terms of talent. Been a while.

Player(s) To Watch Out For: Clausen (15-18, 315 yards, 4 TDs) got a lion's share of the praise for their 35-0 beatdown of Nevada, but sophomore WR Michael Floyd (4 catches, 189 yards, 3 TDs) was just money. Another sophomore, TE Kyle Rudolph (4 catches, 29 yards, TD), looks to be pretty solid also. The O line is led by junior G Chris Stewart and senior T Sam Young. We may be seeing both of these guys play on Sunday in the near future. Michigan may have found the QB they so badly need to run the spread offense in freshman Tate Forcier (13-20, 179 yards, 3 TDs) and also have fellow frosh Denard Robinson (2-4, 18 yards; 11 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD) to provide matchup problems. Robinson is quick! Junior G Stephen Schilling leads an O line that looks to improve and senior DE Brandon Graham leads a Michigan defense that forced 4 turnovers in their big win over Western Michigan.

Prediction: They're baaaaack! Both teams can make that claim now. Good. College football is better w/ these two schools as a factor. Yeah, even you, that school. To me, it comes down to the inexperience of the Michigan QBs vs a defense that has experience, depth, and talent. It also is going to come down to a very good group of receivers for that school vs the Wolverines' work in progress type secondary. I think it'll be a close game, but I think it goes to the visitors. that school 24 - Michigan 20

GAME #4: USC @ Ohio State

Why this game?: Hmmm, let' see: a matchup of two legendary programs, both of whom are ranked in the nation's Top 25. A chance to scout the competition (as a PENN STATE fan), and a chance to once again see how (if) the Big 11 measures up against top notch competition like the Pac 10 or the SEC. That's reason enough for me.

Player(s) To Watch Out For: Trojan RBs Joe McKnight (14 carries, 145 yards, 2 TDs), a junior w/ speed and moves galore, and Stafon Johnson ( 6 carries, 27 yards, 2 TDs), a senior bulldozer, lead a ridiculously deep group of RBs that also feature juniors Allen Bradford(4 carries, 53 yards, TD) and C.J. Gable (7 carries, 37 yards). Up front, the Trojans have junior center Kristopher O'Dowd and senior G Jeff Byers. Both are All Americans. The defense is led by standout senior safety Taylor Mays. TOSU sophomore tandem of RB Dan Herron (17 carries, 72 yards, TD) and QB Terrelle Pryor (14-21, 174 yards, TD, INT; 6 carries, 30 yards, TD) lead the way for the Buckeyes. Up front, the Bucks have replaced 3 starters and moved another one, so this unit is going to have growing pains. The defense is led by a couple stalwarts in junior CB Chimdi Chekwa and senior S Anderson Russell. Russell needs to step it up a bit after being roasted on an 85 yard TD last week by Navy RB Marcus Curry.

Prediction: The way Curry, who was out of camp for 3 weeks w/ a virus, came back and embarrassed Russell on that play doesn't really endorse the Big 11's athleticism, now does it? As much as I want the Big 11 to show up and represent, I see this as another mismatch. Though I wish it weren't so, the Big 11 flops another test. USC 37 - Ohio State 13

A few others I will be watching and why:

Western Illinois @ Northern Illinois: Western Illinois CB Patrick Stoudamire is pretty darn good!

UNC @ UConn: UConn can get some payback for the beatdown they suffered last year in Chapel Hill. It's a tall order, as Butch Davis is putting together a talented bunch.

Syracuse @ PENN STATE: Duh. The main thing I'll be watching is to see how well the running game works this week. They were abysmal last weekend. Get it fixed or be ready for more of the same (another loss to the Hawkeyes, another poor showing in a bowl game).

Enjoy the games, folks!

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09-12-2009, 09:33 AM	#1
R. Rich Shame On A ***** Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,078 Rep Power : 8 117	College Football Week 2: A Few Games To Watch Last week was a really good starter week, huh? From the drama of Boise State's beatdown of Oregon (and the ugliness that followed) to that fantastic finish in the Miami-Florida State game, it was a great way to welcome back college ball! How will Week 2 fare? Guess we'll find out, as there are some intruiging matchups on the docket. Here's a few games I'll be watching/tivo'ing/VCR recording this week: GAME #1: Pittsburgh @ Buffalo Why this game?: As a fan of the UB Bulls (and a season ticket holder), I gotta throw my support for the "little team that did". The defending MAC champs will have a tough go of it, as the Panthers have to be feeling good following their 38-3 season opening win of Youngstown State. Meanwhile, UB got off to a strong start, building up a 23-7 lead and held on for the 23-17 win. Player(s) To Watch Out For: UB WR Naaman Roosevelt (5 catches for 91 yards and a TD last week) is a reliable target for new UB signal caller, sophomore Zach Maynard (12-19, 159 yds, 1 TD). The Bulls lost star RB James Starks to a shoulder injury, but have junior Brandon Thermilus (25 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD) ready to step in. Safeties Mike Newton, a senior, and Davonte Shannon, a junior, are pretty solid as well. Speaking of losing your stud RB, the Panthers adjusted to life w/out LeSean "Shady" McCoy just fine in their win last week, as freshman RB Dion Lewis finished w/ 129 yards and 3 TDs on 20 carries last week. The team still needs to find stability @ the QB position, as senior QB Bill Stull (11-16, 123 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) and redshirt freshman Tino Sunseri (5-8, 80 yards, 1 TD) battling to become the starter. Pittsburgh's defense is led by junior DE Greg Romeus and senior CB Aaron Berry. Prediction: UB is going to have a tough time getting a win this week. Lewis may or may not be the real thing (tough to go crazy over one week's work), but I think Pittsburgh has just too much talent overall to lose this one. Pittsburgh 28 - Buffalo 13 GAME #2: Troy @ Florida Why this game?: I haven't watched the Gators yet this season, so I am really interested in seeing the development of former Hypeman Trophy winner and current Hypeman Trophy candidate Tim Tebow. I've heard some good things 'bout his performance last week, so maybe the kid has a shot in the NFL as a QB. We'll see. Player(s) To Watch Out For: In addition to Tebow (10-15, 188 yards, 1 TD; 2 carries, 1 yard, TD), I want to check out Florida's All America LB Brandon Spikes. He's the defensive leader of Florida and a guy who can be a difference maker. CB Joe Haden is phenomenal, too. Watch him. The player I want to see from Troy is DE Brandon Lang. Here's another quick, undersized pass rusher from Troy. I wonder if he's @ the level of Osi Umenyiora or DeMarcus Ware, though. He'll get a chance to see what he's made of this week, that's for sure. Prediction: Florida is an easy team to root against, as they're arrogant from the coach down to the players. But, you know what else? They're really, really, really, really, really, really, really good. The crushed Charleston last week by 59 (62-3). I don't think they'll win by that much, which is the good news for Troy, but I think the Gators could very well pitch a shutout, which is not so good for Troy. Florida 54 - Troy 0 GAME #3: that school @ Michigan Why this game?: For the first time in some years, it MATTERS! The Wolves won big last week, giving RICH Rod a bit of a badly needed breather. that school finally got a Hypeman-worthy performance from QB Jimmy Clausen and appear to be loaded in terms of talent. Been a while. Player(s) To Watch Out For: Clausen (15-18, 315 yards, 4 TDs) got a lion's share of the praise for their 35-0 beatdown of Nevada, but sophomore WR Michael Floyd (4 catches, 189 yards, 3 TDs) was just money. Another sophomore, TE Kyle Rudolph (4 catches, 29 yards, TD), looks to be pretty solid also. The O line is led by junior G Chris Stewart and senior T Sam Young. We may be seeing both of these guys play on Sunday in the near future. Michigan may have found the QB they so badly need to run the spread offense in freshman Tate Forcier (13-20, 179 yards, 3 TDs) and also have fellow frosh Denard Robinson (2-4, 18 yards; 11 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD) to provide matchup problems. Robinson is quick! Junior G Stephen Schilling leads an O line that looks to improve and senior DE Brandon Graham leads a Michigan defense that forced 4 turnovers in their big win over Western Michigan. Prediction: They're baaaaack! Both teams can make that claim now. Good. College football is better w/ these two schools as a factor. Yeah, even you, that school. To me, it comes down to the inexperience of the Michigan QBs vs a defense that has experience, depth, and talent. It also is going to come down to a very good group of receivers for that school vs the Wolverines' work in progress type secondary. I think it'll be a close game, but I think it goes to the visitors. that school 24 - Michigan 20 GAME #4: USC @ Ohio State Why this game?: Hmmm, let' see: a matchup of two legendary programs, both of whom are ranked in the nation's Top 25. A chance to scout the competition (as a PENN STATE fan), and a chance to once again see how (if) the Big 11 measures up against top notch competition like the Pac 10 or the SEC. That's reason enough for me. Player(s) To Watch Out For: Trojan RBs Joe McKnight (14 carries, 145 yards, 2 TDs), a junior w/ speed and moves galore, and Stafon Johnson ( 6 carries, 27 yards, 2 TDs), a senior bulldozer, lead a ridiculously deep group of RBs that also feature juniors Allen Bradford(4 carries, 53 yards, TD) and C.J. Gable (7 carries, 37 yards). Up front, the Trojans have junior center Kristopher O'Dowd and senior G Jeff Byers. Both are All Americans. The defense is led by standout senior safety Taylor Mays. TOSU sophomore tandem of RB Dan Herron (17 carries, 72 yards, TD) and QB Terrelle Pryor (14-21, 174 yards, TD, INT; 6 carries, 30 yards, TD) lead the way for the Buckeyes. Up front, the Bucks have replaced 3 starters and moved another one, so this unit is going to have growing pains. The defense is led by a couple stalwarts in junior CB Chimdi Chekwa and senior S Anderson Russell. Russell needs to step it up a bit after being roasted on an 85 yard TD last week by Navy RB Marcus Curry. Prediction: The way Curry, who was out of camp for 3 weeks w/ a virus, came back and embarrassed Russell on that play doesn't really endorse the Big 11's athleticism, now does it? As much as I want the Big 11 to show up and represent, I see this as another mismatch. Though I wish it weren't so, the Big 11 flops another test. USC 37 - Ohio State 13 A few others I will be watching and why: Western Illinois @ Northern Illinois: Western Illinois CB Patrick Stoudamire is pretty darn good! UNC @ UConn: UConn can get some payback for the beatdown they suffered last year in Chapel Hill. It's a tall order, as Butch Davis is putting together a talented bunch. Syracuse @ PENN STATE: Duh. The main thing I'll be watching is to see how well the running game works this week. They were abysmal last weekend. Get it fixed or be ready for more of the same (another loss to the Hawkeyes, another poor showing in a bowl game). Enjoy the games, folks!