The Long Snapper (9/16/08)

Two other games from this past weekend featured two ranked teams. We’ve already talked about what USF did to Kansas, but in the other matchup Wisconsin managed to hold on to beat a very good Fresno State team. Despite giving us David Carr and Trent Dilfer over the years, the Bulldogs are a fun team to watch and nearly pulled off a comeback against the Badgers. Given that Ohio State hasn’t looked too impressive so far, Michigan is clearly rebuilding, and many of the other top ten teams play each other throughout the year, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see Wisconsin make a run at a BCS bowl bid. Then again I’m a Wisconsin fan thanks to my soon-to-be in-laws, so my view may be clouded, and with the Badgers’ fairly mediocre offense, it’s hard to actually imagine them making a serious run at the national championship.

I’m not the only one that wasn’t impressed by the showings of a few of the top ten teams this weekend, and more specifically those from the SEC. If South Carolina and Mississippi State could have put even a remotely successful drive together, Georgia and Auburn would not be among the ranks of the undefeated. I’ve never been a Matthew Stafford fan and still believe the hype is only there due to the team he plays for, but he hasn’t put together a stellar performance yet this season. He has been efficient enough and isn’t necessarily holding the team back, but for all of the talk about his potentially amazing year, he really isn’t doing much to impress anyone. He will end up getting a very large NFL contract in a few months, but count me in the bust line. Auburn is just lucky they got out of their game with the win period. Their offense didn’t play horribly, but the Tigers lost three fumbles and only managed three points in the win. No chance Auburn holds LSU, Georgia, or Alabama – all top ten teams by the way – to two points.

In the rankings, the Big 12 and the SEC still seem to be the top dogs. Those two conferences have eight schools in the top ten of both polls. Each conference also has eight teams that remain undefeated after three weeks. We could debate endlessly over which conference is truly the best, but it appears pretty clear that the Big 12 and SEC are continuing to do what they seem to do year after year – perform. However, after seeing what Southern Cal has done in their first two games, there’s a good possibility the power conferences won’t meet each other for the national title.

Sam Bradford was a little bit of a surprise last year. He obviously had talent to be able to play quarterback at a program like Oklahoma, but few had to believe he would end up being the nation’s most efficient passer by the end of the season. Only a redshirt sophomore in 2008, Bradford looks like he hasn’t taken just a step forward. He’s taken a massive leap. After three games, Bradford has a 214.43 rating, good for second in the nation and nearly 40 points higher than his rating last year. What’s most impressive is his consistency over those three games. His lowest (LOWEST!) completion percentage is 76.3 and he’s helped lead the Sooners to point totals of 57, 52, and 55. Bradford didn’t finish in the top ten in Heisman Trophy voting in 2007, but he definitely will this year and if he keeps anything in close to his current pace going, he should win it.

Missouri has put together some strong outings so far this season – even if the competition was questionable – and it seems like they could actually be in national championship contention late into the year. Let me clarify that I still don’t believe this team is actually as good as it looks. The Tigers played a fairly weak schedule last year and lost twice to the only true power they faced – Oklahoma. They did manage to get past Kansas, but the Jayhawks were on a Cinderella run of their own. This year they might have an even easier go at it. Missouri doesn’t face Oklahoma in the regular season and only has two opponents on the schedule that are currently ranked. The Tigers could realistically be 11-1 or even 12-0 heading into the Big 12 Championship Game.

Although a program with a great history, Alabama obviously has never been a top notch passing team. After throwing two touchdowns this weekend, John Parker Wilson is now tied with Brodie Croyle at the top of the Crimson Tide’s career chart with 41. Compare that to UF, who has seven individuals with a higher total (about to be eight with Tim Tebow soon to join the group) and are led by Danny Wuerffel with 114.

So Tennessee let UCLA come back late to force the game to overtime where the Bruins beat the Vols. Then UCLA comes off a bye week and loses to BYU 59-0. Arizona has to be wondering which Bruin squad they will get this weekend. The one that came back to beat a fairly good SEC team. Or the one that laid a goose egg against a non-BCS opponent. BYU isn’t your run of the mill non-BCS team this year, but this was the Bruins worst loss in the last 75 years. You have to wonder what the Bruins did with their off week.

When do you go to your backup quarterback? Although the final score wasn’t insanely lopsided – FAU lost to Michigan State 17-0 – Rusty Smith was left in the game despite only completing 8 of his 34 attempts. I understand the game was technically within reach throughout most of the contest, but there has to be a point where you consider that your current signal caller just might not be able to get it done.

Drew Weatherford has truly become a spectator. After attempting 1,105 passes over his first three years in a FSU uniform, the senior has attempted only 2 in 2008. Weatherford is clearly the third stringer at this point, but there had to be some way to get him a little more time in two blowouts against cupcake opponents. If he can’t get in during those games, it’s easy to say he won’t get in much at all the rest of the year. Weatherford didn’t lead the Seminoles to greatness over his time as the starter, but that can’t be put entirely on him. Although a change was most likely needed, allowing him no more than a few plays against Western Carolina and Chattanooga is a slap in the face. I do have to give him credit though. He seems to be handling it well and is the Noles biggest cheerleader whenever he is on the sidelines.

In other FSU news, the Seminoles are back in the polls for the first time since Bobby Bowden last had a pulse.

Torn ACL watch: Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis. Fatty O’Goodburger was blindsided during his team’s win over Michigan and tore both his ACL and MCL. Always the tough competitor, Grimace McLovehandles will wait until later in the year – or even after the season – the have surgery.

Football on the Web: Take a look at Every Day Should Be Saturday when you have a minute.