Week two has already begun. Georgia Tech survived Clemson, who was determined to make a game out of it. And tonight, Colorado visits Toledo. I have mixed feelings about the Buffaloes. Darrell Scott was one of my recruiting man-crushes a couple of years ago. He had offers from every big program and decided to follow his using, Josh Smith, to Colorado. Smith has since transferred and Scott’s career hasn’t been nearly what it was expected to be. Even if it is only his second season. Scott carried the ball one time in the Buffaloes season opener and has said he wants to become more involved in the offense. We’ll see if that happens against Toledo.
Here are the games you should be watching on Saturday:
Syracuse @ Penn State – 12:00 – The Greg Paulus Experiment wasn’t half bad in game one. But Syracuse still lost. Penn State wins this one big. Paulus looks like he can still play despite years off, but none of that matters if you can’t collect wins.
Troy @ Florida – 12:21 – Ah the SEC Game of the Week start time. Not 12:00. Not 12:30. But 12:21. What is this, this Super Bowl? I was happy to find out the station I get this game on in my area is also offered in HD, so that’s two-for-two in terms of high def Gator games this year. I don’t think I can watch football in standard def anymore. At least not on the big screen. It’s too frustrating. We are spoiled at this point.
Notre Dame @ Michigan – 3:30 – Charlie Weis vs. Rich Rodriguez. A classic matchup for years, the intrigue is back. Even if it’s small. Although not a matchup of powers as it may have been in the past, it is back to being a definite watch. Notre Dame’s offense looks very good this year. Michigan’s offense looks like it may be on track. Both teams rolled in their season openers. No telling which way this one could go, but at the moment, the Irish appear to be a step ahead.
UCLA @ Tennessee – 4:00 – The Vols offense was running full speed during their first game, but now they get more of a real opponent. There is a theory that you cheer for your fellow conference teams. Or you cheer for the teams you play to win so your strength of schedule improves. But if you are the #1 team in the nation, why should you do either? Florida is in a position to go to the national title game as long as they keep winning. If a school in a conference like the SEC goes 12-0, then they’ll be in it. I don’t need to follow the unwritten rules of cheering for teams some think I’m supposed to cheer for. And this is Tennessee we’re talking about.
Jacksonville State @ FSU – 6:00 – This game isn’t on any station in my area, but it’s worth tuning into if you can if only because One Eyed Willy has this as his upset special. Of course at this point, what would be the upset?
Vanderbilt @ LSU – 7:00 – I can’t decide if LSU is really that good. They’re LSU so first thought is to rank them in the top half of the polls. But I’m not so sure. They have talent equaled by only a few other teams in the nation, I’m just wondering if we’re a year or two away from them putting it all together again.
South Carolina @ Georgia – 7:00 – Although it may seem the Bulldogs have the upper hand in this series, the games have been surprisingly close over recent years. Have it on, because it could be another good one.
Mississippi State @ Auburn – 7:00 – Yes, another 7:00 SEC matchup. I didn’t get to see Dan Mullen’s offense in motion in week one. Now I get to and I’ll have this one on to see if he can even remotely replicate what he did at Florida.
South Florida @ Western Kentucky – 7:30 – Another Bulls game on the Bright House Sports Network. Watching it won’t be pretty and many of you not interested won’t give it a chance. But USF fans will watch eagerly hoping the Bulls get a faster start than they did last week.
USC @ Ohio State – 8:00 – The big game of the weekend was a virtual blowout last season. After watching Terrelle Pryor and company against Navy, it could be the same. A true freshman at quarterback for USC and playing at home should level the playing field for Ohio State, but it’s hard to envision the Buckeyes having the speed on defense to stop the Trojans.