Here is the first of my weekly take on the college football scene. The first half will be my thoughts in general about the week, called "Notes on the Nation" and the second half will be a specific look at the Buffalo Bulls, called "The Bull Breaker."
Notes on the Nation
Recap:
Week one of college football has come and gone and just like every year, we saw most of the major programs schedule cupcakes to serve as their "pre-season" match-ups, with some minor upsets here and there.
However, there were two contests between teams that I did have ranked. Missouri toppled Illinois in a game where it seemed like the Tigers offense couldn't stop scoring. Quarterback Chase Daniel is starting to remind me more and more like Drew Brees. He doesn't have the most impressive arm but is fairly accurate with his passes and knows how to run the offense at a very high level. I was so impressed by Mizzou this week that I have them as my new No. 1 in my latest Top 25.
Alabama vs. Clemson was the other game with two teams I had ranked. Wow, did Clemson come out flat on Saturday. Where was that team's spark? On the other hand, it looks like Saban could be turning the Tide into a national contender faster than expected.
You have to give props to head coach Skip Holtz and the job he's doing at East Carolina. Last week his Pirates squad beat Virginia Tech after losing its top rusher from last season. I've booted the Hokies out of my Top 25 and you probably won't see them back until they pull the redshirt of quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Top 25:
1. Missouri
2. Oklahoma
3. USC
4. LSU
5. Florida
6. Ohio State
7. Oregon
8. Wisconsin
9. Georgia
10. Alabama
11. West Virginia
12. South Florida
13. Texas
14. BYU
15. Boise State
16. Utah
17. Kansas
18. Auburn
19. Colorado
20. Boston College
21. UCLA
22. Connecticut
23. East Carolina
24. Clemson
25. Illinois
Looking Ahead:
It looks like it will be another week of soft scheduling. West Virginia at East Carolina is my game of the week, as it's the only one with two teams that I have ranked. But don't think this will be a boring week, as last year showed anything can happen at anytime in the world of college football.
Let's see if the Pirates can knock off another school located in the heart of America's coal mining country. The task will be difficult as quarterback Pat White is starting to show signs he can be just as dangerous in the air as he is on his feet.
Heisman Watch:
1. Tim Tebow QB Florida
2. Chase Daniel QB Missouri
3. Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
4. P.J. Hill RB Wisconsin
5. Pat White QB West Virginia
The Bull Breaker
Recap:
Those familiar with the Buffalo Bulls football program saw something very alien during last week's rout of UTEP: a complete team.
The Bulls were able to throw the ball with much efficiency in the first half with quarterback Drew Willy showing signs of potentially being one of the best at his position in the Mid-American Conference. They also exhibited a dual-headed rushing attack in the second half that steamrolled the Miners. On top of it, Buffalo's defense stepped up to smother a UTEP offense that is typically very high powered.
From last week's performance alone, the Bulls look like a team that should have no problem being able to make a bowl game season.
UTEP head coach Mike Price really put over Buffalo and the job done by head coach Turner Gill, even saying that he hopes his next opponent, Texas, isn't as good as the Bulls were that night.
Looking Ahead:
Originally this week's game against Pittsburgh looked like it would be a complete romping of the Bulls by the Panthers. Now, it seems like it will be anything but that.
Head coach Dave Wannstedt is continuing to prove how much of a fraud he is as a coach after losing at home to Bowling Green. The Falcons are a good team but being a Big East school, Pitt should have taken care of business in that game.
Thus it seems that the two rust belt schools' programs are moving in opposite directions. With BGSU and the Bulls being both at about the same level talent wise, Buffalo should be able to hang in the game with Pitt and potentially push Wannstedt one loss closer to the unemployment line.
However, this game does remind me of last season's Buffalo-Syracuse game, with the Orange ending up pulling out the win and saving Greg Robinson's job. So although the chances are good, by no means would I bet the mortgage on a Bulls win.