Sunday Rumblings - Week 1
5 comments so far
September 2, 2007 by
It's Sunday morning, and somewhere in Appalachia, people are still partying. Though, the mood in Ann Arbor Michigan is likely pretty somber. Appalachian State became the only 1-AA school to beat a ranked 1-A school when they went to Michigan and stunned the 5th-ranked Wolverines, 34-32. And it was not the only eyebrow raising event from the first full day of college football. And this rundown of actual results and observation from games around the country, in the conference, and in dear old Lincoln is much more fun to write than the rampant speculation of a week ago.
About the big upset...
- I don't feel bad for Michigan. I can empathize, sure. But they are a "big boy", and can recover from this. Appalachian State is the new poster boy for college football parity.
- If you are an Ohio State fan, do you feel good about Michigan's loss? Or are you embarrassed for your rival? I don't know how I would feel if Oklahoma fell victim to such an upset.
Around the country...
- Cal's fleet of skill-player assassins took revenge against Tennessee. And, they likely shut up Les Miles and other PAC 10 bashing SEC enthusiasts for at least a little bit.
- Notre Dame took one right on the chin. They looked horrible in losing to Georgia Tech, 33-3. How horrible? It was the worst opening day loss for the Irish in school history. WOW, that is saying something. Somewhere, some idiot is cranking up firecharlieweis.com, I'm sure.
- Proof that betting on opening week games is pure folly - I had a close friend call me to say that Duke over UConn was his "lock of the week". Final score - UConn 45, Duke 14.
In the Big 12...
- Kansas State hung with Auburn in a slugging match, but fell 23-13. I'm sure there are Cat backers who feel that this "close loss" is still a sign of progress. Maybe. Or, maybe Auburn wasn't as good or played poorly.
- In a close game between two coaches with a penchant for losing close games...Missouri led Illinois 40-34 as time expired on the shootout in St. Louis.
- Iowa State didn't help the Big 12's cause in losing to Kent State. My friend Steve had something to say about it.
- Colorado needed overtime, but they got the W against Colorado State. That is an important win for CU over a rival, especially considering the rest of their non-conference schedule.
- Oklahoma State's vaunted offense managed just 14 in their "statement" game against #13 Georgia. Don't worry, their defense lived up to expectation, surrendering 35.
- Speaking of offense, Oklahoma scored 49 points...before half! They looked every bit the part of a top-10 team facing an overmatch opponent.
About NU's win over Nevada...
- Good for Marlon Lucky. He looked like a real pony out there, running with speed and confidence. Huge holes from the offensive line don't hurt.
- When Cody Glenn played in the second half, were you 1) happy to see him back? Or 2) stunned that it looks like freshman Quentin Castille has passed Glenn for the power back role? And hey, Major Culbert and Roy Helu both looked pretty good too. What a great problem to have.
- There were question marks about NU's kickoffs and coverage. Six touchbacks and a couple big returns later, we have answers.
- The 24-point 3rd quarter should also silence some of Callahan's critics about half-time adjustments. For now...
- Welcome back, Steve Octavien and Zack Bowman. We missed you. Get well, Ty Steinkuhler. NU lost a player in the area where they have the least depth.
- Onward to Wake Forest. The BRN crew will be making our first road trip of the season, and we're looking forward to it.
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ze bop Sep 02 07
'...If you are an Ohio State fan, do you feel good about Michigan's loss? Or are you embarrassed for your rival? I don't know how I would feel if Oklahoma fell victim to such an upset....'
I couldn't be more thrilled about this game, and feel no sympathy whatsoever for Meeechi-goons. But I hate that team because of the media hype, their arrogance, and Carr's magical, sorcerer-like ability to turn blue chip 'gold' into mediorcre, underachieving 'lead': a real football alchemist that guy, just like the turtleneck pants Weiss. Maybe those two share trade secrets from time to time in the privacy of a clandestine Minneapolis airport stall rendevous--OUCH!(the main Q there, though, is which one advocates the 'wider stance'?!)
Interesting point rgdg. OK. Seems their loss to the Smurfs last year was only slightly less earth shattering than Appy over MI yestersday. But I did want the Sooners to win that game, since I hate the Smurfs(Ian Johnson, Heisman hopeful?--what a joke!) and respect and admire the Sooners. Stoops, now there's a great coach!(p.s., I see them in the NC game this year if they can get by Big Red in the Big XII title game, hint, hint).
As for other action yesterday, KSU looks like the 'other team' in the North(besides NE that is). They did look fairly strong vs AU, but AU essentially played their style of game: a close defensive lockdown, and just enough points to win. How often do you see AU blow ANYBODY out? The good news there, is that AU doesn't seem to have improved any from last year and NE would have smoked them yesterday, had there been a rematch.
CO and MO really should have lost there respective games. Both of there respective opponents threw INTs of their final drives(CSU in OT) that could have won them the game. I also hate both of those teams(CO & MO) and enjoy seeing them lose any/every game they play--BIG XII North or not. The good news is that MO's D looks downright porous as usual and Chase Daniels continues to get rattled easily. MO, this year's vastly overrated North team(Clones, last year).
Okie St. was a surprise to me in that they didn't look that good. Same ol' same ol'. Week D, offensive inconsistency, yada yada yada. I think mediorcre coaching is to blame there. I was pulling for THEM though.
TX looks beatable and OK looks scarey strong. And that's fine as I would love seeing OU take the Mackhorns to the woodshed this year(also hate TX).
Was amazed to see Bowman on the field so soon! Good for him/us.
I'm only slightly surprised to see Castille apparently overtaking Glenn. I knew he was the real deal coming in, but seems even further along that I'd expected. He's going to be a great one!
I think Glenn is still slightly injured, but Castille is a better back, I hate to say it. I would like to see Glenn at full speed though; it would be a hellacious 1-2 punch with him rotating with Castille.
Culbert looked better than I thought he would be, and glad to see Helu in there, though he looked a little green.
WHERE was Mendoza??? I love that guy!
Octo looked great, and I thought Keller looked very good too, even though we pounded the rock all day. I just found myself feeling completely confident in his field command and throwing ability--moreso than anytime w Zac T, though I loved ZT.
o.k., that's it for now. Am thrilled that Wake lost their opener and looks like my prediction of a 45-17 dubya over them will hold true!
OUT!
Greg Morrow Sep 02 07
Darran,
"I don't know how I would feel if Oklahoma fell victim to such an upset."
I know how I felt when Colorado got "werked" by Montana St. Bemused indifference. (Oh, I forgot! They're not a legitimate rival.)
Michigan must feel like the charactors in the "Blair Witch Project," a day later. Tired, cold, horrified, resigned.
Wazzap, ZeBop?!
Good takes and good to "see" you!
doombob Sep 04 07
Cody Glenn had a strange look on his face when he was in the game. I would like to attribute it to pain in his leg, but I don't think that's it. Cody Glenn looked like he didn't want to be there. Whether on the field for that game, or at Nebraska, we probably won't know anytime soon. It was an exciting weekend that convinced some of my friends that Nebraska is a real deal.
ze bop Sep 04 07
d bob,
It almost looked like Glenn was a little p.o.'d to be running behind what was, by then, the 2nd string line, since he got wacked a few times on his first few carries. He did have a couple of good runs though. I think he's still a little gimpy from his latest injury(hamstring?) and that might be the main reason Castille started over him.
However, personally, I think the writing's on the wall in that Castille is just a better, more mobile back than Glenn--I mean really, that guy looked GOOD. Glenn doesn't cut so well, and I think he'll be the #3 guy at this point, and a good one at that.
GM Flim--whaddup dawg?! Wow, I've been 24/7 with work and music of late and I've not had energy to post. Plus, even with the real time addition here, there isn't much interaction/dialoguing, which is what I am interested in. So, surf around here in the p.m.s(night time's the right time) and we can fuel it up!
YO!
OU7times Sep 06 07
Doombob, Funny you should mention Glenn's funny look on his face. I saw it too. I took it, at the time, to be that he was not in on the "fun", and he wasn't effective like Lucky was.