After 8 months of off the field drama, playoff debate, and a sprinkle of conference realignment, football was actually played on the field last night, and it didn't disappoint, unless you're a Big Ten fan not rooting for a team called Nebraska.
The fall of Penn State continues and this time it begins on the field. Happy Valley is no longer a happy valley and probably won't be for a very long time. I admire what Bill O'Brien is trying to do to shake the ghost of Joe Paterno and the shadow of the Jerry Sandusky trial. However, it's going to be a steep uphill climb. The Big Ten, for the most part was an embarassment. Penn St falling to Ohio, Iowa escaping Northern Illinois, Wisconsin squeaking by Northern Iowa, Indiana barely pulling away from Indiana State, and Michigan getting dismantled by Alabama. Unless you root for Purdue, Michigan St, or Nebraska, you should be embarassed.
The Big XII for the most part beat the teams they were suppose to. West Virginia and Oklahoma St put on great performances, Texas and Oklahoma's were very lackluster. Right now my pick for West Virginia winning the Big XII is looking really good.
Pitt really embarassed The Big East by losing to Youngstown St. by double-digits. Syracuse were so close, yet so far away, against Syracuse. Louisville looks to be the cream of the crop in the Big East. Watch out for Rutgers this season.
The Pac-12 did nothing to really wow me. Oregon dropped 50 on Arkansas St in the 1st half, but only scored 7 in garbage time (2nd half) and still gave up 34 points. USC did look pretty good...but it was against Hawai'i. Mike Leach got embarassed in his debut, Colorado fell in Jim McElwain's Colorado St debut. Washington, Arizona, and Stanford escaped sub-par opponents. My theory on the Pac-12 is beginning to play out nicely.
With the exception of Clemson and Florida St, the ACC is beginning to look like the other Big East. If Florida St is back, this is the year they should show it. Clemson looked very good on offense vs. Auburn. Unless Virginia Tech can do something jawdropping, I see this as a 2 team race. With most likely Florida St coming out on top.
Finally, the SEC. Alabama looked very impressive. LSU looked like a better team on offense with Zach Mettenberger (when he was in). Kiehl Frazier showed me some potential Saturday, just has to eliminate mistakes. Florida's offense is....GOD AWFUL. Like I said, with that play, they're lucky to win 7 or 8 games. Tennessee was very impressive against NC State. This is a win that could set a great tone for the Vols, they've needed it. They're probably, after week 1, the best looking team in the East.
Visit Zijatakeover.com
