Another college football weekend is in the books, but this one didn’t have near as many upsets as last week. Even so, we learned a number of new things as the 2009 college football season continues to unfold.
1. Jimmy Clausen and many others are very much in the Heisman race. Between injuries to Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and the boring schedule to date from Colt McCoy’s Texas Longhorns, the race is wide open for the 2009 Heisman Trophy. The top candidates outside of the Big 3 include: Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen, Cincinnati QB Tony Pike, Stanford RB Toby Gerhart and Miami QB Jacory Harris. Although Tebow arguably has the lead currently, this will be one of the most fascinating finishes in a long, long time.
2. Speaking of the Heisman, 2008 recipient Sam Bradford takes Oklahoma from a good team and makes them a great team. With all due respect to backup QB Landry Jones, the Oklahoma Sooners just aren’t the same without Bradford. He is the difference between an 8-4 squad and one that contends for the BCS National Championship. The bad news is, based on remarks from Bradford today in a press conference, there is still an air of uncertainty regarding his return. Although OU would love to see him back on the field, Bob Stoops and his coaching/training staff are handling it the right way.
3. Florida State may miss a bowl game for the first time in 25 years. For all the hype of the “coach in waiting” concept, the Seminoles are showcasing how detrimental it can be to a program. A 2-3 start in which they were expected to be on the road towards a championship has turned up the heat on current head coach Bobby Bowden. Like him or dislike him, he’s built the FSU football program from the ground up and deserves to determine when he will step down. But, a loss Saturday against Georgia Tech will continue to raise more questions than answers about his future.
4. Barring an upset in the Conference Championship Game, only one team from the Big XII will make the BCS. The Bowl Championship Series is about one thing: Money. This means television and sponsorship revenue. Right now, only a few teams in the Big XII are capable of creating that draw, namely Texas and Oklahoma. The thought that Kansas or Nebraska would receive an at-large bid over a team like Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State or Alabama is ridiculous. Look for Texas to be the only team who makes the BCS on “Selection Sunday.”
5. Chip Kelly should not allow LeGarrette Blount to return to the football program. I’m a big believer in second chances, but this is not one that makes sense to anyone other than Blount. Oregon has demonstrated they are a better team without him and rookie head coach Chip Kelly doesn’t need to open himself up to this second-guessing and criticism. If Blount does return to the program, how long until he starts complaining about the number of carries he receives or whether or not he is starting? That type of behavior could divide and destroy a team that is currently position to receive an at-large BCS bid, a conference championship or maybe more. The University of Oregon Ducks should just say no.
6.LSU can lose vs. #1 Florida on Saturday and still play for the BCS National Championship. This game nearly lost its luster before the unexplainable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Georgia’s A.J. Green and LSU’s amazing comeback in the final minute. Florida has a lot more to lose on Saturday against the Tigers simply based on the schedule. After Saturday, Florida’s highest ranked opponents for the remainder of the regular season are 25th ranked South Carolina and Georgia, who is currently not ranked in the Top 25. Meanwhile, LSU still plays #3 Alabama, #17 Auburn and #20 Ole Miss. Additionally, by running the table Les Miles’ LSU squad would earn a rematch with (likely) top ranked Florida in the SEC Championship Game, which would springboard them into the Rose Bowl to play in the BCS National Championship game. Bottom line, the Gators need this game more than LSU.
