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Big Upset in Big House
Appalachian State's shocker at
Michigan highlights Week 1
By
Joey Patrick
Outsports.com
Upset of the Century:
What
can you say? Appalachian State’s 34-32 stunner over
Michigan in the Big House was the biggest upset in football
history. The spread was so great Vegas didn’t even put a
line on this game. And unlike many football upsets, the
Mountaineers deserved to win. They played brilliant
football, exposing the Wolverines defensive lapses in the
middle of the field time and again. It was a thing of
beauty. Upset for the Ages.
Sweet Emotion: The first game for Virginia Tech since the April Massacre was emotional
and people were expecting the Hokies to come out blazing
against East Carolina. It was the Pirates, however, who
played with bigger hearts on the field. EC was leading late
in the first half. An interception for a Tech touchdown
turned the game completely around. Tech wins 17-7.
Weight Gain:
Was it just me or did hotty ESPN game day commentator
Kirk Herbstreit look like he gained a few pounds. Not
sure if it’s muscle, fat or my new wide screen. Maybe he
should report without a shirt, so we know for sure.
ACC:
Georgia Tech either looked like a national contender or
Notre Dame is going to have their worst season in years.
The Yellow Jackets had no problems cutting through an
average Irish defense in a 33-3 thrashing. Notre Dame’s
brutal first half schedule continues next week at Penn
State. The BC-Wake Forest game was like a playoff-game.
There was lots of scoring and drama with Eagle quarterback
Matt Ryan throwing for over 400 yards in the win. Wake, at
times, looked impressive though and last year was no fluke.
ACC schools should be wary of the Demon Deacons. NC State
will struggle this year. They lost to Central Florida at
home.
Big East:
West Virginia, Rutgers, and Louisville held true to form,
blowing out weak opposition in their openers. South
Florida, however, looked average in a win over unheard of
Elon. The Phoenix kept the game close until late in the
third quarter. The Bulls better regroup before heading to
Auburn next week. … Connecticut didn’t do much against an
inspired Duke team in the first half but pulled away for a
win. In the spirit of AA (or football subdivision) look for
a good game between the Huskies and the Maine Black Bears
next weekend.
SEC:
LSU looked great, destroying Mississippi State 45-0.
Quarterback Matt Flynn was amateur but the Tigers are more
than capable on defense to make another run. LSU has a big
game against Virginia Tech next week. … Tennessee hung in
there, but eventually was overtaken by the revenge-driven
Cal Bears in Berkeley. … Auburn looked very beatable in a
win over Kansas State. In fact, the Wildcats controlled
most of the game. … Nick Saban had a successful debut with
Alabama as they rolled over Western Carolina. Saban will
have a better test next weekend at Vandy. The Commodores
won their first home opener since 1997.
Big XII:
Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas A & M had easy wins but what’s
up with Texas? The Longhorns looked sloppy in a narrow
21-13 win over unheralded Arkansas State. Texas will have
to do better next week against TCU. … Colorado scored a late
field goal and then another in OT to beat Colorado State.
It was a good result for the Buffaloes after last season’s
disaster. … Unpredictable Missouri held off Illinois in a
40-34 win.
BIG TEN:
Bad times in the Big Ten. After the unbelievable Michigan
loss, critics are debating the strength of the entire
conference. Remember that Florida handed Ohio State their
butts in last year’s championship game and Michigan was
crushed in the Rose Bowl. Some reporters are stating that
the Big Ten is weakest of the big six conferences. Ohio
State and Penn State had expected wins but Bowling Green
beat Minnesota on the road.
PAC-10:
All eyes were on John David Booty and the USC Trojans but
they too looked a bit rusty in a win over Idaho. Give the
Vandals credit, they had some chances in a 38-10 loss. The
Sept. 15 USC-Nebraska game could be interesting. Cal and
UCLA looked good. USC is still the team to beat but the gap
is closing a little bit. … Washington looked strong in a
blowout win at Syracuse. Nest week’s game between the
Huskies and Boise State will be another test for the
Broncos. Boise State has won 14 in a row – the longest in
major college football.
Top 5
LSU – That defense is
incredible.
USC – Lackluster effort but
expect big things at Nebraska Sept. 15.
West Virginia – Mountaineers
looked impressive in opening day rout.
Florida – Defending champs
looked good enough in opener.
Wisconsin – Best team in the
Big Ten after week one.
Best
Efforts
Appalachian State – Hey, what
more can you say. Move over Boise State, I want these guys
in my bed.
Bowling Green –
Predicted to finish fifth in the Mid American Conference,
they pull off a stunner on the road.
Arkansas State – Trailing
Texas 21-13, they recovered an onside kick but it was called
back.
Kansas State – Made Auburn
look ordinary at home and had chances to win this one.
Elon- What was supposed to be
a South Florida blowout, was kept interesting.
Joey Patrick
lives in Canada and watches tons of college football each
week.
Sept. 2,
2007 |
