You've got to be kidding me!!!!

In this edition of "You've got to be kidding me!!!!!!" we take a look at Johnny Knox Punt return from this past weekend.



This play has to be one of the best punt returns of all time. What makes it so unique is that the Packers punt team all knew that their punter was going to kick it left, but Devin Hester's such a threat that they all go to the right to Hester. With all the attention on Hester, Johnny Knox is able to basically walk into the endzone. Then you have to ask. Jarrett Bush (the Packers gunner on the left side) has to see Johnny Knox line up to block him and think something is up. But the travesty is that it never counted because of a phantom holding call. Bears CB and special team ace Corey Graham was called for holding. If you watch the the video clip again and focus on the left side you'll see Graham make contact with #24 Jarrett Bush. That is where the "supposive" holding call was made. To me that was a horrible call. That contact even if he held him didn't even affect Bush. He wasn't slowed down or even knocked off his path. Its just a shame that one of the best special teams plays in recent memory, doesn't even really exist.

Let's hope that Bears Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub has something else up his sleeve for later this year.

Heat Index: Coaches on the Hot Seat!

About this time of the year we start to hear about coaches whose jobs are in jeopardy. Mike Locksey (New Mexico) was the first coach to go, how many will follow? Lets take a look at some of the coaches whose seats could be warming up!

NFL

Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars
Del Rio has been a regular on the Heat Index with the Jaguars struggles, but can you really blame him? The team always seems to be in the hunt for the playoffs. But their roster isn't very good. They are already on their 3rd QB of the season and the offense has no play makers. I'd blame the GM before Del Rio, but don't be surprised if they went in a new direction.
Hot Seat Level: Warm

Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs
His fiery demeanor has never really set well with the players, but it looked like Haley had finally turned the corner when he lead the Chiefs to a surprising AFC West Division Title last year. But then he ran off OC Charlie Weis and this year the wheels fell off. They were blown out in the first two games to boot. Don't be surprised if Haley is the first NFL HC to get the ax.
Hot Seat Level: Blazing

Ken Wisenhunt, Arizona Cardinals
Even though Wisenhunt has taken the Cardinals to a Super Bowl (which they almost won) they haven' been very good since. That might not be his fault, but the Cardinals can't continue to be finishing at the bottom of the division. Especially with all they invested in Kevin Kolb.
Hot Seat Level: Luke Warm

Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears
It looked like Lovie Smith was on his way out with a poor season last year. However the Bears righted the ship and the Bears went on to win the NFC North and where a win away from a Super Bowl. However just like last year the Bears are off the a slow start. If they don't turn things around again, they could get rid of everybody.
Hot Seat Level: Room Temperature

Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins
When he was first hired the Dolphins were playing great. Chad Henne was starting his career and looked like a promising young QB. However the wheels have fell off and players are throwing him under the bus. Add in that Sparano's biggest supporter, Bill Parcells, is no longer running the front office. If they finish with one of the worst records he'll be gone.
Hot Seat Level: Hot

College

Larry Porter, Memphis
A herealded recruiter and position coach at LSU, Porter was to return to his Alma mater to restore the Tigers back to a consistent bowl team. However things have just been awful for Porter. He only won one game in his first season and this year looks much the same. Getting blown out and shut out by SMU doesn't hurt. The Tigers might not fire him after two years, but its pretty bad there.
Hot Seat Level: Warm

Rick Neuheisel, UCLA
Another coach who returned to his Alma mater to restore them to past glory. Neuheisel had success at Colorado and Washington, but just hasn't got in done at UCLA. Their facilities are awful, but Neuheisel's constant turnover with his coordinators and assistant coaches doesn't help the consistency.
Hot Seat Level: Warm

Houston Nutt, Mississippi
Nutt had a good run at Arkansas but was run off by boosters who didn't like his handling of Mitch Mustain. He ended up leaving and landed in a good situation at Mississippi where they were loaded with talent left behind from Ed Orgeron's staff. Nutt took the Rebels to the Cotton Bowl in his first game and it looked like they were poised to challenge for a SEC Title. However they fell flat on their face and now are one of the worst teams in the SEC. With the success that Miss State is having, Nutt might be gone before the seasons end.
Hot Seat Level: Hot

Mark Richt, Georgia
One of the longest tenured coaches in the SEC might be coming to an end after this year. Despite having a teams full of talent, the Bulldogs have only made it to one BCS game. With it clear that his job was on the line this year he drops his first two games to Boise State and South Carolina. He'll need a strong finish or it might be a change coming.
Hot Seat Level: Blazing

NFL Mock Draft (2nd Edition)

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Andrew Luck QB Stanford

Don't let their close loss to the Chargers fool you. The Chiefs are awful. Matt Cassell isn't a starting QB in the NFL. But on the bright side they do get Luck who with the pieces they have on offense they could be back to the playoffs in no time.

2. Indianapolis Colts: Matt Kalil OT USC

Thought might be to for them to get a QB here, but Peyton Manning will be around for at least 3 more years. So they need to protect him. Even though they draft Castanzo last year they won't hesitate to draft Kalil. Kalil at LT and Castanzo at RT is a much better line than they've had in a while.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State

Despite having Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin the Vikings don't really have many weapons on offense. Adding a receiver like Justin Blackmon could do a lot for this team. Blackmon gives them a true #1 WR and that would allow Harvin to be moved around more which highlights his skills better.

4. Miami Dolphins: Matt Barkley QB USC

Hey the Dolphins finally get a QB not named Chad Henne. Barkley has impressed ever since he started as a true freshman. The Dolphins are hoping Barkley can help them utilize their weapons better than the inconsistent Henne has.

5. Seattle Seahawks: Landry Jones QB Oklahoma

Pete Carroll would love to get his hands on his former QB Matt Barkley, but he'll be pretty happy with Landry Jones. Jones is an accurate passer with a big arm. He'll be a good fit in the West Coast offense the Seahawks run.

6. Denver Broncos: Quinton Coples DE North Carolina

Elvis Dummervil might get traded and Robert Ayers is a 1st round bust. Not what you want out of your starting DEs. Coples has great size, speed, and atheltic ability and could remind John Fox of another former UNC DE.

7. Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Martin OT Stanford

Cincy has their QB of the future, now they have to protect him. Jonathan Martin is a big physical blocker who has done a great job of keeping Andrew Luck's backside clean. Add in that he is a good run blocker and that really fits into the Bengals offensive philosophy.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina

The Blaine Gabbert era is now underway. If they want him to be more successful than David Garrard it would be wise to give him a true #1 WR. Jeffery might not have the speed to stretch the defense but he has great size and body control. He'll give Gabbert the reliable safety blanket to move the chains while Mike Thomas will be the vertical threat.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama

I'd have to admit that I'm surprised that Cam Newton has been playing this good so fast. It would be nice to give him some more weapons, but with Jeffery gone there isn't a WR worth this pick. Instead look for them to add pieces to their defense. Here they can get Kirkpatrick to improve a secondary that has some holes in it.

10. Cleveland Browns: Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

In their switch from the 3-4 to the 4-3 getting a MLB is vital. Manti Te'o has been a player that has had a lot of hype around him, and has lived up to it. He has good quickness and range which allows him to get from sideline to sideline. Lining up behind their two big tackles Te'o should thrive in Cleveland.

11. Arizona Cardinals: Courtney Upshaw LB Alabama

Arizona's pass rush from the LB spot is lacking. They would have taken Von Miller would have been their pick last year if he was available. This year they might get the chance they didn't have last year. Courtney Upshaw is one of the best defensive players in the draft. He can do it all. Stuff the run, drop into coverage, and rush the passer. Look for the Cardinals to use him in a similar role to how they used Karlos Danby.

12. St. Louis Rams: Jayron Hosley CB Virginia Tech

Here is another team that would love for a top tier WR to be available, but that isn't going to happen. They could reach for Michael Floyd but I don't see that happening. Instead look for them to go after a CB like Hosley that fits into the man coverage that the Rams like to play.

13. Washington Redskins: Vontaze Burfict LB Arizona State

Vontaze Burfict is a mean son of a gun. That helps him on the field, but it also can hurt him. Some teams might be scared off by this, but he'll be a good NFL MLB. Burfict gives the Redskins a play maker in the middle of their defense. His blitzing skills are also a plus in the 3-4.

14. San Franscico 49ers: Jared Crick DT Nebraska

The 49ers defense isn't bad. However there isn't much depth. Kentwan Balmer was drafted to be a starter at a DE spot, but was sent away when he went MIA. Crick can come in and rotate in with Justin Smith and Ray McDonald but it won't be long before he cracks the starting lineup. He has experience in a two gap system and uses his hands well. But he can also provide a pass rush with his great quickness.

15. Dallas Cowboys: Mike Brewster C Ohio State

This may seem like a huge reach to some, but I think this is a perfect spot. Brewster is a very talented center who can do it all and is a great leader to top it off. The Cowboys could go after him here because they need a new center bad. They cut their starting C before the year and their current one isn't showing that he deserves to be back.

16. Tennessee Titans: Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame

When Kenny Britt has been out of the lineup it shows that the Titans have nothing else. Getting another weapon for this offense will make everything easier for Hasselbeck or Locker and more importantly open things up for Chris Johnson. Add in that Floyd complements Britt and its a recipe for success.

17. New York Giants: Riley Reiff OT Iowa

They keep looking to return to the old ways of a power running team, but the biggest reason they haven't been there is their offensive line. Williams Beatty isn't a starting LT. Look for them to try and find somebody in the draft. Reiff is a talented tackle who would allow Beatty to move to either RT or the bench.

18. Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta): Devin Taylor DE South Carolina

Cleveland here continues to add pieces to their new 4-3 defense. They have Jabaal Sheard at one DE spot from last years draft. Devin Taylor is a huge specimen, but he'll give the Browns another threat from the edge and paired up with their huge DTs they could have a much improved defensive line.

19. Chicago Bears: Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma

Everybody knows the Bears receivers are bad. They have a bunch of 3rd receivers. They need a #1 guy. But with Mike Martz as their OC they are going to be looking at guys that are good route runners. Broyles fits that and is a #1 caliber WR in the mold of Santonio Holmes. Lets just say Jay Cutler would be happy with this pick.

20. Oakland Raiders: Alphonzo Dennard CB Nebraska

Even thought they lost Nnamdi Asomugha their defense has still been good. However look don't be surprised to see them looking at CB in the draft. Dennard is a player that Al Davis will love. He is a tough physical player who will test well at the combine.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Keachly LB Boston College

Going into this season the Eagles where thought to be a runaway winner of the NFC because of all their talent they brought in. However some of the players haven't panned out yet and its taken longer to gel than they anticipated. But a big reason they have struggled on defense is because of their LBers which is so important to their scheme. Keachly is a pure football player and does everything well and his athletic ability fits well here.

22. San Diego Chargers: Donte Paige-Moss DE North Carolina

Shawn Merriman and Shuan Phillips were once the most feared pass rushing tandem in the league. However that isn't the case anymore with Merriman in Buffalo. Donte Paige-Moss hasn't had the season that man thought he'd have, but he still has a ton of talent and could really help make this defense even better.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne CB LSU

After a impressive season last year, the Bucs have picked up right where they left off. So they don't have many holes, but CB could be one of them though. Ronde Barber is nearing retirement and you never know when Aqib Talib is going to get arrested. So getting another CB wouldn't be a bad idea. Claiborne fits the Tampa 2 defense well. He has good size and is very physical which are needed.

24. Houston Texans: Nate Potter OT Boise State

The Texans are a team on the rise, a despite their strong running game last year they are still razor thin along the line and at LT where Duane Brown isn't elite by any means. Nate Potter is a talented LT who has great speed and athleticism which is perfect for the ZBS they run.

25. New York Jets: Vinny Curry DE Marshall

They are known for having one of the best defenses in the NFL, but they really don't have much for a pass rush. They've tried to get players but none have really worked out. They've even brought back Aaron Maybin who they cut earlier. Curry is a pass rusher with a lot of talent and has still produced despite being schemed against every week.

26. Buffalo Bills: Trent Richardson RB Alabama

This may seem like a weird pick, but it make sense. Chan Gailey loves new toys on offense and Richardson is a great talent. Fred Jackson has a had a good season, but they could use another back to split the carries with him. This would also allow them to use CJ Spiller more in the passing game and the return game.

27. Detroit Lions: Keleche Osemele T Iowa State

I'm not too surprised that the Lions have had so much success so far. They have done a great job in the draft and their free agents they've brought in have worked too. Look for them to continue to add talent to this roster. Keleche Osemele is a talented tackle, but would thrive at G or RT.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alameda Ta'amu NT Washington

Ta'amu has had a great season so far and has shown that he is worthy of a late 1st round pick. His ability to stuff the run and take on blockers would be a good fit at the NT spot. Casey Hampton is a very good NT but he is in his mid 30's and at that age you have to assume he is near the end of his career.

29. New England Patriots: Zach Brown LB North Carolina

Well one of the teams whose success in the 3-4 had a lot of teams switch, has moved to the 4-3. With this switch the Patriots could use some more players that fit that scheme. Zach Brown has good range and is good in space. He'd be a good fit at the WLB spot.

30. New England Patriots (From New Orleans): Mark Barron S Alabama

Before the season started the the Pats cut their two starting safeties. And besides Patrick Chung the replacements haven't really produced. So don't be surprised to see them look at bringing somebody in to help out. Mark Barron is a player that fits in well. He can play both safety spots and his leadership is also a plus.

31. Baltimore Ravens: Kheeston Randall DT Texas

The DE spot opposite of Ngata has always been a revolving door. Investing a high pick in a DE could really pay off. Randall is a versatile defensive lineman who has the bulk of a DT but the athletic ability of a DE. Which comes in handy in the 3-4.

32. Green Bay Packers: Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama

Dont'a Hightower is a player that I believe would be perfect in the Packers defense. The Packers defense is so reliant on linebackers that can do multiple things. Hightower has shown that he can play the ILB spot in the Tide's 3-4 but he can also slide to the outside and rush the passer on third downs.

NFL Draft: Stock Watch

Rising

TY Hilton WR Florida International
We've heard of TY Hilton before the season, but he was more or less a late round pick due to his kick return skills. But his play this year has really impressed and he has shown the ability to possibly contribute to an NFL offense. At Louisville he was a one man wrecking crew. His 200+ yards single handily helped the Panthers win their first game against a BCS team. The key for Hilton is the 40 yard dash at the combine. If he can run in the 4.29-4.40 range he could easily be a Day 2 pick like Titus Young was last year.

Nate Potter OT Boise State
I've always been a big fan of Nate Potter's. He has good size, length, and quick feet. All things you like out of a left tackle. The one thing he does not have is that overall brute strength. Going into this season some people considered him to be a guard at the next level. However Potter has been great so far and against Georgia he showed he has what it takes to be a LT in the NFL. He'd be a perfect fit in a zone blocking scheme that utilizes his athletic ability.

Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama
Its not so much him showing improvement on talent, but more about him showing that he is back to 100% after a knee injury two years ago. Two years later, Hightower is back to the explosive player he use to be when everybody thought he was better than Rolando McClain. Hightower is a versatile linebacker who can play both inside and out. He should be in that late 1st round area come draft time.

Dwayne Allen TE Clemson
Michael Egnew was thought to be the only TE that was worth drafting early, but after four weeks of play Dwayne Allen is showing everybody that you can put him into that category too. Freshman WR Sammy Watkins has been the star, but Allen has been the security blanket for QB Tajh Boyd. In their win over FSU it was Allen who kept coming up with big time catches on 3rd downs to extend drives. Add in Allen's blocking skills and you have yourself an all around TE. Allen should be a Day 2 pick at the least.

Nick Toon WR Wisconsin
The person that has benefited the most from Russell Wilson coming to Wisconsin is Toon. Toon finally has a QB that is able to get him the ball and he is thriving. Toon isn't a speedster, but he knows how to position himself and he has great body control. With his size (6'2 220) he is a red zone beast. Look for Toon to rise up draft boards and now he finds himself in the Day 2 category.

Falling

Stephen Gilmore CB South Carolina

Gilmore was considered to be one of the top CBs in this class (behind Dre Kirkpatrick) and a mid 1st round pick. However the more and more I watch him, the less and less I think of him. Gilmore is very passive in coverage. He plays off the receiver quite a bit and isn't very active in the run game. He seems like a player that doesn't like contact. He has also struggled against bigger receivers in jump ball situations. Not something you want out of a 1st round CB. I wouldn't touch him in the first round if I were a NFL GM.

Cordy Glenn G Georgia
He has started since his freshman year. He is a guard prospect, but the Bulldogs have moved him to tackle to take advantage of their best lineman. Glenn was thought to be the next guard that went late in the 1st round. However matched up against the "supposedly smaller weaker" Boise State Broncos, Glenn was over matched and whipped. Not what you would want out of a 1st round pick. Right?

Donte Paige-Moss DE North Carolina
Paige-Moss was suppose to be on the next Tar Heel defensive lineman who go in the first round. He has the athletic ability to be a feared pass rusher off the edge. However he has just been non-existent this year. You would think with Quinton Coples on the other side that Paige-Moss would at least be able get after the QB without much attention his way. But he hasn't. DPM is still a talented player and will probably have to move to the rush linebacker spot in the 3-4, but he's falling past the likes of Brandon Jenkins and Devin Taylor.

Shayne Skov LB Stanford
This has nothing to do with Skov's talent, or lack of production. But all about an injury. Skov is out for the season with a knee injury. Skov is the best defensive player on the Stanford team and his play was elevating him into the early 2nd round category. Instead, look for Skov to return to Palo Alto for his senior year and hopefully he can get back to 100%.

Tank Carder LB TCU
After a great Rose Bowl performance against Wisconsin, everybody seemed to jump on the Tank Carder bandwagon. They raved about his range and tackling ability. However this season Carder hasn't matched what he did last year. He looks slow and his production is down. He is either going to have to kick it into gear or he'll be a late round pick.

NFL Power Rankings (Week 3)

1. Green Bay Packers (3-0) LW 1
Despite it only being a 10 point win, the Packers dominated the Bears and are showing everybody that they are the best team in the NFL. Its early, but we could see the Packers repeat this year.

2. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) LW 4
Torrey Smith has emerged as the deep threat that the Ravens have been looking for over the past couple of years. If the Ravens offense can continue to put up points they are going to be a hard team to beat.

3. New Orleans Saints (2-1) LW 6
There only loss has been to the Packers and that was because of a goal line stand. They smashed the Bears and the Texans both of which are very solid teams.

4. New England Patriots (2-1) LW 2
Its tough to win a game with when you throw 4 interceptions. Let alone allow a team to come back from 20 down. The Pats need to find some answers on defense. But good thing they have one of the best minds in football.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) LW 5
The Steelers played a sloppy game on Sunday night. Good thing it was against a Colts team that is plain awful without Peyton Manning. But a win is a win in the NFL.

6. Detroit Lions (3-0) LW 11
Their win against the Vikings improves winning streak to 7 straight games. That is a pretty amazing feat considering that the Lions went win less a couple of yeas ago. In any other division they might be a contender to win it, but with the Packers 2nd place looks more like it.

7. Buffalo Bills (3-0) LW 12
Ryan Fitzpatrick is getting a lot of attention for his play (and rightfully so), but a big reason for their offensive success is because of RB Fred Jackson. With a game against the Bengals, the Bills could improve to 4-0.

8. New York Jets (2-1) LW 3
Their loss to the Raiders has exposed some of their flaws. But luckily the teams in their division aren't running teams so they should be good there.

9. Houston Texans (2-1) LW 8
Its hard to win games when you give up 23 points in a quarter. Let alone the 4th. But getting back Arian Foster will only help this team get better.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) LW 16
Tampa Bay finally snapped a 5 game losing streak to the Falcons. Their defense was a big part of that intercepting Ryan 3 times and sacking him 4 more.

11. San Diego Chargers (2-1) LW 13
A win is a win, but almost losing to the Cheifs isn't good. However the defense stepped up when they needed to and Ryan Matthews had a big game to help the offense.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) LW 7
The "Dream Team" drops another one. The vaunted Eagles secondary wasn't up to the challenge and allowed Manning to throw for 4 touchdown passes. The Eagles better figure things out quick or it will be a long season in Philly.

13. Oakland Raiders (2-1) LW 19
Darren McFadden has proved that when healthy he is one of the best running backs in the league. If he can stay healthy and they can get consistent play out of Jason Campbell this is a team that should go to the playoffs.

14. Chicago Bears (1-2) LW 9
Don't let the score fool you, the Bears were dominated by the Packers on Sunday. Chicago has to figure something out on offense where they looked completely lost. 13 yards rushing doesn't help either.

15. Atlanta Falcons (1-2) LW 10
If Atlanta wants to get back on track they need to get their running game going. Michael Turner needs to have more than 20 yards rushing for them to be successful.

16. New York Giants (2-1) LW 15
After all the injuries they have had, the Giants are seeming to get things figured out and have a nice 2 game winning streak to show for it. But the best part of it was that they defeated the hated Eagles and they should be getting some of their injured stars back.

17. Tennessee Titans (2-1) LW 20
They won the game, but they suffered a huge loss with the injury to Kenny Britt. Britt was their only reliable receiver and now that he is gone they need somebody else to step up.

18. Dallas Cowboys (2-1) LW 21
Even though they didn't score a touchdown and their offense was never on the same page, they pulled out a big win over a Redskin team that was undefeated. But they cannot afford to keep all of these mental mistakes going if they want to keep winning.

19. San Francisco 49ers (2-1) LW 22
The 49ers win another ugly game. It only took one good drive and a TD by Kendall Hunter to give the Niners the victory. If the 49ers can get their offense figured out they could make it back to the playoffs for the first time in a while.

20. Washington Redskins (2-1) LW 14
Although they didn't allow the Cowboys to score a TD, they still lost a game and a chance to take an early division lead. But don't look for much consistency out of their offense as long as Rex Grossman is starting.

21. St. Louis Rams (0-3) LW 18
It's just been a disaster for the Rams this season. Injuries and ineffectiveness have really hurt them. But if they allow Sam Bradford to get hit as much as he did, they'll have to worry about him being injured too.

22. Arizona Cardinals (1-2) LW 17
2 missed FGs and a costly INT on the last drive doomed the Cardinals in a game that they should have won. These are games that the Cardinals have to win if they want to contend for a NFC West Division Title.

23. Cleveland Browns (2-1) LW 26
A late TD from McCoy to Massaqoui was the different in this game. The win was even more impressive with the offensively challenged Browns had to do it without the services of Peyton Hillis.

24. Carolina Panthers (1-2) LW 27
There you have it, Cam Newton got his first win as a pro. Although he didn't put up huge numbers (weather has to be factored in) his TD pass to Greg Olsen was the deciding factor in the game. Newton continues to impress as the season goes forward.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) LW 23
Already on their 3rd QB of the season, the Jags suffered a loss in the middle of a monsoon. However, Rookie QB Blaine Gabbert was almost able to get a 4th quarter victory but his pass was batted away with no time left.

26. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) LW 24
Andy Dalton was due for a bad game at some point and it came here against the 49ers. Both of Dalton's INTs came at bad times. Add in that this was the smallest crowd to ever see a Bengals home opener and it was a pretty bad day in Cincy.

27. Denver Broncos (1-2) LW 25
Denver had the lead going into the 4th quarter, but couldn't get a stop when they needed to get the win. Kyle Orton struggles again in a loss. Which has you wondering, when is Tim Tebow going to get his chance.

28. Seattle Seahawks (1-2) LW 30
Tavarius Jackson's late scramble for a touchdown gave the Seahawks the win over division foe Arizona. However the Seahawks will continue to struggle if they don't get more consistent QB play out of Jackson.

29. Miami Dolphins (0-3) LW 29
Miami's offensive struggles continue in a loss to the Browns. Daniel Thomas had a nice game, but the Dolphins relied on feild goals when they needed a touchdown. But on the bright side it looks like the Dolphins might be getting the QB they need in the 2012 draft.

30. Minnesota Vikings (0-3) LW 28
For the 3rd straight time the Vikings have given up a lead in the second half. You have to wonder how long the Vikings wait before they insert Christian Ponder into the lineup.

31. Indianapolis Colts (0-3) LW 31
In a sloppy game, the Colts almost capitalized and got their first win. Its going to be a long season in Indy, but at least Curtis Painter looked promising when he got his chance. We'll see if its something they can build on.

32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3) LW 32
Kansas City actually showed some life with a narrow 3 point defeat. But Matt Cassell's interception on a screen pass was just plain awful. You never would suspect that the teams QB is throwing the game so they can get Luck...right?

NCAA Top 25 (Week 4)

1. LSU Tigers (4-0) LW 3
It's hard for a team to jump up to the #1 ranking with the two teams ahead of them not losing. But when the Tigers have beaten 3 ranked teams it makes a ton of sense. The LSU defense might be their best one in years and the offense continues to get better. As long as Jarrett Lee doesn't turn the ball over this team can win every game on their schedule.

2. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) LW 1
Even though they beat a good Florida State team and a tough Missouri team, they do fall a spot in the rankings. They are still one of the elite teams in the country but they don't have the resume of LSU. But Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles lead this offense and the defense is one of the best in the nation. They should win the Big 12 easily.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) LW 2
Arkansas was thought to be a potential sleeper in the SEC West, but the Tide had little trouble with them. Alabama's defense slowed down one of the best offenses in the country and QB AJ McCarron continues to improve. The key is whether McCarron can make plays on 3rd down against elite SEC teams. That will be the difference between being a Champion and being a Cotton Bowl team.


4. Boise State Broncos (3-0) LW 4
Although dominating wins over lesser teams are nice to have, it would be great to see Boise State play better competition. QB Kellen Davis continues shine and while the Broncos should coast till their match up against Air Force at the end of October.

5. Stanford Cardinal (3-0) LW 5
The Cardinal got a week off after beating a high powered offense in Arizona. The rest will be well deserved for this power running team. Andrew Luck has gotten even better this year completing a higher percentage of throws compared to last year despite not having two of his top weapons. Colorado should offer no trouble to this team.

6. Wisconsin Badgers (4-0) LW 6
It was another dominating week of Wisconsin football. In their game against South Dakota the Badgers did what they were suppose to do. Dominate. That's what they have done against three lesser opponents. This team led by Russell Wilson looks like the class of the Big 10 and a contender for a National Title. Their match up against Nebraska this weekend should be a must watch.

7. South Carolina Gamecocks (4-0) LW 7
For the first time under Steve Spurrier, the Gamecocks are 4-0. They also beat a Vanderbilt team that has been playing some good football lately. If the Gamecocks want to continue their undefeated streak they are going to have to get better production out of Stephen Garcia. 4 INTs against any other team in the SEC might result in a loss.

8. Oregon Ducks (3-1) LW 8
After their loss to LSU, its been very quiet for the Ducks. They aren't getting a whole lot of attention, despite putting up some gaudy numbers. But that might be the best thing for this program to get their confidence back. This past week they drubbed Arizona 25. It also marked the second straight game that LeMichael James has rushed for over 200 yards.

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-0) LW 10
After trailing 20-3 in the first half of their game against Texas A&M you had to be wondering if the Cowboys were overrated? But the Cowboys regrouped and dominated the second half in route to a one point victory over the previously #12 ranked Aggies. Justin Blackmon who was contained in the first half was a big reason for the Cowboys offense in the 2nd half, but it was the turnovers that sealed the deal.

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0) LW 11
It may have not been pretty, but the Huskers are 4-0 heading into their first ever Big 10 conference schedule. And they'll be greeted by the #6 ranked Wisconsin Badgers. If the Huskers want to continue their unbeaten streak they need to sure up the defense that was once feared, but not is giving up points and yards to teams that are the bottom of the rankings.

11. Clemson Tigers (4-0) LW 18
Clemson may finally be living up to their potential. They got their second straight big win over a Florida State team that was ranked as high as #5 in the AP Poll. This is a team that you have to watch out for. They have a good defense lead by their defensive line and their offense is full of play makers. But their toughest test will come this weekend when they face off against #12 ranked Virginia Tech in Blacksburgh. A win over the Hokies would be huge for this team.

12. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-0) LW 13
The Hokies took care of business against Marshall in their final non-conference game. A 20 point win wasn't spectacular, but it got the job done. Now the Hokies have to get ready to host #11 ranked Clemson who might be one of the hottest teams in college football. This could also be a preview of the ACC Championship game. The Hokies are known for their defense and have to bring it against a very explosive Tiger attack.

13. Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1) LW 9
In a game that a lot of people had their eyes on, it wasn't much of a fight for the Razorbacks. Alabama's stout defense held down the Arkansas offense and only allowed them 14 points. Arkansas needs to bounce back from this game and it starts with former Southwest Conference rival Texas A&M this weekend. The Razorbacks have a chance to keep the Aggies reeling after their collapse against Oklahoma State. But the Razorbacks have to pick it up on defense.

14. Florida Gators (4-0) LW 16
The Gators continue to roll after knocking off SEC foe Kentucky. They struggled at first but the combination of Demps and Rainey took control and produced over 200 yards between the two of them. But we'll find out how good this Gator team is when they host #3 ranked Alabama. The key will be if the Gators offense can put up points on the Alabama defense. If they can they have a shot to win. But that isn't an easy task.

15. South Florida Bulls (4-0) LW 17
South Florida started early and never looked back in their win over UTEP. The Bulls continue to look strong as they prepare themselves for Big East play. BJ Daniels lead the way with 202 yards passing and another 130 yards rushing. Now they have to face off against a Pitt team that had both Notre Dame and Iowa beaten in 4th quarter before losing.

16. Texas A&M Aggies (2-1) LW 12
Going into halftime it looked like the Aggies were on their way to a victory over #10 ranked Oklahoma State. They held the Cowboys high powered offense to only 3 points and had a 17 point lead. However they let the Cowboys back into the game and costly turnovers swung the momentum away. A&M needs to forget about this loss and get ready to play an Arkansas team that is also coming off a tough loss.

17. Baylor Bears (3-0) LW 19
Baylor improve their record to 3-0 off of a huge victory over Rice. Robert Griffin lead the way with 338 yards passing and 5 touchdowns and 51 yards rushing and another score. Rice was completely over matched the the Bears lead was never in question. Next week the Bears get an easy conference opener against a Kansas State team that knocked off Miami.

18. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-1) LW 15
Despite a strong performance of QB Geno Smith, the LSU defense was too much of a match for the Mountaineers. Smith was picked off twice and recovered two more fumbles that enabled them to rout the Mountaineers. Now we all knew that West Virginia wasn't on the same level, but you have to take note that they were able to move the ball against arguably the top defense in the nation. But West Virginia does need to shore up a defense that let LSU's pedestrian offense score over 40 points.

19. Texas Longhorns (3-0) LW 20
Texas enjoyed a week off after they defeated UCLA two weeks ago. This break will allow new starting QB Chase McCoy more time to get familiar with the 1st string offense. This week they face off against an Iowa State team that is also undefeated and looking to knock off the Longhorns two years in a row.

20. TCU Horned Frogs (3-1) LW 21
It was a struggle for most of the first half for the Horned Frogs, but when they got going they rolled FCS Portland State 55-13. TCU continues to get better from their opening week loss to Baylor and is starting to get more comfortable with their personal. However they did loose their leading tackler Tanner Brock to injury.

21. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-0) LW 23
In a match up of ACC surprises the Yellow Jackets were able to get the better of the UNC Tar Heels and improve to a perfect 4-0 record. After a down year, Georgia Tech has gotten their groove back running ball. Up next is a NC State team that has been a major disappointment so far this season. The Yellow Jackets should stay unbeaten before a tough three game stretch against Miami, Clemson, and VaTech.

22. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1) LW 22
It looks like the Buckeyes have found their QB. Freshman Braxton Miller was impressive in his first start of the season in a win over Colorado. Now with if the Buckeyes can sneak a victory away from Michigan State they could be a good position with 5 key players returning from suspension. This could be a Buckeye team on the rise.

23. Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) LW 24
After the high of knocking off Arizona State, the Illini suffered a scare to Western Michigan. Illinois had to come back in the 2nd half to knock off the MAC foe and improve to a 4-0 record which is the best since 1951. Now they have to face off against in state rival Northwestern to look to continue this hot start.

24. Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-2) LW 25
It took overtime, but the Bulldogs snapped their two game losing steak and returned their record to .500. I know some people have dropped Mississippi State from their rankings, but I still feel this is a quality team that is going to knock off some SEC powers. Just wait and see.

25. Florida State Seminoles (2-2) LW 14
I never really bought into the Seminole hype. The AP had them ranked as high as #5 before their loss to Oklahoma. Now they have lost two straight and look to be trailing Clemson in the division. Now I'm not saying that FSU is a bad team. But they are young and had to face Clemson without starting QB EJ Manuel. But the Noles still have a lot to prove before I'm ready to move them back into the upper half of the top 25.

Heisman Watch (Week 4)

1. Landry Jones QB Oklahoma

Last Week: 35-48 488 yards 3 TD 2 INTs Next Week: vs. Ball State

Comments: It looked like the Missouri Tigers might have their second straight year of knocking off the #1 ranked Sooners jumping to an early 14-3 lead. However Landry Jones took control and lead them to a 10 point victory. In the process he threw for 488 yards and 3 TDs. Jones did throw 2 INTs, which is never a good thing But he continues to put up the numbers that will get him Heisman consideration. What helps Jones is that their offense is so impressive and he'll be facing a weaker Big 12 conference. Next week he looks to continue to pad his stats against a pretty weak Ball State team.

2. Andrew Luck QB Stanford

Last Week: Bye Next Week: vs UCLA

Comments: Luck gets a week off after beating Arizona. So let's take this time to review his season as a whole. So far Luck has thrown for 786 yards and 8 TDs to only 1 INT. What is even more impressive is that he has improved his completion percentage from last year despite losing two of his top targets. Luck continues to shine and has the Cardinal team knocking on the door of the National Championship talk. What also helps him is that he is arguably the best player in the country and a sure #1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Luck is neck and neck with Landry Jones in the Heisman Race and he could very well win the award unless somebody blows the voters away.

3. Kellen Moore QB Boise State

Last Week: 23-29 455 4 TDs Next Week: vs. Nevada

Comments: Seems like every week somebody on this watch list faces off against Tulsa. This week it was Moore. The game wasn't even close but it gave Moore a chance to pad his stats and get out of the game early and get some rest. While he was in there it was pretty routine for him. He completed 80% of his passes, 0 INTS, and 4 TD passes. Next week he faces off against a Nevada team that ended their perfect season last year, but this game won't be the same. Nevada is a struggling team that lost a lot of talent from last year. Moore should continue his cruise till he faces off against Air Force and TCU in conference play.

4. Trent Richardson RB Alabama

Last Week: 126 yards rushing 85 yards receiving 1 TD Next Week: @Florida

Comments: In a match up against top ranked teams, the Crimson Tide made little work with the Razorbacks in route to a 24 point victory. A big part of the offensive explosion was Richardson's 211 total yards. He continues to be the focal point of the offense and he is clearly the top running back in country. However the schedule continues to get tougher and Richardson will have to prove himself against the SEC elite. If Richardson can continue to put up these numbers and the Tide is undefeated he could get a lot of voters attention.

5. Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin

Last Week: 19-25 345 yards 3 TDs Next Week: vs. Nebraska

Comments: It shouldn't be a surprise that the Badgers routed FCS South Dakota on Saturday. Russell Wilson has also continued to help this offense reach new heights. His 345 yards passing improves his season total to 1,136 yards and 11 TDs. Now the Badgers haven't really played anybody tough, but they have taken care of business and have looked good doing so. However Wilson faces off against his toughest opponent to date in the vaunted Nebraska Blackshirt defense. If Wilson can have a good game against Nebraska team that could send him up the list. But a poor game could have him falling.

Rest of the List

6. Robert Griffin III QB Baylor
RG3 continues to put up eye popping numbers. His 338 yards passing and 5 TDs along with 51 yards rushing and another score are hard to beat. However it was against a poor Rice team. Griffin needs this momentum to continue into conference play if he wants to keep moving up the board.

7. Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina
It wasn't a great statistical game for Lattimore, but after last weeks 200 yard plus showing it wasn't a surprise the Gamecocks wanted to lessen his touches. South Carolina is going to need a fresh and healthy Lattimore if they are going to repeat as SEC West champs and have a shot at winning the conference.

8. Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State
It's hard to see a talented player like Blackmon this far down the rankings, but despite his performance against A&M there is just no Heisman hype around him. He had a good game against A&M but all everybody remembers is his potential TD that didn't happen because of his showboating.


9. Denard Robinson QB Michigan
I'm hesitant to put Robinson in the rankings because this is around the time where he fell off last year. He's put up big numbers in wins against Notre Dame and San Diego State, but whether he can hold up against the Big 10 schedule is in the back of every body's mind.

10. Chris Rainey RB Florida
The Florida Gators continue to impress after many thought they'd have another down year. A big part of their success has been their offense and the emergence of Chris Rainey. Rainey was a player without a position, but now he has shined as a running back. He only had 105 yards rushing against Kentucky but he has been their best offensive player all season long. If the Gators continue their momentum Rainey could continue to climb the boards.

Scouting Report: Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

Manti Te'o

Height: 6'1
Weight: 248
Position: Inside Linebacker
School: Notre Dame
Year: Senior
Rank:  #1 ILB
Projection:  Late 1st to Early 2nd

Strengths
-Does a great job of shedding blockers
-Good range. Able to track down defenders
-Quick. Gets to where he needs to be.
-Sure Tackler.  Rarely misses tackles.
-Productive (100+ tackles in 2010, 2011 and 2012)
-Scheme flexibility (Can play in 4-3 or 3-4)
-Experience in the 3-4 defense
-Great hands for position.  7 INTs in 2012.
-Tough, physical player
-Can play in a phone booth
-Experienced. Has played a major role since his true freshman year.
-No Injury issues.
-Can contribute on special teams

Weaknesses
-Can be too aggressive and over persue.
-Needs to diagnose plays faster.
-Can be a liability in coverage.
-Can he be a an effective blitzer?

Summary
Manti Te'o is a talented linebacker who is coming off a very impressive senior season.  Te'o was the leader of a Notre Dame defense which finished in the National Title Game and was ranked in the top 5 for most of the season.  Te'o also finished second in the Heisman Race in 2012.  Te'o is very intriguing to NFL teams because he isn't locked into a specific scheme.  He can play in both the 4-3 and the 3-4.  Te'o uses his quickness and good overall range to attack the ball and make plays. Te'o is a sure tackler that rarely misses. His big weakness is how he does dropping into coverage.  He'll struggle to match up with athletic tight ends and may not be able to drop into the deep middle in a Cover 2 scheme.  His strength is coming downhill.  However Te'o is a polished prospect with only a couple of weaknesses.  But it's too bad for Te'o that the biggest news surround him now is about his non-existent girlfriend.  As it looks he wasn't in on it and is mearly a victim of a hoax and being too trusting.  Its too bad because Te'o is a very talented player that is going to have a bright future in the NFL.   As it relates to his NFL Draft stock, this doesn't matter.  Some are saying he'll drop, but he's probably always been a late 1st to early 2nd type of player.  He could go as high as the Giants at 19, but could easily fall into the second round just like Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis did in previous years. 

NFL Power Rankings (Week 2)

1. Green Bay Packers (2-0) LW 1

2. New England Patriots (2-0) LW 2

3. New York Jets (2-0) LW 5

4. Baltimore Ravens (1-1) LW 3

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) LW 6

6. New Orleans Saints (1-1) LW 7

7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) LW 4

8. Houston Texans (2-0) LW 9

9. Chicago Bears (1-1) LW 8

10. Atlanta Falcons (1-1) LW 10

11. Detroit Lions (2-0) LW 12

12. Buffalo Bills (2-0) LW 13

13. San Diego Chargers (1-1) LW 11

14. Washington Redskins (2-0) LW 26

15. New York Giants (1-1) LW 15

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) LW 17

17. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) LW 14

18. St. Louis Rams (0-2) LW 16

19. Oakland Raiders (1-1) LW 18

20. Tennessee Titans (1-1) LW 23

21. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) LW 24

22. San Francisco 49ers (1-1) LW 20

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) LW 21

24. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) LW 27

25. Denver Broncos (1-1) LW 32

26. Cleveland Browns (1-1) LW 30

27. Carolina Panthers (0-2) LW 31

28. Minnesota Vikings (0-2) LW 25

29. Miami Dolphins (0-2) LW 22

30. Seattle Seahawks (0-2) LW 28

31. Indianapolis Colts (0-2) LW 29

32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) LW 19

NCAA Top 25 (Week 3)

1. Oklahoma Sooners (2-0) LW 1

In their first true test of the season, the Sooners passed with flying colors. It may not have been the blowout that I thought it would be, but Oklahoma looked good and is deserving of their #1 rankings. Landry Jones is the real deal and the defense is their usual stingy self. Watch out Big 12, the Sooners are for real.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) LW 2

Alabama made little work with North Texas in a dominant victory 41-0. The offense continues to improve in just the right time as they face off against an #9 Arkansas who is looking to prove that they are SEC Title contenders. However Alabama is just too good and should come out victorious in that match up.

3. LSU Tigers (3-0) LW 3

You don't see too many SEC games between two top 25 ranked teams on a Thursday night. However the Bayou Bengals relied on their top flight defense and mistake free offense to knock off a very good Mississippi State team. However that defense will have to deal with the high octane spread of #15 West Virginia which will give them one heck of a test. Its no rest for this team.

4. Boise State Broncos (2-0) LW 4

Toledo gave Ohio State everything they had and almost got the victory in Columbus. However they were no match for the Broncos at home. Boise State continues to roll. Kellen Moore lived up to his nickname (the Surgeon) and carved up the Rocket defense. Boise State should continue to roll until their match up against TCU later in the year.

5. Stanford Cardinal (3-0) LW 5

The match up between Nick Foles and Andrew Luck was thought to be a shoot out, but it was only Stanford that put up the points. The Cardinal defense looked good against a good offense, but they do deal with the lose of LB Shayne Skov who is a big time player. But this team is a lot deeper than people think. UCLA is their next victim as we await the big time match up against Oregon.

6. Wisconsin Badgers (3-0) LW 6

Wisconsin is clearly the class of the Big 10 and a big part of that is the offense that has gone from predictable (but still good) and an explosive attack that can beat you from anywhere. QB Russell Wilson threw for over 300 yards in their win against Northern Illinois. I know it was NIU, but when was the last time a Wisconsin QB did that?

7. South Carolina Gamecocks (3-0) LW 7

Navy gave them a scare, but when push came to shove the Gamecocks made the plays when they needed to and got the win against a very tough match up. Gamecock fans would like them to win these games more convincingly, but these close wins could be what they need to get them ready for the SEC. But its going to be hard for any team to stop Marcus Lattimore.

8. Oregon Ducks (2-1) LW 8

It wasn't a surprise that against FCS Missouri State the Ducks put up a bunch of points and LeMichael James put up big stats. But now the Ducks will be starting off Pac 12 play and their match ups will be a lot tougher than against the Bears. But everything all falls to their November 12th game against Stanford which will be their shot at a 3rd straight Pac 12(10) Championship.

9. Arkansas Razorbacks (3-0) LW 9

Troy gave the Razorbacks all kind of fits, but they got out with a victory. However they can't have a game like this next week when they face off against Alabama. This will be their big chance to get a win over one of the SEC's elite and at their goal of a SEC Title. Don't believe they will do it, but their offense will be in for it against that Tide D.

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0) LW 10

Did anybody stay up to watch their game against Tulsa? Heck was anybody even there when they finished into the wee hours of the night/morning. But the Cowboys won the game and continue their warm up before conference games start. This upcoming week they get their first big match up against #12 Texas A&M. The winner of this game puts them into the position to challenge Oklahoma for the Big 12 Championship.

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0) LW 12

The Huskers are known for the defense and after three games there are some question marks. But HC Bo Pelini is a defensive mastermind, so don't expect this to last all season. But unlike the defense, the offense is starting to take shape. QB Taylor Martinez is starting to get comfortable in the system and it showed with 51 points over a Washington which isn't good, but isn't bad. Thier match up in two weeks against Wisconsin should be a preview of the Big 10 Championship.

12. Texas A&M Aggies (2-0) LW 13

Lost in the whole A&M to the SEC talk, the Aggies are playing some good football. They didn't start off to strong, but they got their ducks in order in a 30 point win against Idaho. But it will be their showdown with Oklahoma State next weekend that tells us what type of team the Aggies really are. Top 10 team or just a middle of the road Big 12 team? Should be a fun one to watch.

13. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0) LW 14

VaTech continues their roll through their non-conference schedule with a win over Arkansas State. It wasn't pretty, but the Hokies got the job done. Look for a lot of that this year. They are a talented team, but will grind out wins with their running game and a tough defense. This weekend they face off against Marshall before a huge game against Clemson who will be coming off of a big game against Florida State.

14. Florida State Seminoles (2-1) LW 11

I didn't really drop Florida State far because I never really bought into their hype. They are a very talented team that might be a year away from being a contender. But they did do a lot better job than I thought they would and a big part of that was their defense. If the Noles can get past a red hot Clemson team this weekend they'll be in a good position. But it's not going to be easy.

15. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-0) LW 16

The Mountaineers got a big win against a Maryland team that hasn't looked to bad this year. Geno Smith keeps improving and had a career game throwing for 388 yards. However those yards are going to be hard to come by this weekend when they face off against #3 LSU and arguably the best defense in the nation. If Geno can limit his mistakes they could have a shot. But the Tiger D is very opportunistic.

16. Florida Gators (3-0) LW 19

A lot of people thought that Tennessee could knock off Florida, but the Gators showed that they aren't that far removed from being a National Title contender. Charlie Weis has this offense humming and he is getting the most out of John Brantley and Chris Rainey. But we'll see how good they really are when Alabama comes to the swamp in two weeks.

17. South Florida Bulls (3-0) LW 23

The Bulls got outplayed in South Bend in week 1 and were lucky to get out of there with the win. However they haven't looked back since and have looked very good. Hanging 70 on Florida A&M was no joke. The team is lead by talented QB BJ Daniels and looks like a team that could win their first Big East Title if they continue this momentum.

18. Clemson Tigers (3-0) LW NR

Dabo Sweeney had his Mike Gundy moment this past weekend when the Tigers ended the longest active winning streak that Auburn had from last year. Clemson has always had the potential to be a good team, but always lost the big games. Their win against Auburn was a great start. However now they have to face off against Florida State who just got off a tough loss to Oklahoma. FSU better have Oklahoma off their mind or Clemson could make them pay.

19. Baylor Bears (2-0) LW 22

Baylor is a team that can't wait for conference play to start. They had a great opening win over TCU, but with a bye week right after and then a game against Stephen F. Austin doesn't really get you a lot of national attention. A game against Rice won't either. But they do get wins and keep moving up the polls when other teams lose.

20. Texas Longhorns (3-0) LW 20

The Longhorns avenged their loss last season to the Bruins and did it behind new QB Case McCoy. Switching from Garrett Gilbert to McCoy has breathed some new life into the team and has the offense looking much better. Now let's see if the Longhorns can keep avenging last season's losses when they face off against Iowa State who is 3-0 for the first time in a while.

21. TCU Horned Frogs (2-1) LW NR

After starting the season off ranked in the middle of the top 25 the Horned Frogs find themselves back in the mix. They got a big win against an Air Force team that is a lot better than people give them credit for. This past week they took care of business in their win against Louisiana-Monroe. TCU looks a lot more comfortable and are settling in with their new players.

22. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1) LW 17

The Buckeyes just can't get their suspended players soon enough. After a solid first two games the Buckeyes offense really stalled against Miami where QB Joe Bauserman only completed 2 passes. Adding DeVier Posey, Dan Herron, and Mike Adams would really help out. However if Bauserman doesn't improve than it won't matter who comes back. Ohio State looked like they could challenge for the Leaders Division Championship but not anymore. They'll be lucky to be ranked at the end of the season.

23. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-0) LW NR

768 yards of offense. Yes, 768 yards. And just think that Kansas beat Georgia Tech last year. After a down year, the Yellow Jackets seem to be back on track but they'll have a big time match up this against a North Carolina team that is surprisingly 3-0 despite all the turmoil. If Tech can keep up their rushing attack they'll have no problem with the Tar Heels.

24. Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0) LW NR

When was the last time that you've seen the Fighting Illini ranked in the top 25? Probably not since Kurt Kitner was the QB and Ron Turner was the HC and they won the Big 10. But Ron Zook has done a good job and has one heck of a QB in Nate Scheelhaase. The dual threat QB has been a big part of the Illini success and helped them knock off previously ranked Arizona State. But the Illini have to show that they can win in conference. Something they have struggled to do consistently.

25. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-2) LW 25

Even though the Bulldogs lost two in a row, I couldn't drop them from he rankings. They are just too good of a team. And their losses where to LSU and Auburn. Not like it was FAU and North Texas. The Bulldogs should be able to rebound and will probably knock off a few SEC big dogs as the season progresses.

Dropped from Rankings: Central Florida Knights, Arizona State Sun Devils, Auburn Tigers

Heisman Watch (Week 3)

Well it only took three weeks for some shakeups to the rankings. The Oklahoma vs Florida State was the big game of the weekend but that wasn't the only fireworks. Where does everybody stand after three weeks? Lets find out!

1. Landry Jones QB Oklahoma

Last Week: 18-27 199 yards 1 TD 2 INTs 1 rushing TD Next Week: vs. Missouri

Comments: It wasn't the best statistical game of the week, but the bottom line is that Jones lead the Sooners to a big win over Florida State in a match up of top ranked teams. Now its not lot like Jones played bad. He accounted for both Sooner touchdowns and one of them was the go ahead score that helped propel them to victory. And he was in control throughout the game. Now Jones faces off against a reeling Missouri team that ended the Sooners prefect season last year. But look for Jones to meet Texas in Dallas for his next big time match up and another chance to show why he is a favorite take home the hardware.

2. Andrew Luck QB Stanford

Last Week: 20/31 325 yards 2 TDs Next Week: vs UCLA

Comments: In a match up of Pac 12 gunslingers it was Luck who came out of the game on top. His 325 yards increases his total to 786 yards in three games and his two TDs make it 8 on the season. Luck is proving that it wasn't just Jim Harbaugh that has led to his success. Luck is proving to everybody that he is the best quarterback in years. But it won't be till their match up against Oregon in October where he can show Heisman voters that he is the top player in all of college football.

3. Kellen Moore QB Boise State

Last Week: 32-42 455 5 TDs 1 INT Next Week: vs. Tulsa

Comments: Toledo gave Ohio State a run for their money in week 2, but they were no match for Boise State and Kellen Moore in a 45-10 win. "The Surgeon" was up to his old tricks carving up the rocket defense in route to a very impressive 455 yards. Now Moore has always put up big numbers, but this year he has taken it to a new level. But what makes this even more impressive is that Moore is doing this with a new set of receivers and with everybody trying to knock off the mighty Boise State Broncos. However its going to take a lot for Moore to overcome Andrew Luck and Landry Jones. But if Boise State can run the table, he has a chance.

4. Trent Richardson RB Alabama

Last Week: 167 yards 3 TDs Next Week: vs Arkansas

Comments: After a low rushing output in the first game of the season, Richardson has really stepped up his game. In a huge blowout win against North Texas Richardson was unstoppable. His 167 yards was a career high. This Alabama offense continues to improve and Alabama has the makings of another National Championship. This upcoming weekend will be Richardson's toughest test. Arkansas comes to Alabama looking to knock em off. However Arkansas isn't known for their defense, so look for Richardson to continue his roll.

5. Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin

Last Week: 23-32 347 yards 3 TDs 1 INT Next Week: vs. South Dakota

Comments: Russell is a new comer to the rankings, but he has been nothing short of impressive for the Badgers. Wisconsin has always been known for a power running attack where the QB was mainly there to hand the ball off. But Wilson's presence has taken them to new heights. The Badger offense is now an explosive attack that can score at any moment. And with the Big 10 not looking the greatest so far, the Badgers could be on their way to a Big 10 Championship and a possible National Title. But what makes Wilson even more impressive is how bad NC State has looked without him.

Keep an Eye on

Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State

Once a contender for the trophy, but Blackmon just hasn't had the season that many thought he'd be having. Now it isn't any fault of his own, defenses are keying in on him and QB Brandon Weeden is going elsewhere. Now I'm not ready to say Blackmon is done, but he is going to need a huge game in College Station against Texas A&M to get some buzz back.

Robert Griffin III QB Baylor

I really want to have RG3 in the top 5, but have we heard much from the talented QB lately? Ever since Baylor's big win against TCU they haven't been on TV and Griffin just isn't getting the buzz you need to win a Heisman Trophy. A big reason is playing the likes of Rice and Stephen F. Austin. Griffin needs Big 12 conference play to start soon.

LeMichael James RB Oregon

Despite 231 yards of total offense James is still hurting from his bad game against LSU. For James to get back into the mix the Ducks are going to have to beat Stanford and have Luck and Landry Jones to struggle. Just don't see it happening.

Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina

With 246 yards and 3 TDs Marcus Lattimore has picked up where he left off last year. Lattimore is arguably the best running back in the nation and a big reason why South Carolina is a legit contender for an SEC Championship. However he'll only go as far as his team will. If the Gamecocks can knock off the SEC elite then could we see another running back taking home the hardware?

David Wilson RB Virginia Tech

88 yards and a touchdown isn't really the type of stats we've been use to seeing out of Wilson, but VaTech continues to roll and as long as they are undefeated he'll be a dark horse candidate for New York.

Spotlight: Jay Cutler

He is one of the most polarizing players in all of football. Well kinda, turns out a majority of people just flat out don't like him. Come to think about it, is Jay Cutler the most disliked quarterback in NFL history? When Cutler was injured in the NFC Championship game Twitter was ablaze with players, media, and fans tearing him apart. But why is Culter so hated?

Some don't like him for what happened in Denver (Mark Schlerith), some don't like him because they felt he quit in that conference championship game, but a majority of people don't like Cutler because of his sideline demeanor. People talk all the time about how Cutler's pouty attitude is bad for the team. That he can't be a leader doing that. Everybody things/says that Cutler needs to change if he wants to be successful or win a Super Bowl. But I don't. A friend recently asked me what my thoughts on Cutler were. Here is what I told him.

Cutler is who he is. He isn't a rah rah guy. Never has been. He's a competitive, emotional person. Does he pout? Yes. Does he throw a lot of interceptions? Yeah (so does Eli Manning, but we never talk about that). People want Cutler to change. They want him to be like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees. But that's not who he is.

When people were blasting Cutler during the NFC Championship Game they were mad because he wasn't involved. Because he was sitting there disinterested. But wouldn't you? Just think about it. You are the starting QB one game away from the Super Bowl. Playing against a team that you've beaten once and almost beat a second time. You've been sacked 52 times during the regular season, and during this game you've been knocked around too. On one of those hits you tear a ligament in your knee. You try to go out and play on it, and it's not working. You get pulled from the game. Wouldn't you be pissed? I sure as hell would be? Yeah I would want to still want the team to win the game and have my teammates play well, but when you can't help, you aren't the most positive person on that sideline. So when a guy is healthy and playing isn't the most positive rah rah guy. Why would he be when he is hurt and can't go back in the game? Now I still feel that the Bears organization was a big reason for the lack of information that should have come out. Why they said that he was questionable is beyond me. Its not like the Packers are listening to the TV broadcast. Why the trainers didn't put ice on the knee either? They caused a lot of this backlash. But I just don't get why everybody has to keep trashing this guy. He is who he is. If you don't like him good, but to keep rehashing on old news gets (well) old.

Now that a new season has started, Cutler looked good in his first game against Atlanta. He threw for 312 yards and had 2 touchdowns. He did have an interception but that was on a tipped pass which isn't necessarily his fault. He is also doing this without a true #1 WR. Heck maybe not even a #2.

Am I a Jay Cutler apologist? Am I making excuses for him? Maybe, but I think we need to just give Jay a break. And just let him play. He is in his second year under Mike Martz and as long as the offensive line gives him time he could enjoy his best season as a pro.

NFL Power Rankings (Week 1)

1. Green Bay Packers (1-0)

While other teams were going out and spending this off-season the Packers got a lot of talent back from injury. And an already good team has gotten better and that showed in their thrashing of NFC power New Orleans.

2. New England Patriots (1-0)

Tom Brady is up to his old tricks again. Throwing all over the poor Dolphins secondary. However Billicek has to be concerned that Chad Henne was able to throw all over their secondary. Maybe they shouldn't have cut two of their top safeties.

3. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)

Their manhandling of the Steelers has to put the rest of the AFC on notice. Forcing 7 turnovers against a good defense is quite the feat. If their offense continues to improve we could be seeing the AFC favorites.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)

After shacking some early game jitters the Eagles took control of the game and showed the explosive offense we've thought they'd have all along. Look for the Eagle to continue to struggle at times as they get use to all their new parts.

5. New York Jets (1-0)

The Jets were able to escape week 1 with a win over a team that they should have dominated. However I'm still not sold on their offense. They have to get better on both sides of the ball if they want to back up their head coaches lofty expectations.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)

Pittsburgh was clearly not as focused as the Ravens were this off-season and it showed in their week 1 match up. The Steelers have never been tossed around like that before. But look for this game to be a wake up call and the old Steelers should return soon.

7. New Orleans Saints (0-1)

In a very active off season, the Saints looked to have improved their defensive line and at running back. However it wasn't enough to beat the defending Super Bowl Champions. If the Saints want to make it back to the Super Bowl they are going to have to start generating more takeaways which they didn't do against the Packers.

8. Chicago Bears (1-0)

How old does their defense look now? Their offensive line which has been a issue for the past couple of years looked much better and Cutler only got sacked 5 times but the line played well enough for Matt Forte and Devin Hester to make the big plays that help them get the win. This looks like a team that could make it back to the NFC Title game for a second straight year.

9. Houston Texans (1-0)

With Peyton Manning out the Texans have the chance to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. What also helps out is that the Texans finally have a defense that can win a game for them. Wade Phillips is showing why he is one of the best defensive minds in football.

10. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)

The Falcons continue their slide that started last season. The offense got away from what it does the best (running the football) and the defense is having trouble tackling. Atlanta put all their eggs in the basket for this season, so they need to get things fixed before it gets worse.

11. San Diego Chargers (1-0)

One of the biggest issues the Chargers had last year was their special teams units. So what happens this year? 1st kick off of the year gets returned 101 yards and they lose their kicker to an ACL injury. However behind the strong play of Mike Tolbert they were able to come back and win the game.

12. Detroit Lions (1-0)

Detroit has a lot of hype going into this season and winning on the road is a great place to start. QB Matt Stafford showed what he is capable when healthy. The big thing is whether the offensive line is good enough for him to stay healthy.

13. Buffalo Bills (1-0)

This is my dark horse sleeper of the year. I absolutely loved their draft and believe those picks will help their defense out tremendously this season. Add in that Ryan Fitzpatrick might make Chan Gailey look like a genius for trusting in him.

14. Arizona Cardinals (1-0)

Kevin Kolb is going to be the key to this season. But if he keeps playing like he did in week 1 then this team has a shot to make it back to the playoffs. However the defense can't give up that many point.....especially to teams like the Panthers and a rookie QB.

15. New York Giants (0-1)

Normally I'd be a lot harder on the Giants for losing that game, but with all the injuries they've had this season its going to be rough. Teams are going to eat their depleted defense up all season long. That and Eli Manning throwing picks.

16. St. Louis Rams (0-1)

The Rams looked like they were about to knock of the "Dream Team" but injuries to Sam Bradford and Stephen Jackson halted the offenses production and the defense simply couldn't make a stop. Bradford looks like he'll be fine, but the Rams cannot afford to lose Stephen Jackson to injury. He is too valuable to them.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)

Much like the rest of the teams in their division, they lost their game. However they did put up a fight and still look like a team that could challenge for a playoff spot. But the secondary is going to have to do a better job then they did against the Lions.

18. Oakland Raiders (1-0)

What a pillow fight on Monday Night Football. Maybe it was the rain, but both the Raiders and the Broncos looked awful. Luckily Darren McFadden plays for the Raiders and he had a monster game. If he can stay healthy for once, he could challenge for the league rushing title.

19. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)

So sad for the Chiefs. They exceeded everybody expectations last year with great play from their rookies, had another solid draft class, and then brought in a bunch of free agents to fill their holes. But it was all for not because they got blown out at home to the Bills. Plus it got worse when start safety Eric Berry is out for the season with an injury.

20. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)

What a way for Jim Harbaugh to get his first victory. Ted Gin Jr. saved the day with two returns for touchdowns in a game where Seattle was starting to make a comeback.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)

When they cut David Garrard the week leading up to their first game I didn't think they'd have a shot. However behind a strong running game and a defense that held all world RB Chris Johnson in check. Don't expect big things from the Jaguars, but their win is commendable.

22. Miami Dolphins (0-1)

Good news is that the offense looked better and more explosive than previous years. Chad Henne's 416 yards 2 TDs and only 1 INT tells a lot. But the bad news is that the defense couldn't stop a JV team. The Dolphins got no pressure on Brady and he torched their secondary. If they want to be competitive they are going to need to fix those issues.

23. Tennessee Titans (0-1)

With the Colts down the Titans have a shot to win their first conference title in a while. However a loss to the Jaguars is not a great place to start. Somebody needs to step up on offense to take the load off of Chris Johnson who is going to be slow after holding out all of training camp.

24. Dallas Cowboys (0-1)

It actually looked like the Cowboys were going to pull off a big victory over the Jets, but then Tony Romo did what Tony Romo always does. Fail in the clutch. The Cowboys hype has them challenging for the playoffs, but reality will be more like last year. Right around the bottom of the league.

25. Minnesota Vikings (0-1)

The Vikings played better than I thought they would, but they are still an old team that didn't get better over the off season. I also found it funny during the FOX broadcast that they referred to the Vikings o-line as elite. When will people realize that this team isn't as good as they were two years ago?

26. Washington Redskins (1-0)

By starting Rex Grossman it looked like the Redskins were going to tank the season so they could get Andrew Luck. However in their opener against the Giants they went out and won. Maybe the players didn't get the memo from the front office?

27. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)

Marvin Lewis said that this team would be better than last year. Maybe he wasn't blowing smoke when he said that. Their win against the Browns was a good first step. We'll see if they can continue it.

28. Seattle Seahawks (0-1)

Poor special teams was the culprit of their loss against the 49ers. In a conference that is up in the air, you can't loose games like that. Getting Sidney Rice and Robert Gallary back will do a lot for an offense that seemed to struggle....or maybe that was just Tarvaris Jackson.

29. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)

I know that without Peyton Manning that the Colts would struggle. But nobody saw them quitting already. If Manning doesn't come back this season its going to be brutal in Indianapolis and the Colts will more than likely be picking in the top 10.

30. Cleveland Browns (0-1)

Their loss to the Bengals is a big blow. For a team that many thought would be improved, took a big step back. What is worse is that Colt McCoy looked awful. However they face off against the Colts next week and have a chance to get back on track.

31. Carolina Panthers (0-1)

Cam Newton has exceeded every body's expectations with how good he has played so far. But this is still a very flawed team and will be competing for the #1 overall pick.

32. Denver Broncos (0-1)

The Broncos are a better team than they were last year, but they still have some major issues on their team. Mainly along the defensive line. Losing that game against the Raiders was just flat out ugly. I wasn't high on this team after the draft and their first game confirms my suspensions.