Player Profile: Cyrus Kouandjio

Height:  6'6
Weight:  310
School:  Alabama
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking:  #6 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  Day 2

Strengths
-Ideal size (6'6) and length for the tackle position
-Experienced.  Started two years (28 games) at left tackle in the SEC. 8 more games played in 2011
-Does a good job of getting set up in pass protection
-Good footwork allows him to slide side to side to mirror pass rushers.
-Active hands helps to keep the defender from getting to his body.
-Does a good job of locking a pass rusher down when he gets his hands on them.
-Understands how to use his big body to shield defenders from the ball
-Fires off the ball in the run game getting to the defender
-Does a good job of getting into position in the run game and creating holes for the running backs
-Is able to lock down a defender in the run game once he gets his hands on them.
 
Weaknesses
-Not the overpowering run blocker you would think.  Does more walling off
-Isn't a great athlete.  Struggles against speed rushers
-Inconsistent pad level.  Will get too high
-Doesn't have a great anchor.  Can be pushed back
-Has a hard time getting blockers in the open field.  Will whiff at times
-Does have some durability concerns.  Past knee and shoulder injuries
-Failed his medical testing at the combine

Summary
Cyrus Kouandjio does a lot of good things that NFL teams are going to want out of their offensive tackles.  Despite not being a great athlete, Kouandjio is a talented pass protector.  He makes up for a lack of elite quickness and agility with good footwork to mirror defenders and knowledge of how to use his body to shield defenders.  A common misconception about Kouandjio is that he is a powerful run blocker.  That's not the case as he won't move most defenders off their spot.  Instead he does a good job of getting leverage and walling off defenders to open up run lanes.  This might mean he would be a better fit in a zone scheme.  Overall Kouandjio is a talented tackle, but he isn't going to really wow you.  He has the ability to be a quality left tackle in this league, but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up playing only right tackle. He was thought to be somebody to go in the late first round, but his performance at the Combine and the fact that he failed medical tests puts up some red flags. With all that said it's a true mystery where he'll be drafted.  He could still go in the late 1st to a team like Carolina.  Or he could fall all the way to the 3rd round. 

Player Profile: Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams

Height:  6'3
Weight:  323
School:  Alabama
Position:  Defensive Tackle
Ranking:  #2 Nose Tackle
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Has the ideal size and bulk for the defensive tackle position
-Good speed for his size (4.84 40)
-Quickly fires off the ball and initiates contact
-Scheme flexability.  Can play 3-4 NT and DE or NT in the 4-3
-Displays a strong bull rush that can drive lineman back into quarterback
-Strong anchor.  Very hard to move off spot
-Great motor.  Never gives up on a play. 
-Good tacker.  Won't whiff on the ball carrier
-Football IQ continues to improve.  Finds the ball carrier easily
-Extremely tough and plays with a mean streak

Weaknesses
-No pass rush ability
-Struggles to shed blocks
-Short arms (32") makes it tough to keep lineman off his body
-Inexperienced.  Only started playing football at age 15
-A little too top heavy which causes balance issues
-Lacks good lateral quickness
-Injury concerns (knees, shoulder, concussion)
-Can get too aggressive and over pursue

Summary
In a league where the 3-4 defense is such a common place, prospects who can project to play the nose tackle spot are in demand.  Jesse Williams is one of those players.  Williams comes into the NFL with the experience playing in the 3-4 defense while at Alabama where he played both the defensive end and nose tackle spots.  However his game doesn't translate well to the nose tackle spot in the NFL.  Williams has good speed and initial quickness he uses to attack the offensive line and disrupt.  In one on one situations he is very tough to block.  He has a good bull rush that he uses to push lineman back and has a strong anchor to hold his ground.  However when he faces a double team which he'll see as a 3-4 nose tackle he struggles to disengage blockers and often is seen going down to a knee.  Part of this could be from the lack of lower body strength and short arms.  Williams would be much better off in a 4-3 defense in the nose tackle spot where he will see more one on one battles and can use his straight line speed and quickness to disrupt, rather than take on blockers.  However because the nose tackle spot is so important Williams will probably still be drafted to that position.  Look for a team like Philadelphia, San Diego, or the New York Jets to take a long look at him in the early part of the second round. 

Player Profile: Barrett Jones

Barrett Jones

Height:  6'5
Weight:  302
School:  Alabama
Position:  Center or Guard
Rank:  #1 Center
Projection:  Top 40

Strengths
-Versatile.  Has played Left Tackle, Guard, and Center for Alabama
-Experienced.  41 starts on one of the best offensive lines in college football.
-Accomplished.  Outland Award (top overall lineman) as a LT and Rimmington Award (Best Center) Winner
-Great character.  Very active off the field.  Team player (willing to move positions so often)
-Ideal Height (6'5)
-Fundamental sound.  Uses excellent technique to mask athletic disadvantages
-Knows how to use his hands well.  Good placement.
-Extremely intelligent.  Always knows assignments and very good at making calls.
-Works hard and is always getting better.  Student of the game.
-Can get nasty when he needs to.
-Mentally tough
-Natural Knee bender

Weaknesses
-Not the greatest athlete.
-Durability.  Shoulder, ankle, and foot have all been issues.
-Could stand to add more weight
-Struggles against speed rushers
-Shorter arms make him less likely to play LT in the NFL
-Doesn't have elite speed.

Summary
It's safe to say that Barrett Jones doesn't necessarily pass the eye ball test.  He doesn't have the elite body size or athletic ability that other offensive line prospects.  However Barrett Jones is a gamer that just knows how to get the job done.  He isn't an elite athlete, but he makes up for it by being highly intelligent and having excellent technique.  Jones is a student of the game and is always learning.  He is great at picking up line stunts and blitzes.  Jones also brings a versatility that no other prospect can offer.  Jones has played left tackle, guard, and center.  Jones was the Outland Trophy for best offensive lineman in college football as a LT and then won the Rimmington Award for best center this past year.  Nobody can say they've won those prestigious awards for two separate positions.  Also factor in that Jones preformed at a high level in the SEC shows that he is truly a gamer.  Jones is probably best suited to play center in the NFL because his high football IQ and leadership.  However Jones could also play guard and be successful too.  If it wasn't for a some nagging injuries in his past and a stress fracture in his foot we could see Jones go in the early 20s.  However Jones probably goes in the early second round.  A team to watch is Baltimore at #32 who could be looking for a new center to replace Matt Birk.

Player Profile: Chance Warmack

Chance Warmack

Height:  6'2
Weight:  325
School:  Alabama
Position:  Guard
Position Rank:  #1 Guard
Projection:  Top 20 Pick

Strengths
-Experienced.  Started every game since his sophomore year.
-Incredibly strong and very powerful
-Moves well for his size.  Very good at moving laterally on pulls.
-Durable.  No injury issues
-Natural Knee bender. 
-Fires off the ball.  Very good quickness.
-Very good anchor.  Rarely gets knocked back.
-High football IQ.  Easily picks up twists, stunts, and blitzes. 
-Powerful punch that rocks back defenders.
-Does well pulling and attacking in the second level.
-Never lets up.  Doesn't take plays off.
-Plays through the whistle.

Weaknesses
-Doesn't have the ideal height (only 6'2)
-Little on the heavy side.
-Can get too high at times.

Summary
Chance Warmack is an extremely talented guard and the best we've seen since Steve Hutchinson in the 2001 draft.  There is a lot to like about Warmack.  For a guy that weighs over 320 lbs, he moves really good and is an excellent puller.  Just watch the National Title Game.  Alabama routinely had Warmack pull and blew up Manti Te'o giving big holes for their running backs.  Warmack is also very powerful and physically moves defenders off their spot.  There really isn't a lot of weaknesses in Warmack's game and you really have to dig or nitpick to find something wrong. If we are ever going to see an guard go in the top 10, this could be there year.  Warmack is considered to be one of the five best players in this draft.  But the big problem is that he's a guard and not a left tackle.  So some teams may find it hard to take him really high because guards aren't valued as high as QBs, LTs, or DTs.  But Warmack won't have to wait too long to hear his named called as he'll be picked somewhere in the 7-16 range.  If he does fall it will be a shock to see him go past the Bears at #20 who need offensive line help badly. 

College Kickoff (Week 9)

Games of the Week

#16 Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-0) at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)
For both teams this might be the toughest team they'll both have faced.  Alabama has had a tougher schedule, but they have been blowing everybody out.  Mississippi State is also undefeated but their toughest game was Tennessee.  The winner of this game will control their own destiny and be atop the SEC West standings.  Can Mississippi State's offense score enough points on Alabama's defense to win the game? Or will Alabama assert their dominance over a Bulldog team that won against lesser competition? One thing is for sure, we'll know for sure how good Mississippi State is after this one.
Prediction:  Mississippi State 13 Alabama 35


#4 Florida Gators (7-0) vs #14 Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)  In Jacksonville
Florida is riding high after consecutive wins over South Carolina, LSU, and Texas A&M while Georgia is looking to prove that the South Carolina loss was just a fluke.  A win here would practically give the winner the SEC East Title if they continue to win out.  Florida has made their success behind a good defense and a power running game.  But that could play into Georgia's hand because the strength of their defense is up the middle.  The key to this game could be the play of Georgia QB Aaron Murray.  If he can get the Bulldog offense going, they have a great shot to pull the upset.  But they can't afford to get down big early like they did against South Carolina. 
Prediction:  Florida 17 Georgia 10


#23 Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-1) at #5 Kansas State Wildcats (7-0)
Both of these teams are coming off blowout wins over West Virginia and looking to stake claim to the lead in the Big 12.  You would think that this would be a shootout because of how good each offense is playing.  But lost in all of that, both defenses are actually playing at a high level too.  Will Texas Tech be able to slow down Kansas State's rushing and Heisman front runner Collin Klein?  Can Kansas State's secondary slow down the Red Raider passing attack?  I have a feeling the defense that makes the biggest play will win this game.
Prediction:  Texas Tech 20 Kansas State 34


#3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-0) at #8 Oklahoma Sooners (5-1)
Even with the two SEC games this week, this is the game of the week.  Both teams are in the hunt for the National Title and need to win this game to stay in the race.  This will be a battle between the Irish Defense vs the Oklahoma offense.  The winner of this battle will win the game.  The Irish defense has played as one of the best in the nation.  Their front 7 is playing at a high level and have the ability to shut down the Sooner running game.  If there is a weakness it could be the Irish secondary.  QB Landry Jones has improved, but at this point can you trust him in a close game?  If Notre Dame's defense can keep playing well and the offense can run the ball like they did against BYU they can win this game.  Oklahoma will need a big game from Landry.  They go as he goes.
Prediction:  Notre Dame 21 Oklahoma 20


#22 Michigan Wolverines (5-2) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-2)
The winner of this game basically wins the Legends Division.  Michigan right now is undefeated in Big 10 play while Nebraska's only conference loss is to Ohio State.  Nebraska under HC Bo Pelini has struggled against mobile QBs and in last year's meeting the Huskers defense struggled to contain Dennard Robinson.  If the Huskers defense can contain him like they did Kain Colter last weekend they should do well.  Another thing to remember is that the game is played in Lincoln at night.  Nebraska has won their past four night games in Memorial Stadium and overall are pretty tough to beat in that environment. 
Prediction:  Michigan 42 Nebraska 31

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Coaching Hot Seat

Jeff Tedford, California

Career Record:  82-52
8 Bowl Appearances

Tedford has been a coach whose seat has been getting warmer every year.  Tedford came to Cal with the reputation of being a QB guru.  He tutored the likes of Trent Dilfer, David Carr, Akili Smith, and Joey Harrington.  Things started out good for Tedford.  In his first year he took them from one win to seven.  From 2003-2006 the Bears won at least 8 games and even were ranked #2 at one point.  He was even Pac 10 coach of the year twice.  A big reason for the success early on was due to the ability to get top flight talent into the program.  Aaron Rodgers, DeSean Jackson, and Marshawn Lynch are just a few of the top players he's had. 

Things started to change in 2007.  That season they started off 5-0 but ended up losing 6 of their last 7 games and finished with a 7-6 record.  Also in 2010 they only won 5 games.  Coincide the amount of talent that has come to Berkely hasn't been the same.  Tedford has also lost some of his best coaches/recruiters to other schools. 

With all of this, the program has grown stale over the plast couple of years and there really doesn't seem to be any real impact players on the roster.  They are 3-5 on the season so far and they'll be lucky to make it to 5 wins.  With this downturn paired with Stanford and USC being top flight teams and UCLA on the move up could result in Cal administration feeling like they need to do something.

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What happened to....

Florida International Golden Panthers
If you checked out my preseason rankings, you'd see that I had FIU at #24.  Any why not.  They just came off an 8-5 year and were starting to play some really good football under HC Mario Cristobal.  The returned 17 or 22 starters with 10 of them being defense.  They were poised to roll through the Sun Belt and have a legit shot at an undefeated season. 

However this season has been a giant failure.  After losing their opener against Duke, FIU looked to get things back on track with a hard fought win over Akron.  However the Panthers have dropped their next 6 games and look to be settled into the last place in the Sun Belt.  The common thought that having to replace their starting QB and key pieces to the offense has been the issue.  But instead the defense (with 10 returning starters) has been the biggest concern.  The Panther defense is giving up an average of 37 points per game.  It's hard to win games when you have to score 40 points to win.

What's worse is that HC Mario Cristobal was a hot name in the coaching carousel.  He ended up turning down jobs to stay at FIU.  With a season like this, it could hurt his chances of getting the type of job he was being offered.

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How about....

Duke Blue Devils
When you think of Duke we all think of their basketball team and how successful that program is.  The exact opposite can be found in the football program.  There has been some success throughout Duke's history, but most of us know them as being a yearly bottom dweller in the ACC standings. 

However things have changed this year.  Under HC David Cutcliff the Blue Devils leading the Coastal Division with a 3-1 conference record and are already 6-2 on the season.  Even if they don't win another game this season, the Blue Devils are already Bowl Eligible and will go to their first bowl game since 1994.  That's pretty remarkable for a team that had a 22 game losing streak in the middle of that stretch. 

The Blue Devils are lead by senior QB Sean Renfree who has really taken a big step forward this year.  Renfree has thrown for 1,793 yards and 11 TDs so far this season.  His two favorite options are senior Conner Vernon and sophomore Jamison Crowder.

It will be interesting to see where Duke goes from here.  They'll have two tough ones in a row with Florida State and Clemson, but end the season against Georgia Tech and Miami.  If they can win two or three of those games it will be a huge season for the Blue Devils.  But even if they go 0-4 a bowl game will be a great treat for this team and it's fans.

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Player Spotlight

Jordon Poyer

Height:  5'11
Weight:  190
School:  Oregon State
Year:  Senior
Position:  Cornerback

One of the biggest reasons that Oregon State is having the success they are this year is the play of defensive standout Jordon Poyer.  Poyer who is a former safety who is only in his second true season as a cornerback.  Poyer is none for being a good athlete and his ability to match up with wide receivers and shadow them all over the field.  He has good ball skills and that has shown with his 5 INTs so far this year.  He even had 3 against Washington State, one of which he took back for 6 which sealed the game for the Beavers.  Poyer also returns kicks and punts for the Beavers. 

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.

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.

NCAA Top 25 (Week 2)

1. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) LW 1

The Sooners had the weekend off and will have two weeks of preparation to get ready for their match up with #11 ranked Florida State. The winner of this game will be well set up for the rest of the season. My bets are on the Sooners to get the win and continue their streak of being #1.

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

After a so-so game against Kent State, they had a much more impressive win over Penn State. It wasn't a blow out, but Alabama dominated the entire game. Defensively they isn't a better team. They forced turnovers and harassed the Penn State Qbs. Their offense continues to improve under AJ McCarron and that will only make the running game of Trent Richardson even better.

3. LSU Tigers (2-0) LW 3

LSU continues to roll on, easily taking care of in state Northwestern State University. The game wasn't close and LSU was able to get their starters out of the game early in preparation of their big Thursday matchup against SEC West rival Mississippi State. The LSU offense will also gets a big jolt with the return of dynamic WR Russell Shepard who returns from suspension. This game is crucial for both teams. An LSU win gives them an early lead in the toughest conference divison in college football.

4. Boise State Broncos (1-0) LW 4

A weekend off for the Broncos after their big win over Georgia allows the Broncos to rest up and focus on the remainder of their season. This week they travel to Toledo on Friday night who gave Ohio State a run for their money. There isn't many sure things in life, but Boise State winning weekday games in one of them.

5. Stanford Cardinal (2-0) LW 5

It was looking like Duke was going to give Stanford a game, but Andrew Luck and the defense took control and put the game out of control. Andrew Luck had another good game and matched his career high on 4 passing touchdowns. Next week Stanford faces off against Arizona who just got rolled by Oklahoma State. This should be a good Pac 12 opener for Stanford.

6. Wisconsin Badgers (2-0) LW 6

After manhandling UNLV and now Oregon State, the Badgers look like the team to beat in the Big 10. What makes them even more dangerous is that Russell Wilson has added another dimension to this offense. In previous years you could focus on the running game, but their passing game is just as dangerous. Watch out!

7. South Carolina Gamecocks (2-0) LW 7

Melvin Ingram with his two touchdowns was the star of the game for the Gamecocks. His fumble return and run on a fake punt helped South Carolina hold off Georgia for an early SEC conference win. South Carolina was outplayed by Georgia, but took advantage of some costly mistakes the Bulldogs made. However good teams find ways to win and South Carolina was no different here.

8. Oregon Ducks (1-1) LW 8

Oregon quickly bounced back after their tough loss to LSU with an big win against Nevada. Darren Thomas picked up where he left off with last week and threw for a very impressive 6 touchdowns. Next week the Ducks host Missouri State in what should be at least a 50 point victory and a chance for Oregon to pad their offensive stats.

9. Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0) LW 9

Another week, another over matched opponent, another big Arkansas win. Nothing special in this one. Taylor Wilson did whatever he wanted against a New Mexico team that could go win less this year. Next week the Razorbacks face off against Troy before facing Alabama in two weeks.

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-0) LW 11

Their game on Thursday night against Arizona was over pretty quick. QB Brandon Weeden threw for 397 yards and 2 touchdowns in the route. Next week Okie State faces off against in state Tulsa in what should be another blow out win before they match up with #13 Texas A&M in their Big 12 opener.

11. Florida State Seminoles (2-0) LW 12

I'm not has high on the Seminoles as a lot of other people, but you have to give them credit for how they have looked this year. Sure its been against Louisiana-Monroe and Charleston Southern, but they took care of business in both games in impressive fashion. However next week is a huge game for them. If the Seminoles want to be "back" they are going to have to knock off the #1 team in the nation. They struggled against them last year in Norman, but this year its in Tallahassee. A win could do a lot for the confidence of this young team.

12. Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0) LW 10

The Huskers won their game against Fresno State by a couple of touchdowns but they struggled for most of the game before pulling away late. I question Taylor Martinez and if he can lead this team against the Big 10's elite. But their vaunted defense really seemed to struggle against a team that played bad against Cal. This might have been just a bad game, but the Huskers still have some big questions to address. We'll see how they play against Washington next week.

13. Texas A&M Aggies (1-0) LW 13

A&M got a week off after their thrashing of SMU. Next week they face off against Idaho in what should be another blowout. The Aggies offense is loaded this year with talented QB Ryan Tannehill who has one of the best WRs in the nation in Jeff Fuller and two very talented RBs in Cyrus Gray and Chrstine Michael. But their defense will be the key to their season. How their defensive line plays will be if they are a Big 12 Title contender or if they'll be in the Cotton Bowl again.

14. Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0) LW 14

This win over East Carolina marks HC Frank Beamer's 200th career win. What an accomplishment for Beamer who has turned VaTech from a nobody into a constant BCS Bowl contender. In this game VaTech was able to pull out the win despite a poor performance, especially from QB Logan Thomas. However in typical VaTech fashion the defense stepped up and helped win this game. The Hokies are matched up with Arkansas State next week before starting their ACC conference play.

15. Michigan State Spartans (2-0) LW 16

How good was Michigan State's defense? They held Florida Atlantic to only one first down. Not in the first or second half. But for the entire game. Now I don't care who you play, that is impressive. Offensively the Spartans weren't impressive, but they didn't turn the ball over and took advantage of great field position all day long. Their next game is against Notre Dame who is coming off two straight losses. But State needed a fake field goal last year to win the game. Will this year be a barn burner again? We'll see.

16. West Virginia Mountaineers (2-0) LW 17

West Virginia went into halftime trailing 12-10 but rattled off 45 unanswered points to win 55-10 over Norfolk State. Geno Smith looked good for a second straight game throwing for 371 and 4 TDs. The Mountaineers are going to need two good half if they are going to win against Maryland who looked good in their win over Miami. This will be a great test for Geno Smith, Dana Holgerson and company.

17. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0) LW 21

Even though they needed to 4th down stop, the Buckeyes are better than I thought they would be. They beat Toledo 27-22 and that makes it 90 straight years they have beaten every Ohio school they have played. What is even better is that Joe Bauserman has taken control of the starting QB spot. Rotating or playing two QBs never really seems to work out. Look for Ohio State to continue to get better, especially when they get Dan Herron, DaVier Posey, and Mike Adams back. This will be a good Buckeye squad.

18. Central Florida Knights (2-0) LW 19

Central Florida exploded for 21 fourth quarter points to help put away a victory over Boston College. The Knight defense was the key to this game. They held Boston College to only 141 total yards. Central Florida isn't getting a lot of hype, but they are a very good team and their easy schedule could allow them to go undefeated. However next week they face off against Florida International who is coming off of a win against Louisville.

19. Florida Gators (2-0) LW 20

Another impressive win for a Florida team under first year head coach Will Muschamp. RB Chris Railey led the way with 182 total yards and a touchdown. Defensively they held UAB to a shut out. They look like a new team, however they schedule takes a turn for the worse. Tennessee is their next opponent and they are coming off a impressive win over Cincinnati and will give their rivals everything they have.

20. Texas Longhorns (2-0) LW 22

In a tough match up against BYU the Longhorns were looking like they were going to drop a tough loss. Mack Brown pulled ineffective Garrett Gilbert and inserted Chase McCoy. The younger brother of Colt McCoy came in and lead the Longhorns to a come from behind victory. McCoy was very effective in relief and looks to become the new starter. Texas is hoping he can do what his brother was use to doing and that was winning games. Next week they face off against UCLA and try to avenge a loss to the Bruins last year.

21. Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0) LW 23

The Arizona State Sun Devils were a team a lot of people expected good things from. Well they aren't letting people down on those expectations. In a big non conference game they beat previously ranked Missouri in overtime to start the season 2-0. Now they look to continue their roll against an Illinois team that is in the same position.

22. Baylor Bears (1-0) LW 24

Baylor fans are still riding high after their thrilling victory over TCU last week. Luckily they've had a week off to refocus themselves and get ready for the rest of their games. They play Stephen F. Austin next week and then Rice after that. Those two games they should win convincingly. They don't have a tough game till October 8th when they face an Iowa State team that just knocked off Iowa. It's time to get use to Baylor being ranked in the top 25.

23. South Florida Bulls (2-0) LW 25

After knocking off Notre Dame in a weird rain/lightning game the Bulls faced a much easier game against a sub par Ball State team. It was an easy matchup for the Bulls who never struggled. South Florida is an experienced team with a veteran QB. They were a fringe contender in the Big East, but they should challenge West Virginia and Pittsburgh for the right to go to a BCS game.

24. Auburn Tigers (2-0) LW NR

I'm still not sold on Auburn this year, but their victory over a very good Mississippi State team was impressive to say the least. Especially after they should have gotten beaten by Utah State. Michael Dywer did his best to get people to forget about Cam Newton with 150 yards rushing and 2 TDs. But Auburn is still not a good team. Their defense will be their Achilles heel. If they continue to play like they did this past weekend they might make me a believer.

25. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-1) LW 15

The Bulldogs from Mississippi State were a team that I thought could make a run and maybe sneak their way into the SEC Title game. However that won't happen after they dropped a bad loss to an Auburn team that I still think won't make a bowl game. Their rush defense was the biggest problem against Auburn and they have to fix that. Otherwise teams like Alabama will destroy them.

Dropped Out: Missouri Tigers