A note of concern is the Gators O-line, as Tebow has to scramble to get out of some pressure. However, the Gators were missing some key players due to injuries, and the Warriors were totally dominated.
Verdict: Contender
Oregon
After losing star QB Dennis Dixon to the NFL and starter Nate Costa to a knee injury, things were looking a little scary for the Ducks. No problem. Just reload with Justin Roper, and then Jeremiah Masoli.
While they played cellar dweller Washington, they managed to overcome the uncertainty of Roper's status, as he sat on the sidelines wrapped in a blanket.
Verdict: On the fence
Georgia
The Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in both polls, and frankly, they don't deserve it. They "cruised" through their cupcake game against Georgia Southern, winning 45-21, but some questions remain.
For one, the Bulldogs let an FCS team score a TD in the third quarter and two in the fourth. Sure, two TDs were against the Dogs' scrubs, but the Dogs' scrubs are twice as good as Georgia Southern's first team.
Moreover, eight Georgia Southern players were suspended from the game—two of them projected starters—and Georgia Southern squandered opportunities in the Dawgs' red zone twice. The Dawgs are good, but they are beatable.
Verdict: Probable pretender
LSU
The defending champs just rolled over Appalachian State despite a serious storm approaching the Gulf Coast, completely shutting down Mountaineers QB Armanti Edwards and proving to everyone that they are not in rebuilding mode—it's reloading mode.
Harvard-transfer Andrew Hatch looked like the perfect leader for the Tigers, and LSU's D looked stingy. All in all, LSU makes a case for why defending champs should be ranked No. 1 until someone beats them.
Verdict: Contender
USC
On the road across the country, starting an inexperienced O-line and a QB seemingly recovered from a dislocated knee cap, and having to replace four first-round NFL draft picks seems a bit daunting for some teams. Not for this team.
Except for two big penalties that led to the Hoos' only TD and a fumble by McKnight on a punt return, the Trojans looked perfect. Mark Sanchez threw for 340 yards and finished 27 of 37 while the stable of running backs rushed for 218 yards, and the D held the Cavaliers to 32 total yards rushing.
Verdict: Contender
West Virginia
OK, I'll be the first to repeat this—a Big East or ACC champ will not go to the title game. This conference looks watered-down, and while the Mountaineers look to be the projected champ, it won't matter.
They led Villanova—a basketball school—34-7 before eventually winning 48-21, as Pat White threw for five TDs.
But can anyone explain how the Wildcats managed to outgain the Mountaineers, 399 to 354 yards? At one point, with 6:47 left in the second quarter, West Virginia led 14-7. Sorry Mountaineer fans, you didn't impress me.
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