Upsets, Injuries, and Blowouts : The Week That Was in College Football

Welcome to the 2009 campaign, college football fans. Upsets, blowouts, and injuries can sum up the first week of the season. Not to mention, BCS National Championship dreams and Heisman hopes can be shattered in the course of an evening.

This first week of the NCAA football season was nothing short of spectacular.

The 9th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys hosted the 13th ranked Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, and gave fans one to remember.

Not only was Zac Robinson efficient, but Dez Bryant dazzled as well. Robinson was 11/22, 135 yds, and two touchdown lobs. It only seemed right that Dez Bryant was on the receiving end of both td slings from Zac, which helped the Cowboys defeat the visiting Bulldogs, 24 - 10. Kendall Hunter offered up 75 hard earned yards against Georgia's stellar defense, but the passing game proved to be too much to handle for the Dawgs. This game conveys a message to nay sayers that Zac Robinson is the real deal, and deserves Heisman consideration with the likes of McCoy, Snead, Tebow, and Bradford.

The 12th ranked California Golden Bears rolled over unranked Maryland, 52 - 13. The "Javihd Best" show was on display, as he tore the Terps defense for 137 yards on just 10 carries. Best also contributed with 2 touchdowns to aide Cal's cause. Kevin Riley, QB, didn't fail to amaze as he threw for 298 yards, 4 touchdowns, no picks. Riley evenly distrubuted the ball as the aerial attack bombed the Terps early and often. Three different Bear receivers had receptions for touchdowns, as Mr. Riley finished the day 17 of 26. Who says USC is in the driver's seat in the Pac 10 ? If there's any team that can give the Trojans a run for their money, it's the California Golden Bears.

This year may be the year of the running back, and Javihd Best solidified his spot in the Heisman Race with an exceptional opening day performance.

I now move on the biggest story in college football... BYU's upset over 3rd ranked Oklahoma. Perhaps overshadowing the Cougars one point win, is the fact that Sam Bradford suffered a shoulder sprain. Bradford could be out for as many as 2 - 4 weeks, and the Sooner faithful practically saw their season unravel before their eyes on Saturday night. The highest scoring offense in the history of NCAA football is now severly handicapped with the loss of former Heisman Trophy Winner (2008), and hopeful candidate in the 2009 contest. Boomer Sooner has been boomed with a shocking first game loss to the Brigham Young University Cougars, 14 - 13.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Virginia Tech Hoakies. This game lived up to all the hype, easily being the most entertaining and competitive game of the weekend. The 5th ranked Tide and the 7th ranked Hoakies hooked up Saturday night in Atlanta.  Key turnovers late in the game didn't help Tech's effort, and Alabama seemed to capitalize off each mis-que. Mark Ingram displayed power, grace, and agility as he sliced threw the Tech defense like a hot knife through butter. 26 carries, 150 yards, 1 touchdown... most importantly, a statement win, as the Tide roll, 34 - 24.

Under the radar ? Maybe. Capable ? Most definitely.

Jevan Snead and his 8th ranked Runnin' Reb's of Ole Miss took on their neighbor, Memphis, in an annual "border war". Snead has been mentioned in Heisman talk, but early in Sunday's game he looked less like a stud, and more like a bust.

Ole Miss got off to a shaky start against the Tigers, but managed to get it together late in the game. Jevan Snead heated up in the dwindling minutes of the 4th quarter to propel his Rebels to a huge win over Memphis, 45 -14. Snead was 12 for 22, 175 yards through the air, 2 touchdowns, most of which came in the fourth quarter. He managed to do this despite throwing two picks early in the game, and allowing the Memphis Tigers to stay close up until the very end. The very ugly end. Ole Miss seemed to score at will in the last seven minutes, and damaged the moral of the earlier excited Memphis football team. Ole Miss looks tough. Real tough. Put together an insanely fast LB corps., speedy secondary, and a mean front seven.... what do you get ? An SEC contender, that's what. Watch out Tim Tebow, you may not play the Rebels in the regular season, but you can count on seeing them in December for the Conference Championship.

This concludes the week that was... But I would like mention a player that earns some recognition. Michigan State's WR Blair White. The Spartan co-captain had 3 touchdowns and 162 yards. This was all done on 9 receptions. Sparty on, MSU walks all over the Bobcats of Montana State, 44 - 3.