College Football Roundtable: Week Eight

Week eight of the college football season is in the books, taking with it the national title hopes of the Miami Hurricanes. After a ridiculous overtime shootout loss to Clemson, it appears the Canes ACC hopes are out of reach. But don't feel too bad Coach Shannon, the Canes are stacked with young talent, and should be a force in the ACC for the next 2-4 years.

But the Canes aren't what we're here to discuss. After a stellar week of games, there's much to be analyzed, and once again we have our talented group of experts to give you the low-down. Josh Klein, Jonathan Fravel and Ian Peterson. Let's get to the questions.

1) What was the most impressive performance of the weekend?

Zachary Ball: I'm going to have to go with Pittsburgh's 31 point outburst in the first-half vs a decent South Florida defense. Expand that to Pittsburgh in general. The Panthers have won eight in a row for the first time since Dan Marino was at the helm. Dion Lewis is a lock as freshman of the year, and QB Bill Stull is definitely channelling a little Marino this season (16 TD 4 int).

Josh Klein: I’m going to have to go with Iowa’s last second drive against Michigan State this past weekend. Ricky Stanzi had not proven to be a clutch quarterback this season, but a huge come from behind victory on a slant pass with two seconds left in the game for the win proved differently. That may have been one of the most impressive game winning drives I’ve seen this season, even more impressive than USC’s winning drive against OSU. It seems fate is on the side of the Hawkeyes at least for now. Two very winnable games at home against Indiana and Northwestern and the Hawks should be 10-0 before the all important bout with the Buckeyes.

Ian Peterson: Gotta love Terrance Cody blocking that kick at the end of the game to give Alabama the win. I'm tabbing Alabama to win the SEC this year, and it will take performances like that to get into the title game, much less win it. They are going to need to figure out their offense though.

Jonathan Fravel: I would have to say the performance by the Tennessee Volunteers. They were two touchdown underdogs and with good reason. Down by nine with 3:29 to go on the game clock, they recovered the fumble, scored a touchdown, recovered a perfectly executed onsides kick, got into field goal position for a chance to upset the No. 1 (2) team in the country. Just fell short. In a span of three minutes, they moved the ball 74 yards on two possessions, used 15 plays and accumulated 22 percent of their total offensive production for the game. It was a nail biter and an exciting finish. It added to the lore of a great college rivalry, maybe the best rivalry in college football.

2) Who was the biggest disappointment of this past weekend?

Zachary Ball: Can't get any more disappointing than BYU's lack of offense against TCU. I thought the Horned Frogs would be able to keep Max Hall under some sort of control, but only one TD and 162 yards? Didn't see that coming.

Josh Klein: BYU’s lack of offense was disappointing but not as surprising as another game I watched this weekend. Even though Oklahoma’s defense is good, maybe even great, I thought Kansas would be able to move the ball well and score at least 20-30 points, but was held to only 13 points, 6 through three quarters. Todd Reesing may have had one of his worst home performances in his career, throwing three interceptions and finding almost no room to move down the field during the entire game. It was disappointing to once again see that the North is nowhere near the level of the South division.

Ian Peterson: Can I say my Huskies? Haha I'm actually surprised that Michigan rolled over as badly as they did against Penn State. I say this for two reasons, I have been impressed by Michigan thus far this season and decidedly the opposite for Penn State. I think Rich Rodriguez is taking too much risk by continuing to play Tate Forcier. The kid is talented, but he is beat up badly and needs so time to recuperate.

Jonathan Fravel: Miami. Hyped up by the media and should have been jacked up for the game. Clemson should be respected, they are a very good team. Spiller is probably the best back in the game, has nearly 1500 all purpose yards and is a scoring machine. Why is he not mentioned for the Heisman? Miami should fall below Ol' Miss. Why they are at No. 19 is unexplainable. They are not Top 20, in my opinion. They have one good win.

3) Anything jump out at you about this week's version of the BCS rankings?

Zachary Ball: Not only the drop in the rankings of Boise State, but also that of Cincinnati. Both teams put up impressive performances and won in blowouts of 45 and 31 points, respectively, but because they were playing teams with losing records, their victories were deemed less impressive than a last second win over .500 Michigan State team and a blowout against a team with an overrated QB who's one signature win came against a Sam Bradford-less (for the most part) Oklahoma team. Can you tell I'm a Boise State homer?

Josh Klein: Not so much of anyone moving downward, but the fact that TCUlooks primed to be the BCS buster this season even if Boise State goes undefeated. TCU jumped up to sixth in the BCS rankings after killing BYU, and Iowa stays at fourth. Interestingly enough, the only team with a loss in the top 8 – USC, to Washington. Something is wrong there. Oregon should be ahead of USC right now, their lone loss, to Number 7 Boise State.

Ian Peterson: I still think the computers have USC's position completely wrong, and that is forcing them down the pecking order. The Trojans have a lot of quality victories in a strong schedule. Their loss to UW doesn't look that great with the Huskies sitting at 3-5. Look for the Trojan fans to root for the Huskies to get to a bowl game this season after an 0-12 season.

Jonathan Fravel: No real beef with the polls at this point, particularly with the Top 15, minor adjustments maybe, but I'm no computer. Would put Pitt and Oklahoma State above Virginia Tech. USC could have dropped out of the Top 10, just under Oregon. But no matter, that match up is soon to be played out.

4) Do either Alabama or Florida have anything to worry about given their sluggish performances?

Zachary Ball: Not for the Crimson Tide. The Gators offensive performance the past three weeks has been sub-par, at best. Tim Tebow still looks as if he's bothered by his concussion and UF's lack of talent at the wide receiver position is becoming more and more apparent each week. Luckily for the Gators, their talent level at every other position is so far above their opponents each week that they can afford to have a weakness or two. Eventually they'll run into an opponent who will make them pay for it.

Josh Klein: Not really. Like I said last week, they both just know what they need to do to win. Florida really only has South Carolina to worry about and Alabama has even less, with their toughest game coming this weekend against LSU at home. They get by LSU they should be able to run the table into the SEC championship game.

Ian Peterson: Absolutely, they both do. I am probably more unimpressed by Florida than Alabama. Comparing the returning starters on both team's offenses, if favors Florida more to keep on rolling. Sure the loss of Percy Harvin was huge, but there are athletes on the team, they are letting it affect them too much. That or, we are seeing that Tebow is only as good as the cast around him. His numbers are not good, I don't care if he's such a great leader, he's out of Heisman contention as far as I'm concerned.

Jonathan Fravel: Both teams should be on upset alert weekly, both are vulnerable. Alabama will have a week to recover and scheme. They will follow up the break with a tough match up in the form of a Bengal Tiger. LSU may have found their offense against Auburn and they already have a tough defense. UGA will be prepared for the Gators. The Gators have owned the series as of late. Since 1990, Florida has an 18-3 record against the Dawgs. But the Dawgs have a good chance if they box in Tebow. Teams are getting closer and closer as the season wears on and Tebow runs out of options. If Spikes is back in, the UF defense will dominate.

5) On a neutral field who would win: TCU or Boise State?

Zachary Ball: Given that this is pretty much the same TCU team that beat pretty much the same Boise State team last year, I would be tempted to say the Horned Frogs would come out on top...but I just can't bring myself to say/type it. I think that Kellen Moore would use last year's loss (the only one of his career) as motivation and would make the Frogs defense pay, giving Boise State the win.

Josh Klein: I’m going to have to go with TCU on this one. To see what they did to Max Hall and BYU was amazing. I think they may be one of the best teams in the country, not just in the non-BCS. Would I be surprised to see Boise State win, no, but on a neutral field I have to go with TCU.

Ian Peterson: Boise State only because I feel that Chris Petersen is one of the best coaches in the country in preparing his team week to week. Sure they lost to TCU last year, but this is a new year and a different game. I think on a talent level they are about equal, so my gut would tell me that the game would center around who schemed and coached the best.

Jonathan Fravel: Boise State wins. They are tested and have shown excellence for three years, and still going. Petersen is a great coach and prepares his teams well. TCU is a very good team this year. They have more to prove.

6) Who's the better team: Iowa or Cincinnati?

Zachary Ball: This question basically boils down to this: which is better, Iowa's offense or Cincinnati's defense? No doubt, the Bearcats have the better, more explosive offense, no matter who's got the reins. And the Hawkeyes clearly have the better defense. If I were forced to chose one, I would say that Iowa is the slightly better team of the two, and clearly the voters who jumped the Hawks over Cincy agree. With a 100% healthy Tony Pike, though, I might call my decision into question.

Josh Klein: Great question. I really have no idea, I would love to see them play each other. However, it seems that Iowa has a better defense. I would have to go with Hawkeyes. Like Florida and Alabama, Iowa just knows how to win games, and Stanzi may be turning into a big game quarterback. Win against Ohio State, and I think this conversation is mute.

Ian Peterson: I say Cincinnati because I still am unsure about Iowa. Too many close games down the stretch there for them. As for Cincinnati, they lose their starting quarterback and still torch the competition. Brian Kelly is an up and coming name in the coaching ranks. 

Jonathan Fravel: Cincinnati has more speed and finesse. They are well coached but have not played very tough opposition. Iowa, is strong, have played well on the road and just know how to win. The win over MSU showed grit. It's a tough call but I think the Big 10 gets the nod over the Big East.

7) In your opinion, who has done the best coaching job so far this season?

Zachary Ball: Prior to this week's games I might have been tempted to go with Idaho's Robb Akey, who's getting all sorts of love for the job he's done with the Vandals, who were 3-21 the past two seasons, only to rebound to start this season 6-2. I think I'm going to have to go with Iowa's Kirk Ferentz though. His boys look like they're trying to find ways to get in big holes, only to work their way back to earn victory after victory. It's easy to credit one or two close wins in a season to the players, but the way Iowa is playing this year, all credit has to go to Ferentz.

Josh Klein: Like Zachary I would have gone with Idaho’s Robb Akey had the Vandals not been torched by Nevada for 70 points in Reno. They are still a decent team, but need a defense badly. Kirk Ferentz is the right choice for all the reasons Zachary pointed out, but if I were to picke a second to Ferentz it would have to be coach Al Golden of the Temple Owls. After what could have a season ending loss in the first game of the year to FCS opponent Villanova 27-24 and a 31-6 loss to Penn State that dropped the Owls to 0-2 in the season, Golden rallied his troops though. The Owls are now an impressive 5-2 with five straight victories and 4-0 in the MAC alone on the MAC East. The Owls aren’t used to winning, their last bowl appearance was in 1979 in the Garden State bowl where they beat California 28-17. It looks like the Owls are primed for their first bowl run in almost three decades.

Ian Peterson: Gotta say I agree with Zach on Robb Akey at Idaho, who would have thought they would go bowling? Another coach who has done an excellent job this year is South Carolina's Steve Spurrier. I think to get that USC to 6-2, with a close loss to Georgia in there preventing a 7-1 start, is a great coaching job. There have been a lot of good coaching changes around the country too. Steve Sarkisian and Chip Kelly have both started off well in the Pac-10 too.

Jonathan Fravel: I'd have to give Kudo's to Pete Carroll for going with the freshman and sitting at 6-1.They would probably be 7-0 if Barkley had played in the Washington game (but who knows). If Spurrier somehow beats UF this year, he will probably be coach of the year in the SEC and may get national recognition for a job well done. For what he has been through this year and how he has handled the adversity, my hat is off to Randy Edsall of UConn. His record on the field would need to improve.

8) What are your thoughts on Sam Bradford's decision to have surgery and enter the 2010 NFL Draft?

Zachary Ball: Clearly it's the only move Bradford has to make. I'll be supremely interested to see how the draft works out for Slingin' Sammy. He can earn plenty of support (and maybe work his way back into Mel Kiper's Top Five) with a good showing at the combine and at OU's pro day, but who knows if it's going to be enough to garner his support as a top five pick. Hopefully, this doesn't spiral into a Michael Crabtree situation in terms of a top five talent dropping and then demanding top five money.

Josh Klein: Not unexpected. However, if there ever was a time for him to come back it would be next year though. In Hind Sight he should have left last year, but hind sight is 20/20. If he came back next year he could put aside some of the thoughts that he is soft and injury prone. But, he really should take the money and move on, he did cost himself millions though.

Ian Peterson: I think it's the right decision, even though I was pretty sure he was going to the draft here regardless of the injury. I really don't think it should come as a surprise. With getting surgery now he can start recuperating and preparing for the combine and the other things he needs to get done to prove to NFL scouts he can play.

Jonathan Fravel:  Bradford is doing the right thing. He gave his all and was reinjured. His season is over and it's time to move on. He is a class act.

9) Who's the most explosive player that you've seen this year?

Zachary Ball: I'm tempted to go homer again and take Boise State's Titus Young, but given the kind of stats he's had to share with Austin Pettis, I'm going to say Clemson's C.J. Spiller. Spiller added two more scores (one via a kickoff return and another on a 56-yard reception), and now has 39 career touchdowns, including three on kick returns just this year. It's amazing that Clemson loses games with Spiller getting as many touches as he can.

Josh Klein: Tempted also to go with CJ Spiller, I think I am going to go with a player I went with last week, a player that whenever he touches the ball opposing fans hold their breath. That player is Jordan Shipley. He can win the game on a post route, slant route, or kick return. He can break a teams back in one play, that’s explosiveness.

Ian Peterson: I'll be boring and agree with Zach, CJ Spiller has looked great this season for all the above reasons. I'm kind of surprised too that he seems to have flown under the radar as much as he has. The big three of McCoy, Bradford, and Tebow have gotten so much press that it's almost drowned out any other debate about players.

Jonathan Fravel: Judging just one game, I'd have to say Dexter McCluster. Judging for the season, without question, CJ Spiller. Against Miami 317 all purpose yards and 2 TD. On the year, 1455 all purpose yds and 9 TD. No one else is close. He can do it all.

10) Who should be on "upset watch" this weekend?

Zachary Ball: Like last week, there are plenty of options for this pick. Florida takes on Georgia. Texas has to travel to Oklahoma State and USC travels to Oregon. Obviously, if any major upset hits the top 25, it's going to come from one of these three games. I think Florida rediscovers it's groove and rolls over UGA. I also like Texas against OK State, leaving USC to suffer a national title hope and dream killer at the hands of the explosive Ducks.

Josh Klein: I would have gone with the Oregon Ducks too. They seem primed for a big win and USC seems primed for a big loss. If I had to pick a different game it would be Oklahoma State over Texas, but other than that I don’t see many upset type games on the schedule this weekend. Looks like a big game weekend for the Ducks. We’ll see if they can give USC a season ending loss and take control of thePAC-10 away from the Trojans for the first time in seven years.

Ian Peterson: I think that Florida needs to watch out against Georgia. Georgia has not played well this season, but Florida has looked vulnerable in their last couple games. Notice how there is now "Promise" or anything coming out of the leaders on the team either, I suppose considering they haven't lost yet. I feel like they are in a bit of a negative tailspin, listless almost, but I also don't pay that close of attention to their team. However, until Florida starts settling their ship and moving forward they may be on upset alert for most of the rest of the season. 

Jonathan Fravel: Personally, don't like that question. Every ranked team should practice every week as if upset alert is in full gear. Every opponent should be taken seriously.