College Football: 10 Things We Learned After Two Crazy Weeks of Football
Two weeks into 2010, the college football season has been full of early story lines, from UNC's dramatic comeback attempt against LSU to the meteoric rise of Denard Robinson to Heisman watch lists.
We have seen plenty of fun games as well and a clear separation of some of the top teams in the country from the second tier of teams in the early going of the season.
As we have in many past years, we've also seen teams surge back to the front of the pack and teams seem to struggle out of the gates.
All in all, 2010 has proved to have quite an interesting start to the season.
Here is a look at 10 of the most interesting story lines after the first two weeks of the season.
1. Denard Robinson's Rewriting of the History Books
1 of 10
If Rich Rodriguez has been worried about job security this season, all he has to do is look at No. 16 taking snaps and he can breathe a little easy.
Because all Denard Robinson has done since he became the starting QB at Michigan is throw for 430 yards, run for 455 more, and total five touchdowns for the 22nd-ranked Wolverines.
The Michigan schedule sets up favorably in the next few weeks for the Wolverines to get to 4-0 before Big Ten play starts, which was a disaster in 2009 in only registering one win.
But Robinson's play has been spectacular and has seemed to revitalize the Michigan football program.
The only concern for Michigan going forward is if Robinson's play can continue in the physical Big Ten schedule, especially with games at Penn State and Ohio State.
Clearly, no player is as hot right now as Denard Robinson, and for now, he has Michigan football back on the map, somewhere they haven't been in a while.
2. The Oregon Ducks May Be Even Better This Season
2 of 10
Oregon was the Top 10 team that no one saw coming a year ago, especially after LeGarrette Blount's punch heard around the world in Boise. But that team righted the ship and made its way to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.
This year, even though it wasn't tough competition with games against New Mexico and at Tennessee, the Oregon Ducks may be a better team this season than they were a year ago.
After two strong offensive performances, it appears Oregon has a very strong corps of backs with star LaMichael James and the underrated burner Kenjon Barner.
The Ducks' big 48-13 win over the overmatched Volunteers vaulted them to fifth in the USA Today Coaches' Poll, and worries about UO being a fluke have quickly subsided.
Sure they have not really dealt with much in the way of competition, but scoring 120 points in two games is not a bad way to start the season.
If Chip Kelly's defense is as improved as some people think it is, the Ducks will certainly be a favorite to win the Pac-10 once again.
3. Florida Really Misses Tim Tebow
3 of 10
It isn't something that Urban Meyer will admit, but other than their great defense, Florida really misses having Tim Tebow.
Whether it is problems with the center-QB exchange or a very sluggish passing attack, Florida's offense is nothing compared to what it was two years ago.
Many have put the blame on offensive coordinator Steve Addazio, who has been called boring and predictable when it comes to play calling.
With the type of potential talent the Gators have, not scoring 30 points a game is a disappointment in Gainesville.
UF cannot expect a big run from Jeff Demps every week and expect to be back in the SEC Championship Game.
But don't forget, their defense is still very good and one of the better units in the SEC.
Expect a lot of low-scoring games until later in the season, when John Brantley and the Gator offense should hit their stride.
But they need to do so before they fall behind in the SEC race.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
4. The ACC Has Huge Questions About Its Best Teams
4 of 10
Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech. Miami. North Carolina. Those four programs were expected to be the top teams in the country.
But after two weeks, all four have fallen on hard times and have experts questioning the strength of the ACC.
GT and VT both suffered embarrassing losses. The Jackets lost to a Jayhawk team that lost to FCS opponent South Dakota State, and the Hokies, who just fell short against Boise State, were shocked and fell to James Madison, an embarrassment in itself.
Miami did have a decent effort against Ohio State Saturday but kept shooting itself in the foot with four turnovers.
The Tar Heels, who had one of the best defenses in the country going into the season, saw 13 players be held out of their opener against LSU, including their entire starting secondary and top two running backs.
Although they do get most of those players back for their next game against the Yellow Jackets, questions remain about DT Marvin Austin and several other players as the probe into the UNC football program continues.
Just two weeks into the season, the ACC has some major issues at the top and appears to be the weakest BCS-AQ conference at the moment.
5. Boomer Sooner Is Back and Hitting Its Stride Like Old
5 of 10
If you saw Landry Jones Saturday, then you had to have some visions of Sam Bradford back in the day and the record-setting offense of 2008.
After what Oklahoma did in beating Florida State 47-17 at home, extending its home winning streak to 32 games, the Sooners look like normal again after their dismal 2009 season.
The Sooners clearly shook off the rough game they had in almost losing to Utah State a week ago and took it to the Seminoles early and often, scoring 34 of their 47 points in the first half.
Jones showed that he is definitely next in line as far as elite Sooner quarterbacks are concerned, and the team is emerging as a potential BCS dark horse.
The good news for the Sooners is that they don't play Nebraska (until potentially the Big 12 Championship Game), and after the Red River Shootout, they only play one more ranked team in Mizzou.
If they get over the hump and beat Garrett Gilbert's Texas Longhorns in Dallas, it might be very possible to see Boomer Sooner play in Cowboys Stadium for a BCS berth.
6. One-Loss Teams Will Be Singing the Praises of James Madison
6 of 10
The one thing that could give the Boise State Broncos a legitimate case for playing in the BCS Championship Game is a legitimate contender's resume.
That's what they thought they had after they beat the Virginia Tech Hokies Monday in FedEx Field.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, plans only look so perfect on paper but don't always happen the way you expect.
James Madison, albeit a powerhouse in the FCS, came to Blacksburg in what many people penciled as a win for the Hokies and stunned the world in Appalachian State-esque fashion, winning 21-16.
Now the Hokies are unranked, which kills BSU's resume and puts down its case for a national title shot.
This now makes it more likely that a one-loss SEC or Big Ten, or maybe Big 12, team would get the nod for a title game appearance over the Broncos.
Is it unfair to the Broncos? Yes. Will it get better? Possibly, as Boise State moves into the Mountain West with fellow WAC powers Fresno State and Nevada.
Unfortunately for them, this is the reality they have to deal with, as they no longer have true control over their own destiny, even if they win out again.
7. South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore May Be the Best Freshman in the Country
7 of 10
Steve Spurrier has been waiting a few years for a dynamic playmaker that could complete his offense, and it's not Stephen Garcia or any of his talented receivers.
In fact, it may very well be in-state product and star-in-the-making Marcus Lattimore, who erupted in his second-ever college game for 182 yards and three TDs against Georgia.
The true freshman certainly wasn't afraid of the spotlight of playing in front of a national audience Saturday and actually was the key to USC wearing down the rival Bulldogs' defense.
Lattimore's performance easily makes him the best true freshman right now in college football and has the Gamecocks squarely in the role of SEC East dark horse.
How he follows this up and builds of this performance will be key, because a kid with his talent cannot just rest on his laurels after one big performance.
Another big outing against FCS opponent Furman is to be expected before his first road test against Auburn.
But all eyes should start to focus on No. 21 for the South Carolina Gamecocks, as he is a blossoming young star.
8. Miami Has BCS Potential but Is Still a Year Away
8 of 10
Saturday in the Horseshoe taught us that Miami can definitely play against the tough teams in the country, going toe-to-toe with Ohio State for a good portion of the game, especially on defense and special teams.
But even with an improved roster and a shot at playing in the Orange Bowl, the U is still one year away from playing for a national championship.
Jacory Harris was true to his form a year ago of being turnover-prone, throwing four interceptions, although really only one was his fault.
But if you are a Miami fan, you have to like the good things that the special teams did, with two return touchdowns and some very good play out of the run defense at times.
The hardest thing for them will be to learn how to play consistently for 60 minutes because talent is not a total issue.
If Harris can eliminate his mistakes and value the protection of the ball, he will elevate his game that much more to where he can be one of the best QBs in the country.
Miami had its moments for sure and at times dominated a very strong and fast Ohio State team but looked rough at other points in the game.
If they can shore themselves up, they should have no problem rolling through a weaker ACC on the way to the Orange Bowl.
9. Alabama and Ohio State Have New Defensive Weapons at Their Disposal
9 of 10
They always say that the truly great teams don't rebuild, but reload instead.
Such is the case at Alabama and Ohio State, who have seamlessly put in new players into their starting defenses and might have new stars in place.
Replacing Javier Arenas at Alabama has been the task of sophomore Dre Kirkpatrick, and he has responded tremendously with an interception Saturday against Penn State.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes may have a new star at safety in C.J. Barnett, who was a human torpedo against Miami, leveling several Miami receivers, including Leonard Hankerson, and was involved in two Ohio State takeaways.
A last-minute starter from fall camp, Barnett has been spectacular but will miss time due to a knee injury suffered in the game.
These two sophomores are just a few of the new studs both teams have, but both players have made instant impacts to make their defenses even stronger.
These groups have been so good in their combined four games of the season that they've given up a total of 13 points on defense.
Having the ability to fill holes with guys like Barnett and Kirkpatrick is the reason why Alabama and Ohio State are one and two in the polls.
10. Terrelle Pryor Is Much Improved but Can Still Improve More
10 of 10
The early favorite for the Heisman Trophy, Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor certainly has started to showcase the ability that fans have been waiting for in Columbus for two seasons.
Two games into the 2010 season, Pryor looked very strong against Marshall and had a huge impact in the air and on the ground against Miami.
However, he still has room for improvement.
Pryor's passing ability has improved dramatically, especially with his accuracy in the medium and deep balls. But he is still struggling with throwing short, underneath throws with zip, which teams might now give him after he has shown an ability to throw the deep ball with improved accuracy.
In addition, Pryor's stat line could have been worse against Miami had the defenders not dropped a good portion of potential interceptions.
But there is no doubt that he has improved dramatically, as is evidenced by the Buckeyes putting up 81 points in their two home wins.
If he can find a way to be more efficient, there is no telling where Ohio State could go this season.
But he needs to go out and prove his improvement with a very tough Big Ten schedule looming when the calendar flips over to October.
This article is featured on Storm the Field. Please follow me on Twitter for updates of new posts and other insight into college football @ bielik_tim.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
