Alabama Rolls, Hawkeyes Stumble, and The Jury's Still Out On The Ducks

Four downs and little OT about week three.

First Down

The groan everyone heard coming out SEC territory Saturday afternoon was the collective realization that Alabama is probably better this season than last.  After sitting out the first two weeks with an injury, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram busted loose for 151 yards and two touchdowns.  In case you were wondering, he did it on nine carries.  Duke is not a defensive powerhouse, but averaging 15 yards per carry is remarkable.

Making matters more difficult for SEC foes is Alabama is not just a running team either.  McElroy was efficient once again passing for 258 yards and three TD’s.  The Tide can beat you running and passing.  Of course, Alabama will face much stiffer competition at Arkansas this week, but if any team has aspirations of beating the Tide, they better come ready to stop a locomotive train running downhill.

Second Down

Unlike last weekend, fans were treated to plenty of memorable games with exciting finishes on Saturday.  Here are the top three:

Michigan State vs. Notre Dame.  Quick, name a coach more conservative than Jim Tressel?  Someone must have secretly replaced Mark Dantonio with Chris Petersen at the end of the Spartans’ dramatic 34-31 OT win against the Irish.  Calling for a fake field goal was a gutsy decision that paid off, and the Spartans are 3-0 for the first time since 2007.   Let’s hope Dantonio gets well soon after suffering a heart attack after the game. It will be nice to see him navigate this team through the Big Ten. 

Auburn vs. Clemson.  After being manhandled in every way possible in the first half, Auburn storms back in the third quarter scoring 21 unanswered points.  Clemson eventually found the end zone scoring a TD in the fourth to force OT.  Both teams were exhausted at the end of regulation from the brutal hitting and the heat, and had little in the tank to close out the game.

Auburn nailed a field goal to take the lead, and their defense forced a Clemson field goal attempt after QB Parket missed a wide open Jarron Brown in the end zone on third down.  Chandler Catanzaro hit a perfect kick to tie the game for Clemson, but center Dalton Freeman was called for an illegal procedure penalty for double pumping the ball.  Catanzaro’s second attempt was wide left, and Jordan Hare erupted as Auburn wins the hard fought game.

Arkansas vs. Georgia.  With their backs against the wall, Georgia came out lethargic, and showed little enthusiasm for winning this game.  The Razorbacks were pushing around the Bulldogs through the first three quarters, and then Mark Richt gives a fiery speech to his players before the start of the fourth quarter.   It worked – unfortunately just for 14 minutes.    

Georgia scored two touchdowns to tie the score. The Bulldogs stole the momentum, and it looked as though they would get the much needed victory to stay alive in the SEC race.  Instead, they gave the ball back to Ryan Mallett who had a little under a minute to orchestrate a game winning drive.  Mallett carved up the Bulldog defense like it was not even on the field.  He finished the drive by hooking up with WR Chris Childs for a 40-yard touchdown to seal win, and set up a huge showdown next week against Alabama in Fayetteville. 

Third Down

The bad losses are now starting to mount. 

Iowa’s 34-27 loss to Arizona.  Someone must have forgotten to tell the Hawkeyes that the game started at 10:30pm, and they needed to be ready to play.  Early turnovers and special teams’ miscues led to a 27-7 halftime deficit, and Iowa’s dream season came to a screeching halt in the desert Saturday night.  Give the Hawkeyes credit for coming back in the second half, but this loss smashes any hope of playing for a national title. 

Washington’s 56-21 loss to Nebraska in Huskey Stadium.  The stage was set for Heisman hopeful Jake Locker to finally lead his team to a major victory, and prove that he is a top level quarterback. Not only did Locker fail, he was significantly outplayed by Nebraska redshirt freshman QB Taylor Martinez who tore apart the Huskies defense for 287 total yards and four touchdowns.  Year two under HC Steve Sarkisian is not looking good right now. 

Fourth Down

Is Oregon legitimate?  The Ducks are averaging 611 yards and 63 points per game which is amazing.  The problem is their competition has not been very good.  Tennessee is rebuilding, and not likely to make a bowl game this year.  New Mexico has the worst defense in the FBS, and Portland State has the third worst defense in the FCS.  By comparison, Texas Tech put up 52 points against New Mexico, and Arizona State scored 54 against Portland State. There is reason to question whether the Oregon is great, or just good team right now.   

The answer will come over the next two weeks when Oregon plays at Arizona State and at home against Stanford. After watching the Sun Devils play well against the Badgers and Stanford throttle Wake Forest, the Ducks are unlikely to put up the same kind of numbers.  If they do, the Ducks are legit, and might just play for the national title. 

OT

Memo to all FBS schools…FCS schools have talent too. South Dakota, Jacksonville State and JMU proved it again this year beating Minnesota, Ol Miss and Va Tech respectively.  Furman and UMass gave South Carolina and Michigan all they could handle.  Teams that take the lower division schools lightly are paying the price.  It is time to pay some respect to little brother.