Gooblogs weekly College Gridiron!

Hello to all readers out there!  My name is Will, but most call me by the nickname of Goobs, hence the title of this segment.  I hope to turn Goobs' Weekly Gridiron into a weekly segment covering all aspects of the college football world.

Most weeks, I will have a recap of some things that went on the previous week in college football, who's hot and who's not, Goobs' schedule for Saturday (games to TiVo!), and the Heisman watch.

Recap of Last Week

Let's hear it for the Mountain West Conference!

We already knew BYU was a legitimate contender from day one, proving their thrashing of UCLA a few weeks back was no joke.  BUT let's also hear it for other teams and contenders in this now-credible conference.

Utah pulled out a squeaker in Colorado Springs against another up-and-coming Mountain West program in the Air Force Academy.  Darrell Mack led an efficient running game that eventually turned in the game-winning score in the final minute of play.  Coach Whittingham should get a pat on the back for his success, especially after taking over for Urban Meyer.

Climbing into this week's AP top 25 are the TCU Horned Frogs.  Leading the way for the Horned Frogs is a stout defense, led by four-year starter MLB Jason Phillips, and an offense ranked first in the conference and in the top 15 nationally in scoring.

The MWC is gaining credibility and quietly becoming a legitimate contender in BCS chatter year in and year out.

How about that clash in Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday night?

Jarrett Lee was able to replace an injured Andrew Hatch and rally the LSU Tigers to an unbelievable win on the road against a very tough Auburn squad, who had some trouble getting the offensive consistency it needed to win the ball game.

Minus their offensive inefficiencies, the crowd was boisterous and wild, constantly making it hard for the LSU offense to hear the plays being called.  Both defenses came ready to play with bone-jarring hits on almost every possession throughout the game. 

Heartbreak in the Strip for the 'Clones

Sophomore quarterback Austen Arnaud was able to bring the Cyclones back from a 21-point deficit in the second half, but for the second straight week, freshman receiver Phillip Payne saved the day for the Rebs.

You've got to give credit to coach Mike Sanford for making his young but energetic team believe they could have the success they're having early on this season.

What's most disappointing about this loss for the Clones is that they truly let the Iowa defeat beat them again on Saturday.  The first half was nothing short of a nightmare, and the boys obviously didn't come prepared to play right from the starting gate. 

Pryor impressive in debut

Terrelle Pryor made his first start, making him the first true freshmen Buckeye quarterback to start a game since 1978, and he really showed the country why he was the nation's top rated recruit last year.  Pryor tossed four TDs to one INT and looked graceful running through tackles and keeping the Troy defense honest with both his passing and running skills.

It will be exciting to see if Tressel keeps the fab frosh in, because clearly they needed a change after the debacle in the Coliseum and lack of leadership from Todd Boeckman.

Who's Hot

Javon Ringer, Michigan State running back

Ringer literally carried the Spartan offense, carrying the ball a WHOPPING 39 times for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns.  Ringer has carried the load for the Spartans, although his small stature wouldn't depict him being one of the top backs in the country.

If not for Ringer's skill running the ball, the Spartans could possibly not be 3-1 and Dantonio's name could be talked about quite a bit in East Lansing.

Colorado Buffaloes

Also known as the young Buffs, Coach Hawk and Little Hawk pulled off a HUGE win over West Virginia last Thursday in a blackout at Folsom.  The Buffs used timely passing from Cody Hawkins and a running game led by two freshmen, Darrell Scott and Rodney Stewart.

Stewart carried the workload, carrying 28 times for a career high 166 yards.  Stewart, listed at 5'6", was lightly recruited out of the Columbus, Ohio region, and certainly appears to be the real gem of Hawkins' highly successful 2008 recruiting class.

As impressive a win as it was for the Buffs, the schedule doesn't get any easier with a trip to Tallahassee to play the Seminoles and then a home date with the Texas Longhorns in the upcoming weekends.  A Big 12 title may be out of reach this year, but certainly not next year for this young and talented team.

Who's Not

Rutgers

Just a few weeks back, people out east were talking about this being the best team Greg Schiano had during his tenure in Piscataway.  Flash forward three weeks, and the Scarlet Knights are still looking for their first victory in 2008 after embarrassing losses to North Carolina and Navy.

Even worse is that after last week's defeat, starting quarterback Mike Teel was seen throwing punches at a fellow teammate after throwing yet another pick.  It will certainly be interesting to see if Schiano and co. can ride the ship and turn things around out east.

Florida State

Things just seem to be getting worse and worse for Bobby Bowden down in Tallahassee.  It's a good thing they have offensive guru Jimbo Fisher in waiting, but that's another story.  The offense looked more anemic than a five-pound dumbbell, committing seven turnovers, which led to more than half of Wake Forest's total points.

Even worse, going into the game, starting quarterback Christian Ponder had predicted a victory over the Deacs publicly!

TiVo Time (Goobs' salivating schedule of games for this weekend)

Although the Georgia-Alabama game is getting all of the hype this week, I have a game I am a little more interested in!  No. 24 TCU pays a visit to Norman to visit the No. 2-ranked Sooners (7:00 ET on FSN).

I'm sure this match has been on the minds of Sooners players ever since the last time the Horned Frogs came into Norman (last loss for the Sooners at home...back in 2005).

The Frogs bring an experienced team into SOONERVILLE and must get their ground game running behind Ryan Christian and timely passing from Andy Dalton.

If not, it could be a long night, even for a skilled defense like theirs and highly respected coach Gary Patterson, considering they'll be going up against arguably the best offense in the country, led by sensational sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford and dynamic back DeMarco Murray.

Goobs' take: I like the Sooners to come out motivated and lead a skilled Frogs squad in a close game until Bradford takes over the fourth quarter and leads the Sooners to a decisive win.  38-21, OU.

No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 8 Alabama (ESPN 7:45 ET)

Nick Saban leads a young but very skilled team into Athens to take on Uga and company.  This should be a dandy of an SEC matchup with lots of speed, hitting, and offense.

Georgia is led by star tandem QB Matt Stafford and RB Knowshon Moreno.  The Dawgs will be pumped, and Richt is making this game just the third time the team will don their black uniforms during his tenure for the blackout in Athens.

But that will not stop a Crimson Tide offense relying on a stern ground game led by Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram.  Don't forget about the pass-catch combo of John Parker Wilson and fab frosh Julio Jones!

Goobs' take: I like the Dawgs to win a close one here.  I think the decisive battle will be up front in how the young Bulldog O-line, without tackle Trinton Sturdivant, handles the pressure schemes and talented front seven of the Crimson Tide.

In the end, I like the Knowshon and Stafford combo to be the difference maker at home in the Hedges.  28-24, DAWGS.

No. 22 Illinois vs. No. 12 Penn State (8 ET on ABC)

This has the makings of a thriller out in Happy Valley.  The white-out should be in effect, and the students could make Juice's time there a nightmare.  It will be interesting to see if Mo Evans is allowed to play since being suspended by JoePa after his arrest three weeks ago.  If so, look out because it could be a long night for the Illini offense.

Juice has certainly improved his passing game, adding another element to his arsenal, but I don't know if it will be enough in Happy Valley.  Don't forget about Daryll Clark and the season he is having leading the new spread offense for the Nittany Lions.

Goobs' take: I like the crowd advantage, always SO tough to get a win out the Valley, so I'll take the Lions, who will have to score points to match the Illini offense. 34-28, PSU.

DA HEISMAN

1. Chase Daniel: The numbers are incredible, but what's more scary is no one knows how to stop this offense.

2. Knowshon Moreno: Seven TDs to date, on pace for 29...his name alone should win it!

3. Sam Bradford: Picking up right where he left off after his fabulous freshman season, it will be fun to watch how he does against a legit TCU defense this weekend.