College Football Recap: Week 3

Featured Game of the Week: No. 16 Oregon over PURDUE, 32-26

I am a Big Ten fan through and through. There is nothing better than Big Ten football. No better place to watch a football game than a Big Ten Coliseum. And Purdue has always been and will always be my go-to team, but seriously, it's getting more difficult every year. Plus the fans I sit around would unquestionably be the worst in-game coaches in history.

The big question this week going into the game was: was Purdue holding back against Northern Colorado last week? Well for the first half of the game, Purdue had so many wrinkles in its offense they made Bea Arthur look like she should have her own Neutrogena commercial.

They dipped. They dived. Hell, they even threw in quarterback-converted-running back redshirt freshman Justin Siller at quarterback for a few plays. Just like so many other teams in the nation.

Side note: What is the nation’s love affair with dual-quarterbacks now? About 15 out of the 30 teams that I saw glimpses of last night used the two shooter system. (Including both teams in this game) And it somewhat worked for all of them. My question is: how long until teams realize that the only reason the backup is brought on the field is to run? How hard can it be to stop a team that you KNOW is about to run? Another question: how many teams have to use this system before it becomes a certified cult?

Anyways, other than a few first downs here and there, even with all the trickeration, Purdue couldn't put enough distance between themselves and Oregon. The defense played absolutely lights out in the first half and they kept it up most of the game.

Purdue started off this game absolutely typical. Curtis Painter throws an incomplete pass to right side of the field (and then the crowd moaned). After that the entire first half was entirely atypical. The very next play, the formerly second-most overrated player on Purdue's team (Curtis, you'll finish first in one voting!), senior running back Kory Sheets ran down the field for an 80 yard score! Against the wind I might add. He even managed to break the first and second tackles of his career with the carry. For once, I don't feel like we have the worst running back in the Big Ten. Our quarterback however...

Speaking of...a question I posed to my dad yesterday: what do you think was the bigger waste of money; Hillary's bid for presidency or Curtis Painter's bid for Heisman?

After the score, the offense, one of the tops in the nation seemingly every year, and its Heisman candidate Curtis Painter decided to call it a day and let the defense do its thing against the 10th-ranked offense in all of college football. And for more or less the entire game, they did. Not normally known for its defensive prowess, Purdue forced four turnovers and with the exception of one big play, was damn impressive. Once again though, Curtis Painter fell apart in a big game on the big stage and our punter, with all his leg strength, managed to get ahold of every punt, except those where he actually needed the yardage. It blows my mind how he can be standing at the opponents 40 yard line every punt and somehow feel like he's got to kick it "over dem dere mountains" for a net of about 20 every kick.

Wait, our punter is one in the same with our field goal kicker? Ah, that makes sense.

To summarize: Oregon was the better team. Their defensive backs were ridiculously good, but their offense did not impress. Nor, did their uniforms.

All I've heard the past few years about Oregon was that they have three million possible uniform combinations. I have to say I'm a little disappointed. Out of all those possibilities, I get to see the single lamest one? Plain white jersey, plain green pants, white socks, black shoes. So a nationally televised game versus a (supposed) somewhat quality Big Ten opponent wasn't big enough to bring out the snazzy uniform?What's wrong Nike, did a certain event in China force you to cut back production while your workers competed? In the style of Family Guy, I haven't been this disappointed since Duane Allman decided to take his motorcycle for a spin.

It was impressive the way Oregon came out and took control of the game in the second-half though. Almost like they had someone back there giving a pep talk, an equipment manager perhaps? Well anyways, "Ducks Fly Together!" (Ah, goosebumps everytime)(By the way, the entire movie is on YouTube. How great is that!)

I can't see them being too successful this year in the vaunted Pac-10. Boy, UCLA is going to be awful tough this year.

As far as Purdue is concerned, I can't wait to make another trip to Detroit. Maybe hang out with the mayor...

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No. 24 ILLINOIS over Louisiana-Lafayette, 20-17

Not like you needed it, but more evidence that Juice has magically become a "pure-passer" over the offseason. Here's his line:

13/25, 147 yards, 5.9 yards/attempt, 1 TD, 1 INT

Impressive against any team, but moreso against a quality opponent such as Louisiana-Lafayette.

Oh, he EVEN ran for 35 yards!!!

DUKE over Navy, 41-31

Duke won?!? Wait, did Paulus finally start playing...

Nope.

NOTRE DAME over Michigan, 35-17

Why is everyone so surprised by this? What has Michigan done to suggest that this is an upset? Other than steal Purdue’s savior at wide receiver and offer him dreams of gold and riches…and maybe playing time.

Wait, Roy Roundtree did not play in the game? Really? And he would have started at Purdue? Peculiar. Anyways, good choice Roy.

And not that we need to beat on this any more than it already will be talked about, but do you think when Charlie gets his ACL/MCL surgery he'll knock out two birds with one stone and get lypo?

Or do you think that he will realize how lucky he was to have his fupa break his fall that he will choose to hold on. Plus, it's J-Claw favorite pillow.

No. 6 MISSOURI over Nevada, 69-17

Hmm...I'm thinking a player on Nevada knew the spread, laughed, then put all their money on Mizzou covering. Missouri just flat out knows how to play with the pigskin. Too bad there are so few places to place that bet in Nevada...

If Tim Tebow to Percy Harvin is awesome, then Chase Daniels to Jeremy Maclin is crazy awesome.

Speaking of crazy awesome...

No. 3 Oklahoma over WASHINGTON, 55-14

Sam Bradford is crazy awesome. I remember Billynho being sold on him after one game last season. I was a little more skeptical as I was very untrustworthy of native americans at the time (Kelvin Sampson). But, wow. Without a doubt, the best quarterback in college football.

Why no Heisman website for this guy? At least tell me he is getting hooked up with a summer job. Rhett, you know a guy, right?

Anyways, I am officially making this site the home for all things "Sam Bradford for Heisman". Hopefully Billynho and The Siets will understand...

And of course, one more game...

SAN JOSE STATE over San Diego State, 35-10

Anytime these traditional football titans meet, anything can happen. And this year's matchup was no exception. Although San Diego State came in winless, they were told by their coaching staff all week that they could pull off what would be the upset of the century.

Unfortunately, San Jose State came out swinging early and often, but San Diego State's Aaron Moore did return an interception for a touchdown! How wild.

Oh, and this one...

No. 1 USC over No. 5 The Ohio State University

Honestly, I will go on the record and say having Chris "Beanie" Wells play in this game would have made a huge difference. And by that, I don't mean Ohio State would have won. There is no way, USC is the best team in college football. And maybe the best team this century even?

Do you honestly think Wells goes down without at least three Trojans on his back even once this game? That dude is a hog. With the exception of Mike Alstott, I don't think I have ever been so afraid of any one running back. At the very least he would have been able to offer Boeckman some sort of protection.

I'm thinking if he plays in this game, the final score is somewhere closer to 20-3?

I feel bad for Boeckman. The Ohio State University fans are probably going to be all over his ass and calling for his head this week (They'll leave his midsection alone. The guy is cut.). But, there is no way Terrelle Pryor is ready to step up. I have to admit, I was impressed by him last night. When I watched him in a high school game on ESPN last year I thought he was way over hyped, but last night he showed he had balls...and speed. Damn. One thing though is that he doesn't have the greatest arm. So unless you want a 35% completion percentage, don't start him yet. Ask Illinois how that worked for them. (Don't write in complaining about how he was actually seven of nine last night, as you push up your glasses on your nose.)

One last thing... Other than Sam Bradford, there is only one other player in college football that I would guarantee draft #1 if I had the chance. Joe McKnight. He's got some mad footwork and some even crazier speed.

The most ridiculous thing about USC is that they have 10 guys just like him on offense AND on defense. Wow.

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We'll be back with more next week!

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Eight Suggestions For Galen Rupp

Well Ga(y)len, you made it to Beijing. You're one of the best distance runners in the United States. You just turned 22 years old. You hold the NCAA Collegiate Record for the 10K at 27:33.48. Your team won college nationals last fall. You're the poster-boy for the most prestigious running university in the country. You're adored and loved by all, America's great hope for the future against the Africans. Life is goo~~~

What's that? Life's not good at all? You're not adored and loved by all? Running fans root for you to lose!? They hate the way you dress, they laugh at your poses, they refuse to realize how good you are, and they despise Oregon?

Fret not; I've got a plan to repair your image. The zeitgeist of the LetsRun community seems to slant towards universal hatred, but you can become the next-Bob Kennedy, the next-Anthony Famiglietti, the next-Ryan Hall… someone impervious to the insults lobbed by distance running fans. My plan will hopefully not hurt your running, but you'll be a lot more tolerable to those paying attention. What do you have to lose? Certainly not many fans.

Just take my advice:

1) No more celebratory poses

I think everyone pictures you and Ryan Deak meeting each other as juniors at the 2002 Foot Locker Nationals's and trying to one-up each other in the art of ridiculous hand-gestures thereafter. I don't understand why you have to throw up an Oregon "O" or the "Number 1" finger when you win, but I don't hate you for it. Quite a few people do, though. How about a show of humility? A tired smile and a congratulatory pat on the back of whoever finishes second too much to ask for?

2) Never race Josh McDougal AGAIN

It's just not a fair match-up for you. It's impossible to root against McDougal, the Kaka of American distance running. He's pious, incredibly hard-working, gives all credit for his talent to God, nice, humble, a consummate teammate, and seems to run for the love of the sport. Some have questioned whether he overtrains, but don't hate him for it. I've never met either of you two, I generally don't care who wins college meets, but I was pulling hard for him at NCAA Nationals last fall. You'll never be as well-liked as him. Realize that no one ever will be and avoid him.

3) Please remove the Band-Aid on your nose

Protective Goggles : Breathe Right Nasal Strips : : Horace Grant : Galen Rupp. They're unnecessary, extraneous, loud, unaesthetic, and oft-criticized. It's impossible to look tough in one of those. Sure it might save you two seconds, I don't know… but so might shaving your head completely. The nose strips embody the old you. Lose them.

4) Either run for Oregon or turn pro

Perhaps the biggest bone of contention among your critics, are you part of the team or aren't you? I find it apropos to mention that what I respect most about you is that you are willing to put school aside in the pursuits of your full potential as a runner. But many believe that you should either commit to running for Oregon, or turn professional like you have been acting.

Seriously, how does an amateur such as yourself afford all of the benefits you've so publicly flaunted? The underwater treadmill, the trips to Europe, and, lest we forget, the high-altitude tents… You're not living the life of a normal college runner. Turn professional if you're going to be like that. Or else people will call you out for stretching separately from your team and training under your own special coach.

5) Keep ya girl outta the LetsRun eye

If I know one thing from browsing the boards, it's that distance runners don't think anyone is hot. It wouldn't matter if you were dating Brie Felnagle today, or Jackie Zeigle five years ago (before the racist business); anyone you date will be labeled FUGLY. Don't expose her to the masses, don't bring her to meets, and don't mention her in interviews. Some will hate you for being a runner with the gall to pull chicks.

6) Think about moving up to the marathon

While I consider you an excellent prospect to chop a bit of time off the America record in the 10K, you have more chance to medal or contend at major marathon races. That's all that anyone seems to respect. If you don't medal, then you're just a "typical American runner substandard in comparison to the Africans."

On the other hand, when Abdi Abdirahman was your age, his PR was almost a minute more than yours is today. Perhaps figure that your improvement would be harder to come by since you're starting from a lower base time, but you seem well set-up to run 27:00 on your day in a few years.

The trouble is that probably won't be good enough to compete for wins unless all plays out in your favor.

You have outstanding marathon potential. You're faster and younger than Ritz and Ryan Hall were when they made the jump. Your coach was a super-elite marathoner in his day. Assuming that others feel as I do that you project as slightly better than Ryan Hall (eh, maybe I shouldn't assume anything), the world might expect you to contend for the World Marathon Majors series title.

Your hopes of becoming a superstar [sic] lie in the marathon. Seize onto that hope.

7) Only sleep in tents that are outdoors

For that matter, start running outdoors.

The equipment and tools you use may make your life easier, but they're just not normal. Understand that few can relate to the luxuries you're privy to, most admire runners like themselves. Prove your grit by training normally; maybe suffer a stress fracture or two! They're an empathetic group, those posters; you rarely see threads trashing Matt Withrow (as you shouldn't, he's still a major talent not to be forgotten).

Fact is, if you trained more like them, they'd like you more. If living at altitude a few months a year and running on golf courses can duplicate the benefits of the altitude tent and underwater treadmill, consider them seriously as alternatives.

8) Consider distancing yourself from NIKE a bit

A segment of the LetsRun community considers you Phil Knight's little running action figure. He's taken a great interest in your career, bankrolled your coach's group, and inspired Oregon to return to its distance roots in recruiting. The Swoosh may offer the sweetest deal for you economically, but non-NIKEheads have lost respect.

On second thought, I'd understand if you can't leave the tutelage of Salazar. If that's true, then just turn pro already. The moneys waiting for you, I'm sure.

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