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College Football: Week 2 Preview |
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Written by David DeIulis
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Saturday, 06 September 2008 |
The top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs defeated Georgia Southern 45-21 last Saturday in an in-state “rivalry” game, but it wasn’t enough for them to remain atop the rankings - or USC from claiming its seemingly rightful place.
Terrelle Pryor (sorry Todd Boeckman) and the Ohio State Buckeyes remain in third after manhandling cross-state foe Youngstown State. Despite the outcry in Athens and the bubbling in Columbus, it might be time for Jim Tressel and Mark Richt to learn from Pete Carroll about non-conference scheduling and its impact on voters’ decisions. USC went on the road and beat, not a national power, but a respected and legitimate Division 1 football team in the Virginia Cavaliers, while both the Bulldogs and Buckeyes preferred the comfort of their home fields –and porous defenses. Illinois is the only winless team in both the AP and USA Today polls, but justifiably after losing by only 10 to a one of the nation’s best teams, Missouri, and best quarterbacks, Chase Daniel.
Penn State vs. Oregon State Penn State will be without Maurice Evans, Andrew Quarless and Abe Koroma for the first-ever meeting between the schools, but Joe Paterno has become familiar with overcoming off-the-field issues. Look Darryl Clark and Penn State to play well at home and keep the Beavers winless in Beaver Stadium.
Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati If you like offense, this is the game to watch. Heisman hopeful Sam Bradford and the Sooner offense led the nation in scoring offense last year, but the Bearcats weren’t bad either, averaging 36 points per game.
Texas vs. UTEP This game should be interesting to watch, not as a heated in-state rivalry or even a remotely competitive game, but to see how Colt McCoy and a freshman laden secondary perform on the road.
West Virginia vs. East Carolina Granted, none of them had Pat White, but East Carolina has beaten three straight ranked teams while WVU has beaten ECU eight straight times. Something has to give – and it will be the East Carolina defense.
BYU vs. Washington BYU has won 11 straight games while Tyrone Willingham’s seat has warmed after a lackluster opening loss to Oregon. Although the 15th ranked Cougars beat Northern Iowa 41-17 in week 1, the lead was only 10 in the second half. Look for Willingham and his Huskies to pull off the upset.
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