Dear Readers,
I just learned that both pre-game shows of ESPN College Gameday and FOX Big Noon Kickoff will emanate from Boulder, CO for the Colorado State at Colorado because of what kind of roll that the Buffaloes are on thanks to Coach Prime (Colorado Head Coach Deon Sanders). The FOX Big Noon Kickoff show was originally going to be in Champaign, IL for the Penn State at Illinois game but they changed their mind just a few minutes ago. The Rocky Mountain Showdown will air this SAT (10 PM, ESPN).
Congratulations to Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz for reaching his 200th overall win, including his 188th win of his current job, with a 20-13 road win over in-state rival Iowa State this past SAT.
Hall of Fame Head Coach Jim Tressel was in attendance for Ohio State’s 35-7 home-opening win over Youngstown State. Tressel was the Youngstown State head coach before becoming the Ohio State head coach from 2001-10. We all know what happened after the 2010 season. He came back to campus in Columbus, OH one other time, which was in 2012 to be with the 2002 Ohio State football team who won the national championship(14-0). That team was recognized (at halftime) to celebrate their 10-year anniversary of that national championship season.
I had a hard time determining who should be on my Weekly Heisman Trophy Ballot. I had to put Texas QB Quinn Ewers somewhere among three players to be voted this week because of how he led the UT Longhorns to that road win over Alabama, who was ranked #3 in the polls. I did Oregon QB Bo Nix (405 total offensive yards, including passing 32-44, 359 yards, and 2 TDs), Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison (received 7 catches, 160 yards, and 2 TDs, including a 71-yard TD), and Notre Dame RB Audric Estime (Rushed 14 carries, 134 yards, and 2 TDs, including an 80-yard TD) to be a third player chosen on my weekly ballot.
Take Care! Sincerely, RICH
RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
(Passed 24-38, 349 yards, and 3 TDs in the UT Longhorns’ 34-24 road win over Alabama.)
2. Sam Hartman, QB, Wake Forest
(Passed 15-24, 286 yards, and 4 TDs in the Fighting Irish’s 45-24 road win over N.C State. His 120 career passing TDs are tenth-most in NCAA Division I FBS history.)
3. J.J McCarthy,QB, Michigan
(316 total offensive yards in the UM Wolverines’ 35-7 home win over UNLV. Passed 22-25, 278 yards, and 2 TDs. Rushed 3 carries for 38 yards, including a 17-yard carry. Completed first 13 pass attempts to start this game.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Michigan (2)
2. Georgia (3)
3. USC (4)
4. Ohio State (5)
5. Florida State (6)
6. Penn State (7)
7. Tennessee (8)
8. Washington (9)
9. Texas (OTM)
10. Oregon
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):
North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Utah
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:
A real shake-up in my top ten rankings. Texas, who was among my OTMs last week, had a 34-24 road win over Alabama, who was ranked #1 in my rankings, this past SAT. It looks like I should have egg on my face for who I ranked #1 in the preseason before this past weekend. It looks like the reloading buble for Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban has finally burst. This win for the UT Longhorns (over the Crimson TIde) should open more doors for them this season. There is no doubt that Texas will do better than an 8-5 mark from last season. Message to all teams (including their DBs) who will play the Longhorns this year, QB Quinn Ewers has a lot of great passing targets to pass that ball to. Texas WR Xaiver Worthy may be his main passing target but he also has another WR such as WR Ja’Tavion Sanders, who received 5 catches for 114 yards, including a 50-yard catch, in that win over the Tide. I know the polls have the ‘Horns ranked #4 but I have them at #9 because more challenges will arise but I know this football team is talented enough to take on all challenges in a less-defensive conference. You can’t count out (at) Baylor (Sept.23), Kansas (Sept.30), and rival Oklahoma (in Dallas, TX on Oct.7) upsetting this football team. Texas will keep their momentum rolling as the Longhorns have a home game against Wyoming (SAT, 8 PM, Longhorn Network) while ‘Bama will rebound with a road game against South Florida this SAT (3:30 PM, ABC)… I decided to move Michigan up from #2 to #1 because there is no stopping the UM Wolverines until a Nov.11 road game against Penn State for this time being. This football team is coming off a 35-7 home win over Bowling Green this past SAT. Michigan will have a home against Bowling Green this SAT (7:30 PM, BTN)…Defending National Champions Georgia moved up from #3 to #2 in my rankings after a 45-3 home win over Ball State to remain on a current 17-game winning streak. This UGA Bulldogs defense keeps making big plays to make life easy for their teammates on offense. This football team remains ranked #1 in the polls in their pursuit of remaining undefeated and three-peating as national champions as they have a home game against South Carolina this SAT (3:30 PM, CBS)…USC moved up from #4 to #3 in my rankings after a 56-10 home win over Stanford. The Trojans will have a bye-week after a 3-0 start before two straight road games against Arizona State (Sept.23) and Colorado (Sept.30). This football team better not look past the ASU Sun Devils before the rebuilt Buffaloes..Ohio State moved up from #5 to #4 after a 35-7 home-opening win over Youngstown State. I am glad WR Marvin Harrison made up for a disappointing performance from that season-opening road win over Indiana last week by receiving 2 catches for 18 yards. THis Buckeyes defense has a lot of practicing to do because the DB corp have to have eyes on Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley, who is a main passing target for QB Austin Reed. This football team will have a home game against the WKU Hilltoppers this SAT (4 PM, FOX) before their Sept.23 road game against Notre Dame…Speaking of the Fighting Irish, Notre Dame is coming off an impressive 45-24 road win over N.C State. I will say each game this football team has played during their 3-0 start have been more impressive and did more than expected. This coming SAT will be no exception as the Irish will have a home game against Central Michigan (2:30 PM, Peacock) before their showdown against Ohio State. I’ve said this before if Notre Dame goes undefeated past Sept.23, the Irish will be ranked in my top ten FOR SURE….Florida State moved up from #6 to #5 in my rankings after a 66-13 season-opening home win over Southern Miss. I am convinced the FSU Seminoles will go undefeated for however long possible. This football team can’t look past (at) Boston College (1-1) this SAT (Noon, ABC) for their Sept.23 road game against defending ACC Champions Clemson. The winner of that Sept.23 showdown will be in the lead of the ACC, which no longer has divisions (Atlantic and Coastal), and likely have a first-place berth in the ACC Championship Game in December…Penn State moved up from #6 to #5 in my rankings after a 63-7 home win over Delaware. Backup RB Kaytron Allen made things happen (rushed 19 carries, 103 yards, and 1 TD) when star RB Nicholas Singleton couldn’t make things happen last SAT. I have said this before but the Nittany Lions are talented enough to be undefeated before their Oct.21 road game against Ohio State. This football team will have a tough home game against upset-minded Illinois (1-1) this SAT (Noon, FOX)… Tennessee moved up from #8 to #7 after a 30-13 home-opening win over Austin Peay. I am glad that I kept the UT Volunteers where they are at because this football team didn’t cover the spread AND should’ve won by more than 17 points. The Vols will have a tough road game against rival Florida this SAT (7 PM, ESPN). Remember, this football team hasn’t beat the Gators in back to back seasons since 2003-04. Should Tennessee beat Florida, I hope Georgia is taking notice….Washington has moved up from #9 to #8 after a 43-10 home win over Tulsa. QB Michael Penix and this UW Huskies offense have over 450 total yards (including 400 passing yards) in each of their first two games and will continue to exploit all weaknesses of all opposing defenses. This football team will have tough challenges (on the Pac-12 conference schedule) coming up after a road game against Michigan State this SAT (5 PM, Peacock). Washington is talented enough to remain undefeated until their Oct.14 home game against Oregon…Speaking of the Ducks, Oregon remains ranked #10 after a 38-30 road win over upset-minded Texas Tech. Star QB Bo Nix had another great performance under center for this Ducks offense. I know this football team better not look past Hawaii this SAT (8 PM, PAC-12) for a Sept.23 home game against Colorado, who is one of the most surprising teams in the nation. Oregon is talented enough to be undefeated before their Oct.14 road game against Washington… North Carolina will remain among my OTMs after a 40-34 home-opening win over Appalachian State this past SAT. The UNC Tar Heels under performed on both sides of the ball to avoid an upset from the App State Mountaineers. This football team is expected to remain undefeated before an Oct. 28 road game against Georgia Tech, who had an upset road win over the Heels last season. North Carolina has a home game against Minnesota (2-0) this SAT (3:30 PM, ESPN)…Utah is lucky to remain undefeated and among my OTMs in a tough as expected 20-13 comeback road win over Baylor. You gotta take your helmets off to the Utes did play in a degree of difficult situation beating the Bears in a hot 100-plus degree weather. This football team, who is ranked #12 in the polls, has to regroup and have chalk-talk for their home game against Weber State this SAT (2 PM, PAC-12) and get ready for their Oct. 23 home game against UCLA, who should remain undefeated after a home game against N.C Central this SAT….I can’t wait for the games this weekend.
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
UCF PK Colton Boomer- Scored 12 points in the Golden Knights’ 18-16 comeback road win over Boise State. Scored on all 4 FG attempts, including a 55-yard FG. Scored a 40-yard FG (on last play) to win this game. His 4 Fgs scored ties a single-game school recrod (with eght other PKs.)
UCF DE Tre’Mon Morris-Brash– Produced 4 tackles ( all solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 QB hurry in the Golden Knights’ road win over Boise State.
UCF QB John Rhys Plumlee- 345 total offensive yards in the Golden Knights’ road win over Boise State. Passed 18-24, 272 yards, and 2 INTs. Rushed 11 carries for 73 yards, including a 17-yard carry. Left this game with a leg injury.
UCF WR Kobe Hudson- Received 5 catches for 134 yards, including a 53-yard catch, in the Golden Knights’ road win over Boise State.
Florida State LB Blake Nichelson- Produced 5 tackles (1 solo) and 1 PBU in the FSU Seminoles’ 66-13 home-opening win over Southern Miss.
Florida State RB Trey Benson- Rushed 9 carries, 79 yards, and 3 TDs (19,3, and 42) in the Seminoles’ home win over Southern Miss.
Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke- Passed 21-30, 374 yards, and 5 TDs in the Hurricanes’ 48-33 home win over Texas A&M.
Miami WR Xaiver Restero- Received 6 catches for 126 yards, including a 48-yard catch, in the Hurricanes’ home win over Texas A&M.
Miami S Kamren Kinchens- Produced 7 tackles (3 solo), 1 INT (28 yards), and 1 fumble recovery in the Hurricanes’ home win over Texas A&M.
Miami CB Jaden Davis- Produced 8 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Hurricanes’ home win over Texas A&M.
Miami PK Andres Borregales- Scored 12 points in the Hurricanes’ home win over Texas A&M. Kicked 2-3 FGs (incluidng a 50-yard FG) and scored on all 6 XPK attempts.
The Florida offensive line- Helped this offense have 560 total yards (including 327 rushing yards) in the Gators’ 49-7 home-opening win over McNeese State.
Florida RB Montrell Johnson Jr- Rushed 15 carries, 119 yards, and 2 TDs (2 and 8) in the Gators’ home win over McNeese State.
Florida WR Ricky Pearsall- Received 6 carries, 123 yards, and 1 TD (50 yards) in the Gators’ home win over McNeese State.
FIU QB Kejon Jenkins- 392 total offensive yards and 4 TDs responsible for in the Panthers’ 46-39 home win over North Texas. Passed 20-32, 291 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. Rushed 10 carries, 101 yards, and 3 TDs (21,47, and 6).
FIU LB Donovan Manuel- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, and 1 PBU in the Panther’s home win over North Texas.
FIU S C.J Christian- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 INT, and 2 PBUs in the Panthers’ home win over North Texas.
Florida Atlantic LB Ambush Jackson- Produced 8 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 INT in the FAU Owls’ 17-10 home loss against Ohio.
Florida Atlantic S Jarron Morris- Produced 5 tackles (2 solo), 1 INT (72-yard TD), and 1 PBU in the Owls’ home loss against Ohio.
Florida Atlantic CB Darius McClendon- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in the Owl’s home loss against Ohio.
South Florida LB D.J Gordon IV- Produced 7 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the USF Bulls’ 38-24 home-opening win over Florida A&M.
South Florida S Logan Berryhill- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo) and 2 INTs (28 yards, including a 15-yard INT return) in the Bulls’ home win over Florida A&M.
South Florida P Andrew Stokes- Had 5 punts with 41.4 yards per punt in the Bulls’ home win over Florida A&M. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 32-yard punt landing on the 8-yard line.
