COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 RECAP

1.) 1OHIO ST. LOOKS SOLID

Although they allowed 343 yds to No. Illinois, the offense looked awesome as two Troy Smith to Ted Ginn connections put the Buckeyes up early, led by 28 pts in the 2nd Q and then coasted the rest of the way in the 35-12 win. But the showdown in Austin with the newly crowned #2 Longhorns, a rematch of last years' thrilling Texas victory, will determine if they're really #1. Must see TV Sat at 8, ABC

2.) RANKED#6, USC WAS UNDERRATED

The Heisman Carousel at Southern Cal keeps on spinning as heralded junior John David Booty racked up 263 yds passing & 3 TDs as the Trojans skinned the Razorbacks 50-14 in Fayetteville. Without Leinart & Bush USC still managed to rush for 192 yards & amass 472 yards of offense. But with 5 currently ranked teams left on their schedule we'll see if they're title contenders.


3.) 9 CAL A CONTENDER? 23VOLS SAY HAH!
All the experts seemed to be jumping on the Cal bandwagon this preseason, for reasons yet unclear. The past 3 years they've been unable to beat ranked teams (2-7), especially on the road (0-5). So despite the Vols awful 2005 campaign (5-6, w/ a home loss to Vandy) this game had upset written all over it. Plus you just can't go against 106,000+ orange-clad Tennesseeans.

4.) 2IRISH HAD TO FIGHT FOR WIN @ G.TECH
So much for Charlie Weiss' squad sneaking up on anyone this year. A game Yellow Jacket team gave the Irish all they could handle in Atlanta, leading the media darlings 10-0 late in the first half. But then ND got just enough from their Heisman hopeful QB Brady Quinn, who pushed it in for a 5-yd score before the break, which saved their season before it even started. Luck o' the Irish strikes again.

5.) IS McCLUSTER THE NEXT BUSH?
Diminutive(5'8") Ole Miss tailback Dexter McCluster of nearby Largo High made an impressive splash in his college debut with 268 yards of total offense in the Reb's 28-25 victory over Memphis. With his ability to catch (86yds), run(60 yds), and return kicks (122 yds), this 3-way dynamo gives Ole Miss a versatile weapon. He's small, he's exciting, he's just like Reggie- minus the Trophy.

6.) WHAT DID THE 11NOLES WIN PROVE?
Not sure other than the fact that the Miami retooling of the offense after the 40-3 Sugar Bowl debacle vs LSU didn't work. Either that or FSU's defense is REALLY good, holding the Canes to 134 total yards despite losing 4 starters to the NFL. But if QB Drew Weatherford and RB Lo Booker can get some protection, this offense could surprise some people and should be enough to put the Noles in the ACC Title game again.

7.) 13 L'VILLE WON GAME BUT LOST RB BUSH
The potential title hopes of the Cardinals took a punishing blow when Michael Bush went down with a broken leg in their 59-28 win over Kentucky. Bush was a senior who returned to school only because he was not projected as a top pick in the draft. But as the reigning NCAA scoring leader (14.4 ppg) and with the Birds in the BCS picture his stock figured to rise this year. Now he must decide to redshirt or go pro. A sad tale that illustrates why so many players want to leave school early.

8.) TEXAS TO FACE OSU W/OUT STAR CB
Texas will have to go into the earliest No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in NCAA history without the services of star cornerback Tarell Brown, who will be suspended after his arrest on maryjane possession and weapons charges- never a good combo.But will the controversy adversly affect the Longhorns, who have never hosted a 1v2 game, or just bring the team closer together? Texas and its fans better hope it's the latter, or their championship hopes could go...ready for it... up in flames.

9.) WHO WILL BE USF's QB?
When prized QB recruit Carlton Hill was moved to receiver last season, it opened the door for junior Pat Julmiste to take the reigns as the starter. With Hill now off the team, possibly for good, the job was all Julmiste's. But when the Bulls struggled in the first half against lowly McNeese St. & Julmiste went down with a thigh bruise, freshman Matt Grothe stepped in and guided the team to 3 TD's and a win. Julmiste is healthy, but has apparently lost his starting job; hey Pat, you bruise you lose buddy.


10.) 3 GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND:
> 12Georgia @ So. Carolina: Two SEC Title hopefuls sqaure off in an early test of who's the beast of the SEC East.

> 19 Penn St. @ 4Notre Dame After their scare @ Ga. Tech the Irish better beware of Paterno's Cats

> 1Ohio St. @ 2 Texas An early season treat just like last years' thriller in Columbus; don't miss this BCS knockout game- it should be a great one

Ohio St. QB Troy Smith is out for revenge vs. Texas