NCAA WEEK 2 RECAP

1.) 1OHIO ST. CLEARLY #1
After a dominating 24-7 victory over the #2 ranked Longhorns in Austin, the Buckeyes proved to any doubters that they are THE team to beat this year. With 2 Heisman candidates (QB Troy Smith & RB Tedd Ginn, Jr.), a rabid fan base and underrated defense, it's Miami or bust. UP NEXT: vs. Cincy

2.) 9NOLES OFFENSE IS OFFENSIVE
Okay Papa Bowden, it's time to come to your senses and realize that son Jeff is NOT a D-1 offensive coordinator. Not only did they need 2 late TDs to get by the mighty men of Troy 24-17, but the running game pulled another no-show: after walking for 1 yard in the Miami win, they upped the production to 45 yds on Sat. With all that talent on offense (Weatherford, Fagg, Booker, Davis, Carr...) a decent coordinator would get more from them than what Jeff is. Bobby, just say no to nepotism! UP NEXT: vs. Clemson, 7:45 ESPN

3.) 2IRISH BOUNCE BACK WITH THUMPING OF PENN ST.
Okay, all the prognosticators who said that ND will be in the title game and Brady Quinn will win the Heisman can rest easy again. After a scare in Atlanta last week the Irish went back to the hallowed grounds of Touchdown Jesus and laid a woodshed beatdown on Jo-Pa's rebuilding Nitny Lions, 41-17. Quinn was back in form with a 25-36, 287 yd, 3 TD day while new Lion QB had it rough- 189 yds, 1 INT, 1 fumble retn'd for TD. UP NEXT: vs. 11Michigan, 3:30 NDC

4.) AKRON BEATS NC ST. AT HOME
This was one of those games that makes everyone associated with the Wolfpack program take a step back and go "uh-oh". Akron RB Darius Kennedy's 3rd TD of the day with just over a minute left sent the Zips home 20-17 winners and sent shockwaves throughout tobacco country; many fans are calling for Coach Amato's resignation. Although Akron had some decent wins on the road last year most were against MAAC opponents, but they also got drilled at Miami (Oh.) 51-23.

5.) 12L'VILLE DIDN'T SEEM TO MISS BUSH
Despite losing star senior tailback Michael Bush for the year on a knee injury last week the Cardinals didn't seem to miss a beat with a 62-0 annihilation of Temple. Bush's replacements filled in admirably, as George Stripling and Sergio Spenser both ran for 2 TDs each and the 'Ville rushed for a sod-searing 312 yards and 7 TDs! Hey, maybe it's the system. UP NEXT: 17 Miami, 3:30

6.) ADRIAN PETERSON, MAN ON A MISSION
Although he ran for 139 yards and 2 scores in the 11Sooners 24-17 opening win against UAB, tailback Adrian Peterson was criticized by his offensive coordinator. Coach Kevin Wilson implored his talented junior to be more agressive and quit dancing around waiting for the big play- just pound the ball & soften up the "D". He took the advice and ran roughshod over the Washington Huskies to the tune of 32 carries, 165 yards and 2 scores; he had a hefty 5.2 YPC. Keep criticizing, Coach, and you may have a Heisman winner there.

7.) SYRACUSE BREAKS OUT OLD-SCHOOL UNIs
In the age of brighter, bolder and often times blinding uniform schemes kudos to the Orange (gotta remind myself not to add -'men') for busting out the '60s retro gear. True these things don't exactly blend in or anything, but the more muted orange, sharp blue and cool double stripes make this look an improvement over previous 'Cuse garb. And way better than Oregon!

8.) RUTGERS ROLLING TO 2-0 START
Okay, they've beaten a floundering No. Carolina team, 21-16 (on the road) and a disappointing Illinois squad (fireronzook.com II anyone?) 33-0. But hey, 2-0 is 2-0 and Rutgers and their loyal, success-starved alums aren't complaining. Especially after the way they dominated the Illini on both sides of the ball: the offense racked up 311 total yds, including 166 on the ground. The defense swamped Illinois early and often as they held them to 126 total yards, forced 3 TOs and returned an INT & blocked a punt for TDs. Pretty impressive, and even the most staunch critics of Coach Greg Schiano ( Ira, are you listening?) must admit that he's got the storied program headed back in the right direction. UP NEXT: vs. Ohio

9.) 10BULLDOGS WIN 'COCK FIGHT 18-0
Well I bet the Old Ballcoach (boy do I hate that overworked nickname) didn't see this one coming. Even though the signs were there when the Gamecocks barely defeated Miss St 15-0, no one in Columbia envisioned the rebuilding 'Dawgs coming in and shutting down the punchless offense. Better go back to the drawing board, Stevie, and see if you got any of those old Fun-n-Gun plays left over that you can try.

10.) MY PICKS: HOW I FARED
Well at least I had a winning record, although my scores were a little off. Here's a reminder of my calls:
-MY:Ohio St. 24-21 ACTUAL: OSU 24-7
Hey I had the team and the 24, good enough for me
-MY: Irish 31-28 ACTUAL: Irish 41-17
Penn St. couldn't score more than 17?
-MY: BC 24-17 ACTUAL: BC 33-32, 2OTs
I guess Clemson is better than I thought
-MY: Cal 38-28 Actual: Cal 42-17
Bears took out frustration on Gophers
-MY: So Car. 17-14 ACTUAL: Georgia 18-0
What the heck is a 'Nole fan doing siding w/ Stevie?