Week 3 Summary

As always, "it's not as bad as it seems, nor is it as good as it seems, but somewhere in the middle is reality."

Florida, it's starting to appear as though it's as good as it seems, I'm still skeptical, but after taking care of both A&M and Tennessee on the road, the rest of the schedule doesn't look so impossible.  I'm very impressed with Driskel and Gillislee, and it appears as though Muschamp is establishing that defense we're so accustomed to seeing Muschamp win with.  Tennessee, it's okay, you're off to a good start and although it seems bad today, by Thursday you'll be very satisfied with this much improved team.

Alabama, this could be the year you allow your pride to beat you, and I'd be shocked if the Tide go undefeated at this point.  They haven't been challenged yet and the first twenty minutes of that Arkansas game it appeared as though Arkansas was going to make it a good game.  I know that's what the big four defenses do in the SEC, Florida, Georgia, LSU, and especially Bama are better than you up front defensively, but the gap is marginal when it's your one's vs their one's, then as the game goes along they bring in their two's that are just as good as their one's and you either play your exhausted one's or your outmatched two's, either way, those four teams tend to wear you out because they've been able to recruit so much better than you.  Arkansas, in all honesty you've only given away one, you weren't going to beat Bama and the ULM game just got away from you.  Settle down Hog Fans, allow this team to take shape and start winning games one at a time.  It could be a very long season in Fayetteville, but it's obvious the Hogs miss Tyler Wilson and if you get Tyler back, who knows what this season could turn in to.

Stanford, what a tough, gritty performance against USC.  I'm thoroughly impressed and excited for the Cardinal and their prospects this season.  I knew USC was going to pressure themselves into at least one loss, I just didn't know the Cardinal had it in them to be that team.  It was obvious that USC needed someone to relax them, everyone was trying to make a play and no one was just doing their job.  USC is probably the most talented offensive team in the college football this season, so keep your head up Trojan fans, a lot of one loss teams sneak into that BCS Championship, the Pac 12 looks much more dangerous after the last two weeks, but there's no doubt who the big dogs are in that league.

Pittsburgh, well, here's wishing the season would have started in Week 3.  The Panthers looked nearly unbeatable against Va Tech, but Va Tech has been on my overrated list since Week 1, I have not been impressed with Logan Thomas, nor have been overwhelmed by the defensive front.

Ohio State, scraped by Cal, but a win is a win and Urban Meyer is 3-0.  It's hard to imagine Ohio State "winning" the Big 10 after a disappointing season last year and being on sanctions, but that's exactly what Meyer is going to do, just without getting any credit.

Missouri, way to bounce back after that heartbreaking loss to Georgia.  Arizona State is no cupcake and the Tigers responded well.  Most impressively was the play of the backup QB in a very manageable role, for that I commend the coaching staff.  Arizona State, you got shocked in the first half, but I'm convinced if the game were an additional 5:00 Arizona State would have completed the comeback.  The Pac 12 is not extremely difficult, however, it's not easy by any means either, and I'd put the Sun Devils just behind Oregon, USC, Stanford, and UCLA.

Texas, I called it last year and I'm sticking with it, why in the world would a top tier recruit at running back go to Texas at this point, Malcolm Brown has that spot locked down tight.  He looked sharp against Ole Miss and David Ash really looked like the guy that can carry that team to a Big XII-II=X Title.  Ole Miss, it's going to keep getting worse for you this year.  The Rebels don't have the skill players to compete in the West this year, but I'd be shocked if they don't sneak up on someone and pull off a sizeable upset this year.  My guess is on Saturday November 3rd when the Rebels travel to Athens to take on Georgia, I'm probably wrong, but I think that's the best matchup for the Rebels to pull of a big one this year.

SpecialEdTeams Top 20
1.    Bama - And the lead is growing every week
2.    LSU - should still be here next week after a Saturday on the Plains
3.    Oregon - is really, really fast, but we'll find out where they really are after Rich Rod
4.    Florida State - still hasn't played anyone
5.    Georgia - better get use to the Bulldogs being in the top 5
6.    Oklahoma - the Sooners are about to find out exactly how tough they are up front
7.    West Virginia - must start games with a 21 point advantage
8.    South Carolina - still unsure about the offense, but you've got to give Spurrier the edge
9.    Texas - my guess, they finish the year in the top 10
10.  USC - let's not get too down on the Trojans, they're still really good
11.  Florida - Muschamp has that D going and when Muschamp has athletes, he's dangerous
12.  Stanford - impressive week, but I'm guessing the Cardinal won't finish this high
13.  Kansas State - a showdown in Norman awaits, and I'm getting excited
14.  Mississippi State - this could be the year of the Cowbell, the Bulldogs look tough
15.  Ohio State - it's tough to truly take this one serious because the season ends in November
16.  Notre Dame - I'm not convinced yet, but I was impressed with that victory over Mich St
17.  TCU - Pachall can really play, leads the FBS in QB Rating
18.  Clemson - will benefit from a less than stellar schedule
19.  UCLA - very impressed so far, but I feel as though I'm about to get let down
20.  Arizona - 3-0 and headed to Eugene, we'll see if they can really play on Saturday

SpecialEdTeams Conference Rankings
1.  SEC - Still the one to beat
2.  Pac 12 - Should get interesting with more conference games coming up
3.  Big 12 - whew, I'm picking ULM to beat Baylor at home
4.  Big 10 - again by default, you get worse every week, just not as bad as the ACC
5.  ACC - blah
6.  Big East

SpecialEdTeams Heisman Watch
1.  Johnathan Franklin - Another big game and no Barkley to contend with, for now anyways
2.  Geno Smith - the stats are incredible
3.  Collin Klein - no one is more important to their team
4.  A.J. McCarron - this kid is slowly working his way into this group with solid play
5.  Braxton Miller - this guy can really play and is running the perfect offense for his skill set

SpecialEdTeams Doak Walker Watch
1.  Johnathan Franklin - along with Gillislee, running away with this at the moment
2.  Mike Gillislee - just keeps running for meaningful yards
3.  Stepfan Taylor - big game and a W against USC, but what a performance from this kid
4.  Le'Veon Bell - still on the list for Weeks 1 and 2, Week 3 was not his best
5.  LaDarius Perkins - regardless of competition, 23 touches for 179 and over 7 yards a carry

SpecialEdTeams Biletnikoff Watch
1.  Marquise Lee - #1 three weeks in a row, that's something on these lists
2.  Marcus Sales - three 100 yard games in a row...WOW
3.  Donte Moncrief - HUGE game against Texas, just didn't have any help
4.  Stedman Bailey - 173 yards and 3 tds, that's one of the better performances this year
5.  DeAndre Hopkins - Not his best, but still better than most

SpecialEdTeams Mackey Watch
1.  Chris Coyle - this guy is really stepping up
2.  Chris Gragg - Arkansas is having it's troubles, but Gragg is keeping up his end
3.  Blake Jackson - another big game, he's becoming a major part of the offense
4.  Austin Seferian-Jenkins - what an athlete, needs a big performance to move back up
5.  Kaneakua Friel - hanging in there, we'll see if he can keep it up