Man has it been a wild college football season thus far. First it starts with the biggest upset victory in college football history with Appalachian St defeating Michigan and then last week #1 LSU looses in a nail biter against a surprisingly good Kentucky team.  With all the drama so far, it has been even more exciting to try and predict the Top 5 rankings each week. Up until this week there was little debate as to who belonged and who should be left out according to the quality of wins each team has possessed. Well that all went to screeching halt when the BSC revealed that Ohio State was the number 1 ranked team in the country.

I could write a thesis about why the BSC sucks and is an incompetent method of selecting the National Championship participants, but I will save that for later. My main beef with the BCS rankings this week were not so much about the system but the unbelief that sports writers and coaches had come to a consensus that Ohio State deserved the top spot.  Which I feel is a complete crock of crap.

If you look at the Buckeyes schedule to this point they have played no one with any significance.   Take for instance the first game of the season. They played against a College Subdivision team in Youngstown St. that knew the moment they entered the stadium they were going to lose. Then following that game, OSU got a series of wins against a bunch of conference dwellers that have a combined record less than .500. These included teams like Minnesota and Washington that could not even get quality wins against lesser opponents. Follow that by a win against a Purdue team that got abused by Michigan last week, and I don’t need to remind you why that was an embarrassing loss for the Boilermakers (App. St.). Then of course the Buckeyes most recent victory over another MAC opponent proves that Ohio St has done nothing, zero, and zilch in proving its potential #1 ranking.

What really makes me questions Ohio States validity of their #1 ranking is the way they have won the first 6 games. Yes of course if you look at the scores of each of those games, Ohio State has won by an average of 30 points. However, that was done against teams that don’t have much offensive power to test that Buckeye defense in addition not one defensive unit the Buckeyes faced ranked higher than 30^th in total defense in the country. What that tells me is Ohio St is somewhat unproven defensively and their offense is really going to struggle when they have to face Penn St and Wisconsin.

So basically you can count Ohio St to lose the top BSC ranking in the next few weeks and it is quite possible they will be playing for “pride” when they face an SEC opponent in the Outback Bowl come January 1, 2008.

On Tuesday, October 15^th, the San Diego Chargers decided to do everything they could to maintain the momentum of their recent win streak (2 games) by giving up a 2008 second round draft pick and acquiring Chris Chambers from the Miami Dolphins. In what has been an extremely disappointing first 6 weeks of the season, the Chargers front office brilliantly added a talented receiver to an offense that desperately needs some help in the WR department and may just be the missing link to a potential Super Bowl caliber team.

Clearly the market value of Chambers was well below the sacrifice of a second round draft pick (look at Moss in his trade this summer with the Patriots…they only gave up a fourth round pick for this seasons candidate for offensive MVP). However, the Chargers had to make a move and had to do something to continue the momentum of the past two weeks where the offense has finally been clicking. If you look at the first four games of the season where the offense produced pathetic numbers and did nothing to keep their defense off of the field. The blame was not so much on Norv Turner and his play calling or the lack of blocking from the offensive line, but was solely on the production of the receiving corp (excluding Antonio Gates). Through the first 4 games of the season, the Chargers receivers ranked last in almost every category, yards and receptions, for any starting receiving unit in the league. If it were not for Gates, the Chargers passing offense would have been ranked dead last in the league. Clearly there was a need to find a weapon in the receiving corp and they found one in Chambers.

For the first time in Philip Rivers career he will have a viable receiving option besides Gates and Tomlinson. Chambers will provide a deep threat that will open the middle of the field for Gates and also underneath routes for Tomlinson. Better yet, Turner will finally have a talented receiver that can open his offense up.

Back in the 1990’s during the Cowboys dynasty, Turner guided one of the most dominate offenses of that time. That team had talented QB in Troy Aikman, a Hall of Famer in Emmit Smith, a mismatching TE in Jay Novechek, and a dominant WR in Michael Irving. With Tuesday’s addition of Chambers to the Chargers offense, there may be finally be the same type of QB, RB, TE and WR that Turner’s offense once had in Dallas.

This weekend 2 of the remaining 3 undefeated teams will be matching up and only 1 team will leave the weekend 6-0. Although the game between New England and Dallas is intriguing enough to see the top two MVP candidates, Brady and Romo, there is even a more compelling story line in the two controversial wide receivers.

Terrel Owens and Randy Moss come into Sunday’s game as the best WR’s of the season and arguably of recent history. Sure enough I believe the outcome of that game may hinge on the person that has the better performance. Looking over the first 5 games of this season I will argue that Moss will deliver a huge performance, which will result in a Patriot win.

Statistically Moss has been by far the most impressive of the season if you were to compare him to Owens. Moss has 4 more touchdowns than T.O. and he has accumulated over 200 more yards receiving. Even more impressive Moss has accomplished much of it against tougher defenders that those thrown at T.O.

Individually Moss has been the more dominant receiver but he also has a better supporting staff than T.O. While having the likes of Stallworth, Watson and Welker surrounding him, he has a greater ability of getting open and avoiding double coverage. If you compare to T.O., he can only rely on Witten to pull the safeties off.

You may argue that since Moss has a better supporting cast of receivers that if T.O. were playing in the same situation he would have the same success. This is clearly not the case. Take for example Monday Night’s performance against Buffalo. Owens had the ball thrown to him in two critical situations, once for a key touchdown reception with 2 minutes remaining and the other for critical yardage needed to hit the game winning field goal. In both situations T.O. dropped the ball. That to me says that Owens can’t come up big when needed. He may have had some huge catches in the past but now he is almost unreliable in key situations. For that reason, Moss will end up providing a greater performance this weekend, which will help his team propel a win against the Cowboys.

Looking at the half waypoint of the 2007 college football season there have been strong performances by many of the preseason favorites of the Heisman Trophy race. Through six games of this season here is my power rankings of the player most likely to win the coveted trophy in December.

#3 Darren McFadden RB Arkansas – Coming into this season Darren was the choice of many sports editors and fans as the most likely to win the Heisman. After finishing third last season in the balloting you would think he had the trophy pretty much wrapped up as long as he had anything near the type of performance last season. Well through the first half of this season, Darren has had a better year statistically in every category than 2006. The problem however, is the same Achilles heal from last year…he plays with a mediocre SEC team. If the tables were turned and he played for USC, LSU or even South Carolina he could easily win the trophy. But unfortunately for Darren as long as the Razorbacks continue to come up short in the big games and only win against games that should be won, he will not finish higher than 3^rd for the Heisman voting again this year.

#2 DeSean Jackson WR California – This guy has played as good as anybody in the country when it comes to big games. He totally lit up Oregon the other day and despite being slowed by a sprained finger, he has been virtually impossible to stop. Right now I have him as the runner up in the Heisman race. However, that could all change in a few weeks when Cal and USC face. If DeSean goes for more than 100 yards with a couple of touchdowns in that game, even if it is a close loss for the Bears you may see DeSean holding the greatest individual prize in college football. (By the way… history is not on the side of DeSean, there have been only 2 wide receivers to ever win the Heisman. The last to do so was Desmond Howard 16 years ago.)

#1 Colt Brennan QB Hawaii – All I can say is Ty Detmer. It was 17 years ago that a pass happy, undersized QB from a mid major conference won the Heisman Trophy. Like Detmer, Colt is a pass happy, small QB and on his way to break a ton of NCAA passing records and lead an unheralded WAC team into a potential BSC match up. If he can continue on his current pace I predict Colt Brennan will be the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner.

At the beginning of this season, many people professed the USC Trojan’s as the best defensive team that Coach Carroll has produced since his dynasty began 7 years ago. They said that John David Booty could be the next Carson Palmer or Matt Leinart. And most of all most sports writers and fans were writing them to play LSU in the BCS Championship game. Well after Saturday’s loss against the Stanford Cardinals those bold predictions may have feel in the same direction as the Trojans National Championship hopes…directly in trash.

It may be argued that last nights game was a toss up and the Trojans had it in the bag until the Cardinals got lucky with their last minute touchdown to put them up by one. However, looking back how the Trojans lost that game may be an insight to any future opponent that they face for the remainder of the season. In fact, their second half performance may have shown the true character of this “National Championship” team.

1^st John David Booty Reacts Poor to Pressure. The true character of a contending team is how a team can face adversity in the most pressure situation. When USC was up against the ropes Booty forced throw after throw, which eventually led to 3 second half interceptions that cost his team the game. Hopefully last night was a fluke, but the way Booty has performed against UCLA last year and then against Stanford last night. It may be a sign that he is not a Championship caliber QB that has the skills to lead his team down the stretch.

2^nd “The Best USC Defense Ever” Gave Up 24 Second Half Points to a Hapless Stanford Offense. Remember this Stanford team has lost in embarrassing fashion to UCLA as the beginning of the season and to Oregon and Arizona St. In fact, the Cardinal offense had been flat out humiliated in each of those losses. However, after last nights second half performance Stanford made the Trojan defense look like the scout team how they man handled them up and down the field.

3^rd USC Choked at Home. As previously mentioned it was not like Stanford was Cal or a LSU team that could match the Trojans man for man talent wise. This team was 1-3 going into last night’s game and the only loss of the season came against a bottom of the conference San Jose St. team. The way the Trojans struggled in their own house has to make me second guess the power and caliber of this USC team. Not only did they not show any fortitude when faced with adversity but also they flat out got out played in their own house.

It seems like yesterday that the commissioner announced JaMarcus Russell as the first pick of this year’s draft, and only a few hours ago ESPN was making a big hubbub about the Michael Strahan saga in New York. Incredibly enough the 2007 NFL season is already 25% complete. Where has the time gone?

Over the course of the first 4 weeks of the season there have been plenty surprises and disappointments. First, you have Brett Favre who only 6 months ago was a phone call away from saying good bye to the Packer faithful and enter retirement. However, over the last 4 weeks, Favre has suddenly turned back the table of time and is showing the same type of leadership and NFL greatness that lead the Packers to a Super Bowl championship in the late 90’s. Now on the other hand, you have the San Diego Chargers who in a lack of better words have completely sucked, plain and simple.

Clearly, there will be plenty of discussion to debate who has been the greatest disappointment up to this point in the season, we can leave that for another blog. However, I would like to focus on the player who I believe is the NFL MVP of the first quarter of the season. For some they may say that Tom Brady has been playing better than ever, or Peyton Manning is continuing this season without missing a beat since the Super Bowl. To most people this may be a shock, but I believe Randy Moss is far and wide the best player in the NFL. Not only is he the best, he is the most valuable and crucial component to any teams roster at this point in the season.

If you look at the numbers Moss has put up since the first week of the season, they are almost unbelievable. Through 4 games, Moss is on pace to shatter almost every single season receiving record and if he continues at the same rate he is right now, he may contend for the all-time single season touchdown record established by LaDanian Tomlinson.

Setting statistics aside, I believe Moss is hands down the most valuable player in the league based upon the way he is single handedly changing defensive schemes. Each team the Patriots have faced thus far, have had almost no ability to effectively rush Tom Brady, and they have done nothing to stop the offense from scoring. Some of that success can be attributed to Brady’s ability to manage the game and the play calling from the offensive coordinator. However, if you look at the way teams have had play conservative D because of Moss, it is hard to argue the value he has provided to his team so far.

To be continued….

Well its finally happened. Halleluiah, Joy to the World, Thank the Man Up Stairs, the Chicago Bears have finally benched Rex Grossman. After throwing 14 interceptions with only 4 touchdown passes in his last 7 games, Grossman closed the deal after Sunday night performance when officially became the newest member of the “Career Back Up QB Club” (Established by Ty Detmer, and Joey Harrington). With such thrilling news for Bears fans, I believe there is an even greater internal leap of joy for all 53 players on the Bears roster.

Although players and coaches have never really came out and expressed frustration about Rex Grossman’s play or stated that they have no confidence in the guy, to me it has been plain as day since the Monday Night shellacking they took against the Packers last year that the players lost total faith in their quarterback. Yes, he did contribute to his team’s success in getting to the Super Bowl. However, if you take a hard look at the games against Seattle, New Orleans, Indy and the first three games of this season there has been a sense of nervousness and question in judgment from every player, and even some coaches, each time Grossman would drop back to pass. It wasn’t so much that they did not believe in his abilities it was the fact that every time he would step on the field he always played the game not to screw up, rather than play to win. Anybody that has ever been in athletics knows that the moment you go from playing to win to playing NOT to lose results in a loss almost every time. Unfortunately for Rex, that is the way he plays the game.

Looking at the rest of the season for the Bears I truly believe you will see a big change in the team attitude and demeanor. First, the defense finally has an experienced QB in Greise. He will manage the game in a way to where he will take minimal risks, while at the same time use good judgment when having to make a play. Second, the offense will have a leader they can look up to and believe that their QB has the ability to win games. Finally, Coach Smith has someone that he thought he had in Grossman, a proven winner that is going to gain full confidence of each player on the team.

On Monday evening, sources at ESPN were reporting that Deuce McAllister had torn his ACL during the 1^st quarter of the Monday Night Football game against the Titans. Obviously this proves disappointing for McAllister since he will miss the rest of the season, but worse yet, this could be the straw that broke the camels back for the Saints.

Last year when the Saints were ranked as the most prolific offense in the NFL and ranked amongst the best in almost all categories, many people had attributed their success to Drews Brees or Reggie Bush. The fact of the matter is that offense experienced that level of success by the power running game of McAllister. If you were to go back and look at the games where the Saints had passed for more than 300 yards or had scored more than 30 points a game, Deuce rushed for more than 100 yards or had at least 25 carries. Through his hard, smash mouth running style he would open up the middle of the field for Colston, because it would draw the safeties into the box to play the run. Also at the same time, Deuce could keep the defensive front seven honest in play action situations that would open up Reggie Bush in the flats. All of which would give Brees and the offense plenty of time to dismantle a defense throughout the course of the game.

This season the Saints have had almost no offensive power or explosion like they had experienced in the previous season. Once again critics are blaming the lack of effort on Brees, Bush or the offensive line. However, I believe it is due to their lack of utilization of McAllister. During each of the first 3 games this season Deuce has had less than 20 carries and 100 yards rushing, which based upon the previous paragraph would explain why the Saints offense is struggling so much.

Undoubtedly, after tonight’s loss to the Titans the 0-3 Saints have got to be feeling disappointed and let down. But now that their main offensive weapon may be lost for the season, it may be time to start hitting the panic button.

The first quarter of the college football season has concluded and up until this point there have not been any big surprise. After watching most of the games of the top teams in the country and observing their potential sustainability over the course of the season, I have put together my TOP 5 teams through Week 3. Enjoy….

#5 California Bears – If it were not for USC, California would be the dominant team of the PAC-10 and the West. They have a solid defensive front four and their offense is lead by running back sensation Justin Forsett. After putting the shellacking on Tennessee at the beginning of the season, the Bears have shown early this season that they are legitimate BCS contenders.

#4 Oklahoma Sooners – At this point in the season, they have got to be everyone’s sleeper to make it to the National Championship Game. After getting embarrassed in last years Fiesta Bowl loss to Boise State, Coach Stoops is on a mission to make a point to the nation that they are contenders. The Sooners have been very impressive thus far in their wins against Miami and lesser DI schools. However, the big test will come in October when they face rival Texas. If they can win that game and take care of business up through the Big 12 Championship they may be facing USC or LSU for the National Championship.

#3 Florida Gators – All I can say is, “WOW!” after the beating they gave to Tennessee this weekend. Although it appears the Volunteers are an over rated team, regardless, the Gators just dismantled a bowl bound SEC team that has some talent. I believe the Gators will hold their 3^rd place ranking throughout the entire season because on November 10^th they will suffer their only loss of the season at the hands of the South Carolina Gamecocks. Sorry Gator fans, there will not be a chance to repeat this year!

#2 LSU Tigers – What an impressive win against Virginia Tech 2 weeks ago! That game proved that LSU is legit. In fact, I have the Tigers and USC as a toss up for the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the country. The problem for LSU, they have to face a dangerous Alabama team in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide are hungry for an upset and it could happen, however, I believe the Tigers will get only a scare and go undefeated through the rest of the season.

#1 USC Trojans – What can I say; they have enough talent and team speed to rival ALMOST an NFL squad. It is scary to see the potential this team has. After witnessing the way the defense totally shut down a fairly decent Corn Husker offense, it will be interesting how USC can handle the LSU offense in the BCS National Championship game in January.

After the complete pounding the UCLA Bruins took this weekend against the Utah Utes, it begs to question whether the Bruins are simply a really bad team or are the Utes really that good. My answer to that question is a resounding THE BRUINS ARE THAT BAD…

1)      The Bruins offense struggled against a mediocre Stanford and BYU defenses. In their first two games of the season the Bruins offense proved to be very below average. They had a meager 350 yards of total offense against the Cardinals then the next week against BYU, Ben Olsen had a terrible performance while throwing for only 150 yards. The offense only survived that game by having enough of a ground game that solidified the win.

2)      The Utah Utes are a depleted and untalented team. After losing their starting running back, quarterback and wide receiver for the all or most of the entire season, the Utes had a bunch of scrubs to fill their shoes. All of which was evident when they played the Air Force Falcons last week. Playing their home opener against a much smaller team, the Utes completely got annihilated 20-12 at home. In that game they got out played, out coached and out hustled. In fact, fans were so embarrassed by the Utes performance the following Monday fans across Utah were calling for the resignation/firing of head coach Kyle Whittingham. Clearly, the Utes were the same team that played against the Bruins this past Saturday, but they played against a much lesser opponent. All of which resulted in an embarrassing loss at home.

3)      Ben Olsen is a bad and untalented quarterback. Although Olsen had been the most recruited and highest rated QB coming into college, he is almost as overrated as Brady Quinn. If you take a hard look at his stats during the course of his career his QB rating is that of Bubby Brister. He has almost as many interceptions as TD’s and his completion percentage is less than 50%. For any QB that is unacceptable especially for someone that runs the West Coast offense.

Although the Bruins were ranked in top 15 in both polls and picked to contend with USC for the Pac 10 title it is evident after 3 games into the 2007 football season, the Bruins are lucky if they can end the season with more than 5 wins. They are that bad!!!