Five College Football Topics for Discussion (Week 3)

Week two is in the books. We have already shared what we learned from the SEC last week here. Now it’s time to pose some questions as we come out of week two and head into week three. Last week there were some wild one., South Carolina survived Georgia, Michigan rallied to upend Notre Dame, Louisville got surprised by FIU, Ohio State held off a surprise by Toledo, Auburn rubbed it’s rabbits foot as they beat Mississippi State, Oklahoma State blew doors, and UCF manhandled Boston College. And that’s just the cliff notes version. For some it was a fun week for others it was maalox inducing. We are two weeks deep into the season and it’s just beginning. This one is going to be a roller-coaster ride of a season. Here’s five questions to think about and we would love to hear your response….

Is the Big 12 the best Conference top to bottom so far this season?

Yep, you read that question right. On the brink of extinction the Big 12 really looks solid top to bottom. In Week One the Big 12 went 10-0. Baylor had a signature win over TCU on that Friday night and despite a couple of nail-biters from Iowa State and Kansas State the conference held serve. Last week, they went 4-1 losing only the Missouri/Arizona State game and who knows what would have happened if Gary Pinkel didn’t try to ice his own kicker, TWICE! In Week two Oklahoma State put the bully beatdown on Arizona, Texas somehow came up a winner against BYU, Iowa State (behind everyone’s new favorite QB STEELE JANTZ) shocked Iowa and Kansas somehow scored 45 points to beat a good Northern Illinois team. So I ask you, is the Big 12 the best conference in the land right now (even though they might not even exist next year)?

Can Florida or Tennessee make a run at the SEC East title?

This is my big game this week. Both teams have somewhat surprised early even though they haven’t exactly played a “who’s who” of college football. Florida has knocked off FAU and UAB by a combined score of 80-3 and Tennessee has put up 97 points of their own in their first two games. So far this year Tyler Bray is 51 of 65 for 698 yards and 7 TD with 0 INT. I can’t wait to see how he does against a Florida defense that has allowed just 3 points so far this year. The Vols sophomore tandem of WRs Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers look they’ve turned the corner (combined 31 receptions for 502 yards and 5 TD) but what will they look like against Florida? This game is going to decide a lot in the SEC East. Will one of these two teams make a run at the SEC East Title?

Can FSU match-up with Oklahoma this year?

Last year FSU got taken to the woodshed on their trip to Norman by the tune of 47-17. And it didn’t really feel that close. That was year one under Jimbo Fisher as the Noles finished a respectable 10-4. This year they have a ton of talent back and they have been dubbed by everyone as the heir apparent to win the ACC. Oklahoma will be their first test and what a test it will be. Can FSU stand up to Oklahoma this year in Tallahassee or will it be more of the same that we saw last year?

Which team is in more trouble, Georgia or Notre Dame?

These are the best two 0-2 teams in the country. Georgia has played a brutal schedule starting against a top 5 team in Boise State and then playing a team that is now ranked #11 in South Carolina. Notre Dame on the other hand has lost to two teams that were not ranked in the Top 25 at the time of the Irish’s defeat. Georgia got manhandled by Boise but had a much better showing against South Carolina in week two. The Irish let two games slip away from them that they should have won. Georgia’s two upcoming games are against Coastal Carolina and the fighting Nutt’s of Ole Miss (although Georgia will most likely play both of those games without both of their starting ILBs- Christian Robinson, the QB of their defense, and Alec Ogletree, the best player on their defense). Notre Dame on the other hand has Michigan State next week and then goes on the road to play Pitt. Which one of these teams is in more trouble?

Who is your surprise team of the year so far?

Is it the Auburn Tigers, who are two plays from being 0-2 but instead are 2-0? Is it the Baylor Bears with the way they dismantled the TCU defense in week one? Is it Florida with the start they’ve had against inferior opponents? Maybe it’s a Top 10 team like Stanford or Wisconsin who has exceeded your expectations. Maybe you cheer for the little guy and like FIU, Toledo or Richmond. Could it be STEELE JANTZ and Iowa State? Could it be Northwestern, who’s off to a 2-0 start without Dan Persa? Let us know, which team has surprised you the most (in a good way) so far this year.