My rankings, thoughts and other fallout from college football's first weekend

By Nate Sandstrom

It may be hard to believe, but college football's second week is less than 32 hours away from kicking off. Lots of good stuff to talk about this weekend, but I'm choosing to start with what was the most fun to watch: Miami's 38-34 win at Florida State.

First off, kudos to whoever decided to move this game back to Labor Day. This was the best rivalry in college football when I first fell in love with the game but it has definitely lost some significance in recent years. Getting the game back in prime time on it's own should help both schools.

As for the game itself, it looks like Jacory Harris may bring back the QB, to "QB U." He kept his cool after a bad bounce interception and despite being forced to play catch up on the road time and time again, impressing the Miami Herald's Greg Cote as much as me.

I'm coming away from the game saying both offenses are pretty good, but the 'Noles upcoming trip to BYU on Sept. 19 and Miami's tilt against Georiga Tech next Thursday may show that the 38-34 score is a sign both defenses are below their schools' standards.

Speaking of top QB effort's, how about Washington's Jake Locker's performance in a 31-23 loss to national title contender LSU. Locker threw for 321 and added another 50 on the ground in the Huskies' upset bid. It looks like new coach Steve Sarkisian will put a more competitive team on the field this year, even if a tough schedule prevents them from bowl eligibility.

Meanwhile, the LSU defense (the one that gave up 30 points per game in their last four in 2008) insist they are better than they played in today's Times-Picayune. Could be a bad sign for Vanderbilt.

If you don't love Greg Paulus, you not want to turn on the mute button any time Syracuse is on TV. Props to 'cuse for nearly pulling the upset against the Gophers this past weekend, but I thought the ESPN crew gave a little too much of the credit to the former Duke PG now Syracuse QB. Syracuse had a good run where they scored 17 unanswered points but much it was through short passing and runs. Paulus finished 19-31 for 167 and tossed a game-defining INT in OT in the loss.

The UTEP-Buffalo game featured yet another example of why they need to lighten up on the unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Trailing 23-17 late in the fourth quarter, UTEP hit a long TD pass that appeared to tie the game. The Miners were then flagged for excessive celebration; however, it also turned out they had been called for a hold on the play. Both penalties were marked off and UTEP was marched back beyond having a legit shot of scoring at the end. Coach Price was not happy.

As bad as I look for taking Oklahoma to win the national title after their loss Saturday, Cal made me look good for calling them national runner-up. The Bears absolutely shredded the Terps as bad as the score looked. At least I would say scoring 52 points wouldn't indicate being "perplexed."

Wisconsin's big problem last year was QB play, and Badger fans like me hope that the work of Scott Tolzien and Curt Phillips in a 28-20 win against NIU on Saturday indicate there will be fewer problems this year. Tolzien threw for 257 and Phillips carried the ball 4 times for 34 yards. The ground attack was not as good however, as Brown and Clay combined for just 94 yards on 29 carries. Overall, the Badgers jumped out to a 28-6 lead before Northern Illinois got some late scores to make it close.

In case you didn't notice, Illinois apparently has no defense and Missouri doesn't miss Daniel, Maclin, et al.

Not going to get too much into the Heisman Race after one week other than to note that Bradford is probably out due to his injury. We'll see if BYU QB Max Hall can enter the race with a big day against Florida State in two weeks.

Now, for my rankings:

FBS:
1. Florida (1-0). Favorites do just fine in the equivalent of preseason game.
2. California (1-0). Scored 52 against Terps, what will they do to E. Wash.?
3. Texas (1-0). Scored 40+ in 12 of last 15 now. 30+ in 19 of last 21.
4. USC (1-0). About to send 105,000 OSU fans home crying.
5. Alabama (1-0). Made several mental mistakes and still won by 10.
6. Oklahoma State (1-0). Showed persistence in putting away UGa.
7. BYU (1-0). Bradford or not, a hell of a win.
8. Boise State (1-0). Meet Oregon's biggest fans rest of year.
9. Mississippi (1-0). Piled it on Memphis late.
10. Oklahoma (0-1). Definitely hoping Bradford back for Miami game (10/3).
11. Penn State (1-0). Should've beat Akron by more.
12. Notre Dame (1-0). How 'bout that Irish defense?
13. LSU (1-0). Jefferson had very impressive 4th quarter drive.
14. TCU (0-0). If Will & Mary held UVa. to 12, what will TCU do?
15. Georgia Tech (1-0). Face brutal ACC stretch early.
16. Ohio State (1-0). Being AP #8 reflects lazy voting.
17. Miami (1-0). Can Jacory be the next Kelly/Kosar/Vinny/Walsh/Torretta?
18. Georgia (0-1). Under radar is where UnderDawgs like to be
19. Virginia Tech (0-1). May lose 3 of first 7, but still part of ACC hunt.
20. Florida State (0-1). Will still win division.
21. Cincinnati (1-0). Coach Kelly is great.
22. Arkansas (1-0). How quick till media forgives/forgets on Petrino?
23. Tennessee (1-0). Kiffin could ruin this yet.
24. Texas Tech (1-0). Just one more week 'til game with Horns.
25. Baylor (1-0). #25 in the nation, #5 in the Big 12 South.

FCS:
1. Montana (1-0). Upset alert at UC-Davis Saturday.
2. Villanova (1-0). Improbable upset over FBS Temple earns Mayor's Cup.
3. Richmond (1-0). Got a not quite as good FBS team in Duke.
4. Southern Illinois (0-1). Three TO's kill upset bid at Marshall.
5. Northern Iowa (0-1). Oh so close to beating Iowa, moving to #1.
6. William & Mary (1-0). Need to avoid let down this weekend.
7. Appalachian State (0-1). Host McNeese Sat. in FCS GOY.
8. Elon (1-0). Could be their year in Southern.
9. James Madison (0-0). How will they replace 11 graduating starters?
10. Hofstra (1-0). Colonial dark horse.
11. McNeese State (1-0). Less than impressive in ASU tune-up.
12. Jacksonville State (0-1). After GT, Fla. St., things will get easier.
13. Eastern Illinois (1-0). Made statement against Illinois St.
14. Holy Cross (1-0). Don't want to look past Sacred Heart.
15. South Carolina State (1-0). Key Int earns MEAC bragging rights.
16. Massachusetts (0-1). Gave good fight against Wildcats.
17. Central Arkansas (0-1). I expect big things from this squad.
18. North Dakota State (0-1). Played Iowa St. close til 4Q.
19. Wofford (0-1). Won't face many any other D as good as USF was.
20. Harvard (0-0). Biding time 'til Holy Cross game next weekend.
21. Grambling State (0-1). Outyardaged S.C. State by 106 in loss.
22. San Diego (1-0). Toreros need big wins for at-large playoff bid.
23. New Hampshire (1-0). Ball State will test top-notch DL.
24. Weber State (0-1). Five INT's against Wyoming cost them win.
25. Eastern Washington (1-0). From W. Oregon to Cal? Goo.