Second Top 25 rankings

Well, I picked Oklahoma to win it this year, and after Saturday's blowout over Miami, I'm moving them to the top spot.

1. Oklahoma (2-0)
2. LSU (2-0)
3. USC (1-0)
4. West Virginia (2-0)
5. Louisville (2-0)
6. Wisconsin (2-0)
7. Penn State (2-0)
8. South Carolina (2-0)
9. Texas (2-0)
10. Florida (2-0)
11. UCLA (2-0)
12. Ohio State (2-0)
13. Texas A&M (2-0)
14. Georgia (1-1)
15. Iowa (2-0)
16. South Florida (2-0)
17. Arkansas (1-0)
18. Missouri (2-0)
19. Rutgers (2-0)
20. Nebraska (2-0)
21. Virginia Tech (1-1)
22. California (2-0)
23. Clemson (2-0)
24. Boston College (2-0)
25. Alabama (2-0)

--Nate Sandstrom
I'm putting the other polls under the comments section.

slipping

I wound up being in NYC on Sunday way later than I thought so sorry for no posts. Gotta run again this morning. There's a lot to talk about from the weekend, so I'm leaving this open for any comments

River Hill — Best of Baltimore?

The River Hill (Clarksville) Hawks, last year's 3A runner-up and the top team in the Baltimore Examiner's high school poll, ran over the Mount Hebron (Ellicott City) Vikings on Friday, 48-0.

Junior Michael Campanaro, who split time at QB and RB last night, led the way with TD runs of 68, 87 and 40 yards. The 40-yarder may have been the most impressive, when Campanaro ran to the right side of the field, then reversed course to the left side of the field breaking past everyone but a safety who he cut right past. It reminded me of Marshall Faulk.

Junior Malek Redd also scored three TDs on the ground, but dropped one through the air that likely would have gone the distance. On defense, he looked much faster than the 4.47 40 time Scout lists for him.

Senior Zach Martin scored the other River Hill TD, but was even more dominant blitzing Hebron QB Ricky Schultz.

River Hill dominated the game in the trenches, and was clearly just much faster than Hebron.

Martin made a couple of impressive passes under pressure, throwing on the run. He also made two nice scrambles to pick up first downs.

But he also overthrew receivers on at least three occasions, one of which went for an INT (and receivers dropped several more passes).

--Nate Sandstrom

Extended Release

The Ravens have officially signed Kyle Boller to a one-year extension.

For the Ravens, the move is wise. There isn't much of a commitment on their behalf. And they get a quality backup. As horrendous as Boller is, this is still the league that is starting Tarvaris Jackson, Joey Harrington, and Charlie Frye.

I'd like to know what Boller is thinking. Is he afraid to test the market? Is he scared of being a starter again? Does he actually think that this town can tolerate him at QB after McNair leaves?

Mark's Locks of the Week

Pittsburgh (-4.5) at Cleveland -
Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson? Would you rather burn or drown? Go blind or deaf? Herpes or genital warts? Crennel can’t even sit on the run as Jamal Lewis historically underperforms against the Steelers. Pittsburgh couldn’t have drawn a better opening match. They’ll storm out of the gates this season. Then again, maybe I’m jaded because I’ve been sleeping in a room that looks like Steely McBeam got drunk and puked all over.

Penn State (-16) vs. Notre Dame -
Notre Dame looked sluggish last week. They'll look even slower this week on the road. Michigan's loss was able to take some of the spotlight off of them, but this was going to be a tough game even before they laid an egg against Georgia Tech. By half time Joe Paterno will be able to start daydreaming about Ovaltine and dominos.

Not such a hot ticket.

Obviously Jacksonville and Minnesota fans are not as excited about their teams as I am. Both faced having their games blacked out in local markets, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reports.

Both need to sell more than 1,000 seats by Friday afternoon.

Growing up in Minnesota, I know the Vikings have had this problem before. I'm not as sure about the Jags.

--Nate Sandstrom

Lockdown

Well, I took the lead in my picks pool last week going 7-3 in weekend college football action. Here are my locks for the weekend, one for each day. I am not responsible for your mortgage payment. Picking three favorites doesn't bode well.

Rutgers (-15.5) vs. Navy
Rutgers won at Navy 34-0 last year. Navy only beat Temple 30-19 last week, although they did out-yardage the Owls by 166 yards.
The Scarlet Knights should be focused. This game is sandwiched between Buffalo and Norfolk St.
Rutgers 35 Navy 14

Nebraska (-8) at Wake Forest
Nebraska won 31-3 in ’05 meeting, but game was closer than the score (3 defensive TDs on turnovers) and the drop off from injured Wake QB Riley Skinner to Brett Hodges may not be too much.
But Nebraska looked scary good against Nevada, and the Wake defense against an overrated BC squad? Not so much.
Nebraska 41 Wake Forest 21

Dallas (-6) vs. N.Y. Giants
I think Dallas is the most overrated team in the league. This is how little I think of the Giants.
The last two between have been high-scoring affairs, but I foresee defense playing a bigger role in this game. I don’t know how the Giants are going to move the ball without Tiki, who clearly knows everything.
If it matters, I’m going against a trend of the Giants covering in their last three trips to Dallas.
Dallas 20 N.Y. Giants 6

Upset Special
N.C. State (+14.5) at Boston College
Yes, they lost to C. Florida. Yes, they lost Toney Baker and Anthony Hill for the season. But I love former coaches taking on their old team.
Tom O’Brien returns to Alumni Stadium wearing Wolfpack Red, with a team that edged a much better B.C. team on a 34-yd TD pass with eight seconds left last year.
N.C. State’s rush defense got gouged last week, but running the ball is not exactly the Eagles strength.
N.C. State 27 Boston College 24

--Nate Sandstrom

Dems, Republicans, monkeys and football

We all know the saying "a trained monkey can do that." The Examiner puts that theory to the test this year by having a monkey pick against local celebrities.

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich and House Speaker Michael Busch may not agree on slots, but they both picked the Ravens and Skins to win their openers.

--Nate Sandstrom

Better Power Ratings

Mark, Mark, Mark. Actually I don't disagree with your posts that much. I think you've overrated the Cowboys and injury-prone Panthers.


NFL Power ratings — Preseason
(With predicted records)
1. New England (14-2): Too much talent.
2. San Diego (11-5): With all the new coaches, I want to put them lower.
3. Baltimore (10-6): Should petition for a new schedule.
4. Jacksonville (11-5): Byron who? Just hand the ball off.
5. Denver (11-5): Champ and Dre will make it hard to pass against this team.
6. Indianapolis (11-5): Lost a lot from a defense that was already bad.
7. Cincinnati (11-5): Third place schedule is a boost.
8. Chicago (11-5): Finally, an NFC team.
9. Pittsburgh (9-7): Can Mike Tomlin continue the legacy.
10. Seattle (10-6): Bounce-back year in overhyped NFC West.
11. St. Louis (9-7): Offense should be nearly as good as Super Bowl teams.
12. New Orleans (8-8): They were only 10-6 last year, playing a last place sked.
13. Philadelphia (9-7): When will Philly fans start booing McNabb?
14. Buffalo (9-7): I love Lee Evans.
15. New York Jets (8-8): Is Thomas Jones the answer? No.
16. Dallas (8-8): They were bad at the end of last year.
17. Tampa Bay (9-7): Bucs won the division two years ago. Ride that Caddy.
18. Green Bay (8-8): Building a strong defense.
19. Arizona (8-8): Bounce back year for the Edge.
20. Washington (8-8): Can't be as bad as last year.
21. Carolina (7-9): Should lead the league in starters missing games.
22. Houston (6-10): Good thing they didn't draft Reggie Bush!
23. Kansas City (7-9): Expect a year-long QB controversy.
24. Miami (5-11): Could be a playoff contender in the NFC.
25. Minnesota (8-8): Adrian Peterson is that good.
26. San Francisco (6-10): Over-rated! Over-rated! Gore never stays healthy.
27. Detroit (6-10): Where's Charlie Rogers?
28. Oakland (4-12): If the defense can figure out ways to score.....
29. Tennessee (5-11): The Vince Youngs will win a couple games.
30. New York Giants (5-11): Maybe Tiki should coach the team.
31. Cleveland (4-12): Go Charlie Frye!
32. Atlanta (2-14): Bark! Bark! Bark!

Pro-Boller

The Ravens and Kyle Boller are talking about an extension.

This would be a horrific move for both parties. The only positive would be that it would kill any talk of signing Byron Leftwich.

It's a consensus around the office that the drafting of Boller will go down as the single most major setback in Ravens history. Outside of QB, the Ravens have had one of the most talented rosters in the NFL since we drafted the Shotputter.

Those who don't learn from history...

Mark's Preseason Power Rankings

1. New England: Tom Brady is a golden god
2. San Diego: Nobody could stop LT last year. Can Norv Turner?
3. Colts: Guaranteed playoff spot
4. Bears: Weak conference, weaker division
5. Steelers: I'm officially panicking. But this clip helps me sleep.
6. Ravens: My motto - "It's better to jump ship before it leaves shore than wait until you're out at sea"
7. Saints: Another weak division
8. Bengals: AFC North has three teams in the top ten? Something's gotta break. Probably the Bengals D.
9. Cowboys: Best offseason pickup - someone to hold the kicks
10. Seahawks: Green pants aside
11. Jaguars: Nate's insane
12. Eagles: Perennial Contender
13. Panthers: If Steve Smith is healthy this year, Delhomme can keep Carr on the bench
14. Bills: Good young talent - will suprise a lot of people
15. Rams: When will they get old?
16. Broncos: Trent Green could get 500 yards at RB there
17. Jets: Mangina won't repeat his success this year. Bills take 2nd in the division
18. Packers: Nobody is more fun to watch throwing interceptions than Favre
19. Cardinals: Golden god in training
20. Giants: Eli blows
21. Bucs: I'm not a believer in Garcia
22. Texans: Schaub should be better than Carr
23. Lions: Will be fun to watch
24. Raiders: My boldest pick, but they haven't signed their 1st pick. Does Angelos own this team?
25. Chiefs: Their motto - "Showing Baltimore how to lose to the Colts"
26. Niners: Alex Smith stinks
27. Dolphins: Trent Green runs like my dad
28. Skins: Gibbs' final year. I don't think the Bailey for Portis trade is as regrettable as people are making it out to be
29. Titans: I'm still mad about the USC/Texas game
30. Vikings: Peterson/Taylor is a good combo, but that's all they have
31. Falcons: I'm calling for Chris Redman
32. Browns: Who cares?

Michigan out of the polls

Should we have expected this? Probably, a lot of teams are 1-0 and Michigan aint one of them.

How is blue nation taking it? mgoblog has turned to reminiscing about all of Michigan's other losses (including my favorite, to Wisconsin) and kittens.

The Ann Arbor News' John Heuser leaves them off his ballot

The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy says they shouldn't have gotten anyone's vote.

Anyone else think Auburn is overrated? Kansas State had them on the ropes at their house before the wheels fell off and the Tigers scored two late touchdowns.

MajorWager.com however thinks K-State is the team that comes out of the game overrated:
Few gave Kansas State a chance in this game, installing them as 2-touchdown underdogs. Yet they shocked bettors by leading for much of the game before giving up 17 unanswered points in the second half to cruise to a loss. However, the win was due mostly to some serious problems in the Auburn offense, and Kansas State will likely end up overrated in the public eye and a possible go-against team in the coming weeks. While Auburn certainly has problems in on offense, particularly the line, opening as only a touchdown favorite over South Florida seems low. South Florida wasn't particularly impressive against cupcake Elon in their opener, so it looks like Auburn's offensive struggles may be weighted too heavily in this week's lines.

Nonetheless, they're a 7 point favorite at Jim Feist. Give me the Bulls and their strong defense this Saturday. I would go for the homerun with a +235 money line.

I posted the full polls under the comments section of my Top 25 poll.

--Nate

"We suck"

So say those associated with Hilliard Darby High School in Ohio after they were duped by an opposing fan.

A selection:

HILLIARD, Ohio (AP) -- A high school student who tricked football fans from a crosstown rival school into holding up squares of construction paper at a stadium that together spelled out, "We Suck," was suspended for the prank, students said.

Kyle Garchar, a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School in suburban Columbus, said he spent about 20 hours over three days plotting the trick, which was captured on video and posted on the video-sharing Web site YouTube.

Garchar said he was inspired by a similar prank pulled by Yale students in 2004, when Harvard fans were duped into holding up cards with the same message.

At the end of the video, Garchar wryly thanks the 800 parents, staff and alumni from Hillard Darby High School who raised the cards at the start of the third quarter during last Friday's game played at Crew Stadium, home of Columbus' Major League Soccer team.

"It couldn't have been done without you," reads the closing frame of the video, which had been viewed more than 4,400 times by Thursday.


Suspended for a great prank? This kid should be homecoming king.

--Nate

Heisman watch

It's a little silly to start debating the Heisman winner after the first weekend of college football, but it will be a regular feature so I'm going to get in the habit of posting on Tuesdays.

Based on Saturday...
1. DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal. A human highlight reel. 45 receiving yards, a 21 yard run and a 77-yard punt return TD in Cal's revenge game against Tennessee.
2. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas. 151 yds rushing for a TD and threw a 42-yd TD against Troy.
3. Marlon Lucky, RB, Nebraksa. 233 yds, 2 TD's in a Husker rout over Nevada.
4. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College. 408 yds and 2 TD in a key win against Wake.
5. Kevin Smith, RB, C. Florida. 217 yds, 2 TD in upset win over N.C. State.

Once teams like Louisville and Florida start playing real teams, expect Tim Tebow, Brian Brohm and others to show up.

--Nate

First Top 25 Poll

Did Florida State look awful last night or what? I see they almost came back, I fell asleep.

Here's my first Top 25 rankings, a day late because of the Labor Day games.

1. USC (1-0)
2. Oklahoma (1-0)
3. LSU (1-0)
4. Wisconsin (1-0)
5. Louisville (1-0)
6. West Virginia (1-0)
7. Penn State (1-0)
8. Virginia Tech (1-0)
9. South Carolina (1-0)
10. Georgia (1-0)
11. Texas A&M (1-0)
12. UCLA (1-0)
13. Ohio State (1-0)
14. Texas (1-0)
15. Florida (1-0)
16. Iowa (1-0)
17. Arkansas (1-0)
18. Missouri (1-0)
19. South Florida (1-0)
20. Hawaii (1-0)
21. Nebraska (1-0)
22. Rutgers (1-0)
23. California (1-0)
24. Clemson (1-0)
25. TCU (1-0)

--Nate

College football wrapup

By this point, everyone is I'm sure sick of talking about Appalachian State beating Michigan.... but how awesome was that?

I think the win was good for college football and shows the gains that the I-AA (I'm not getting into this FCS/FBS crap) teams are making.

To (deservedly) less fanfare, I-AA Nicholls State topped I-A Rice, a bowl team last year, 16-14. Expect Northern Iowa to give the Big 12's Iowa State all they can handle next week. Last year they lost to ISU by 1.

That said, Ohio State pounded Youngstown State and Alabama whipped W. Carolina.

This is exactly why I don't want a college football playoff. This game takes on far more significance because it has effectively ended Michigan's chance of a national title.

The Sun-Times's Herb Gould, among many others, finds the loss historic. The headline from his weekend wrap-up calls the loss a "permanent scar" on the program.

I think we'll see it again sometime in the next 3-4 years.

How about economic impacts? App. St. apparel orders are coming in from Ohio, reports the New York Times.

Elsewhere in college football:

**For being the "greatest team ever," USC wasn't overly impressive in their 38-10 win against Idaho.

**After a disastrous start to last season (19-10 loss to Montana State), Colorado starts out with a comeback win over Colorado State. Woody Paige sees improvement.

**Speaking of comeback seasons, Miami is trying to forget last year's 7-6 disaster. Randy Shannon's club gets off to a good start, but Oklahoma looms next week.

**Oklahoma, who I have predicted to be this year's national champ, could have scored 100 Saturday against North Texas. I watched a small amount of this game, but wound up focusing my viewing on Cal-Tennessee.

**DeSean Jackson is sick.If you didn't see his punt return TD, go to YouTube and look up "DeSean Jackson" and Tennessee.

**It appears that under new coach Tim Brewster, Minnesota will avoid record-breaking collapses by falling behind right away.

I'll post my Top 25 after tonight's FSU-Clemson game.


---Nate

(A lack of) High School Football on Labor Day weekend

I've had the rerun of DeMatha (Hyattsville)-St. Xavier (Ohio) on in the background this afternoon, and it seems St. X had few problems moving the ball.

Nonetheless, they remained on top of MDVarsity.com's private school rankings released today. There were few other games to speak of.

My alma mater, Cedar Falls (Iowa) High School, topped Dubuque (Iowa) Senior 34-7 on Thursday.

I promise high school coverage will get better as the year goes on.


--Nate

On Wisconsin

On Wisconsin! On Wisconsin!

I haven't posted all weekend because I was in Wisconsin for the Wisconsin-Washington State game on Saturday. Wisconsin won 42-21 and could've put in another TD at garbage time if they wanted. Despite that, Washington St. RB Dwight Tardy frequently rushed past pursuit and long-shot Heisman candidate RB P.J. Hill struggled, at least for him. Lance Smith ran well in the second half.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Coach Bielema also sees room to grow.

I give WR Luke Swan Badger of the game, although QB Tyler Donovan won co-Big 10 Player of the Week.

Tailgating lived up to expectations, as I enjoyed a delicious brat.

Elsewhere ... about the only two stories covered from the past college football weekend were Michigan getting upset (big story) and Notre Dame getting whupped (less than surprising). I'll hit other college football notes later today.

Renaissance Man

Ladies, Will Demps is now a free agent. His time in New York was short-lived. But don't cry for him. He is now free to pursue his true dream - modeling boxer briefs.

Leftwich Left Off Roster

The Jaguars plan to release or trade Byron Leftwich, Peter King reports. This move comes as a shock and puts serious questions into Nate's absurd prediction that the Jaguars are going to top the Colts to take the division.

Despite a D-Line that includes a giant man-eater, the Jags are still helmed by a graduate of the Paul Bunyan Coaching School, whose decisions - including bringing a battle axe into the locker room - will always prevent them from taking the next step toward becoming a serious title contender.

The timing of the move is questionable. The Jags have no leverage in a trade on the eve of the season. They may claim that they wanted to give Leftwich one last chance to claim the team, but the way the QB situation was handled last year gives me reason to believe they haven't had faith in Leftwich for some time.

I applaud them for having the nerve to cut bait with their first round draft pick - a move most franchises are unwilling to make. I just would have liked to see them make more out of it. They most likely could have pulled a mid-round draft pick from the Raiders before they picked up Culpepper.