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Vandy starts 3-0 (2-0 SEC). In other news, pigs have been spotted flying across the Nashville skyline. The biggest surprise of the year thus far has got to be the Vanderbilt Commodores. As it stands, after winning two straight SEC games against Arkansas and Ole Miss, Vandy is first in the SEC East.
With I-AA Richmond next on the schedule and Middle Tennessee after that, the Commodore fans are talking about a possible 5-0 start.
With a win against Kentucky later in the year, Vanderbilt would be bowl-bound for the first time since 1982. If the pig-flying metaphor is appropriate for what Vanderbilt has accomplished in the first three games, then there is another one fitting for Vandy fans now dreaming of a winning record and a bowl birth: Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Still, it would be great to see the SEC's perennial underdog have something to cheer about. Last December, Vanderbilt running back Kwane Doster was shot and killed in Tampa, Fla. The death of a teammate and friend prompted Vandy quarterback Jay Cutler to return for his senior year, and the Commodores have dedicated the season to Doster's memory.
Saturday's duel between Florida and Tennessee was nothing close to the quality of game that the Ohio State Texas matchup was from the week before. Both offenses were inept. Florida's spread option offense, of which the option part was conspicuously absent, only tallied 274 total yards. Tennessee could only muster 213 yards. The game was decided by Tennessee's miscues. A blocked field goal, a muffed punt return and a punter's decision to throw a pass rather than kick the ball on fourth down from deep in his own territory cost Tennessee a chance to win three straight in the Swamp.
Tennessee is a part of the marquee matchup for the second straight week, as the Vols head to the other Death Valley, the one in Baton Rouge, La., for a showdown with LSU. After starting quarterback Rick Clausen against Florida, Phillip Fulmer announced that Erik Ainge will start against LSU. LSU fans have been champing at the bit to finally see their Tigers play at home. Because of Hurricane Katrina, LSU's first game was postponed and the second was moved to Arizona. LSU showed it could overcome the emotional turmoil brought on by the hurricane's aftermath in coming from behind to beat a ranked Arizona State team, 35-31.
If Tennessee is to have any chance, the offense will have to improve drastically over its effort in the Swamp. This has got to be the toughest two-week schedule in all of college football.
Prediction: LSU 21 Tennessee 10
Clemson lost a triple-overtime thriller to Miami in Death Valley, 36-30. Clemson could have won the game in regulation when Charlie Whitehurst spotted a wide-open Chansi Stuckey in the corner of the end zone with the clock winding down. Miami pressure forced Whitehurst to overthrow his man, and Clemson had to settle for a field goal. In the final overtime period, Miami's Tyrone Moss took a pitch and scampered 25 yards into the end zone for the victory. Clemson now must overcome the emotional low of such a disappointing loss.
The Tigers face Boston College on Saturday, also coming off a tough loss to Florida State in a make-or-break game for Clemson's ACC aspirations.
Prediction: Clemson 20 Boston College 16
With Auburn as the opening week opponent on Georgia Tech's schedule, not many people thought the week four matchup of Virginia Tech vs. the Wrambling Wreck would also be a battle of unbeatens. Georgia Tech stunned the college football world by taking Auburn down in Auburn, 17-3. Georgia Tech's junior quarterback Reggie Ball has quietly become one of the nation's premier college quarterbacks. He was named ACC rookie of the year in 2003, and started 27 straight games before being hospitalized with viral meningitis Saturday. Ball has since been released from the hospital but remains questionable for Saturday's game against Virginia Tech.
Georgia Tech was able to defeat Connecticut last week without Ball, but a win against the Hokies without him is unlikely. Even with Ball, Marcus Vick and the Hokies might be too much.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 14 Georgia Tech 10
The party is over in South Bend for the Charlie Weis era. After two-straight impressive victories on the road, the Irish fell to Michigan State in overtime 44-41. The Irish now head to Washington to take on a Huskies team coached by former Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham. Weis knows this is a must-win game if there ever was one.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27 Washington 14
Other notable games:
Iowa vs. Ohio State: Both teams lost early to non-conference opponents. The battle for the Big Ten will be shaped by the outcome of this game. Buckeye defense gives Ohio State the edge.
Prediction: Ohio State 17 Iowa 12
Arkansas vs. Alabama: Arkansas is in the midst of a desperate struggle to save a sinking ship. The Hogs lost to Vanderbilt and last week were humiliated by Southern Cal, 70-17, having surrendered 736 yards of offense to the Trojans.
Prediction: Alabama 24-Arkansas 7
Southern Cal vs. Oregon: The only way for this Trojan team to lose with its assortment of speedsters and all-star playmakers is if Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and LenDale White literally take a gun and shoot themselves in the foot.
Prediction: Southern Cal 53 Oregon 27
My abysmal record last week of 1-4 (10-6 overall) had me wondering if I might be better off picking the exact opposite of the teams I think will win this week, with the exception of USC.
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