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TCU pulled off a stunning victory against Oklahoma on Saturday with a 17-10 win in Norman. For all the talk about this being the year Texas would finally beat Oklahoma, who would have thought it would be Texas Christian taking the Sooners down?
Last week's marquee matchup was Monday's Florida State-Miami showdown. The Seminoles had lost six straight close games to the Hurricanes. This one was ugly from an offensive perspective, but the Noles finally put a notch in the victory column.
Miami lost the game but found a quarterback in the impressive Kyle Wright. The Noles won the game with one of the most impressive displays of defense in recent memory. The FSU quarterback situation is far from settled. The Noles' offense was lackluster with the exception of a talented running back corps, and FSU fans will surely be calling for a lot more playing time for backup quarterback Xavier Lee.
Texas A&M had high hopes for the 2005 season, but six field goals later the Clemson Tigers were celebrating a victory against the Aggies. Clemson's new-look offense was able to move the ball effectively but just couldn't get in the end zone. Clemson will be looking to take the momentum from its thrilling 25-24 victory into the ACC schedule starting Saturday against Maryland.
First-year Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis gave the Irish faithful exactly what they wanted in his debut against Pittsburgh. Notre Dame racked up impressive offensive statistics with more than 500 yards of total offense in the 42-21 victory. Quarterback Brady Quinn and running back Darius Walker make a dangerous double threat. Next up for the Irish is a date in the "Big House."
Week 2
Sept. 10, 2005, is a date that Texas and Ohio State fans have had circled on their calendars since it was announced that the two schools would play for the first time ever. It is amazing that these two storied programs have yet to meet on the gridiron, and fitting that both are ranked in the top five for this clash of two college football titans.
Texas heads to the Horseshoe with Heisman hopeful quarterback Vince Young. Young has worked hard on his pass efficiency in the offseason, scary given that he will also be the best running back on the field. The Longhorns beat up on Louisiana Lafayette last week, 60-3.
Ohio State handled in-state foe Miami of Ohio in convincing fashion, 34-14. Ted Ginn Jr. is Ohio State's main playmaker. Ginn catches passes, punts and kicks, and he can score touchdowns doing all three. Ginn makes this matchup a contest of opposing Heisman candidates, and both will be looking to outdo the other.
Prediction: Texas 34 Ohio State 17
The "Big House" will be rocking when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish head to Ann Arbor on Saturday, and Michigan will surely be reminded of a disappointing loss to Notre Dame in South Bend last year.
Michigan quietly went 7-1 in the Big Ten last year with a 9-3 overall record. They did this with a freshman at quarterback in Chad Henne, and a freshman running back, Mike Hart, who rushed for 1,455 yards, second in Big Ten history for a freshman. This talented tandem, combined with an always-potent receiving corps, have the Wolverines on many prognosticators' lists of potential national championship contenders.
That will all be for not if they can't get past the new-look Notre Dame squad. Notre Dame is looking to prove they can once again return to national prominence. This remains to be seen, but last week's performance against Pittsburgh will surely have the Michigan faithful wondering.
Prediction: Michigan 27 Notre Dame 24
LSU was forced to cancel its opening week contest against North Texas because of Hurricane Katrina. The Tigers will be tested this weekend, as their first game was moved to Arizona State, where they'll take on the No. 15 Sun Devils.
Much of LSU's campus, including many of the athletic facilities, has been turned into relief shelters for hurricane victims. The roar of rescue helicopters, coming and going to the disaster area, is commonplace above the LSU practice field. Several LSU players have opened their apartments to people displaced by the storm.
With such a tumultuous situation, it is amazing to think this team could even concentrate on football. But make no mistake, to the state of Louisiana, football still matters. The Tigers are ready to play.
Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth put it into perspective at LSU's weekly news conference.
"You want to do anything you can to bring some inspiration to them and to uplift them and make them feel proud, and that's what we try to do. They do that for us when we play football. People support you and inspire you to play, and we have to do that for them in a tough time like this. We have to do everything we can to inspire people to be uplifted and to understand they can still have pride in where they're from," Whitworth said.
The Sun Devils are a talented football team, but on this night, LSU will have an entire state on its side.
Prediction: LSU 28 ASU 17
Other notable games
Clemson at Maryland: The Tigers take a No. 25 ranking into College Park, where they are 1-point underdogs.
Prediction: Clemson 31 Maryland 6
Southern Miss at Alabama: Brody Croyle is back after an ACL injury that cut short his 2004 season.
Prediction: Upset special - Southern Miss 17 Alabama 13
By the way, I was a perfect 6-0 on predictions last week. Corso better watch his back. I'm gunning for his job.
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