NFL: Crimson Tide finally get their hands on Johnny - TWICF week 3

This Week in College Football 09/10/13

Well, for the ever focused and determined Alabama Head coach Nick Saban, he has had the date of September 14, 2013 circled on the calendar since he last saw Texas A&M. That date was November 10, 2012, when the Aggies and their ever confident, border line cocky red shirt Freshman QB Johnny Manziel came into Tuscaloosa and hit the Tide right in the mouth and got ahead 20-0 in the first quarter, before the Tide came back.

But in the end, the dazzling soon to be first ever Freshman Heisman award winner, threw a TD pass with 8 minutes left to put them up 29-17 and the defense held back the Tide for a 29-24 victory, giving Alabama their only blemish in 2012.

The Tide may have won back to back BCS titles and three in four years, but in the back of the head coach’s mind, he wanted to get even with the Johnny Football, and this Saturday after an extra week of practice, he finally gets his chance to even the score. This is the game of the week (yeah I know, what a surprise)

Elsewhere around the country we also learned:

Heisman candidates give team scare – Ohio State and Clemson saw both of their star QB, Braxton Miller and Tajh Boyd, go down with what initially looked like season altering season injuries, but in the end they dodged bullets and rested them in not so difficult games. It may have hurt their Heisman candidacies (look below for where they stand this week), but it showed each team they have solid backups if it should happen again.

South Carolina and their All-American and Heisman candidate, Jadeveon Clowney, went into Georgia, a team they have beaten the last three times and looked to hang an 0-2 record on the Bulldogs. Instead, they hung with Dawgs QB Aaron Murray for most of the game, but in the end, Clowney could not stay on the field enough (battling a foot injury, when a player stepped on his foot earlier in the week) and were on the other end this time, losing 41-30 to the Bulldogs. Clowney can forget the Heisman and possibly the number 1 pick in the NFL draft next year with his performances so far this year. The bloom is definitely of this rose

In a NCAA record attended game (115,109), Michigan and Notre Dame possibly played their final game at the Big House, as Michigan pulled off the 11 point victory, 41-30. The Wolverines won the game behind two outstanding performances by QB Devin Gardner (who will wear the #98 the rest of his career in honor of 1940 Heisman winner, Tom Harmon) and Jeremy Gallon (who will wear #21 in honor of Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard) who led the Wolverines to three of their scores. This could be the start of a great Wolverine season, time will see how they go through the Big Ten schedule.

Florida and Miami renewed their in state rivalry for the first time since 2008, and in the end the Hurricanes took advantage of several Florida red zone mistakes and beat the #12 ranked Gators 21-16. The gators out gained the Hurricanes everywhere except on the scoreboard. Miami will most likely join the Top 25 after their 2-0 start to the season.

Top 10 for the first week

1. Alabama – The Tide play the Aggies in the game of the week, after having last week off.

2. Oregon – The high octane Ducks kept the pedal to metal by throttling Virginia 59-10 behind another offense performance of 559 yards, with 350 rushing yards from the Ducks. This week they travel to Tennessee to take on the Volunteers. If the Ducks continue to travel like this, they should Tennessee more than they can handle. Ducks win this by 30 points.

3. Ohio State – The team from down south walked over the Aztecs 42-7 and caught the break that Braxton Miller was ok. Now they travel west to play California, who gave them a difficult time. Ohio State should win this, but only by 21 points

4. Clemson – The Tigers easily got by SC State 52-13 with little help from Boyd, but his backup Cole Stoudt (son of former NFL QB Cliff) set a SEC passing record by going 19-20 for 143 yards and three touchdowns. Next week they start ACC play as they line up against NC State. As long as Boyd keeps playing, the Tigers should cruise to their game on 10/19 with Fla State. Clemson wins this by at least three touchdowns

5. Stanford – The Cardinal started their season with an easy win 34-13 win over San Jose State. They shut down the run vs. the SJS Spartans (only 35 yards), but will be lining up vs. one of the top running teams in the country in Army. I think Army gives them some difficulty with the run, but can’t stop the Cardinal offense. Stanford wins by 40 points.

6. Louisville – The Cardinals jump the Aggies based on their consistent play. Heisman front runner Teddy Bridgewater threw 4 more TD passes to go along with his 397 yards as the Cardinal fly past EKU Colonels 44-7. This week should be a lot of the same as they play in state rival Kentucky. Cardinals win by as many as they want, but I guess they stop at 30 this week.

7. Texas A&M – The Aggies had some difficulty stopping Sam Houston State, but had more offense to win going away, 65-28. There defense had better play a lot better if they want to have a chance with the Crimson Tide in the game of the week.

8. LSU – The Tigers continue to keep a balanced offense to go along with the a defense that is still learning to gel as they beat UAB 56-17. LSU will line up against Kent State, in which should be another tune up before SEC play, which starts the following week. LSU wins by 45 points this week

9. Florida State – The Seminoles had the week off after the impressive opening week win. They should have little trouble with a 1-1 Nevada team at home. If QB Jameis Winston has another game like last week, he could put his name in the Heisman race, especially if Manziel is unsuccessful vs. the Tide. Florida State wins this early and Winston will be lucky to see the fourth quarter of this game as they win by 30 points

10. Georgia – The Dawgs not only got the monkey off their backs by beating South Carolina, but got an important win in the division and the inside track to the SEC Championship game. After two tough tests vs. Clemson and South Carolina, they get to have fun at the expensive of North Texas . The Dawgs will be running all over the place in a rout of at least 40 points at home.

Heisman Trophy race0

1. Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville QB) – Bridgewater had another great game as listed above, but he is doing it against lesser talent. He can still put up the amazing, but if Mariota puts up similar numbers, he would get the nod, but until then, Bridgewater stays in the top spot.

2. Marcus Mariota (Oregon QB) – Another great stats game vs. better competition than the first week. He still put up the numbers with 199 yards passing and 124 yards running and five total TDS. He keeps the pressure on Bridgewater, especially with the gap between him and Miller and Boyd getting bigger.

3. Tajh Boyd (Clemson QB) – His scare and lack of playing time, and no TD passes have hurt his chances, especially with his understudy playing better than he did. He needs to have a great game vs. Florida State as this is his only other statement game of the season.

4. Braxton Miller (OSU QB) – Like Boyd, he avoided the season ending injury, but it hurt his chances. Again like Boyd his understudy Kenny Guiton had a very good game, dimishing his chances.

Other possibilities – Manziel, De’Anthony Thomas (Oregon), Jameis Winston (Florida State)

Game of the Week

Alabama vs. Texas A&M at Kyle Field College Station, TX, Saturday Sept 14, 2013 at 3:30pm on CBS

As mentioned above, the Tide want this game almost as much as they want another BCS Championship title, and has had an additional week to prepare for Manziel.The difference in this game will be the inability of the Aggies defense to stop the Crimson Tide, leaving Johnny Football on the sidelines.

The Tide get revenge and win this one (see Sean I kept my word and printed this). Alabama wins this 31-17

Record this season – (0-2) Not a good start again.