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As I review my second week of back to back 2-2
efforts in a row in College Football, I also
find more ammunition against the books in Week
4 of the season, and CRUCIAL Week as well, because
conference play begins across the board. Lets
take a look at some upsets, and games that tell
the story. It is that time of the season where
teams reveal their true colors, and either find
an identity or choose the path they plan on
taking.
THE TRUTH
First up, Nebraska is 3-0, and probably will
be 3-3 after their next 3 games. It was almost
heartbreaking to watch as I was in attendance
for this debacle of a game as Nebraska's defense
was stellar and is FOR REAL, but then again
the offense is pathetic to say the least. Three
first downs the entire game, and the West Coast
offense installed by ex-Raider head coach Bill
Callahan is anemic and ill planned with no talent
at skill positions and a JUCO QB to run it.
When Iowa State and Texas Tech come to Lincoln
in back to back weeks, it will be an eye opener
for the nation, as NU will get POUNDED in Lincoln,
and a road trip to currently undefeated Baylor
looms large. Nebraska is 2 years away from being
anywhere near where they used to be, and carrying
a 10 point line was a gift for sports bettors,
as NU should not be laying any points for the
next 5 weeks, if so, they are a go against team.
Nebraska is the worst 3-0 in the country. They
have a bye week and then have Iowa St. in Lincoln.
Oddsmakers tricked the public into thinking
Notre Dame was ready to lay 7 points. My free
play was Michigan State and they won in OT,
however anytime you have a team, even Notre
Dame, America's favorite team to wager on, that
has 2 huge games and win outright as underdogs,
they are due to fall. That is a scenario I always
look for and find it to be a great go against
scenario, especially when laying points, and
especially when playing a good opponent. You
also found out Michigan State is a contender
in the Big 10, if not, you were not watching
the same game I was.
Two teams can contend with USC, who looks unstoppable
again, in the PAC 10. UCLA's offense can trade
punches with anyone right now, and I have been
impressed with Oregon, who had a great comeback
against Pat Hill's pesky Fresno St. Bulldogs
last night. Both these teams defense's are respectable,
and their offense's have plenty of weapons to
compete with the big boys. USC is the best team
I have seen as of yet, and Florida also looks
impressive under new head guy Urban Meyer.
THE LIES
The biggest lie, is that Phil Fulmer can rotate
QB's. This will not work as evidenced by the
results against Florida, and he better stick
with Angie at QB the whole game at Baton Rouge
next week against LSU or he could possibly lose
2 in a row, and he better work on special teams
a great deal in practice as well.
The second biggest lie is that you can reload
12 players and be ranked in the top 10 to open
the season, case and point, Oklahoma. The got
pounded at UCLA 41-24, and simply looked horrible
in the process. How they were ranked 21st going
into that game after laying an egg against Tulsa
and getting beat by TCU is beyond me. My Big
12 Preseason report said any team that can throw
the ball, will beat them up, and that happened
on Saturday, they gave up over 300 yards and
3 TD's through the air to UCLA. I bet the Texas
Longhorns are licking their chops right now,
as Mac Brown has never won the Red River War
against OU since he landed in Austin. October
8th looms large for the Sooners, pay attention
to that line when it comes out!
The third biggest lie is that because of Steve
Spurrier, the South Carolina Gamecocks are a
better ball club. They will not make a bowl
game this year, and although they gave Georgia
a tough game, and they might hang tough in others,
the wins will not pile up in Spurrier's first
year at the helm, and I do not see them able
to win 8 or more games anytime soon until the
coaching staff gets some recruits that can play
within Spurrier's system, and that will take
at least 2 years, as you cannot win in the SEC
unless you are loaded at skill positions, and
the Gamecocks are not as of yet.
Those are my takes from this Saturday, and look
for my Big 12 report coming out later this week,
and I remain undefeated with my featured plays
from the Big 12, and look to explore week 1
of conference action.
Tony George is a documented
member of The Professional Handicappers League.
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