Two of the nation's top quarterbacks go head-to-head next weekend when Sam Bradford's Oklahoma Sooners take on Colt McCoy's Texas Longhorns (Photo: SportsIllustrated.com).Say a big hello to the best conference in college football.
Jimmy Clausen (QB), Notre Dame. The sophomore signal caller finished 29-40 for a career-high 347 yards – with three touchdowns and no interceptions – against a Stanford team coached by Captain Comeback himself, Jim Harbaugh. More importantly, Clausen has the Irish 4-1 through five games, a dramatic turnaround from last year’s historic 0-5 start.
Chris “Beanie” Wells (RB), Ohio State. In just his second game back from a foot injury, Wells broke loose for 168 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries against Wisconsin. Wells showed why he was a preseason favorite for the Heisman and, perhaps, that he still deserves consideration for the award.
Bruce Carter (LB), North Carolina. In the Tar Heels’ 38-12 victory over UConn, Carter blocked THREE CONSECUTIVE PUNTS. THREE! IN A ROW!!! Only three players in college football history had ever blocked three punts in a single game, but none are believed to have done so in a row. Including a block in last week’s win over Miami, Carter strung together FOUR STRAIGHT BLOCKED PUNTS. For those who witnessed this incredible feat, consider yourselves lucky – it will likely never happen again.
The Big 12’s big three teams opened conference play with big wins. #1 Oklahoma, #4 Missouri, and #5 Texas pounded their conference opponents by a combined score of 139 to 48. With wins also coming from #7 Texas Tech, #16 Kansas, and #21 Oklahoma State, it’s easy to see why this is the conference to beat. The Big 12 boasts five 5-0 teams, four of which are ranked in the Top 10 in the nation.
If you’re like the rest of the country, you’re probably wondering when these powerhouses will stop destroying lesser opponents and start beating each other up. The answer is next week, when the paths of Oklahoma and Texas collide. We can only hope the matchup of the top-ranked Sooners and fifth-ranked Longhorns lives up to its billing, unlike the last time a #1 team met a #5 team. In week 3, USC dismantled Ohio State 35-3 in an overhyped showdown. The Trojans then proceeded to follow that victory with a loss to unranked Oregon State.
Both the Buckeyes and the Trojans, however, have recovered from their respective losses and appear to be back in top form. USC routed #23 Oregon 44-10 on Saturday, while Ohio State squeaked by #18 Wisconsin 20-17 behind some late-game heroics from freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Look for both of these teams to be back in BCS title conversation by the end of the season (whether deservingly or not).
Elsewhere in college football, kudos goes to the following individuals…
Jimmy Clausen (QB), Notre Dame. The sophomore signal caller finished 29-40 for a career-high 347 yards – with three touchdowns and no interceptions – against a Stanford team coached by Captain Comeback himself, Jim Harbaugh. More importantly, Clausen has the Irish 4-1 through five games, a dramatic turnaround from last year’s historic 0-5 start.
Chris “Beanie” Wells (RB), Ohio State. In just his second game back from a foot injury, Wells broke loose for 168 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries against Wisconsin. Wells showed why he was a preseason favorite for the Heisman and, perhaps, that he still deserves consideration for the award.
Bruce Carter (LB), North Carolina. In the Tar Heels’ 38-12 victory over UConn, Carter blocked THREE CONSECUTIVE PUNTS. THREE! IN A ROW!!! Only three players in college football history had ever blocked three punts in a single game, but none are believed to have done so in a row. Including a block in last week’s win over Miami, Carter strung together FOUR STRAIGHT BLOCKED PUNTS. For those who witnessed this incredible feat, consider yourselves lucky – it will likely never happen again.Also, congrats to the Ball State Cardinals, who are ranked in the Top 25 for the first time. Ball State received a #25 ranking in the AP poll this week after a 31-0 win over Toledo on Saturday. The 6-0 Cardinals are off to their best start since 1965.
My top five Heisman candidates through Week 5…
1) Sam Bradford (QB), Oklahoma. The Sooners remain on top after another offensive outburst from Bradford (23-31, 372 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception).
2) Chase Daniel (QB), Missouri. Daniel led Mizzou to its first win in Lincoln in 30 years while being his usual, efficient self (18-23, 253 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions).
3) Colt McCoy (QB), Texas. McCoy played well enough to pass Ringer into the #3 spot (23-30, 262 yards, 2 touchdowns) but furthered himself from the top two candidates (2 interceptions).
4) Javon Ringer (RB), Michigan State. Ringer drops to #4 on my list after a lackluster performance against Iowa (25 carries, 91 yards, 0 touchdowns).
5) Michael Crabtree (WR), Texas Tech. Crabtree turned in his third 100-yard receiving game of the season and a pair of touchdowns against Kansas State, moving to 7th in the nation in receiving yards (564) and 3rd in touchdowns (8).
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