4 Down Territory: Non-Conference Feast Is Largely Over--October Separates Pretenders from Contenders
First Down: Right out of the Gates: The weekend starts fast with a Friday night match-up and some early Saturday action. #15 Washington at UCLA Friday 10:30 p.m. ESPN: UCLA is 4-0. How good are the Bruins? We’ll know after their next three games against #15 Washington, #12 Utah and #13 Oregon. Chip Kelly’s offense is averaging over 40 points per game. As for the Huskies, QB Michael Penix is the straw that stirs the drink. Both teams’ defenses have been solid so far, but for b
4-Down Territory: From Nooners to Primetime--Contenders & Pretenders Start to Be Revealed in Week 4
First Down: Nooners: Maryland at (4) Michigan 12:00 FOX: Is Maryland for real at 3-0? Then again based on Michigan’s opening slate one could ask the same thing of them. Michigan’s offense has shown good balance and this is J.J. McCarthy’s show at Quarterback. Maryland is far better than the teams Michigan has faced so far and they have some real talent on offense. Maryland is riding a 5-game winning streak dating back to last year. The last team to beat them? Michigan……..Kent
4 Down Territory: The SEC and The Ivy League....It Just Means More
For many teams this is a last week of non-conference games before conference play begins. As such there aren’t a lot of heavy hitters. That is why ESPN College Game Day is headed to the Appalachian State/ Troy game in Boone, NC. The Sun Belt Conference is suddenly hot after a weekend where they recorded wins at Texas A&M, at Notre Dame and at Nebraska. And since we’re talking conferences it is a good time to look at the early returns for each league. First Down: Appetizers: (
4 Down Territory: Bama/Texas, ABC Tripleheader & Big SEC East Game Highlight Week 2
First Down: ABC Triple-Header: Ohio U at Penn State (12:00 ABC): The last time these two teams met, Ohio U won in the debut game for Penn State coach Bill O’Brien. This is a much-improved team from last year. Penn State is trying to establish the run game, and that should be easier given the permissive Ohio U run defense. Some dropped passes were also a concern last week. On defense PSU is looking at an improved Ohio U pass game. The key will be containing the Ohio U wide rec
