22 Jan 11 College Football Thoughts: What I Think About The 3rd Week Of The 2010 Season

Cameron Newton (right) was one of many great performers on Saturday.Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesIt was a busy weekend, not billed quite as highly as "Monster Saturday" or the opening weekend, but perhaps filled with the most intriguing match-ups yet with some of the best finishes of the season.-First Baltimore Ravens jersey
off, the early action. I was skeptical of watching the Arkansas-Georgia match-up today, especially after the way the Bulldogs played a week ago in South Carolina. But I figured "Hey, at the very least, I'll get a good look at Ryan Mallett." This was my first game watching Mallett live, and I really like what I see. I like the way he looks dropping back, with a timely release well beyond his years. I like how he looks cool and calm in the pocket, with his passes always seeming to go right where it's supposed to. I really like seeing his leadership on the road, helping his team get the win and establish itself among the 2010SEC elite. I've heard from many people that Arkansas has the best wide receivers in the SEC. This I have to somewhat disagree with. Though I will say these receivers have some of the best hands I've ever seen on one team, they need to work on their route running. I saw Mallett under pressure, but these wide outs weren't getting separation couldn't find holes in the coverage.-As the scores scrolled across the bottom of the screen, I saw Michigan struggling mightily with Massachusetts. Now, to be fair, Massachusetts is a well-coached program, but I thought Michigan was past this whole "playing way down to your competition". Another big game from the quarterback saved Michigan, but that won't be enoughagainst some of the better Big Ten schools.-I also saw Virginia Tech losing to Eastern Carolina. I think it's pretty common amongst college football fans to enjoy upsets, but nobody likes seeing traditionally good programs completely fall apart. I was happy to see Virginia Tech pull it together.-Connecticut lost to Temple by 14, mostly because of Temple running back Bernard Pierce, who I think is one of college football's best kept secrets. Between him, Dion Lewis, and Evan Royster, the state of Buffalo Bills jersey
Pennsylvania has three NFL quality tailbacks playing on Saturdays.- It's always a tragedy to have great potential wasted due to suspensions, and that's the reality in North Carolina. I think the same thing I though after the LSU game. If they had all of those players they could have had, they would be ACC champs at least.-I think TCU should be getting all of the respect, or more that Boise State is getting. The Horned Frogs beat Oregon State in week 1, and made a good Baylor team look very, very bad.-It's always a shame to have a game be so well have to be decided be a field goal/penalty/missed field goal. After watching Clemson and Auburn, every starting player's jersey was tattered up, every player grimacing,knowing they're bodies will feel ten times worse tomorrow. Then a kicker, who's jersey probably still had the tag on it, came in and kicked a beauty to send the game into double overtime. But wait, a snap infraction makes them have to kick it again, and we all know how that goes for a young kicker on the road. I say congrats to both teams for a great game.-I'm used to seeing Michigan Statewin last second games on the hard wood with that great basketball team. Seeing them make a gutsy, legendary call against the Fighting Irish was something to see. I watched this game in its entirety, and couldn't help but feeling like it was a game MSU was going to lose last minuteif they didn't do something extraordinary. Seeing 70,000 fans fly out of their seats as their favorite team beat a century-old rival is part of why I love college football-Quick Hits: -Carolina Panthers jersey
Welcome back Mark Ingram. Duke's run defense was your welcome back gift.-Florida has the athletes to make up for the inexperience at key positions.-Nebraska has the offense to capitalize off of a great defense.-Oklahoma, though inconsistent,shouldn't be overlooked in the Big 12.-Enjoy watching a small school get thier heart ripped out? Watch the end of the San Diego State- Missouri game.-Oregon! Save some points for your Pac-10 schedule.