The SEC has long been touted as the top conference in college football; but this year that league has an equal--at least in the early going. The Big Twelve (or Big XII as the logo states) has just as many top twenty teams as the SEC (8) and has four of the top seven teams in this week's AP Poll. It has history and great rivalries (look no further than Texas-Oklahoma this weekend). Where the league supersedes the SEC is quarterback play: From Colt McCoy to Chase Daniel, there are just better passing games that put more pressure on defenses...generating plenty of fireworks.
Which brings me to last year--where there were fireworks off the field in two of the best coach press conference freak-outs...Colorado's Dan Hawkins (recently earned a contract extension through 2012) blasting "go play intramurals, brotha" to players who wanted 3 instead of 2 weeks off during offseason conditioning...and Oklahoma State (ranked 17th this week) shouting at a columnist "COME AFTER ME! I'M A MAN! I'M 40!" who criticized one of his players.
That's Division I Football--that's the Big Twelve..
VIRGINIA vs East Carolina-- hope returns to Charlottesville after an incredible thumping of rival Maryland...and with Cedric Peerman back in gear the Cavaliers can at least take some pressure off Marc Verica as he continues to develop his sea legs. The Pirates were early September darlings after back-to-back upsets of Virginia Tech and West Virginia...before ending the month by allowing 36 points a game in two losses to Conference USA opposition. Skip Holtz's team, however, has the benefit of a week off and it's tough to imagine Al Groh's team being able to repeat last week's emotional high. Cavs come up short, 27-24.
MARYLAND and VIRGINIA TECH are both idle and both are still trying to figure themselves out. The Terps looked great against ranked Cal and Clemson while falling apart against Middle Tennessee and Virginia. Consistency was a buzzword in spring and summer practice--and this team is in the midst of a rollercoaster season. Can they get Darius Heyward-Bey the football on a consistent basis? And can the defense put four solid quarters together? Things don't get any easier with NC State the only potential softie remaining on the schedule---but come to think of it, that might work to their advantage.
The Hokies may be 5-1 but they haven't earned any style points (with the exception of the win at Nebraska)...even victories over Furman and Western Kentucky seemed achingly close--this team has yet to find its finishing kick. The good news is Tyrod Taylor gets better with each start, Blacksburg is still the home for "Beamerball" and the Turkey Legs at Lane Stadium are unparalleled. The bad news--Kenny Lewis is done for the year, meaning Darren Evans must shoulder the ground game workload.
Georgetown slips Penn, James Madison rallies past Richmond, William & Mary falls to New Hampshire.
LAST WEEK: 6-1
OVERALL: 31-12
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