This has been one of the best college football days that I can remember. I am still more of a NFL fan than a college fan but my last few years in the South are really pulling me closer to the college side. There were so many good games, a monumental upset, big programs getting put in check, and just raw emotion.

Here are a few of the highlights from the games that stuck out to me:

1. Blacksburg, VA was the place to be today…

Virgina Tech played their first game since the horrible shootings that happened last school year. They had a special program before the start of the game to honor all of the victims. You could see how emotional the team team and fans were during the short program. ESPN showed the best shot of the crowd behind the players tunnel at the start of the game and the crowd looked like the Cameron Crazies at Duke x 100. They were jumping out of their seats going nuts. This is a ritual that they do at every home game called “The Jump” to the song Enter Sandman. That along with the special program had me so hyped up to watch VT. For one day, I went to Georgia Tech so you know this is hard to say, I was a fan.

2. Notre Dame is NOT a Powerhouse Anymore

Georgia Tech came into South Bend and blasted ND. There is nothing to say about this except “stick a fork” in ND because they may not have a winning season. It is funny how Charlie Weis was labeled a genius when he arrived and had that great first year with Ty Willingham’s players…but lets see what this “genius” does with a young team and his own players.

3. Who are these teams playing

What is the deal with all of these big time programs bringing in Division 1-AA and teams ranked #100-109. Everyone is scared to play anyone worth watching with their nonconference games. That is why I tip my cap to Tennessee. The Vols scheduled a “home-n-home” with the California Golden Bears the last two years and last year they smashed the Bears at “Rocky-Top”. On Saturday they were not as lucky losing to Cal on the road 31-45. Now, they still have to play the rest of their SEC schedule and the national title hopes are a long shot now since their ranking will fall into the low 20’s.

Then, you have the exact opposite in some other teams like Alabama, Ohio St., West Virginia, Texas, and Michigan (just to name a few) who did it right and scheduled games that were supposed to be easy warm-ups in the first week. Yes they are not the most entertaining but it will fine tune the team. Worst case is that the game is relatively close and you have to keep the 1st string in the entire game. But guess what…

4. Football is Played on the Field and Not on Paper

When the Michigan athletic department scheduled Appalachian State they never imagined that a two time division 1-AA (excuse me…Football Championship Division) champ, currently on a 15 game winning streak, could come in and compete. But, they not only came in and competed…they were the best team on the field Saturday and exposed the so called 5th best team in the country.

Doesn’t this just prove why there should be playoff system. “Any Given Sunday” was not just a good title for a movie it is a reminder that when the lights come on and the chin-straps are buckled any team has a chance to win.

Quick Hitters:

Posted by kdub under Sports Related |