Few upsets this week, as only one top 10 team was defeated. We were, however, able to learn more about some teams than we had learned all season. As teams begin to get away from their cupcake schedules at the beginning of the season and enter conference play, that early season mask is pulled away and we get our first glimpses of how teams will fare over the course of the season.
Recapping the day in 500 words or less, this is what Saturday taught us about the season:
- Iowa needed to prove their win over Penn State was no fluke. Granted Saturday's win came against Arkansas State, the Hawkeyes' offense showed some signs of life. Iowa began the game with two quick scores and came out of the half firing, but if they want to hang in there all season long, they've got to find a way to produce on offense more consistently. Still, I'm about ready to call myself a believer after the 5-0 Hawkeyes' shaky start.We're in that really meaty part of the season, where most teams begin, or have begun, conference play and the real season begins to take shape. Florida will get their first big-time test next week when they visit LSU, while Miami will get their first breather when Florida A&M, and their kickass band, comes to town.
- Does any team rely on a single player the way Minnesota relies on Eric Decker? Wait, that would be Cal with Jahvid Best. Whereas the Gophers' supporting cast was able to take advantage of the double teams that Decker drew (in a loss), Kevin Riley and the Cal offense could not take advantage of the attention given to Best by Oregon and USC.
- I've said it almost every week, but UNC's offense is anemic. How do you manage only 3 points against Virginia?
- On that subject, is there anything less exciting than an ACC matchup? Maybe it's because their games have little implications on the national landscape. Maybe it's because outside of a few programs (notably Miami and FSU—and maybe BC, Clemson and Virginia Tech) there is a lack of longstanding football tradition in the programs.
- More Tate Forcier. Seriously, this kid doesn't have a give-up bone in his body. Of course, his interception in the end zone didn't help matters, but the Michigan Wolverines have a bright future as long as Forcier is under center.
- Penn State bounced back after to their poor showing last Saturday night in the loss to Iowa. They got off to a slow start on offense against Illinois (hangover?) but scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to get back on the winning path.
- Golden Tate's extraordinary confidence began at birth…when his parent's named him Golden. I wonder what that does for a boy's confidence growing up. Golden sure has a quiet arrogance about him (not in a bad way) and he's emerged as the big playmaker on the Notre Dame offense this season.
- Kyle Rudolph is going to be the next big tight end to come out of college football. The guy's 6-6, has become a favorite target of quarterback Jimmy Clausen and has a basketball background like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates.
- Speaking of Notre Dame, their overtime win over Washington was the game of the week. Clausen and Jake Locker are quietly underrated on the national scope. I say 'quietly underrated' because everybody knows they're good, but few consider them among the elite, which is where they belong.
- Besides looking like he's about to deliver a pizza to a group of co-eds in some dimly lit apartment, Landry Jones showed Oklahoma fans they have reason to cheer about the team's future. Oklahoma's supporting cast just didn't back him up on Saturday. Give credit to the Miami Hurricanes, though.
Robert Hughes became a New Household Name with his performance in Notre Dame's overtime win against Washington. He filled in for Armando Allen, who was injured in the game, rushing for 70 yards on only 8 carries and scoring a touchdown in which he dragged most of the Huskies defense and Irish offense into the end zone in the process. The 235 pound halfback even broke off a 37 yard run in the win. The Irish should take solace in knowing that they have some depth at running back after Hughes' performance.
This week, Jacory Harris Proved He's Worth The Hype. Harris was able to bounce back after making two poor decisions to start the game, which resulted in interceptions. He would throw for 3 touchdowns and led Miami to a win over 8th ranked Oklahoma, and a 3-1 record in the process.
Next week's big games include top-ranked Florida's trip to LSU to face the fourth ranked Tigers in the prime time headliner. Michigan visits Iowa in another big prime time matchup. In earlier matchups, Georgia visits Tennessee, Alabama visits Mississippi and Oregon visits UCLA. - Danny Hobrock
Danny Hobrock is a sports journalist who primarily covers college football and professional baseball. He is a contributor for several sports related blogs and is the former editor of a political and current events website.----------
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