Ross’s college football guide: Week 2

While Week 1 is always exciting and packed with top-shelf games, Week 2 is always…meh. Who schedules a huge game for Week 2? Don’t worry, though, there’s still plenty worth watching.

September 6, 2012; 7:28 AM • by Ross Catrow

Probably the most memorable highlight from Week 1 was poor, poor Kent State linebacker, Andre Parker, picking up his own team’s punt and returning it 60 yards–in the wrong direction. Here’s the clip, make sure you stick around for Parker’s reaction after he realizes what’s happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxKyIfJYGxU

Last week’s marquee matchup between Alabama and Michigan turned out to be a big, boring blowout. While I watched the much more interesting Clemson / Auburn game, the Crimson Tide rolled to a 41-14 victory. Zzzzz.

Here’s a couple notables from this past weekend that you may have missed:

• Michigan State handed Boise State their first loss in a season opener since 2005 (against Georgia). This will be the first year in quite a while that BSU isn’t involved in the national championship conversation.
• Nevada beat Cal and Colorado State beat Colorado. That makes two Mountain West teams with wins over Pac-12 teams.
• Clemson’s victory over Auburn was the ACC’s first win in the Chick-fil-a College Kickoff. Finally!

— ∮∮∮ —

Virginia Tech (15) vs. Austin Peay

Saturday, September 8th, 1:30 PM; ESPN3

Whoa guys. Monday night’s game was stressful. VT isn’t the best come-from-behind team, or the best overtime team, or the best “have a decent offense” team, but I’ll take Monday night’s OT win against Georgia Tech. Heck, I’ll take any win over the Yellow Jackets.

QB Logan Thomas was off all night long as his passes sailed over, around, and under receivers. And Coach Beamer was at it again with his typical clock management style of “not managing the clock.” But somehow, with 44 seconds remaining, Thomas managed to drive down the field, complete two absolute lasers to WR Corey Fuller, and set up the 41-yard game-tying field goal. Monday night’s win was the first ever overtime game in Lane Stadium.

This week the Hokies take on Austin Peay, which, in case you are too lazy to look it up yourself, is located in Clarksville, Tennessee. Their mascot is “The Governors.” I plan on bringing my four-year-old child and leaving at halftime!

Virginia vs. Penn State

Saturday, September 8th, 12:00 PM; ABC

Last week UVA QB Michael Rocco looked comfortable in the pocket against the Spiders, completing 25 of 37 for 311 yards and one touchdown. New kicker, Drew Jarrett, who handled extra point duties last year, hit a 45-yard field goal on his first collegiate kick. Things are looking good/better for the Hoos!

We’ll know more about Virginia when Penn State comes to C’ville this week. Even though PSU lost to Ohio (regular Ohio, not Ohio State), they still have plenty more talent than Richmond. We’ll see if Mike London’s squad has what it takes to snatch a rare out-of-conference win for the ACC.

You’ll find this game on ABC, which is, unfortunately, less about football and more about other things.

Games worth watching

Thursday, 8:00 PM, ESPN, Pittsburgh at Cincinnati — Last week Pitt lost at home to Youngstown State, and it wasn’t even close. This game probably only interests Tech fans who may want to get an early look at the Bearcats before their Week 4 matchup with the Hokies. If this wasn’t on a Thursday, there’d be plenty of better ways to spend your time.

12:00 PM, ABC, Penn State at Virginia — Go Wahoos!

1:30 PM, ESPN3, Austin Peay at Virginia Tech — Go Hokies!

3:30 PM, ESPN Florida (24) at Texas A&M — After having their season opener postponed due to weather, A&M plays their first game as a member of the SEC. Last week Florida struggled to get things done against Bowling Green so the Aggies may actually have a chance in this one!

6:00 PM, RichmondSpiders.com, Gardner-Webb at Richmond — Go Spiders!

7:45 PM, ESPN2, Georgia (7) at Missouri — Missouri is the other team joining the SEC this year, and I’m excited to see how their high-powered spread offense will do against some of the better teams in the country. Particularly when they have this kind of attitude:

Asked if he watched Georgia’s opener against Buffalo earlier in the day — a 45-23 Georgia victory — Richardson replied, “I watched that game. I turned it off, too. … It’s like watching Big Ten football. It’s old-man football.”

“If we execute,” he added, “nobody in this league can touch us. Period.”

That’s Missouri DT, Sheldon Richardson, speaking. Old-man football indeed, should be a good one!

September 6, 2012 7:28 AM 0