For the first time in the history of college football, the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish and Michigan Wolverines have both started 0-2. The Wolverines follwed the biggest upset in the history of the game by having their pants pulled down in the big house for the second straight week. This time, the culpret was the Oregon Ducks, who pulled off the 39-7 victory on Saturday.
In the meantime, the Irish followed up their biggest home-opener loss in the team's storied history by falling to Penn State 31-10. The good news is that the highly coveted freshman Jimmy Clausen looked like he has his head on straight, now let's see if Charlie Weis can put a team around him. Oh, and speaking of freshman, this week's showdown between the two fallen powers will see Clausen matched up against Michigan's big QB recruit Ryan Mallett.
Across the country...
UB 42, Temple 7
This game was over quick. If the Bulls can pull off four or five of those victories against MAC teams, maybe Turner Gill and company can turn this team around afterall.
Louisville 58, Middle Tennessee State 42
If you read these weekly recaps long enough, you'll figure out how much I think of Cardinals QB Brian Brohm (401 yards and five touchdowns), but where's the defense? If they can let up 42 points to this team, imagine what's going to happen come November 8th in Morgantown.
West Virginia 48, Marshall 23
The Thundering Herd actually had the lead at halftime, but that didn't last long. It's amazing how quickly White & Slaton can turn it on when it matters, heck, the Mountaineers big time recruit Noel Devine even got in on the scoring in the second half.
Purdue 52, Eastern Illinois 6
It wasn't against the greatest program, but what an impressive win for the Boiler Makers. So many starters returned this season, and QB Curtis Painter (348 yards and six touchdowns) might be the most underrated player in the nation. If the team can pull off wins, and they should, in the next three games (Central Michigan, at Minnesota, Notre Dame) watch out for the big upset against Ohio State on October 6th.
Oklahoma 51, Miami (FL) 13
A couple of things from this game. First off, maybe Miami isn't ready to return to the big stage just yet, but Randy Shannon looks to have his team on the right track. Secondly, is it just me, or does Sooners QB Sam Bradford look like a stud? My goodness.
California 34, Nortern Colorado 28
The Golden Bears held off the fisty Rams for a slim victory, but let's face it, if the game ever came down to the wire, DeSean Jackson would have made a play.
Washington 24, Boise State 10
Everytime it looks like the Broncos are ready to show the country that they are for real, they go and do something like this. Kudos to Ty Willingham and the Huskies for "Raising the Woof" in this matchup, and what an encore from Jake Locker.
South Carolina 16, Georgia 12
Did anybody doubt that the old ball coach would have the Gamecocks knocking off big time SEC opponents this soon? Tough break for the Bulldogs though, who looked so good in week one.
Hawaii 45, Louisiana Tech 44 (OT)
The good news for Warriors fans is that Colt Brennan threw for 548 yards and four touchdowns. The bad news is that they didn't put away this team early.
South Florida 26, Auburn 23
What a huge win for the Big East, and likewise, what a huge dissapointment for the SEC. A lot of experts picked South Florida to be a much improved team this year, but not many saw this game going their way.
Iowa 35, Syracuse 0
The Orange are blue after dropping their second straight contest in a route. Let's see if they can buck the trend against Illinois.
Stay Tuned for my updated "Touchdown" Tom's National Top Ten List!
