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LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma and Clemson Win Key Games
'College Football Monday'
Frank Coyle's Weekly Blog Column
Players of the Week
Offense
WR Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers
Defense
CB Tyrann Mathieu of LSU
Photo – WR Mohamed Sanu
Everything is right in the world after this weekend – Notre Dame wins, the GMen exorcise the Eagles’ demon and the Yankees ass whip the Red Sox again. Staying with college football, the top clubs solidified their position with Oklahoma beating Missouri, LSU wearing down West Virginia and Alabama drilling Arkansas. All were key matchups vs top 25 caliber clubs and contests that earn top five status in this week’s top 25 rankings.
A number of teams hold a 4-0 record that demands national attention. Teams like Nebraska, Oklahoma St., Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, Michigan, South Florida, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Florida and South Carolina have all pushed themselves into the top 25 team picture.
Key games this week saw Clemson defeat Florida St in another wild ACC game. Clemson had beaten Auburn the previous week that ended the nation’s longest winning streak. In another crazy ACC matchup, Georgia Tech edge North Carolina 35-28 in a game that has become annually a must watch for college fans. Oklahoma St. made a dramatic comeback vs Texas A&M that
The #1 top ranked team changes with the AP anointing LSU the leader after another dominant type performance at West Virginia. The polls split this week with the Sooners holding the top spot in the Coaches poll after their solid win vs Missouri.
This week Florida faces the acid test with Alabama traveling to Gainesville in a SEC contest of unbeatens. Clemson faces another tough matchup vs Virginia Tech in an ACC battle of perfect clubs. Both games will have a huge impact on the top ten after Saturday.
One of the best performances of the young season was turned in by Rutgers wideout Mohamed Sanu this week who set a school- and Big East Conference-record with 16 catches for 176 yards and 2 TDs. Rutgers (2-1) knocked error-prone Ohio from the unbeaten ranks with a 38-26 victory on Saturday. Sanu defied double coverage to set new Big East and school records for receptions.
His total catches broke the Rutgers record of 13 that he tied two weeks ago vs North Carolina. It also broke the single-game mark of 13 for a Big East receiver. Sanu has 36 catches for 363 yards and four TDs this season. This was his first game with two receiving touchdowns.
"Mohamed is a freak," one NFL scout oper said. "He is an athlete, a freak athlete. Just covering him gets you better. You always have to have your A game when covering him.
Oklahoma St. made a thrilling comeback to beat Texas A& M for their first loss on Saturday. The Cowboys won a wild 30-29 games over then-No. 8 Texas A&M. Oklahoma St's Brandon Weeden has been named the Davey O'Brien Quarterback of the Week. The senior threw for a school-record 438 yards in the win.
The Cowboys faced a 20-3 deficit at halftime and Weeden helped the Cowboys to 27-straight points, including a pair of TD passes in the 3rd quarter to give Oklahoma St the lead. He connected on 47-of-60 passes to finish the day, setting school marks for both completions and pass attempts in a game.
South Carolina senior DE Melvin Ingram was selected as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Saturday’s 21-3 win over previously undefeated Vanderbilt.
Ingram, a 6-2, 276-pounder scored his third TD of the season, this time falling on a fumble in the end zone in the second quarter for the Gamecocks’ first points in the victory. He was also credited with four tackles on the night, three for losses that accounted for 24 yards, and a pair of sacks. He also broke up one pass.
Ingram led a stellar SC defense that limited the Commodores to just five first downs and 77 total yards on 48 plays, an average of 1.6 yards per play. Only two of Vandy’s 14 drives lasted longer than four plays and only one gained more than 10 yards.
New Weekly Top 25 Polls Posted every Tuesday
Frank Coyle writes ‘College Football Monday’ weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
OSU Ranked #1 by Draft Insiders
Draft Insiders' Frank Coyle Blog begins with the Top 25 College teams for the 2010 season. Frank Coyle will write a regular Blog beginning with the college and NFL season through the NFL Draft 2011.
Photo – Mark Ingram - Alabama
This season Draft Insiders predicts Ohio St. will win the national title, not a popular choice by every major media outlet or publication. Nevertheless, I feel Ohio St. can get to the title game behind a top performance by talented junior QB Terrelle Pryor who is also be the leading Heisman Trophy candidate this fall. Pryor is our choice to win the Heisman Trophy with a strong 2010 performance
Alabama has been picked by virtually every other College poll off an undefeated 2009 season. They certainly have the talent to repeat and make a run at the national title again, though the tough SEC may be their stumbling block this fall. They have gone through the SEC undefeated the past two season and that is unlikely to three peat.
Notre Dame is not on Draft Insiders Top 25 rankings. The Irish begin the Brian Kelly era that should produce fine clubs in time, but probably not initially in South Bend. He begins with a new starting QB and a new 3-4 defense after several seasons struggling on that side of the ball.
You can respond to the Frank Coyle Blog by emailing your comments to nfo@draftinsiders.com We will post your comments shortly.
Draft Insiders - Top 25 Teams
1. Ohio St (11-2) – The Buckeyes and Terrelle Pryor are poised for a Heisman Trophy and national title run with the ability to win both this fall.
2. Alabama (14-0) – The Crimson Tide comes off their first national title since ’92 and have the talent to compete for the BCS and SEC titles again. They have swept the SEC the past two seasons.
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3. Texas Christian (12-1) – The Horned Frogs have the talent to compete for the national title with many key performers back from a 12-1 club. They are one of the nation’s elite programs this season.
4. Florida (13-1) - The Gators begin the post Tim Tebow era with a fine squad that will challenge for the SEC title and national title behind a savvy HC Urban Meyer.
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5. Iowa (11-2) – The Hawkeyes are a blue collar and well coached team that knows how to win close games. They have key leaders at important positions that give them an advantage in critical games.
6. Oklahoma (9-4) – Sooners are capable of sneaking up on teams this season and rank as the best club in the Big 12 here.
7. Boise St (14-0) - The Broncos are a gritty group who finished a perfect 2009 season and look to run the table again. They will need to win in big late season matchups to warrant national title consideration.
8. Nebraska (10-4) – Huskers return 17 starters after a tough Big 12 title loss vs Texas and solid win vs Arizona in Holiday Bowl. They are the strong favorite to win the Big 12 North division.
9. LSU (9-4) – Tigers have a deep and talented club but are not getting a lot of consideration off a subpar ’09 performance. They must get better play from QB Jordan Jefferson to warrant this top ten rankings.
10. Texas (13-1) – Longhorns are preparing for life without Colt McCoy. They usually reload the cannon but will face strong competition this fall from Oklahoma and A&M in the Big 12 South division.
11. Wisconsin (10-3) - Badgers are always a sound club and will push Ohio St for the Big Ten title.
12. Miami (9-4) - The Canes hope to return to former glory with huge early matchups with Ohio St. among others. The early contests will determine if they are a top ten club or an 8 win team.
13. Virginia Tech (10-3) – Va Tech has another strong club that will press for the ACC Coastal crown. They face a tough opener vs Boise St. that could dictate their overall direction this season.
14. Pittsburgh (10-3) - The Panthers are the class of the Big East and could threaten the top ten with early wins over Utah and Miami.
15. North Carolina (8-5) - The Tar Heels have one of the most talented clubs in the nation, but have yet to put it all together in critical big games.
16. Auburn (8-5) - The Tigers are the most underrated club in the nation and an early win over Clemson could have them undefeated into late season.
17. Georgia Tech (11-3) – The ACC champs are loaded again. How high they go in the polls will be decided on their ACC road games at NC, Clemson and Virginia Tech.
18. Oregon (10-3) - The Ducks must overcome loss of QB Jeremiah Masoli, but they have a talented club that will challenge for the Pac 19 title.
19. Arkansas (8-5) - The Hogs will light it up behind gifted passer Ryan Mallett, but the defense will determine if they can produce a 10 win season.
20. Penn St (11-2) – Nittany Lions retool their roster at several critical positions and face major challenges at both Alabama and Iowa in the early season with a first year starting QB.
21. USC (9-4) – Trojans begin the post Pete Carroll era behind developing QB Matt Barkley who flashed big time talent at times as a true freshman last season. .
22. Houston (10-4) – The Cougars return virtually their entire offense and QB Case Keenum should produce huge numbers and points in the defensively soft CUSA.
23. West Virginia (9-4) - WV returns 18 starters but their fortunes may depend on first year starting QB Geno Smith.
24. Florida State (7-6) - The Seminoles will find out what life is without Bobby Bowden is after the legendary HC retired after an amazing 34-year coaching career.
25. Georgia (8-5) - The Bulldogs return most of their offense this fall, but only improvement from their battered defense will move them higher in the rankings.
Responses to this Blog - Email info@draftinsiders.com and it will be posted shortly.
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards.
Frank - Texas Christian belongs this high. They can run the table if they win their opener vs Oregon St.
Your the only analyst with Oklahoma and LSU this high. Jerry R - Hog Frog fan
Frank - Buckeyes are a great call. Hope they're holding the trophy in January. Gary - Buckeyes fan.
Frank - Picking against the Tide is dangerous territory. They rule the SEC and are the champs until someone beats them. Boomer - Tide country.
Boomer - I'm well aware the Tide is undefeated in SEC the past two seasons. Also, I go to Tide territory every January for the Senior Bowl - so I'm sure the fans will let me hear it unless of course Ohio St. or some one else wins the title. Frank
Bryant Suspended Indefinitely for Lying to NCAA
Photo - Dez Bryant - Oklahoma St
One of the top prospects at the receiver position for the NFL 2010 Draft, Oklahoma St junior wideout Dez Bryant has been ruled ineligible for violating an NCAA bylaw. The powerful 6’2” 215 lb. receiver was ruled ineligible by the school after he reportedly lied to the NCAA officials about a visit and workout at the home of former NFL star defender Deion Sanders earlier this fall. Bryant is a blue chip prospect for the NFL and is coming off a huge sophomore performance last season when he had 87 receptions with 19 TDs for over 1,500 yards while averaging over 17 yards per catch. We ranked him in the Top 20 Prospects for the NFL Draft 2010 with Top 10 potential if he declares for the pro game this January.
The NCAA interviewed Bryant twice earlier this year about allegations at which time he denied that he had visited Sanders. That was proven false, but the fact that he lied to the NCAA is a violation that led to the suspension. Oklahoma St University has already begun the process of applying to the NCAA on his behalf for reinstatement. This incident does not involve anyone associated with the OSU football or athletic department staffs, any employee of the university, alumni, donors, or any third-party affiliated with OSU.
OSU is taking this step because Bryant failed to openly disclose to the NCAA the full details of his interaction with a former NFL player Sanders who is not affiliated with OSU. Bryant will definitely sit out Saturday at Texas A&M; though he was already listed as doubtful because of a hamstring problem.
I will have exclusive interviews with key people on this matter that will be part of the October Newsletter this month.
The University issued the following statement from Bryant: “I made a mistake by not being entirely truthful when meeting with the NCAA. I sincerely regret my mistake and apologize to my teammates, coaches, OSU fans and the NCAA.”
OSU coach Mike Gundy said: “We are certainly disappointed, but we are moving forward as we would with any challenge during the season.” Due to the ongoing investigation of this matter, OSU has no additional comment at this time.
NCAA Bylaw 10.1 -- Unethical Conduct
Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member (e.g., coach, professor, tutor, teaching assistant, student manager, student trainer) may include, but is not limited to, the following: (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/9/96, 2/22/01)
(d) Knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the individual's institution false or misleading information concerning the individual's involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation;
