Thoughts On: The Week Two Top Four
By Rich Lynch
Thoughts On: The Week Two Top Four
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)
Alabama smoked Virginia Tech 35-10 at the Georgia Dome in Week 1, though maybe not as impressively as anticipated. Next up for the Crimson Tide is Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M Aggies in the most highly anticipated game of the season.
Even with two weeks to prepare, Tide salesman Nick Saban will be lucky to get out of Kyle Field with a win. A new offensive line and a lack of pass protection from the running back position made Alabama look somewhat pedestrian offensively against the Hokies. For Alabama to win this weekend and keep No. 1 positioning next week, drastically improved play in those areas is necessary.
2. Louisville Cardinals (2-0)
Louisville won games against Ohio University — which has a top notch journalism program — and the Eastern Kentucky Colonels — whose mascot looks like Orville Redenbacher on steroids — by a combined score of 93-14.
This weekend, Louisville plays in-state uber-rival Kentucky in what could be the most important game in Louisville football history. If the Cardinals beat the Wildcats there is a very good chance that Louisville will go undefeated and could earn a spot in the BCS Championship Game for the first time in school history. Look for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who has thrown NINE touchdown passes this season, to lead the way with a big showing for the Cardinals.
3. LSU Tigers (2-0)
LSU? Number three? Yup.
LSU beat a well-coached and perennial top 20 TCU program in Cowboys Stadium back on August 31, 37-27. The Tigers then whipped UAB, 56-17. The weakness LSU has had over the last few years has been its quarterback play. Not so this season.
Zach Mettenberger has flourished under former NFL offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, throwing for 533 yards and six touchdowns. His deep passing game and decision making have both improved. Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry have thrived at wide receiver this season and taken a lot of pressure off the typically dominant Bayou Bengals running game.
4. Georgia Bulldogs (1-1)
Yes, Georgia lost to Clemson on the road in Death Valley, 38-35. Let it go. The Bulldogs have the most effective offense in the country, evident as the Bulldog shook off the Clemson loss and beat media darling Jadeveon Clowney and the South Carolina Gamecocks 41-30 in Week 2. Look for Georgia to emphatically beat the Mean Green of North Texas this weekend, setting up an epic matchup Sept. 28 “Between The Hedges” against LSU. Have to love the SEC.
Outside Looking In
Clemson Tigers – The Tigers need to beat Florida State to be considered legitimate contenders.
Texas A&M Aggies- A win with the support of “The 12th Man” vaults Johnny Football and the Aggies into the number one spot. Look for it to happen. “Anyone have a pen?”