Impressed- depressed or neutral? Our feelings after Week 6 of college football

Last time we were up on Vanderbilt, not feeling too bad about Tennessee, and down on LSU. We even said that Arizona State might pull off the upset against USC. Oh, how times have changed….IMPRESSED

Penn State

Don’t look now, but Joe Paterno’s boys are 6-0 and riding high atop the Big Ten. When I hit up Happy Valley last weekend I was impressed by two things- the fans and the defense. I don’t think I’ve heard a noise quite as loud as when PSU were on the defense against the Buckeyes. They weren’t exactly cordial to the Buckeye fans after the game- but hey, this is football, not croquet. 2) The defense. The highly touted offense of Troy Smith and Terry Ginn Jr couldn’t put up a point all second half. That was due to the D rather OSU’s horrible O.  Their reward? A trip to the Big House against Michigan. Don’t you just love the Big Ten?

Minnesota

This must be a weekend to get monkeys off backs. The Gophers hadn’t been the Wolverines in 16 years, and mid-way through the second quarter, they didn’t look like it either. But this team, led by future NFL running back Laurence Maroney (36 carries, 129 yds, 1 TD), didn’t give up, and Michigan lose their third of the season- as well as the Little Brown Jug.

UCLA

The upset against Cal was widely predicted. But the way that they outscored the Bears 19-3 in the fourth quarter to win out 47-40? Wow. This team might well be the biggest threat to USC all year. Everyone’s talking about Maurice Drew, but how about the other highly touted Drew–Olsen, who threw for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Texas Tech

OK, so I can shut up about the Red Raiders. They might be quite good after all. We all know about the high octane offense against P.O.S. teams, but against a Nebraska team that is not defensive slouch 34 points is pretty good. Can’t wait for the Texas game in Austin. Should be a whole lot of fun.

Texas

Speaking of getting monkeys off backs, Mack Brown got one big Oklahoma-shaped one off his with a 45-12 crushing of the Sooners. Sure, we know that Sooners are pretty awful this year, but Vince Young (14-27, 241 yds, 3 TD) are hard to argue with. Can’t wait to see if Texas and USC bump heads.

Georgia

Despite the so-called strength of the SEC, the Dawgs really hadn’t played anybody up to their clash with the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (unless you count South Carolina), so the game against the Vols was meant to be the true test. 27-14 later, and they are looking on course for a trip to Atlanta in the SEC Championship game. But let’s not count our chickens–Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech are still on the schedule.

Northwestern

Northwestern are pretty good at having one `Instant Classic’ a year. Ohio State was last year, and the Wisconsin game, that saw 99 points, 1189 yards of offence, and 13 TDs, should definitely be a candidate. And would you believe it? Northwestern won- 51-48, giving the Badgers their first loss of the season.

NEUTRAL

Florida State

“The offence is clicking”, people are saying from Tallahassee. Whilst we can agree with that to some extent, the teams who the offence have `clicked’ against have SUCKED for the most part. The Citadel, Syracuse and Wake Forest are a combined 5-11 and Wake, prior to this clash with Drew Weatherford & co, had previously been slapped by Vanderbilt.

Virginia Tech

As we’ve said in previous articles, the Tech defense is absolutely awesome. With Marcus Vick at the helm, the offence seems to be clicking too, and this is the most dangerous team in college football. But now tailback Cedric Humes broke his arm in the 41-14 rout of Marshall, making things a little tougher for a team now widely expected to run the table in the ACC. Replacement Brandon Ore wasn’t bad though, running for 146 yards, including one 45 yarder.

LSU

It’s hard to be overly impressed with a team who was only beating Vanderbilt 12-6 in the third quarter. We watched most of the game, and we can say one thing- the Tigers really aren’t that good.

Miami

Unless you’re Florida State, this Hurricane offense has been nigh-on impossible to stop this year. Kyle Wright (255 yards, 3 TD) was great in this 52-7 romp. But get this- he still threw two picks. Duke (obviously) didn’t capitalize, but how many picks does Wright have to throw before the opposition takes the ball back for a score? Can’t wait for the VA Tech game in Blacksburg. Should be noisy.

DEPRESSED

Vanderbilt

5-0 and laughing. We all thought they might do it. Now, the losses are starting to come thick and fast, and Vandy could be back to their losing ways quicker than a botched field goal against MTSU. If the Commodores’ fourth quarter collapse against LSU is to go by, then it’ll be sooner rather than later.

Ohio State

We know how good Penn State’s defense were last weekend, but how did they manage to limit OSU to ZERO second half points? God only knows. We know what didn’t help the Buckeyes- a noisy crowd and 25 yards worth of penalties–most of them committed at critical times.

Michigan

At first the Big House was a place to be feared. Notre Dame trembled on traveling there. Even Ohio State didn’t find it much fun. Then Notre Dame won, and, in the latest loss for Big Blue, Minnesota came out of Ann Arbor with a victory. Michigan fans have stolen Penn State’s idea of a “White Out” against Ohio State with a “Maize out” of their own, in an attempt to scare the Nittany Lions. Oh dear.

Tennessee

Many predicted them to run the SEC table this year. After two losses to division rivals, the best that Tennesee can do is third, and perhaps a late December bowl game. People who went to the game at Neyland Stadium weren’t the happiest with the Vols’ performance against Georgia. Can you decide who’s a better quarterback- please??

Oklahoma

Vince Young. Mack Brown. Texas. 2-3. `Nuff said.