College Football Nation: Conference overview 102009
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
We’re right back where we ended the season a year ago in the SEC.
Midway through, Florida and Alabama appear poised to square off in the SEC championship game for the right to play for what would be the league’s fourth straight national championship and fifth in the last seven years.
Both the Gators and Crimson Tide are unbeaten, and they’re Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the first BCS standings that were released on Sunday.
Even though the Gators are unbeaten, they’ve had a few bumps in the road getting here. The offense is completely reliant on Tim Tebow, who suffered a concussion in the Kentucky game, but hasn’t missed any game action. Tebow has been the heart and soul of the running game, and the downfield passing game hasn’t been very consistent.
The Crimson Tide had been much more diverse offensively until the last two games when quarterback Greg McElroy didn’t throw the ball nearly as consistently as he did in their first five games.
The constant with both teams (and the league in general) has been defense. Big surprise there, huh?
Alabama and Florida are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in total defense nationally. Tennessee (13th), South Carolina (19th), Ole Miss (23rd), Vanderbilt (24th) and LSU (35th) give the SEC seven of the top 35 defenses in the country.
Auburn was the big story the first month of the season. The Tigers started out 5-0 under first-year coach Gene Chizik, but have lost their last two games and look like they might be running on empty with a defense that is hurting for numbers.
After Alabama and Florida, it’s difficult to sort the teams out from there. They’re all pretty close.
In other words, the third best team in this league isn’t appreciably better than the ninth best team. All but three teams already have two conference losses.
The team that stands the best chance to break up what’s shaping up to be an Alabama-Florida rematch in the SEC championship game is LSU, which lost 13-3 at home to the Gators two weeks ago. But that was the Tigers’ only loss, and they still get a shot at the Crimson Tide in November.
There are sure to be some other twists and turns along the way. There always are in the SEC. Just last week, both Alabama and Florida had to fight like crazy to survive at home. And even then, the Gators got a little help from the officials.
So don’t write anything in ink just yet.
Offensive MVP: Alabama RB Mark Ingram
With Alabama’s passing game taking a turn for the worse the last two weeks, the Crimson Tide have really jumped on Ingram’s back. He obviously has wide shoulders even if he is built pretty low to the ground. The 5-foot-10, 212-pound sophomore has been a tackle-breaking machine and leads the SEC with 905 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns, eight rushing and three receiving. He’s doing it all for the Tide -- running, catching and blocking -- and has also delivered several big plays.
Defensive MVP: Alabama LB Rolando McClain
Midway through, it’s one big Alabama party. McClain gets the nod over South Carolina outside linebacker Eric Norwood and Tennessee safety Eric Berry based on how versatile he’s been and his overall impact on the Alabama defense. Nick Saban says McClain is one of the smartest players he’s ever coached. He calls all the signals and makes sure everybody is where they’re supposed to be. He’s also plenty productive from his middle linebacker spot. He leads Alabama with 49 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss. Go back and look at how many game-changing plays he’s been involved in, whether it’s deflecting a pass that leads to an interception, forcing a fumble that leads to a touchdown or intercepting a pass himself. He’s the most complete middle linebacker in the country.
Biggest surprise: South Carolina
The Gamecocks (5-2, 2-2) are in position to have their best season under Steve Spurrier. There were a bunch of question marks entering the season, but quarterback Stephen Garcia has matured. The defense has overcome injuries and youth to be one of the better units in the SEC under Ellis Johnson and his staff, and even in their two losses, the Gamecocks have been right there. They played Alabama as well as anybody has this season. Now let’s see if they can finish the season, which has been a problem in Columbia.
Biggest disappointment: Ole Miss
There’s still time to make something of this season, but the Rebels’ hopes of playing in their first-ever SEC title game pretty much went down the drain before the month of September was over. They were awful offensively in their two biggest games to date, losing 16-10 to South Carolina and 22-3 to Alabama. It’s been a rough first half of the season for quarterback Jevan Snead, although he played better last week in the win over UAB. The best thing the Rebels have going for them is Tyrone Nix’s defense. They’ve been terrific on that side of the ball.
Best game: LSU at Georgia, Oct. 3
In all honesty, the game wasn’t that great until the final few minutes. But the finish was thrilling and made up for everything else. The two teams combined for three touchdowns in the final 2:53, with Charles Scott breaking loose on a 33-yard touchdown run to win it for the Tigers with 33 seconds to play. Only seconds earlier, A.J. Green had put the Bulldogs ahead 13-12 after going up and over an LSU defender to wrestle away a spectacular 16-yard touchdown catch. As fate would have it, Green was hit with a bogus 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for celebrating, a penalty the SEC later said should have never been called, and LSU’s Trindon Holliday took advantage by taking the ensuing kickoff back 40 yards to the Georgia 38 -- setting up Scott’s run. Honorable mention would go to Georgia’s 41-37 win over South Carolina on Sept. 12, Georgia’s 52-41 win over Arkansas on Sept. 19 and Florida’s 23-20 win over Arkansas on Oct. 17.
Best coach: Alabama’s Nick Saban
Chizik looked like a runaway winner here until the last two weeks. He’s still done a nice job with an Auburn team that’s really hurting for depth. Spurrier deserves a few votes, too. But Saban gets the midseason award based on the fact that nobody saw the Crimson Tide being this dominant with everything they lost last year -- two All-American offensive linemen, a three-year starter at quarterback and their captain and best safety on defense. The Tide have just reloaded, though, and are trying to become the first Alabama team since 1973 and 1974 to go unbeaten in back-to-back regular seasons. Seems like old times at the Capstone.
We’re right back where we ended the season a year ago in the SEC.
Midway through, Florida and Alabama appear poised to square off in the SEC championship game for the right to play for what would be the league’s fourth straight national championship and fifth in the last seven years.
Both the Gators and Crimson Tide are unbeaten, and they’re Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the first BCS standings that were released on Sunday.
Even though the Gators are unbeaten, they’ve had a few bumps in the road getting here. The offense is completely reliant on Tim Tebow, who suffered a concussion in the Kentucky game, but hasn’t missed any game action. Tebow has been the heart and soul of the running game, and the downfield passing game hasn’t been very consistent.
 | |
| Marvin Gentry/US Presswire | |
| Alabama’s Mark Ingram leads the SEC with 905 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. |
The Crimson Tide had been much more diverse offensively until the last two games when quarterback Greg McElroy didn’t throw the ball nearly as consistently as he did in their first five games.
The constant with both teams (and the league in general) has been defense. Big surprise there, huh?
Alabama and Florida are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in total defense nationally. Tennessee (13th), South Carolina (19th), Ole Miss (23rd), Vanderbilt (24th) and LSU (35th) give the SEC seven of the top 35 defenses in the country.
Auburn was the big story the first month of the season. The Tigers started out 5-0 under first-year coach Gene Chizik, but have lost their last two games and look like they might be running on empty with a defense that is hurting for numbers.
After Alabama and Florida, it’s difficult to sort the teams out from there. They’re all pretty close.
In other words, the third best team in this league isn’t appreciably better than the ninth best team. All but three teams already have two conference losses.
The team that stands the best chance to break up what’s shaping up to be an Alabama-Florida rematch in the SEC championship game is LSU, which lost 13-3 at home to the Gators two weeks ago. But that was the Tigers’ only loss, and they still get a shot at the Crimson Tide in November.
There are sure to be some other twists and turns along the way. There always are in the SEC. Just last week, both Alabama and Florida had to fight like crazy to survive at home. And even then, the Gators got a little help from the officials.
So don’t write anything in ink just yet.
Offensive MVP: Alabama RB Mark Ingram
With Alabama’s passing game taking a turn for the worse the last two weeks, the Crimson Tide have really jumped on Ingram’s back. He obviously has wide shoulders even if he is built pretty low to the ground. The 5-foot-10, 212-pound sophomore has been a tackle-breaking machine and leads the SEC with 905 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns, eight rushing and three receiving. He’s doing it all for the Tide -- running, catching and blocking -- and has also delivered several big plays.
Defensive MVP: Alabama LB Rolando McClain
Midway through, it’s one big Alabama party. McClain gets the nod over South Carolina outside linebacker Eric Norwood and Tennessee safety Eric Berry based on how versatile he’s been and his overall impact on the Alabama defense. Nick Saban says McClain is one of the smartest players he’s ever coached. He calls all the signals and makes sure everybody is where they’re supposed to be. He’s also plenty productive from his middle linebacker spot. He leads Alabama with 49 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss. Go back and look at how many game-changing plays he’s been involved in, whether it’s deflecting a pass that leads to an interception, forcing a fumble that leads to a touchdown or intercepting a pass himself. He’s the most complete middle linebacker in the country.
Biggest surprise: South Carolina
The Gamecocks (5-2, 2-2) are in position to have their best season under Steve Spurrier. There were a bunch of question marks entering the season, but quarterback Stephen Garcia has matured. The defense has overcome injuries and youth to be one of the better units in the SEC under Ellis Johnson and his staff, and even in their two losses, the Gamecocks have been right there. They played Alabama as well as anybody has this season. Now let’s see if they can finish the season, which has been a problem in Columbia.
Biggest disappointment: Ole Miss
There’s still time to make something of this season, but the Rebels’ hopes of playing in their first-ever SEC title game pretty much went down the drain before the month of September was over. They were awful offensively in their two biggest games to date, losing 16-10 to South Carolina and 22-3 to Alabama. It’s been a rough first half of the season for quarterback Jevan Snead, although he played better last week in the win over UAB. The best thing the Rebels have going for them is Tyrone Nix’s defense. They’ve been terrific on that side of the ball.
Best game: LSU at Georgia, Oct. 3
In all honesty, the game wasn’t that great until the final few minutes. But the finish was thrilling and made up for everything else. The two teams combined for three touchdowns in the final 2:53, with Charles Scott breaking loose on a 33-yard touchdown run to win it for the Tigers with 33 seconds to play. Only seconds earlier, A.J. Green had put the Bulldogs ahead 13-12 after going up and over an LSU defender to wrestle away a spectacular 16-yard touchdown catch. As fate would have it, Green was hit with a bogus 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for celebrating, a penalty the SEC later said should have never been called, and LSU’s Trindon Holliday took advantage by taking the ensuing kickoff back 40 yards to the Georgia 38 -- setting up Scott’s run. Honorable mention would go to Georgia’s 41-37 win over South Carolina on Sept. 12, Georgia’s 52-41 win over Arkansas on Sept. 19 and Florida’s 23-20 win over Arkansas on Oct. 17.
Best coach: Alabama’s Nick Saban
Chizik looked like a runaway winner here until the last two weeks. He’s still done a nice job with an Auburn team that’s really hurting for depth. Spurrier deserves a few votes, too. But Saban gets the midseason award based on the fact that nobody saw the Crimson Tide being this dominant with everything they lost last year -- two All-American offensive linemen, a three-year starter at quarterback and their captain and best safety on defense. The Tide have just reloaded, though, and are trying to become the first Alabama team since 1973 and 1974 to go unbeaten in back-to-back regular seasons. Seems like old times at the Capstone.
Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
After all of the excitement from last season’s memorable South Division race, more of the same was expected this season in the Big 12.
The return of Heisman contenders like Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford and Dez Bryant would make this season perhaps even more exciting than last.
But that outlook hasn’t been fulfilled as the first half of the Big 12 season has been marked largely by what could have been. Instead of action on the field, the infirmary has been filled with Big 12 quarterbacks during a disappointing first half of the season.
No injury was bigger that Oklahoma’s loss of Bradford in the opening game of the season with a third-degree sprained shoulder. Bradford made it back for one game and part of another, but reinjured his shoulder and likely will never play college football again.
His injury, along with the season-ending loss before the season of preseason All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham and the loss of breakaway receiver Ryan Broyles for much of the season, has stripped the Sooners of much of their offensive firepower. It’s understandable why the Sooners have started 3-3, losing three games by five points.
But other injuries have also affected the Big 12’s national stature. Robert Griffin’s knee injury has made Baylor’s hopes of making a bowl game iffy. The league's leading rusher from a year ago, Kendall Hunter of Oklahoma State, has missed most of the season with a cracked foot. Bryant has been idled for three games with eligibility issues from his suspension by the NCAA. Texas Tech has lost starting quarterback Taylor Potts and his productive backup Steven Sheffield also appears to have been knocked out of the lineup.
It’s made the first half of the season a battle of attrition. The South appears to be a two-team race between Texas and Oklahoma State. And every North Division team has at least one loss with surprising Kansas State in first place and perhaps headed for an unlikely North title.
The deflation of the Big 12’s image also came because of the conference’s struggles with opponents from other BCS conferences. A disappointing 4-7 record in the nonconference part of the season didn’t turn many heads -- especially with three of those wins coming on the opening weekend. The conference also lost a pair of tough one-point games to non-BCS schools when Texas Tech fell to Houston and BYU beat Oklahoma.
Texas at No. 3 is the highest-ranked Big 12 team in the BCS. Oklahoma State is ranked No.15 and Kansas is 25th. It’s a far cry from last season, when the Big 12 had three teams ranked among the top seven in the BCS’ final standings and four among the top 13 teams.
Here's a quick look at the first half of the season in the Big 12.
Offensive player of the first half: Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley. This multi-talented receiver/returner was the Longhorns’ biggest offensive weapon in the first half of the season with consistent play throughout. Shipley ranks second in the conference with 51 catches for 605 yards. But where he sets himself apart from players like Danario Alexander, Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe is with his punt returns, accounting for 16.4 yards per return, including two TDs. Mack Brown advised him earlier in his career to give up because of frequent injuries. Today, Brown is glad that Shipley didn’t listen to him.
Defensive player of the first half: Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. After his performance against Missouri, some pundits were hyping Suh for the Heisman Trophy. Some of that blather had died down since the Cornhuskers’ loss last week to Texas Tech, but Suh assuredly is the Big 12’s best defensive player. He leads the Cornhuskers in solo and total tackles, tackles for losses and hurries, and ranks second in sacks. Most amazingly, he paces the team with seven passes broken up, which is tied for second in the conference. NFL scouts are lining up to check him out.
Biggest surprise of the first half: Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have struggled with injuries to Potts early and an apparent one to Sheffield last week. But after early growing-pain losses to Texas and Houston, the Red Raiders have rebounded with impressive wins over Kansas State and Nebraska to have them solidly in third place in the South Division. After the suspension of Brandon Carter and the Twitter controversy involving Marlon Williams, it would have been understandable if Tech had cratered. Instead, Mike Leach has kept his team afloat and likely headed to a nice bowl trip.
Biggest disappointment of the first half: Oklahoma. The Sooners came into the season with legitimate national title hopes that were killed by their season-opening loss to BYU along with the loss of Bradford. Another loss at Miami under backup Landry Jones continued the spiral downward. But the biggest capper was last week’s 16-13 loss to Texas in a game where the Sooners defense played well enough to win, but Bradford again was hurt early. Now, the Sooners' hopes of an unprecedented four-peat of conference championships look dim, considering their three losses to ranked opponents and tough upcoming schedule.
Best game: Houston 29, Texas Tech 28. This game had a little bit of everything as the two teams played a memorable game on a hot, sticky night in Houston. The two teams combined for 1,063 yards, 60 first downs and one memorable comeback, capped by Case Keenum’s game-winning 4-yard keeper with 49 seconds left that stamped him as a Heisman contender. Tech had its chances to put the game away earlier in the fourth quarter, but the momentum changed when Potts was stopped on a fourth-and-goal sneak from the 1.
Best coach: Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy. The Cowboys were expected to challenge for the Big 12 South Division this season, but Gundy has done a nice job of keeping the Cowboys together despite the loss of top playmakers like Hunter and Bryant. Even after an early loss to Houston that was decided on two plays involving tipped passes, Gundy has the Cowboys pointed to a pivotal Oct. 31 showdown against Texas that likely will decide the Big 12 South title. Honorable mention has to go to Bill Snyder, who surprisingly has Kansas State in first place in the North Division despite a 66-14 loss at Texas Tech earlier this season.
After all of the excitement from last season’s memorable South Division race, more of the same was expected this season in the Big 12.
The return of Heisman contenders like Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford and Dez Bryant would make this season perhaps even more exciting than last.
But that outlook hasn’t been fulfilled as the first half of the Big 12 season has been marked largely by what could have been. Instead of action on the field, the infirmary has been filled with Big 12 quarterbacks during a disappointing first half of the season.
 | |
| Ned Dishman/Getty Images | |
| Ndamukong Suh Cornhuskers leads the Cornhuskers in solo and total tackles. |
No injury was bigger that Oklahoma’s loss of Bradford in the opening game of the season with a third-degree sprained shoulder. Bradford made it back for one game and part of another, but reinjured his shoulder and likely will never play college football again.
His injury, along with the season-ending loss before the season of preseason All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham and the loss of breakaway receiver Ryan Broyles for much of the season, has stripped the Sooners of much of their offensive firepower. It’s understandable why the Sooners have started 3-3, losing three games by five points.
But other injuries have also affected the Big 12’s national stature. Robert Griffin’s knee injury has made Baylor’s hopes of making a bowl game iffy. The league's leading rusher from a year ago, Kendall Hunter of Oklahoma State, has missed most of the season with a cracked foot. Bryant has been idled for three games with eligibility issues from his suspension by the NCAA. Texas Tech has lost starting quarterback Taylor Potts and his productive backup Steven Sheffield also appears to have been knocked out of the lineup.
It’s made the first half of the season a battle of attrition. The South appears to be a two-team race between Texas and Oklahoma State. And every North Division team has at least one loss with surprising Kansas State in first place and perhaps headed for an unlikely North title.
The deflation of the Big 12’s image also came because of the conference’s struggles with opponents from other BCS conferences. A disappointing 4-7 record in the nonconference part of the season didn’t turn many heads -- especially with three of those wins coming on the opening weekend. The conference also lost a pair of tough one-point games to non-BCS schools when Texas Tech fell to Houston and BYU beat Oklahoma.
Texas at No. 3 is the highest-ranked Big 12 team in the BCS. Oklahoma State is ranked No.15 and Kansas is 25th. It’s a far cry from last season, when the Big 12 had three teams ranked among the top seven in the BCS’ final standings and four among the top 13 teams.
Here's a quick look at the first half of the season in the Big 12.
Offensive player of the first half: Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley. This multi-talented receiver/returner was the Longhorns’ biggest offensive weapon in the first half of the season with consistent play throughout. Shipley ranks second in the conference with 51 catches for 605 yards. But where he sets himself apart from players like Danario Alexander, Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe is with his punt returns, accounting for 16.4 yards per return, including two TDs. Mack Brown advised him earlier in his career to give up because of frequent injuries. Today, Brown is glad that Shipley didn’t listen to him.
Defensive player of the first half: Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. After his performance against Missouri, some pundits were hyping Suh for the Heisman Trophy. Some of that blather had died down since the Cornhuskers’ loss last week to Texas Tech, but Suh assuredly is the Big 12’s best defensive player. He leads the Cornhuskers in solo and total tackles, tackles for losses and hurries, and ranks second in sacks. Most amazingly, he paces the team with seven passes broken up, which is tied for second in the conference. NFL scouts are lining up to check him out.
Biggest surprise of the first half: Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have struggled with injuries to Potts early and an apparent one to Sheffield last week. But after early growing-pain losses to Texas and Houston, the Red Raiders have rebounded with impressive wins over Kansas State and Nebraska to have them solidly in third place in the South Division. After the suspension of Brandon Carter and the Twitter controversy involving Marlon Williams, it would have been understandable if Tech had cratered. Instead, Mike Leach has kept his team afloat and likely headed to a nice bowl trip.
Biggest disappointment of the first half: Oklahoma. The Sooners came into the season with legitimate national title hopes that were killed by their season-opening loss to BYU along with the loss of Bradford. Another loss at Miami under backup Landry Jones continued the spiral downward. But the biggest capper was last week’s 16-13 loss to Texas in a game where the Sooners defense played well enough to win, but Bradford again was hurt early. Now, the Sooners' hopes of an unprecedented four-peat of conference championships look dim, considering their three losses to ranked opponents and tough upcoming schedule.
Best game: Houston 29, Texas Tech 28. This game had a little bit of everything as the two teams played a memorable game on a hot, sticky night in Houston. The two teams combined for 1,063 yards, 60 first downs and one memorable comeback, capped by Case Keenum’s game-winning 4-yard keeper with 49 seconds left that stamped him as a Heisman contender. Tech had its chances to put the game away earlier in the fourth quarter, but the momentum changed when Potts was stopped on a fourth-and-goal sneak from the 1.
Best coach: Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy. The Cowboys were expected to challenge for the Big 12 South Division this season, but Gundy has done a nice job of keeping the Cowboys together despite the loss of top playmakers like Hunter and Bryant. Even after an early loss to Houston that was decided on two plays involving tipped passes, Gundy has the Cowboys pointed to a pivotal Oct. 31 showdown against Texas that likely will decide the Big 12 South title. Honorable mention has to go to Bill Snyder, who surprisingly has Kansas State in first place in the North Division despite a 66-14 loss at Texas Tech earlier this season.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Graham Watson
From the season opener, the pressure was on the nonautomatic-qualifying schools to live up to the protests that were initiated by the Mountain West over the BCS.
All eyes were on Boise State and BYU, who had major contests against automatic-qualifying opponents that would set the tone for the season.
And from the season opener, the non-AQ teams showed they belong.
There are five non-AQ teams in the recently released BCS standings. Those teams -- Boise State, TCU, Houston, BYU and Utah -- have combined to defeat eight automatic-qualifying teams. Several other teams such as Central Michigan, Colorado State, Louisiana-Lafayette and Middle Tennessee also have defeated automatic-qualifying teams. As the season continues to progress, the non-AQ teams continue to level the playing field.
Boise State, which is ranked No. 4 in the first BCS standings, is leading a great season by the non-AQs. If the Broncos remain undefeated, they could be in line for a shot at a possible national championship berth.
Even beyond the usual suspects, several other non-AQ teams have impressed so far this season. Central Michigan is off to its best start since 1984, Idaho has six wins for the first time since 1999 and Louisiana-Monroe, which is 3-0 atop the Sun Belt Conference, is off to its best start since the program joined the FBS.
If the non-AQ teams needed to make a statement through the first half of the season to show that they belong, they’ve done that. And they should continue to do it as the season progresses, just like they’ve done every year since 2004.
Below is a look at some of the standouts from the first half of the season and throughout the day I'll briefly break down some of the non-AQ teams and their MVP's.
Best offense
Houston: The Cougars have used their high-powered spread offense to topple all three of the automatic-qualifying teams they’ve played this season. In the process, quarterback Case Keenum has become a viable Heisman candidate. Houston leads the country in total offense with 560.33 yards per game and is third in the country in scoring offense with 40.83 points per game.
Best Defense
TCU: It seems like every year the Horned Frogs are near the top of the national rankings in total defense and so far this season, their defensive dominance has led them to a 6-0 record. The Horned Frogs are especially stingy against the run, allowing just 81.17 yards per game. All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes ranks fourth in the country with 1.33 sacks per game and 14th with 1.58 tackles for loss.
Surprise
Idaho: The Vandals came into the season believing that they had a team with the ability to make a bowl game and seven games into the season, they’re 6-1 and sitting atop the WAC standings with Boise State. Idaho has beaten good teams along the way including Northern Illinois and Colorado State, and most of that success has been because of its vaunted offense, which is scoring almost 30 points per game.
Disappointment
Nevada: The Wolf Pack came into the season with a lot of hype. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was mentioned as a possible Heisman candidate and Nevada’s backfield -- with three 1,000-yard rushers -- was supposed to be the best in the country. But a 35-0 loss to Notre Dame, and ultimately a 0-3 start, called into question whether the Wolf Pack was going to make any waves in the conference. They’ve rebounded to be 3-3, but they’re still a far cry from the team many expected them to be.
Best game
Toledo 37, Ball State 30 (Oct. 3): There have been a lot of great games this season, but few could top the wild finish between these two Mid-American Conference teams. Ball State, which was winless, scored with 42 seconds remaining to take a 30-29 lead and the Cardinals appeared on their way to their first win of the season. But on the ensuing kickoff, Toledo returned the ball to the 49-yard line and then quarterback Aaron Opelt found receiver Stephen Williams 51 yards downfield with 27 seconds left to give the Rockets the come-from-behind win. Ball State is still winless.
** This category is best game, not biggest. Had it been the biggest, BYU’s win over Oklahoma would have been here.
Best coach
Robb Akey, Idaho: If Idaho continues on its current winning streak, Akey shouldn’t just be the WAC Coach of the Year, he should be considered for national coach of the year. Akey inherited a program that was in dire straits. He kicked several of his most athletic players off the team and had to start from scratch. But something told him this year -- three years into his tenure -- was going to be the year that the Vandals turned it all around. The Vandals have won more than five games for the first time since 1999 and could be bowl-bound for the first time since 1998.
From the season opener, the pressure was on the nonautomatic-qualifying schools to live up to the protests that were initiated by the Mountain West over the BCS.
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| Chris Graythen/Getty Images | |
| Case Keenum has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and has thrown for 19 touchdowns. |
And from the season opener, the non-AQ teams showed they belong.
There are five non-AQ teams in the recently released BCS standings. Those teams -- Boise State, TCU, Houston, BYU and Utah -- have combined to defeat eight automatic-qualifying teams. Several other teams such as Central Michigan, Colorado State, Louisiana-Lafayette and Middle Tennessee also have defeated automatic-qualifying teams. As the season continues to progress, the non-AQ teams continue to level the playing field.
Boise State, which is ranked No. 4 in the first BCS standings, is leading a great season by the non-AQs. If the Broncos remain undefeated, they could be in line for a shot at a possible national championship berth.
Even beyond the usual suspects, several other non-AQ teams have impressed so far this season. Central Michigan is off to its best start since 1984, Idaho has six wins for the first time since 1999 and Louisiana-Monroe, which is 3-0 atop the Sun Belt Conference, is off to its best start since the program joined the FBS.
If the non-AQ teams needed to make a statement through the first half of the season to show that they belong, they’ve done that. And they should continue to do it as the season progresses, just like they’ve done every year since 2004.
Below is a look at some of the standouts from the first half of the season and throughout the day I'll briefly break down some of the non-AQ teams and their MVP's.
Best offense
Houston: The Cougars have used their high-powered spread offense to topple all three of the automatic-qualifying teams they’ve played this season. In the process, quarterback Case Keenum has become a viable Heisman candidate. Houston leads the country in total offense with 560.33 yards per game and is third in the country in scoring offense with 40.83 points per game.
Best Defense
TCU: It seems like every year the Horned Frogs are near the top of the national rankings in total defense and so far this season, their defensive dominance has led them to a 6-0 record. The Horned Frogs are especially stingy against the run, allowing just 81.17 yards per game. All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes ranks fourth in the country with 1.33 sacks per game and 14th with 1.58 tackles for loss.
Surprise
Idaho: The Vandals came into the season believing that they had a team with the ability to make a bowl game and seven games into the season, they’re 6-1 and sitting atop the WAC standings with Boise State. Idaho has beaten good teams along the way including Northern Illinois and Colorado State, and most of that success has been because of its vaunted offense, which is scoring almost 30 points per game.
Disappointment
Nevada: The Wolf Pack came into the season with a lot of hype. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was mentioned as a possible Heisman candidate and Nevada’s backfield -- with three 1,000-yard rushers -- was supposed to be the best in the country. But a 35-0 loss to Notre Dame, and ultimately a 0-3 start, called into question whether the Wolf Pack was going to make any waves in the conference. They’ve rebounded to be 3-3, but they’re still a far cry from the team many expected them to be.
Best game
Toledo 37, Ball State 30 (Oct. 3): There have been a lot of great games this season, but few could top the wild finish between these two Mid-American Conference teams. Ball State, which was winless, scored with 42 seconds remaining to take a 30-29 lead and the Cardinals appeared on their way to their first win of the season. But on the ensuing kickoff, Toledo returned the ball to the 49-yard line and then quarterback Aaron Opelt found receiver Stephen Williams 51 yards downfield with 27 seconds left to give the Rockets the come-from-behind win. Ball State is still winless.
** This category is best game, not biggest. Had it been the biggest, BYU’s win over Oklahoma would have been here.
Best coach
Robb Akey, Idaho: If Idaho continues on its current winning streak, Akey shouldn’t just be the WAC Coach of the Year, he should be considered for national coach of the year. Akey inherited a program that was in dire straits. He kicked several of his most athletic players off the team and had to start from scratch. But something told him this year -- three years into his tenure -- was going to be the year that the Vandals turned it all around. The Vandals have won more than five games for the first time since 1999 and could be bowl-bound for the first time since 1998.
Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller
The Pac-10's 2009 campaign started with a face plant that would become an impressive launching point, so the story of the midseason is not to believe one week's results because the next's might change everything.
Oregon looked awful at Boise State, and that doesn't even include the postgame melee with LeGarrette Blount.
But the Ducks are now 5-1 and alone atop the conference at 3-0. They are ranked 11th in the BCS standings. They have a legitimate chance to unseat USC and end the Trojans' seven-year run of championships.
Speaking of USC, after it won 18-15 at Ohio State with true freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, it seemed the Trojans were ready to again challenge for a national title -- even in a (nudge, nudge) rebuilding year.
Then they lost at Washington, 16-13, which just the week before had ended a 15-game losing streak.
Yet, consider USC again: It's still in it, ranked No. 4 in the polls and seventh in the BCS standings.
Arizona flopped at Iowa and changed quarterbacks. Sounds ominous, huh?
But sophomore Nick Foles has been mostly brilliant, and if not for a pass bouncing off a receivers foot at Washington, the Wildcats would be ranked highly and in the mix with Oregon and USC.
Stanford made a run, then lost two conference games in a row. Its lack of team speed on defense is an obvious deficiency.
Oregon State -- déjà vu -- started slowly. But not as slowly as usual, needing only to muddle to a 2-2 start -- instead of 2-3 as it did the previous three seasons -- before bouncing back with two consecutive conference wins.
Arizona State unveiled a physical, athletic defense that ranks with the best in the nation. Now, if the offense can become merely adequate, then the Sun Devils might surge.
UCLA started fast. Then lost three in a row, showing it's a lot harder to win Pac-10 games than beat Tennessee, which the Bruins have done consecutive years.
Washington State? Hmm. Better. Tougher. But still outmanned. And those injuries! The Cougs deserve a break.
But it doesn't appear there will be many of those in the conference this year.
The nine-game round robin schedule has always put the Pac-10 at a perception disadvantage. No other conference writes in five additional losses every season by choice.
But, with this year's depth, it's possible that when the smoke clears on Dec. 5, there will be a lot of good teams bandaging wounds.
Offensive MVP: Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers leads the conference in touchdowns --13 -- and ranks second in rushing with 116.2 yards per game. He's also caught 38 passes -- second-most in the conference -- for 269 yards. He's scored six TDs during the Beavers' recent surge, including a four-score effort vs. Stanford in which he piled up 189 yards rushing on 33 carries.
Defensive MVP: UCLA's defensive tackle Brian Price leads the Pac-10 with 10.5 tackles for loss and has four sacks, tied for most among interior defensive linemen. Among conference defensive linemen, he probably demands the most special attention from opposing offensive coordinators.
Biggest surprise: Washington has gone from 0-12 to a legitimate threat to reach a bowl game. That's stunning improvement, particularly against one of the nation's toughest schedules. Start with a shocking victory over then-No. 3 USC -- Steve Sarkisian's and Nick Holt's former team -- and then consider that the 3-4 Huskies have lost only one game by double-digits (Stanford). They lost nine by 20 or more points in 2008.
Biggest disappointment: California went from No. 6 in the country to losing consecutive games by a 72-6 count, which of course left the Bears unranked. There's a lot of football left to be played, and Cal could rise again, but the Bears' chances of winning the Pac-10 are slim to none.
Best game: Washington's win over USC was the most meaningful, but Arizona's 43-38 win over Stanford was just nuts. And by nuts we mean entertaining, though I suspect Wildcats and Cardinal fans were at various times frustrated with their defenses, which combined to surrender 1,137 yards. Great play from two young QBs, Arizona's Foles and Stanford's Andrew Luck, who appear headed toward big things.
Best coach: Chip Kelly had one of the worst first games a new coach could have: The debacle at Boise State and the L'affaire de LeGarrette afterward. But Kelly rallied his team and it rolled off a five-game winning streak, which included wins over two ranked teams. Oh, by the way, during that winning streak the Ducks lost three starting defensive backs to injuries, and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was forced to sit out a game with a knee injury. Yet here the Ducks are: Ranked 11th and headed for a showdown with USC with, perhaps, the conference title at stake.
The Pac-10's 2009 campaign started with a face plant that would become an impressive launching point, so the story of the midseason is not to believe one week's results because the next's might change everything.
Oregon looked awful at Boise State, and that doesn't even include the postgame melee with LeGarrette Blount.
But the Ducks are now 5-1 and alone atop the conference at 3-0. They are ranked 11th in the BCS standings. They have a legitimate chance to unseat USC and end the Trojans' seven-year run of championships.
Speaking of USC, after it won 18-15 at Ohio State with true freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, it seemed the Trojans were ready to again challenge for a national title -- even in a (nudge, nudge) rebuilding year.
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| Nick Doan/Icon SMI | |
| Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers is averaging more than 116 yards rushing per game this season. |
Then they lost at Washington, 16-13, which just the week before had ended a 15-game losing streak.
Yet, consider USC again: It's still in it, ranked No. 4 in the polls and seventh in the BCS standings.
Arizona flopped at Iowa and changed quarterbacks. Sounds ominous, huh?
But sophomore Nick Foles has been mostly brilliant, and if not for a pass bouncing off a receivers foot at Washington, the Wildcats would be ranked highly and in the mix with Oregon and USC.
Stanford made a run, then lost two conference games in a row. Its lack of team speed on defense is an obvious deficiency.
Oregon State -- déjà vu -- started slowly. But not as slowly as usual, needing only to muddle to a 2-2 start -- instead of 2-3 as it did the previous three seasons -- before bouncing back with two consecutive conference wins.
Arizona State unveiled a physical, athletic defense that ranks with the best in the nation. Now, if the offense can become merely adequate, then the Sun Devils might surge.
UCLA started fast. Then lost three in a row, showing it's a lot harder to win Pac-10 games than beat Tennessee, which the Bruins have done consecutive years.
Washington State? Hmm. Better. Tougher. But still outmanned. And those injuries! The Cougs deserve a break.
But it doesn't appear there will be many of those in the conference this year.
The nine-game round robin schedule has always put the Pac-10 at a perception disadvantage. No other conference writes in five additional losses every season by choice.
But, with this year's depth, it's possible that when the smoke clears on Dec. 5, there will be a lot of good teams bandaging wounds.
Offensive MVP: Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers leads the conference in touchdowns --13 -- and ranks second in rushing with 116.2 yards per game. He's also caught 38 passes -- second-most in the conference -- for 269 yards. He's scored six TDs during the Beavers' recent surge, including a four-score effort vs. Stanford in which he piled up 189 yards rushing on 33 carries.
Defensive MVP: UCLA's defensive tackle Brian Price leads the Pac-10 with 10.5 tackles for loss and has four sacks, tied for most among interior defensive linemen. Among conference defensive linemen, he probably demands the most special attention from opposing offensive coordinators.
Biggest surprise: Washington has gone from 0-12 to a legitimate threat to reach a bowl game. That's stunning improvement, particularly against one of the nation's toughest schedules. Start with a shocking victory over then-No. 3 USC -- Steve Sarkisian's and Nick Holt's former team -- and then consider that the 3-4 Huskies have lost only one game by double-digits (Stanford). They lost nine by 20 or more points in 2008.
Biggest disappointment: California went from No. 6 in the country to losing consecutive games by a 72-6 count, which of course left the Bears unranked. There's a lot of football left to be played, and Cal could rise again, but the Bears' chances of winning the Pac-10 are slim to none.
Best game: Washington's win over USC was the most meaningful, but Arizona's 43-38 win over Stanford was just nuts. And by nuts we mean entertaining, though I suspect Wildcats and Cardinal fans were at various times frustrated with their defenses, which combined to surrender 1,137 yards. Great play from two young QBs, Arizona's Foles and Stanford's Andrew Luck, who appear headed toward big things.
Best coach: Chip Kelly had one of the worst first games a new coach could have: The debacle at Boise State and the L'affaire de LeGarrette afterward. But Kelly rallied his team and it rolled off a five-game winning streak, which included wins over two ranked teams. Oh, by the way, during that winning streak the Ducks lost three starting defensive backs to injuries, and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was forced to sit out a game with a knee injury. Yet here the Ducks are: Ranked 11th and headed for a showdown with USC with, perhaps, the conference title at stake.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich
For the second straight year, the ACC started with a thud but managed to pull itself back to respectability in the following weeks. Losses to FCS schools William & Mary and Richmond, coupled with Maryland's home loss to Middle Tennessee, raised eyebrows in September for all the wrong reasons. As we look at the conference now at the halfway point of the season, though, it has showed its fare share of redeemable qualities, most notably the push the Coastal Division has made on the national level. To have three teams ranked among the top 15 in the first BCS standings shows some separation is starting to occur in the conference. ACC fans and officials can take pride in the resurgence of Miami, the continued strength of Virginia Tech, and quick rise of Georgia Tech under coach Paul Johnson.
Of course, there is always room for improvement, and it starts with a 2-2 record against the Colonial Athletic Association. Overall, the ACC is 8-9 against opponents from the BCS conferences and the Mountain West. There was no shame in Virginia Tech’s loss to Alabama, but the Hokies didn’t show up when it counted most -- in the second half at Georgia Tech. Florida State and NC State are weighing the disappointing Atlantic Division down, and Duke is making a case for the best team in North Carolina right now. Teams that were expected to be better -- namely Florida State, NC State and North Carolina -- have instead looked like they’ve regressed. The biggest storylines were not the Hokies’ No. 4 ranking in the Associated Press poll, it was the behind-the-scenes coup in Tallahassee calling for the early retirement of coach Bobby Bowden, and the overwhelming support throughout the league for BC linebacker Mark Herzlich.
Now that every team in the conference has played at least six games, it’s time for a look back at the first half of the season. Here are the conference awards:
Offensive MVP: Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams. His five 100-yard rushing performances eclipsed Darren Evans’ mark for the most by a Hokie freshman tailback in a season. He’s been named rookie of the week five times by the ACC, and even when he was sick and receiving IV fluids and missed practice time, Williams still rushed for 100 yards at Georgia Tech. He’s eighth in the country with 119.14 rushing yards per game.
Defensive MVP: UNC defensive end Robert Quinn. The sophomore has quickly made a name for himself as one of the best defensive ends in the ACC. He leads the conference and is seventh in the country with 11 tackles for a loss of 69 yards, and is tied for first with three forced fumbles and also has four quarterback hurries. He’s second in the ACC and seventh in the nation with seven sacks for 58 yards. Quinn had a career-high 10 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, at Georgia Tech. He’s a big reason why UNC has one of the top two defenses in the conference.
Biggest surprise: Boston College. Anyone who thought the Eagles would have won five games and been undefeated at home right now is either lying or the most star-crossed season-ticket holder out there. The Eagles lost their top two linebackers, their top two defensive tackles, their quarterback, their head coach and their offensive coordinator -- just to name a few. And yet here they are again -- in position to make a third straight trip to the ACC title game. Wow.
Biggest disappointment: The entire Atlantic Division. NC State, Maryland and Florida State are a combined 1-8 in conference play. If you saw that coming, leave for Vegas. Now. The Pack should have been better in Tom O’Brien’s third season, but even he said the team “regressed” the past two weeks. Maryland looks hapless and FSU has as many problems off the field as it has on it. Clemson played against Wake Forest like it should have been playing the past two or three years, but is still a three-loss team. And Wake Forest’s new goal is getting to a bowl game. No wonder the Eagles are soaring again.
Best game: Miami 38, Florida State 34. This was when the Seminoles still had hope, when FSU was still expected to win the Atlantic Division, and when one play might have changed their season. Trailing 34-31 with an ailing arm, Miami quarterback Jacory Harris threw a 40-yard pass over double coverage to Travis Benjamin that set up the game-winning touchdown with 1:53 remaining. With five seconds ticking off the clock, Christian Ponder threw to Jarmon Fortson in the end zone, and it was a controversial incomplete call that ended the game with the Canes on top.
Best coach: Frank Spaziani. His first smart move as head coach was to bring in 25-year-old quarterback Dave Shinskie, who has been on more than he has been off for the Eagles. His top linebacker, Herzlich, was diagnosed with cancer in May, and the only quarterback he had with any starting experience, Dominique Davis, decided to transfer. Spaziani inherited more problems than he did answers and yet he has the Eagles in contention to win the Atlantic Division for a third straight season.
For the second straight year, the ACC started with a thud but managed to pull itself back to respectability in the following weeks. Losses to FCS schools William & Mary and Richmond, coupled with Maryland's home loss to Middle Tennessee, raised eyebrows in September for all the wrong reasons. As we look at the conference now at the halfway point of the season, though, it has showed its fare share of redeemable qualities, most notably the push the Coastal Division has made on the national level. To have three teams ranked among the top 15 in the first BCS standings shows some separation is starting to occur in the conference. ACC fans and officials can take pride in the resurgence of Miami, the continued strength of Virginia Tech, and quick rise of Georgia Tech under coach Paul Johnson.
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| Tim Steadman/Icon SMI | |
| North Carolina’s Robert Quinn has spent plenty of time in opposing teams’ backfields this season. |
Of course, there is always room for improvement, and it starts with a 2-2 record against the Colonial Athletic Association. Overall, the ACC is 8-9 against opponents from the BCS conferences and the Mountain West. There was no shame in Virginia Tech’s loss to Alabama, but the Hokies didn’t show up when it counted most -- in the second half at Georgia Tech. Florida State and NC State are weighing the disappointing Atlantic Division down, and Duke is making a case for the best team in North Carolina right now. Teams that were expected to be better -- namely Florida State, NC State and North Carolina -- have instead looked like they’ve regressed. The biggest storylines were not the Hokies’ No. 4 ranking in the Associated Press poll, it was the behind-the-scenes coup in Tallahassee calling for the early retirement of coach Bobby Bowden, and the overwhelming support throughout the league for BC linebacker Mark Herzlich.
Now that every team in the conference has played at least six games, it’s time for a look back at the first half of the season. Here are the conference awards:
Offensive MVP: Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams. His five 100-yard rushing performances eclipsed Darren Evans’ mark for the most by a Hokie freshman tailback in a season. He’s been named rookie of the week five times by the ACC, and even when he was sick and receiving IV fluids and missed practice time, Williams still rushed for 100 yards at Georgia Tech. He’s eighth in the country with 119.14 rushing yards per game.
Defensive MVP: UNC defensive end Robert Quinn. The sophomore has quickly made a name for himself as one of the best defensive ends in the ACC. He leads the conference and is seventh in the country with 11 tackles for a loss of 69 yards, and is tied for first with three forced fumbles and also has four quarterback hurries. He’s second in the ACC and seventh in the nation with seven sacks for 58 yards. Quinn had a career-high 10 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, at Georgia Tech. He’s a big reason why UNC has one of the top two defenses in the conference.
Biggest surprise: Boston College. Anyone who thought the Eagles would have won five games and been undefeated at home right now is either lying or the most star-crossed season-ticket holder out there. The Eagles lost their top two linebackers, their top two defensive tackles, their quarterback, their head coach and their offensive coordinator -- just to name a few. And yet here they are again -- in position to make a third straight trip to the ACC title game. Wow.
Biggest disappointment: The entire Atlantic Division. NC State, Maryland and Florida State are a combined 1-8 in conference play. If you saw that coming, leave for Vegas. Now. The Pack should have been better in Tom O’Brien’s third season, but even he said the team “regressed” the past two weeks. Maryland looks hapless and FSU has as many problems off the field as it has on it. Clemson played against Wake Forest like it should have been playing the past two or three years, but is still a three-loss team. And Wake Forest’s new goal is getting to a bowl game. No wonder the Eagles are soaring again.
Best game: Miami 38, Florida State 34. This was when the Seminoles still had hope, when FSU was still expected to win the Atlantic Division, and when one play might have changed their season. Trailing 34-31 with an ailing arm, Miami quarterback Jacory Harris threw a 40-yard pass over double coverage to Travis Benjamin that set up the game-winning touchdown with 1:53 remaining. With five seconds ticking off the clock, Christian Ponder threw to Jarmon Fortson in the end zone, and it was a controversial incomplete call that ended the game with the Canes on top.
Best coach: Frank Spaziani. His first smart move as head coach was to bring in 25-year-old quarterback Dave Shinskie, who has been on more than he has been off for the Eagles. His top linebacker, Herzlich, was diagnosed with cancer in May, and the only quarterback he had with any starting experience, Dominique Davis, decided to transfer. Spaziani inherited more problems than he did answers and yet he has the Eagles in contention to win the Atlantic Division for a third straight season.
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
Reports of the Big East's demise were greatly exaggerated.
The season began with no Big East teams in either major top 25 poll. Most observers figured the league would be down after losing such stars as Pat White, Donald Brown, LeSean McCoy and Scott McKillop to the NFL.
But through the first half of the season, the Big East looks as strong as ever. This week, there are three teams from the conference in both major top 25 polls. That's more than the Pac-10, and the same number as the ACC and Big Ten. The league has a legitimate national championship contender in Cincinnati, which is No. 5 in the BCS standings. The Big East has gone 26-7 in nonconference games, and its .788 winning percentage is better than every conference except the SEC.
New stars have emerged, like Pitt's Dion Lewis and South Florida's Jason Pierre-Paul and B.J. Daniels, while returning players like Tony Pike, Bill Stull and Jarrett Brown have taken a step forward. Even guys who were absent or invisible last year, like Mike Williams and Andre Dixon, have bounced back with career years.
Big East offenses have been potent, with six teams averaging at least 29 points and players like Pike, Lewis, Noel Devine and Mardy Gilyard among the national statistical leaders.
The second half of the season will be all about the conference race, with Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and West Virginia battling it out as the top contenders. But the Big East remains so balanced that just about any team can beat another.
If there are upsets in the second half, critics can't say it's because the league is weak or down. The Big East proved itself in the first half.
Now here's a quick look at some of the first-half highlights:
Offensive player of the mid-year: Tony Pike. There are a number of candidates here, including Devine, Lewis, Dixon and even Pike's teammate, Gilyard. But Pike is the trigger man for the best offense and the best team in the league, and he's been as good as any quarterback in the country so far.
Defensive player of the mid-year: Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida. There is no clear-cut leader for this award, but there are a plethora of candidates, including UConn's Lindsey Witten and Lawrence Wilson, Cincinnati's Aaron Webster, Syracuse's Derrell Smith, Pitt's Greg Romeus and Mick Williams and South Florida's George Selvie and Nate Allen. I pick Pierre-Paul because, even though he's only been fully involved in about four games, he's been the most disruptive defensive force I've seen this year. He already has 8.5 tackles for loss despite getting a late start, and he's been nearly unblockable at times. The scary part is, he should only get better.
Surprise of the first half: Cincinnati's defense. Those who paid close enough attention knew that the Bearcats had veterans and weren't starting from scratch despite losing 10 senior starters from 2008. But nearly everyone thought there would need to be an adjustment period, particularly with a new scheme and new coordinator. Hardly anyone could have forecast Cincinnati ranking 13th nationally in scoring defense, allowing a little more than 14 points per game.
Disappointment of the first half: Rutgers. All of the momentum built from last year's seven-game winning streak ended in the opener, a humbling 47-15 home loss to Cincinnati. The Scarlet Knights had the perfect schedule to contend in the Big East but have lost their first two conference games, at home. Their offense has sputtered against good competition.
Best game: Syracuse's 37-34 win over Northwestern was an old-fashioned shootout that came down to a dramatic last-second field goal. That it was the first win for new coach Doug Marrone in a raucous Carrier Dome made it even sweeter for Orange fans.
Best coach: It was Brian Kelly in 2007. It was Brian Kelly in 2008. And it's Brian Kelly in the first half of 2009.
Reports of the Big East's demise were greatly exaggerated.
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| Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images | |
| Tony Pike has completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions. |
But through the first half of the season, the Big East looks as strong as ever. This week, there are three teams from the conference in both major top 25 polls. That's more than the Pac-10, and the same number as the ACC and Big Ten. The league has a legitimate national championship contender in Cincinnati, which is No. 5 in the BCS standings. The Big East has gone 26-7 in nonconference games, and its .788 winning percentage is better than every conference except the SEC.
New stars have emerged, like Pitt's Dion Lewis and South Florida's Jason Pierre-Paul and B.J. Daniels, while returning players like Tony Pike, Bill Stull and Jarrett Brown have taken a step forward. Even guys who were absent or invisible last year, like Mike Williams and Andre Dixon, have bounced back with career years.
Big East offenses have been potent, with six teams averaging at least 29 points and players like Pike, Lewis, Noel Devine and Mardy Gilyard among the national statistical leaders.
The second half of the season will be all about the conference race, with Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and West Virginia battling it out as the top contenders. But the Big East remains so balanced that just about any team can beat another.
If there are upsets in the second half, critics can't say it's because the league is weak or down. The Big East proved itself in the first half.
Now here's a quick look at some of the first-half highlights:
Offensive player of the mid-year: Tony Pike. There are a number of candidates here, including Devine, Lewis, Dixon and even Pike's teammate, Gilyard. But Pike is the trigger man for the best offense and the best team in the league, and he's been as good as any quarterback in the country so far.
Defensive player of the mid-year: Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida. There is no clear-cut leader for this award, but there are a plethora of candidates, including UConn's Lindsey Witten and Lawrence Wilson, Cincinnati's Aaron Webster, Syracuse's Derrell Smith, Pitt's Greg Romeus and Mick Williams and South Florida's George Selvie and Nate Allen. I pick Pierre-Paul because, even though he's only been fully involved in about four games, he's been the most disruptive defensive force I've seen this year. He already has 8.5 tackles for loss despite getting a late start, and he's been nearly unblockable at times. The scary part is, he should only get better.
Surprise of the first half: Cincinnati's defense. Those who paid close enough attention knew that the Bearcats had veterans and weren't starting from scratch despite losing 10 senior starters from 2008. But nearly everyone thought there would need to be an adjustment period, particularly with a new scheme and new coordinator. Hardly anyone could have forecast Cincinnati ranking 13th nationally in scoring defense, allowing a little more than 14 points per game.
Disappointment of the first half: Rutgers. All of the momentum built from last year's seven-game winning streak ended in the opener, a humbling 47-15 home loss to Cincinnati. The Scarlet Knights had the perfect schedule to contend in the Big East but have lost their first two conference games, at home. Their offense has sputtered against good competition.
Best game: Syracuse's 37-34 win over Northwestern was an old-fashioned shootout that came down to a dramatic last-second field goal. That it was the first win for new coach Doug Marrone in a raucous Carrier Dome made it even sweeter for Orange fans.
Best coach: It was Brian Kelly in 2007. It was Brian Kelly in 2008. And it's Brian Kelly in the first half of 2009.
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
On the surface, it seems like little has changed for the Big Ten at halftime of the 2009 season.
Once again, the league is struggling for national respect after a poor nonconference performance in which members went 5-8 against BCS conference teams and Notre Dame. The Big Ten struggled in its premier intersectional matchups, falling to USC, Cal, Missouri and Oregon and dropping two of three against Notre Dame.
Once again, the league has been defined by superb defense and subpar quarterback play, dominant pass-rushers and questionable offenses. And once again, the Big Ten will need to wait to prove itself in postseason play.
This is a carbon copy of 2008, right? Not exactly. Several interesting new developments have taken place through the first seven weeks.
The league's balance of power has shifted, as Iowa sits alone atop the standings. The Hawkeyes have overcome adversity to put together their best start (7-0) since 1985. Ohio State's conference hegemony is very much in doubt after last week's loss to Purdue, as Terrelle Pryor and the offense continue to sputter.
Michigan has clearly turned a page on the worst season in team history, and Rich Rodriguez's offense leads the league in scoring (37.3 ppg). The Wolverines are still searching for more signature wins but appear destined for a decent bowl. Wisconsin also has been a pleasant surprise, winning its first five games before falling on hard times, and Indiana already has eclipsed its wins total from 2008.
Michigan State is proving that its days of total meltdowns are over, rallying from a 1-3 start to win three straight.
Illinois, meanwhile, is proving that top-level recruiting classes don't translate to victories or even competitive play, as the Illini sit at 1-5.
And let's not forget the league's crackdown on player conduct, as three one-game suspensions were handed out in as many weeks.
As the second half beckons, there are several key questions: Will Iowa run the table? Will Michigan win some more big games? Will Big Ten quarterbacks pick up their play? How good is Penn State? Can Ron Zook keep his job?
The biggest unknown is whether the Big Ten can reverse its postseason fortunes. If not, it will be more of the same for an embattled league.
Offensive MVP: Minnesota WR Eric Decker
It's scary to think where Minnesota's offense would be without Decker, who leads the league in receiving yards (104.4 ypg) and ranks fourth in receptions (47) despite slowing down a bit recently. There isn't a tougher wide receiver in America than Decker, who still struggles for national respect but has the admiration of every coach in this league. There honestly aren't many strong candidates here, but honorable mentions go to Wisconsin running back John Clay, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark, Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier and Purdue wideout Keith Smith.
Defensive MVP: Michigan State LB Greg Jones
A lot of good choices here, but the Big Ten's preseason Defensive Player of the Year gets the nod for backing up the hype. After leading Michigan State in tackles in each of his first two seasons, Jones leads the Big Ten with 85 stops, eight more than any other player. His tackles total also leads the nation and Jones has recorded five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Honorable mentions go to Wisconsin defensive end O'Brien Schofield, Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman, Iowa safety Tyler Sash, Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren and Indiana defensive end Jammie Kirlew.
Biggest surprise: Iowa
The Hawkeyes brought back a good team from 2008, but they also lost the nation's best running back (Shonn Greene) and two of their top defenders (tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul). A brutal road schedule and a season-ending knee injury to running back Jewel Hampton before the season further tempered expectations. But it seems like the more adversity Iowa faces, the better it responds. The nation's most resilient team has come from behind six times in its seven victories and finds itself in the driver's seat for the Big Ten title.
Biggest disappointment: Illinois
For the second straight year, the talented Illini teased us, only to fall flat. But unlike last year's team, which showed flashes of its potential, Illinois has been a disaster pretty much from the opening kickoff against Missouri. Senior quarterback Juice Williams already has lost and then regained his starting job, wideout Arrelious Benn still doesn't have a touchdown catch and the defense has struggled without middle linebacker Martez Wilson. Zook is facing his fourth losing season in five years, a stretch that could end his tenure in Champaign.
Best game: Notre Dame at Michigan, Sept. 12
Two of college football's most tradition-rich programs produced a dandy at Michigan Stadium. The game featured several plot twists, tremendous offensive play on both sides, a questionable coaching decision from Charlie Weis and a gutsy game-winning drive led by Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier. Other memorable contests include Michigan-Michigan State, Michigan-Iowa, USC-Ohio State, Purdue-Oregon, Michigan State-Notre Dame, Indiana-Michigan and Notre Dame-Purdue.
Best coach: Iowa's Kirk Ferentz
Ferentz built his reputation on maximizing talent, and after a three-year lull from 2005-07, he's doing it again. Iowa has picked up where it left off after a strong finish to last season and extended the nation's-second longest win streak to 11 games. Ferentz and his staff have filled in the gaps along the defensive line, put their faith in quarterback Ricky Stanzi and received decent play from young running backs Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher. It hasn't been easy for Iowa, but Ferentz is finding ways to win.
On the surface, it seems like little has changed for the Big Ten at halftime of the 2009 season.
Once again, the league is struggling for national respect after a poor nonconference performance in which members went 5-8 against BCS conference teams and Notre Dame. The Big Ten struggled in its premier intersectional matchups, falling to USC, Cal, Missouri and Oregon and dropping two of three against Notre Dame.
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| Scott Boehm/Getty Images | |
| Greg Jones has five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss to go with 85 tackles, which is tops in the Big Ten. |
This is a carbon copy of 2008, right? Not exactly. Several interesting new developments have taken place through the first seven weeks.
The league's balance of power has shifted, as Iowa sits alone atop the standings. The Hawkeyes have overcome adversity to put together their best start (7-0) since 1985. Ohio State's conference hegemony is very much in doubt after last week's loss to Purdue, as Terrelle Pryor and the offense continue to sputter.
Michigan has clearly turned a page on the worst season in team history, and Rich Rodriguez's offense leads the league in scoring (37.3 ppg). The Wolverines are still searching for more signature wins but appear destined for a decent bowl. Wisconsin also has been a pleasant surprise, winning its first five games before falling on hard times, and Indiana already has eclipsed its wins total from 2008.
Michigan State is proving that its days of total meltdowns are over, rallying from a 1-3 start to win three straight.
Illinois, meanwhile, is proving that top-level recruiting classes don't translate to victories or even competitive play, as the Illini sit at 1-5.
And let's not forget the league's crackdown on player conduct, as three one-game suspensions were handed out in as many weeks.
As the second half beckons, there are several key questions: Will Iowa run the table? Will Michigan win some more big games? Will Big Ten quarterbacks pick up their play? How good is Penn State? Can Ron Zook keep his job?
The biggest unknown is whether the Big Ten can reverse its postseason fortunes. If not, it will be more of the same for an embattled league.
Offensive MVP: Minnesota WR Eric Decker
It's scary to think where Minnesota's offense would be without Decker, who leads the league in receiving yards (104.4 ypg) and ranks fourth in receptions (47) despite slowing down a bit recently. There isn't a tougher wide receiver in America than Decker, who still struggles for national respect but has the admiration of every coach in this league. There honestly aren't many strong candidates here, but honorable mentions go to Wisconsin running back John Clay, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark, Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier and Purdue wideout Keith Smith.
Defensive MVP: Michigan State LB Greg Jones
A lot of good choices here, but the Big Ten's preseason Defensive Player of the Year gets the nod for backing up the hype. After leading Michigan State in tackles in each of his first two seasons, Jones leads the Big Ten with 85 stops, eight more than any other player. His tackles total also leads the nation and Jones has recorded five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Honorable mentions go to Wisconsin defensive end O'Brien Schofield, Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman, Iowa safety Tyler Sash, Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren and Indiana defensive end Jammie Kirlew.
Biggest surprise: Iowa
The Hawkeyes brought back a good team from 2008, but they also lost the nation's best running back (Shonn Greene) and two of their top defenders (tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul). A brutal road schedule and a season-ending knee injury to running back Jewel Hampton before the season further tempered expectations. But it seems like the more adversity Iowa faces, the better it responds. The nation's most resilient team has come from behind six times in its seven victories and finds itself in the driver's seat for the Big Ten title.
Biggest disappointment: Illinois
For the second straight year, the talented Illini teased us, only to fall flat. But unlike last year's team, which showed flashes of its potential, Illinois has been a disaster pretty much from the opening kickoff against Missouri. Senior quarterback Juice Williams already has lost and then regained his starting job, wideout Arrelious Benn still doesn't have a touchdown catch and the defense has struggled without middle linebacker Martez Wilson. Zook is facing his fourth losing season in five years, a stretch that could end his tenure in Champaign.
Best game: Notre Dame at Michigan, Sept. 12
Two of college football's most tradition-rich programs produced a dandy at Michigan Stadium. The game featured several plot twists, tremendous offensive play on both sides, a questionable coaching decision from Charlie Weis and a gutsy game-winning drive led by Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier. Other memorable contests include Michigan-Michigan State, Michigan-Iowa, USC-Ohio State, Purdue-Oregon, Michigan State-Notre Dame, Indiana-Michigan and Notre Dame-Purdue.
Best coach: Iowa's Kirk Ferentz
Ferentz built his reputation on maximizing talent, and after a three-year lull from 2005-07, he's doing it again. Iowa has picked up where it left off after a strong finish to last season and extended the nation's-second longest win streak to 11 games. Ferentz and his staff have filled in the gaps along the defensive line, put their faith in quarterback Ricky Stanzi and received decent play from young running backs Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher. It hasn't been easy for Iowa, but Ferentz is finding ways to win.
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