It has been nearly a week since we last wrote so before we dive into this blog post, VFTWC would like to apologize for the lack of writing the last week. You may not know that I am a sophomore at Temple University and the last week of school work as been crazy. But here we are now so lets talk some college football. It’s Thursday, so that means it’s almost the weekend! Not only that, but there is a major college football game tonight when number 5 Auburn takes on number 20 Kansas State, in Manhattan, KS. But before that starts, VFTWC will have a small review of last week, a game preview for tonight’s game, this weekend’s key games, and headlines from the past week of college football.
WEEK 3 IN REVIEW
Week 3 was a very fun week in college football, despite the lack of a good schedule. Last week gave us last second wins, lots of upsets, and lots of great games. I predicted the Big Ten would have a bounce back weekend, but I can say with confidence that it did not happen. Maryland, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and Purdue all lost, and only one of these losses was to a ranked team (number 11 Notre Dame). With a record of 4-5 last week, the Big Ten actually did worse this past week. The losses may have been worse in week 2, but week 3 turned out to be another rough week for the B1G.
Upsets were the theme for week 3, which always makes for a fun week. Four Top 25 teams lost, 3 of them coming to unranked teams. The most surprising loss of the weekend was Boston College beating USC. Not only did the Eagles just beat the Trojans, they flat out dominated them. This definitely raises a lot of red flags around the USC team. After this loss, I wonder how good USC really is. The next real test for the Trojans is October 4th vs. number 15 Arizona State. Until then I think we need to put an asterisks next to USC.
One of the teams that may be way off of people’s radar that shouldn’t be is BYU. The BYU Cougars kicked off the college football weekend last Thursday night against Houston and won 33-25. BYU doesn’t have a very easy schedule, but do not be surprised if we are talking about this team at the end of the year with a chance to make the Playoff. Duel-threat quarterback Taysom Hill is a Heisman Trophy contender, the Cougars defense is only giving up 14 points a game, and Bronco Mendenhall is one of the top coaches in the country that nobody ever talks about. This week the Cougars take on a pesty Virginia team, but I expect BYU to take care of business. So for now on, VFWTC will start campaigning for Taysom Hill and the BYU Cougars (as long as they keep winning).
Another team that not many people talk about and is way off the radar is Marshall. Marshall has started the season 3-0, with 3 huge wins. Now granted these wins haven’t been against top tier opponents, I feel that Marshall is another team that could run the table and remain undefeated. Quarterback Rakeem Cato is one of the top quarterbacks in the country and the defense the Herd have is giving up only 16 points a game. The similarities between Marshall and BYU are very striking and I think both teams can run the table. Stay with VFTWC for the rest of the season to get your weekly BYU and Marshall updates!
The last thing I want to talk about from last week are three tams that surprised me with their performances. Two teams, UCLA and Florida, shocked me with how poor they played. I expected both of these teams the kill their competition. UCLA struggled with a very poor Texas team, while Florida struggled with a Kentucky team that is god, but not great. UCLA is really scaring me this season. Everyone in the country was talking about how good UCLA would be this season, but each week they have come out and laid an egg. Yes, they are 3-0, but it is a very weak 3-0. Florida could earn their stripes this weekend if they can beat Alabama on the road. So I will keep the jury out on Florida until after this week. A team that really impressed me this weekend was Cincinnati. Cincinnati won this past weekend 58-34 and quarterback Gunner Kiel threw for 418 yards and 6 touchdown passes. This was the Bearcats first game of the year, so I don’t know how good they really are yet, but next week they take on instate rival Ohio State.
VFTWC Week 3 record: 40-18. Not too shabby. For the 2 weeks we have picked games this season, VFTWC has an overall record of 104-30. I don’t want to sound too confident, but that sounds like a powerhouse to me.
HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK (AKA JAMEIS WINSTON, NOAH SPENCE, AND DAVID ASH)
This week has been a very trying week for football, both NFL and NCAA. Obviously the issues that the NCAA is dealing with are less severe than the NFL issues.
Jameis Winston was suspended for at least the first half of this week’s game vs. Clemson for yell and vulgar statement. I have gone back and forth on this issue since first hearing about it, and I’m still not sure where I stand on it. Part of me says that yes, Jameis needs to grow up because he may be one of the most immature players in all of college football. No matter how stupid this kid acts, he will never learn what to do and what not to do. Another part of me says, why is this a big deal? Yes, Jameis is in the public eye and he is a public figure, but he is also a 20-year-old person. If anyone else were to yell what he yelled on campus they would not be punished and the majority of people around would, most likely, laugh at it. I get that Jameis is a superstar and should conduct himself like one, but he is also just like any other college kid. The only reason I’m upset with Jameis after the latest incident is because he doesn’t get it. He doesn’t know where to draw the line. He has messed up so many times and after every time he says that he will clean up his behavior, but never does. The more he continues to act like this, the less respect he will get and deserve.
In other news in college football two players may have had their careers end this week. David Ash has long battled concussion issues and has decided to hang up the helmet. Knowing how hard David has worked in the past to get back onto the field, it is sad to see him have to walk away from the game he loves so much. Views From The Water Cooler wish him the best of luck in whatever he decides to do in the future. (Also, if he ever wants to drop by for an interview feel free!). Noah Spence also may have had his career end this week, but his is for a stupid and selfish reason. Spence failed his second drug test last week and was suspended indefinitely by Ohio State. I personally don’t think he should play again after failing a second drug test, but if he can turn it around and get clean, maybe he deserves a second shot. Hopefully next week we will have some positive headlines!
#5 AUBURN AT #20 KANSAS STATE
Tonight features a great matchup between two top 20 teams on ESPN. I think that it will be close for the first half, but I expect Auburn to slightly pull away in the second half. Kansas State hasn’t proven anything to me yet this season, but it is expect that there will be a record crowd in the Little Apple tonight. I think Nick Marshall will take this game over in the second half for Auburn and will lead them to victory. VIEWS FROM THE WATER COOLER PREDICTION: 38-17 Auburn.
WEEK 4 KEY GAMES
Normally on Thursday’s VFTWC preview the top games of the weekend and then on Friday’s we here at VFTWC predict all the games on the slate for Saturday. This week since we had so much to say for Thursday’s blog we are going to do it a little differently. Tomorrow’s blog will consist of key game previews and all the predictions.
Tomorrow’s key games will consist of:
- (1) Florida State vs (22) Clemson
- Florida vs (3) Alabama
- (8) LSU vs Mississippi State
And maybe more! We have yet to decide! We’ll talk to y’all tomorrow!
Views From The Water Cooler 
Greg–great post. Love to hear what you are thinking about the players, the teams and the controversies.
LikeLike