Hard to believe we’re already halfway through the 2015 season. After a giant week for off-field developments, there’s plenty to look at this week as conference play ramps up, and we get to see the latest edition of one of one of the greatest rivals in college football. Here are some things to keep an eye on:
Florida
The Gators are without QB Will Grier for the rest of the season, after he was banned for a year after using performance enhancing drugs. So Jim McElwain’s squad head into Death Valley to take on Louisiana State without their offensive sparkplug – never a good thing – and their defence has to try and somehow contain the just-about-uncontainable Leonard Fournette, the LSU running back who has gone absolutely nuts on defences this year.
McElwain also needs Treon Harris to generate some offence, or it’ll be an incredibly one-sided contest in front of a hostile crowd. Harris started in the season opener, but has seen action only sparingly since. He could scarcely have a tougher assignment as the offensive leader going forward.
A win for the Gators, considering the circumstances, would be a massive thing. The key, of course, is to stop Fournette, but that’s far easier said than done.
USC
One of the great rivalries in college football is one for another year, and the Trojans come into the game against their arch-rivals, the Fighting Irish, with more problems than a bricklayer in Baghdad. Their controversial head coach Steve Sarkisian is gone, fired by the school one day after being placed on a forced leave of absence amidst rumours of rampant alcohol abuse.
It’s been a turbulent week for Trojans everywhere, and we all wish Sarkisian well with what are likely to be substantial challenges ahead for him on a personal level. That said, a guy with alcohol-related problems has no place around a team of young men, to whom he has a huge duty of care. It’s a dangerous situation, and, given recent articles that detail Sarkisian’s alleged alcohol abuse at his former job, at the University of Washington, there are questions rightly being asked of the process that resulted in Sarkisian’s hiring, and continued employment.
Pat Haden is having a rough week, too, and there’s no guarantee the athletic director/USC legend remains at the school to search for a new coach. It’s not a stretch to say that only Haden’s marvellous accomplishments at the school in the past – on and off the field – are keeping him in a job now. Most other AD’s would’ve been shown the door after this week.
Into the breach steps offensive coordinator/play-caller Clay Helton, who, you might not know, is enjoying his second go-around as interim USC coach. As Pat Haden reminded the assembled press earlier in the week, Helton is undefeated as head man at the Trojans, with a spotless 1-0 record.
That win was against Fresno State in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2013, but going into Notre Dame Stadium to beat the Irish is going to be a completely different kettle of fish. The Irish have had their moments this year – not to mention an injury list longer than that of the Allies during Operation Market Garden in World War Two – and will provide a tough test for Helton’s men.
No doubt, USC have the talent to go with Notre Dame. The question will be whether they can concentrate on football at the end of one of the more turbulent weeks in the program’s long and storied history.
South Carolina
Legendary Steve Spurrier (AKA the Head Ball Coach) retired effective immediately during the week – a week where both USC schools are looking for new head coaches – as the Gamecocks venture down the road towards what looks like a losing season. All eyes will be on the team, now with interim head coach Shawn Elliott in charge, on Saturday afternoon as they face off against 2-3 Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks are no guarantee to win.
Iowa
Beat Northwestern, who are reeling after being smacked 38-0 by Michigan in Ann Arbor, and the 6-0 Hawkeyes – completely improbably, based on all pre-season expectations – have a huge chance to remain undefeated and play in the Big Ten championship game, with Maryland, Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue and Nebraska to come. It’s been quite the return to power for Kirk Ferentz’s squad, which hasn’t enjoyed a season like this since Ricky Stanzi was under centre.
The Wildcats feel like a trap game for the Hawkeyes. How they deal with Pat Fitzgerald’s team will be interesting. They can’t afford to be looking ahead towards a possible undefeated run to a conference championship game, because the Wildcats, stinging from last week’s effort, will be out to make amends.
Kyle Allen
The young but impressive Texas A&M quarterback faces off against Alabama. That’s as good a test as any in college football, and I can’t wait to see how the sure-handed Allen goes against a Kirby Smart defence. It’s never an easy prospect, but if the sophomore can come out the other side with limited mistakes – even if the Aggies don’t win the game – then it’s only going to help his development. Big game for Kevin Sumlin’s men at home, in front of what is sure to be a raucous home crowd at Kyle Field.
Ohio State
The defending national champion Buckeyes get another chance to impress, this time against Big Ten opponent Penn State. It hasn’t been the prettiest season on record for Urban Meyer’s team, but they are so talented that it seems like only a matter of time before they click and really start to ramp up their run to a potential college football playoff berth. Will this be the week we see a team similar to the one who became the first playoff era national champions?
Georgia
The Bulldogs get Missouri at home, perhaps the best tonic after an inept display against Alabama two weekends ago, before giving up a 21-point lead to lose to Tennessee last Saturday. Worse, star running back Nick Chubb is out for the season – and maybe longer than that – so the Dawgs have to rely more on QB Greyson Lambert and running backs Sony Michel and Keith Marshall. They also need to hope their defence can force mistakes from Missouri’s Drew Lock. Very important game for Georgia.
Enjoy the football weekend, everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment