WAS THAT THE GAME OF THE YEAR?
The CFB season is just heading into week three, but we may have already had our game of the year. Let’s look back and then look ahead to a wild, emotional week three.
Week 1 Look Back
Team that made the biggest statement - Texas - I was driving home from Huntsville after calling the Tulsa-Sam Houston game and I put the Texas game on my radio. With the score 23-10, I thought it was over and nearly turned on my LA Story music playlist. However, Texas was driving, so I thought yeah, let it roll. Thankfully, I hung in there because I “heard” one of the great comebacks in Texas football history. Arch and Sark, fully REDEEMED after a 20 point comeback win over #1 Ohio State in DKR.
…and right behind them - Oklahoma State - Just one week after getting throttled for the second consecutive season by the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, it seemed a near impossibility for the Cowboys to beat the #6 ranked Oregon Ducks. But, that’s exactly what happened and had OSU not given Oregon scores, it would've been much worse than 39-31. Great win for new head coach Eric Morris.
Player that showed out - Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker - The redshirt sophomore transfer threw for over 300 yards and two TDs, while running for over 100 yards and a 75-yard TD in the Cowboys upset win over Oregon.
Best Game of the Weekend - Texas - 24 vs. Ohio State - 23 - The comeback win was the best victory for Steve Sarkisian…ever?
Like the Draft? Here’s your guy that showed out - Michigan edge John Henry Daley - The Wolverines were embarrassed in a winning effort last week, but Daley made sure last Saturday would be different. He’s a manimal off the edge and gave a banged up Oklahoma OL ALL it could handle.
“John’s Crush Roster” Member i.e Player I’m still crushing on - USC DL Jidi Abasari - He’s the charter member of my Crush Roster. Long armed, nasty, physical and athletic as all get out. He’s a stud.
Week 2 Look Ahead
Team that can make the biggest statement - Houston Cougars - A statement win on the road on Friday night will shake up the CFB Top 25 apple cart.
Player(s) to Watch - Ole Miss LB Suntarine Perkins - Part rush end, part linebacker, part safety, Perkins can fly to the football and he’s a major chess piece for the Ole Miss defense against a potent LSU offense.
Best Game of the Weekend - LSU at Ole Miss - There is some true hatred in this one and it should make for one heck of a game at The Vaught.
Like the Draft? Here’s your guy to watch - Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore - Stud. The best cover corner in the Draft and one of the best in years. Michigan State would be wise to avoid him…all day, honestly.
“John’s Crush Roster” Member i.e. Players I’m crushing on to watch - Louisville edge Clev Lubin - He’s a shorter defensive end, but he’s a whirling dynamo off the edge. He’s rocked up and strong as can be. He’s a major problem for tackles out on the edge.
John’s Top 3 - Best games of the weekend - Each week I’ll give a quick top 3 on any topic, and this week, it’s simply the three best games of the weekend.
3. Friday night - #22 Houston at #13 Texas Tech - An ol’ SWC battle could go a long way in determining the Big 12 Champion in 2026.
2. #16 SMU at #23 Louisville - A Kevin Jennings v. Lincoln Kienholz battle didn’t look like much a few weeks ago, but these two QBs should shoot it out in Louisville.
1. #7 LSU at #8 Ole MIss - Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford. Need I say more?
The Big 12 Pulse - Who’s rising, who’s slipping, who to watch
The BYU Cougars outlasted a pesky Arizona squad in Provo and it was a win the Cougars absolutely needed, given what’s left on their schedule. A trip to Colorado State precedes a bye week and a trip to TCU. Then Iowa State visits followed by #3 Notre Dame. That’s a rough stretch, but BYU has the firepower to withstand that gauntlet.
The SEC Pulse - Who’s rising, who’s slipping, who to watch
Arkansas fans thought they went through it last year as the end of the Sam Pittman era arrived. The optimism for the Ryan Silverfield era took a major blow when the Razorbacks went to Salt Lake City and got trounced 43-10. Hog fans are not pleased…which might be the understatement of the decade.
Top 5 to Watch - This will give you an idea of where my eyes will be this weekend
5. Huntsville BOUND! - I’ll be calling the Nicholls State v. Sam Houston game this weekend, my second trip to Huntsville in as many weekends. Can’t WAIT!
4. Role Reversal? - Bill Belichick’s UNC Tar Heels travel to Clemson as the undefeated team in the matchup. Clemson is struggling finding offense. Could
3. QB1 v. QB1 - A LaNorris Sellers (So. Carolina) v. Kamario Taylor (Miss. State) is a QB battle that I don’t want to miss.
2. It’s not 1966 - No, it’s not. Duh. But, it IS sixty years after the famous 1 v. 2 10-10 tie in East Lansing. However, in South Bend, the Irish should keep thriving against Pat Fitzgerald’s 2-0 Spartan team.
1. Just let the tortillas fly - I know the Big 12 doesn’t allow the tortillas to fly any more in Lubbock, but if there’s a game for them to return, it’d be this one - a gargantuan early season Big 12 matchup on Friday night.