So This is What It Feels Like

Some random thoughts while watching Clemson trounce (early) Florida State: Frankly, I don't care just how accomplished Appalachian State is in the Playoff Division of I-AA, and trust me, they are, there is no way they should have beaten the Wolverines this weekend. Yet, they did just that. Michigan's basic inability to protect their kicker cost them the game, along with an unprepared defense and an off game from veteran starting QB Chad Henne. Michigan had weeks to prepare for what should have been a 25-40 win at home, and they looked awful. While not trying to downplay the fact that Appalachian State played a near perfect game, like by actually executing on both sides of the football, the clear fact remains that Lloyd Carr did not have his team ready to play a game. It wouldn't be the first time Carr has failed to dazzle on the sideline. Among programs that sent bouquets of flowers to Michigan for taking the spotlight off their woes are Notre Dame and Texas. While Texas did win, Arkansas State came within eight points of upsetting the Longhorns at home, 21-13. Arkansas State outgained Texas on the ground and in the air. Notre Dame was just rocked off their foundation by Georgia Tech, 33-3. While you can certainly take some comfort, for Irish fans, Evan Sharpley went 10 for 13 and 95 yards in the air, the Irish had -9 rushing yards. Demtruis Jones, chosen to start the game at quarterback and pulled in the second quarter, was the Irish leading rusher, 12 carries for 23 yards. Take away the sacks that count as rushing yards and the Irish ran 32 times for 67 yards. Ouch. Tashard Choice, on the other hand ran for 196 yards and the Yellow Jackets ran for 260 as a team. A couple things I was impressed with over the weekend. The Pac-10 maybe scary good. Tennessee played a very good game against Cal, and lost 45-31. USC rolled through Idaho, and UCLA destroyed Stanford 45-17. Justin Forsett may get some Heisman love for Cal after his 156 yard night against the Vols. Nate Longshore's 19 of 28 for 241 against a SEC defense will get some notice too. Second, Colt Brennan's torching of Northern Colorado will get the onlookers to pay attention to his gaudy numbers. Before being Yanked, Brennan threw for six scores and 416 yards. By the way, Hawaii passed for 540 yards total. Everyone else performed as they should in a week full of mismatches, there were pinball scores launched across the country. They say that a team progresses most during the season between their first and second games, for Michigan, they better hope to play Oregon better then they did this week. Speaking of next week, this week in review piece will be out usually on Sunday night's after the new polls come out. With Florida State-Clemson coming tonight, I wanted to wait until we had an idea of how that game was going to go. Expect the college football blogosphere to fillet the Seminoles in the morning.