News / Allstate Sugar Bowl

September 19 College Football Recap

Monday, September 21, 2009

Here's a brief look at the highlights of the third week of the college football season, which again featured big upsets and outstanding performances.

Closer-Than-Expected:
No. 1 Florida, 23, Tennessee 13 - Everybody expected a blowout for Florida and the spread was as high as 30. Tennessee stuck with the Gators despite passing for just 93 yards.
No. 2 Texas 34, Texas Tech 24 - Texas wins the revenge game, but Texas Tech rookie QB Taylor Potts throws for 420 yards.

Major Upsets:
Florida State 54, No. 7 BYU 28 - Bounces the Cougars from No. 9 to No. 20 in the coaches' poll.
Washington, 16, No. 3 USC 13 - Lots of injuries for USC, but still the fourth straight year with a loss to an unranked Pac-10 team for the Trojans - and Washington was winless in 2008, including falling 56-0 to USC. Husky quarterback and Manning Award Watch Lister Jake Locker led the game-winning drive, while kicker Nick Folk (pictured above) knocked home the game-winning field goal in the final seconds.

Surprises:
No. 20 Miami 33, No. 14 Georgia Tech 17 - Not a huge upset, but Miami goes to 3-0 and jumps to No. 13 in poll. Jackets drop out of poll.
No. 17 Cincinnati 28, Oregon State 18 - Considered an even game, Beavers rarely lose at home in non-league games.
Oregon 31, No. 18 Utah 24 - Oregon was actually favored at home; snaps 16-game winning streak for Utes.
No. 23 Georgia 52, Arkansas 41 - Result is not a surprise, five TD passes by each QB is shocking in an SEC contest.
Syracuse 37, Northwestern 34 - Greg Paulus throws for 334 yards in win.
Auburn 41, West Virginia 30 - Not a shocker, but Auburn is 3-0 and putting up major points.

As Expected:
No. 13 Virginia Tech 16, No. 19 Nebraska 15 - Back-and-forth battle, last second TD gives ACC a key win.
No. 4 Alabama 53, North Texas 7 - Some pointing to Alabama as possible top team in the country.
No. 10 Boise State 51, Fresno State 34 - Broncos climb to No. 8 in poll.
No. 5 Penn State 31, Temple 6 - Lions have first "real" game this week at home against Iowa.
No. 15 TCU 56, Texas State 21 - TCU remains undefeated, at Clemson this weekend.

Injuries:
Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, possibly the best WR in the nation is done for the year with a shoulder injury.
South Florida QB Matt Grothe, the Big East all-time leader in total offense, tore his ACL and is done for the year.

This Week's Key Games
No. 13 Miami at No. 12 Virginia Tech - Huge game comes early in ACC.
No. 5 Ole Miss at South Carolina - Rebels try to stay in top 5 with short week prep for SEC road game.
Arkansas at No. 3 Alabama - Will Arkansas' Ryan Mallet be able to throw for big yards against Bama?
No. 8 Boise State at Bowling Green - Boise expected to be favored in remainder of games.
No. 14 TCU at Clemson - Frogs picked to play in Sugar Bowl by Bruce Feldman.
Texas Tech at No. 23 Houston - Win here puts Cougars in excellent position to challenge for BCS.
Iowa at No. 4 Penn State - Both undefeated, first legit foe for Penn State.
No. 6 Cal at Oregon - With USC loss, Cal is considered BCS frontrunner from Pac-10.

Updated Allstate Sugar Bowl Projections:
CBS Sports: Alabama vs. Cincinnati
ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach: Alabama vs. Cincinnati
ESPN.com's Bruce Feldman: Ole Miss vs. TCU
College Football News: Alabama vs. Texas
SI.com's Stewart Mandel: Alabama vs. Cincinnati