What I Learned: College Football Week 5

I finally got to spend some good old quality time in the recliner, in front of the television this Saturday, so of course I spent it watching college football.  Here is what I learned while watching Saturday's Week 5 action:

DBTH Team of the Week:  Clemson Tigers

No team did more to increase their championship stock this weekend than Clemson.  They thoroughly dominated Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg no less, to step to the forefront of the ACC.  This coming after a huge win over consensus ACC-favorite Florida State the previous week.  I picked Clemson #23 in my Preseason Poll and had them in the Strong Plays section of my Over/Under CFB Preview, but they have exceeded my expectations.  Clemson has the reputation of fading down the stretch, so it will be interesting to see how they finish, especially with tough road games at Georgia Tech and South Carolina still on the schedule.

It's not a good idea to stomp on the other team's logo on the 50 yard line.
Dan Mullen and Company thought it would be a great motivational tactic to stomp on the Georgia "G" at the 50 yard line before their noon kickoff with Georgia.  It turned out to be great motivation-for Georgia.  The Real Dawgs played an inspired first half and jumped out to a 21-3 lead.  They coasted to a 24-10 win. 

In the aftermath of the beatdown, Mullen tried to backtrack and say it was a "misunderstanding," even insinuating it was Georgia's fault but judging by the smirky grin he had during the incident (watch the video below), it was anything but that.

Texas A&M is not a 2nd Half team.

For the second straight week, the Aggies blew a comfortable second half lead, this time to Arkansas at Jerry World in Dallas.  I really thought this would be the Aggies' year, and they are improved, but two brutal collapses have them looking like a usual middle-of-the-pack Big 12 South team. They will have to make statements against Oklahoma AND Texas if they want to be considered a threat in the Big 12.  I don't see that happening.

Brady Hoke is a great coach.

Hoke parlayed his resurrection of San Diego State into his dream job in Ann Arbor, and it looks like he will return the Wolverines back to the top of the improved Big 10(or12).  I realize a 58-0 thrashing of Minnesota isn't reason to anoint him the next Bo Schembechler, but they've made all the big plays so far this year, especially in the comeback over Notre Dame.  To support my claim, just look at the defensive numbers.  Last year they couldn't keep a high school team out of the end zone, this year, opponents are not getting there.  That's ALL ATTITUDE, and that comes from the head coach.

Wisconsin might be the second best team in the country, and Russell Wilson could win the Heisman.

We all knew before the season that Alabama and Oklahoma would be great, but Wisconsin's 48-17 thrashing of Big Red-Lincoln will enter them squarely into the national title discussion.  The Badgers are so good on the line of scrimmage that I think they could stack up with every team in the country.  I picked them #3 in my preseason poll, higher than anyone else, and Bret Bielema and crew are proving me right so far.

Finally, this Steve Spurrier/Stephen Garcia love/hate soap opera/train wreck is Must-See TV!

By letting Garcia hang around and get chance after chance to act like an adult, Spurrier has hamstrung his season and his program.  The Gamecocks lost at home to Auburn Saturday, and should've lost to Georgia a couple weeks ago, if not for stellar defensive and special teams performances.  Connor Shaw proved earlier in the season that he's not capable of leading the offense, so the Ole Ball Coach has had no choice but to hitch his wagon to Garcia.  Garcia's penchant for stupid turnovers, like forcing a deep ball into double coverage for a pick with the lead on Saturday, reiterates the known fact that he has no clue how to be a leader.  The only thing Garcia leads is all 1-A (FBS) quarterbacks in interceptions. Now he has now been benched in favor of Shaw, according to Spurrier.  If this lasts as long as his suspensions, he'll be back in the 3rd quarter of this week's game against Kentucky, when Carolina is down 17-7.

What did you learn this weekend?  Check back later in the week for my Week 6 Locks of the Week.  I guarantee I'll make you some money!  But if I don't, it's not my problem!

Russell Wilson Chooses Wisconsin Over Auburn, Here's Why

Yesterday, Russell Wilson chose to attend Wisconsin over Auburn to complete his final year of eligibility, to the surprise of many, especially in the South.  Wilson has decided to put his pro baseball career on hold for one more year of college football, which could lead to a career in the NFL.  While many assumed Wilson would choose to step in and lead the defending national champions, he decided on Madison and the Big 10.  Here's why he did:

Wilson has one final year of eligibility and one can reasonably assume he would want to lead a championship contender.  This year Wisconsin is, Auburn isn't.  Simple enough.

With all the trouble in Columbus, Ohio, Wisconsin has stepped to the forefront of the Big 10.  A repeat of last year's 11-1 record could be in the future for the Badgers, or maybe an undefeated season.  The Badgers get Nebraska and Penn State at home, but do have road games at Michigan State and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks, as well as a trip to Illinois in late November.  Even if the Badgers do slip up once or even twice, a BCS bowl is certainly in the picture.

Along with the prospects of a great season, Wilson also chose a pro-style offense in Wisconsin.  This will prepare him for a career in the NFL.  While Gus Malzahn is quite the innovator on offense, the infamous Cam Newton/John Gruden dialogue added fuel to the fire that his offense is "gimmicky."  Remember Newton not being able to name and diagram a play they ran at Auburn?  What's "36"?  

Let's face it, Auburn isn't winning a championship of any sort this season.  If Wilson had chosen Auburn it would increase their chances, but they don't have the experience needed to win this season.  As a matter of fact, they only have SIX returning starters, lowest in all of Division I-A (I refuse to call it FBS.)

Wisconsin is a much better place for Russell to leave a legacy.  Anything short of a national title would leave Wilson in Cam Newton's shadow, but when has Wisconsin ever had a quarterback of his caliber athletically?  Try never.  If he can lead the Badgers to the promised land, his legacy in Madison is cemented forever.

Bottom Line:  Like anyone with one last chance, Russell Wilson just wants the best chance to win.  It's not at Auburn.

Wolf, Rockies, or... Badger?

I am going to play for the red and white this year...

It is rare for an ACC quarterback to make national headlines, but with the public bored with baseball, golf, tennis and everything else, fans love football news. People need college football and while Russell Wilson is not a household name, any football news will do right about now. Russell Wilson will be attending Wisconsin University and will undoubtedly quarterback for the Badgers this season.

Except for ACC fans or die hard sports fans, Wilson may not be a superstar name YET, but this is a really interesting story. Add in sport fans, who are desperate for some football and this is a story that even ESPN(http://search.go.espn.go.com/russell-wilson/) is giving some real face time to.

Wilson could have a huge impact not just in the Big 10, but on the national scene as well. Many experts are picking the Badgers to win the Big 10, which would allow Wilson to display his skills on a Rose Bowl stage. There are even some who believe that Wisconsin has a chance to play for the National Championship. Russell has only one year of eligibility left, but if the experts are right about Wisconsin this year, it could be a marriage made in heaven for the Badgers and Wilson.

This feels like a good match for both parties. It seems a little like when Cam Newton went to Auburn. Auburn had talent, especially on defense, but they needed a playmaker. Wisconsin has a very talented team, with a great offensive line and running backs, but they need a playmaker too, at the quarterback position. Wilson maybe the man for the job. If Wilson puts up the statistics he did at NC State for a National Champion contender, it might spell Heisman. Wilson is an athletic quarterback who can throw the ball and the Badgers are a running team, so like Newton he should be able to pick up on the playbook pretty quickly. Wilson also seems to be mature and intelligent, so the transition from Wolf to Badger could be seamless. Wilson and the Badgers can set their sites high because if this relationship works, nothing is out of their reach this season.

Wisconsin could really benefit from the addition of Wilson, but how will State deal with the loss of Russell? NC State will most likely lose 2 or 3 more games because of Wilson's absence. So, if State will suffer because of Wilson's departure, then why did NC State's Coach Tom O'Brien not allow Wilson to return to the team this year. It seems to be for two main reasons. First, O'Brien seemed to be tired of Wilson flirting with baseball(Wilson's baseball rights are owned by the Colorado Rockies) and not giving himself fully to NC State football. The second reason is Mike Glennon. Other than State fans, few people may remember this name, but Mike is the brother of former Virginia Tech quarterback, Sean Glennon. Mike was also a five star recruit coming out of high school. Glennon is a 6-6, 225 pound pocket passer with a rumored cannon for an arm. Glennon might be a stable future presence for the Pack at the quarterback position, but Wilson was a guarantee. Wilson threw for over 3,500 yards and 28 TDs and rushed for another 9 TDs. State will suffer from this loss at least in the beginning season, but O'Brien must be banking on having a full time quarterback for the next two years being better than having a part time star for one more.

No matter what happens to these two teams and quarterbacks, this story is bound to really heat up, as this season goes along. Both red and white teams will be compared to each other all year and the quarterbacks as well. If Wilson can pull off a Cam Newton and make a championship and Heisman run, it will be real interesting to see how the State fans react. Most likely O'Brien could take real hot criticism from all sides if Russell has a big season and State has a 6-6 or 7-5 season(State was 9-4 last season). Well, let the comparisons begin. The Pack and Badgers will be linked all year. Let's see who made the right choice, good chance only one team wins in the end.