Vandy Edges UGA's 3rd String

Two of Georgia’s three losses can be traced back to two plays: both bad center snaps. Vandy’s coach didn’t seem too evil, but I hate what the Commodores have become, an over-celebratory bunch wearing head-to-toe all black. They seemed to forget that Georgia was still playing without five of their top offensive weapons, and that Georgia’s top defender was thrown out on a highly questionable call. If the rule outlaws blow to the head and neck, Georgia’s defender Ray Drew pushed the Vandy player’s shoulder pads/upper chest with his hands. His helmet wasn’t even part of the hit. Vandy scored on a fake field goal and after the ball was snapped over the punter’s head. Georgia could’ve won by two touchdowns. Vandy was lucky to win, and shouldn’t have celebrated so much. Of course, their expectations are much lower than UGA’s.

Tech could’ve run one play (fullback dive up the middle) and beaten Syracuse. Johnson was smart to only run six or seven different plays, and only pass five times. Also smart to pull Vad Lee and give his lightning-quick backup some reps. Good game, but how did Syracuse get so bad?

Once again Clemson laid a huge egg in a big game. FSU looked as good as Clemson looked bad. The game reflected each quarterback’s national ranking: the fantastic Winston (#3) and fumbling Boyd (#35). The poor performance probably cost Boyd a seat at the Heisman Trophy table. Clemson’s kicker had to make the tackle on the second half kickoff. No close-up slow-motion replay, but I worried the helmet-to-helmet hit would result in the kicker getting thrown out of the game. Hard for luck to go Clemson’s way when Dabo’s tiger paw pin was turned upside down.    

Auburn’s upset of A&M bodes poorly on Georgia hopes for beating those Tigers. Unfortunately, Auburn’s often-misfiring quarterback will be eaten up by the Alabama defense. Some say that A&M’s second loss dampens Manziel’s Heisman hopes, but he wasn’t the one giving up 45 points on defense. I still say Oregon QB Marcus Mariota wins the Heisman.

Tennessee’s coach is doing a great job in Knoxville, though perhaps Connor Shaw’s injury was a factor in the upset. I’ll be rooting for the Vols to beat Vandy. Should be a good game this year.

Central Florida’s big win exposed Louisville as a national title pretender – as well as Teddy Bridgewater’s Heisman hopes. I see Bridgewater making the top three. I do love his high completion percentage, though I’m not convinced he has the big time arm needed to be the number one pick in the NFL draft. I wouldn’t draft South Carolina’s Clowney number one either. Perhaps the Jaguars should trade the pick.

Will Georgia State ever get good? Seems like they’re getting some recruits.