College Football Week In Review 9/6/12

Last Thursday night, South Carolina got more than they bargained for against Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks had no breathing room until 1:47 left in the 4^th quarter, when Vandy turned over the ball on downs (the play was very questionable, in that a passing interference should have been called but was missed).

During the game South Carolina experienced a big scare, when starting quarterback Connor Shaw had to go into the locker room with an apparent shoulder injury. South Carolina’s offense took a major hit in his absence. He would return later on in the 3^rd quarter, and was a huge reason why they won the game. Even though he only threw for 67 yards, he rushed for 92 and orchestrated a game winning drive for the Gamecocks. (An injury update on Connor Shaw is that he “has trouble lifting his arm, and it’s a wait and see right now,” according to Coach Steve Spurrier).

A tremendous positive and crucial thing came out of Thursday night victory, and that was the return of junior running back Marcus Lattimore. This was the first game for Lattimore since he tore his ACL last season, and it appears he hasn’t lost a beat. Lattimore, who was probably the player of the game, rushed for 110 yards and had the only two TDs for the Gamecocks.

#13 Michigan State 17
#24 Boise State 13

Boise State’s six straight wins against BCS conference teams didn’t mean much last Friday night. Boise State looked like a completely different offensive team, only scoring 13 points, and that is because they are a completely different offensive team.

Boise State had to replace college football’s all-time winningest quarterback Kellen Moore who went 49-3 in his career (Moore was signed by the Detroit Lions), and the Broncos also had to replace a very productive running back in Doug Martin (drafted in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). There were a number of reasons why Boise State lost: one was having to face a very good Michigan State defense, which caused all sorts of problems for the Broncos offense.

Boise State QB Joe Southwick completed less than half of his passes with an interception, and the rushing game did not come to play, rushing 24 times and gaining 37 yards. Maybe the biggest reason why the Spartans won was because of running back Le’Veon Bell. This was Bell’s first start as the starting running back for the Spartans and he shined, carrying the ball 44 times and gaining 210 yards, and he had Michigan State’s only two TDs. Bell also helped out in the passing game, which needed help gaining 55 yards.

The Spartans, like the Broncos, had to replace their QB last year in Kirk Cousins (drafted by the Washington Redskins) with Andrew Maxwell. Maxwell didn’t have the best start of his career having three picks, and relied on Bell to carry the load.

#2 Alabama 41
#8 Michigan 14

In the most anticipated game of the week, where two top-ten teams met with likely tremendous impact on the BCS seedings later on in the season, the defending champion Crimson Tide dominated the Michigan Wolverines. Alabama’s defense, which had to replace most of its 2011 unit a defense that was the best in college football with six starters going to the NFL, dominated and bullied Michigan all game long.

Michigan QB Denard Robinson, who many consider a possible Heisman candidate, could not figure out the Crimson Tide defense. Robinson only rushed for 27 yards, completed less than half of his passes and threw 2 interceptions (one of those interceptions were returned for a touchdown). Alabama’s defense was not the only reason why they won the game; the Crimson Tide offense torched the Michigan defense. Alabama was up 24-0 with 9:53 left in the second quarter, until CJ Mosley of Alabama picked off a Robinson pass and returned the int for a 16 yard touchdown, and opened up the biggest lead of the game 31-0, basically ending the game. Alabama was led by QB AJ McCarron who went 11/21 gaining 199 yds and had 2 TDs and RB TJ Yeldon, a freshman, had a good game by rushing 11 times for 111 and a TD. He replaced Trent Richardson, who was drafted 3^rd in the NFL Draft. Alabama showed the nation that even though they lost some of their starters to the NFL, this team is just as good and can repeat as champions.