Oregon had high hopes at the start of the season and it all started with a revenge game at Boise State to start the season. Before the game even got started, LaGarrette Blount told the media that they “owed Boise a beating.” By the end of the game, the only beating Blount gave was the punch he threw at Byron Hout.

The Broncos did the beating, holding the Ducks to 151 total yards and just six first downs in route to a 19-8 victory.

Things didn’t get a lot better the following week. Oregon’s offense woke up and scored 38 points, but they allowed Purdue, who currently sits at 3-6, to score 36 points. The Boilermakers caught what would have been the game-tying two-point conversion with 1:01 left, but Kyle Adams was out-of-bounds.

The next week, Oregon defeated 18^th ranked Utah 31-24 and never looked back. Their defense has played much better as has Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. The Ducks have dominated every opponent they have face since then, starting with a 42-3 blowout win over previously unbeaten California a week after the Utah win.

But no win was larger than the Ducks 47-20 destruction of Southern Cal. The Ducks held the powerful Trojans to just 327 yards and absolutely lit up the USC defense, scoring 47 points and racking up 622 yards, including an astounding 391 yards rushing.

There are four main reasons for Oregon’s improved play.

• - Chip Kelly’s coaching job

He kept his team afloat after an extremely disappointing early-season loss and an incredible amount of negative publicity for his school and what was thought to be his team’s best player (Blount). He rallied has troops and has Oregon playing as well (maybe even better) as any team in the country. The opening week loss and subsequent punch are now things of the past.

• - The emergence of LaMichael James

The freshman out of Texarkana, Texas has been an absolute beast. After getting just 11 carries in his first two games, James has rushed for over 100 yards in every game but one. That one game was a 52-6 victory over Washington State in which things got out of hand pretty quickly. James wound up with just 13 carries, but still managed 81 yards and 2 TDs. James saved his best performance for Oregon’s biggest game – he went for 183 yards and a TD on 24 carries Saturday night against the Trojans. He now has 918 yards and 7 TDs on just 131 carries (7.0 ypc). James’ most impressive game may have come in a 24-10 victory over UCLA. Backup QB Nate Costa had to make his first career start because of Jeremiah Masoli’s injury and he passed for just 82 yards. UCLA knew James had to run, but that didn’t stop him – he had 152 yards on 20 carries.

• - Oregon’s defensive improvements

After holding Boise State to a season-low 19 points and 361 total yards in a loss, the Ducks were shredded by a pretty bad Purdue team for 36 points and 451 total yards. They followed that up by holding Utah to just 297 total yards and have played well in every game following the Utah game. In fact, the 20 points that USC scored on Oregon were the most points the Ducks have allowed since Utah scored 24 against them back in week 3.

• - Jeremiah Masoli has become a very good Quarterback

After struggling in his first three games (29-of-64(45%), 0 TDs, 2 INTS), Masoli has really turned his game around. He has played in four games since then (he missed the UCLA game because of an injury) and has put up incredible numbers. He is 68-of-96 (71%) for 748 yards, 6 TDs and zero INTs. He has also rushed for 291 yards and 4 TDs during that stretch. Masoli was 19-of-31 for 222 yards and a touchdown and added 164 yards and a TD on the ground in the blowout win over the Trojans. Masoli is making better decisions and the Ducks’ offense is playing at a very high level because of it. He has now accounted for 14 total TDs and has just 2 interceptions.

The Ducks probably don’t have a chance at a National Championship because of their opening game loss, but they do control their own destiny in the Pac-10. They have road dates with two ranked teams – Stanford and Arizona and have home games against Arizona State and rival Oregon State in the annual “Civil War.”

Only One-Half for Brandon Spikes?

I like the fact that Spikes has come out and apologized and I can’t really fault Tim Tebow for trying to defend him, but this warranted at least a full game suspension. Spikes blatantly tried to gouge the eyes of Georgia Running Back Washaun Ealey on Saturday and his classless act deserved worse than a half-game suspension. There is no place for that in college football and Spikes should have been made an example of. It seems like Meyer will stop at nothing to win another championship and if he wasn’t going to give Spikes the punishment he deserved, than the SEC should have stepped up and done it themselves.

I do like one thing Meyer did – he took action immediately- even if the punishment doesn’t match the crime.

Long time FSU Defensive Mickey Andrews Announces his retirement

Mickey Andrews is one of the best Defensive Coordinators of all time and he transformed Florida State into the national power that they become during the ‘90s. It’s unfortunate that such a loyal man and great coach is going out like this – Florida State is fielding easily their worst defense since Andrews has been there. Click here to see a very good article about Andrews’ career and just what he really meant to Florida State.

Performance of the Week

Jeremiah Masoli, Quarterback, Oregon

The Junior Quarterback went 19-of-31 for 222 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He also rushed for 164 yards on just 13 carries and added another TD on the ground while orchestrating a blowout win over Southern Cal, 47-20.

The Heisman Race

Mark Ingram didn’t play but I’m not sure anyone did anything to merit leaping him.

1. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
   Last week: 18 attempts, 99 yards
   Season: 153 attempts, 1,004 yards, 8 TDs, 19 receptions, 186 yards, 3 TDs
2. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
   Last week: 22-of-27 for 268 yards and 2 TDs
   Season: 172-of-257 (66.9%), 2318 yards, 18 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 TD rushing
3. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
   Last week: 16-of-21 for 171 yards and 1 TD
   Season: 198-of-275 (72%), 1977 yards, 15 TDs, 8 INTs, 1 rushing TD
4. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
   Last week: 15-of-21 for 164 yards and 2 TDs, 18 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs
   Season: 99-of-153 (64.7%), 1323 yards, 10 TDs, 4 INTs, 139 carries, 551 yards (4 ypc), 8 TDs
5. Case Keenum, QB, Houston
   Last week: 44-of-54 for 559 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
   Season: 285-of298 (71.6%), 3293 yards, 25 TDs, 5 INTs, 3 rushing TDs

My top 25

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Cincinnati
5. Iowa
6. TCU
7. Boise State
8. Oregon
9. Georgia Tech
10. LSU
11. Penn State
12. Pittsburgh
13. Utah
14. Houston
15. USC
16. Ohio State
17. Miami
18. Oklahoma State
19. Notre Dame
20. Arizona
21. Wisconsin
22. Virginia Tech
23. Oklahoma
24. South Florida
25. Clemson

Game of the Week:
#10 LSU @ #1 Alabama
3:30 pm EST, CBS
The Line: Alabama -10

It’s time for Saban Bowl III and if this installment is anything like the first two, we’re in luck.

In their first matchup, LSU pulled out a 41-34 victory after trailing 27-24 entering the fourth quarter. LSU scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes after a key Alabama fumbled.

Last season, it was LSU that pulled the near upset after tying the game with 6:12 left. Alabama’s field goal on the final play of the regulation was blocked and the game went to overtime. LSU QB Jarrett Lee was picked off in overtime and Alabama went on to win the game 27-21.

LSU, who is ranked 9th in the BCS could get themselves back into the BCS Title picture with a win over Alabama, setting up a potential rematch with Florida.

Both Quarterbacks have struggled to put points on the board for their offenses. In fact, Tennessee held Alabama without a touchdown while Florida kept LSU out of the end zone.

I think that both squads have excellent defenses that are capable of shutting down any opponent and although I do like the Tide’s defense better, I think it is their offense that is going to be the difference in this game.

And I like Alabama’s offense better for a couple of reasons. The number one reason is the balance that the Tide brings on offense. Alabama actually averages more yards per game on the ground (218 yards per game) then they do through the air (192 yards per game). LSU on the other hand, has had a lot of trouble running the ball, averaging 141.5 yards per game on the ground.

One of the best indicators of an offense is yards per play, so let’s look at that. The Tigers average 5.34 yards per play while the Tide’s offense averages just over 6 yards per play, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

LSU averages just 3.95 yards per rush, while Alabama averages 5.3. I think that it will be much easier for Alabama to shut down LSU’s running game than vice versa, forcing LSU throw the ball earlier in the game, giving Alabama the opportunity to force LSU QB Jordan Jefferson into mistakes.

I really like the way Alabama dominates the clock. They have the ball or over 32 minutes per game while LSU doesn’t have much of an edge in T.O.P. at all. Alabama’s running game and ability to sustain drives is going to be the difference in this game. The Tide should be able to control the clock and wear down the LSU defense in the fourth quarter.

Games to Watch

#16 Ohio State @ #11 Penn State – 4
3:30 pm EST, ABC Regional

Ohio State pitched another shutout last week when they beat New Mexico State 45-0. Penn State struggled early on and actually trailed Northwestern 13-10 before dominating the second half in route to a 34-13 win. I really like the Buckeyes’ defense. It is very good. The held NMSU to just 62 total yards and are one of the best coached units in the country year in and year out. The Buckeyes give up just 260 yards per game, good for sixth in the entire nation. The Buckeyes give up about 4 yards per play.

My problem with the Buckeyes is their offense. They average just less than 5.78 yards per play. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor has been awful. He is completing just 54.6% of his passes and has thrown 9 interceptions.

Penn State’s defense gives up just 254 yards per game, good for fifth in the nation. Penn State’s defense gives up slightly over 4 yards per play so the defenses are pretty much even.

However, Penn State’s offense is much more explosive, averaging almost 6.5 yards per play. The Nittany Lions have also had much more consistent Quarterback play from Senior Daryll Clark. Clark has 18 TD passes and 7 interceptions, but 3 of them game in one really bad game – Penn State’s 21-10 loss against Iowa. Penn State also has a feature back – Evan Royster. Royster has rushed for 859 yards. Ohio State lacks a feature back and Pryor is the team’s leading rusher with 554 yards.

I think that Ohio State’s defense will be the best Daryll Clark has seen but Penn State is too explosive and Ohio State has too many offensive deficiencies.

#8 Oregon @ Stanford +5.5
3:30 pm EST

Oregon is riding high after one of the biggest wins in the history of their program and now they have go on the road to take on a team that’s undefeated at home, has a consistent running game and a smart Quarterback – that’s an excellent recipe or an upset.

I really like what Chip Kelly is doing with the Ducks and I think he’s going to have his team ready to go.

#23 Oklahoma @ Nebraska +6
8:00 pm EST, ABC Regional

Nebraska was really starting to make me a believer. They were 4-1, fresh off a win at Missouri, with their only loss coming in the final seconds at Lane Stadium against Virginia Tech. Then, they lost two straight home games. They were blown out by Texas Tech 31-10 and then beaten by Iowa State 9-7. Another conference loss would probably end any chance at a Big 12 title game appearance.

Nebraska has had a lot of trouble and despite Oklahoma’s defensive performance against Kansas State (KSU had 364 yards and 30 points), I don’t expect the Huskers to have much success against the Sooner defense. Landry Jones seems like he is getting very comfortable in the offense, so I like the Sooners to cover.

(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger and a contributor at NFL Mocks Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)

WR MICHAEL CRABTREE (T-Tech)

VS.

WR JEREMY MACLIN (MU)

We want to know how our viewers would rank their own top 25, so click here to make your own power rankings!

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#	+/-		Team	Comment
1	–		Georgia Bulldogs	I have to rank Georgia as #1, only because they beat Florida last year when Tim Tebow had a bummed shoulder. The battle in Jacksonville between the two SEC East rivals will be great theater.
2	–		Florida Gators	Tim Tebow did everything last season but he won’t have to this year. Chris Rainey is probably going to emerge as a star beside Cornelius Igram and Percy Harvin in the nation’s most potent offense.
3	–		USC Trojans	USC is the program every athletic director in the country wished they had. With Mark Sanchez under center the Trojans are once again loaded with talent and should run through the Pac 10 with ease.
4	–		Ohio State Buckeyes	Back to back national championship games and back to back embarrasing losses to SEC teams once they get there. Don’t even begin to ask me why two SEC teams are ahead of the Buckeyes.
5	–		Oklahoma Sooners	What Sam Bradford did last season was amazing, but he was overshadowed by Tebow’s record breaking year and the fact that OU has struggled in recent BCS games. Expect them to bounce back in a big way this year.
6	–		West Virginia Mountainners	You are reading it here first (gulp)….Noel Devine will be better than Steve Slaton was during his career if he can stay out of trouble in Morgantown. He has all the talent in the world.
7	–		Clemson Tigers	Here’s the team I think could surprise a lot of people this year. They’ve probably got the most talented backfield in all of college football; Cullen Harper, James Davis, and C. J. Spiller.
8	–		Missouri Tigers	Chase Daniel led Missouri to a #1 ranking going into the Big 12 Title game last year. This year their goal is to prove that last season was no fluke. They have the talent to do that very thing.
9	–		Wisconsin Badgers	Is Wisconsin really the nation’s 9th best team? I feel as if there is a small bit of separation between the top eight and the next tier of teams. The Badgers have P. J. Hill and Travis Beckum and they seem like a good place to start.
10	–		Texas Longhorns	I actually like Colt McCoy, although it seems no one outside of Texas does. The big question for the Longhorns is at running back after losing Jamaal Charles to the NFL Draft.
11	–		Auburn Tigers	Kodi Burns will be the starting QB for Auburn, and the Tigers should be very good. The SEC West race appears wide open and should be Auburn’s for the taking.
12	–		LSU Tigers	The first problem in Baton Rouge is trying to find a replacement to Ryan Perrilloux. It appears Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch will fill that spot. With that talented defense it may not matter who starts at QB for the defending national champions.
13	–		Kansas Jayhawks	Were the Jayhawks a fluke last season? I sure hope not. Quarterback Todd Reesing is the real deal when it comes to running the spread offense.
14	–		Texas Tech Red Raiders	I keep talking about how WR Michael Crabtree is a can’t miss prospect. At least I’m not the only one who thinks that way, I actually heard ESPN college football analyst Joe Schad say that Crabtree could catch 30 TD passes this year.
15	–		South Florida Bulls	I am a Matt Grothe fan. The kid has a great arm and understands the game of football. Plus somebody has to challenge West Virginia in the Big East right? Why not the team that actually beat the Mountaineers last season?
16	–		Virginia Tech Hokies	The ACC looks like it is headed for another very down season. Despite losing Brandon Ore by dismissal the Hokies should still be one of the favorites to win the conference.
17	–		BYU Cougars	The next tier of the top 25 seems to be here. BYU has the nation’s longest winning streak and is led by quarterback Max Hall. Their battle against Utah to end their regular season November 22nd could be for a BCS bowl.
18	–		Tennessee Volunteers	The Volunteers are the 5th SEC team already listed here, and yet people ask who the strongest conference is. Last year they made the SEC Championship game after blowout losses to Florida & Alabama, so there’s no telling what to expect.
19	–		Utah Utes	I really think that either BYU or Utah will be playing in a BCS Bowl game at the end of the season. The Utes get both TCU and BYU at home, so they should be favored in both of their tough games.
20	–		Arizona State Sun Devils	Rudy Carpenter and the Sun Devils are out to prove that their amazing turnaround in 2007 was a fluke ( a word I’ve used a lot in this article). They play both USC and Georgia, which means they will be a team to watch.
21	–		Penn State Nittany Lions	I’ve seen Penn State ranked as high as the top ten by some experts’ rankings and as low as completely outside the top 25 in others. I think Maurice Evans will be great, but can they find a succesfful quarterback?
22	–		Michigan State Spartans	Even losing Devin Thomas I think the Spartans can be very good in 2008. If they can win their opener at California and survive games against teams they should beat (ND & IND) then they could get Ohio State at home at 7-0. Think of that OSU fans.
23	–		Fresno State Bulldogs	The last two seasons WAC teams have made BCS Bowl games. This year Pat Hill’s bunch has a tough schedule; Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin, & Boise State but if they can somehow manage to escape those four with one loss then they should be in the top 15 when the final polls are released in January.
24	–		Illinois Fighting Illini	Quarterback Juice Williams is very inconsistent but if he can play well all season (which I know he is capable of) then Illinois has a chance to play in the Rose Bowl again.
25	–		Pittsburgh Panthers	LeSean McCoy is one of the nation’s best running backs, but he will have to carry this Panthers offense. Last year he ran for 1,328 yards and 14 TDs.

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

1. Travis Beckum (Wisconsin) Round Projection: Middle 1st-Early 2nd He’s small for a tight end (just 6-4, 224 pounds but he’s also fast for a tight end. His 40 (4.55) is excellent, and if he can add some size then he can be a first round pick.

	2. Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma)* Round Projection: Late 1st-Late 2nd He’s extremely tall (6-6) and depending on how he produces this year he could even be a sure first round pick by the time the draft comes around. He’s a very close second to Beckum.
	3. Corenlus Ingram (Florida) Round Projection: Middle 2nd-Early 3rd Ingram actually went to Florida as a receiver, but head coach Urban Meyer decided to move him to TE to give him another option in the middle of the field. The only thing that will hurt him is his size.
	4. Chase Coffman (Missouri)* Round Projection: Middle 2nd-Early 3rd An ankle injury stopped Coffman from being very productive last season (although he did catch 52 passes), so this should be a great year for the Mizzouri TE.
	5.Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State) Round Projection: Late 2nd-4th Pettigrew is ranked higher by a lot of experts but this one believes his off the field character issues will greatly hurt his stock.
	6. Bear Pascoe (Fresno State) Round Projection: 3rd-5th His height (6-5) and size (260 lbs) is perfect for a NFL tight end but the level of competition he plays against will greatly hurt his draft stock.
	7. Darius Hill (Ball State) Round Projection: 3rd-6th Another guy whose draft stock will be hurt by playing weaker opponents since he won’t get much attention nationally. He caught 65 passes for 11 touchdowns last season.
	8. Ryan Purvis (Boston College) Round Projection: 4th-6th His height (6-4) will hurt him some compared to the other guys on this list but his size (258 lbs) is about right for a NFL tight end. The problem is that he doesn’t catch a whole lot of passes.
	9. John Phillips (Virginia) Round Projection: 4th-7th Call this a hunch but Phillips is going to be the Cavaliers #1 tight end this year and has had some pretty decent games not being the #1 guy until this point in his college career.
	10. Cody Slate (Marshall)* Round Projection: 4th-7th Slate reminds me of Beckum, he’s a lot like him because he is undersized for the typical NFL tight end. He’s 6-4 and only weighs 225.

On my big board of the best players in the draft I have used every player that is eligible to enter the draft and five of my top 10 can return to school next fall.

The decisions of guys like Michael Crabtree, Matthew Stafford, Percy Harvin, Tim Tebow, Knowshon Moreno and Andre Smith will be important for the 2009 draft. If they return to school then Florida will have another national title run in them, as will Georgia, and the Crimson Tide and Red Raiders will keep their most talented player for another season.

If these guys decide to enter the draft then NFL teams will have some extremely talented guys to choose from. Here’s the VERY early lowdown on what I think these guys will decide:

Michael Crabtree: NFL–I really think he is the most talented receiver to come out in years. He’s electric and extremely fast. He has a huge body and he reminds me of Terrell Owens. I think once NFL teams realize his true potential that he will decide to leave. Please note he was a redshirt freshman so he is eligible to leave as a sophomore.

Percy Harvin: College–Once Tebow (read below for more) decides to return I don’t think Harvin will leave. He’s very very quick but probably needs to work on proving he has the size to be an elite NFL receiver and not just a playmaker on kick returns and quick passes.

Tim Tebow: College–If this guy leaves then I don’t see anybody returning. He loves the University of Florida way too much to leave. He might be going for his third Heisman Trophy by then as well, and maybe even his third national title in four years.

Knowshon Moreno: College–The Georgia running back showed his extreme talent at the end of last season, and he was also redshirted as a freshman. I don’t think he plays as well as he did last year, although he will be great, and will stay until his Junior season.

Andre Smith: NFL–The Alabama offensive tackle has been amazing since he signed with the Crimson Tide. I think he’s got to go, he’s been fantastic and will be great on a NFL offensive line. If he returns a lot of Crimson Tide fans will be very happy next season.

Matthew Stafford: NFL–Stafford has a very strong arm and looks like he can be a franchise type quarterback in the NFL. I have watched many videos on him and although he has to work on his decision making, I believe he will be just fine if he decides to leave.

Others whose decisions will affect the 2009 NFL Draft are:
Jeremy Maclin, Sam Bradford, Brandon Spikes, Myron Rolle, Gregg Middleton

Tony Temple RB Missouri – Tony has above average speed, the ability to make people miss, and improved hands out of the backfield. At Mizzou’s pro day the 5-foot-9 210 lb back ran a 4.47 40. Almost everyone projects him to be a 7th round pick. If your a team that needs a backup running back, make Tony your pick.

Stanford Keglar LB Purdue – One of the many Boilermaker players that starred in Indianapolis, he definitely improved his draft stock considerably. The 6-foot-2 239 lb linebacker ran a 4.58 40 at the Combine. At Purdue he totaled 70 tackles last season. Before the Combine he wasn’t supposed to be selected in the draft. Now most project him as a 5th or 6th round pick.

Barry Richardson OT Clemson – My first mock draft I had him in the first round(people called me out rather quickly), but after the combine he is projected to go later. Scouts don’t like his lackadaisical attitude, but he can definitely play. He was selected to the ACC first team, he started all four years at Clemson. He is a very large man standing 6-foot-7 weighing 320 lbs. He could make a nice addition to a power running team. Most project him to be selected in the 6th round.