Hot off the Grill is back with another hearty helping of the most important college and pro matchups of the weekend. First up are the student athletes of college football, that is, after we pull apart the Kansas football and basketball teams again. Who's should be on the lookout for an upset? Who will rise in the polls? Will we actually predict a game correctly? Find out the answers as we give you all you need to know for Week 4 of college football!
Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - #9 Miami (Fl) @ #11 Va. Tech
No doubt about it, our Big Kielbasa of the week resides in Blacksburg, Va. Everyone is rushing to put the U back on top of college football. But who have they beaten so far this year? An overrated (including by me) Georgia Tech and a Florida St. team who can't decide if they are a legit ACC team, or a struggling I-AA power. The first test for Jacory Harris and company comes Saturday against the Hokies in a battle for ACC supremacy. Virginia Tech themselves still are holding on to BCS ambitions after their narrow escape over a tough, but choking Nebraska. The money seems to be riding on Miami to continue their march back to national prominence, but call us here at RSS unconventional. In a hostile environment, with expectations not felt in years, Miami will come up just short on the road. PICK-Va. Tech
Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - #6 California (3-0) @ Oregon (2-1)
Our spotlight game looks at the fastest riser in this season's Heisman Watch, California RB Jahvid Best. Best is 3rd in the nation in rushing and first in touchdowns and will face his first conference test against an Oregon team who seems to be finding its form after a tough week 1 loss against Boise St. by beating a tough Utah team last Saturday. While Best might not run as rampant as he did at Minnesota, he should still find success against an Oregon Rush Defense that is giving up over 150 yards per game on the ground. Besides, we're still a couple weeks away from Cal's tumble down the rankings. PICK-California
Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - So. Miss (3-0) @ #20 Kansas (3-0)
Our spicy friend seeks to exploit the turmoil on the Kansas campus by picking the Golden Eagles, a perennial bowl team, against Kansas, who for some reason is ranked after beating Northern Colorado, UTEP, and Duke (which would be a great game if this were next March). The logic behind this upset isn't so much Xs and Os, but more based on the hunch that gang warfare will continue to pit the Jayhawks football and basketball programs against each other. Really, isn't this one of the most bizarre stories in college athletics this side of Rick Pitino and an empty restaurant? Basketball players being taken to the hospital, football players being tossed down staircases? It's like Playmakers meets West Side Story, you just can't make this stuff up. Here's hoping Cole Aldrich wallops Todd Reesing with a steel chair while the ref isn't looking to seal a So. Miss victory. PICK-So. Miss
Andouille's Under the Radar Game - Texas Tech (2-1) @ #17 Houston (2-0)
Our andouille underrated game of the week should be an old-fashioned shootout between Houston and Texas Tech. The mad genius Mike Leach gave Texas all they could handle while Houston finds itself ranked for the first time, well, in a very long while. Houston is averaging 50 PPG while Texas Tech is averaging a healthy 42 PPG. While Texas Tech is still finding the pieces to their puzzle, or hoping Michael Crabtree regains some college eligibility, Houston will be ready to go with emerging QB Case Keenum. At home, take what might be one of the surprises of the college football season, Phi Slamma Jamma. PICK-Houston
Hot Dog Of The Week - Penn St. QB-Darryll Clark
Much like last week, we again are looking at a QB going for revenge with Darryll Clark and Penn St. hosting Iowa. Clark's late interception killed his team's chances last year at Iowa, leading to an upset that derailed their national championship chances. With the Hawkeyes coming in to Happy Valley, expect Clark and his 153.9 passer rating to have a huge game, even against a stout pass defense. Who knows, a big day could see him sneak into consideration for an invite to NYC
Extra Toppings -
-Here's what you will hear today about the Ole Miss loss from the national media, "This proves the SEC is the deepest, most talented conference in the nation that an unranked South Carolina could upset Ole Miss. South Carolina is easily a Top 15 team (Chris Fowler actually said this at the end of last night's game!?)"
-This is the truth about Ole Miss, they weren't really that good to begin with. Sure, they had the big win at Florida last year because they were being overlooked and they won a bowl game. But the rush to elevate the SEC above all else in college football seems to have backfired on the right reverend and the Rebels. As for the SEC, people can make all the excuses they want, but that was some ugly football last night.
-I'm not sure what's more impressive Oklahoma backup Landry Jones's 6 TDs against Tulsa, or the open references to his "porn moustache". Other QBs will have to think long and hard about duplicating the look (fans of The Office fill in punch line here).
-Ok, so Tennessee didn't get beat by 100 points, but with the childish sniping continuing, does either of Lane Kiffin or Urban Meyer look better today than a week ago? How bout this for a change guys, instead of always hogging the spotlight, try yielding to your student athletes a little bit.
-Has anyone considered the recent rise in upsets might be due to teams shooting up the rankings prematurely or being ranked too high in preseason polls? Will some of these teams really be close to resembling the Top 10 teams they were before the season started? Before we start a playoff, maybe the ranking system should be reexamined?
-Speaking of upsets, it would be sad to see more mid-majors bite the dust this week after BYU laid an egg last Saturday against Florida St. Besides the national championship game, it's really the only reason to watch any other BCS bowl.
Randall's Got His Eye On You... Charlie Weis and Jimmy Clausen
How does Charlie Weis follow up "the biggest win of his career at Notre Dame"? How does Jimmy Clausen rebound without his best receiver, Michael Floyd? Sure, give Notre Dame credit for hanging in and defeating Michigan State at home. But, this is a team that was expected to compete for a BCS berth. With already one loss, and another sure to come at the hands of USC, the margin of error is thin for Weis and Clausen. This week, a lot will depend on which Purdue team shows up. But moving forward, these two could see the pressure mount; 9 wins isn't exactly a given for the Irish any more.
Hot Off The Grill is back with our look ahead at Week 3 in the National. Football. League. We'll give you the big games and names to be on the watch for come Sunday. Until then, it's bye for now!
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