Who's Hot & Not ... Week 1
By
Richard
Cirminiello
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Who's Hot ... From the Bowl Season
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Who's Hot ... The Preseason
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Who's Not ...
Week One
Follow me on Twitter @RichCirminiello
10. Temple PK Brandon McManus
In an underrated and thrilling Mayor’s Cup bout with cross-town Villanova, McManus was the hero, connecting on 4-of-5 field goal attempts, including a career-best 53-yarder. Oh, and his final one from 43 yards out in the waning seconds was the game-winner, setting off a wild celebration on the Owl sideline.
9. Utah at home
The maintained their mastery at Rice-Eccles Stadium, holding off Big East favorite No. 15 Pitt, 27-24, in overtime. It was the program’s 18th consecutive win in Salt Lake City and extended a home string on Thursdays that stretches more than half a century. With the victory, Utah moves into the rankings and has to be considered a legitimate BCS buster for a third time.
8. Fresno State
Beating Cincinnati like a drum goes down as a signature moment for Pat Hill, who’s been average in recent seasons. After trailing 14-0, the Bulldogs dominated on both sides of the ball, getting four touchdown passes from Ryan Colburn and holding the ‘Cats scoreless over the final 42 minutes. They also produced nine sacks, getting four from DT Logan Harrell and three from DE Chris Carter.
7. South Carolina
Okay, it’s too early to get overexcited, but this is what South Carolina expected when Steve Spurrier was hired five years ago. Facing a pretty good Southern Miss team, the Gamecocks were balanced on offense, behind QB Stephen Garcia and RB Marcus Lattimore, and stingy on defense. Instead of stepping into a landmine, the ‘Cocks blew up the Golden Eagles, 41-13.
6. The stars’ backups
With an opportunity to supplant LaMichael James and Mark Ingram, respectively, for a game, Oregon’s Kenjon Barner and Alabama’s Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy made the most of their snaps. Barner scored five times and accounted for 207 yards, Richardson went for 84 yards and two scores, and Lacy turned 12 carries into 105 yards and two touchdowns. Nope, backfield depth isn’t an issue in Eugene or Tuscaloosa.
5. Oklahoma State RB Kendall Hunter
Well, welcome back to health, Mr. Hunter. The Cowboys missed you. After enduring a painful 2009, in which he was rarely at full-strength, the senior erupted on Washington State for 257 yards rushing and four touchdowns. The centerpiece of a new offense that looked scary-good in Stillwater, he’s poised for a monster final year with the ‘Pokes.
4. Kansas State RB Daniel Thomas
The catalyst for the Wildcats’ 31-22 victory over visiting UCLA, Thomas rumbled for 235 yards and two touchdowns against a decent Pac-10 defense. NFL scouts had to be paying attention to his size and ability to bounce outside, an ideal combination that could make him a high draft choice next April.
3. Auburn QB Cameron Newton
Forget for a moment that the Tigers were hosting a Sun Belt team. They’ve found a quarterback to run Gus Malzahn’s system, troubling news for the rest of the SEC. The former Florida recruit and JUCO transfer debuted to rave reviews, rushing for an Auburn quarterback-record 171 yards and two scores and going 9-of-14 for 186 yards and three more touchdowns.
2. Michigan QB Denard Robinson
if there was a controversy in August about the Wolverine starter, there isn’t one now. Performing like a right-handed version of former Rich Rodriguez pupil Pat White, Robinson electrified the Ann Arbor crowd. Not only did he rush for a Michigan quarterback-record 197 yards and a score, but he also carved up Connecticut on 19-of-22 passing for 186 yards and a score.
1. Boston College LB Mark Herzlich
Four tackles never looked so impressive. Just a little over a year after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Herzlich returned to the field with the same passion and energy he had two seasons ago. A bit of a question mark because of a summer foot injury, he wouldn’t be denied the opportunity to exult in front of an equally emotional Alumni Stadium crowd.
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Who's Not ...
Week One