Big Week for Gophers and Big Ten; Badgers' Hornibrook Leads Rare Southpaw breed
Left-handed quarterbacks. The sight of one is about as frequent as a defensive Heisman winner, a Nick Saban smile, a Georgia Tech/Army/Navy/Air Force passing play...you get the idea. With Wisconsin turning to its freshman southpaw Alex Hornibrook to head to Ann Arbor, it's a change of pace to see a quarterback use the other hand. Receivers have to adjust to new quarterbacks regardless, but switching hands adds another dimension of adjustment. The ball comes out of their hand different and the ball rotates the opposite way, which can have a tremendous effect on a receiver. It can also affect play calling as a rollout to the left becomes beneficial for the lefty versus more difficult for a righty. Southpaws are so rare in college football, and adding in success reduces that number even more. Of the top 100 quarterbacks in passing yards this season, there are only three lefty QB's: UW's Hornibrook, Middle Tennessee's Brent Stockstill, and UMass' Andrew Ford. Historically, right handers have dominated as many people can be quick to name numerous quarterbacks who throw right handed. But there is quite an impressive list of lefties, and today we look at the most memorable lefties who have played in the 21st century.
Other Lefties: David Greene, Georgia (2001-2004); Chris Simms, Texas (1999-2002); Josh Huepel, Oklahoma (1999-2000); Jared Lorenzen, Kentucky (2000-2003)
Kellen Moore, Boise State (2008-2011)----Who says lefties can't be the best at something? Moore is the NCAA record holder for wins in a career with an astounding 50-3 (.943) record previously held by righty Texas QB Colt McCoy. Some may argue it doesn't count since he played at Boise, but with wins against Power 5 teams like Oregon, Virginia Tech, Utah, Arizona State, and Georgia. With 14,667 yards with 142 touchdowns passing, Moore had a career that is considered elite for any quarterback in college football. Some coaches would also kill for a quarterback to only three games in a career.
Pat White, West Virginia (2005-2008)----White may not have the accolades that the above QB does, but his ability to make explosive plays made him special. White only passed for 6,049 yards and 23 touchdowns, but he rushed for 4,480 yards and 47 touchdowns in his career for the Mountaineers. He also had to share touches with stars like Steve Slaton, Owen Schmitt, Darius Reynaud, and Noel Devine, which limited his production. White finished his career with a stunner in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl, leading his team to a 48-28 win over #4 Oklahoma. He may not have been the most prolific passer, but you cannot deny how dynamic he was for his team.
Matt Leinart, USC (2003-2005)----You could probably argue that Leinart was the best QB in college football history while playing for one of the best college football teams to ever play. Leinart finished 37-2 for his career and led his teams to two Rose Bowl games, two national championship games, and one title. USC's 2005 team may be the most dominant team to not win a championship, as they lost to Texas in arguably the game of the century. The Trojans QB ammassed 10,693 yards and 99 touchdowns in three years of work, which is beyond impressive for playing at a Power 5 school. A Bush push and slip up in the game against Texas may be what he's most remembered for, but Leinart straight balled for the Trojans (oh and he won a Heisman Trophy too).
Michael Vick, Virginia Tech (1999-2000)----Michael Vick is the fastest quarterback to every play college football, and the things he did with his feet haven't been seen since (unless Lamar Jackson continues his performances this year). Vick started as a redshirt freshman, which was unheard of in the prime of Beamer Ball, and led his team to an undefeated regular season and a national championship game against #1 Florida State. Vick finished 22-2 in his college career, and after watching his highlight tapes, it was clear he never belonged in college. It's hard to explain a Michael Vick-type player to someone, so sit back enjoy a star making his peers look foolish.
Tim Tebow, Florida (2006-2009)----Arguably the best college football quarterback ever, Tebow racked up 9,285 yards and 88 touchdowns through the air, while rushing for 2,947 yards and 57 touchdowns as well. Tebow notched two national championships (in 2006 and 2008) and his teams during his tenure went 48-7. His 2009 team can be grouped with the 2015 Ohio State Buckeyes and the 2005 USC Trojans as teams who had tremendous talent (more than any team in college football those years) who failed to win a national championship. Nevertheless, Tebow was a monster, a the New York Mets (MLB) are sure lucky to have him. And to a certain two brothers of mine, no he's not a better NFL quarterback than Tony Romo (good quarterbacks don't get washed out of the league).
GROUP OF 5 TOP 4
#1 Houston Cougars (5-0)----Week 4: W, 64-3 @ Texas State. Last night: W, 42-14 vs UConn. Yawn. When do they play Louisville? Up next: @ Navy.
#2 San Diego State Aztecs (3-0)----Last week: Bye. Aztecs RB Donnel Pumphrey is pretty good in case you haven't heard. Up next: at South Alabama.
#3 Boise State Broncos (3-0)----Last week: W, 38-24 @ Oregon State. Broncos can't rely on Jeremy McNichols to carry the team all season. Up next: vs Utah State.
#4 USF Bulls (3-1)----Last week: L, 55-35 vs Florida State. Dalvin Cook just scored again. Up next: at Cincinnati.
Other 4: Western Michigan (4-0), Toledo (3-0), Air Force (3-0), Navy (3-0)
TPO TOP 4
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0)--Last week: W, 48-0 vs Kent State. Too bad the Golden Flashes passed on Nick Saban...oh, what could have been. Up next: vs Kentucky.
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)--Last week: Bye. Wake me up in three weeks when the Badgers are on the schedule. Up next: vs Rutgers.
#3 Louisville Cardinals (4-0)--Last week: W, 59-28 @ Marshall. Big trip to Death Valley awaits, and first big road test for Jackson. Up next: @ #5 Clemson.
#4 Wisconsin Badgers (4-0)--Last week: W, 30-6 @ Michigan State. I should stop hating on Wisconsin so much....maybe. Up next: @ #4 Michigan.
Other 4: Houston (5-0), Michigan (4-0), Clemson (4-0), Stanford (3-0)
GOPHERS UPDATE
Record: 3-0 Last week: W, 31-24 vs Colorado State
This week's opponent: Penn State Nittany Lions
Opponent's record: 2-2
Site: Happy Valley (Beaver Stadium)
Player to shut down: RB Saquon Barkley
Outlook: Happy. For the Gophers that is. This game means so much more for Minnesota than it does for Penn State, but don't think this is a walk in the park. With over 107,000 fans expected to attend, winning at Penn State is not easy. However, if Minnesota wants to reach the goals set for the season, a win is more than necessary to reach those goals. Home attendance for the Gophers has been down due to a lack of success and a less than thrilling schedule so far this year. A win on the road leading to a home game against Iowa would spark momentum for a team that is desperate to show it can compete in the Big Ten. Nittany Lions' RB Saquon Barkley is going to be a great back, and the Gophers defense needs to step up to the plate this week to prevent him from going off. In the first road game of the season, the offense will need to adjust to a loud crowd and perform at the level they've shown so far. Penn State comes into this game after a beatdown against Michigan, so they will be looking for a better performance. The next two games are vital for this team, as two wins would leave them at 5-0 heading into a stretch of four winnable games. There is no reason why Minnesota can't win in Happy Valley, but they will need to step up their performance on both sides of the ball to do so. This is one of the most exciting games for this team, and I can't wait to see how it plays out.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Overall: 47-31 Season: 11-7 Last week: 3-1Other games: #22 Texas at Oklahoma State, #14 Miami at Georgia Tech, North Carolina at #12 Florida State, Minnesota at Penn State, Oklahoma at #21 TCU, #18 Utah at Cal, South Florida at Cincinnati, Western Michigan at Central Michigan
#7 Stanford (3-0) at #10 Washington (4-0)-----Friday 9/30
Stanford appeared to struggle at times with UCLA, but the Bruins aren't a bad team. The Cardinal finally showed their offense has more weapons than Christian McCaffrey, but it wasn't the prettiest performance. Excluding a Solomon Thomas fumble recovery for a touchdown with no time left, the offense stalled and couldn't put many drives together. Stanford's schedule has prepared them for another big Pac 12 test, but playing at Husky Stadium is a whole different beast. QB Ryan Burns and the Cardinal receivers will have to step up to help McCaffrey put up points and move the ball down the field against the Washington defense. UW's season hasn't told us much: blowouts against Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State gave them three wins, but a seven point win in overtime against Arizona was concerning. Now they face a team with the best player in the conference, and one that goes against the Pac 12 grain of spread offenses by lining up six and sometimes seven offensive lineman to run the ball. The Huskies defense is trying to prove it can hang with the elite, while helping their team take the next step into a top team in the conference. A secondary led by CB Sidney Jones and FS Budda Baker isn't a concern, but the front seven will need to be disciplined against the Cardinal front. Offensively, QB Jake Browning has shown improvement from his freshman year, but playing a defense with athletes like Soloman Thomas will give him his toughest test yet. Still, Husky Stadium's noise is underrated and an extremely tough venue to come out with a win.
My pick: UPSET SPECIAL: Washington 35 Stanford 31
#11 Tennessee (4-0) at #25 Georgia (3-1)
Moving on had to be the message from Butch Jones this week, as his Volunteers don't have much time for celebrations. Yes, their 11 game losing streak to Florida is over, but the stretch of three tough games is on their plate. A trip to Athens this week is followed by a trip to Kyle Field and the #9 Aggies, and then a visit from the best team in the country #1 Alabama. There isn't any time for pats on the back as it's time to get refocused and stay on the grind. What is promising about this year's Volunteers team is that they can handle adversity. Two close wins against Appalachian State and Ohio could have ended in nightmares, but this team pulled it together and came out with two wins. Same with the Florida game as they were down 21-3 at halftime and the boo birds were loud and clear in Neyland Stadium. Tennessee came together, and pounded the Gators for the win. Georgia got its first taste of SEC football in the Kirby Smart era, and it was not a good one. Ole Miss dominated the game from the start, and the Bulldogs never recovered. Freshman Jacob Eason is still going through growing pains, but his backs should help take the pressure off. Smart's defense needs to keep the Vols off of the scoreboard in order to keep this team in the game, and I think this one is closer than people think.
My pick: Tennessee 34 Georgia 27
#8 Wisconsin (4-0) at #4 Michigan (4-0)
Picking against the Badgers this year has been a do-so-at-your-own-risk so far this season. They have shattered expectations just four weeks into the season, even with a quarterback change. DC Justin Wilcox has his defense playing at an elite level, and the Badgers have benefited from that immensely. After holding it's first four opponents to an average of 11.75 points per game, Wisconsin heads to Ann Arbor for a game with the fourth ranked Wolverines. Wisconsin has turned to a redshirt freshman to lead an offense that has been surprisingly more balanced than in recent years. QB Alex Hornibrook is not afraid to take chances, and that confidence led the Badgers to an upset. Little Brother (Michigan State) didn't offer much of a test for Wisconsin, but big brother will be a handful. Michigan's first two contests were snoozers, but the last two (vs Colorado and Penn State) were impressive wins heading into this matchup. QB Wilton Speight quietly went from third string to starter heading into this season, and has managed the offense well (875 yards with 9 TD's and only 1 interception). Speight has plenty of weapons in the backfield with De'Veon Smith, Chris Evans, and Ty Isaac, as well as his receiving corps with Amara Darboh, Jehu Chesson and TE Jake Butt. Oh and star Jabrill Peppers plays offense too. Michigan's defense is run by former Boston College wizard and DC Don Brown. Brown gets the benefit of having Peppers roaming around various positions. I've been burned by the Badgers twice now, and if they get me a third time, I'll never hear the end of it. But this is Michigan and the Big House, so maybe my stubbornness will pay off.
My pick: Michigan 28 Wisconsin 21
#3 Louisville (4-0) at #5 Clemson (4-0)
I don't know how this game could get any more hype than it already has, but I'm sure many will try. These teams boast two of the best quarterbacks in college football, but it's Louisville's Lamar Jackson who steals the show. Many thought Clemson's Deshaun Watson would be the Heisman frontrunner early on, but Jackson quickly stepped into the spotlight. All of the attention goes to Jackson, and his supporting cast doesn't mind the lack of pressure on them. Louisville is ranked third for the first time since 2006, and they are hoping their performance goes better the last time they held that ranking (a loss to then-#15 Rutgers on the road). Now, the Cardinals head to Death Valley against a team hungry to prove they're still a playoff worthy team. Clemson has been wildly inconsistent this year, from surviving Auburn to almost being upset by Troy. Everyone on the Tigers has vastly underperformed, and it will take a special effort to keep Jackson in check. Last time the Cardinals played a top 5 team, they dismantled #2 Florida State in week 2, but this week they are on the road in one of the hardest stadiums to get a win. The Seminoles couldn't put up points to keep up with Louisville, but Clemson can. If Louisville wins this game, I'm not sure how they lose any in the future besides maybe Houston.
My pick: UPSET SPECIAL: Clemson 45 Louisville 42
