MLB, CFB Vie For Weekend's Attention

Tough choices.  As much as I love college football, with my Sawx streaking to the best record in the majors, I have to watch them beat up on the #$*@ing Yankees.  Fear the beard!  To think, all of those years my dad would ask me about mine…”What are ya tryin’ to hide?”

No surprises to see Tide roll over A & M, but will confess that Johnny Football is a talented athlete.  In fact, the Aggies came out an punched 'Bama right in the face.  Of course, that's all that was needed

Coach Saban at his p/t job

and now there's little standing in the way of that fourth BCS title in five years.  My remote control gets a workout and grumbling is heard from the masses as sports dominate the flat-screen all day.  Here’s what happened in Week #3, at least the way I saw it, at times through my eyelids:

Utica 25, Union 16.  Turnover-filled game (4 by Union, 3 by Utica).  No surprise, the inexperience on the Garnet O-line leads to NINE Connor Eck sacks.  And when he isn’t getting hurried or tackled, he’s throwing interceptions, two on the day.  On the good side, Union’s defense limits the Pioneers to just 62 rushing yards while besting Utica in both total yards and time of possession.

Boise State 42, Air Force 20.  Since the Army-Stanford game is on a cable channel to which I don’t (currently) subscribe, I watch the Broncos’ second-half dismantling of the Falcons.  We now know that Air Force can score exactly 20 points in a game, as they do so for the second consecutive week.  The Academy must find a way to (a) run for more than 188 yds., (b) more effectively utilize the pass when it falls behind by more than two TDs, (c) stop the opposing team, or (d) all of the above.

#5 Stanford 34, Army 20.  It may not have been a W, but the Black Knights certainly acquit themselves admirably against the PAC-12 powerhouse Cardinal.  Cadet defense comes out firing, forcing a turnover and a 3-and-out on first two possessions.  Both lead to sufficient penetration to stake Army to a pair of field goals and an early 6-0 lead.  Then Stanford’s defense adjusts to the tempo and misdirection of a triple-option offense, and limits The Point to 284 yds. rushing and just 49 passing.

Navy 51, Deleware 7.  Fightin’ Blue Hens look more like the Toledo Mud Hens as they’re embarrassed by Navy in Annapolis.  Middies’ QB Keenan Reynolds goes 10-for-13 and 233 yds. while rushing for an additional 109 on the ground.  Perhaps more important is the Navy defense which resembled a sieve last week but stalled Deleware’s high-octane offense, forcing two interceptions and a fumble, allowing the Mids to dominate time of possession.

Marqise Lee:  "Coach is a real bear."

USC 35, Boston College 7.  Athletic Director Pat Hayden makes appearance in players-only meeting earlier in the week, promising a new coach if Trojans achieve a winning record.

Players respond in kind when RB Tre Madden becomes the first USC runner in 32 years to open a season with three consecutive 100-yard games.   QB Cody Kessler looks like he’s winning the QB battle, throwing for 237 yards and two TDs.  On the Jesuit side of the football, the Eagles pass for fewer than 100 yds., and last week’s ACC Offensive Player of the Week, Andre Williams, manages only 38 yards on 17 carries.

West Virginia 41, Georgia State 7.  They’re no Virginia Cavs, Joel, but the Mountaineers become the latest bully on Georgia State’s block.  WVU Freshman QB Ford Childress takes advantage of a so-so early season showing by junior Paul Millard by completing 25-for-41 and three TDs.  Panthers are outgained 602-220 in total offense.  Any Anchorman fans out there?  These Panthers carry an aroma similar to Brian Fantana’s cologne.  But hey, desire smells like that to some people.

Bonny Eagle 46, South Portland 21.  Scots force five Riot turnovers en route to the romp.  South Portland also botches two kickoffs, leading directly to scores by Bonny Eagle.  Make no mistake, the Riots’ opening game win is no fluke, and they show early flashes of brilliance especially through the air and on special teams.  But Scots show why they’re considered threats for the Class A title this year, behind QB Zach Dubiel’s two TD passes (and fumble return) and RB Ben Malloy’s two scores (one run, one pass reception).  Is it just me…here’s Steve Stinson’s postgame comment:  "The difference between us going up 21-0 to having it be 14-7 is a vast difference, so that was huge for them."  Huh?  Yogi?

Beamer 26, Rogers 21.  The Washington State Fair is raging in Puyallup this weekend.  Must be the reason I find doodly-squat about the game other than the score.  Plenty of press for the Puyallup Vikings, though.  And I did learn that it’s TODD Beamer High School.  Not wanting to disappoint, here’s the high school football quote of the week, from Kent-Meridian’s Vinnie Malietufa:  “We just came out hungry.  Kentlake looked delicious, so we ate ‘em.”