Statistical Anomaly Has Running Back Seeing Double

Heisman Implications Unclear

Shawnee Mission, KS (AP)--A college football running back is in both 3rd and 4th place in this year's statistics for rushing yards by a running back. The player has filed suit in Wyandotte County against the NCAA to have his statistics combined and make him the number one rusher in the nation.

"No one else this year rushed for over 1,000 yards, and I've got over 1,600 without having played a full schedule," said Ryan Matthew Williams, who has 871 yards for Virginia Tech. He also has 743 yards rushing for Fresno State under the name Ryan William Matthews. "I switch around my middle name just to remember which team I'm playing for."

When asked about the difficulties, he said "Sure it's hard playing for two different schools on two different coasts at the same time. Travel arrangements can be a real bear and I end up doing most of my classwork and homework on airplanes and in airports."

Williams is hoping that the NCAA bowl selection groups make his job easier and have his schools play against each other in a bowl game. "This way, I could just hang out in one city with all of my friends and just switch jerseys on the sidelines when the defenses were on the field. It would sure make my holiday plans a lot easier."

Since Ryan is enrolled as a junior at one school and a freshman at another, he faces problems when he finishes his career at one school. "I don't know whether one of me should come out early or if I should finish my education and play college and pro ball at the same time. Maybe I could get drafted by two NFL teams and just play for the better one, or the one that offers more money."

Moral of the story:  Don't believe everything you read in The Smack.

Here's the lowdown on Week #5 in college football beginning with tonight's schedule:

3rd place in "Best Of Provo" contest

BYU (1-2) vs. Middle Tennessee (3-1).  Injury to RB Jamaal Williams depletes Cougar running game.  That’ll put more of the burden on QB Taysom Hill who prefers running  to passing.  Only one BYU receiver (Cody Hoffman) has double-digit receptions so far this season.  Although Middle Tennessee has averaged 31 pts. in each of their first four games, the Blue Raiders have allowed 484 yds. of offense at the same time.  Since Cougars’ defense has held opponents under 21 points and allowed only 24% of 3^rd down conversions, I like BYU at home in a relatively low-scoring game.  PICK:  BYU.

Both preps on our radar play tonight, as follows:

South Portland (2-1) vs. Noble (1-2).  Knights beat SP's last foe, Massabesic, by a touchdown.  But they got hammered by 38 against Thornton, a team the Riots beat by two touchdowns.  Of his young team, first-year coach Andrew Elwell remarked, “We are looking to get better every day and play our best football in November.”  Not yet having downloaded the new iPhone operating system, my calendar still says September, so Noble is a few weeks away.  PICK:  South Portland.

Rogers (1-2) at Spanaway Lake (1-2).  This week the Rams go up against a Spanaway Lake team that beat Beamer handily.  The Sentinels’ defense has been able to hold down the opponents’ yardage but is giving up too many points.  Rogers is relying primarily on the passing game, and their ability to hold onto the ball is continually in doubt.  While the Ram defense has forced its share of fumbles, the team as a whole is giving back yardage to its opponents due to penalties.  Each team would dearly love to even its record.  With the higher quality win (and one higher quality loss), plus playing at home, I gotta go with the Sentinels.  PICK:  Spanaway Lake. 

Saturday's college games break down like this:

Frank Bailey Field

Union (0-2) vs. St. Lawrence (2-1).  The Saints defense is tops in the Liberty League, and their offense is very balanced between the run and the pass.  The Dutchman second-half defense has allowed no TDs and only two field goals on the season.   Unfortunately, Union averages only 1.7 yds./carry and its young O-line has allowed nine QB sacks.  UColl is the only winless Liberty League team thus far in 2013.  I don’t expect that to change this week.  PICK:  St. Lawrence.

Air Force (1-3) at Nevada (2-2).  Put simply, the Falcon defense is gonna have to show up SOME day.  Ranked #117 in the country, they’ll get something of a reprieve having to face a freshman in Huskie QB Tyler Stewart.  All Stewart did in relief of upperclassmen Cody Fajardo and Devin Combs was throw for 202 yds. and three TDs in a win over Hawaii last week.  The Wolf Pack defense also forced two fumbles and four interceptions.  Fortunately for Air Force, QB Jaleel Awini is becoming familiar with the offense, and knows regular starter Kale Pearson is lost for the season.  Just seems like too much to ask, especially playing in Reno.  PICK:  Nevada.

Familiar sight to at least two Smack fans

Army (1-3) at Louisiana Tech (1-3).  Skip Holtz is in his first year as coach of the Ragin’ Bradshaws.  So far he has taken what was once considered a dangerous pass-oriented offense and infused so much balance that opponents now gain more yardage than Tech.  One bright spot for LaTech has been their ability to be stingy inside the red zone.  That spells trouble for Army, a team that has been racking up impressive yardage but has trouble scoring points.  Tech’s starting QB is hurt, but backup Ryan Higgins filled in capably in a close loss to Kansas.  The difference will be the Bulldogs’ defense, which has recorded 13 sacks and five interceptions this season, which should provide Cadet QB Angel Santiago more than enough distress.  PICK:  Louisiana Tech.

Navy (2-0) at Western Kentucky (2-2).  Statistically, the Middies’ defense is nearly as effective as BYU’s.  Everybody knows Navy relies on the run, and this year is no different (398 yds./game).  Two things stand out:  +1.5 turnover ratio and QB Keenan Reynolds’ 304 yds. and two TDs through the air.  The Hilltoppers’ defense is allowing scores in the red zone 80% of the time, and a total of 31 pts./game.  Their offense, while balanced, may have a tough time getting on the field, as Navy averages over 6 yds. per rushing play.  Even though the game is being played in Bowling Green, give the edge to the Goats.  PICK:  Navy.

Boston College (2-1) vs. #8 Florida State (3-0).  Both schools are reported to be among the parties investigated by the NCAA in an effort to rid college sports of offensive mascots.  The investigation was launched as an effort to avoid a lawsuit threatened by the Americans Silencing Senseless Harassment Of Liberals Everywhere.  So far, the NCAA has found Boston College to be guilty of "a crass flaunting of the symbol of American imperialism, as well as an exploitation of an endangered species."  However, in a surprise judgment, the NCAA has characterized opposition to Florida State's "Chief Osceola" as nothing more than a "callous affront to those who cannot understand that the Seminole tribes give their blessing to the use of their name."  Other than that, FSU has a good team.  PICK:  Florida State.

USC (3-1) at Arizona State (2-1).  Speaking of USC, this week’s game will be tough on another mascot, Tommy Trojan.  On the road in Tempe, Arizona State’s offense will certainly challenge the USC's with much more versatility and talent than they’ve seen all year.  A trio of RBs in Marion Grice, D. J. Foster, and Deantre Lewis can score on the ground or on the end of the 60% passing of QB Taylor Kelly.  With the play of WR Marquis Lee having fallen off dramatically from last year, as well as that early instability at the QB position, SoCal will need a big game out of RB Tre Madden.  BREAKING NEWS:  Los Angeles--Three defensive starters will miss the rest of the season due to injury.  That does it.  PICK:  Arizona State.

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#2 Oregon (3-0) vs. California (1-2).  Da Bears certainly can score (over 33 pts./game), and the break-neck pace of the Oregon offense will give Cal an opportunity to control the ball for big chunks of time.  Unfortunately, these Ducks also play defense, allowing only nine points/game.  The only offensive threat to Oregon could come through the air, as Cal freshman QB Jared Goff is averaging 433 yds./game through the air, mostly to WRs Chris Harper and Bryce Treggs.  Everything seems to be pointing in the direction of the boys from Eugene.  PICK:  Oregon.

Georgia State (0-4) idle; next vs. #1 Alabama.  (What was that I preached about running up the score??)