Geoff Calkins, Memphis Commercial Appeal: You can change the head coach. You can spend a bazillion dollars on assistants. You can recruit a whole bunch of talented freshmen. You can try to make an impact by sticking your tongue out at every major program in the Southeastern Conference. But if you don't have a quarterback, you'll lose a lot of important games. Tennessee doesn't have a quarterback.
David Climer, Tennessean: Lane Kiffin got his first serving of humble pie when UCLA, a second-tier team from the Pacific 10, beat Tennessee. Kiffin was humble afterward, but he needs to save some of that humility for later. The Volunteers play Saturday at Florida. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times: Matt Barkley's poised leadership on the drive to USC's winning touchdown against Ohio State shows he's ready to lead a potential national championship contender.
Bob Hunter, Columbus Dispatch: The close loss to USC will help Ohio State's reputation.
David Ching, Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia fans hoping to see the team establish an identity are apparently out of luck. This team has more personalities than Herschel Walker.
Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press: If Michigan State wishes to be taken seriously as an emerging national presence, it cannot lose to the little brothers of the collegiate landscape. It must smack the Central Michigans of the world in the mouth.
Sean Keeler, Des Moines Register: Iowa State's Paul Rhoads made his first coaching blunder by trying an onside kick in the first quarter against Iowa. The Hawkeyes, never ones to refuse charity, recovered and quickly scored, leading to a 35-3 victory.
Jon Wilner, College Sports Hotline: Colorado’s Dan Hawkins, Virginia’s Al Groh and Washington State’s Paul Wulff are the top candidates for in-season firings.
Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press: Michigan's victory over Notre Dame could be the start of the Wolverines' coming of age party.
Tony Krausz, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Notre Dame's Charlie Weis was interested in talking about the officiating after the Fighting Irish lost to Michigan.
Lya Wodraska, Salt Lake Tribune: Utah has two victories, but lots of questions.
Greg Hansen, Arizona Daily Star: Sluggish Arizona must pick up the pace with a long road ahead.
Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: Hawaii's offense could do no wrong against Washington State.
Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times: It was a remarkable day, even before USC beat Ohio State.
Comments