NCAA Football -- Week 3 -- Games of Interest

Ducks are calling, but Vols confident

“All we know is we’re the only people who think we’re going to win,” Tennessee senior offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James said. “That’s all we need.”

The Vols have lost 16 straight games to nationally ranked foes and last won against a ranked opponent in 2009 (No. 21 South Carolina). Overall, they’ve lost 22 of their last 23 games against ranked teams going back to Phillip Fulmer’s final season in 2008.

 

Pffffffft you wish. They know better than that by now. I think they're happy to finally be playing a bottom-feeder from our conference.

 

The Ducks are 27-2 at Autzen Stadium dating back to the start of the 2009 season and at 62.5 points per game in wins against Virginia and Nicholls State, this year's club looks to be just as good as its recent predecessors.

 

At No. 25, Ole Miss is ranked for the first time since 2009, and the Rebels aren't too shabby on offense with an average of 510.5 yards per game. That matchup between Hugh Freeze's up-and-coming team and a Texas club on the verge of imploding makes for one of the weekend's most compelling storylines.

 

Those around the conference are starting to take notice of the new-look ground game that first-year Arkansas coach Bret Bielema has brought to Fayetteville.

Once a pass-heavy offense under Bobby Petrino, Arkansas is #11 nationally with an average of 312.5 rushing yards per game.

The Razorbacks have both the #6 and the #12 rushers in the country ( Alex Collins at 151.5 yards per game and Jonathan Williams, 138.5 ypg), and they'll face a Southern Miss defense this weekend that has been vulnerable against the run so far, ranking #81

 

Already 2-0, Auburn is a win away from matching its win total for all of last season. Dan Mullen's Bulldogs, meanwhile, are desperate to right the ship after dropping six of their last games since starting the 2012 season 7-0.

 

I am sure the Hog fans are booking their trips to the Rose Bowl after their success against the Cajuns and Samford.

 

Not sure how good Cal is but the fact that Braxton Miller is iffy puts them on upset alert in Cal's place

 

Emotional Week

UCLA walk-on and scout team receiver Nick Pasquale was hit by a car and killed while walking in San Clemente early Sunday morning.

The Bruins will wear Pasquale’s No. 36 on their jerseys. Likewise, Nebraska will wear No. 36 on its helmets. Before kickoff, the 91,000 in Lincoln will also hold a moment of silence.

UCLA coach Jim Mora praised Nebraska coach Bo Pelini for his empathy and the prayers and well-wishes of the Nebraska program. But he also knows that when the moment of silence ends, that 91K will be screaming for his team to lose.

"When the game starts, they want to win, we want to win, and their fans will be cheering like crazy for them. And we have to be able to handle all of that. We have to be able to handle our emotions. We have to remain poised and be able to overcome adversity. To me, those are things that define mental toughness is your ability to do that."

 

Every year these damn homers are like OMG ITS OUR YEAR!.... every year they suck fucking ass. I hate this state.