NCAA powerhouses struggle early in season
Only three weeks into the season several NCAA football powerhouses are off to rocky starts and in jeopardy of tanking all together in 2010. The struggles of North Carolina, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech and Georgia have been well documented already this year, while
the jury is still out on Notre Dame and Washington.
Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bearcats have struggled early in the season with a record of 1-2, winning their only game of the season in week two against Indiana State. Last week’s loss to North Carolina State can be considered acceptable, however the defeat in week one at
the hands of Fresno State has a lot of people questioning the potential of the Cincinnati side.
The Bearcats have been a force over the past two seasons in the Big East, but may be seeing the result of that success in a tough schedule this season. With games still remaining against #8 Oklahoma, #22 West Virginia and Pittsburgh, the Bearcats may have to
kiss their chances of a BCS ranking goodbye.
Nevertheless, Cincinnati has yet to play a conference game and for that reason they still have a good chance at winning a weak Big East conference title this season.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Tar Heels came into 2010 as one of the favourites. Unfortunately, the Tar Heels are under intense investigation from the NCAA and are without 12 of their starters. This continued absence of what is the majority of the starters on defence
does not spell an easy season for the ACC side. At 0-2 to start the year the club has yet to face #19 Miami and Florida State. Although the ACC is thin this season they will still struggle if they remain under scrutiny from college sport’s governing body.
Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Hokies came into the season ranked 13th in the nation. After the club suffered a tough three point loss to #3 Boise State in week one, many still agreeing that Virginia Tech could be a force in 2010. However, the club was dropped out of the
rankings after suffering an embarrassing loss to James Madison the following week. The Hokies now sit at 1-2 after defeating Eastern Carolina on Saturday.
The good news for the Hokies is that they seemed to have gotten their game back on track against East Carolina and have several easy matches throughout October. Virginia Tech does not get tested until they host Georgia Tech at the beginning of November. Leaving
them with plenty of time to refocus, and move to the top of the ACC.
Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs may be in the best spot of all the teams struggling through the first three weeks of the season. Sitting at 1-2 after winning their opener against Louisiana-Lafayette and then losing to #24 South Carolina and #12 Arkansas, the Bulldogs
should improve through the middle portion of their schedule.
Georgia’s schedule gets much easier through October and November and the club is set to get a number of players back in time for week four, most importantly wide receiver A.J. Green. Green is serving a four game suspension and is the club’s best offensive player.
The junior notched six touchdowns and 808 yards last season and promises to be even more effective in 2010.
Notre Dame and Washington
Both Notre Dame and Washington were considered sleepers this season, but have struggled to get off to strong starts.
Notre Dame is off to a 1-2 start, winning their first game of the season against Purdue and then suffering defeats to Michigan and Michigan State. Notre Dame may be the victim of high expectations and a difficult early season schedule. Michigan is now ranked
21st in the nation, while Michigan State is ranked 25th. Unfortunately for the Fighting Irish they have #16 Stanford this week and barring an outstanding performance will go 1-3.
Washington meanwhile is a victim of an impressive PAC-10 this season. Thought to be a sleeper their schedule has been too difficult and with games against #20 USC, Arizona State, #24 Oregon State, #14 Arizona, #16 Stanford and #5 Oregon still to go, expect
Washington to continue to struggle through 2010.
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