Happen Last Week

Did This Really Happen Last Week?
By Jim Kruger

It’s always enlightening to review what happened the prior week, especially in light of how you expected things to go down. The world of sports doesn’t always follow a script which obviously lends to its popularity.

Who was impressive? How about UCLA over Utah, 31-10. A friend of mine called quarterback Ben Olson UCLA's “secret weapon”. So hard to believe that a kid who hasn’t played a competitive game in four years would be so good, but apparently a football was packed on the LDS mission he took a few years ago. Olson looked like an NFL QB in the first quarter as he completed his first nine passes. Utah replaces their starting QB on a series with Oklahoma transfer Jeff Grady. Grady immediately throws a TD pass, unfortunately for him is was to a UCLA defensive back. It was a long day for Ute backers.

Do you think the University of California players have the words to "Rocky Top" memorized yet? What will the beat-down the Bears suffered in Tennessee do to the psyche of the CAL players? They have a huge game coming up against Minnesota, a team that has been 18-4 against the spread the last seven+ years in the first three games of the season. Cal seemed very surprised with Tennessee's size, strength and speed, things that can't always be determined on tape or recreated in practice. The Bears still have running back Marshawn Lynch, unfortunately they still don’t have QB Aaron Rogers who is sitting on a cold bench in Green Bay. California’s hopes are resting on the shoulders of two very unproven quarterbacks.

Tennessee QB Erik Ainge received a huge shot of confidence with four touchdowns and almost 30 yards a completion. The return of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe may save Philip Fulmer’s demotion to tour guide at Dolly Parton’s amusement park, Dollywood, in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains.

Obviously just my opinion, but I think Oklahoma is going to really suffer with Paul Thompson at the helm. You can only hand off so much to Adrian Peterson. This is going to be a team to look about going against.