LSU, Revitalized
The first weekend of NFL action, 40 LSU alums participated. No other college program had as many. LSU led the league the year before, too, with 39. It's a reminder that, even after a lull (if an 8-5 season, after four straight 10-win seasons, counts as a lull), the Tigers of Louisiana State combine recruiting and development better than anyone in the country.
That was on full display against Auburn, a 45-21 demolition that featured 228 yards in three quarters from Mr. Fournette. Behind the box score, though, was the quiet sound of roster flaws getting filled by young players ready for their time in the limelight. Brandon Harris certainly isn't perfect - in fact, he might be the weakest part of the team - but the quarterback makes decent throws and can run out of trouble, something that was a bit too much to ask of Anthony Jennings. LSU's top receivers, Travin Dural (redshirt junior) and Malachi Dupre (true sophomore), have advanced enough to pluck 50-50 balls from defenders with consistency. Leonard Fournette has taken a step forward from a 1,000-yard season a year ago, and the little holes that were apparent in the secondary and defensive line seem to have been filled, as well.
And no other team has more gold-chip prospects (high-four-star or five-star recruits) in the 2016 class than Les Miles' team. Not Florida State, not Ohio State, not Alabama or USC. No - LSU isn't going anywhere.
Hitting the Links Is Gandalf
Going With Cardale | Remembering Derrick Green
Urban Meyer has made quick work of what's ailing the Buckeyes.
Ohio State fans were a little leery of the Tim Beck hire; now, he might be calling the offense.
All four of their starting DBs are lean and fast, willing in the run game, and communicate well. Gareon Conley, in particular, has stood out.
Well, that didn't go to plan. The stage has been too bright for Jeremy Johnson, and it's never a bad time to step back and recalibrate. Another problem for Auburn: Carl Lawson will be injured for "an extended period of time," and the pass-rush hasn't been the same without him in.
Jakeem Grant: TD Pass | Kickoff Return
Grant has now scored four different ways this season. Definitely one of the most exciting players in the Big 12.
Austin Appleby has underwhelmed me so much that expressing it fully would sound mean. We'll see what Blough can do; in the meantime, best of luck to both in what will be an ongoing competition.
Hoosiers Looking For GameDay Recognition?
Wilson has, in some ways, an inexperienced team to lead, in the sense that success can be quite tricky to handle. The Hoosiers will have to learn how to handle the ups as well as the downs, and it's a bit harder than it looks.
The key to the season so far has been the offensive line for Florida State. Luckily for Jimbo Fisher, they have a bye this week.
The assistant in question ended up being suspended for a half. Unless the NCAA steps in, this won't be much of a story.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Myles Jack is out for the year with a knee injury. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLA?src=hash">#UCLA</a></p>— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BruinReport/status/646712962359537664">September 23, 2015</a></blockquote>
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