Things We Learned from College Football's Opening Weekend(so far)

1. Michigan is going to win the Big Ten. Call it a kneejerk reaction but what I saw on Saturday was a team that played inspired. The defense completely stifled QB Tim Hiller who has been projected to be drafted as high as the 2nd round in next April's draft. Rich Rodriguez finally has the players to fit his scheme with Tate Forcier at the helm and Denard Robinson to come in and bring some explosiveness to the offense. Rich-Rod has had a track record of having successful second seasons after disappointing first seasons(3-8 his first year at West Virginia and 9-4 his second). Michigan's conference schedule sets up very nicely as the Wolverines get Big Ten favorites Penn State and Ohio State both in The Big House. Also, if yesterday was any indication, their competition shouldn't be too stiff.

2. Oklahoma isn't going to win the Big 12. Even if Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford's shoulder injury only keeps him out of a couple meaningless games, Oklahoma showed on Saturday that they weren't the same offense as they were a year ago. The offensive line was sloppy with 3 penalties on the first series alone. They only scored 10 points in the first half(when they had Bradford)and 7 of them came after BYU fumbled a punt in their territory leaving the Sooners with only 35 yards to go for a touchdown. All that combined with the fact that the Big 12 South looks REALLY good this year(Oklahoma State and Baylor both look to be be much improved over last year), they draw both Big 12 North favorites Kansas and Nebraska(on the road nonetheless), and the fact that Texas is still around and all that spells a season in which the Sooners will not win the Big 12 for the first time since 2005.

3. The Pac-10 is going to be a two-horse race. No disrespect to Oregon State, but the two best teams in the Pac-10 are clearly USC and Cal. Everyone knows about USC's talent but Cal is now ready to contend with the Trojans for Pac-10 supremacy. The Golden Bears dismantled a solid Maryland team from the ACC 52-13 in a game that QB Kevin Riley quieted his doubters in with 4 TDs and no INT's. Some thought that Oregon might challenge for a Pac-10 title this year but the Ducks showed that they clearly are not ready to against Boise State as they just looked like a team in complete disarray. It looks like the Pac-10 race will come down to an October 3rd matchup between the Trojans and Golden Bears in Berkeley.