Kicking it Up this weekend

I'll start with this. I know most college football fans have heard the story of Oregon Ducks coach Chip Kelly returning money to an alumni who complained about traveling to Boise, Idaho to watch his beloved Ducks lose to the Broncos. I've just got to add that it was one of the classiest acts I've ever seen a college coach do. He could have blown it off, like most would have and rightly so, but he responded but cutting a check to this guy for the full amount. The alumni member never cashed the check and returned it but nonetheless Kelly has earned some new fans and respect in the college football world.

Speaking of Oregon they play host to the Cal Bears (#6) and Heisman Trophy leader Jahvid Best this weekend. With a big game Best can cement himself as the leading candidate for the Heisman . At this moment I think that Jacory Harris is his only serious challenger. Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow are in the hunt be neither has had that came yet that makes them standout. They are winning games but no one performance separates them from the rest. Best has done that as well as Harris. I've been mentioning Harris and the Heisman for the last few weeks and it seems the national mainstream media is now starting to pick up on it.

Harris and company head to to Lane Stadium to take on the Hokies of Virginia Tech in the game of the week. It will be offense against defense. Miami will be bringing the O and Tech will be bringing the D. The Hurricanes will win this game in convincing fashion. I do not believe the Hokies will be able to slow down the ACC's best offense. Harris will have the game that launches him into the national conscience of Heisman Trophy talk. Miami will get their swagger back 100% and talk of a National Championship will be swirling around the "U".

I do not care what Big 12, Big 10 or Pac 10 fans say about their conferences in which their teams play. The SEC is a beast to play football in. Look at the ranking and look at the records. Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and Georgia all ranked in the top 25. Auburn is 3-0 and should be ranked. Overall the conference is 23-9. Two teams account for 4 off the losses and four of the losses have come to teams within the conference. The rest of the country can only hope that the SEC beats up on each other bad enough during the season that none of these teams make it to the BCS championship game . If one of them happens to make it, the National Championship could be calling the SEC home again.

The University of South Florida Bulls took a huge hit this past week losing QB Matt Groethe for the season with a torn ACL. USF was 3-0 and hoping to contend for a Big East title. Those hopes may be fading fast without their all-time career leading QB. The tale of the tape will be this weekend against a re-energized FSU squad at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The nations #1 team, the University of Florida, is feeling the flu bug. While their have been no confirmed cases of the swine flu 10 players have been held out of practice because of flu like symptoms. The Gators head to Kentucky and the Wildcats must feel this is great chance to snap the 0 for next to forever losing streak they have had against the Gators. I don't think it will happen as UF has the depth needed.

It hasn't been a great season to be ranked in the top ten as it seems there is one team falling every weekend. It doesn't stop this weekend as South Carolina finds a way to squeak by Ole Miss ending any hopes of Jevon Snead winning a Heisman Trophy. Prediction USC 23 Ole Miss 14. Side note: South Carolina head ball coach Steve Spurrier will manage two visor throws during the contest.