Thoughts From The Valley

The Hangover

How I am feeling: As though college football season has actually arrived. I am sitting here, on my beautiful back porch, overlooking my sprawling 0.75 suburban acres, and enjoying a crisp northeast autumn breeze. Mrs. Your Editor and Your Editor's Children are enjoying a late-afternoon nap. And because "the Eagles" are not playing, my neighborhood is at a rare autumnal Sunday peace. More to the point, the Nits yesterday soldiered through a 45-24 win over Buffalo--not pretty, but a win nonetheless. This week, of course, we look forward to Ann Arbor and, literally, our destiny. I await with great anticipation. But for now, I enjoy. I enjoy autumn's glorious, crisp, true silence.

What I am drinking: Pennsylvania Brewing Company's Penn Pilsner. Every other Thursday or so, Your Editor takes 20 minutes to enjoy a post-work, pre-train beer at Bridgewater's Pub at 30th Street Station in The City Of Brotherly Love. Last Thursday, this very underrated pub just happened to be offering Pennsylvania Brewing Company's Penn Dark, a continentally styled dark lager that, on this particular day, struck somewhat of a note with Your Editor. The next day, I proceeded to buy a Pennsylvania Brewing Company variety case, and have been pleased with all the offerings--Penn Dark, Penn Weizen, Penn Gold (a great American take on the classic Munchen-style lager) and Penn Pilsner, which falls somewhere between a Yeungling Lager and a Victory Hop Devil. Unique, palatable, good.

What I am listening to: Josh Ritter, The Animal Years: There are songwriters who have enjoyed more acclaim, more record sales and more hype than Josh Ritter. But I cannot be convinced, after hearing the opening tracks of this record-- "Girl In The War" and "Wolves"--that there is a better songwriter out there. This album was the Official Soundtrack of Your Editor's Jersey Shore Trip of 2006 and is making a strong bid for Official Gameday Morning Soundtrack of College Football 2007. A nearly perfect record.

My thoughts on the weekend: What a difference a week makes.

This time last week, we all seemed to believe the following:

• Michigan was horrible and beyond repair.

• Penn State was the de facto favorite to win the Big Ten.

• Wisconsin was really good.

• UCLA was a legitimate contender for the PAC-10 championship.

• Arkansas was a legitimate contender for the SEC championship.

• Louisville was good. Top-10 good, in fact.

• Ohio State was not that good.

• Nick Saban was in over his head, and needed three years at 'Bama to turn things around.

Sound funny? Yeah, I thought so. So let's take a look at how, today, things are just a little bit different than they were seven days ago: Michigan, of course, is not bad. They may well beat No. 10 Penn State next week (if you're a gambler, and Penn State is favored, take Michigan). Wisconsin's defense is suspect. As is their coaching. And talent. And reputation. UCLA is not good at all. Arkansas, well, they're a one-man show. Louisville needs, um, some linebackers. And defensive lineman. And defensive backs. Ohio State is, again, very much for real. And Nick Saban can, in the parlance of The World Of Coaches And Analysts, "coach 'em up." Real good.

What a weekend, folks.

UCLA got stomped. Penn State survived. Michigan roared back. Ohio State posted a very, very impressive win. Louisville proved what I knew all along--all offense and no defense = a bad football team. And Nick Saban, God (JoePa) bless his lyin' heart, can coach the hell out of it.

Which leaves the question: Where do we stand?

Answer: Nobody knows.

It's early, folks. We honestly don't know who is good and who ain't (except for LSU, Oklahoma, USC and Florida -- they're pretty much set). And we won't know for a couple of weeks still.

My Nits are No. 10 in both polls right now. And that's great. But as a college football historian/gadfly, I know this: That ranking means nothing.

Nothing, at least, until Dan Connor And Gang lock horns with the Wolverines this Saturday. Then, folks, we'll talk. Until then, just consider everything you think you know. And ponder how wrong you probably are.

Three Yards and a Cloud of Dust

Three ...: I have no choice but to offer a minor mea culpa to Nick "I Lie At Every Possible Opportunity" Saban. Yes, despite the fact that Saban does Lie At Every Possible Opportunity, I cannot deny that the man knows how to coach. His win over Arkansas on Saturday night was more impressive than the score might indicate. Saban has taken a bunch of players with, honestly, middling talent, and made them winners. They look faster, brighter and better than they were last year--and they're the same damn guys. Saban has won at Michigan State (no small feat), at LSU (in a big way) and, now, at Alabama, appears fully ready of taking the Tide to new heights. SEC fans, be afraid of Nick Saban.

Two ...: The headline in the Indianapolis Star on Sunday morning was simple and true: "Lewis is looking more like Randel El." The Indiana Hoosiers are off to a strong start in 2007, and Big Ten teams should take heed of what is going on in Bloomington. Kellen Lewis may well be the best quarterback in the Big Ten (and before you howl in protest, folks, pray tell: Who is better?), and James Hardy is certainly the best receiver in the Big Ten (he'll be playing on Sundays next year; snore). There remain the usual questions on defense (Akron moved the ball at will at times last week, which is not good), but Indiana will pose a tough task for any Big Ten defense this year (even those remarkable groups in Columbus and State College). Could this be the year that Indiana breaks through into, maybe, the Outback Bowl? It's possible, folks. Very possible.

One ...: Speaking of Indiana ... Maybe a week back, I wrote that former Indiana coach and current Big Ten Network analyst Gerry DiNardo had broken into the TCFA Top 50. Well, cancel that. During "Big Ten Tonight" on Saturday evening, Dinardo was asked to list the top contenders in the Big Ten. After picking Ohio State first (no argument here), DiNardo then listed his over favorites in order. Want to know who he picked second? MICHIGAN! Yes, he picked MICHIGAN! 1-2 Michigan. Who has lost to Appy State and Oregon. At home. He then proceeded to pick Wisconsin third. And Purdue fourth. And Penn State fifth. Gerry DiNardo, I hate you.

Touchdown ...: This may sound odd, given what I wrote above, but here is my fearless prediction for the week: No. 10 Penn State faces a serious, serious test this week at 1-2, unranked Michigan. And for one reason: The enormous, horrible, evil monkey that rests on Joseph Vincent Paterno's back: The Streak. The Nittany Lions have now lost eight straight to the Wolverines, and even though two of those Michigan wins were, um, controversial (2002 and 2005, cough cough), the fact remains that Lloyd Carr has owned Penn State. Badly. Can a young but talented Nittany Lions team overcome this burden, on the road, against a rejuvenated and (honestly, more big-game experienced) Michigan squad? I won't tell you my gut feeling on the answer to that. But it ain't good (for the Commonwealth).