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SCS.com Week three in college football put a few things that may not have previously been known in the forefront of the football world. Michigan showed the rest of the world that Notre Dame is not as good as everyone predicted and that they themselves might be better than everyone else thought. The Pac-10 showed the nation that the instant replay system can be used to swing a game in their favor, while Larry Coker turned up the heat on his own hot-seat. The Big XII was dismal, and in that regard, so was the University of Virginia.

BEST GAME

Oregon over Oklahoma

In a game that Adrian Peterson was phenomenal in and that Oklahoma should have won, Oregon used great play calling and a little home-cooked officiating to pull off the shocker. The Sooners battled back after being down early to go ahead, but Oregon scored twice in less than 30 seconds and went ahead on the point-after attempt. OU had a chance to win with a mid-range field goal, but it was blocked and the Ducks went on to victory.

BIGGEST UPSET

Michigan over Notre Dame

In a game in which I predicted Michigan to win, not many people were giving them a chance. Michigan came out going for the jugular and with the arm of Chad Henne, hands of Mario Manningham, and legs of Mike Hart, as well as some punishing defense, the Wolves were able to go in and take the Irish to the woodshed.

BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE

Louisville

In a game in which the absence of Louisville running back Michael Bush could have been a huge factor, the Cards soundly whooped the Miami Hurricanes. UM was out of rhythm from the beginning, and even when Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm went down, the Cards played extremely well and showed the country that they are indeed a power team in a power conference.

Runner-Up: Texas - Even though they were playing Rice, holding an opponent to -12 rushing yards for an entire game is quite a feat. Colt McCoy was 7 of 8 for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Jamaal Charles rushed for 109 yards on eight carries with a score.

MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAM PERFORMANCE

Miami

In a game that was a must win for Larry Coker and his staff, the Canes mustered just one touchdown and lost to an upstart Louisville team that was without starter Michael Bush. Louisville racked up 389 yards on their way to a 31-7 victory over the struggling Hurricanes.

Runner-Up: Texas Tech - The last time TTU was held without a touchdown was six years ago, and yesterday the TCU Horned Frogs held them to just 242 yards of total offense.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Mike Klinkenborg � LB � Iowa

Less than a week after burying his father, Klinkenborg returned to the gridiron on Saturday and registered eight tackles in a win over in-state rival Iowa State.

Adrian Peterson � Tailback � Oklahoma

Peterson rushed for 211 yards on 34 attempts with one touchdown Saturday in a controversial loss to the Oregon Ducks.

John Beck � Quarterback � Brigham Young

Beck was unstoppable on Saturday, going 38 for 59 for 436 yards and a score. BYU lost the game to Boston College in overtime.

Antonio Pittman � Running Back � Ohio State

In a game in which upset-minded Cincinatti would simply not go away, Pittman put the nails in the coffin by rushing for 155 yards and a score on sixteen attempts.

Matthew Stafford � Quarterback � Georgia

In Stafford�s first career start against UAB, he was 10 of 17 for 107 yards as the Bulldogs rolled 34-0.

THREE THINGS WE LEARNED

#1: Notre Dame is overrated and Michigan is underrated.

The Michigan Wolverines are back, riding the big strong arm of Chad Henne and the quick little legs of Mike Hart, and they proved that Saturday in a 47-21 demolition of Notre Dame. Brady Quinn has been inconsistent throughout his entire career, and if they want to make it back into the BCS hunt, he must get a handle on it quickly.

#2: Texas A&M may have a tough road in the Big XII.

Anytime you have trouble with a squad that was beaten by a Sun Belt team, you may be in trouble, but especially if you are in the Big XII South and have to play the likes of Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma.

#3: TCU is for real.

Any team that can hold the Texas Tech Red Raiders to three points should get a big, big consideration in the next week�s polls, regardless of conference affiliation.

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