Gridiron Gazette: Goal Line Stand (Week 3)

When a team invests time, effort, and a high draft pick in a quarterback, they'll give them every chance in the world to become a star. Lucky for Golden, Eli Manning has been relatively successful over the past 2 1/2 years, but if they want to win a championship, they'll need him to step up his game in a big way.








Goal Line Stand (Week 3)
Cam Pannalist, Gridiron Gazette




It’s a simple formula: Successful Quarterback = FAC-10 Championship.

OK, so it's not an exact science, but history has proven that the man under center has the most influence on a team’s success. In 2005, Tom Brady led the Mexico Wildcats to the first conference title. In 2006, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees helped create an all-expansion championship matchup. Sure, running backs are statistically the best players in the league, but the difference between the #1 QB and #10 is so great that you just may find yourself without a leader.

Take Gillespie State, for example. In 2005, a stellar Jake Delhomme led the Black Diamonds to a 10-3 record (the next team went 7-6) and a 3rd place finish in the playoffs. 3400 yards and 26 touchdowns were top-10 numbers, and the team thrived. Then in 2006, Delhomme threw for only 2800 yards and 17 touchdowns for a 7th place Gillespie State team.

After winning the '05 championship behind the golden arm of Tom Brady, Mexico decided to spend last year in a quarterback-by-committee system. Kurt Warner, Jon Kitna, and Ben Roethlisberger all spent time on the roster before the Wildcats settled with Jeff Garcia for the playoffs. 475 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in 2 playoff games just wasn’t enough to lift the team to a repeat championship, even with the top-2 running backs in the league.

You might notice a contradiction to the rule, however, in Dublin this year. On the shoulders of top-rated QB Tony Romo, the Octoberfests have only been able to muster a 1-1 record and the 6th highest scoring offense in the conference. However, with under-achieving receivers and a top-5 running back in Brian Westbrook, this team should be able to turn things around and finish the season strong.

That is, if their quarterback can continue being successful.

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UAK @ SU
Nobody enjoys a championship rematch more than the players. However, the boys from Arizona are not looking forward to this matchup. Kickery is in desperate need of a bye week, but won't see one until Week 13. If Drew Brees can get his act together and Frank Gore returns to 2006 form, they might enjoy a week off before the... playoffs?

Stardust is just as bored with this meeting as Kickery is. A.D. Walter Sobchak called the game "...a lot less exciting than it should." With no silver lining in sight for this one, expect the Crazy Horses to run all over the Kickers.



BHU @ UM
For those who remember, Bud Heavy was actually quite successful in 2005. They finished the season 6-7, but had a Cinderella run in the playoffs only to have their butts handed to them in the finals by Mexico. Their postseason paths crossed again in 2006, when the Wildcats once again defeated The King in the 3rd place Beer Bowl. Needless to say, there’s a little bitterness in Bud country.

Both teams have good quarterbacks, above-average receivers, and a mediocre defense. The x-factor in this game is the backfield, where nobody knows which LaDanian Tomlinson will show up for the Wildcats. If it’s Week 1 LT, they're in trouble. If it’s week 2 LT, they'll win easily. Fortunately for Bud Heavy, we expect the former.



GU @ FT
When your 3rd string running back could start on most teams, you are pretty much set for the season. Fitchburg Tech has done a great job building a solid championship roster from top to bottom, and it's going to be tough for anyone to keep up with them. With 231 points in the first two weeks, while the next team has just 149, they can be confident every week.

They can be especially confident this Sunday as they face the struggling Gryphons. LJ looked like his old self last week, but still failed to find the end zone, while Steven Jackson is listed as doubtful for the matchup. Newcomer Reggie Wayne should ease the pain, but not enough to get a win over the hot Red Raiders.



AB @ RAK
There's nothing uglier than seeing two expansion teams go out on the field and make complete fools of themselves, especially when Matt Leinart is involved. Honestly, has there been a bigger disappointment than that kid from California? URake drafted them in hopes he would lead their team for years, then he gets benched mid-way through both of the Grays' first two games. If this kid doesn’t start performing, there are going to be some angry people in Rakeville.

On the bright side, QB Donovan McNabb and RB Adrian Peterson were given the week off by Anheuser-Busch A.D. Dave Celli. Why he is doing this, nobody knows (ok, some of us know) but it gives Rakeville a glimmer of hope, and most likely a win in Week 3.



DUBA @ AAM
During their bye week, Athol A&M head coach Dave Grubb tried to get his team as relaxed as possible by taking them out for a weekend of fun. Unfortunately, during a motorcycle race at Kellen Winslow's house, 5 players were hurt. Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson, Ronald Curry, and LaMont Jordan will all be on the sidelines for this week’s matchup.

Dublin should still fear Brett Favre and Jamal Lewis, two Alchy backups who’ve been having excellent seasons. Regardless, Tony Romo and company should put up big numbers in his team’s attempt to break away from the expansion disaster at the bottom of the power rankings.

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Power Rankings
1. Fitchburg Tech ( - )
2. Mexico ( - )
3. Bud Heavy (+2)
4. Gillespie State (-1)
5. Athol A&M (-1)
6. Stardust (+1)
7. Golden (+1)
8. Arizona-Kickery (-2)
9. Anheuser-Busch ( - )
10. Dublin ( - )
11. Rakeville ( - )

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League Notes
- Dublin Head Coach Brad Bodell spoke to the student body before their Week 2 matchup. Students were outraged when they discovered that Bodell didn't have an Irish accent.

- University of Mexico fans were excited to hear about some planned changes at their stadium for the rest of the season. All concession signs will now be displayed in English and not just Spanish.

- Longtime Gillespie State WR Steve Smith was traded to Stardust this week. Coaches decided to get rid of Smith when he began putting an "A" in the middle of his name.