Gridiron Gazette: Goal Line Stand (Week 3)

Twin City Tech is 0-2, QB and 2007 FAC-10 Player of the Year Tom Brady is out for the season, attendance was the lowest in school history last week... how long do the Red Raiders wait before packing it in and begin building for 2009?








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



Inactivity is always a problem for teams whether its due to injury, suspension, or just plain craziness. However, rarely have there been so many big names down this early in the season. After a week hiatus, we take a look at some of the missing pieces around the conference:


Twin City Tech - Tom Brady, QB
The most devastating blow of the season came at the hands of the Stardust University defense, who took down TCT's Brady and ended his 2008 season. However, past champions have proven that it doesn't take a big name QB to create a contender, most notably Mexico last season. Not only are the Red Raiders copying the gameplan, they are coping the roster: The team signed 37 year old Kurt Warner this week, who won the FBCS title last season with the Wildcats. Tech currently sits in 10th in the FBCS standings, but there's plenty of season still to go.

University of Mexico - Marques Colston, WR
Speaking of the 'cats, the receiving core that they rode throughout last year's playoffs is banged up and underperforming. The stud trio of Torry Holt, TJ Houshmandzadeh, and Colston have a combined 181 yards and 1 touchdown. Colston's hitchhiker thumb is in a cast for another 3 weeks, and with nobody of relevance to replace him, the Wildcats have been scouring the wire for a replacement.

Bud Heavy University - Reggie Brown, WR
Not only has Reggie Brown been hurt all of this season, the coaching staff haven't even realized it. In both games, Brown has been marched out onto the field in full pads, but because of a pulled hamstring he has lined up for each snap and simply stood there. Teams have been so observant of the injury that they haven't even lined up a DB on the young WR. Eventually, the Bud Heavy staff will pick up on their mistake, but in the meantime they've been playing shorthanded each and every week.

Stardust University - Steve Smith, WR / Jason Witten, TE
The Crazy Horses have not missed WR Steve Smith at all over the first 2 weeks, who was suspended because of a preseason altercation with practice squad QB Jay Kirk. Smith apologized to Kirk, but was still forced to sit while his team went 2-0 en route to the #1 FBCS ranking. Meanwhile, TE Jason Witten suffered a separated shoulder in Week 2 against Golden. The newest SUCH player shouldn't miss any time, but playing through the injury may lead to a lessened role in the Stardust offense.

Golden University - Peyton Manning, QB
The star Gryphon has been on the field all of the regular season, but has obviously been hampered by offseason knee surgery. The 32 year old has 568 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, which is hardly Manningesque. Golden has no backup QB on the roster (RB Larry Johnson is their emergency option) so they need him to step it up and carry the offensive load.

Athol A&M - Willis McGahee, RB
McGahee's sore knee has kept him out of the first 2 games of the season, but A&M still managed 105 points against Twin City Tech last week. The Alckys already have 2 solid RBs in Matt Forte and Jamal Lewis, but getting McGahee back will give the team options, or possibly a trade chip.

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Week 3 Matchups
(1) Stardust over (7) Arizona-Kickery
(4) Gillespie State over (2) Bud Heavy
(3) Rakeville over (12) Busch
(5) Athol A&M over (9) Golden
(10) Twin City Tech over (6) Dublin
(11) Mexico over (8) Weymouth

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

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League Notes
- Arizona-Kickery QB Vince Young reportedly told a team therapist that he's unhappy with the team and has contemplated suicide. Apparently he's really sick of Chris Berman.

- After making it all the way to the FBCS Championship last season, Busch University is 0-2 with a conference-low 91 total points. Students are outraged at the team's poor performance, as well as their new sissy nickname.

- Nick Folk is still the worst kicker in the conference.