The proclaimed 'Monster Saturday' has passed and if nothing else, the top teams established themselves over tough opponents in these early tests. Some would argue that the big weekend was a bit of disappointment. Nonetheless, there were great performances to note from Saturday. Here are Game Balls for 'Monster Saturday'
College Football Roundup: 'Bama, Bucks, Sooners Win Big The proclaimed 'Monster Saturday' has passed and if nothing else, the top teams established themselves over tough opponents in these early tests. Some would argue that the big weekend was a bit of disappointment. Nonetheless, there were great performances to note from Saturday. Here are Game Balls for 'Monster Saturday' Game Balls Michigan QB Denard Robinson (502 total yards and 3 total TDs-244 passing and 1 TD, 258 rushing 2 TDs) in 28-24 win @ Notre DameIf Week 1 was Denard Robinson's arrival, then this week was his coming-out show for the college football. The Michigan QB ran roughshod over the Irish defense this week. With his 502 total yards of offense, he accounted for 95% of the Wolverines offense. In addition to the game-winning two-yard run for a score with 27 seconds remaining, Robinson broke the record for longest run from scrimmage in South Bend with his electrifying 87-yard TD dash in the second quarter. It's early, but if Robinson keeps up this insane pace, he could find himself in the Heisman race. South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore (37 carries, 182 yards 2 TDs) in 17-6 win vs. GeorgiaAfter a great performance against Southern Miss in the opener, the rookie back had a dominating performance on Sunday in the Gamecock's SEC opener against the Bulldogs. Lattimore had several punishing runs and plowed through Georgia defenders for an average of about 5 yards per attempt. Very few times defenders could get him on the ground after the first hit. While QB Stephen Garcia was solid again, it could be Lattimore that leads South Carolina up the standings in the SEC East. Oklahoma QB Landry Jones (75% completion rate 380 yards 4 TDs) and WR Ryan Broyles (12 rec. 124 yards, 2 TDs) in 48-17 win vs. Florida StateSo much for the talk about an upset in Norman. Jones was sharp all day against the overmatched Seminoles defense. He completed passes to 10 different receivers and at one point hit on 14 targets in a row. Broyles ran free for much of the game in the FSU defensive backfield and has assembled Biletnikoff award-type numbers. Their success in the early passing game set the stage for the Sooner defense to tee off on an ineffective Christian Ponder and Seminole offense. Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor (346 yards of total offense -233 passing 1 TD, 113 rushing, 1 TD) in 36-24 win vs. Miami (FL). While Pryor wasn't the picture of the passing efficiency on Saturday, he made big throws and plays when they counted against a stout Hurricane defense. His leadership along with his play on the field are key to the Buckeyes marching along into a tough second half of the season. Alabama QB Greg McElroy (228 yards passing, 2 TDs) and Defense (283 total yards allowed, 4 turnovers and 3 points yielded) in 24-3 win vs. Penn State McElroy must have plenty of game balls in his trophy room. The QB hasn't lost a start since middle school and he continued to be the model of reliability with his performance Saturday. Aided by a strong running game, the senior signal-caller stepped up to the plate to control the game from the outset. The Tide D showed Penn State rookie QB Robert Bolden no mercy, forcing him to throw three picks and frustrating the Nittany Lion offense with no scores in three trips to the red zone. Duke (487 yards of offense) and Wake Forest (500 yards of offense) offenses in Wake Forest's 54-48 win.Most people outside of the ACC viewing area saw this game. If you love defensive playmakers, this game was not for you. If nothing else, the Blue Devils and Deacons provided an entertaining avenue for what many expected to be a pedestrian early season ACC matchup. Let Down Trophy: FCS Teams over FBS TeamsThe injury for Virginia Tech came Labor Day night against Boise State, dropping a 33-30 loss to Boise State. The insult came in their 21-16 loss Saturday to James Madison in their home opener. It doesn't matter what your standing is and how good of a home-field advantage you have. If you turn over the ball 3 times against an upstart team that plays mistake-free football, you won't win anything. Add the same for Minnesota, who turned it over twice and dropped a shootout to FCS independent South Dakota 41-38. Add in Jacksonville State's shocker over Ole Miss and North Dakota's surprise over Kansas from Week1 and it might not pay to have an FCS catch an FBS team early in the year.