Some quick hit thoughts as of 5:30 P.M. Eastern time:

Virginia Tech returns to action
In an emotional return to the grid-iron Virginia Tech didn’t look like they fully had their heads in the game. Eastern Carolina led by an elusive quarterback kept the game close, trailing by as little as a field goal for much of the game, but Virginia Tech tacked on a fourth quarter touchdown icing the game. And let’s face it: no one really wanted to see the Hokies lose this game. Unofrtunatley for Va Tech, a 17-7 effort vs. ECU won’t cut it when they travel to Baton Rouge to meet those number two Tigers.

Down goes Michigan
Mitch basically covered this stunner in his post game questions for Lloyd Carr, but beyond Carr, how humiliating of a loss is this for the Maze and Blue? They’ve now lost three consecutive games after coming one win away from a birth in the BCS National Championship game. And lets face it: Appalachian State handled Michigan all day long. They were the better team on this day, even as a 1 Double A team. It’s a stunning upset, and you can be sure it wakes up the rest of the country’s elite that no game is a gimme.

Mile High Madness
In a game that will probably be overlooked, between two unranked teams, Colorado State and Colorado played a thriller in Denver. The Buffs came out with a field goal to win the game in overtime, but two things became clear: one, this teams always have a good close game, and two: Hawkins to Hawkins- heck maybe it can work.

Predictable, o so predictable
LSU slaughters Mississippi State (scoreboard read 45-0, rushing total read 185-10). Florida beats down Western Kentucky. Louisville cruises. Penn State fails to score 60 versus Florida International (they only win 59-0).

A few other observations:

Don’t sleep on Wake: the Deamon Deacons return a quality QB in Brian Skinner and a solid defense, after winning the ACC last year. They could, and probably will be a factor

That’s an interesting rule: The ball is now being kicked off from the 30 yard line instead of the 35. So far I’ve seen a lot of kicks go out of bounds. It will test how teams kick off during games. Do they want to line drive it, hit it as high as they can, each team will have different strategies.

Wisconsin is in the driver’s seat: With Michigan’s stunning loss, the Badgers are now the favorite to win the Big10. After today though, it looks a lot like the Little10.

Late Night Updates by Mitch
Cal vs. Tennesee showcases prospects:
Cal won 41-35 in a high-flying, adrenaline-pumping, game-breaking thrilla. The real story was the names involved, many of which will be atop draft boards next April. Cal QB Nate Longshore completed 19-of-28 passes, for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns. There were times when he showed his knowledge of the game by putting a comeback pass where it needed to be before the receiver turned. That’s something most QBs learned in the NFL. Tennessee’s Erik Ainge, playing with three fingers taped together, went 32-of-47, for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns. Even with young receivers, he was able to keep his team competing the whole game. Running the ball, Arian Foster had 86 yards for Tennessee, and Justin Forsett had 160 for Cal. Cal’s DeSean Jackson, last season’s PR TD % leader, returned Tenn’s first punt 77 yards for a score then never got one kicked to him again…

Tebow shows what he’s got:
I know it’s Western Kentucky, but Tim Tebow lit it up for 300 yards and 4 TDs (1 rushing) in the Gator’s 49-3 win. I’ve been saying it all along, even if it gets me into an arguement with The Big Lead: Florida is going to repeat. Tebow’s got it. Their receivers (all of whom are returning from last season) have got it. They lost six on defense, but they are still adequate.

Can’t wait for Florida vs Tennessee:
Just two weeks away, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, two of the most exciting offenses go at it. They combined for 570 pass yards and 865 total yards in this first week. Mark September 15 down on your calenders as Must See.

Why are you writing off OSU, Scott?
I see you favorited Wisconsin for the Big 10 with no mention of OSU. Come on. They’ve got a bruising RB in Chris Wells and the best defense in the nation, all of whom returned from last year. That’s all they needed to win the national title in ‘02, and it will definitely give them what they need to compete in a weak Big 10 and also at the national level this year.

Don’t write off Michigan either:
They’ve still got a good offense–Mike Hart was pretty scary at times–and the loss doesn’t affect their Big 10 standings. Obviously it was pretty embarrassing, but it only shows two things:
1.) Michigan’s defense is very bad. They can get beat especially easily by running the ball up the middle. We’ve known that since last season.
2.) Michigan didn’t come in 100% focused. They were down 28-17 at halftime, came back to lead late, then had the winning kick blocked. App. State still played a great game, driving down the field late to reclaim the lead, but if Michigan was focused from the start, they probably would have won.

More notes and nuggets from around the sports world:
-Longhorns have to rely on onside kick to avoid upset
-Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz, in just his second big league start, no-hits the Orioles

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