Shoes tied or untied, Michigan has found their man at quarterback
Next time you’re watching the Wolverines, try counting how many times Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson (below) has to locate his shoes following a typical scamper by the speedy sophomore. It’s because Robison, nicknamed 'shoelace,' doesn’t tie his shoes. The sophomore quarterback, however, covers 100 yards faster with an untied pair of shoes than I could in a pair of laced up tack cleats and a 50 yard head start. Michigan, who headed into spring and summer camp with questions surrounding their most important position, left with an apparent confidence in Robinson, and it showed Saturday in a 30-10 win over Connecticut.
The former Florida track star set a new Michigan quarterback record with 197 yards on the ground, while competing 19/22 passes for 186 yards and a score. Last year, Robinson completed 14 passes all season.
A lot of Michigan fans expected to see last season’s 12 game starter Tate Forcier take the field first for the Wolverines, but were left more than happy to see the other sophomore holding his helmet on the sidelines. Anyone who paid close attention to Michigan football this offseason found out Forcier failed to show up to regular Michigan workouts and failed to illustrate the leadership that is expected out of the quarterback in college football. Robinson, however, did. Not only was Tate not the starter Saturday, but when Robinson went down with a second half hit to his hip, true freshman Devin Gardner took the field for Big Blue for three plays.
Whether or not Michigan continues to show the offensive success from their week one performance, one thing is for sure, Rich Rod can focus else ware besides the quarterback position. A solid look against what looks to be a much improved Notre Dame defense will determine just how big a jump Robinson took from last season. My guess is he’ll be running back from his touchdown celebrations quite a few times to pick his shoes up once again. You can count on it.
Non BCS powers continue to bull over top talent
The longtime powers of the Mountain West conference – BYU, Utah, and TCU – and the pride of the Western Athletic conference – Boise State – continued to show their might during week one of the college football season, going 4-0 against BCS teams. Utah started the early success beating No. 15 Pittsburgh in dramatic overtime 
fashion Thursday Sept. 2, with a score of 27-24. The Utes put a hold on a stacked Panther offense that, for the most part, shut down star players Dion Lewis and Jonathan Baldwin. First time starting Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri was made looking like a trip back to the bench might not be such a bad idea. The Utes offensive line dominated All-Big East ends, Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus, holding the duo to one solo tackle. The Utes should find a trip into the Top 25 following the impressive performance.
Forgotten Mountain West power, BYU, opened the season with their second consecutive win over a BCS opponent, stopping PAC-10 sleeper Washington 23-17 in Provo. The Cougars debuted two new quarterbacks in Utah State transfer Riley Nelson and heralded true freshman Jake Heaps, while the defense did its best at containing future first round pick of the Huskies, quarterback Jake Locker. Locker passed for 266 yards and a score, while rushing for 29 yards and score, but was unable to come up with the big play when it mattered most. The Cougars will get another chance to prove themselves against BCS opponent Florida State, week three.
The top dog of the conference the last two years, No. 6 TCU, proved last year’s undefeated regular season was no fluke. Quarterback Andy Dalton led a Horned Frogs offense that paved over No. 24 Oregon State with 282 rushing yards. A 30-21 victory was fueled by 134 rushing yards by running back Ed Wesley, 74 yards by ‘back Matthew Tucker and 64 yards and two scores by Dalton. The Horned Frogs controlled the ball for nearly 20 more minutes than the Beavers and held Oregon State to 36 percent on third down conversions.
The Smurf Turf wasn’t needed in No. 3 Boise State’s latest victory over top BCS talent No. 10 Virginia Tech. The Bronco’s 2000+ mile trip to Landover Stadium in Baltimore proved to be success with Boise pulling out their typical late game heroics, in a 33-30 victory. Quarterback Kellen Moore passed for 215 yards and three scores, while the Broncos pushed out two 80 yard rushers on the Hokie defense. Untypical of the Bronco’s, 11 penalties kept Tech alive and in the game before a late minute drive ended. Boise proved once again that their success is no accident to a weak WAC conference.
Joe Pa’ breaks his rules, starts freshman quarterback for first time
For the first time in legendary Penn State head coach Joe Paterno’s 45 year career a freshman quarterback took the field opening day. True freshman Robert Bolden of Orchard Lake Michigan, beat out sophomores Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin, along with other heralded freshman Paul Jones. Bolden didn’t fail to deliver on the decision of Paterno either, completing 20/29 passes for 239 yards and two scores. Bolden, who has been timed at 4.5 in the 40, kept his legs to the pocket, rushing for just one yard. Although the start came against FCS Youngstown State, Bolden showed above his age maturity and few mistakes – one interception – in the win. Whether or not Bolden will be able to exude the confidence he showed against the Penguins next week against No. 1 Alabama remains to be seen. If the youngster starts to struggle against the Tide, a switch to preserve the young kids’ spirit may be made by Paterno.
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