Take Two: Texas, UCLA and the SEC
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Storyline: There was so much hype and excitement surrounding UCLA freshman quarterback Josh Rosen (above) this past weekend and he did not disappoint.
The former top-rated quarterback and No. 2 overall prospect in the 2015 class completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns in his first college game as the Bruins cruised by Virginia, 34-16.
As coach Jim Mora likes to say, it was only one game. Still, Rosen showed in his collegiate debut what he had done for years at Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco - a cool demeanor in the pocket and the ability to zip the ball accurately all over the field.
Rosen is a top quarterback. Now the Bruins need to find ways to capitalize on him not only on the field but in recruiting. USC has already landed four-star teammates Tyler Vaughns and Trevon Sidney, the Trojans flipped four-star Michael Pittman from UCLA and out-of-state four-stars Josh Imatorbhebhe and Velus Jones are committed.
UCLA's skill class is not even close. But changes could be coming. This past weekend four-star receiver Javon McKinley said he definitely noticed Rosen's performance and it could influence his recruiting. Others could feel the same way. Every top player in Los Angeles knows Rosen from the busy camp and 7on7 circuit.
Who wouldn't want to play with Rosen? UCLA needs to start taking advantage of that.
First take: "Skill position kids are still not flocking to UCLA," Farrell said. "USC has all the skill position players this year. Can UCLA use this to its advantage? I remember when Eli Manning was at Ole Miss and I was flabbergasted that Ole Miss never took advantage of that. He was the biggest name in college football, he was the quarterback of a program trying to take the next step in recruiting and Ole Miss could never take advantage of him being there. USC is still loaded at the skill positions so when is it going to shift? Is Rosen going to be the guy to shift it? I think he should be. It was one game and it sounds ridiculous but we said this when we were ranking him that this is the best quarterback we've seen."
Second take: "Jim Mora's changed just about every aspect of UCLA's program but the one thing he's never been able to do is lock up truly elite wide receivers in the recruiting game," BruinSportsReport.com Publisher Edward Lewis said. "After Josh Rosen's performance last weekend and the buzz surrounding his limitless future, that should change. California's best recruits like Theo Howard, David Long and Javon McKinley all glowed publicly Saturday about Rosen's jaw-dropping day and those were just the ones who chose to go on record about the Bruins' new QB. His ability to deliver the football on target and on time should no doubt have receivers from all across the country interested in UCLA at this point."
3. SEC: This good or this hyped?
Storyline: To believe the Associated Press Top 25 poll is to believe that the SEC is better and deeper than ever. Every SEC West team and three from the East Division are ranked. That means 10 out of 25 teams in the poll are from one conference.
To be fair, the SEC had a strong start to the season with only Vanderbilt losing to Western Kentucky (LSU did not play because of weather but it wasn't losing to McNeese State.)
Here's a quick rundown of the weekend as possible justification for having 10 teams ranked: In the East, Florida clobbered New Mexico State; Tennessee beat Bowling Green by 29 (although the Vols gave up 30 points); Georgia smashed Louisiana-Monroe; Kentucky beat Louisiana-Lafayette by a touchdown; South Carolina got by North Carolina in an ugly opener; and Missouri took care of Southeast Missouri State by 31 points.
In the West, Ole Miss demolished Tennessee-Martin 76-3; Arkansas pounded UTEP, 48-13; Texas A&M topped then-ranked Arizona State by 21 points; Alabama beat Wisconsin by 18; Mississippi State took care of Southern Miss; and Auburn hung on to beat Louisville after being up big.
The jury is still out on just how good some of these SEC teams are because of weak openers but perception counts. Recruits will continue to flock to these top schools, rankings can play an important part in signing the best players but let's play some real games before crowning the SEC as unstoppable once again.
Arkansas coach Bret Bielema (above) certainly likes the rankings - and didn't mind taking a shot at Ohio State, either.
"It's wonderful. I love it," Bielema said. "I say that with a smile out of both sides just because it's a major statement not only to everybody here but to the nation. Those things don't just happen.
"I'm sitting there watching the other day, the Monday night game and I look at, I spent a lot of time in that other conference, and Ohio State is ranked No. 1 and they have one game remaining on their schedule that has anybody ranked, Michigan State, and then I look at it and we're going to play eight straight opponents that are ranked. … To get through this conference, everybody is going to make a joke about it but it's truly unprecedented what every team in this league can bring and if anybody tries to argue that it's completely non-sense. It's a whole other level when it comes to competitive nature and balance."
First take: "Ten ranked out of the top 25, does that speak to the SEC bias that everybody else is screaming about and does it matter in recruiting?" Farrell said. "It does matter. Perception is reality when you have that many teams ranked, it just perpetuates the thought in kids' heads that if you want attention, you want to go to the league, you go to the SEC. Mississippi State has no business being ranked right now. Tennessee should have fallen out after that game against Bowling Green but the Vols get the benefit of the doubt. I think the perception of the conference really, really helps recruiting."
Second take: "It's huge for the SEC to say it is the first conference to ever have 10 teams ranked in the top 25," TideSports.com Senior Recruiting Analyst Andrew Bone said. "Recruits talk about wanting to play with great players, and they also want to play against the best. It's a big recruiting tool and something these programs will use when recruiting key targets."
Adam Gorney
West Recruiting Analyst
Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director
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