college football

How do you win with Landry Jones?

The question for Oklahoma football in 2010 arrived 364 days premature. The Jones Era arrived last Saturday night, when Slingin' Sammy Bradford took on a whole new meaning and Oklahoma football was handed an ominous assignment:

Every Alabama football coach since the legendary Bear Bryant has created his own "first."

Ray Perkins was the first 'Bama coach to tear down Bryant's coaching tower. Bill Curry was the first to have a brick thrown through his office window.

Maybe handing Matthew Stafford the keys to the Edsel is a good idea.

The Detroit Lions' rookie, who has been designated as the starting quarterback by coach Jim Schwartz, could be the next Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco.

Could the stakes get any higher in Week 2 of college football?

Reputations of some elite big-time programs, their high-paid coaches and at least one BCS conference hang in the balance with the outcome of Saturday's games in Ann Arbor, Mich. and Columbus, Ohio.

There isn't much that can give those in the Southern California football family the creeps.

But one of them is anything that brings to mind Vince Young, the former Texas quarterback and offensive wrecking ball who led the Longhorns over the unbeaten Trojans in the 2006 BCS title game.

The receiver was open in the end zone, as much as anyone could hope to be in such a dire circumstance.

The pass was there, a tad low but entirely catchable.

The game -- a must-have, home-field victory over a fierce rival in Monday night's season opener for both teams in Tallahassee, Fla. -- was in his hands.

And he dropped it.

When Ohio State faced top-ranked Southern California in Los Angeles a year ago, Terrelle Pryor was the freshman, the backup, the understudy, and the future for the Buckeyes.

Sure, it's crazy to make any assumptions after one week of college football. But as Christopher Lloyd said in "Back to the Future,'' "What the heck?''

Before Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford even returned from the halftime locker room Saturday night, his shoulder harnessed, the speculation began.

Did Slingin' Sammy B. make the wrong decision in returning to college football after winning the Heisman Trophy?

Capsule previews for Labor Day weekend's season-opening college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.

SUNDAY:

No. 8 OLE MISS (0-0) at MEMPHIS (0-0), 3:30, ESPN.

FAVORITE: Ole Miss by 17.

COACHES: Houston Nutt (9-4 in second year at Ole Miss) and Tommy West (47-51 in 9th year at Memphis).