Smells like a sequel

Last year's finest prove they can get it done just the same way

Defensive back Will Allen rescued Ohio State from its offensive doldrums. David Maxwell/Getty Images

The more things change ... wait, they've changed?

The calendar may say 2003, but watching some of Saturday's most notable games, you'd never know we ever left 2002.

There was Ohio State, a week after unveiling a more explosive offense against Washington, retreating to its old, anemic ways while eking out a victory against an inferior opponent by the slimmest of margins. Craig Krenzel looked nothing like the Fiesta Bowl MVP, going 5-of-20 with an interception and a fumble, and the Buckeyes failed to convert on their first 13 third-down conversions -- against freakin' San Diego State! -- but, as always, someone came though with a huge defensive play, in this case Will Allen's 100-yard interception return.

There was Miami, playing the same kind of sloppy, undisciplined football against Florida that became a habit a year ago until the 'Canes' backs were squarely against the wall, and then, just like all but one game a year ago, getting their act together and finding a way to win. It was if Brock Berlin and Frank Gore were playing the roles of Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee in a theatrical re-enactment of last year's Florida State game.

There was Oklahoma, its offense looking shaky at best in a tight game against Alabama until Bob Stoops reached into his bag of tricks to deliver a fake punt from his own 31, promptly followed by a 47-yard Jason White touchdown pass to break the game open. It was almost eerily reminiscent of a fake field goal the Sooners converted last year to stave off Missouri.

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And then there was Notre Dame, whose improbable 8-0 start last year under Tyrone Willingham often conjured up the word "magic," doing the exact same thing against Washington State. Just when the Irish had fallen behind 19-0 and their offense couldn't have looked flatter, they began making those patented big plays. You knew exactly what you were watching when Carlyle Holiday seemingly killed the comeback with a fumble at the Cougars' 7 only to somehow snatch the ball back, then throw a touchdown on the next play.

That these teams came through in such familiar fashion was no coincidence. All are veteran teams that know how to win and are not lacking in the confidence department.

"We're the 'Canes," said Miami receiver Kevin Beard. "Never count us out. Whenever there's still time on the clock, you know we have a chance."

Point taken.

Josh Harris, QB, Bowling Green

Purdue found out the hard way what the Mid-American Conference has known for three years now: Harris is hard to stop. Even a veteran, Big Ten defense couldn't prevent Harris from completing 27-of-40 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns, including the 32-yard game-winner with 2:05 left, to score his team's first win over a ranked opponent in 31 years, 27-26 over the Boilermakers. Not that it should come as too big a surprise. Harris -- nicknamed Lethal Weapon 5 (his number) -- is 13-3 as a starter, including victories over Missouri and Northwestern.

Wake Forest

There's a reason Wake gave head coach Jim Grobe a 10-year extension last winter. The guy is that good of a coach. Despite losing eight offensive starters, including quarterback James McPherson, and their entire starting defensive line, the Demon Deacons have opened the season with impressive wins over Boston College and N.C. State, the latter a stunning 38-24 upset of a Wolfpack team widely considered the ACC favorite. Perhaps Wake, along with Florida State, should carry that label.

Miami 38, Florida 33

Stop and really think about it for a sec. Miami was losing this game 33-10 late in the third quarter. If it were any other game, you'd have turned off the TV and gotten some shut eye. Instead, in the time it takes to make a midnight sandwich, the 'Canes were within a touchdown, and by the time they began what would become their fourth straight scoring drive late in the fourth, you had to look at the scoreboard to remind yourself that Florida was still winning. After a classic like that, it's a shame the teams might not meet again for five years.

It defies explanation, but in season-opening losses to USC and Georgia Tech, preseason top 10 pick Auburn has scored a total of three points, and its self-proclaimed "Four Horsemen" have carried 74 times for 83 yards. ... Wisconsin had both a 200-yard rusher (Anthony Davis: 29 carries, 247 yards, three TDs) and a 200-yard receiver (Lee Evans: nine catches, 214 yards, 2 TDs) against Akron. ... Syracuse rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat North Carolina 49-47 in triple overtime thanks to running back Walter Reyes' 191 yards and three TDs. ... Memphis QB Danny Wimprine had the biggest game of his career against Ole Miss, completing 18 of 33 passes for 355 yards, three TDs and no INTs to lead the upset. ... Colorado State QB Bradlee Van Pelt proved once again he's more than a runner, throwing for 317 yards on 15-of-23 completions to beat Cal 23-21. ... Replacing injured star DonTrell Moore, New Mexico running back D.D. Cox, a transfer from Oklahoma State, gained 256 rushing/receiving yards against Texas Tech. ... Injury-plagued Arkansas RB Cedric Cobbs had his best night in over two years against Tulsa, carrying 12 times for 145 yards. ... Jeff Smoker is back indeed. The Michigan State QB was 21-of-32 for 351 yards, three TDs and one pick against Rutgers. ... Stanford receiver Luke Powell had a career game with 12 catches for 172 yards and two TDs against San Jose State. ... Is it the player or the system? Texas Tech QB B.J. Symons had a very Kliff Kingsbury-esque night against New Mexico, throwing for 418 yards and five TDs on 37-of-54 passing in a 42-28 victory. ... N.C. State quarterback Philip Rivers completed 42 of 53 passes for 472 yards -- 173 by receiver Jerricho Cotchery -- in a losing effort against Wake. ... Oregon State QB Derek Anderson lived his worst nightmare against Fresno State, going 15-of-44 with five interceptions in a 16-14 loss. In his first start in place of injured star Matt Schaub, Virginia freshman Anthony Martinez managed just 54 yards on 10 completions. ... Houston isn't Notre Dame, next week's opponent, but Michigan's Chris Perry had his second straight huge day, carrying 27 times for 184 yards and two TDs in a 50-3 rout. ... Oklahoma State tailback Tatum Bell carried 21 times for 215 yards and three TDs against Wyoming. Illinois handled I-AA Illinois State 49-22, but not before former Illini receiver Dwayne Smith torched them for 14 catches and 243 yards.

The lords of discipline known as our nation's college football coaches are at it again.

Oklahoma safety Brandon Everage, suspended for last week's opener following an offseason marijuana arrest, was stopped by police Friday morning and cited for six traffic violations, including driving with a suspended license. An open container of cognac was found under the seat. But that didn't stop Sooners coach Bob Stoops from starting Everage against Alabama the next day, where he notched 10 tackles, every one of them crucial in a close game against a tough opponent.

Pittsburgh quarterback Rod Rutherford, charged with assault Friday stemming from a nightclub incident earlier in the week, sat the first three series against Kent State before entering in the second quarter and promptly throwing four touchdowns, finishing 17-of-25 for 288 yards. He's admitted to knocking a woman's car window out, though he claims he was provoked.

As college football's summer of off-field shenanigans drags into the fall, it's nice to see our priorities haven't been affected.

Stewart Mandel covers college sports for SI.com.