Week 2 in college football was supposed to be the calm before the coming storm.After an opening week in which seven Associated Press Top 25 teams fell, Saturday was supposed to be, at least on paper, a lot less dramatic. There wasnt a single matchup of Top 25 teams, but the college football gods once again provided us with plenty to cheer about.A crowd of 156,990, the largest ever to see a college football game, watched No. 17 Tennessee lap Virginia Tech 45-24 at Bristol Motor Speedway. No. 9 Georgia almost lost to an FCS team for the first time in 76 years, and Central Michigan stunned No. 22 Oklahoma State 30-27 on a Hail Mary-and-lateral that should have never happened.We were given indisputable evidence as to why classic rivalries such as BYU-Utah and Penn State-Pittsburgh need to be played every season, and why picking a Big 12 team to make the College Football Playoff probably isnt a good bet. And we were reminded why its unwise to sleep on the Pac-12. Strange things happen in that conference after much of the country has gone to sleep.Sure, Week 2 probably wasnt as good as the opening act of the 2016 season, but it was pretty entertaining and satisfying -- unless youre Alabama coach Nick Saban or an Oklahoma State fan.The Cowboys were on the wrong end of one of the worst blown calls in college football history on Saturday. On the final play of the game, Central Michigan wide receiver Corey Willis caught a lateral from Jesse Kroll at OSUs 12-yard line after a Hail Mary and ran into the end zone for an improbable 51-yard touchdown with no time left.The only problem: The play should have never happened. MAC and Big 12 officials admitted after the game that it should have ended before the Chippewas were awarded an untimed down on the final play.With four seconds left, Pokes quarterback Mason Rudolph threw an incomplete pass to the left sideline to run out the clock on fourth down. But since no Oklahoma State receivers ran routes on the play, the Cowboys were penalized for intentional grounding. Apparently believing the game couldnt end on an accepted live-ball foul, officials incorrectly gave Central Michigan one more play from its 49-yard line, which resulted in the Hail Mary and lateral.OSU coach Mike Gundy admitted that he shouldnt have called a passing play on fourth down. A running play would have ended the game.Even if the officials handled it incorrectly, it was still a dumb call on my part, regardless, Gundy said.The Cowboys werent the only ranked team feeling empty after Week 2. Georgia turned the ball over three times and nearly blew a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter of a 26-24 win over Nicholls State. No. 2 Clemson had trouble putting Troy away at Death Valley. For the second week in a row, the Tigers looked sluggish, this time in a 30-24 victory.Everybody wants to see us score 50 points, 60 points and everybody wants it now, said Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who threw for 292 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Were not going to do that. First weve got to execute and find our rhythm.That hasnt been a problem so far for No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Michigan. The Buckeyes blasted Tulsa 48-3 at home, their fourth consecutive game with at least 40 points. The Wolverines beat UCF 51-14 at the Big House, giving them 114 points in their first two games.No. 1 Alabama didnt have many problems in its 38-10 win over Western Kentucky, but Saban was hardly pleased with his teams effort.?I dont know that Ive ever been this disappointed after winning a game, maybe ever, Saban said.In the final minute, Saban was so upset that he screamed at offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin for what seemed like an eternity.There are no arguments, Saban said afterward. Those are called ass-chewings.At least the Crimson Tide won. No. 15 TCU turned a 13-point deficit to Arkansas into a 28-20 lead with 2:05 to play. But the Hogs forced overtime with a touchdown and a two-point conversion and blocked a 28-yard field goal attempt near the end of regulation. They won the game when?Austin Allen?ran for a 5-yard touchdown in the second overtime of a 41-38 victory.?As for the Pac-12, well, they dont call it #Pac12AfterDark for nothing. Arizona States?Kalen Ballage?tied an NCAA record with eight touchdowns in the Sun Devils 68-55 win over Texas Tech. Washington State and Cal saw late rallies come up short against Boise State and San Diego State, respectively, while Arizona needed to rally to avoid a shocking upset against Grambling State.?On a day when we expected many you-know-what-kickings, we were once again given everything we could have asked for -- and then some.Playoff teams after Week 21. Alabama: Only Nick Saban would be dissatisfied with a 38-10 victory. Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 287 yards with two touchdowns on 23-for-36 passing in the win over Western Kentucky, but the Tide averaged only 3.2 yards on 39 rushing attempts and committed 12 penalties.2. Florida State: The Seminoles cruised to a 52-8 win over FCS foe Charleston Southern; next week, FSU will face off against No. 13 Louisville in an ACC Atlantic showdown. Deondre Francois vs. Lamar Jackson. Thats must-see TV.3. Michigan: The Wolverines walloped UCF 51-14 at home after scoring 63 points in their opening win over Hawaii. Michigans 114 points in its first two games are the most by a Wolverines team since 1914 and fourth most in school history.4. Ohio State: OSUs offense didnt get rolling until the second half, after a lightning delay and torrential downpour at The Horseshoe. But its defense had two pick-sixes in the first half of a 48-3 rout of Tulsa. Next up: a trip to No. 14 Oklahoma on Saturday.Next four in contention1. Houston: The Cougars had to play without injured quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (shoulder) and endured a marathon lightning delay but eventually shut out FCS foe Lamar 42-0. The Cougars had three players with more than 100 yards rushing, and their defense allowed a school-record 73 yards.2. Clemson: The Tigers have yet to find their rhythm on offense. They averaged 45 points per game in their first two games in 2015; theyre averaging 24.5 in their two games this season.?Deshaun Watson?posted the lowest QBR (35) in his career in a 30-24 win over Troy.3. Louisville: The Cardinals steamrolled Syracuse 62-28 on the road Friday night, and now they get to play Florida State at home on Saturday in a game that might go a long way in deciding which team wins the ACC Atlantic.4. Wisconsin: The Badgers certainly dont look like a fluke. After stunning then-No. 5 LSU 16-14 in its opener, Wisconsin blasted Akron 54-10. The bad news: Star tailback Corey Clement left the game with a leg injury.Heisman candidates1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville: In Louisvilles victory at Syracuse on Friday night, Jackson set a school and ACC record with 610 yards of total offense. In his past three games, including last seasons bowl, he has 1,468 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns.2. Deondre Francois, QB, FSU: The redshirt freshman followed up his fabulous debut against Ole Miss on Monday night by completing 25 of 32 passes for 262 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in a rout of FCS foe Charleston Southern.3.?Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech: The Red Raiders fell to Arizona State 68-55, with Mahomes passing for 540 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. The junior passed for 483 yards and accounted for six touchdowns in limited action in a season-opening win over Stephen F. Austin.4.?DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame: After throwing five touchdowns in a loss to Texas in Week 1, Kizer completed 15 of 18 passes for 156 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a 39-10 victory over Nevada. He has seven passing touchdowns (and two more running) with one interception in two games.Best momentsBest plays3. Arizona States?Kalen Ballage?had only 13 carries and two receptions, but it was enough for eight touchdowns. He gets the nod with his record-tying eighth touchdown in the Sun Devils win over Texas Tech.4. LSUs TreDavious White looked as if he was getting himself into serious trouble but managed this escape act on a punt return for a touchdown in LSUs win over Jacksonville State.Worst plays2. Another week, another USC ejection. Trojans offensive tackle Chuma Edoga was kicked out of the game in the first quarter for pushing an official and throwing a punch at a Utah State player.3. Penn State quarterback Trace McSorleys decision to throw for the end zone with 2:15 left probably wasnt the wisest one. Pitts Ryan Lewis intercepted the ball to preserve a 42-39 win.4. UConn coach Bob Diacos clock management isnt as good as his fettuccine alfredo recipe.Tweets of the nightQuotes of the night1. We came in here and outhit those guys today. Theres no doubt about which team was hitting harder. -- UCF coach Scott Frost, after the Knights 51-14 loss at Michigan.2. It just means now I have to do something better so people dont always think of that play when they talk about me. -- Clemsons Ray-Ray McCloud, on his fumble at the goal line after a 75-yard punt return.3. We cant change guys out. Weve got no free agency. Weve got no cuts. So we have to take what weve got, and weve got to get those guys better. Theyve got to play better. -- Georgia coach Kirby Smart, on his offensive line, which was manhandled in a 26-24 win over FCS foe Nicholls State.4. Sometimes when were down, a lot of people on our team just tend to quit and think its over, and I dont think its over until its actually over. -- Kentucky linebacker Jordan Jones, after the Wildcats 45-7 loss at Florida.Stats that matter1. 20: Years since Army started a season 2-0 before beating Rice 31-14. The Black Knights hadnt won their first two games since 1996, when they won a school-record 10 games. With Navy and Air Force also winning their first two games, the three service academies are each 2-0 for the first time since 1996.2. 30: Consecutive wins for Florida over Kentucky after a 38-point victory. Its the fourth-longest winning streak in an annual series in FBS history and the current longest streak over one opponent.3. 40: Career touchdowns for Pitts James Conner, who scored two touchdowns in Pitts win over Penn State. He joined Tony Dorsett as the only Pitt players with 40 career total touchdowns.4. 516: It has been a tale of two halves for TCU quarterback?Kenny Hill. In the Horned Frogs two games, he has passed for 300 yards and one touchdown in the first half of games, and 516 yards and seven touchdowns in the second half (including overtime). Anthony Davis Pelicans Jersey . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Jahlil Okafor Pelicans Jersey . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. http://www.shoppelicansonline.com/Authentic-Jrue-Holiday-Pelicans-Jersey/ . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. ETwaun Moore Jersey . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Jahlil Okafor Pelicans Jersey . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. LAS VEGAS -- The Houston Rockets spent nearly $135 million in free agency, highlighted by the signing of power forward Ryan Anderson, a player the team sought for years in trade proposals and free agency. Next was shooting guard Eric Gordon, whom the team was also interested in for some time. And third was Nene Hilario, a veteran center who will help bolster the bench. Of course, the Rockets concluded their summer moves with the signing James Harden to a contract extension worth $118.1 million.Essentially, the Rockets feel they improved their team this summer -- even without retaining center Dwight Howard -- with the goal of making a deeper playoff run in the Western Conference. Heres how it all came together.Strikeout in AtlantaIt was just after midnight on July 1 when Rockets general manager Daryl Morey got to work. Morey, along with a contingent of team officials, including owner Leslie Alexander, CEO Tad Brown, executive vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, coach Mike DAntoni and franchise legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, met at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta to make their pitches to prospective free agents.We didnt have a great year last year, Alexander said, referring to their 41-41 season and first-round playoff exit. We still made the playoffs, but it didnt end well. We needed new blood and guys who are passionate about the game.Houstons first scheduled meeting when free agency started was with center/power forward Al Horford. Horford was the Rockets top candidate to replace free agent Howard, who was moving on after three lackluster years in Houston and had his own meetings scheduled with teams in another part of Atlanta, his hometown.With the Rockets in the midtown section of the city getting ready for a meeting with Horford, Morey ran into the representatives of free agent small forward Kent Bazemore.Morey convinced Bazemores camp to schedule a late-night meeting with them, explaining his teams need for a wing who can defend and score.Bazemore said he enjoyed his meeting with the Rockets -- they offered a four-year, $72 million deal -- but he wanted to talk with other teams before making a decision.While the Rockets waited on Bazemore, Morey and his group met with Horford. When the big man walked into one of the luxury suites at the Four Seasons, his eyes lit up when he met Olajuwon, according to those involved in the meeting.The Rockets Hall of Fame center talks in a raspy voice and often greets people with a Hello, my brother. He talked to Horford about the benefits of working with the owner and team that molded him and the city that embraced him. Horford was overwhelmed by Olajuwons presence.But within the first 48 hours of free agency, the Rockets struck out. Bazemore would agree to terms with the Atlanta Hawks and Horford would pick the Boston Celtics. A person familiar with the discussions between Bazemore and the Rockets said in a text message the deal was sooooo close to happening.Howard, meanwhile, also decided to decided to join his hometown Hawks. The Rockets moved on -- this time to California.Closing the dealsWhile other teams were lining up free-agent agreements, the Rockets group flew to Los Angeles. On July 2, the Rockets visited Andersons home in Hermosa Beach. After a nearly two-hour afternoon meeting with Anderson and his representatives, led by agent Jeff Austin, the Rockets got their man, agreeing to a four-year, $80 million deal. Anderson then called Gordon, his former teammate from New Orleans.He was the first guy I called when I made the commitment to Houston, Anderson said later. I wanted him to come along. You make a decision thats life-changing and career-changing, and Eric is the first guy I called. I dont know how I sounded. I was outside myself. I love Eric. Eric is a great guy.Houstons party, which then included Harden, then moved on from the beach to meet with Gordon and his agent, Rob Pelinka -- who also represents Harden -- in his Los Angeles office.Morey pitched new coach Mike DAntonis offensive system and how Gordon and Anderson would fit with Harden in a point guard role. The Rockets showed videos of how Harden could take on a role similar to that of former Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash in a revamped offense.Morey wanted to convince Gordon that while Harden is noted for his scoring, hes also a fantastic passer. Harden finished sixth in the NBA with an average of 18 points a game created by assists, the highest among shooting guards. He also finished sixth in potential assists at 14.3.The system appealed to Anderson, who said he didnt get enough open looks in New Orleaans, something that someone with his skill set would need to succeed in Houston.dddddddddddd Also, when defenses attack Harden, his ability to make clear passes should help someone like Gordon, who can shoot from the outside and create opportunities off the dribble.I got a little bit of Nash in me, Harden said later of the Rockets sales pitch. He had his own pace to the game; thats what I took out of that. You could never speed him up, you could never make him do anything he didnt want to do, thats what separated him from any other point guard at the time, which led to two MVPs.Gordon and the Rockets agreed to four-year, $53 million contract that night, and in the course of one day, the Rockets added two players who appeared to fit their system.The team later failed in its attempt to make a deal with Orlando restricted free-agent center Dewayne Dedmon, and after Kevin Durant agreed to terms with the Golden State Warriors, the Rockets fell short in their bid to trade for Andrew Bogut.A couple of days later, Houston agreed to terms with Hilario on a one-year, $2.8 million contract to become the backup center behind Clint Capela.All that was left was to take care of Harden.The extensionMorey approached Pelinka in November 2015 and said a contract extension for Harden was in order. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the Rockets couldnt finalize any extension with Harden until July 1. While the Rockets started homing in on free agents, Morey also went after Harden. A bond had developed between Harden and the organization, and Morey was confident they could reach an agreement.Houston had hoped to sign Durant, capitalizing on his close relationship with Harden as a selling point. Durant and Harden worked out together for nearly a week in Phoenix this offseason. Durant, according to those who were briefed on the conversations, told Harden he wasnt going to sign with the Rockets, narrowing his choices between Oklahoma City and Golden State, and giving Boston an outside chance. Durant was open to meeting with the Rockets regardless, but Harden told the Rockets about Durants decision, and Morey and the front office moved on.Harden said Durants decision didnt bother him, but you could tell in Hardens comments that having his own super team wasnt his motivation.My focus is on the Houston Rockets and how we can get better, Harden said. The Warriors are a really good team. Alexander then chimed in, They have to defend us also.The fact Harden agreed to an extension was somewhat of a surprise, given how several other superstar players opted out of contracts or allowed their contracts to end and explore the market. Alexander said it was a no-brainer to ink Harden long-term deal as the face of the franchise.After the news conference announcing the Anderson and Gordon deals, Hardens mother walked into the media area. It surprised reporters who thought Harden was just there to comment on the Rockets free agent acquisitions. But Alexander announced Harden had signed a contract extension.So there is no indecision, no doubt in anybodys mind, Harden said. Now we have to focus on how can we improve. Last year was very stressful for all of us theres some new life here with coach [DAntonio] coming in.This summer we want to build a strong team and go to bat every single night.Hardens contract ends after the 2019-20 season, but the Rockets dont plan to let him leave. The goal is to take care of Harden so he doesnt hit free agency. Hardens contract is also structured so the team can still make moves for other prospective free agents in years to come, which is something Harden has said he agreed on.In the days leading up to that news conference announcing Houstons free-agent signings and Hardens extension, there was a large sign on the adjacent garage to the Toyota Center with the headline Legacy of Bigs. Yao Ming, Elvin Hayes, Olajuwon and Howard were on the sign. Construction workers were removing it, marking the end of the Howard era in Houston after three seasons in which he helped the team reach the Western Conference finals in 2015, but also fell out of favor with Harden and the front office.Now it was time for a new sign. A sign that this is Hardens team.You just feel it sometimes, Harden said. You got that feeling where everything feels comfortable. You feel love. You feel like people want you to be here and that feeling right there outweighs everything. The ultimate decision was to stay and make sure we get it done. ' ' '