Arkansas at Alabama- The SEC's top offense will travel to Tuscaloosa for a showdown with the SEC's top defense.The lack of a running game stopped the Hogs from defeating the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide last year and once again, the game may come down to how well each team can run the ball and effectively control the clock. If Alabama running back Trent Richardson can keep his pace going the Razorbacks' explosive offense can not get on the field. Also watch to see how a young offensive line from Fayetteville reacts to playing in one of the toughest stadiums (and most picturesque) in the game. Alabama moves to 4-0 and their coach Nick Saban remains undefeated against Arkansas.
Oklahoma State at Texas A&M- In what may be the last game between these two teams for quite some time as the Aggies move to the SEC, plenty of points will be scored. Watch for the running game to be key in who wins the game on Saturday. Texas A&M running back Cyrus Gray will go for his ninth consecutive 100 yard rushing game. The winner of this shootout may very well be the team who has the last possession. If you like defense stay away from the Aggies and Cowboys. Texas A&M wins at home.
Florida State at Clemson- One team is coming off their coach's biggest career win and the other off of a disappointing loss. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney kept his job for a couple of more seasons last week with a win over the defending national champions. Was rushing the field necessary? No and proof Clemson is not quite ready for the SEC. Swinney had an outburst that was reminiscent of Houston Nutt's "We Got that Wood" speech. Luckily for Swinney, he probably keeps his job. Seminole quarterback E.J. Manuel has been officially ruled "questionable" for the game on Saturday at Death Valley. Without Manuel it will be harder for FSU to pull off my upset special, but they still come out on top.
LSU at West Virginia- One can only hope the rumors of LSU students running into West Virginia classes in Morgantown and yelling "Geux Tigers!" is true. It is hard to believe it is not true, knowing rabid LSU fans. The Mountaineer offense is averaging 42 points per game and LSU's defense is giving up about 4.2 points per game. West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith will feel pressure. Pressure to perform and more pressure from the Tigers' defensive line. The Tigers, who have played the NCAA's toughest September schedule, will continue their dominance, winning easily.
Other picks (winners in bold)
North Carolina at Georgia Tech- Just do what you did last week Tech, over 600 yards on the ground and more than 12 yards a carry.
Georgia at Ole Miss- The Hot Seat Bowl ends with even more pressure on Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt. The Bullodgs are too talented.
Vanderbilt at South Carolina- Did I call that the Gamecocks would struggle last week? Vandy wakes up from their dream and plays more like the Vandy we have come to know.
Southern California at Arizona State- USC is young, six total freshamn starters. A tough night road test will prove to be too much.
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh
Florida at Kentucky
Oregon at Arizona
Friday, September 23, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
The Weekend That Will Be: Week 3
48 yards? After two consecutive weeks of rushing for more than 300 yards to open the season, the Mississippi State offense was able to amass only 48 yards of rushing against the LSU Tigers on Thursday night. LSU made a home in the Bulldogs' backfield with 16 tackles for loss, five sacks and forcing two picks. Of State's 59 non-kicking plays, they did not gain positive yards on 40 percent of them. Chirs Relf looked like a little boy trying to throw an NFL-sized ball. To the MSU's president Mark Keenum, was that worth cancelling a day of classes? I didn't think so either.
Oklahoma at Florida State- Rarely nowadays with a perfect record meaning so much do we get two top-5 regular season match-ups (LSU-Oregon) in one season. The question is whether or not Florida State is 30 points better than last year's team. Both OU and FSU have said they are better than a year ago. The Sooners have not won a true road game on the road versus a top-5 team in 35 years. The winner will have the better of the two quarterbacks. Florida State's E.J. Manuel is not as polished and will not handle the pressure as well as the Landry Jones, the OU quarterback. Sooners will win easily again.
Auburn at Clemson- I am an admitted SEC homer in the worst way and have not picked against a SEC team in a non-conference team yet this season. Clemson gave up 27 points to Wofford, while only pulling out an eight point victory. Also, right now it is hard to pick against the Tigers in orange and blue no matter who they play. The boys from the plains have won 17 straight and have started drinking some of the same water Lucky Les Miles does. The game might be different if it was at night at Death Valley, but it's not. Auburn pulls out a win.
Tennessee at Florida- For the last ten years the Vols and Gators have opened SEC play against each other. Remember when this game had national championship implications? Now these two teams are fighting for an SEC East crown, which is unlikely. Watch Tennsessee quarterback Tyler Bray continue to shine throwing the pigskin around. He is the leading passer in the SEC, but will have a tough test agianst a stingy Muschamp defense. The best part about this game is the SEC on CBS is back for another year and college football gets for real now. As for the play on the field? The Swamp is too much for a young Vol squad.
Michigan State at Notre Dame- I promise I will not save your eyes and time next week if the Fighting Irish start 0-3 and will not write about them next week. I have always been intrigued by ND. They were once a powerhouse but have not been any resemblenance of that in years. The golden domers have an offense that can move the ball but turns the ball over too much and a defense that has looked soft. No BCS bowl this year for Notre Dame. Nor will they get a win agaisnst Sparty in 2011. See you again in Week 5 Irish.
Ohio State at Miami- "The Inelegi-bowl," where more players will be suspended than points scored between the two. Maybe not really, but before the Nevin Shapiro information came out in Miami and Tattoo-gate got the head coach in Columbus fired, this would have been intruiging game for all the right reasons. Luckily for the Buckeyes they had farther to fall and are still ranked in the top 25. The 'Canes would not have been the best team in their division of the ACC either way. Miami gets Jacory Harris its starting quarterback off of suspension, but he has been a turnover machine. OSU wins because of late interceptions.
Other picks (winners in bold):
West Virginia at Maryland- Maryland's new uniforms will not be enough this time to pull out a "W"
Navy at South Carolina- Could be an upset special if the Gamecocks, who have started slow in games, did not do their homework for Navy's offense.
Stanford at Arizona- Closer than the experts think. The Cardinal have yet to be overly impressive
Oklahoma State at Tulsa- There may be 200 points scored here.
Louisville at Kentucky- My first pick against the SEC. The Wildcats have struggled with Western Kentucky and Central Michigan.
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
Pittsburgh at Iowa
Washington at Nebraska
Troy at Arkansas
Oklahoma at Florida State- Rarely nowadays with a perfect record meaning so much do we get two top-5 regular season match-ups (LSU-Oregon) in one season. The question is whether or not Florida State is 30 points better than last year's team. Both OU and FSU have said they are better than a year ago. The Sooners have not won a true road game on the road versus a top-5 team in 35 years. The winner will have the better of the two quarterbacks. Florida State's E.J. Manuel is not as polished and will not handle the pressure as well as the Landry Jones, the OU quarterback. Sooners will win easily again.
Auburn at Clemson- I am an admitted SEC homer in the worst way and have not picked against a SEC team in a non-conference team yet this season. Clemson gave up 27 points to Wofford, while only pulling out an eight point victory. Also, right now it is hard to pick against the Tigers in orange and blue no matter who they play. The boys from the plains have won 17 straight and have started drinking some of the same water Lucky Les Miles does. The game might be different if it was at night at Death Valley, but it's not. Auburn pulls out a win.
Tennessee at Florida- For the last ten years the Vols and Gators have opened SEC play against each other. Remember when this game had national championship implications? Now these two teams are fighting for an SEC East crown, which is unlikely. Watch Tennsessee quarterback Tyler Bray continue to shine throwing the pigskin around. He is the leading passer in the SEC, but will have a tough test agianst a stingy Muschamp defense. The best part about this game is the SEC on CBS is back for another year and college football gets for real now. As for the play on the field? The Swamp is too much for a young Vol squad.
Michigan State at Notre Dame- I promise I will not save your eyes and time next week if the Fighting Irish start 0-3 and will not write about them next week. I have always been intrigued by ND. They were once a powerhouse but have not been any resemblenance of that in years. The golden domers have an offense that can move the ball but turns the ball over too much and a defense that has looked soft. No BCS bowl this year for Notre Dame. Nor will they get a win agaisnst Sparty in 2011. See you again in Week 5 Irish.
Ohio State at Miami- "The Inelegi-bowl," where more players will be suspended than points scored between the two. Maybe not really, but before the Nevin Shapiro information came out in Miami and Tattoo-gate got the head coach in Columbus fired, this would have been intruiging game for all the right reasons. Luckily for the Buckeyes they had farther to fall and are still ranked in the top 25. The 'Canes would not have been the best team in their division of the ACC either way. Miami gets Jacory Harris its starting quarterback off of suspension, but he has been a turnover machine. OSU wins because of late interceptions.
Other picks (winners in bold):
West Virginia at Maryland- Maryland's new uniforms will not be enough this time to pull out a "W"
Navy at South Carolina- Could be an upset special if the Gamecocks, who have started slow in games, did not do their homework for Navy's offense.
Stanford at Arizona- Closer than the experts think. The Cardinal have yet to be overly impressive
Oklahoma State at Tulsa- There may be 200 points scored here.
Louisville at Kentucky- My first pick against the SEC. The Wildcats have struggled with Western Kentucky and Central Michigan.
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
Pittsburgh at Iowa
Washington at Nebraska
Troy at Arkansas
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Weekend That Will Be: Week 2
Alabama at Penn State- The roles have been reversed this season as the Tide goes into a stadium which has more than 100,000 fans and instability at quarterback. However, Alabama is a better team than the Nittany Lion team that came to Tuscaloosa a year ago. The Crimson Tide defense is as good, if not better, than the one that won a championship in 2009. Remember the last time Alabama went into a "(insert team color here)-OUT"? Georgia 2008 ring a bell? Expect much of the same as they head to Happy Valley's white-out.
South Carolina at Georgia- Sources tell me Mark Richt would shave his famed butt-cut hair style to get a "W" in Athens this weekend. The problem is the Bulldogs linemen were man-handled by Bosie State. If the Broncos were able to do that imagine what USC's big uglies will do. Gamecock running back Marcus Lattimore should have big day as he did last season, playing keep-away from Georgia's offense. If he can not get going, a confident Stephen Garcia should gash the exposed Bulldog secondary. Gamecocks take the lead in the SEC East.
Mississippi State at Auburn- At the end of the game which is higher, number of Cam Newton mentions or number of total points for Auburn. I am taking the former. Last week the Tigers came away with a win agianst Utah State becuase of a recovered on-side kick. This week Auburn was the first team since the 1965 Alabama squad to fall out of the AP Top 25 two weeks into the season following a national championship. SEC Offensive Player of the Week, and Bulldog running back, Vic Ballard ran wild last Thursday night and will do it again over a inexperienced Auburn defensive front.
Notre Dame at Michigan- After stadium renovations in the summer, the first night game ever will be held in Ann Arbor. The teams will adorn commemorative uniforms (I'm a sucker for stuff like this.). Notre Dame will also have a new quarterback, as Tommy Rees will take control of the offense. The Fighting Irish had five turnovers last week against South Florida. Michigan's quarterback Denard Robinson will show different looks in the I-formation, making play-action more effective. The Michigan fans will leave in the dark disappointed as Notre Dame turns its losing ways around.
Other picks (winners in bold):
Stillman at Samford- My alma mater suffered a loss at the hands of Georgia Southern, who some believe will win the FCS Championship. The Dogs rebound quickly and get back on the right track.
Virginia Tech at East Carolina- ECU played well against South Carolina last week and the Hokies have lost games they should have won. Hokies keep national championship hopes alive.
Cincinnati at Tennessee- Be careful of looking forward to next week's date with the Florida Gators, Tennessee. Both teams can put up points and little defense will be played.
Brigham Young at Texas- The Longhorns welcome the now independent Cougars, who could join the Big 12 as quickly as next season. Texas stays on track of picking up the pieces after a tough season a year ago.
Oregon State at Wisconsin- My Big 10 darling Badgers pound the ball down the Beavers' throat. Watch OSU running back Malcom Agnew. He put up 223 yards and scored three times in their loss last week.
New Mexico at Arkansas- Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson spreads the ball around a little more this week and stays in the game a little longer this week against an atrocious New Mexico team that won only once last season.
South Carolina at Georgia- Sources tell me Mark Richt would shave his famed butt-cut hair style to get a "W" in Athens this weekend. The problem is the Bulldogs linemen were man-handled by Bosie State. If the Broncos were able to do that imagine what USC's big uglies will do. Gamecock running back Marcus Lattimore should have big day as he did last season, playing keep-away from Georgia's offense. If he can not get going, a confident Stephen Garcia should gash the exposed Bulldog secondary. Gamecocks take the lead in the SEC East.
Mississippi State at Auburn- At the end of the game which is higher, number of Cam Newton mentions or number of total points for Auburn. I am taking the former. Last week the Tigers came away with a win agianst Utah State becuase of a recovered on-side kick. This week Auburn was the first team since the 1965 Alabama squad to fall out of the AP Top 25 two weeks into the season following a national championship. SEC Offensive Player of the Week, and Bulldog running back, Vic Ballard ran wild last Thursday night and will do it again over a inexperienced Auburn defensive front.
Notre Dame at Michigan- After stadium renovations in the summer, the first night game ever will be held in Ann Arbor. The teams will adorn commemorative uniforms (I'm a sucker for stuff like this.). Notre Dame will also have a new quarterback, as Tommy Rees will take control of the offense. The Fighting Irish had five turnovers last week against South Florida. Michigan's quarterback Denard Robinson will show different looks in the I-formation, making play-action more effective. The Michigan fans will leave in the dark disappointed as Notre Dame turns its losing ways around.
Other picks (winners in bold):
Stillman at Samford- My alma mater suffered a loss at the hands of Georgia Southern, who some believe will win the FCS Championship. The Dogs rebound quickly and get back on the right track.
Virginia Tech at East Carolina- ECU played well against South Carolina last week and the Hokies have lost games they should have won. Hokies keep national championship hopes alive.
Cincinnati at Tennessee- Be careful of looking forward to next week's date with the Florida Gators, Tennessee. Both teams can put up points and little defense will be played.
Brigham Young at Texas- The Longhorns welcome the now independent Cougars, who could join the Big 12 as quickly as next season. Texas stays on track of picking up the pieces after a tough season a year ago.
Oregon State at Wisconsin- My Big 10 darling Badgers pound the ball down the Beavers' throat. Watch OSU running back Malcom Agnew. He put up 223 yards and scored three times in their loss last week.
New Mexico at Arkansas- Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson spreads the ball around a little more this week and stays in the game a little longer this week against an atrocious New Mexico team that won only once last season.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Laborless Day
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| They threw out free chicken sandwiches and cows all day long |
When the goal is to not do anything, why is it called Labor Day? I fully observed our government's celebration of economic and social contributions of American workers and did nothing on Monday.
However, on Saturday I did go Atlanta for the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game between Boise State and the University of Georgia. Ok... I did not go to the game, but I did enjoy the pregame festivities around the Georgia Dome. There was little to no postgame celebration as the Bulldogs lost, which has many demanding for a Mark Richt fire. Slow down Georgia fans.
It is always fun to go to a big game atmostphere and enjoy the hype surrounding the game. I got to see a couple of friends from Samford, but the best part was getting the chance to tailgate and go to Mid-town to watch the game at a restaurant with my sister.
Friday, September 2, 2011
The Weekend That Will Be: Week 1
Finally, God's greatest four month long gift is here again. Amidst all the controversy of its offseason, the game will be back to normal, and the pageantry and tradition of Saturdays in the fall will cover up the black eye of college football.
Everything that makes college football will be back in full swing, and I am here to tell you what will happen each week in the biggest games.
There are only a few games being played tomorrow that will not be (at least should not be) blowouts.
No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 4 LSU: Say what you will about coach Les Miles, the Bayou Bengals always play big in big games, 5-1 in their last six bowl games and Oregon has trouble with size on the line (BCS Championship game versus Auburn last season). The Ducks are faster than everyone in the Pac-12 and can win. However, when they play the SEC everyone on the field is fast and LSU is bigger. The Tigers will have a back-up quarterback starting, but Jarrett Lee has waited his time, proven he can win big games and has plenty of play makers around him.
No. 5 Boise State vs. No. 19 Georgia: Another instance of a team from the greatest conference in the game, SEC, playing a quick team from the West. The size on the line of the Bulldogs versus the Broncos will again prove to be the difference. Great example: Boise State center- 5-11, 290 vs. Georgia defensive tackle- 6-6, 360. Bronco senior quarterback Kellen Moore is good, but I'm not sure he will have time to get the ball off in basically a home game for the Bulldogs.
A few games kicked off the season last night and let it be known I was a big proponent of the Wisconsin Badgers last season. Now they have transfer QB Russell Wilson and I have already fallen back for the big boys from Madison. Watch out for this team to make noise in the chase for the BCS National Championship.
Another team with a solid first game was the Bulldogs from Starkville, granted it was against Memphis. Turns out RB Vic Ballard's production last season was no fluke. He has played 17 games for Mississippi State and had three touchdowns in five of those games.
Everything that makes college football will be back in full swing, and I am here to tell you what will happen each week in the biggest games.
There are only a few games being played tomorrow that will not be (at least should not be) blowouts.
No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 4 LSU: Say what you will about coach Les Miles, the Bayou Bengals always play big in big games, 5-1 in their last six bowl games and Oregon has trouble with size on the line (BCS Championship game versus Auburn last season). The Ducks are faster than everyone in the Pac-12 and can win. However, when they play the SEC everyone on the field is fast and LSU is bigger. The Tigers will have a back-up quarterback starting, but Jarrett Lee has waited his time, proven he can win big games and has plenty of play makers around him.
No. 5 Boise State vs. No. 19 Georgia: Another instance of a team from the greatest conference in the game, SEC, playing a quick team from the West. The size on the line of the Bulldogs versus the Broncos will again prove to be the difference. Great example: Boise State center- 5-11, 290 vs. Georgia defensive tackle- 6-6, 360. Bronco senior quarterback Kellen Moore is good, but I'm not sure he will have time to get the ball off in basically a home game for the Bulldogs.
A few games kicked off the season last night and let it be known I was a big proponent of the Wisconsin Badgers last season. Now they have transfer QB Russell Wilson and I have already fallen back for the big boys from Madison. Watch out for this team to make noise in the chase for the BCS National Championship.
Another team with a solid first game was the Bulldogs from Starkville, granted it was against Memphis. Turns out RB Vic Ballard's production last season was no fluke. He has played 17 games for Mississippi State and had three touchdowns in five of those games.
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