Week 2 - Games to Keep an Eye On

We've got one week in the bag. Michigan was destroyed by Alabama. Southern Cal, Clemson, Tennessee all put on good shows. I was extremely impressed by Le'Veon Bell (Michigan State), Andre Ellington (Clemson), Matt Barkley (Southern Cal), Tyler Bray (Tenn.), Todd Gurley (Georgia), Marcus Mariota (Oregon) and T.J. Yeldon (Alabama). They all had monster week 1 games, and it will be fun to keep an eye on them as the year progresses.

With Week 2 upon us, let's dive into the key matchups.


Miami at Kansas State (Saturday Noon)

• Miami is coming off a pretty good road win to start the season. They beat up Boston College, but the game was a little sloppy and lackluster for my taste.
• Duke Johnson is the real deal for Miami. He blew it up last week (7 carries, 135 yards & 2 TDs).
• This weekend's matchup versus K-State is a much different animal. Remember K-State beat Miami last year, and they play much better ball the Boston College
• K-State has not been shutout in over 190 games (longest streak in BIG-12)
• Look for Kansas State to have their hands full, but to win this one by a field goal with solid D and a great running attack

(Photo courtesy Al Diaz)

Auburn at Mississippi State (Saturday Noon)

• These two programs really hate each other. Last year's matchup or the year before for that matter.
• Bottom line these games are always exciting and close
• Keep both eyes on this one
• Auburn got a little roughed up against a solid and not yet 100% Clemson squad last week in the Dome. Tackling was poor and the offense was pretty vanilla.
• Miss. State is fired up for this one and Dan is looking for Win #2 and with a solid QB in Tyler Russel at the helm, I can understand why
• I see Auburn going 0-2 and loosing this one by 7

(Photo courtesy of Vince Ferrara)

 

East Carolina at South Carolina (Saturday 12:30 PM)

• Scary news out of last week's game. Conner Shaw with a deep bruise on throwing arm. Look for more of the same as he really likes to run
• Lattimore is back and after a 1st touch fumbe he reeled of 2 TDs and 110 yards
• And boy did DJ Swearinger get away with a pass interference late in the game. Vandy would have had the ball late in the game on the other side of the 50 with less than 2 minutes to play down by 4. Deep sigh of relief USC fans the SEC officials had your back.
• South Carolina should be concerned in the big picture - I don't see anyone on the edge that scares me. Maybe a WR will step up in Alshon's absence...either way they've got Lattimore and a stingy defense up front
• South Carolina will pull away around halftime and never look back

(Photo courtesy of Streeter Lecka)

Florida at Texas A&M (Saturday 3:30 PM)

• Welcome to the 2012 season and to the SEC
• A&M did not play last week, so it's a blessing and a curse
• They have plenty of time to prepare for Florida, who really has nothing to game plan against since there is no relevant game footage of them, but they could come out a little rusty due to no live reps
• Florida looked rough against Bowling Green. For a second there, I thought we were going to have an upset. Florida is very bland on offense and lacking in confidence
• Driskel is the QB but I'm not so sure if it will not take him until mid-season to hit stride behind that shaky Offensive Line. Defense is pretty good, but there are holes.
• I'm looking for A&M to make a splash and pull an upset

(Photo courtesy of Sam Greenwood)

Washington at LSU (Saturday 7:00 PM)

• LSU trotted out ex-UGA quarterback Zach Mettenberger and he looked as UGA predicted pretty darn good.
• LSU's ground game and defense picked up right where they were last year and they played and all around solid game
• Washington will have their hands full in this
• Look for LSU to win by 4 TDs

(Photo courtesy of Richard Reddman)

Nebraska at UCLA (Saturday 7:30 PM)

• Taylor Martinez lit it up against Southern Miss. You might say well its Southern Miss. 354 yards passing and 5 TDs is stout whatever you're measuring against.
• Coach Pellini has Nebraska charting towards the top in almost every statistical category and I expect them to keep it up with solid play again on Saturday and lace up UCLA
• Nebraska has a solid ground game that balances everything out with Ameer Abdullah and Rex Burkhead in the backfield
• Look for Nebraska to win by 10

Georgia at Missouri (Saturday 7:45 PM)

• This weekend's marquee game of the day as Missouri is formally introduced with an in-conference matchup against Georgia.
• This is the 5 star take the phone off the hook game of the day
• Expect a lot of UGA fans to be in attendance (with the Falcons in KC on Sunday, many are making a big football weekend out of it)
• Missouri will be pumped and Franklin is an amazing dual threat QB
• Missouri also has a stud freshman in Dorial Green-Beckham, but don't get caught looking because WR Jimmie Hunt can get it done too
• If UGA's defense is up to the task they should handle business and come home with a W
• Aaron Murray is veteran at this point, Todd Gurley made a big Freshman splash last weekend
• UGA will have to play sound defense where they keep their lanes to mitigate Franklin's running out of the pocket
• Latest from the program is Alec Ogletree, Bacarri Rambo, Chase Vasser, & Sanders Commings will not play in Saturday night's game (all starters)
• All that aside, I like GA by 10+ in this one

Week 1 - Games to Keep an Eye On

So the new season is almost here. It has been some time since we saw Bama vs LSU in the rematch game. Glad to put that one behind us. SEC vs SEC is not the way it was intended. Diminished the regular season and proves that its harder to win SEC Championship than National Championship. All that aside, we've got a new season in front of us, and we have some tasty match ups for Week 1.



South Carolina at Vandy (Thursday 7:00 PM)

• This is the Thursday night ESPN College Football season opener
• I've been really impressed with the changes going on at Vanderbilt, expect them to continue to get better and steal recruits from the competition. Coach Franklin is the real deal, and I like his fire.
• In the end South Carolina has good QB and one of the best, if not the best tailback in the country with Marcus Lattimore.
• Gamecocks win this one but its a little closer than they like.
• And be sure to catch Coach Spurrier as he heads into the locker room, its just about the best part the game.

(Photo courtesy of ESPN)

Tennessee vs NC State (Friday 7:30 PM)

• This one is in the Georgia Dome
• Tennessee dropped Da'Rick Rogers this week and lost some offensive firepower, but also cut off some of the drama & distractions - hurts up front, but probably best in the long run
• I am not overly impressed with NC State. The running backs need to step up. 
•  I expect this one to be tight, but I like Tenn to pull away late and win by 7

Boise State at Michigan State (Friday 8:00 PM)

• Michigan State at home coming off a really good season last year, combined with Boise State loosing everyone essentially of consequence this year, has me going with The Spartans in this one
• Coach Dantonio is a class act.
• Sparty by 14

Notre Dame vs Navy (Saturday 9:00 AM)

• This is being played in Dublin, Ireland and you have to give them credit, as this is a pretty cool locale for a season opener
• East Coasters get to live like West Coasters and get some College Football for breakfast - finally!
• Coach Kelly is getting The Fighting Irish pointed in the right direction.
• Look for Notre Dame to run it up, respectfully. I like The Irish by 21.

Buffalo at Georgia (Saturday Noon)

• Aaron Murray has a lot to prove in many Dawg Fans' eyes. Can he win the tight games again highly ranked opponents?
• Luckily today is not the day he has to worry about that.
• Dawgs will get to showcase the new offensive line and trot out all the tailbacks to further define the RB rotation
• Dawgs Defense should be exemplary. Coach Gratham has been the man behind the Dawgs resurgence.
• I like Georgia in this to win by 5 TDs

(Photo courtesy of Danny Bishop)

Marshall at West Virginia (Saturday Noon)

• Marshall puts a lot of importance on this game. WVU not so much, but that's because they win these games.
• Expect the trend to continue here. Coming off the bowl thrashing against Clemson the last time we saw them, I highly expect West Virginia to make a statement game.
• I like WVU by 35

Southern Miss at Nebraska (Saturday 3:30 PM)

• Coach Pelini has Nebraska heading in the right direction
• Southern Miss has the ability to sneak up on people
• I don't think they'll beat Nebraska, but I do like them to cover
• I see Nebraska winning by 14 or so

Clemson vs Auburn (Saturday 7:00 PM)

• This is one of the better southern cross-conference rivalries out there
• No love is lost between these two programs and from Dabo's crying episode the last time they met (when Clemson won), I'm sure Chizik & company have not forget and hope to make Dabo cry with a different outcome this year.
• Look for Auburn to come out gunning and Clemson will struggle to keep up minus Sammy
• Auburn by 7

Michigan vs Alabama (Saturday 8:00 PM)

• This one is being played in Cowboy Stadium
• Many wonder if Alabama is overrated this year. They did lose a lot of talent to the NFL, but that seems like every year.
• Coach Saban is stacking up talent like no other
• I'm going with the Tide until I see different on the field
• Take The Crimson Tide. I like them winning by 17

Kentucky vs Louisville (Sunday 3:30 PM)

• As far as in-state rivalries go in college football, this one is pretty tame
• It is however the best game of the Sunday College Football action
• Can Joker turn this thing around? He is experiencing a post-Coach Brooks dip
• Look for Louisville to hold serve at home this year, but not cover
• I like Louisville by 10

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (Monday 8:00 PM)

• Ahh the Labor Day ACC closer.
• You have to give props to Coach Beamer and Coach Foster. Those guys have held it together like no other.
• They face a good test on Monday night, but I like VA Tech in this one by a field goal

Week 13: Friday's Games to Keep an Eye On

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I caught the Texas @ A&M game last night, and I thought the personal foul call late in the game was ludicrous. This was a great opportunity for a no-call, and not allow the game to be determine by an unnecessary penalty. But Big XII officials have a reputation for propping up Texas and stepping in to lend them a hand. Last night was no different and it seemed like another moment in a long line of head scratchers that have benefited The Longhorns.

Hopefully the Big XII egos can be set aside and this rivalry can be salvaged. The SEC handles rivalries a bit different. No one said the teams liked each other, but we never let that get in the way of good rivalry.


ARKANSAS (#3) at LSU (#1)
A lot, rightfully so, has been made of this game. The line has LSU -12, and I think Arkansas' lack of a true road win has many skeptics of Arkansas that might catch up with them today. The last time Arkansas saw a great defense (Alabama back on Sept 24th), they got shutdown when it counted most. LSU seemes to be on a path of destiny, but The Razorbacks will have their shot today in a similar fashion to '07 game. LSU had the better squad on paper, but a motivated Arkansas team walked away with the win. Petrino's offense is the 10th best passing attack in the country, and that will account for something. Matching up against LSU and finding a crease in that defense will be tough going. They'll have to use LSU's aggressiveness against them. Expect a lot of crossing routes, pick plays, and screens. I like LSU in this one. Their defense and run game are too strong, and I seem them getting more 3rd downs converted, controlling the clock and controlling the line of scrimmage.


HOUSTON (#8) AT TULSA (#27)
This game does have some extra juice on it as the CUSA West claim is at stake. This one might be closer than many think as Tulsa has been playing tough opponents throughout the year (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Boise), but failing to win one. Tulsa has reeled off 7 wins in a row, and Houston has not lost a game November 27th of last year. Today just might be there day, but its highly unlikely as Case Keenum continues to astound and beat up on lesser foes.

What’s Wrong With Playing College Football on Friday Nights?

As it turns out a lot.

Oklahoma State fell to Iowa State last night, in an epic double overtime thriller. #2 in the Country, on the road, got knocked off their spot and the door has been seemingly taken off its hinges.

Let the 1-Loss Beauty Pageant begin. BCS chaos. Ratings gold, right?

Thing is last night was a Friday night.

I think we’re missing the bigger picture here.

Didn't Friday night used to stand for High School Football?

College Football on Friday night just does not sit right with me, and I’m one of the biggest college football fans around. For everything that ESPN has done to promote and accentuate college football, I believe there is an equal or lesser part where they have detracted from it, and this is Exhibit A.

In their hunt for the story and ratings and the truth, ESPN is always one of the first to stick their cameras or mics in the face of someone when there is a controversy or scandal. I’m all for the truth and getting a story out that is corroborated and backed up. But this time I’m pointing that light on them. Maybe it’s a moot point as many Americans will probably not see it my way, but bear with me for 2 seconds.

If we are trying to promote good core family values and expect people to have some moral and ethical backbone (which seems to be in question a lot these days), then should we not also give a family a simple Friday night with uninterrupted time to watch, enjoy and support their high school football program.

Imagine for a minute that you’re an Oklahoma State graduate living in Iowa. You have 2 boys playing high school football. They have big game lined up for Friday night, and guess who is in town. Your alma mater, ranked #2 in the Country. You’re torn. You’re an OK State season ticket holder and you try to never miss a game. You’ve got your boys in the playoffs, and you’ll be there supporting them. Of course, family first. But you’re taking your phone and you’re going to keep an eye on it.

With all the time in the week, I find this just flat out wrong. It sends the wrong message.

We should not even be having this conversation, but ESPN in their quest for more EVERYTHING has disrupted the beautiful balanced ecosystem that once existed coast to coast. Now in its goal for a game to be in every crevice of the week and more ratings and more money, they have left us with this seemingly unbalanced Friday night situation.

I’m all for giving Friday nights back to the kids and families, so here is my vote to take back Friday night.

With all due respect, ESPN, please back off Friday night.

Don't get me wrong, I love ESPN. I remember watching the first College Football GameDay show. I remember Herbie's first show. They have one of the best on campus and in the studio shows ever put together. I've been a supporter for years.

But in this case, I think they've gone off the tracks.

It has been said often, “It’s all about the money”. Well friends, I disagree. Sometimes it should NOT be all about the money.

This time…it should be about the kids.