These are my top 10 games of the College Football Season. You will see some ESPN-hyped, obvious ones on the list, but most will be either games with ramifications or a great game for a fan of the sport of football to watch.
Boise St. vs. Virginia Tech (Sept. 6th)
I would rarely put a game in the 1st week as one of the best games of the year but this one I’ve been waiting for since I heard it was happening a couple of years back. There is a lot riding on this game. Boise needs it as it is a national broadcast game that is not a bowl game and against a BCS conference. VT needs this game because they had an awesome year last year but everyone remembers they lost two games last year, the ACC championship against Georgia Tech in the ACC/SEC showdown against Alabama. Both were competitive but they took 2 L’s. All eyes will be on them again. Game is in Baltimore, which will mean a home game for VT. I don’t see how Boise St. can win if Virginia Tech pressures Boise St. with their defense, but Chris Petersen is an excellent coach and has a good team that could enforce any game plan he draws up with 19 starters coming back.
Miami vs. Ohio St. (Sept. 11th)
Miami could exact revenge for the refs blown call in the 2003 Championship game. For the second year in a row, the Hurricanes have the toughest schedule in the nation and it starts officially in Columbus. However, Miami has no excuses for this game. They are not young, they have an O-line and their players are used to winning. Ohio St. plays their only relevant game out of conference (OOC), so they should look to prove to the nation that are worth their lofty ranking again is no fluke. Win this game, and the national championship game definitely goes through Columbus; unless the average duo of Iowa and Wisconsin can pull a shocker.
Baylor v. TCU (Sept. 18th)
As I said in my earlier post, TCU does not impress me in the least with their football program. Their offense will probably still not have an identity like the one last year, when Boise made them look horrible in the Fiesta Bowl. Their defense has always been their strong point, but they lost some of their key starters like Jerry Hughes. Baylor will never be in the same formation twice under Art Briles. IF ROBERT GRIFFITH is healthy, I fully expect Baylor to win this game by at least a touchdown. NO WAY TCU goes undefeated in the regular season 2 years in a row.
Pitt @ Miami (Sept. 23rd)
Miami will have a bye week before it has to travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers. Win this game along with the OSU game, and Miami should be the no.1 team in my opinion, because of their strength of schedule. Won’t be easy though because Pittsburgh is the class of the Big East and is very balanced on offense. I think Miami should take this game if their defense shows up but it will be in a harsh environment and definitely an entertaining game.
Miss. St. v. Houston (Oct. 9th)
This game was an awesome game last year that came to the wire with Houston stealing a 31-24 win. Miss. St. was robbed on a fumble call late in the game. Keenum threw for over 430 yards and Anthony Dixon ran for over 130 yards for MSU. Even though Dixon is gone, I expect this game to be much wilder this year.
Arkansas v. Auburn (Oct. 16th)
This was one of the SEC’s most entertaining games of the year, which saw a total score of 65 points. Arkansas ended up pouring it on late and knocked off a then 17th ranked Auburn 44-23. Auburn was down 27-3 at half but made it 34-23 heading into the 4th before running out of gas. There was almost 900 yards of offense in this game last year. This should be a closer game this year since no one will sneak up on anyone this year. This game will help frame the SEC West.
Houston @ SMU (Oct. 23)
This game should be a shoot-out this year being that it’s on SMU’s turf. This game was almost 800 yards of offense last year. Two awesome coaches in Kevin Sumlin and June Jones. Huge game in the Conference USA West Division.
GT @ VT (Nov. 4th)
This was a great game last year in which Georgia Tech was one of three top 25 that beat Virginia Tech. Both teams are disciplined with great coaches and starters coming back. Even though these squads have solid defenses, this game combined for over 700 yards. This game will probably decide tiebreakers in the ACC Coastal Division.
Miss. St. v. Arkansas (Nov. 20th)
These two squads are some of the more creative offenses in the league behind Auburn and with Florida sandwiched in between. Last year’s game Miss. St. ran for over 300 yards on Arkansas defense. However the defense couldn’t stop Mallet in the 4th quarter. I think you can see I really like Dan Mullen and his offense.
Auburn v. Alabama (Nov. 26th)
Since Saban has taken over, Auburn is one of few teams that not only believe they can compete with Alabama but they expect to win the game. This year will be no different. Auburn’s strong point will be spreading the ball out to its wideouts with medium to deep passes. Alabama’s most obvious weak point is the secondary. The question is whether Auburn will have enough depth on defense for the 4th quarter, or whether Chiznik will have a different scheme this year to throw Alabama off. Last year Auburn used its bye week to install the 4-6 defense that threw the Alabama run game off last year. Don’t be surprised if this game was for the SEC West representative for the SEC Championship. Auburn must hold its end up.
Other games to watch in no particular order: Ohio St. @ Iowa, VT @ Miami, Alabama at Arkansas, SMU v. Texas Tech, Texas A&M v. Arkansas, Oregon v. USC, Oregon v. Oregon St, Houston v. Texas Tech
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Teams to look out for in the 2010-2011 Season
This is my second year blogging about America’s real pastime, the great sport/economic industry that is college football. Just like last year, I have decided to open up the season by giving you some squads to look out for. Last year, in my opinion, I went about 70% on my surprising teams, but you can be the judge. You will not see TCU, Boise St. or Houston (one of my greatest picks last year) on MY list because frankly, they are not surprise teams. Everybody is on Houston this year and Boise is a legitimate contender this year (you will not here the term “national power” come out my mouth in describing them however). I’ll describe my apathy towards TCU in another post. Just like last year, I’ll go out on a limb to mention teams you wouldn’t expect to show you how good I am. Like every year, there will be shocking upsets and overtime thrillers that will change the landscape weekly in our great sport. Here are MY 6 teams that may do just that as well as 4 teams that ALMOST made the list (NOT IN ANY ORDER);
1. UCF – Why? UCF has enough athletes coming back on offense including 4 o-linemen and the RB Harvey coming back from an 8-5 squad. They also had the best defense in the C-USA last year. Toughest game out of Florida is a mediocre Kansas St. squad and a non-defense playing Houston squad in whom they beat last year. Only lost 2 C-USA games by 1 possession. Very EASY schedule and they have depth. Could easily win 9-10 games as well as the C-USA.
2. UCONN – Why? I think Randy Edsell is one of college football’s best coaches as far as getting players to play beyond their talent. UCONN lost 5 games by a total of 15 points last year, all to teams that were ranked at least once last year. 16 starters coming back, 8 on offense, 8 on defense. Schedule is challenging enough to get recognition from the media (Michigan, Temple) while being easy enough to skate to a 5-0 record (Tex. Southern, Buffalo) before starting Big East Play. Toughest games this year is at Michigan, the first game of the season, and at South Florida at the end of the year. Don’t be surprised if UCONN reps. The Big East this year in the BCS.
3. Washington – Why? PAC-10 is mediocre. There is no separation between teams. (Except Washington St. being one of college football’s worst programs) Steve Sarkisian is one of Pete Carroll’s disciples that had Washington off to a good start last year before fading. ESPN loves Jake Locker for some reason. He was supposed to be the West Coast version of Tebow, but he’s been more injured during his career and truthfully speaking, has done absolutely nothing noteworthy at his time at UW (except get a horrible call for excessive celebration 2 yrs. back). He must stay healthy for them to challenge for the Pac-10. They have 16 starters coming back, including 9 on offense which was pretty good last year. Pretty challenging schedule with Nebraska and USC back to back, but stealing one of those would give them confidence to challenge for the Pac-10.
4. Fresno St. – Why? Schedule. Only leaves Cali. for 2 legit games, Ole Miss, and Boise St. Interesting game with Cincy early at home. Lost two top playmakers including Ryan Mathews, but still has a veteran team on both sides of the ball. With the type of football Pat Hill likes to play, I would be shocked if Fresno didn’t win more than 8 games this year while challenging for top 3 spots in the WAC.
5. Texas A&M – Probably the most generalist pick out of this group. Why? Team has been mad young the last 2 years so no surprise that 18 players come back. Offense wasn’t the problem last year going over 30 (9) times including 39 against Will Muschamp’s Texas’s defense. Schedule is challenging enough for the media hype after some wins from writers (Arkansas, Big 12 West), yet favorable early and should be 4-0 going into the Arkansas game. Only leaves the state of Texas twice, Oklahoma St. and Kansas, 2 very winnable games. I believe Mike Sherman is going to get it done. He was an underrated coach in the NFL, and it is a make or break time frame for him this year.
6. Southern Miss – Even with Damian Fletcher finally out of Southern Miss, after gaining at least 1,000 yards for 4 seasons, So. Miss should make another run at 8 to 9 wins due to its favorable schedule and the skilled players coming back that fits its offensive style. So. Miss loss 4 games by one possession last year. The only team that beat them by more than one possession was the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
3 Teams that almost made the list:
1. Miss St. – One of the toughest teams to play against last year under first year coach Dan Mullen. They also had, in my opinion, the hardest schedule in the nation, not named Miami (Fla.) They played LSU, Florida, and GT tough and was robbed at home by Houston. The OOC schedule is lighter than last year (Houston on the road) but playing in the toughest division there has been in at least a decade (the SEC West), they would be fortunate to make a bowl this year. All of their tough games are on the road, (the aforementioned Houston game, Florida, Alabama, LSU). No Anthony Dixon, still not settled on a QB to run the system. This will be a good team though and will upset someone that sleeps on them. (I think either LSU or Arkansas). Do both and they may steal a decent bowl from one of these two as well.
2. Nevada – Was on my surprise list last year and went 8-5. OOC is easier this year, (only California at home from a BCS conference). QB Colin Kapernick is back and the Pistol is still a hard offense to solve. They have absolutely NO defense ever and I would be surprised if it’s getting better. They always play Boise tough and get them at home this year. Should battle Fresno St. for the second spot in the WAC.
3. Baylor – Also on my surprise list last year based on the stipulation that Robert Griffith stayed healthy. He tore his ACL the 3rd week in which Baylor was 2-1 at the time. (So it didn’t count, lol.) This team almost broke the non going bowl streak at Baylor as freshman two years ago and they are all Juniors now. The OOC schedule is CAKE compared to previous years with only overrated TCU as a challenging game. Only leaves the state of Texas twice this year. Baylor plays in the competitive Big 12 South but drew beautifully in terms of the 3 teams they play in the Big 12 North as they miss both Missouri and favorite Nebraska this year. They should steal some games and make a bowl and don’t be surprised if they upset Texas or Oklahoma this year.
1. UCF – Why? UCF has enough athletes coming back on offense including 4 o-linemen and the RB Harvey coming back from an 8-5 squad. They also had the best defense in the C-USA last year. Toughest game out of Florida is a mediocre Kansas St. squad and a non-defense playing Houston squad in whom they beat last year. Only lost 2 C-USA games by 1 possession. Very EASY schedule and they have depth. Could easily win 9-10 games as well as the C-USA.
2. UCONN – Why? I think Randy Edsell is one of college football’s best coaches as far as getting players to play beyond their talent. UCONN lost 5 games by a total of 15 points last year, all to teams that were ranked at least once last year. 16 starters coming back, 8 on offense, 8 on defense. Schedule is challenging enough to get recognition from the media (Michigan, Temple) while being easy enough to skate to a 5-0 record (Tex. Southern, Buffalo) before starting Big East Play. Toughest games this year is at Michigan, the first game of the season, and at South Florida at the end of the year. Don’t be surprised if UCONN reps. The Big East this year in the BCS.
3. Washington – Why? PAC-10 is mediocre. There is no separation between teams. (Except Washington St. being one of college football’s worst programs) Steve Sarkisian is one of Pete Carroll’s disciples that had Washington off to a good start last year before fading. ESPN loves Jake Locker for some reason. He was supposed to be the West Coast version of Tebow, but he’s been more injured during his career and truthfully speaking, has done absolutely nothing noteworthy at his time at UW (except get a horrible call for excessive celebration 2 yrs. back). He must stay healthy for them to challenge for the Pac-10. They have 16 starters coming back, including 9 on offense which was pretty good last year. Pretty challenging schedule with Nebraska and USC back to back, but stealing one of those would give them confidence to challenge for the Pac-10.
4. Fresno St. – Why? Schedule. Only leaves Cali. for 2 legit games, Ole Miss, and Boise St. Interesting game with Cincy early at home. Lost two top playmakers including Ryan Mathews, but still has a veteran team on both sides of the ball. With the type of football Pat Hill likes to play, I would be shocked if Fresno didn’t win more than 8 games this year while challenging for top 3 spots in the WAC.
5. Texas A&M – Probably the most generalist pick out of this group. Why? Team has been mad young the last 2 years so no surprise that 18 players come back. Offense wasn’t the problem last year going over 30 (9) times including 39 against Will Muschamp’s Texas’s defense. Schedule is challenging enough for the media hype after some wins from writers (Arkansas, Big 12 West), yet favorable early and should be 4-0 going into the Arkansas game. Only leaves the state of Texas twice, Oklahoma St. and Kansas, 2 very winnable games. I believe Mike Sherman is going to get it done. He was an underrated coach in the NFL, and it is a make or break time frame for him this year.
6. Southern Miss – Even with Damian Fletcher finally out of Southern Miss, after gaining at least 1,000 yards for 4 seasons, So. Miss should make another run at 8 to 9 wins due to its favorable schedule and the skilled players coming back that fits its offensive style. So. Miss loss 4 games by one possession last year. The only team that beat them by more than one possession was the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
3 Teams that almost made the list:
1. Miss St. – One of the toughest teams to play against last year under first year coach Dan Mullen. They also had, in my opinion, the hardest schedule in the nation, not named Miami (Fla.) They played LSU, Florida, and GT tough and was robbed at home by Houston. The OOC schedule is lighter than last year (Houston on the road) but playing in the toughest division there has been in at least a decade (the SEC West), they would be fortunate to make a bowl this year. All of their tough games are on the road, (the aforementioned Houston game, Florida, Alabama, LSU). No Anthony Dixon, still not settled on a QB to run the system. This will be a good team though and will upset someone that sleeps on them. (I think either LSU or Arkansas). Do both and they may steal a decent bowl from one of these two as well.
2. Nevada – Was on my surprise list last year and went 8-5. OOC is easier this year, (only California at home from a BCS conference). QB Colin Kapernick is back and the Pistol is still a hard offense to solve. They have absolutely NO defense ever and I would be surprised if it’s getting better. They always play Boise tough and get them at home this year. Should battle Fresno St. for the second spot in the WAC.
3. Baylor – Also on my surprise list last year based on the stipulation that Robert Griffith stayed healthy. He tore his ACL the 3rd week in which Baylor was 2-1 at the time. (So it didn’t count, lol.) This team almost broke the non going bowl streak at Baylor as freshman two years ago and they are all Juniors now. The OOC schedule is CAKE compared to previous years with only overrated TCU as a challenging game. Only leaves the state of Texas twice this year. Baylor plays in the competitive Big 12 South but drew beautifully in terms of the 3 teams they play in the Big 12 North as they miss both Missouri and favorite Nebraska this year. They should steal some games and make a bowl and don’t be surprised if they upset Texas or Oklahoma this year.
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