The 2009 college football season is now officially two weeks away from kicking off. The opening weekend, which will span from Thursday to Labor Day Monday, is jam packed full of exciting games to start the season. Every week I will pick 20 notable games, - unless there aren't 20 good ones in which case I will pick as many as I deem notable - analyze the top games, and pick the winners.
Thursday, September 4th will be highlighted by two nationally televised games on ESPN. The first, at 7:00pm, will be the SEC's South Carolina Gamecocks heading into Raleigh to square off with the N.C. State Wolfpack. N.C. State's sophomore QB Russell Wilson is one of the most entertaining signal callers in the nation and will be relied on heavily if N.C. State wants to make it back to a bowl game after finishing last season as one of the hottest teams in the nation. As for South Carolina, head coach Steve Spurrier has been a constant winner but not to the degree that the SC fans had hoped. Two time All-SEC LB Eric Norwood is back for his senior season and will anchor a defense that will be the backbone of the team. Unfortunately, Norwood won't be able to do everything himself and N.C. State wins the opening game of 2009.
The second televised game will beat 10:00pm and will be one of the biggest non-conference match-ups of the year, not just the weekend. Highly touted Oregon brings its high-powered spread attack to the blue turf of Boise State. The Duck's will be playing their first game under new head coach Chip Kelly, formerly the offensive coordinator, after long time coach Mike Bellotti moved to the Athletic Director position. Oregon is a very popular pick to be the dark horse team to upset USC and win the Pac-10. Boise State is a very popular pick to go undefeated and be a BCS buster again if it is able to beat Oregon at home. This game has a lot of implications on the national stage as well as local recruiting. Last season the Broncos went into Autzen Stadium and knocked off Oregon 37-32. Oregon wants revenge and I think they'll get it in this one.
Friday night only has one game on the schedule and though it won't be nearly as good as the other days, it does have its storyline. Tulsa will travel to New Orleans to face off with Tulane. Tulsa has boasted one of the best offenses in the country the last five to six years whereas Tulane has been picked to finish dead last in Conference USA this season. Tulsa lost a lot of talent and is projected to finish in the middle of the conference after being near the top recently. Tulane could use this nationally televised game to send a message to the rest of Conference USA to not sleep on them and be prepared for a battle when you come to New Orleans. Despite the motivation I still like Tulsa to win this one.
Now on to Saturday. The traditional day of college football. There are nine games that I will be highlighting, beginning with the Noon game between Minnesota and Syracuse. Minnesota went 7-1 last season before losing their final five games to finish 7-6, still above .500. This year the Big-10 is down and Minnesota could have a chance to finish in the top four or five. As for Syracuse, who has been the cellar dwellers of the Big East for several years, they have named former Duke PG Greg Paulus as the starter entering the season. Paulus was the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year his senior season of high school in a Syracuse town. This ESPN Noon game will be a chance to see how both teams look in their quest for success in 2009. Despite Paulus' accolades I don't think he'll be able to shake off the rust of a four year lay off and I think Minnesota gets the W in the Carrier Dome.
There are a pair of mid-afternoon games that are very, very good games for the 3:30pm spot. The first, on ABC, is the Border War between Illinois and Missouri. Senior QB Juice Williams hasn't quite lived up to the hype that surrounded him since his freshman year and with All-American WR Arrelious Benn he could finally show his true potential. Missouri lost a plethora of offensive talent and will rely heavily on All-Big 12 OLB Sean Witherspoon and the defense to keep them in games. The Tigers will have too much youth and inexperience in the first game of the season so I'm taking Illinois in this one.
The second 3:30pm game is an SEC vs Big 12 showdown that pits on the best from each conference against each other when Georgia visits Oklahoma State. Georgia lost their two best offensive players in the first round of the NFL Draft in April but a lot of the players and coaches don't think they'll miss a beat with Redshirt Senior QB Joe Cox taking the reigns. As for Oklahoma State, they possess one of, if not the, best trio in all of the nation. QB Zach Robinson is a duel threat, RB Kendall Hunter blends speed and power, and WR Dez Bryant is probably the best receiver in the country. Oklahoma State hasn't yet proven they are able to step up to the challenge on the national stage with losses to Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Oregon in the Holiday Bowl last season. I think that the first game of the 2009 season will change that trend and the Cowboys get a huge victory in Stillwater.
The 7:00pm slot will be filled by a similar story line: Oklahoma vs a very good, overlooked team from a non-BCS conference. This time, it's the Mountain West's BYU, who is led by one of the best QBs in America, Max Hall. The last time OU met a "BCS-buster" on the national stage they were embarrassed when they let a 4th quarter lead slip away in their now infamous Fiesta Bowl loss to Boise State. One thing to keep an eye onwill be the play of Oklahoma's offensive line, who replaces four starters. If the line is able to keep reigning Heisman winner Sam Bradford upright, Oklahoma should win this one by a few touchdowns.
Saturday's primetime 8:00pm slot will be filled by one of the biggest, most anticipated non-conference games in recent memory when ACC favorite Virginia Tech and SEC power Alabama meet in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. JR duel-threat QB Tyrod Taylor will be relied on heavily with All-ACC RB Darren Evans gone for the season with a knee injury. Nick Saban and Alabama continue to reload with recruiting as well as a ton of players returning. One of the match-ups to really keep an eye on will be All-American DT Tay Cody vs All-American OG Sergio Render. Whoever wins the battle in the trenches could eventually prove who will win this huge early season game.
There are two late night games on Saturday with the first being at 10:00pm when Maryland visits Cal. Last season Cal opened their season with a very impressive win vs Michigan State and crushing Washington State by nine touchdowns and then they entered College Park, Maryland as double-digit favorites. Maryland dominated from the opening whistle and despite a late comeback the Terps were able to hang on for a 35-27 win. This season Cal not only has Pac-10 but also BCS title hopes. This game will feature two of the nations top running backs. Maryland's Da'Rel Scott ran for just under 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore last year, including 100 total yards and 2 TDs vs Cal. He is one of, if not the, best RBs in the ACC. As for Cal, their superstar Jahvid Best is widely considered to be the best RB in the country and a front-runner for the Heisman. Best was an electrifying player last season with sub 4.4 speed but he has added 10-15 pounds of muscle and looks to be an even tougher runner. I think Best starts his Heisman campaign strong week one and Cal takes care of business at home.
The final game of Saturday will be a 10:30pm battle as LSU comes to Seattle to face Washington. Huskies QB Jake Locker was hampered all of last season by nagging injuries and finally enters the 2009 season fully healthy. Under the tutelage of former USC offensive coordinator now UW head coach Steve Sarkisian he should be even better than his freshman year when he played all 12 games and accounted for over 3,000 total yards (986 rushing, 2,062 passing) and 27 touchdowns. With a healthy Locker and a raucous home crowd an upset could be in the works. For LSU to avoid an upset they will have to use their strengths: the running game and solid defense. RB Charles Scott is a monster and is rarely tackled by a single defender. With such a solid game, it should open up passing lanes for young QB Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson hasn't played much but he did lead LSU to a Chick-fil-a Bowl thumping over Georgia Tech. Also look for blue chip recruit Russell Shepard to take some snaps as well as lineup at receiver. As tempted as a I am to take UW in the upset I think that LSU just has too much talent and will win a close game.
The action continues Sunday at 3:30pm when Ole Miss travels to Memphis to begin their quest for the SEC West title. Ole Miss is the favorite to win the SEC West this season despite LSU and Alabama both fielding very good teams. QB Jevan Sneed and WRs Dexter McCluster and Shay Hodge provide a powerful offensive punch while DE Greg Hardy is one of the best pass rushers in the nation. Though this game will probably be a blowout, it will be fun to see how Ole Miss handles the hype and publicity that they have rarely received before. I like Ole Miss big in this one.
Coverage wraps up on Monday with two big in-conference games. The first, at 4:00pm, is reigning Big East champion Cincinnati at Rutgers. Rutgers is expected to be near the top of the conference and this game will be very important for both teams to set the tone of for the rest of the season. All-American WR Mardy Gilyard of Cincinnati will look to continue his dominance and try and take Cincy back to the top. Rutgers will be lead by the most experienced offensive lines in the Big East led by All-American candidate Anthony Davis at LT. This game should be very exciting and will have implications on the entire Big East. I like Rutgers to win simply because of the home field.
The final game of Labor Day weekend will be between two bitter rivals: Miami @ Florida State. Both of these teams are stocked with young talent on both sides of the ball. Miami's sophomore QB Jacory Harris won the job late last season and enter 2009 as the full time starter with former QB Robert Marve transferring to Purdue. Florida State has junior QB Christian Ponder behind center and he has made great strides to be the player FSU thought he would be. These teams seem to be very evenly matched and the difference may just be the veteran presence of preseason ACC Defensive Player of the Year LB Dekoda Watson. Watson will be able to both rush the passer and drop into coverage and at 6'2" 230 lbs and a 4.4 40 yard dash he is suited to do both. With Watson and the home crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium I like Florida State to win this one.
Other Notable Game Predictions:
Ohio State OVER Navy
Penn State OVER Akron
Toledo OVER Purdue*
Notre Dame OVER Nevada
Baylor OVER Wake Forest*
Stanford OVER Washington State
Colorado OVER Colorado State
*Denotes Upset Pick
2009 Record:
0-0
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Recker Returns, stuns fans...
Hello Loyal Followers,
Summer is nearing an end. Soon school will start, leaves will change, and the nights will grow shorter. That means the fall sports spectacular is upon us. From August till Late October this is only period of the long year that you can gather together and literally talk about the sports that make this world great.
The little league world series starts up this week, americans and people from around the world will be tuning in to watch the best teams from all around to take part in something special. These kids are doing it because they want to be there. They are there to live a dream. It's not about winning to them, they are just there with friends enjoying the true american past-time.
Today the PGA Championship takes of in Minnesota. Tiger woods is ready for three in a row? WHo know. It's once again Tiger VS. The field. Ill take Tiger. This is a long course, very long to be direct. His rhythm is on and I see that no one will match his mind set.
Friday nights have always held a special place in my heart. High School football returns and there is definatley no better place to watch it than right here in western PA. no matter where you live or what team you root for. Go out and look for a random game and it will surely be a good one.
The WORLD's sport...Futbol picks up as the European club leagues square off. Now that next summers world cup in south africa is less than a year away people cant believe where the last threee summers have gone. But in these next few months we still have to find 26 other nations to qualify for arguably the most beloved prize in any sport.
THE NFL and college football return the gridiron. The worlds greatest athletes compete in the most popular sport in america. there sure aint nothing like waking up on a weekend morning knowing that all day there will be a game to watch.
NHL picks back up and here in pittsburgh it is bigger than ever with the defending stanley cup champions Penguins come back for their final season in the igloo and they will have an even tougher time if they plan to hoist that cup one more time befor they move across the street to the consol energy center.
The world series...I know baseball in pittsburgh is a laughing joke. but still theres nothing like watchin baseball in october, ever pitch, every hit, every throw matters. I know i hated watchin the phillies celebrate. but that fact is i was so mad i couldnt turn it off, because i was jealous that they could be better than our baseball team, but maybe thats why i watch. maybe cause i know i will be there when the pirates get to the playoffs or even a world series.
NBA and NCAA basketball finally round out my list. NBA is not big here, but now that 2 pitt starters were drafter from last years elite eight team, some might find it interesting to watch those two grow and develop as young men on the hard wood. And as for our pitt panthers, we'll you better believe that coach jamie dixon has them ready to go and fight for another run at a big east crown and possibly a national title.
Just think about how great it is to have so many sports to be a part of and follow throughout the next few months....Im glad to be back in full gear on the BIG CAT's Sports show. this year will be a very interesting one with all thats going on in the world of sports.
To All: Randy
Summer is nearing an end. Soon school will start, leaves will change, and the nights will grow shorter. That means the fall sports spectacular is upon us. From August till Late October this is only period of the long year that you can gather together and literally talk about the sports that make this world great.
The little league world series starts up this week, americans and people from around the world will be tuning in to watch the best teams from all around to take part in something special. These kids are doing it because they want to be there. They are there to live a dream. It's not about winning to them, they are just there with friends enjoying the true american past-time.
Today the PGA Championship takes of in Minnesota. Tiger woods is ready for three in a row? WHo know. It's once again Tiger VS. The field. Ill take Tiger. This is a long course, very long to be direct. His rhythm is on and I see that no one will match his mind set.
Friday nights have always held a special place in my heart. High School football returns and there is definatley no better place to watch it than right here in western PA. no matter where you live or what team you root for. Go out and look for a random game and it will surely be a good one.
The WORLD's sport...Futbol picks up as the European club leagues square off. Now that next summers world cup in south africa is less than a year away people cant believe where the last threee summers have gone. But in these next few months we still have to find 26 other nations to qualify for arguably the most beloved prize in any sport.
THE NFL and college football return the gridiron. The worlds greatest athletes compete in the most popular sport in america. there sure aint nothing like waking up on a weekend morning knowing that all day there will be a game to watch.
NHL picks back up and here in pittsburgh it is bigger than ever with the defending stanley cup champions Penguins come back for their final season in the igloo and they will have an even tougher time if they plan to hoist that cup one more time befor they move across the street to the consol energy center.
The world series...I know baseball in pittsburgh is a laughing joke. but still theres nothing like watchin baseball in october, ever pitch, every hit, every throw matters. I know i hated watchin the phillies celebrate. but that fact is i was so mad i couldnt turn it off, because i was jealous that they could be better than our baseball team, but maybe thats why i watch. maybe cause i know i will be there when the pirates get to the playoffs or even a world series.
NBA and NCAA basketball finally round out my list. NBA is not big here, but now that 2 pitt starters were drafter from last years elite eight team, some might find it interesting to watch those two grow and develop as young men on the hard wood. And as for our pitt panthers, we'll you better believe that coach jamie dixon has them ready to go and fight for another run at a big east crown and possibly a national title.
Just think about how great it is to have so many sports to be a part of and follow throughout the next few months....Im glad to be back in full gear on the BIG CAT's Sports show. this year will be a very interesting one with all thats going on in the world of sports.
To All: Randy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
