Weekly Picks

There's an extra early game this week, so I gotta get my picks in now. Just in case you didn't know, the early game is a titanic Sun Belt showdown between Middle Tennessee and Troy tonight.

Here's the picks...

Middle Tennessee @ Troy
Nebraska @ Missouri
Louisiana Tech @ Nevada
Boston College @ Virginia Tech
Eastern Illinois @ Penn St.
Auburn @ Arkansas
Miami(OH) @ Northwestern
Purdue @ Minnesota
West Virginia @ Syracuse
Vanderbilt @ Army
Michigan St. @ Illinois
Eastern Michigan @ Central Michigan
Georgia @ Tennessee
Oklahoma St. @ Texas A&M
Iowa St. @ Kansas
Kentucky @ South Carolina
Houston @ Mississippi St.
Ball St. @ Temple
New Mexico @ Wyoming
Alabama @ Ole Miss
Wisconsin @ Ohio St.
Oregon @ UCLA
Baylor @ Oklahoma
Georgia Southern @ North Carolina
Texas Southern @ Rutgers
Connecticut @ Pittsburgh
Navy @ Rice
Indiana @ Virginia
Gardner-Webb @ Buffalo
Bowling Green @ Kent St.
Marshall @ Tulane
Duke @ NC State
Arizona St. @ Washington St.
Utah @ Colorado St.
Ohio @ Akron
Maryland @ Wake Forest
Florida A&M @ Miami(FL)
Florida International @ Western Kentucky
Stanford @ Oregon St.
North Texas @ UL-Lafayette
Kansas St. @ Texas Tech
Western Michigan @ Toledo
Colorado @ Texas
TCU @ Air Force
Southern Miss @ Louisville
Florida @ LSU
Georgia Tech @ Florida St.
Idaho @ San Jose St.
Utah St. @ New Mexico St.
UTEP @ Memphis
East Carolina @ SMU
Michigan @ Iowa
BYU @ UNLV
Arizona @ Washington
Fresno St. @ Hawaii


Upset Picks:

Nebraska over Missouri - Missouri is undefeated and at home, but I like Nebraska's defense to harass Blaine Gabbert all day Thursday. I am perfect on Thursday night games, in case you're keeping score at home.


Arkansas over Auburn - Two of the better offenses in the SEC will be on display at high noon on Saturday. I like Arkansas to win at home behind a big day from Ryan Mallett.

Mississippi St. over Houston - We all remember what happened to East Carolina last season once their Cinderella slipper was shattered. This Houston team is better than that Pirate team, but I think Dan Mullen will pull out all the stops in Starkville.

Washington over Arizona - The Huskies just may be the best one win team in the country. I like their chances of knocking off the Wildcats Saturday night.

Week 3 Preview

The college football season is finally starting to get it's legs under itself. For the most part, the cup cake challengers are long gone off of the heavyweight's schedules. Now it's time to get down to the business. There are several teams that will be opening up conference play this week, as well as several teams that are finally going to face somewhat of a challenge.

Here's what you need to know, as deemed by me, for week 3.

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5 Games to Watch

1. Florida v. Tennessee - Of course this game is going to make the list. The Gators are finally going to face a team that will be somewhat competitive for at least two quarters. Maybe. We all know about the hype leading up to this game and I've already gone into great detail what I think about it.

2. Virginia Tech v. Nebraska - This is probably the best game that has not been talked about all year long. Both of these teams are solid defensively as well as great rushing teams. Roy Helu of Nebraska and Va Tech's Ryan Williams could be the deciding factors for this game. Also, look for special teams to play a major role.

3. Washington v. USC - This game looks like a blowout no matter which way you study it from. I am a sucker for new coaches facing their old teams though. That's what you have with this match-up. Steve Sarkisian's Husky squad is coming off it's first win since 1975. They will be all kinds of motivated to put up a fight against the Trojans. They still lose, and possibly lose big. But I'll enjoy watching it.

4. Oregon v. Utah - This is Oregon's chance to redeem itself. They already failed miserably in trying to take down a top-tier Non-BCS team this season. We all remember the LeGarrette Blount Bowl in Week 1. Now the Ducks get a shot at the Utes. I actually like the Ducks' chances in this one. They are playing at home, and Utah no longer has Brian Johnson taking snaps.

5. BYU v. Florida St. - The Noles will be fighting to earn some respect back in this game. After barely losing to Miami, Bobby Bowden's bunch went out and almost lost to the Gamecocks at home last week. That's not the South Carolina Gamecocks. That's the vaunted Jacksonville St. Gamecocks. The very same team led by the legendary Ryan Perriloux. BYU will be looking to continue their BCS season. Knocking off Oklahoma and Florida St in the same season will look really good in the school's media guide for years to come.

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5 Players to Watch

1. Tim Tebow QB Florida - Tebow is coming into the game vs. the Vols extremely pissed off. You don't wanna make Timmy angry. He could be in for a huge day.

2. Darryl Clark QB Penn St. - Clark is another QB that could be in for a huge day. The Nittany Lions are hosting Temple.

3. Freddie Barnes WR Bowling Green - Barnes is among the nation's leader in nearly every receiving statistical category. This week the Falcons will be taking on Marshall. A team that is not well known for it's pass defense.

4. Damion Fletcher RB Southern Miss - The Eagles are hosting Virginia this week. The Cavs are one of the worst teams in the nation. They can't do anything right, much less contain a top-flight RB.

5. Dan LeFevour QB Central Michigan - Last week LeFevour led a come from behind victory vs. Michigan St. This week: Alcorn St. I think he'll do just fine.

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The Heisman Race

1. Tim Tebow Florida QB

2. Colt McCoy Texas QB

3. Max Hall BYU QB

4. Joe McKnight USC RB

5. Jahvid Best California RB

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My TV Schedule

Be jealous...

12:00 CBSC Ball St. @ Army

12:00 ESPN California @ Minnesota

12:00 ESPN2 East Carolina @ North Carolina

12:00 ESPNU Louisville @ Kentucky

12:00 VS Duke @ Kansas

3:30 ABC Nebraska @ Virginia Tech

3:30 CBS Tennessee @ Florida

3:30 NBC Michigan St. @ Notre Dame

3:30 CBSC Virginia @ Southern Miss

3:30 ESPN Utah @ Oregon

3:30 ESPN2 Arizona @ Iowa

3:30 ESPNU Indiana @ Akron

3:30 FSN Tulsa @ Oklahoma

6:45 FSN Cincinnati @ Oregon St.

7:00 ESPNU UL-Lafayette @ LSU

7:00 VS Florida St. @ BYU

7:30 CBSC Air Force @ New Mexico

7:45 ESPN Georgia @ Arkansas

7:45 ESPN2 West Virginia @ Auburn

8:00 ABC Texas Tech @ Texas

10:30 ESPNU Hampton @ NC A&T

11:00 CBSC Hawaii @ UNLV

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Ultimate Fantasy League Week 3

Florida @ LSU

Georgia @ South Carolina

Tennessee v. Georgia Tech

Clemson v. West Virginia

Auburn v. Illinois

Alabama v. Michigan

Mississippi St. @ Louisiana Tech

Ole Miss @ Texas Tech

Kentucky v. Tulsa

Colorado @ Missouri

Kansas @ Nebraska

Kansas St. @ Texas

Arkansas v. Oklahoma

Oklahoma St. v. Texas A&M

TCU v. Utah

Washington @ Oregon

Washington St. @ Iowa St.

Oregon St. @ Cincinnati

Stanford v. Boise St.

USC @ Arizona

UCLA v. Arizona St.

California @ San Diego St.

Ohio St. @ Boston College

Northwestern @ Indiana

Minnesota @ UNLV

Wisconsin @ Notre Dame

Purdue @ Pittsburgh

Iowa @ Michigan St.

Miami @ Virginia

Virginia Tech v. North Carolina

NC State @ Louisville

Florida St. @ Maryland

Wake Forest @ Duke

South Florida @ East Carolina

Connecticut @ Rutgers

Syracuse @ Army

Penn St. v Vanderbilt

Navy v. Central Florida

Air Force @ Southern Miss

Colorado St. v. Troy

Baylor v. BYU

Wyoming v. Houston

Weekly Picks

No into this week, just straight to the picks!


Western Michigan @ Ball St.
Navy @ Northern Illinois
Texas A&M @ Texas
West Virginia @ Pittsburgh
Central Michigan @ Eastern Michigan
Mississippi St. @ Ole Miss
Ohio @ Miami(OH)
UTEP @ East Carolina
Akron @ Temple
Kent St. @ Buffalo
Colorado @ Nebraska
Bowling Green @ Toledo
Fresno St. @ Boise St.
UCLA @ Arizona St.
Georgia Tech @ Georgia
Syracuse @ Cincinnati
Miami(FL) @ NC State
South Carolina @ Clemson
Virginia @ Virginia Tech
Kansas @ Missouri
UAB @ UCF
Arkansas St. @ North Texas
Nevada @ Louisiana Tech
New Mexico St. @ Utah St.
Southern Miss @ SMU
Auburn @ Alabama
Florida @ Florida St.
Baylor @ Texas Tech
Maryland @ Boston College
North Carolina @ Duke
Tulane @ Memphis
Houston @ Rice
Tulsa @ Marshall
FIU @ Florida Atlantic
Kentucky @ Tennessee
Oregon @ Oregon St.
Vanderbilt @ Wake Forest
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma St.
Notre Dame @ USC
Washington St. @ Hawaii

Upset Alerts:

Colorado over Nebraska - The Buffs need this win to become bowl eligible. I think Coach Hawkins gets them fired up enough to win it.

North Carolina St. over Miami(FL) - Just like last season, Tom O'Brien has the Wolfpack playing like ACC champs at the end of the year. If he can just find a way to have his team play like that all season long, he may have something special.

Tennessee over Kentucky - The Wildcats may be running into a buzz saw on this one. I don't see the Vol senior class letting Coach Fulmer go out without a win.

Oklahoma St. over Oklahoma - It's Bedlam! Anything can happen.....

All Suspended/Dismissed team

If you're a college athlete these days, it seems to be all the rage to go out and make a complete jackass out of yourself. Unfortunately for these morons, a suspension, or in severe cases, a dismissal from the team is a result.

These instances of tomfoolery seem to be more prevalent this year than in the past.

In honor of these grade A dumbasses, I've decided to make a team compiled completely of players that have been suspended or dismissed from their respective teams this upcoming season.


Offense

QB - Ryan Perrilloux - LSU - Dismissed
HB - Lance Smith - Wisconsin - Dismissed
HB - Leon Patton - Kansas St. - Susp. Indefinitely
WR - Josh Jarboe - Oklahoma - Dismissed
WR - JaJaun Spillman - Louisville - Dismissed
WR - Jeremy Childs - Boise St. - Susp. 1 Game
WR - Marques Wade - Arkansas - Susp. 2 Games
OL- Clint Boling - Georgia Tech - Susp. 1 Game
OL - Andy Christensen - Nebraska - Susp. Indefinitely
OL- Tyler Gray - UCLA - Susp. 4 Games
OL - Brandon Davis - Florida St. - Susp. 3 Games


Defense

DL - Brady Smith - Boston College - Dismissed
DL - John Gill - Northwestern - Susp. 1 Game
DL - Kevin Dixon - Nebraska - Dismissed
DL - Phillip Taylor- Penn St. -Dismissed
LB - Darius Dewberry - Georgia - Susp. 2 Games
LB - Jimmy Johns - Alabama - Dismissed
LB - Daniel Brooks - Tennessee - Dismissed
LB - Freddy Burton - Arkansas - Susp. 2 Games
DB - Jamar Hornsby - Florida - Dismissed
DB - Donovan Baldwin - Georgia - Susp. 1 Game
DB - Antonio Wardlow - Tennessee - Dismissed

Special Teams

P - Britton Colquitt - Tennessee - Susp. 5 Games
K - John Barker - Syracuse - Susp. Indefinitely
RS - Preston Parker - Florida St. - Susp. 2 Games

If you give me the guys on the list I guarantee you I will win some games. Of course, my program will be in the shits for letting a bunch of douche bags run wild, but isn't that what football's all about anyway?

The top 25 players: Big XII

This looks like it could be a VERY big year for the Big XII. Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech all have realistic shots of winning the South. While Kansas, Colorado and Missouri are all looking to win the North.


The Big XII has closed the gap on the SEC for the best conference argument. They are just a Nebraska and Kansas St. surprise season away from being mentioned in the same breath.


Here are my top 25 players from the Big XII conference:


1. Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech WR- Crabtree won the Biletnikoff award last season as a Freshman. Expectations are high for the super soph and his Red Raiders. We'll see if he can repeat last season's successes.

2. Chase Daniel - Missouri QB - Daniel was a Heisman trophy finalist last season. He should be competing with Tebow and others to once again make the trip to New York at the end of the season.

3. Sam Bradford - Oklahoma QB - I have said all along that I felt like Bradford had the best argument against Tebow last season for the Heisman. If he plays like he did last year, Bradford should be a finalist for the award this season.

4. Graham Harrell - Texas Tech QB - Harrell will once again put up some pretty impressive numbers in Lubbock. Once again, however, no one will give him any respect.

5. Auston English - Oklahoma DL - There is always a great Sooner defensive linemen. It's English's turn to take that role.

6. George Hypolite - Colorado DL - I think Hypolite might be my favorite defensive player in the Big XII. The guy has a non-stop motor and he plays with all heart. Like Rod Tidwell said, "Heart? I'm all heart mother f***er!"

7. Duke Robinson - Oklahoma OL - Robinson might be the biggest player in the Big XII. Imagine the battles he must have with Auston English during Sooner practices.

8. DeMarco Murray - Oklahoma RB - Another Sooner makes my top 10. No wonder why I have them in the BCS title game this year......

9. Sean Weatherspoon - Missouri LB - It's not all about the offense at Missouri. The Tigers boast a pretty good defense too, led by Weatherspoon.

10. Joaquin Iglesias - Oklahoma WR - Another Sooner............

11. Jeremy Maclin - Missouri WR - Maclin might be the fastest player in the Big XII. He will be the main target for QB Chase Daniel this season.

12. Cedrick Dockery - Texas OL - It's hard to believe the Longhorns first entry onto this list is at 12 and it's a linemen.

13. Mike Goodson - Texas A&M RB - If Maclin is the fastest player in the conference, Goodson is not very far behind him. He is the lightning to Javorskie Lane's thunder.

14. Nic Harris - Oklahoma DB - It's a shame Bob Stoops can't win a bowl game anymore. He has a ton of talent to work with in Norman.

15. Colt McCoy - Texas QB - I would rank McCoy a little higher on this list but he is just so damn inconsistent.

16. Marlon Lucky - Nebraska RB - Lucky will be the main focal point for the Cornhuskers offense this season. That should mean more carries and more yards for this very talented back.

17. Joe Pawelek - Baylor LB - How about Baylor making a surprise appearance on the list? Art Briles should have the Bears competing in the Big XII. Just not this year.

18. William Moore - Missouri DB - Once again, I'm telling you that the Missouri defense will be very good this season.

19. Todd Reesing - Kansas QB - Reesing was the feel good story last season in CFB. I'm not completely sold on Reesing, but he had too good of a season to not include him.

20. Quan Cosby - Texas WR - Texas may not have as much talent on the offensive side of the ball as they're used to, but Cosby is a gem at wide out.

21. Joe Mortensen - Kansas LB - Mortensen is the heart and soul of a very underrated, but tough Jayhawk defense.

22. Zac Robinson - Oklahoma St. QB - Robinson broke all kinds of Cowboy records last season. He just needs to learn how to win on a consistent basis.

23. Brian Orakpo - Texas DL - A lot of people in Austin are clamoring over Orakpo's performance. He clearly has not lived up to his expectations at Texas, but talent alone gets him on this list.

24. Phil Loadholt - Oklahoma OL - I had to squeeze one more Sooner onto the list before it was all said and done. Loadholt doesn't get the pub he deserves, mainly because he shares the line with Duke Robinson.

25. Dez Bryant - Oklahoma St. WR - Bryant was one of the reasons why QB Zac Robinson was able to have such a tremendous season last year. Oklahoma St. will once again feature a very prolific offense, and Bryant will be a big part of it.

2008 Impact Freshmen

There is a popular and overused saying that describes freshmen. You know it, "The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores." This is a cliche that is used almost every year by coaches throughout the country. For the most part, this saying is true. However, every year there are a handful of freshmen that make a difference on their teams.

The following are the 10 freshmen that I think will have the biggest impact on their respective teams in 2008.

Note: These are not the top 10 freshmen this year overall, these are the players that will make the biggest impact on their teams right away.

1.Darrell Scott- RB Colorado- Scott could start right away for the Buffaloes. The incumbent starter at tailback is Demetrius Sumler. I believe Scott is an overall better back than Sumler and he should eventually overcome Sumler for the starting role.

2.Julio Jones- WR Alabama- Jones was the top prospect overall this season. With the departure of D.J. Hall, Alabama could use all the help it can get from the receiver position. Jones will start the season as the third option, but look for him to quickly become John Parker Wilson's favorite target.

3.DeAndre Brown- WR Southern Miss- The Golden Eagles have not seen a talent like Brown in quite a long time (if ever). DeAndre will immediately start for Southern Miss, and with Larry Fedora's wide-open offense, he could have a monster year.

4.Arthur Brown- LB Miami- Bill Young is not the only Kansas import to provide the Hurricanes with a huge upgrade on defense this season. Brown was the top LB recruit in a Miami class that featured some of the best LB's in the nation. Young will bring a new tenacity to the defense that would allow Brown to become the nasty LB that Miami has sorely needed in recent years.

5.Jonathan Baldwin- WR Pittsburgh- Baldwin could either be the starting TE or the 3rd receiver for the Panthers this season. Whichever position he plays Baldwin will be a big, physical target for QB Bill Stull. The Panthers could have a passing game on par with LeSean McCoy and the running game this season.

6.Riley Dodge- QB North Texas- Dodge is hoping to pull off what Cody Hawkins did last year at Colorado. That is start for his father as a true freshman. Dodge will have to overcome incumbent starter Giovanni Vizza to accomplish the feat.

7.Baker Steinkuhler- OL Nebraska- Steinkuhler should start right away for Nebraska on the O-line.Steinkuhler has the skills and mean streak needed to be a typical Nebraska linemen. Wherever he plays on the line, TB Marlon Lucky should find him and run right behind him.

8.Omar Hunter- DT Florida- Florida's defense was shaky at best last season. Hunter has been touted all Spring by Urban Meyer. Omar will definitely be in the rotation once the season starts and if the D-line struggles again, he should become a starter sooner rather than later.

9.Jermie Calhoun- RB Oklahoma- Calhoun has the talent to start anywhere in America. Unfortunately for him, so does returning starter DeMarco Murray. The Sooners will still use a lot of Calhoun this season. He would be like Noel Devine of West Virginia last year, providing the home-run play when needed.

10.A.J. Green- WR Georgia- Green will get plenty of playing time this season for Mark Richt. He is simply too talented not to. I look for Georgia to use Green on a lot of deep routes to compliment Mohammed Massaquoi at the other WR spot.

Countdown: 70 Days!

70 Days

Nebraska is bringing in a new era under Bo Pelini this season. The former Nebraska and LSU defensive coordinator is looking to add some much needed toughness to a team that played with no heart last season. Bill Callahan left behind quite a mess for Pelini to clean up. The biggest thing Pelini was able to do this off season was convince HB Marlon Lucky to return for his senior season. Pelini also has a very solid QB in Joe Ganz, who took over the starting job from Sam Keller last season.

The pageantry that is college football- Top 10 CFB Intros

College football is built around tradition. The history of a certain program is often the deciding factor to get a recruit to commit to one program over another.

Every school has it's own certain tradition, especially as it pertains to the way the team enters the field. I have my personal favorite intros and you are about to be blessed by me sharing them with you.

Not included are newer pre-game intros like the ducking of automatic gunfire at USC games or dodging bodies of Michigan fans leaping from the top of the Big House.

Here are the best.

1.Clemson- Howard's Rock and The Hill. I feel that LSU should pay a little compensation to Clemson for everytime they use Death Valley to describe their home. Clemson's Death Valley is the original and it has a lot more tradition. I can't think of one school receiving so many commitments based on it's game day intro. Whenever a new recruit is interviewed he often say he came to Clemson to have the opportunity to touch Howard's Rock and run down The Hill.

2.Auburn- War Eagle. Every game before the players are introduced, an Auburn staff member comes out to midfield and releases an eagle. This eagle majestically soars over the crowd. It seems the bird is able to make a whole lap around the stadium without once flapping it's wings, making it all the more memorable. This sight is made even more special with the sound of thousands of crazed rednecks being worked up into a frenzy. It's SEC tradition at it's finest.

3.Nebraska- Tunnel Walk. Nebraska's tunnel walk is very simple. What makes it special is the fact that the Cornhuskers were the first school to utilize video on the jumbo tron to show the team making it's way to the field. This build up the anticipation and adds to the hysteria surround Memorial Stadium leading up to kick off, (at least it used to.)

4.Navy/Army- The March. Before every Navy or Army game the Midshipmen or Cadets march to their seats by making their way through the field. This gives the crowd a chance to show the respect that these young men and women deserve. This site is all the more special before the annual Army/Navy game as Cadets and Midshipmen cross the field at the same time.

5.Colorado- The Running of Ralphie. Colorado uses it's live mascot better than any other school in the nation. Before every game, Ralphie and his his team of 6 handlers race around the stadium. Sure sometimes the handlers get trampled and sometimes suffer life threatening injuries, but it is all worth it!

6.Ohio St.- Dotting the I. I don't like Ohio St. all that much so I'm a little biased when I say that I don't really see the big deal behind this. However, I am in the very small minority when it comes to this line of thinking. I might not understand it, but I can respect it. Dotting the I is a great tradition and is one of the many things that makes college football so great.

7.Florida- Heeeeeeeeerrrreee Come the Gators!. The Florida football intro blends a few aspects together that make it special. First, there is a video of Gators hunting pray in the Swamp. This is accompanied by the Jaws theme music. At the end of the video, the crowd hears a voice that say, "Welcome to the Swamp, where only Gators get out alive." This is met with wild cheers and the announcement of "Heeeeeeeeeerrrrrrreeee come the Gators!" The team then runs out onto the field through an F and over to their sideline. A-MA-ZING!

8.Florida St.- The Flaming Spear. No, this has nothing to do with Chief Osceola's sexual orientation. Before every game, the Chief rides onto the field on his trusty steed, Renegade, carrying a spear that is lit on fire. This fear is then thrust into the Seminole logo on mid-field. This symbolizes that you are on Seminole territory and you are trespassing. Unfortunately, these Seminoles are having trouble as of late protecting their territory.

9.Tennessee- Running Through the T. This intro would be a lot higher on the list if it wasn't accompanied by the worst combined sounds known to humanity. This of course, is the crap fest that Vols fans like to call Rocky Top. If, you're not sick of it at first, I promise you will be the 476th time you hear it midway through the second quarter.

10.Ole Miss- Looking at the Coeds.- I've always stated that Ole Miss has the best collection of hot females anywhere on this planet. What better time to take in these sights than at a hot-weather football game? If this had anything to do with the actual football game it might have been number 1 on the list.