College Football

[NCGolfer]

Penn State should have a great defense, but I'm not sure if they can score enough to keep up with some teams. But like I said, defense wins more than offense wins, so who knows.

I think you'll be surprised. I'm actually more worried about their defense. Sure, they are returning the Butkis award winner, but they lost every starting DB and a couple studs on the D-Line. You just can't replace guys that easily.

On offense, they have almost all their skill players back except for Robinson. Sure he was great, but Morelli brings a lot to the table (a gun for an arm...and one that can hit a receiver) that Robinson lacked. Don't look for the option much this year from Penn State...they'll be throwing downfield to their Soph WR's a lot more.

[p_funk]

as much as i hate them i think wvu will be a team to watch this year. Their qb (i cant remember his name) looked really impressive against tech last year...even though we still won!!!

Pat White is the Qb's name and he will be even better this year. His passing has improved and he is one hell of a runner. Do not forget about Steve Slaton our awsome RB. This kid has it all speed, just ask Georgia, and he is not afraid to put his head down and run over someone. We will have one of the most under rated receiving corps in the nation and you cannot forget about big Owen Schmitt, our FB. Our one weakness will be our secondary. We lost all but one player there. We return all of our D-line and all of our LB's. Man it is going to be a great season, I cannot wait. 5 more days.

[Wood]

I like Cal to sneak up and win the national championship. The have an unreal running back trio, and an amazing QB. If they can get through the opener in Knoxville, they are an interesting pick.

[allin]

The season opens this week. Are any of the top 25 playing a legitimate opponent. I made a quick scan and didn't see any. Unless your relative is on the winning team, blowouts

[XBucky]

I'd love to say Wisconsin, but I think I might get laughed off this board. If I had to pick someone I'd say Ohio State. For 1 they're in the Big Ten, and 2 they don't have to play the Badgers so they'll probably end the the season undefeated.

[Thrash13]

The season opens this week. Are any of the top 25 playing a legitimate opponent. I made a quick scan and didn't see any. Unless your relative is on the winning team, blowouts

Notre Dame at Georgia Tech

California at Tennessee Florida St. at Miami (Monday night) Those three games should all be very good. I think GTech will be a tough challenge for Notre Dame because their QB (Reggie Ball) and WR (Calvin Johnson) are both very experienced and talented. Notre Dame's "iffy" defense will be tested first thing. There aren't many great match-ups this weekend, but there are still a few good ones out there.

[BigAl5150]

Oh, @#$%!! great, Paul McGuire is now doing college football . . .

[p_funk]

I like Cal to sneak up and win the national championship. The have an unreal running back trio, and an amazing QB. If they can get through the opener in Knoxville, they are an interesting pick.

Well, I think you can scratch that pick. Even if they win out out it will be hard to move all the way up from the #22 ranking. (What a drop, 13 spots)

[ragontona]

Well, I think you can scratch that pick. Even if they win out out it will be hard to move all the way up from the #22 ranking. (What a drop, 13 spots)

As an unabashed Cal fan that's been rooting for the Bears for 25 years, let me say that this was possibly the most painful loss we've ever had to deal with. So many expectations out the window, plus the perception of "soft" west coast teams will live on...

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

[allin]

All right Texas Vs. Ohio state this weekend. After this weekend one of the BCS teams will probably already be decided. Whichever one wins along with USC will have the inside track

[allin]

Ok it is coming down to crunch time. I would like to point out that my preseason choices of USC and Ohio State are still in the hunt . I don't think anyone wants any part of the razorbacks right now. W. VA will beat Rutgers. I am not conviced Florida is for real.

[SuaSponteMn]

I think the ranking are a little off currently...

1. Ohio State (accurate)
2. Michigan (accurate)
3. Florida (inaccurate, should be lower, lost to Auburn who is a two loss team)
4. USC (inaccurate, should be WAY lower, lost to Oregon State who is a 4 loss team
5. Arkansas (accurate)
6. Notre Dame (inaccurate, one loss to the #2 team, should be ranked #3)
7. Rutgers (reasonable accurate)

Accurate ranking in my mind is:

1. Ohio State
2. Michigan
3. Notre Dame
4. Arkansas
5. Florida
6. Rutgers
7. USC

[SSandlin]

Crimson Tide all the way! Oh, wait, what's our record again?

The Ohio State/Michigan game will hopefully be worth all of the hype and anticipation. If the game is well played and goes down to the last minute to be decided, it would not surprise if both teams play each other again in Glendale. The lone exception (in my mind) being Arkansas, I just don't see any of the other teams as strong on both sides of the ball.

If they do repeat for the National Championship Game, how about pairing up USC and Arkansas again in the Sugar Bowl? For that matter, why not match up Georgia Tech and Notre Dame again in the Orange Bowl? For the Fiesta Bowl you could have Texas and West Virginia match speed. And, to top it all off, match up the two Cinderellas...Rutgers and Boise State in the granddaddy of them all. Three rematches, two cinderellas and one track meet. I doubt it will all happen, but I like that scenario.

[BigAl5150]

I think the ranking are a little off currently...

Hmmm. A bit of ND bias here??

[The Turlock Kid]

I'm pretty confident Michigan is going to take it all. They're always a tough team and this year it looks like they have the talent to do it all (yes: beat Ohio State).

Go Wolvs!

[creative1]

Sorry to post this so late but I just joined today. My prediction would have been the same. Go Buckeyes Beat Michigan !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ChtR3yMuD8

[iacas]

Sorry to post this so late but I just joined today. My prediction would have been the same. Go

Your avatar is Tobacco Road, no?

[SuaSponteMn]

Hmmm. A bit of ND bias here??

I have no idea what you're talking about

But seriously, out of all the one loss teams in the top ten, we're the only one who has lost to one of the top two. Makes sense that we should be #3. As for USC having an inside track to the National Title game, they need to get by us to get there and they have a lot less talent than they did last year, when they won in the last 3 seconds on a BS play. Add to that we've essentially got two weeks to prepare with us playing Army at home this week. With Ohio State beating the crap out of Michigan, and us destroying USC, I'm hoping for the nearly impossible; a rematch from last year's Fiesta Bowl!