Thursday, September 6, 2012

Week Two – New Beginnings

Two of the big games this week involve the two newcomers to the SEC.  While there is a lot of excitement by some when the expansion announcement was made, I for one was not too excited about Texas A&M and Missouri joining.  It really didn’t have the flash that I was hoping for when the speculation of expansion began.  Regardless, this week picks it up a notch from last week as far as quality games to keep you entertained throughout the day.  The 11:00 and 2:30 time slots last week left a lot to be desired.  It will only get better from here though. 

The blog went 7-1 straight up in national games last week and 12-0 in SEC games.  On to the games…

Thursday: 7:00: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (ESPN) – You have to choose between this and the Democratic National Convention…good choice.  At least you will get to hear the announcers say Munchie Legaux’s name all night long.  He is the new starting QB for Cincy.  I wonder how he got the name Munchie?  Nothing scientific about this one…Pitt lost at home to Youngstown State last week.  Bearcats 28-13.
Friday: 7:00: Utah at Utah State (ESPN2) – Mormon alert!  This game should get crazy, especially since the Church came out and said it is okay to drink Coke, Pepsi and Mountain Dew this week (thanks for the heads up Shaggy).  I’m serious - Google it.  Utes 31-21. 
Saturday:
Big Ten Hour (11:00 AM): Central Florida @ Ohio State (ESPN2) – Ohio State will not face too many teams as athletic as UCF, but they’ll prevail in the end.  Buckeyes 27-17.
Penn State @ Virginia (ABC) – Gonna be a long year in Happy Valley.  Cavs 16-10.
Miami @ Kansas State (FX) – Miami got a jumpstart in the ACC by winning at Boston College last week.  Bill Snyder has got it going on in Manhattan once again led by Collin Klein on offense and Miami transfer Arthur Brown on defense.  Wildcats 30-19.
Auburn @ Mississippi State (ESPN) – First SEC game of the year!  I have no clue what is going to happen here.  If Mississippi State wins this game, there is a chance they are 7-0 going to Tuscaloosa.  I want to lean Auburn because Chizik usually wins these games and Mississippi State players fell flat on their face running out of the tunnel onto the field last weekend (check it out here: http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2012/miss-state-fog-machine-fall/).  War Damn Eagle 17-16.
11:21 AM: East Carolina @ South Carolina (SEC Network) – Connor Shaw is already banged up, and I guess Spurrier may win ugly all year long once again.  The Pirates will probably hang around for a while like they did last year but will fizzle out in the end.  Gamecocks 31-17.  
2:30: Air Force @ Michigan (ABC or ESPN2) – Triple option/multiple offense going to a team that is beat down from last weekend’s “big” game that was a big time letdown.  Michigan doesn’t care about this game, they didn’t have enough time to prepare for this offense, they have a young defensive line, and they are still thinking about last week.  Air Force will give them trouble…for a while.  Then Shoelace will run loose.  Meechigan 38-30.
Florida @ Texas A&M (ESPN) – Welcome to the SEC, Aggies!  College Station will be rockin’ for this one.  This is the Aggies first game of the year, which could be a big disadvantage especially since they have a freshman QB.  Florida looked dreadful last week against Bowling Green, But Muschamp thinks he has found his QB by naming Jeff Driskel the starter this week.  He is a running threat, which is probably the Gators best option since neither QB can really throw.  Mike Gillislee was one of the lone bright spots for the Gators last week rushing for 154 yards.  The Gators will have to be a smash-mouth team this year it appears.  The Gators’ defense continues to be praised for all of their five star recruits although they have not done much on the field.  I figure they will slow the Aggies’ offense down though and create a few mistakes from Aggie QB Johnny Manziel.  The Aggies are 0-7 against the SEC since 2000.  They’ll eventually get one, but I think Coach Boom finds a way to stay off the hotseat for another week.  Gators win ugly 10-9.   
Iowa State @ Iowa (Big Ten Network) – This is a very underrated rivalry.  The game being at Iowa is the difference.  Hawkeyes 17-14.
Purdue @ Notre Dame (NBC) – Ehh…just wanted you to know the Irish have their own network and aren’t playing in Ireland this week.  Should be a snoozer.
Southern Cal vs. Syracuse in East Rutherford (ABC or ESPN2) – See “If I Were a Bettin’ Man…” below.  
Rice @ Kansas (Fox Sports Net) – Surely new Kansas coach Charlie Weis was the one who requested Rice.  He didn’t realize it was a college though.  I can just see him salivating right before the Owls run out onto the field and then start cussing in his headset when he realizes they are a football team instead of the real deal.
3:00: Wisconsin @ Oregon State (FX) – Oregon State is supposed to be bad this year based on everything I have read.  The line at Badgers -8 is a little strange regardless of the Badgers lackluster performance against Northern Iowa last week.  I’ll take the Badgers anyway 33-17.
6:00: Washington @ LSU (ESPN) – LSU didn’t do anything to impress last week against North Texas, but man they have a tough running game.  They could probably get by with throwing eight passes a game.  Washington surprisingly struggled with San Diego State last week.  They have high hopes for QB Keith Price.  The only thing they need to be hoping for in this one is him making it out of this game uninjured.  They have LSU’s full attention with another de facto bye week coming up next week for the Tigers.  Geaux Tigers 28-10.
6:30: Nebraska @ UCLA (Fox) – T Mart came out throwing for the Huskers last week and looked real impressive as did the whole Husker team.  Their receivers are good and you know they will have a sufficient defense and running game.  UCLA put it on Rice last week, but Rice may be one of the worst teams in Division I.  UCLA will be jacked for this game as it is Jim Mora’s first big game as the Bruin head coach.  Johnathan Franklin likely will not duplicate his 214 yard day from last week.  If he does, the Huskers are obviously in trouble.  Huskers 30-17. 
6:45: Georgia @ Missouri (ESPN2) – Oh Missouri!  I thought only your fans were delusional until Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson ran his mouth basically saying Georgia plays old man football and that if the Tigers execute, nobody in the SEC can touch them.  I guess he has earned that right since Missouri has dominated the Big 12 for so long (ZERO conference championships and only two division titles in their time there).  He’ll learn that is what you don’t need to do, especially against Georgia who likes to sleep walk through many games.  All Georgia needs is a little added motivation to play a four quarter game.  Memorial Stadium will be rocking with over 71,000 in attendance, which will be the smallest crowd Georgia plays in front of all year.  Georgia’s 3-4 defense versus Missouri’s spread offense is going to be an interesting matchup to watch.  It will likely decide the game because I think Aaron Murray and company will be able to move the ball on the Tigers.  I see some points on the board in this one and Richardson’s team does not fully ‘execute.’  Bulldogs 35-31.
7:00: Vanderbilt @ Northwestern (Big Ten Network) – Nerd alert!  Biggest dorks win.  I’ll have to give that to the Big Ten team.  Wildcats 28-27.
9:30: Illinois @ Arizona State (ESPN) – Not much going for the late games.    
Oklahoma State @ Arizona (PAC-12 Network – Where in the hell is that on my TV guide?) – See “If I Were a Bettin’ Man…” below.  
In other SEC games, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Kentucky pick up wins.
If I Were a Bettin’ Man… - It started off with a bang last week going 2-0 against the spread!
Southern Cal vs. Syracuse (Over 64) – We all know how explosive USC’s offense is.  Well Syracuse scored 41 on Northwestern last week behind Ryan Nassib’s 470 yards passing.  Nassib is no scrub; this is his fourth year of playing time and third year as a full time starter for the ‘Cuse.  All that said, the Orange will score their fair share of points.  All Kiffin needs is an excuse to continue playing his starters, throwing deep, and going for two point conversions randomly.  I like a lot of points and this one to be pretty close.  Trojans 47-31.
Oklahoma State (-10) @ Arizona – Ok it was just Savannah State last week, but the Cowboys didn’t miss a beat from last year and won 84-0.  Arizona struggled with Toledo and had to go to OT to win.  Toledo is decent…for the MAC.  Arizona will be completely outmanned in this one, and you know Rich Rod’s teams aren’t too fond of tackling.  Pokes 56-31.

Enjoy your weekend!

-Ernie