Games of the Week/ Big Ten Rundown- 2

#18/20 Notre Dame (1-0) @ Michigan (1-0) -

I always love watching this rivalry game because it represents two of college football's classic powerhouse programs. Both are coming off some not so subtle rocky stretches of time, whether it be Notre Dame's combined 10-13 over the past two seasons or Michigan's 3-9 season in 2008. Despite all of this, both have put their best foot forward to start this season and look to be on the right track to getting back to respectability. Notre Dame has the better QB in Jimmy Clausen, and probably the better overall team. They could eventually be good enough to qualify for a BCS bowl. Michigan won't be BCS good this season, but I have to tell you that they want this game more than the Golden Domers. This is Michigan's statement game and they won't settle for anything less than a victory. The underdog generally plays extremely well in this game, so I am giving the edge to Michigan and their much improved, tenacious defense. Hail to the above-average victors...

Notre Dame- 24

Michigan- 26

Clemson (1-0) @ #13/15 Georgia Tech (1-0) -

This is an interesting matchup because I believe that Clemson has the type of athletic guys in the front seven that can help slow down Georgia Tech's triple option offense. Despite this, Clemson just doesn't have the confidence on the other side of the ball outside of outstanding RB C.J. Spiller, and will probably fall a few scores short of knocking off the Yellow Jackets.

Clemson- 23

G Tech- 33

UCLA (1-0) @ Tennessee (1-0) -

Sigh. This is what this week comes down to: matchups like this. If it wasn't for Notre Dame @ Michigan and USC @ Ohio State, this would be a terrible week for college football. Regardless, there are a few storylines here. Tennessee lost in comeback fashion to UCLA last season in L.A. which propelled them to a less than spectacular five win season that saw long time coach Phil Fulmer see his way out of Knoxville. UCLA didn't exactly feed off the momentum that was the big win over Tennessee last season, however both programs feel a sense of rejuvenation under new leadership and prospects on their roster. Tennessee, which faces Florida in the Swamp next week, needs to avoid looking ahead to their hated rivals and take care of business at home against a confident, Rick Neuheisel-coached team that will have no fear against the Volunteers. The reason Tennessee wins is not just because of the talent differential, but because Lane Kiffin will have more at his disposal to throw at UCLA than the opposition does. It won't be pretty, but it will most certainly be a Tennessee victory that keeps the fan base feeling good about themselves. Next on the Vol's plate: a date against the top ranked Florida Gators. This isn't the most intriguing matchup but don't forget that Lane Kiffin has guaranteed a victory over the Gators..... what an idiot.

UCLA- 13

Tenn- 28

Big Ten Rundown-

Last week didn't bode too well for the conference, with Iowa struggling to best Northern Iowa, Minnesota barely escaping the lowly Syracuse Orange, and Illinois blowing a HUGE opportunity against a "depleted" Missouri team by getting destroyed in St. Louis. I see the conference having one of its biggest weeks in two years this upcoming Saturday.

#3/3 USC @ #7/8 Ohio State- preview tomorrow

#5/7 Penn State over Syracuse

Northwestern over Eastern Michigan

Western Michigan over Indiana

Michigan State over Central Michigan

Wisconsin over Fresno State

Iowa over Iowa State

Minnesota over Air Force

Illinois over Illinois State

Oregon over Purdue

Michigan over Notre Dame

predicted conference record: 8-2 (USC/OSU victor TBA)

Revenge on Their Minds

Revenge is always nice, but understanding why you want/need revenge is probably a good starting point. This might refresh everyone's memories....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylv4NNibNYQ&feature=related

My Top 10 - Week Two

1. Florida (1-0, vs Troy)

2. Texas (1-0, @ Wyoming)

3. Alabama (1-0, vs Florida International)

4. USC (1-0, @ Ohio State)

5. Oklahoma State (1-0, vs Houston)

6. Ohio State (1-0, vs USC)

7. Penn State (1-0, vs Syracuse)

8. LSU (1-0, vs Vanderbilt)

9. BYU (1-0, @ Tulane)

10. Oklahoma (1-0, vs Idaho State)

Outside Looking In...

Ole Miss (1-0)

Georgia Tech (1-0)

Virginia Tech (0-1)

Boise State (1-0)

Knee Jerk Reactions- Navy

First of all, congrats to Navy on playing some good football today. The fact that they made it as close as it was is more of a testament to how they run their program as opposed to how OSU "screwed up" today.

With that said, here are some of my reactions to today's game...

Final Score: Ohio State 31, Navy 27

- Pryor is the real deal at QB. There is no reason to believe that anyone in this conference can hang with what he has to offer, and I hope that USC doesn't underestimate him going into next week's matchups or else he will make them pay. He is still young and doesn't make perfect deeper throws, but he keeps plays alive and can lead this team to big things down the stretch.

- Duron Carter is the most impressive true freshman receiver that I have seen play at Ohio State in years. Ted Ginn wasn't nearly as developed as this kid is right now when he was a true frosh, giving me reason to believe that he deserves more playing time.

- Speaking of Carter, he needs to be starting ahead of Taurian Washington. Once again when #5 was given a chance to make plays in a real game he didn't produce (ala two dropped passes). He shines in the preseason, and fails to live up to his billing when the big stage arrives.

- The offensive line will be better. That is a fact. However, once again, an OSU offensive line played down to the competition. If they struggle against USC, then I will lose hope with the coaching staff, including Jim Bollman, because they just can't seem to push smaller defensive lines into the ground. I know that all the players love Bollman, but that doesn't reflect on his coaching credentials/style. I know people that I think are great to be around, yet I know that they suck in many aspects of life. I am hoping this is not the case with Coach Bollman.

- The running backs look aggressive and determined. We didn't even get to see a preview of the freshmen backs Berry or Hall, so we don't truly know how deep the backfield is, but Saine and Boom look like extremely dependable backs. I am praying that I can consistently say that throughout the season...especially after USC. I loved how we threw to Boom a lot today, too. Maybe Tressel could get the faster Saine more involved? Just a suggestion.

- WE THREW TO THE TIGHT ENDS TODAY!!!! That's essentially the equivalent to spotting a leprechaun in your backyard.

- Defense = still unproven. Don't let their stock be effected by how they played today. The triple option is tough to defend, let alone practice for. The true test comes Saturday at 8 PM.

- Kurt Coleman is an All-American candidate. He can't compete with the likes of USC's Taylor Mays or Tennessee's Eric Berry, but he is certainly one of the best safeties in the country.

- Aaron Pettrey is our next all conference kicker - and possible Groza Award contender- if he stops missing extra points.

That just about sums it up......

BEAT USC!

That seems to be the only thing on my mind momentarily.

Game 1- #6/6 Ohio State vs Navy Midshipmen

Where: Ohio Stadium

When: Noon EST

TV: ESPN

Football season is finally here, and what better way to open up a season than taking on someone other than Youngstown State?

When a team with a fetish for the triple-option and cut blocking comes into the Shoe, I suppose more attention is required than the likes of a Youngstown State-esq team (with all due respect to the Penguins). Not only is it a much more formidable opponent, but it represents a completely different challenge that these young Bucks haven't seen the likes of in...well...ever. How will OSU respond to the obstacle of avoiding looking ahead to USC and getting past a Navy program who has been to six straight bowl games and have won the majority of them? That answer will have to wait until tomorrow at high noon in Columbus, but I sense that this is an Ohio State team that isn't afraid of facing anything out of the ordinary this season. With such a young group of guys that have only been accustomed to winning their entire lives dating back to their high school days, you can expect them to play fearless on offense and with reckless (well, hopefully not too reckless) abandon on defense. To quote an inside source within the program, the 2009 football team will "probably make a lot of mistakes, but will play at 150 mph".

In short, what Navy brings to the table tomorrow may be challenging and give the silver bullet defense headaches early and often, however it won't alter the inevitable outcome of the game. Ohio State will handle the Midshipmen due to overall better athleticism, strength and speed on both sides of the ball. I have all the respect in the world for the Naval Academy and anyone who serves our country, but regardless they won't even be able to catch the after burner that Terrelle Pryor leaves behind when he runs all over the Navy defense. I see Pryor having near 100 yards rushing on the day, with at least three total touchdowns en route to a classic beat down of an otherwise worthy season opening opponent.

The real challenge is on September 12th, and I am praying that the Buckeyes don't look ahead. I hope the same for me as well.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 34

Navy- 10

Games of the Week/ Big Ten Rundown

#5/5 Alabama vs #7/7 Virginia Tech (in Atlanta)-

The last time that these two teams took the field to conclude the 2008 season, two very different stories were told. Virginia Tech was crowned the Orange Bowl champion and is now considered a national title contender in 2009. Alabama, having been #1 in the polls before blowing a fourth quarter lead over eventual national champ Florida, had a long fall from grace which was capped off by a substantially embarrassing loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Either we see the same story being told with the confidence of V-Tech shining throughout the game en route to a victory, or the dominate Bama team of last season will reemerge and take care of business. I don't see an extreme case of either scenario, however I like Alabama's defense way too much to have them lose this game. Tech QB Tyrod Taylor still has to prove that he can throw the football, and I haven't seen it yet in his first two seasons. Nick Saban's Crimson Tide will prevail.

Alabama- 23

V Tech- 20

#3/3 Oklahoma vs #20/24 BYU (in Dallas)-

On paper this isn't much of a game. Oklahoma was averaging 60 points a game during their dominate final stretch of the season (before running into the freight train that is Florida football), and is looking to pick up the pieces after another disappointing BCS game performance. It shouldn't be hard for them considering they bring back the Heisman Trophy winner in Sam Bradford and the usual suspects on both sides of the ball. BYU won't win this game, but they will put points on the board. I guarantee it. QB Max Hall has an innate ability to pick apart any defense he faces, while the running game featuring Harvey Unga can be ferocious (when Unga is healthy). Good news for BYU: Unga is healthy. It will be somewhat entertaining, but in the end OU is just too damn good.

Oklahoma- 48

BYU- 24

#13/13 Georgia @ #9/11 Oklahoma State-

Oklahoma State has three huge names that will all be in the running for All-Big 12 honors and All-American honors: QB Zac Robinson, WR Dez Bryant and RB Kendall Hunter. Georgia lost everybody. Looks like we are heading for a blowout.....but not so fast. Georgia has one of the most underrated defenses in college football heading into this season. Don't be surprised to see Georgia win the battles on the line of scrimmage and keep the explosive Oklahoma State offense in check. I think the Cowboys win this game, but it will be extremely close. I like Georgia A LOT this season. I want to say that the SEC prevails in this one, but I just can't go against the hyped up Stillwater crowd with the offense they will bring to the table. The Bulldogs keep the score from getting high and lose a nail biter.

Georgia- 24

OSU- 31

Big Ten Rundown:

#8/9 Penn State over Akron

#21/22 Iowa over Northern Iowa

Michigan State over Montana State

Minnesota over Syracuse

Purdue over Toledo

Illinois over Missouri

Wisconsin over Northern Illinois

Michigan over Western Michigan (UPSET ALERT)

Indiana over Eastern Kentucky

My Top 10 - Week One

1. Florida Gators (vs Charleston Southern)

2. Texas Longhorns (vs UL-Monroe)

3. Oklahoma Sooners (vs BYU, in Dallas)

4. Alabama Crimson Tide (vs Virginia Tech, in Atlanta)

5. USC Trojans (vs San Jose State)

6. Ohio State Buckeyes (vs Navy)

7. Virginia Tech Hokies (vs Alabama, in Atlanta)

8. Penn State Nittany Lions (vs Akron)

9. LSU Tigers (@ Washington)

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (vs Georgia)

Outside Looking In...

Ole Miss Rebels

Rest of Teams TBA