Hallelujah, we are less than a few days before kickoff. Thank goodness, I'm tired of everyone speculating every college team to death on why they will, or will not be, champion of this or that. Tired of all the useless garbage about which conference is better. Who cares. Come Thursday, everything that matters will begin to sort itself out with whatever happens on the field; and not on some message board, or the glorified halls of ESPN, or CBS, etc, etc. I hope that everyone that matters had a prosperous and safe off-season, without too much hectic mess to deal with. With that said, let's get the party started.
Before I release the selections, let's take a look at coaches on the hot seat, coming into this season. I'll take the conferences in alphabetical order so as not to offend anyone. Starting with the Atlantic Coast Conference:
1) The top award goes to Mike London of Virginia. His last two seasons have gone 4-8, and 2-10. Last year's team allowed over 400 yards of total offense. In his four seasons with Virginia, his overall record is 18-31, with one winning season. By those numbers, London has been a step down from the man he replaced, Al Groh.
2) Paul Johnson of Georgia Tech. The natives in the ATL are becoming a little restless; and Johnson needs to be better than 50%. However, that boring offense that he runs isn't fooling anyone that matters. For him to remain at Tech, he has to win eight or more games, this season.
3) Al Golden of Miami. This is a stretch because I think that Golden will get at least one more year considering the toxic waste dump that he inherited. Nevertheless, keep this in mind; in 2005, Mike Shula went 10-2, and followed that up with a 6-6, in 2006. Golden's canes were 9-4, last year; therefore, he can't have a Shula hiccup and expect to survive for another season.
Next in line. Paul Chryst of Pittsburgh.
Next up, the Big 12.
1) Hands down, it's the Pillsbury Dough Boy from Kansas, Charlie Weis. Yes, I know it's Kansas; however, you can't keep a job when your overall record is 4-20. Remember, Kansas fired Turner Gill after two seasons, and he went 5-19.
2) Dana Holgorsen of West Virginia. Talk about a team that went from the penthouse to the outhouse. When you can't beat Kansas, you are in some serious trouble, Toto. He needs at least seven wins to keep his job, and frankly, with their schedule, the very best that I see is five or six wins.
3) Gary Patterson of TCU. We are finding out what kind of coach Patterson is since he moved up to one of the "big-boy" conferences. Like Holgorsen, he went 4-8, last year. He might can skate by with a seven win season. Anything less, he might find himself in the unemployment line.
4) Next in line. Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State. If he is going to stick around, he will need to beat Oklahoma more than once every decade.
Now, on to the B1G, or Big 10, or whatever number fits their image.
1) Darrell Hazell of Purdue. I know this is his second season; but, if he scores another 1-11 year, it will be his last. The people in West Lafayette want to be somewhere in the same zip code as their hated rival, Notre Dame. They haven't had too much to crow about since Kyle Orton's last year, 2004.
2) Tim Beckman of Illinois. Here's another coach that moved up from the Mid-American conference and hasn't produced since arriving in the B1G. He's had two seasons at Illinois, his record is 6-18. In looking at their schedule, I only see one winnable game within the conference and maybe three wins in their OOC. Best of luck, Tim.
3) Kirk Ferentz of Iowa. Expectations are high in Iowa City, primarily because the schedule is pretty easy until the eleventh game of the season; nevertheless, ole Kirk will manage to lose one of those games in which he is favored by a lot. If he's worth that 3.86 million dollar salary, he needs to be at least 9-1, coming into the Wisconsin game.
Next in line. Bo Pelini of Nebraska. In his six seasons at Nebraska, he's compiled a 58-24, record. Another Nebraska coach was fired after six seasons, and he went 58-19 (Frank Solich). Then of course, there's Bill Callahan who ran the program into the ground. Considering that Pelini had to inherit that mess, and what he has accomplished, I hope he will survive if he only wins nine games.
Looking west to the PAC-12.
1) Sonny Dykes of California. I don't think that the alumni that coughed up all of that money to improve the facilities and the stadium, had a 1-11 season in mind when they made their donations. Heck, he became the first California coach since they began playing football in 1886, with a schedule of at least five games, not to win a single division one game, in a season. They barely beat Portland State for their only win, 37-30. Dykes needs to find some defense, or this will be his last year.
2) Kyle Whittingham of Utah. Here's another example of a coach that was doing great until his program moved into one of the power conferences. Since Utah joined the PAC-12, they have gone 18-19. Plus, they have had two straight losing seasons. Third time's the charm, Kyle.
3) Mike MacIntyre of Colorado. Talk about a program that has seen better times. Another second year coach who needs something good to happen; but, the odds of him winning more than four games are long, indeed.
Next in line. Mike Riley of Oregon State. I think he's safe, unless he has a losing season. If he breaks even, one of those wins better be against Oregon; I think that he has lost the last five or six in a row to the Ducks.
And finally, the SEC.
1) Will Muschamp of Florida. Doesn't take a genius to figure that one out. Most of the local sports guys around here think that he has to win at least nine games, this season. That's a tall order when LSU, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida State are on the schedule.
2) Mark Stoops of Kentucky. Another coach in his sophomore year who's job is in jeopardy. He has to win at least one conference game, and practically, I don't see one. Looks like another 2-10 season, with the possibility of going 3-9.
3) Bret Bielema of Arkansas. Here's another case of a coach that lost all of his conference games. Going 3-9 will not allow you to stay at Arkansas very long. Just ask Houston Nutt.
Next in line. Dan Mullen of Mississippi State. This is supposed to be a break-out year for the Dogs (heck, they say that almost every year). Nevertheless, by the end of the year, they will be struggling to become bowl eligible. Even if he goes 7-5 (which is highly unlikely), the brood in Starkville will be ready to show him the door.
Now it's time to turn the page and head to the comedy zone, or what I like to call my attempt at picking games. So, without further adieu, here they are.
West Virginia vs Alabama (10) @ Atlanta - Alabama has question marks at Quarter Back, the left side of the offensive line, and the secondary. Other than that, it's business as usual. So why do they get the "10" spot; easy, West Virginia's defense couldn't stop a bunch of girl scouts from scoring. Plus, how hard is it to just hand the ball off to Yeldon, Henry, and every once in a while throw a pass to Cooper and Jones. Unless Saban is lying to the media (which he's been guilty of before), Blake Sims will start at QB and take most of the reps, unless he has a terrible couple of series to start the game. Anyway, look for Alabama to have too much on both sides of the ball for the Mountaineers to handle. The Tide over West Virginia, 37-17.
Florida State (9) vs Oklahoma State @ Dallas - I read somewhere that Ok State lost 33 letter-men from last years team. That's almost 40% of the team. Yikes. Florida State has the majority of last year's play makers back for another run at the title, including ole King Crab Leg himself, Jameis Winston. The Pokes will be in for a long evening come Saturday night. Florida State over OSU, 38-25.
Arkansas @ Auburn (8) - There is no love loss between these two coaches. Bret Bielema doesn't like the hurry up offense that Auburn has. So what does he do, complain about it. Gus Malzhan, being the class act that he is, has not had very much to say in return, other than he hopes to have his offense playing even faster (if that's possible) this season. Nick Marshall will not start the game for Auburn; but, if the Hogs score early, look for Malzhan to cut the cord and send him in. Look for the Tigers to smoke the Hogs, 34-16.
UCLA (7) @ Virginia - As stated above, Virginia's defense was giving up over 400 yards of offense, last season. Now, they have to contend with UCLA's gunslinger, in Hundley. The only thing that the Cavs have going for them is that the game is in Charlottesville, other than that, they have nothing. Bruins start the season off on a positive note with a win over Virginia, 38-21. I think that 21, maybe be a little generous. The only reason I give them that many is because Hundley has been turnover prone at times.
Fresno State @ USC (6) - I don't know what to expect out of the Trojans, other than they will play with a lot of emotion, considering that this is the first game with a new coach. They ended the season with a bowl win over Fresno, 45-20. The Bulldogs have lost the guts of their offense from last season. That doesn't bode well for the re-match of these two teams. USC has the better players, and if they can keep the mistakes at a minimum, they will have a repeat performance from last year, 38-17.
Ohio State (5) @ Navy - By now, everybody with a pulse knows about the Buckeyes dilemma at the QB position. No more Miller time. Some of the goobs at ESPN are calling for this to be their upset special, with the Midshipmen winning over Ohio State. I do think that if Navy is going to win the game, they will need to throw the ball more than five times; at least double it. However, if Ohio State can't stop the run, it might be a long day for the Buckeyes. Nevertheless, I'm going to give the nod to the team with the better athletes; Buckeyes over Navy, 31-19.
Wisconsin vs LSU (4) @ Houston - Les Miles has never lost an opener since he has been the coach at LSU; he's 9-0. Wisconsin is breaking in a new QB. Also, the Badgers lost the entire defensive line and linebackers, from last year's team. LSU has concerns of their own, especially at QB. Other than that, the Tigers are going to be a tough unit to deal with, this season. Still, I look for this to be a tight game, and you know the old saying, whoever makes the least mistakes will win the game; so turnover margin will be a huge factor here. Look for the Tigers to squeak by the Badgers, 26-21.
Clemson @ Georgia (3) - Time for some payback. These two teams played one of the best games to open the season last year in Death Valley, with Clemson coming away with a 38-35 win. Both teams lost key players; however, the Tigers were hit the hardest with graduation. Plus, the Bulldogs are ready to redeem themselves from last year's loss. Here's another possibility of a tight contest coming down to the wire. In the end, I think Georgia will "one-up" the Tigers, 30-24.
Penn State (2) vs Central Florida @ Dublin, Ireland - How can you pick against a coach who has the name O'Leary, and the game is in Ireland. That's just un-Irish. Oh well, I've come up with crazier reasons as to why I pick one team over another. There's no logic to the madness. As you can tell, I have no real reason as to why I'm on Penn State, so you might better be on UCF. Meanwhile, I'll waste two points on the Nittany Lions to escape from Ireland, before the Volcano blows, with a close win over the Knights, 27-24.
California (1) @ Northwestern - Once again, I'll save the "who cares" game for last. Cal may score a bunch of points; but, they are going to give up a bunch, as well. Hopefully, the Bears will revenge that loss from last year. It will be interesting to see if Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern's coach) has his players faking injuries on defense in attempt to slow down California, like he did last season. I'll waste another point and take the Bears over the Wildcats by one point; 38-37.
Thank goodness the season is almost here. As usual, with the opening of the season, you better tread at your own risk. I see at least four to five games that could go either way, so be careful. Until next week, enjoy the games and have a great weekend, and Roll Tide.
Jljmbaker
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