New Years 6 and other happenings

Sorry folks, I know I have been away for a while.  I grossly underestimated how busy this time of year is.  I spent a week with my family and things have been just crazy ever since.  Im sure you have gotten by just fine but regardless here are my opinions on various College Football related topics.

*The Rose Bowl is annually my favorite bowl game.  It has a classic feel to it.  Over the years I have seen some of the very best games played in this historic stadium.  It feels like College Football.  Yesterday we saw the defending National Champ take on the Oregon Ducks.  The first half was extremely competitive.  The Noles were down 18-13 at the half, were having success on the ground, were getting the ball to start the half, and I thought had the edge as the ball was kicked.  FSU wasted very little time unraveling.  Oregon outscored the defending champ 41-7, including 35 unanswered to finish the game, in the 2nd half in route to an absolute curb stomping.  The Noles turned the ball over on 3 straight possessions that resulted in 21 Oregon points.  That sealed FSU’s fate.  Teams of this caliber are supposed to be above comitting 5 turnovers, but apparently not the Noles.  FSU has performed something of a high wire act all season long.  Time after time they dig a hole and then get out of it.  That wasnt going to happen Thursday afternoon.  This day belonged to the Ducks who played with their hair on fire.  The Ducks amassed an astounding 639 yards of total offense and kept the FSU Defense guessing all day long.  Marcus Mattiota was his usual fantastic self throwing for 338 yards and averaging 9.4 yards per attempt.  It was a thing of beauty.  Oregon moves on to the title game for the 2nd time in program history.  I think they have a damn good shot at winning it all.

*Jimbo Fischer’s squad was clearly rattled in the 2nd half that contained some wheels off moments.  One of which was Fischer chewing out QB Jameis Winston.  Im not a certified lip reader, but I am fairly certain I saw Fischer say “If you dont calm the fuck down you are going to the bench.”  This made me laugh heartily.  Everybody knows Winston is not getting benched no matter how he acts.  A desperate Winston was repeatedly showing up his teamates after failed plays.  This is interpreted as leadership for some reason.  That is not leadership.  TE T.J O’Leary’s face said it all.  After Winston publicly undressed him in the 4th quarter it was clear thate O’Leary was not listening.  Winston is a wonderful QB talent, but his maturity and leadership must improve.  For this reason I believe he should come back to Tallahassee next fall.  We will see if he does.

*The Sugar Bowl semifinal was an absolute classic.  Few gave the Buckeyes a chance to beat the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide.  After all the lowly Big 10 representative couldn’t possibly tangle with the all powerful SEC champ (more on that later).  Ohio State, like Oregon before them, came out with their hair on fire.  The Bucks dialed up trick plays, creative runs and some old fashioned silver bullet Defense.  Unfortunately they also had 2 costly turnovers that put them in a hole 21-6 early in the game.  It appeared that the Tide would stomp OSU.  Give Urban Meyer’s team credit, they hung around, got their bearings, and then took it to Alabama.  It was very, very impressive.  Ezekial Elliot ran for an astounding 230 yards including a back breaking 85 yarder late in the game.  I personally love his running style.  He is a tough North and South runner with jets to burn.  He is the most underrated back in the country.  3rd string QB Cardale Jones was far from perfect, but he played more than well enough for the Bucks to win.  It is remarkable beyond words that Ohio State has gone to their 3rd string QB and is playing for a National Title.  Thursday night was a reminder, in case you forgot, that Urban Meyer is one of the very best coaches in College Football.  His leadership had the Bucks on the brink of a title with a 3rd string QB and in just his 3rd year.  My hat is off to their entire operation.

*Here is a funny story.  I was nursing an absolutely killer hangover yesterday.  One of the worst I have had in quite some time.  The headache was persistent.  I needed a nap before the semifinal games began.  Michigan State was down 41-21 and I saw my opportunity.  I snoozed for over an hour, sleep that was much needed.  I awoke to Michigan State kicking the extra point to take the lead.  I was stunned.  Such an excellent game and I missed it.  Damn it!!  Im never drinking again.   Fill in your own punch line on that one.

*The Ohio State win over Alabama coupled with Big 10 wins over Big 12 co-champ Baylor and last years runner up Auburn has given the Big 10 some much needed national credibility.  While I am happy to see this, I warn you against over reacting to one days events.  Its my opinion that the bowl system is a lousy way to determine the worth of a conference.  For years the Big 10 has headed to the Southeast to play bowl games against the best conference in College Football and then is lambasted for losing games to superior teams in a “neutral” location.  Meanwhile other conferences don’t have it nearly as difficult.  My point is there is little equity in the bowl system.  Broad reaching conclusions based off these results are not necessarily consistent with the truth.  Has the Big 10 been down lately?  Sure, but they have never been as bad as half the country would have you believe.  So after a day in which the Big 10 had tremendous success lets keep a level head.  The SEC is still a very good league, but so too is the Big 10 and the Pac 12 and even the Big 12.  There are good and bad teams in each league and we must remember that next fall when the inevitable comparisons are being made about the various conferences.

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Let the Outrage Resume!!

As I predicted before the season the College Football Playoff has done little to quell the bitching and moaning from various fan bases.  Instead of lobbying for the #2 spot, 3 different teams were making their case for the #4 spot.  Each team had a legitimate beef.  Baylor has the best win of the 3 beating TCU 61-58 in ridiculous fashion in Waco.  Correspondingly, TCU had the best loss to the Bears and were the most impressive from that point on.  Ohio State put a curb stomping on a pretty good Wisconsin team but had the worst loss of those 3 teams to pathetic Virginia Tech.  There was no correct answer.  Somehow the committee determine the Buckeyes the most worthy and put them in the playoff.  It is neither the right answer nor is it the wrong answer.  The case for Ohio State is strong.  They may be playing the best of any team right now and with a 3rd string QB.  That says something.

Did both the Bears and the Frogs get screwed?  Sure they did.  Its my opinion that the Big 12 leadership dropped the ball.  If one of these teams, Baylor, was determined an indisputable champ, then perhaps the league would not have been shut out.  Ironically the Big 12 boasted all summer about “1 true champion” only to name co-champs in a move that is quintessential Big 12.  A lack of stones, and leadership has left the conference on the outside.  Additionally, its apparent that a lack of a title game hurt these teams as well.  Another quality win would surely have strengthened each of their resumes.  Expect the league to immediately add 2 more teams in an effort to get that title game.  As it stands 2 very good teams separated by 90 miles got hosed.  Here is to hoping they meet up in a bowl game.  That would be excellent, but improbable.

We are left with 4 very good teams who will square off on the field.  Thats not all bad is it?

 

 

(Friday) and Saturday Notes on a Sunday 11/30

*I don’t like to say this: hats off to the Missouri Tigers.  The Tigers beat a pretty decent Arkansas team to win the SEC East for the 2nd consecutive year.  The Tigers scored 15 points in the 4th quarter to get it done.  Missouri finishes the season 10-2 and I have just one question: How in gods name did the Tigers lose to Indiana?  The 4-8 Hoosiers went into Columbia and walked out with a W.  Had MU not lost that game, they would be in the playoff discussion.  College Football is a wonkie game.

*The Pac 12 South was up for grabs on Friday.  It seemed that UCLA would secure it with a win over the struggling Stanford Cardinal.  The Cardinal had other plans as they rolled into the Rose Bowl and kicked the crap out of the Bruins 31-10. That meant that the winner of Arizona/Arizona State would claim the Title.  The Wildcats edged the Sun Devils in their hideous home uniforms 42-35.  Raise your hand if you had Arizona in the Pac 12 Title game before the season began.  I know I didn’t.  Rich Rodriguez has done a fantastic job in Tuscon.  In my opinion he is the coach of the year.  The turnaround that has taken place is remarkable.  I’m very interested in what he can do with this program going forward.  Im equally interested to see a rematch of Oregon’s only defeat.  Something tells me the Ducks will come out with both barrels blazing.

*Ohio State and Michigan was a terrific game that was much closer than the score would indicate.  Michigan played their ass off to keep this game close for 3 and a half quarters.  The call of the game was made by Urban Meyer.  On 4th and 1 near midfield with 5 minutes to play, up just a TD, the Buckeyes went for it and Ezekial Elliot rips off a 44 yard TD.  That call took substantial stones by Urban Meyer.  That play won the game for OSU.  This was not a game for the meek.  It was tough all the way through.  It was an absolute joy to watch.  Unfortunately JT Barrett left the game with a season ending ankle injury.  He has been excellent this season.  Mark my words, there is no way Ohio State makes the playoff now.  The committee will say all the right things, but Barrett’s injury will absolutely influence them.  Its not right, but its the reality.

*The Alabama Crimson Tide put on a show in the 2nd half against the Auburn Tigers.  Auburn led 36-27 at one point before Alabama released a barrage of deep balls to Amare Cooper, and a physical running game.  Cooper was his typical fantastic self, catching 13 balls for 224 yards and 3 TDs.  It was a ridiculous Offensive display by the Crimson Tide.  Auburn was on their heels the entire 2nd half while the Tide turned this thing around.  Bama now moved on to Atlanta for a date with the Missouri Tigers and, with a win, will certainly be a part of the playoff.  They earned it Saturday night with an absolute dismantling of the Auburn Defense in the 2nd half.

*The coaching carousel is about to start spinning at an unbelievable rate.  We have all known that Will Muschamp will be out at Florida, that was stated a couple of weeks ago.  Michigan will most certainly fire Brady Hoke after 4 lackluster seasons.  Other coaches that are questionable at this point: Miami’s Al Golden, Illinois head coach Tim Beckman, Indiana’s Kevin Wilson, Iowa State’s Paul Rhodes perhaps Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech and I’m sure there will be some surprises along the way.  Stay tuned to this storyline.

*Playoff Projections: Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, TCU.  Nothing earth shattering here folks.  The Tide took care of business while Oregon and TCU rolled their opponents and Florida State did their usual high wire act.  Each of these teams will win next weekend and this will be our playoff.  The only hope of a shakeup is the Noles, who continue to live dangerously.  They wont lose the ACC Title game to Georgia Tech, but it seems they are incapable of running away from anybody.  Will that catch up to them?

STOCK UP
Ole Miss- Big victory in the Egg Bowl for Hugh Freeze’s team.
Alabama- That was a championship level performance in the 2nd half.
USC- A drubbing of the Fighting Irish is reason enough to be on the Stock up list.
Arizona- Fantastic season by Rich Rod’s squad.
Georgia Tech- Awesome game=awesome win over a highly over rated rival.

STOCK DOWN
UCLA- Thats a bad loss to the Cardinal that cost them a division title.
Kentucky- 6 straight losses for a “team on the rise.”
Maryland- The Terrapins blew a 25 point lead at home against Rutgers.  WOW.
Miami- A home loss to Pitt drops “The U” to 6-6 on the season.

Follow College Football Junkie on Twitter: @jakeanderson998

Saturday Notes on a Sunday, well make that a Monday

Sorry folks, various Halloween celebrations caused me to be quite ill for most of yesterday.  As a result, I could barely look at he computer screen, let along hold a thought or type some words.  So here are my Saturday notes normally reserved for Sunday but this week, for your reading pleasure, they are here on Monday.  Enjoy. 

*Pittsburgh fans had to be beside themselves after a total implosion in the 1st quarter Saturday against Georgia Tech.  In an important division game, the Panthers cough it up 5 times in the 1st quarter alone.  I don’t think I have ever heard of a team turning the ball over that many times in a quarter, and it was a team that I regard as pretty decent.  As you can imagine shooting yourself in the foot like that typically doesnt result in wins, and that held true as the Jackets won handily.

*Ameer Abdullah flat out went off Saturday for my beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers.  He was sensational accounting for 341 all purpose yards and 3 TDs.  This guy does it all.  He had 225 yards rushing on just 19 carries, 26 receiving yards and 90 return yards including one return he nearly took the distance after almost downing it at the 1.  If you are not familiar with Abdullah’s work, you are missing one of the best players in the country.  His effort and his attitude are wonderful compliments to his physical talents, which are substantial.  It has been a joy to watch him over the last 4 years.

*Another year, another defeat of the Michigan Wolverines at the hands of “little brother” Michigan State.  The Spartans dominated the Wolverines Saturday in a matchup of teams going in opposite directions. The numbers are staggering.  186 total yards, 3 turnovers, just 61 rushing yards, many of those in junk time.  It was an ass whipping all the way around.  Furthermore, Michigan had the stones to throw a spear into the Spartan turf during pregame.  This blatant disrespect only fueled State and emboldened Mark Dantonio to add a salt in the wound score in the games final minute.  This has to be freaking embarrassing for fans of the Big Blue.  Surely Saturdays defeat has to be the final nail in the Brady Hoke coffin.  Lets hear from Wolverine fans, what do you think?

*Dont look now but the surprise team in the Big 12 is the West Virginia Mountaineers.  A week after an upset over top 5 Baylor the Mountaineers go on the road, to Boone Pickens Stadium and walk out with a resounding 34-10 victory.  WVU did it behind 17 4th quarter points and holding the Pokes to 2-15 on 3rd down.  I absolutely did not think anything would come of this years West Virginia squad.  Hell, I wasnt sure about Dana Holgerson at all.  The Mountaineers now sit at 6-2 with those 2 losses coming to Alabama and Oklahoma.  This is a team to watch going forward.

*Les Miles has often referred to Death Valley as a “place where dreams go to die.”  That held true Saturday night as the Ole Miss Rebels had their perfect season ended by an improving, but still not great, LSU team.  The Tigers won despite turning the ball over 4 times.  When was the last time a team beat a top 5 team after turning the ball over 4 times?  This loss falls squarely at the feet of the Ole Miss Offense and in particular Bo Wallace.  Wallace was a lousy14-33 passing on the night.  I understand that wins and losses do not solely fall on the QB, but when your Defense forces 4 turnovers and holds the opposition to 10 points, someone on the opposite side of the ball has to answer for that.  Ole Miss is not done, but losing a divisional game like that removes any wiggle room that may have existed for their playoff hopes.

*Speaking of Playoffs, this week the comittee will meet and determine who they believe are the top teams in the country.  So, each week I will give you mine.  These 4 are the teams that I believe will be in the playoffs at seasons end.  They will also be fluid.  If I dont like a teams performance, out they go.  This week I will go with the following in no particular order.  Oregon, Miss State, Florida State and Michigan State.  Stay tuned, these are subject to change in this week to week sport.

STOCK UP
TCU– putting up 80 on coach Bro puts you on the stock up list every time.
Illinois– Thanks a bunch Illini, for doing the Nebraska Cornhuskers a solid.  We appreciate it.
Utah– Has anyone noticed the Utes are 6-1 and in the thick of an ultra competitive Pac 12 South?
West Virginia– The Fighting Holgerson’s are turning some heads this fall.
Kansas State– This team has every shot at being a playoff team.  Tough games lie ahead, but KState is up to it.

STOCK DOWN
Michigan– The Wolverines are just plain sorry.
Ole Miss– Great teams win games in all phases.  Its clear the Rebs arent there yet.
UCLA– A football game with Colorado should not be that close, especially for a team with as much raw talent as the Bruins.
Virginia Tech– How did this team beat Ohio State?  That offense is atrocious.
Maryland– a nice win last week followed by an ass whipping this week.  Who are these guys?

Follow College Football Junkie on Twitter: @jakeanderson998

 

 

 

Saturday Notes in a Sunday 10/12

*The State of Mississippi must be smiling from ear to ear this morning.  After an unparallelled Saturday last week that saw both Ole Miss and Miss State beat top 10 teams, they backed it up with another excellent performance.  Ole Miss went to Kyle Field and beat the pants off of the Aggies.  The score in the 4th quarter was 35-7 before A&M added some window dressing.  The Rebel Defense forced 3 turnovers including a pick 6.  They also limited the Aggies to 1.5 yards per rush.  This unit is really, really freaking good.  In Starkville, the Bulldogs took down Auburn 38-23.  This was a sloppy game including 8 total turnovers.  Dak Prescott threw 3 INTs but MSU was able to overcome them with a sturdy ground game and stout defense.  Personally I would like to see both of these teams go undefeated, and meet in the Egg Bowl to decide who wins the SEC West and who goes to the playoff.  Then again it is completely  possible that both of these teams make the playoffs in that event.

* Baylor beat TCU 61-58 Saturday afternoon/evening, in ridiculous, come from behind fashion.  I have a few points on this game.  First, this game was entirely too long.  A 2:30 start should not end after 7, as this one did.  This game illustrates the need to have a running clock, similar to the NFL.  This would at least make games more manageable length wise for TV and fans.  I have to think it would make things far more palatable all the way around.  Secondly, the game was won in suspicious fashion.  I have long been critical of Big 12 officiating and their inequity showed in this game.  TCU went for a 4th down where a questionable call was not made.  On the following possession, Baylor had a nearly identical 3rd down and got the call.  It was absolutely horse shit and it essentially decided the game.  I hate it when the zebras essentially decide the game.  Third, am I supposed to be impressed with a win in which you allowed 58 points?  I am not.  If I am on the committee, I absolutely consider the fashion in which the game is won.  A good, playoff worthy team, does not allow 58 points to anyone.  A win is a win, I suppose, but color me not impressed with the Bears Saturday.

*I made a lot of preseason predictions.  Some are hits, and others, well, not so much.  One of which was that UCLA would be awesome, a playoff contender, and certainly the winner of the Pac 12 South.  Well I was 100% wrong on all accounts.  The Bruins are the biggest underachiever in College Football this season.  They have been terribly inconsistent, and at times, downright poor.  Saturday they took it on the chin to Oregon.  Dont let the final score fool you, at one point in the 4th quarter it was 42-10.  Oregon only faced 7 3rd downs all afternoon!!!  Kudos to the Ducks for beating this dog in every conceivable way.  That is what good teams do.  Perhaps the Bruins were taking notes.

*Say what you want about Charlie Strong and his heavy handed approach in Austin.  The man can coach a defense.  He has already turned the Horns into an excellent group.  Texas out gained Oklahoma by 250 yards and limited them to just 1 3rd down conversion in the loss at Fair Park in Dallas.  That is what happens when a team gives up both a kickoff return and a pick 6 in a ball game.  The point is, the Texas Defense is already there, thanks to coach Strong who has this unit playing with an edge.  The rest of the club needs work, and lots of it.  Going forward I am confident he will make the other units competent and along with a stout defense, make UT a winner.

*Is the honeymoon over in Lubbock for Coach Bro?  After showing a lot of promise last season, Texas Tech has had a rough first half to 2014.  Their 2 wins were over Central Arkansas and UTEP by single digits.  Their 4 losses are by totals of 21, 10, 32, and most recently 3 to West Virginia at home.  That is not a good trajectory.  I realize Kingsbury got an extension, but this start cannot give a whole lot of hope to the Red Raider faithful.  If you are a Tech fan, please weigh in.

STOCK UP
Miss State- This is the best team in the country right now.
Ole Miss- A case can be made that they should be number 1 after such an impressive road showing.Duke- A road defeat of a ranked foe lands the Blue Devils on the stock up list.
Minnesota- The Golden Gophers are 5-1 and 2-0 in league play for the first time since ’04.
Washington- A solid, sound defeat of a conference opponent.  UW is 5-1 and looking good.
Notre Dame- 6-0 again.  A date with the Noles looms.

STOCK DOWN
Illinois- Another conference game in which they were not competitive.  Is Tim Beckman going to get canned?
Missouri- Getting shut out at home makes one wonder why this team was ranked to begin with.
Oklahoma State- Any team that come close to letting Kansas beat them deserves to be on the stock down list.
Texas Tech- Coach Bro has no answers in Lubbock.
Vanderbilt- a 1 point win over Charleston Southern including 0 2nd half points.  Jeees.

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Week 7 Primer

Last Saturday was beautiful.  There is no other word to describe all of the wonderful action that took place for nearly 12 hours Satuday.  The early game included the most impressive team in the country, Miss State.  Then came the loaded 2:30 time slot with 3 matchups between ranked teams, all of which were riveting.  In particular the Ole Miss/Alabama game was perhaps the best this year.   To make the action even better, most of the favorites, Alabama for instance, were defeated.  It was unlike any Saturday I have ever witnessed.  This Saturday is also terrific.  I don’t think we will have the kind of excellence seen last Saturday, but there is plenty of meat on the bone.  Lets have a look:

#2 Auburn @ #3 Mississippi State– It gets no easier for the Bulldogs as Gus Malzahn’s Auburn Tigers come to Starkville for a top 5 showdown.  We will see is the Dogs can put last weeks monster win in the rear view and focus on the Tigers.  This is going to be a hell of a game.  I enjoy the styles of these two teams better than last week.  I really liked what I saw from the Bulldog defense last week against A&M.  They rattled and turned Kenny Hill over 3 times.  Nick Marshall is far more seasoned than Hill and the MSU defense will have to be up to the task.  MSU QB Dak Prescott has been marvelous to this point and he will have to be again if MSU is going to win this game and take over the #1 spot.  Ive doubted Dan Mullen’s team all season.  I think I am done with that.  Give me the home team in this most excellent of games.

#9 TCU @ #5 Baylor– This game is likewise going to be fantastic.  These 2 teams truly despise one another.  This rivalry goes back a long, lon g way.  TCU is coming off an impressive win over Oklahoma.  I gave the Frogs no chance, but was greatly impressed with what I saw.  TCU Offensive Coordinator Sonnie Cumbie’s offense has really taken flight in Fort Worth. Trevone Boykin threw for 318 yards and ran for 77 yards against a Sooner Defense that I smothered in praise.  Can he repeat such an impressive performance this weekend in Waco?  I’m anxious to see.  Meanwhile Art Briles team leads the nation with 51 points per game and have cruised up to this point, including a 21 point victory in Austin last weekend.  The Frogs will be far and away the best team they have faced.  I’m not sure how the Bears will respond.  I have no clue who will win this game, but whoever does has the inside track on a league title and a spot in the playoff.

#12 Oregon @ #18 UCLA– This is a survival game for 2 teams that had playoff aspirations a week ago.  This week’s loser is out of the playoff picture entirely.  UCLA has been maddeningly inconsistent this year.  One week they thump Arizona State, the next they get upset at home by Utah.  A team that I felt was loaded to the gills with talent has played in 4 one possession games thus far.  That is ridiculous.  Oregon was thought to be amongst the very best teams in the country prior to losing to Arizona last weekend.  Now they face a survival game in the Rose Bowl.  I like Marcus Marriota and the Ducks in this game.  Oregon has won 5 in a row in this series and I prefer the way they have played to this point.  The Bruins have been far too inconsistent for me to just believe they will turn it on Saturday night.

#3 Ole Miss @ #14 Texas A&M– Its a bounce back game for the Aggies, after getting beat up by Mississippi State.  In comes the Rebels with their speedy, blood thirsty, Defense.  That Defense is only allowing 10.1 points per game.  That figure is impressive but I smell a massive road let down for Hugh Freeze’s club.  Bo Wallace and Company are highly suspect on Offense.  I think the Aggie Offense will put up too many points for the Rebels to counter.  Kyle Field will be swaying, and A&M will play lights out behind Kenny Hill, Trey Williams and Josh Reynolds.  The young Rebels will still be thinking about Alabama and the Aggs will slap them around.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

USC @ #10 Arizona– The Arizona Wildcats might be 2014’s feel good story.  Rich Rodriguez’s tale of redemption is pretty cool.  His tenure at Michigan was a total train wreck, but when he got the Arizona job, I was confident he would have success.  Its good to see.  This Saturday the feel good story will continue as the Wildcats get past the USC Trojans.  I cant figure out Southern Cal.  They beat Stanford in Palo Alto, and then lose to Boston College and then blow a late lead to Arizona State.  Give me Nick Wilson and Terris Jones Grigsby, who both average over 5 yards per rush, to pace the Wildcats in a defeat of the Trojans.  This game will most likely be tight, but I like what I see from Arizona.  They have confidence of playing in a lot of close games and talent to burn.  I’m not sure what the rest of the season holds for this team, but I am excited to see the program Rich Rod has put together in Tuscon.

Pick of the Week- My struggles continue as Oklahoma loses to TCU and my record fall to 1-4.  Oh brother.

This weeks Pick is Northwestern +4.5, winners of 2 in a row, to go to Minnesota and beat the spread.  After a miserable start, Pat Fitzgerald’s team has gotten its bearings, beating Penn State and Wisconsin in consecutive weeks.  Minnesota is inferior to both of those teams.  I really cant see why they are an underdog at Minnesota.  Seems like a good pick, but you’ve heard that before.

Follow College Football Junkie on Twitter: @jakeanderson998

Week 2 Primer

Opening week is in the books.  It was a bit of a strange week.  So many large favorites struggled to put away, or even defeat, underdog foes.  Again I am not sure what this means, but it something worth following.  Week 2 is similarly excellent.  There are terrific games, just not as many as loaded week 1.  Still, for week 2, this is a damn good week to be a College Football Junkie.  Here is a rundown of this weeks top 5 games.

USC @ Stanford- This is a monster game between 2 teams that were impressive in week 1.  USC shed all of the distractions surrounding its program, went out and kicked the hell out of Fresno State.  The Trojans came roaring out of the gate, scoring 24 points in the games first 20 minutes.  SC racked up an impressive 700 yards on the game, in a 52-13 rout.  Stanford did what it was supposed to do against UC-Davis.  They kicked them around for a few hours.  The score was 38-0 at halftime when David Shaw and company called off the dogs.  Surprisingly, Stanford only ran the ball for 149 yards and committed 3 turnovers.  If those areas don’t improve, SC will walk into Palo Alto and walk out with a W.  Put me down for that.  Stanford will ultimately be the better team this season, but at this point its the Trojans who are more prepared.

Michigan State @ Oregon- This game will be fantastic.  It is easily the best game on the schedule.  2 damn good programs, with contrasting styles and philosophies meet in a top 10 slug fest.  My mouth is already watering.  Both teams looked fantastic in drubbings of outmatched foes.  I like Michigan State to come out and run the ball with Jeremy Langford, controlling the game and the clock.  Connor Cook will be his usual accurate self and the Spartan offense will have a good day.  I think the Spartan defense will be ready for Marcus Marriota, Byron Marshall and the always explosive Duck Offense.  Michigan State will notch a huge win in Eugene.  The spread on this game is Oregon -13.  I think that is ridiculous.  Perhaps Michigan State does not win the game, they surely will not get their doors blown off.

Michigan @ Notre Dame- Its a shame this classic matchup is going away.  Ever since I started watching football, this game has been appointment television.  These 2 classic brands get together in 2 of the best stadiums the game has to offer and magic happens.  Why does this rivalry have to end?  Its a damn shame.  Michigan has won 4 of the last 5 in this series.  Everett Golson accounted for 5 total TDs in his return to the Irish.   Ill take the Irish to defend their home turf and hold off the Wolverines for 2 reasons.  The first of which is Golson, who will have a big game at home under the lights.  The 2nd is the Offensive Line, a weakness for the Maize and Blue and a strength for the Fighting Irish.  I am really looking forward to this game.  I’ll have to savor it this year becuase it likely will never return.

Virginia Tech @ Ohio State- A few weeks ago I would have thought this was a slam dunk for OSU. That all changed when Braxton Miller was pronounced out for the season.  Replacement JT Barrett has big shoes to fill and there will be a period of adjustment.  The Hokies look to take advantage of that adjustment as they roll into Columbus.  The Hokies are led by Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer who was efficient in their opener, throwing for 250 yards, and 2 TDs.  Its a whole new ball game this week.  I think the Hokies stand a punchers chance in Columbus, I really do, but ultimately OSU has too much speed and depth on the D-line.  Brewer will be hounded and harassed and rushing yards will be hard to come by.  The Buckeyes win this game on the strength of their defense.

BYU @ Texas- The one word that will describe this game is revenge.  Remember a year ago when the Cougars racked up 679 yards of total offense including 550 on the ground in route to a 40-21 embarrassment of the Horns.  This year will be different as Charlie Strong has UT running to the ball and tackling like a real football team.  Even though BYU returns all of its O-Lineman, QB Taysom Hill and RB Jamaal Williams, I like the Horns defense in this matchup.  The problem for UT will be on the offensive end where David Ash will miss the game and Tyrone Swoopes will start. If the Horn offense can muster a couple of TDs, I like their chances.  Regardless I think this will be a good watch Saturday night.

GAMBLERS PICK OF THE WEEK- each week I will select one game to pick against the spread, and chart my progress.  Remember, gambling on sports is illegal and these picks are made for entertainment purposes only.  College Football Junkie does not, in any way, endorse illegal activities of any kind and is not responsible for the consequences associated with following to these picks.  So without further ado, here is my pick of the week.
Arizona (-7.5) @ UTSA- Many folks witnessed a wonderful victory for the Roadrunners last Saturday night on the road over Houston.  This was a terrific, impressive, win for this young program.  That said, I think they are going to run into a buzz saw on Thursday night.  I think the Arizona Wildcats are an up and coming team with a promising offense.  Last Friday Arizona rolled up 787 yards against UNLV including 434 through the air and 2, 100 yard rushers.  I like UTSA, I think their program is going in a promising direction, but a 7.5 point spread for this game just seems really low.

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Pac 12 picks

The Pac 12 has transformed itself in the last 7-10 years.  It used to be a top heavy conference headed by the big dawgs from Southern Cal.  From 2002 to 2008 the Trojans won at least a share of the conference title and appeared in BCS bowls in EACH of those seasons.  The Trojans of that era were incredible, to be sure, but the conference on the whole was fairly shallow.  These days the Pac 12 is vastly different.  There are several good to great teams in this league.  The conference is far deeper and more competitive than Ive ever seen it.  Most of the teams in the league appear to be getting better.  Better yet, almost all of them are interesting for one reason or another.  Most of this can be attributed to the new coaching blood brought in in recent years.  Mike Leach, Rich Rodriguez, Todd Graham and Chris Peterson have helped overhaul this conference into the most interesting league in the country.  I look forward, with tremendous anticipation, to what the Pac 12 has to offer this season.  Here are my Pac 12 picks for 2014.

The Pac 12 South is an easy pick.  Its a freaking slam dunk, perhaps the easiest pick in all of College Football.  The UCLA Bruins will win the Pac 12 South.  Period.  There are good teams in this division, but none of them matches the quality that the Bruins possess.  QB Brett Hundley shocked many last fall when he announced his return for his Junior season.  I think he would have been a top 10 pick in the draft.  Regardless he returns to a unit, and a team, that is loaded.  The Bruins return 9 offensive starters including 4 O-lineman, and 4 of its top 5 receivers.  Hundley was fantastic in 2013 completing 66%of his passes with a 24/9 Td to int ratio.  He also led the team in rushing with 748 yards and 11 TDs.  Put simply, Hundley is a freaking stud.  The Bruins are similarly talented on the other side of the ball.  Eric Kendricks and All-World Freshman Myles Jack both return at LB for UCLA.  Overall, 5 of their top 7 tacklers, including 7 starters, are back in 2014.  This unit could be downright nasty.  Last year the Bruins ran into a buzz saw in the form of back to back road games at Oregon and Stanford.  This year they do not have such misfortune.  The schedule is tough, but not unmanageable.  There are road games to Texas (in Arlington) and Arizona State, but they get Oregon, Stanford, and USC in the Rose Bowl.  The Bruins have the pieces, and the coaching, to navigate this schedule and come out on top in the Pac 12 South.  There is no doubt about that.  Could they potentially be in play for a bigger prize?  Perhaps, but for now I will call for them to win this division, hands down.

The Pac 12 North is much, much less clear.  There are two juggernauts among the contenders in this division.  Both Oregon and Stanford can lay claim to the position of best in the conference.  They both have the pedigree, and win totals, to back it up.  The Ducks will be the favorite for a variety of very legitimate reasons.  First Marcus Mariota returns under center.  Mariota put up ridiculous, gaudy, video game type numbers in 2013, including a 31/4 TD to Int ratio and over 700 yards rushing.  These border on absurd.  Secondly, Oregon will roll out its usual bevy of explosive offensive weaponry, including 1,000 yard rusher Byron Marshall.  Additionally the Ducks have a favorable schedule schedule including hosting the Cardinal on November 1st.  All these factors clearly point to Oregon winning this division.  But I’m not.  I am picking Stanford to win the Pac 12 North.  Stanford has built an awesome program over the last several years.  The Cardinal have won back to back Pac 12 championships and the 2014 outlook once again looks strong.  Stanford returns 7 of its top 8 receivers to aid developing QB Kevin Hogan.  Hogan, who has had some struggles in his career, is poised for a big year in 2014.  The Defense will have to replace some parts, including departed Defensive Coordinar Derek Mason, but do return monster LB A.J Tarpley.  The schedule is  an absolute minefield, with trips to Washington, Arizona State, Oregon and UCLA.  Logic and reason all indicate that Oregon will win this division.  I am taking a leap of faith in David Shaw and the Stanford program.  I think they will find a way to grind out wins in tough environments.   The Cardinal, with their rugged line play and hard nose style, are built for such a challenge.  Stanford pulls out the Pac 12 North leaving the Ducks once again crying in their beer.

In the end, Ill take the Bruins to oust the Cardinal in Santa Clara for their first conference title since 1998.

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Looking ahead to Saturday Week 11

This week is loaded with wonderful, exciting, terrific mathups.  Strangely it is front-loaded for Thursday night.  Have we ever seen a Thursday with 2 of the biggest games of the weekend?  I dont believe so.  I have a feeling many College Football fans will be calling in sick on Friday after staying up late watching the west coast game.  Its a great time of year and there is nothing like College Football.

Oklahoma @ Baylor(Thursday)-Bob Stoops takes his team down to Waco to face the high flying Baylor Bears.  Baylor needs this game not only to preserve their perfect season but also to keep pace in the cluttered Big 12.  If The Sooners lose they are essentially out of contention for the Big 12.  The spread has spread has the Bears rolling the Sooners but I think this one will be much closer than the experts think.  In the end the Bears prevail, but I give OU a punchers chance.

Oregon @ Stanford (Thursday)– The Pac 12 game of the year takes place Thursday night at The Farm.  Marcus Marriota leads the Ducks potent Offense with 29 total Tds and 0 Interceptions.  De’Anthony Thomas is finally making his way back into the lineup for the Ducks.  In his absence Byron Marshall has been outstanding rushing for 879 yards and 12 Tds.  The Stanford Defense is good, really good, but it wont be enough.  The Ducks will roll all over Stanford.

Nebraska @ Michigan– This matchup is interesting for a number of reasons.  Both teams played poorly last week.  The difference was that Michigan played a damn good team while Nebraska played a 3 legged Dog.  This week both teams try to get back on track in an important Legends division game.  The Huskers are without 2 of their starting Olineman.  Michigan will take advantage of that and get to whoever is playing QB.  It pains me to say, but I think Michigan will hold serve at home and beat Nebraska.  That said this should be a pretty good game.

Virginia Tech @ Miami-This game will essentially decide the Coastal division.  Miami has had some close calls but last week had its doors blown off by Florida State.  WIll there be a hangover effect?  The Hurricanes will also be without Duke Johnson their leading rusher and best playmaker.  The Hokies have lost to both Duke and Boston College in the last 2 weeks.  The Hokie Offense is is not good ranking 65th in passing, 107th in rushing, and 102nd in scoring.  Their Defense is very good.  If the Offense cant generate more Offense than they have in previous weeks it will be a long afternoon for Beamer’s boys.  Give me The Hurricanes in this one.

Houston @ UCF– This is very interesting game in the American Athletic Conference.  UCF made waves a few weeks ago by beating Louisville on a Friday night.  Right now they are in the drivers seat in the conference, but will likely have to win out.  The Cougars are a high scoring outfit averaging more than 41 points per game.  Houston is certainly capable of beating The Knights on their own field.  I have a feeling there are some Houston Cougar fans in Louisville right now.  Im not a fan of the AAC but this one will be worth a watch.  Give me the home team.

LSU @ Alabama– Hands down the best rivalry of the past 5 years.  These teams get together and it is mean and physical.  The road team has won the last 3 regular season matchups.  Both teams are coming off a bye which means Alabama has the edge.  Saban is wonderful when he has extra time to prepare his squad.  That said I feel like the Tide are ripe for the picking.  LSU could be the team to end their dream of a 3pete.  Give me the Tigers in an upset that will shock the world.

Big time Saturday 10/12

Believe it or not folks this Saturday marks the halfway point of the College Football Season.  I for one am stoked for a big time lineup loaded with awesome games.  Lets look at each time slot.

11 a.m- The headliner is The Red River Shootout in the Cotton Bowl.  Lord knows that is a monster gamer around here.  Folks have been gearing up for it for days.  A little fact I found fascinating is that The Texas student tickets didn’t sell out.  That is down right disgraceful.  I also learned this week that Mack Brown is 5-9 against Bob Stoops.  Consider that 3 of those wins came in a 4 year period in the mid 00’s.  Basically Bob Stoops owns Mack Browns ass, and the games the last couple of years show it.  Today the Sooners will attempt to win 4 in a row in this historic rivalry.  The spread is 14.5 and I think that is conservative.  Its going to be an ass whooping, which is always fun.  However I will not be watching this game.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers take to the road for the first time this season against the hapless Purdue Boilermakers.  If the Huskers are indeed making progress this game should not be close.  Tommy Armstrong makes his 3rd career start against a decent, but still not good, Boilermaker Defense.  The calls among many Husker fans for Armstrong to be the permanent starter are getting louder.  Armstrong is fueling that fire with efficient play and strong running.  Today the sample size grows for Armstrong and perhaps the controversy along with it.  On the Defensive side of the ball the Huskers look to build on the improvement seen last week.  The Big Red Defense only allowed 10 points (minus a junk time TD) and were better all the way around.  This Boilermaker Offense is weak, and is starting a first time freshman QB.  If this Defense is worth their weight in salt they should smell blood in the water and go after this guy.  The Big Red rolls in this one.

2:30- This lineup is absolutely stacked.  First off Florida/LSU will square off in Baton Rouge.  The TIgers have won 2 of the last 3 meetings in this matchup.  This one is the battle of the impotent Gator Offense against a struggling Tiger Defense.  The difference to me is Zach Mettenberger.  He has provided the LSU Offense with a spark I haven’t seen in a long, long time.  If the Defense can get it together the Tigers will be a force in the SEC West.  Offensively they have playmakers all over the field.  Odell Beckham and Jeremy Hill are absolute studs.  But it starts and ends with Mettenberger who will again be terrific.  The Tigers wont put up 40 on the Gators but they wont have to.  Give me the Tigers at home.

Northestern @ Wisconsin.  Last week the Wildcats exerted a tremendous amount of energy against Ohio State.  This week they go to Madison.  Camp Randal will be fired up for this one.  If this were any team but Northwestern I would say they are doomed.  But Northwestern appears to have what it takes to bounce back, go on the road, and play great again.  Wisconsin is a damn good team but I think The Wildcats will make this a game and perhaps come away with it.  Either way it will be a fantastic affair.

If those 2 games weren’t enough to wet your appetite there is also the Oregon @ Washington game.  This one pits the Pac 12 upstart Huskies against the well established Oregon Ducks.  The Huskies are surprising a lot of folks right now with the way their season has begun.  Keith Price looks to be one of the best QB’s in the nation.  Currently Price is completing 71% of his passes.  Newly renovated Husky Stadium will be the backdrop for this one and you can bet it will be rockin.  Still I think the Ducks will show why they are a legitimate National Title contender.  Marcus Mariota is phenomenal.  His completion % is not in the neighborhood of Price, but Mariota has 14 Tds and NO INTERCEPTIONS.  Mariota is the straw that stirs the drink for The Ducks and will be the difference in this one.

7p.m- Compared to the 2:30 time slot, this one has no juice.  There are a number of games with good teams against inferior competition.  At 4:00  there is Michigan @ Penn St., Stanford @ Utah starts at 5,  Alabama @ Kentucky kicks off at 6.  These are all decent affairs but fall well short of what happens at 2:30.  The one game that really turns my head is Texas A&M @ Ole Miss.  This one will be good.  I don’t think the Aggs are good enough to blow folks out.  Likewise I don’t think The Rebs are good enough to run away from anyone either.  This one will be back and forth.  Johnny Football has shown he can shred most any Defense, and The Aggs dont have the kind of playmakers Defensively that they have had in the past.  Don’t blink in this one.  Ill take the Rebs in a squeaker.