9/8/07

This weekend is a huge weekend for me, football-wise, and I am jacked. To borrow a joke from Conan O'Brien, I haven't been this excited since I ate that Viagra burrito.

College ball season started last week, and as usual the first week was full of games that appeared to be mismatches, as the big powerhouses use the first week or so to warm up for their big games later. Of course, one of those warm-up schools didn't get the memo and Michigan was handed possibly the most embarassing loss in school history (although last year's Rose Bowl was no slouch in that department, either) to 1-AA Appalachian State. But that game was only on "the Big Ten Network", whatever that is, so nobody got to actually watch the game, not even the final minutes. The only game which looked entertaining heading into last week was California vs. Tennessee, although that game did deliver the goods.

Speaking of that game, a lot of people want to know why, if the SEC is so great, did Cal win that game?

Let me make one thing clear: the SEC is not such a great league because all of the schools in the conference are another level higher than all of the schools in any other conference. The reason the SEC is so great is because of how deep the pool of quality teams goes. Tennessee, due to some significant losses to graduation, is probably the 5th best team in the league, behind LSU, Florida, Georgia, and Auburn. Cal is definately number 2 in the Pac 10. How do you think Cal would do against LSU or Florida, hmmmm?

I mean, Tennessee with their slow wide-outs put up 35 points on Cal's defense. What would LSU be held to? 56? And do you think Cal or anybody else is hanging 57 or more on LSU's defense? No way.

But enough about last week. Tomorrow afternoon the slate has quite a few tasty tidbits, before the big game in Primetime. Some of the best looking match-ups include:

- Miami/Oklahoma, 12:00 - Oklahoma is up at 5 after a dominating win last week. Miami looked real good against Marshall in week 1, but this will be new Canes coach Shannon's first real test. I'll be really interested in the outcome of this one.

- Nebraska/Wake Forest, 12:00 - In the past, this match-up would have been a joke. Buit Nebraska hasn't been able to restore its former glory for quite a few years and Wake Forest took the ACC crown last season. But Wake lost some key parts this offseason, and that was on full display as BC handled Wake last week. So this game has more to tell us about the Huskers, who won a cupcake in a rout last week, than it will about the Deacons.

- Boise State/Washington, 3:30 - We all remember what Boise State did last year in the Fiesta Bowl, and they could be on their way back to a BCS Bowl this season. This week's game against Washington will be their stiffest challenge on the schedule until they visit Hawaii on November 23.

- South Carolina/Georgia, 5:45 - Whenever Georgia and Steve Spurrier get together, a lot of pride is on the line. So far the big three in the SEC East have held off the Ol' Ball Coach since his return to the conference, but every year brings with it the danger that this might be the season S.O.S. has the mix he needs to run up scores all over the SEC again. Will this be the year?

- Texas Christian/Texas, 7:00 - TCU is one of the top mid-major programs in the country, along with Boise State and (this year) Hawaii. Texas is, however, the big dog in the Lone Star State, so you have to assume they'll probably have the best athletes on the field. However, smart football, along with a chip on their shoulders, could carry the Horned Frogs to an upset - especially if the Longhorns play like they did against Arkansas State.

- Virginia Tech/LSU, 9:15 - This is, of course, the game of the week in college, as two top 10 teams are matched up - a rarity in the non-conference portion of the schedule. Virginia Tech is, of course, coming off the worst off-season in school history, with first the sniper and then the Michael Vick dogfighting scandal piling on top of that. This kind of thing can either rally a team, or distract them. They looked distracted against an ECU team they should have demolished last week. If they show up looking like that against LSU, they'll be flattened. Of course, with the kind of talent LSU showed last Thursday in burying Mississippi State, it might not matter how the Hokies show up in Baton Rogue.

And, of course, on Sunday the NFL season kicks off in earnest. Of most importance to me, of course, is the Redskins game against Miami at 1:00 at FedEx. This season, like most, looks completely unclear right now. I wouldn't be suprised at any season the team could put together this year, from Super Bowl to 3-13. We'll get the first idea after this game.

My fantasy team is battling Mike Pieroint's this week. The line-ups:

Me
QB - Phillip Rivers
RB - Joseph Addai
RB - Clinton Portis
WR - Santana Moss
WR - Jerry Porter
WR - Braylon Edwards
W/R - Thomas Jones
TE - Chris Cooley
K - Josh Brown
D - Redskins

Him
QB - Donovan McNabb
RB - Frank Gore
RB - Mercedes Jones-Drew
WR - Santonia Holmes
WR - Calvin Johnson
WR - Darrell Jackson
W/R - Deuce McAllister
TE - Alge Crumpler
K - Matt Stover
D - Patriots

Each of us had one player in the Colts/Saints game last Thursday. Addai netted me 20.3 points, wile Deuce got Mike 4.5, so I have a good looking lead early.