This Particular Saturday

So it's the first big day of college football and a lot of people have done a little research and are eager to get the season started, but there is just so much to watch that I'm here to break it down a bit. And don't forget that Monday night has one of the biggest matchups not only of opening weekend, but of the season! Boise State at Virginia Tech is the Broncos chance to prove that they're worthy of a chance at the National Championship, going up against the Hokies and Tyrod Taylor. Should be the most exciting and meaningful game of the weekend, so enjoy watching that on your Labour Day holiday. As for today, here are ten games to keep on hand.


Weber State @ Boston College

What better way to start a new season than a new start? Mark Herzlich, the linebaker who won the ACC defensive player of the year award in 2008, is back from a year away battling with bone cancer and is eager to go. It is still to be seen whether he will be back on the field after Boston College's defense remained strong throughout the season last year, but just having him on the sidelines should be inspiration enough and worth watching.

pick: Boston College by 20

Jacksonville State @ Ole Miss

Speaking of absent players, former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who was kicked off the team last year for various off-field infractions including a (oh no!) marijuana possession charge, will be back on the field in a Rebels (how suiting) uniform this fall. He missed the entirety of spring practices for either team due to the legal trouble, but has been cleared and is ready to start behind center for Ole Miss. Let's just see how his teammates react to his insertion and whether he can recapture some of the spark he had in Oregon.

pick: Ole Miss by 34

Purdue @ Notre Dame

Charlie Weis is out, and so is Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen, but it's not that much of a fresh start for new head coach Brian Kelly. Unfortunately most of the returning players are part of the horrendous defense that the Fighting Irish had on the field last year. Even if Kelly is able to install his spread offense with the new QB, Dayne Crist, Purdue is by no means an easy way to start the year. Lucky for Notre Dame, running back Ralph Bolden might be missing from action, which might give Notre Dame the slight edge.

pick: Notre Dame by 4

Back in the Saddle

Football Season is back! And so am I for that matter. I've been absent for awhile but I've had a lot on my plate and really... no football to talk about. It has been a busy offseason, especially with all the rumours of realignment in the NCAA and the various murmurs surrounding Brett Favre's retirement (no not yet), but let's face it, the football offseason was somewhat overshadowed by a ridiculous NBA free agent extravaganza that was practically a shitty reality television show.  But that's all over now and football is back, starting with some college games tonight and leading into the big full day on Saturday. But let's quickly talk about some of the games to watch tonight.

Hampton @ Cent. Michigan

OK, so not the craziest game to start out with, but Central Michigan (12-2 last year) are going to have some eyes on them now that Dan LeFevour has split for the Chicago Bears, going in the sixth round. Losing the quarterback with the most total touchdowns in NCAA history might be tough for this MAC team, especially when facing three FBS teams on the road this year. They will have some other guys returning, particularly on offense, but their defense will have to improve and they'll have to find someone to replace LeFevour if they have any hope of returning to a bowl this year. This game is step #1.

Marshall @ Ohio State (2)

This should be a proverbial cakewalk for the #2 seeded Ohio State and a good chance for all of us to see Terrelle Pryor in action for the first time this year. The Buckeyes have some positions to fill, especially on the defensive line, and this game should give an idea of how well those shoes are filled. Ohio State definitely has a chance at winning the Big 10 this year, and might even have a chance at a national title if they manage to keep their season flawless, especially with three tough games coming at the end of the season against conference opponents. All eyes will definitely be on Pryor in the Big 10 this year, and if he can limit his mistakes Ohio State should be the team to beat.

Ndamukong Suh's Apology

Colt McCoy almost destroyed Texas' entire season with his clock-mismanagement against Nebraska. Down by two at the end of the fourth quarter, the Longhorns' quarterback seemed to be oblivious to how much time was left on the game clock as he ran horizontally across the field, letting the seconds tick away. Luckily for Texas, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was chasing him and McCoy had to dump the ball out of bounds, leaving one second left on the clock. The Longhorns used that second to kick the winning field goal and earn a place in the National Championship Bowl. TCU sat and watched their spot vanish.

Earlier this week, Suh apologized to Jerry Hughes, the defensive end for the Horned Frogs, for having made the play. If Suh had backed off and let McCoy run down the clock, Hughes and TCU would be in the championship bowl instead of the Longhorns... but it was not so. Well last night Suh had even more to apologize for as he snatched the Lombardi trophy, awarded to the nation's top lineman, from Hughes' grasp.

I must say I like Ndamukong Suh. Not only is he probably the best defensive tackle in the NCAA, and the only defensive player in the hunt for the Heisman right now, but he is showing some great sportsmanship. Suh had as much to do with McCoy's leaving a single second on the clock as anyone, including McCoy himself who seemed happy to waste the rest of the game running around and take the L. If I was a TCU fan, or player for that matter, I'd be pissed. But at least Suh has the decency to admit he messed up and the balls to apologize. Good for him.

I hope Suh does win the Heisman. There has been so much emphasis on defense in the NFL as of late, it'd be great to see him take the trophy. He would be only the second defensive player in the history of the NCAA to be honored with the award, the other being cornerback Charles Woodson out of Michigan in 1997. Follow that up with a possible number one over-all pick in the NFL's 2010 draft and Ndamukong Suh could be off to a great start. I'm OK with that.

Jimmy Clausen to Enter 2010 Draft

One of my favorite college football players, Jimmy Clausen, has decided to enter the NFL draft next year. Maybe he's tired of getting punched in the eye by irate Notre Dame fans, or maybe it's Weis' departure that has him itching for bigger and greener fields... either way, it makes next year's draft interesting. At quarterback alone, three of the, I would say, top 5 players are entering the draft: Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, and now Jimmy Clausen (I'm leaving out a somewhat overrated Sam Bradford); and quarterback isn't even the most coveted position in this year's draft. CBS 2010 Draft Rankings


The most interesting thing about the whole scenario is that Charlie Weis is out of a job too. He was handed a 6-5 Notre Dame team at the beginning of the season with an offensive line that was rebuilding, and he did exactly what everyone expected; with the exception of course of the Notre Dame higher-ups. Either way, Weis is now gone and Clausen is leaving, both probably headed to the NFL. Well, what are the chances they will land in the same place? I'd like to see it happen. I like Weis, I like Clausen, and I think if a team can manage to land the pair in next year's draft they've got great ground to rebuild on.

St. Louis, Cleveland, and Washington, amongst others, are all in need of a quarterback right now, but I think the Redskins make the best case for the duo. They already have a decent defense, almost defeating the Saints in Week 13, and Jim Zorn already has one foot out the door, so why not try and grab the pair in the offseason and turn yourself into a possible playoff contender next year? Albeit, they probably need a little more work, but in an upcoming deep draft who knows what one can find in the later rounds? Just an idea... Check ESPN for more info on Clausen's decision

On Another Note

Anyone else watch that Stanford / Notre Dame game? Holy Shit!

Here Come the Bowls

The College Football season is rounding up and we're nearing the bowl madness that always seems to confuse the hell out of me. Even Obama has said that a playoff system similar to March Madness would be incredible, but we've gotta deal with what we have. For those of you who haven't been following along this season, it's had it's moments. I'm sad Notre Dame has been shitting the bed lately, despite Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate's stellar seasons, but at least the Ducks are looking Rose Bowl worthy behind Jaremiah Masoli. The big story this season though has been the running backs. There have been some QB's who have had a spectacular year, Tebow, Keenum, and McCoy to name a few (Florida, Houston, and Texas respectively), but look at what Mark Ingram has done for Alabama, the number two seed behind Florida right now. Stanford has also propelled up the rankings with the help of Toby Gerhart; he rushed for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns against an Oregon team that looked unstoppable up until meeting the Cardinal. Ryan Matthews of Fresno State was having a fantastic year until he suffered a concussion two weeks ago against Nevada, cutting his season short; and Jacquizz Rodgers has produced 18 touchdowns for Oregon State, rushing for 1148 yards. Any way you spell it, it looks like the Heisman will be headed to a running back this season. Just check out the work Mark Ingram has done for the Crimson Tide and judge for yourself.