No Excuses

We're back. Traveling, family, work, and every other thing be danged to heck!!!!

We're just jumping right into it. This weekend's picks:

Sept 19:

Baylor at Connecticut, 8:00 PM, ESPN2 - Baylor. Griffin may finally make the Bears a legit team. But then again.... it is Baylor. Dang it... I dunno. UCONN. No wait.... Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sept 20:

Florida Atlantic at Minnesota, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network - MINN Brewster has the Gophers back around the bottom-middle of the Big Televen. That should be good enough to nudge a decent FAU team.

Ohio at Northwestern, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network - NW Ohio ain't bad, but NW has been pretty salty thusfar this season.

Troy at Ohio State, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network - OSU The Buckeyes bounce back and tries to make a statement. Troy has a good offense and won't be easy, but the talent here is too disparaging.

Temple at Penn State, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network - PSU JoePa roles the instate rivals.

Central Michigan at Purdue, 12:00 PM, Big Ten Network - PUR Purdue had a bit of an implosion last week letting Oregon come back 17 points. If they don't come out firing, a good MAC team will make things worse

Arizona at UCLA, 3:00 PM, FSN - Tossup. UCLA got absolutely smoked by BYU last weekend and Arizona lost to New Mexico.

Wyoming at BYU, 3:00 PM, The mtn. - BYU Wyoming just can't play on caliber with what BYU is doing right now.

Florida at Tennessee, 3:30 CBS - FL The Gators took a week off after a less than spectacular depantsing of Miami. Tennessee is less than expected. Methinks the Gators right the ship and things get worse for Fulmer

Notre Dame at Michigan State, 3:30 PM, ABC - ND I absolutely HATE picking the Irish here, but it wouldn't be college football w/out ND pulling out a weird win and MSU losing a game it shouldn't.

Rutgers at Navy, 3:30 PM, CBS CSTV - NAV Just to shut up the Rutgers fans that were being classless last year.

Utah at Air Force, 4:00 PM, Vs.- UT The Utes continue rolling. The MWC has a three headed beast right now w/ TCU, BYU and Utah. Not to be outdone, Air Force is 3-0

Ball State at Indiana, 7:00 PM, Big Ten Network - BAL While Indian has become competitive again, Ball State seems ready to run this year.

TCU at SMU, 8:00 PM, CBS CSTV - TCU June Jones has shown that the Ponies aren't ready to be big time quite yet. Being humiliated by Tech and Rice are never good indicators.

Georgia at Arizona State, 8:13 PM, ABC - GA Despite the Bulldogs lackluster beginning to the season, The Offense and Defensive skill is still there to be in the title hunt. ASU just got beat by UNLV. Yes. That UNLV.

Iowa State at UNLV, 9:00 PM, The mtn.- ISU. I'm tepid here with UNLV's win last weekend, and ISU's non-performance vs. the Hawkeyes. I still think Chizick has the Cyclones better than they were.

Mississippi State at Georgia Tech, 12:00 PM, Gameplan -GT Johnson lost a tough one last week to VaTech, but nothing near the heartbreak Croom went through losing 3-2. MSU just doesn't have an offense to hang with anybody.

East Carolina at NC State, 12:00 PM, ESPN - EC NC State's only win this year was an unimpressive 10 pt. win over W&M. EC was predicted to struggle last week and did, but still pulled out a W

Rice at Texas, 7:00 PM, FSN Atlantic - TX Rice has come a long way in the last few years, but just doesn't have the guns to go punch for punch with the Longhorns

Iowa at Pittsburgh, 12:00 PM, ESPN2 - PITT Iowa's only thing to hang it's hat on is beating Iowa State, Pitt hasn't impressed much either.

Alabama at Arkansas, 12:30 PM, Gameplan - AL The Tide is rolling and Petrino still doesn't have an offense.

South Carolina State at Clemson, 1:00 PM, ESPN360 - CL Clemson is still bouncing from the Bama loss but still on track to have a good showing in ACC.

UCF at Boston College, 1:00PM, ESPNU - BC The Eagle haven't been up to par this year but should still win this one going away. Kevin Smith's early departure hurt, but the Knights are still hecka competitive.

Eastern Michigan at Maryland, 1:00 PM, ESPN360 - MARY Maryland came off the loss to the Blue Raiders w/ a good win against a ranked Cal team

Akron at Army, 1:00 PM, ESPN Classic

Indiana State at Northern Illinois, 3:00 PM, Gameplan - NIU For shear FBS/FCS foreknowledge

Virginia Tech at North Carolina, 3:30 PM, ABC - VT UNC came out and played some solid ball versus Rutgers two weeks ago and VaTech has come back from the embarrassing East Carolina loss. I think Beamer ball will be back in action.

Northeastern at Syracuse, 3:30 PM, Gameplan - NE Because Syracuse sucks that badly. Sorry Greg.

U Miami at Texas A&M, 3:30 PM, ABC - TAMU It goes against all logic and reasoning as the Aggies have been everything short of atrocious this year. Coming off a bye week after playing poorly to two vastly inferior opponents, I think the offense gets rid of the hiccups and Lane starts getting the ball more.

Idaho at Utah State, 4:00 PM, Gameplan - Tossup They're both not that great sadly.

South Florida at Florida International, 5:00 PM, ESPNU - USF South Florida pulled off a good little win vs. the Jayhawks

Wake Forest at Florida State, 7:00PM, ESPN2 - WAKE The Seminoles haven't looked bad.... you know... AGAINST TWO 1-AAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Southeastern Louisiana at Louisiana Tech, 7:00 PM, Gameplan - LT La. Tech has a not that bad loss to a good Kansas squad and a win against a not that great Miss. State.

Wofford at South Carolina, 7:00 PM, Gameplan - USCe Despite the complete and utter lack of anything exciting in the Georgia game, Spurrier should still be able to win this

Portland State at Washington State, 7:00 PM, Fox Sports Northwest - WSU Wazzu has been pitiful this year under first-year head coach Wulff. Beating up on a patsy can make a season look a little better. Losing to one makes it that much worse.

Miami U at Cincinnati, 7:30 PM, ESPN360 - CIN Miami ain't that bad, but Cinci is still a decent team.

LSU at Auburn, 7:45 PM, ESPN - LSU Unless Tubbs finds an offense in a week.

Fresno State at Toledo, 8:15 PM, ESPNU - FRE Fresno lost a close one last week and there was no shame in it. Wisconsin isn't the best out there, but they're no chumps either. Fresno gets back on the wagon this week.

Coaching cliches

The game speed lacked intensity. We really wanted to get people in leadership positions, but we beat ourselves out there today. We've got to quit making mental mistakes and begin playing as one team.

Coaches say the darndest things... no really, they do. Coachspeak has been around as long as we can remember and it is about as productive and informative as an ESPN blip.

Detroit News did their take... here's ours

1. "The offense is ahead of the defense right now (or vice-versa)."

As opposed to, "We're pretty well deadlocked. The offense can't score on the defense and the defense can't stop the offense."

2. "(Insert name here) has really bought into our off-season conditioning program."

As opposed to all those players who don't want playing time.

3. "We're trying to bring in a new attitude," or, "We're all business this spring."

I want to hear a coach say, "Well... we pretty much ruled everybody last year... and we really want to do that again this year.... So we're keeping the same ole' attitude. If it ain't broke don't fix it."

4. "There is no depth chart; every position is open."

Says the same guy that wiled a recruit in by promising him a starting position his true freshman year. Word.

5. "The intensity level of practices will increase as we try to get our players adjusted to game speed."

Game Speed. Intensity. Two of my favorite phrases. Game speed basically mean that you get run full speed like you would hope in a game and intensity just means you hit hard. So basically we want people to hit hard and run fast as we practice more. Got it. Thanks coach.

6. We beat ourselves out there today.

I screwed the pooch. I should have gone for it on 4th down The kids missed their blocks and dropped the balls. We're screw ups.

7. We didn't have an answer for (insert play/player) here

Somehow, despite video and a weeks worth of practice we still let them run the same play repetitively and they continued to get away with it. My bad.

7. We know that they're having a down year but they're still dangerous

I want a coach to walk out and say, "Man we just really plan on reaming them left and right. I mean a good ole fashion butt kicking." Screw the whole respect thing. Tell your team that you plan on beating them by 50 and taking them out for pizza and snow cones afterwards.

Pac 10 Schedule Sexiness

Finally, the last dang one. We'll compile the lists into your top games for each week sometime later, but w/out further adieu, the Pac-10:

Week 1
Michigan State at California - California drops the opening week toughie with Tennessee and picks up a decent foe from the Big Ten. Should be a good matchup, unless California returns to early season form from last year.
Washington at Oregon - Starting off the conference early, Washington has to start winning and winning now. In three years they've slipped to the bottom of the rung in the conference. Like... below Stamford.
USC at Virginia - USC has not shied away from a strong OOC schedule and this year is no different. While Virginia isn't a juggernaut they aren't a team to be taken lightly.
Oklahoma State vs. Washington State (Seattle) - Oklahoma State isn't a great team by any stretch, but their offense is just explosive enough to give the Cougs some fits. It probably won't be pretty for Wassu.
Tennessee at UCLA - Tennessee moves south in their opener this year. A good game to finish off Memorial Day weekend.

Week 2
Oregon Sate at Penn State - The Beavers head to Beaver Stadium to have a good test against the Nittany Lions. OSU hasn't been overly impressive the last few years and this is a good chance to start getting there quickly.
BYU at Washington - The Mormons continue their quest for perfection. No not that one. The perfect season one. BYU has racked up 22 wins in two years and this year they are looking for that BCS bid.

Week 3 - (Great week in the Pac-10, you can't go wrong watching any game!)
California at Maryland - Maryland will be a nice test for the Golden Bears. A team with a bit of history, but not a monster.
Oregon at Purdue - Purdue's offense has been high flying as of late. It will be a good test for the Oregon D before conference play gets too hot and heavy.
Hawaii at Oregon State - Hawaii begins the June Jonesless era. Can the offense keep up with a mid-level team like Oregon State now?
Stanford at TCU - You have to think that Stanford took some steps forward last year, but is it enough to start beating some decent teams like TCU
BYU at UCLA - UCLA comes back for more of BYU after splitting their regular and a bowl games last year. More of a statement game for BYU than the Washington.
Ohio State at USC - Probably the season's best OOC game. Neither will be knocked out of the MNC picture because of this one, but it will cause some separation.
Oklahoma at Washington - The Huskies probably won't take out the Sooners, but Locker just might be able to cause some problems to the defense
Washington State at Baylor - Two struggling teams with new coaches can use a boost by winning here.

Week 4
Georgia at Arizona State - Dennis Erickson pulled on through an easy schedule last year. They didn't win against Oregon, USC, or Texas all top 50 teams. The question is whether or or not it was flash in a pan, or real talent.
Boise State at Oregon - Boise State had a good season last year, but took a tumble from where they want to be. Oregon should win this one based on talent alone, but don't expect an easy game.

Week 5
USC at Oregon State - Oregon State has won 19 games in two years and that's pretty dang impressive. They pulled off the upset here two years ago. They need to start moving up the pack if they want to start challenging for the conference title.
Stanford at Washington - Two teams that have been down recently need to start improving. Willingham can't afford a bowless season again.
Fresno State at UCLA - Fresno continues to show no fear in its scheduling practices. Wisconsin, Rutgers, and UCLA is a pretty rough schedule for a mid-major and Pat Hill will have that schedule every year. Kudos to them.
Week 6
Oregon State at Utah - The Utes haven't maintained the glory of their BCS season but they haven't faded into oblivion either. Expect Oregon State to have to fight for this one.
California at Arizona State - ASU showed some spunk last year when Cal started to falter. Second place in the conference is up for grabs and these two teams with Oregon can all challenge for the title.
Oregon at USC - A rematch of last year's game should be good. Likely a conference championship game.

Week 7
Arizona State at USC - Arizona State got exposed when they played Oregon and USC last season. Are they better?
UCLA at Oregon - UCLA took advantage of an ailing Duck quad last season. Dixon is gone.
Washington State at Oregon State - Washington State fired Bill Doba to start winning these games.

Week 8
Oregon State at Washington - Washington needs to start beating the middle of the pack teams if they want to get there themselves.
Stanford at UCLA - The two Cali teams are each looking to get over their current humps. Stanford doesn't have to win all of the games like this but they need to get some wind under them by staying in them.

Week 9
Oregon at Arizona State - The winner of this one last year should have been playing for the championship had Oregon not lost Dixon. Will both teams be as good this year?
UCLA at California - Both teams want to usurp USC as the top of the conference. The coaching is there. The talent is lacking. Both teams will probably be in the picture this late in the season.
Notre Dame at Washington - I personally pray to all that is Holy that Washington will wipe the floor with the Irish. Just for racisms sake. ( I got your back, Mark May. I got you.)

Week 10
Oregon at California - This game was huge last year. Cali won due to a last second Oregon gaffe on the goal line... and then proceeded to tank like the Poseidon.
Washington at USC - The Huskies have kept this close for the last two years, closer than USC should have let it. Can this be the year they finally knock them off?

Week 11
Arizona State at Washington - ASU got their fancy smancy new coach and got a Holiday Bowl in one year. Washington still hasn't been to a bowl since before Willingham got there.
California at USC - Cal hasn't been able to get past USC since they beat them in 2003. They've played it close, but just haven't gotten that W.

Week 12
Arizona at Oregon - When Dixon went down last year you knew things were going to get bad for the Ducks. Losing to Arizona was the low point of the season for them.
USC at Stanford - I'm not saying... but I'm just saying. Again... think A&M/OU 2002.

Week 13
Stanford at California - Stanford finally won this one last year after Cal took a serious downturn midseason. Don't expect for Tedford's teams to let it happen again.
Washington at Washington State - The battle for the Apple Cup.

Week 14
UCLA at Arizona State - Two teams who should be challenging USC this year finish up before they take on their in-state rivals
Oregon at Oregon State - Ditto
Notre Dame at USC - Notre Dame has made one game of this since Crew Cut showed up in South Bend. Other than that it hasn't been much of a contest.
Washington State at Hawaii - Wassu takes on what should still be a good Hawaii team.

Week 15
Arizona State at Arizona - Having a decent season is a must for Stoops. Beating ASU will help ease some of the bad years.
USC at UCLA - USC took care of business last year after the 2006 debacle. Slick Rick will bring some new fire to this rivalry.



Your Pac 10 Champ...

USC

I know it's easy to pick them... but let's be honest. Pete Carroll continues to pull in top classes. Kids will travel across the country to play for USC and be on the third string where they would be starting anywhere else. USC can lose two games and still be the conference champ every year.

Big Ten Schedule Sexiness

Week 1
Illinois vs. Missouri (St. Louis) - The Illini kept it close last year in a game that meant a lot more at the time than any of us knew. Both will start the year ranked and this game will be a big boost to the winner.
Utah at Michigan - Michigan steps down a bit in this years opener from last year. Utah is not team to turn your nose at though. The Utes have remained competitive since their BCS bowl and should be a good test.
Michigan State at California - One of the better opening day games. Both of these teams are tired of looking up at another in-state school. Both have underachieved expectations the last few years. If either wants to turn it around, here you go.

Week 2
Northwestern at Duke - Last years game was interesting in that Northwestern snapped Duke's bit for longest losing streak (a dubious record which Northwestern holds) Both teams should be better this year
Oregon State at Penn State - The Beavers are traveling cross country to play in Beaver Stadium. Oregon State has maintained some decent teams the last few year. JoePa is showing no signs of letting up in Happy Valley. Good game for both teams.

Week 3
Iowa State at Iowa - One of the less watched (and maybe known) in-state rivalries that cross
Michigan at Notre Dame - Since this rivalry has been renewed to be played till Armageddon, expect more and more each year out this one. There is a lot of new blood this time around
Ohio State at USC - Probably the top non-conference game this year in all of College Football. Both are top-notch teams year-in and year-out. Both could be in the MNC and nobody would complain much. Both only have one MNC in the 2000's. (You heard me right Trojan fans)
Penn State at Syracuse - Syracuse needs to find a groove and find it quick. The middle of the pack is rising in the Big East and leaving Syracuse and Robinson behind. Oregon at Purdue - Nice game for the Boilermakers. Getting the ducks at home
Wisconsin at Fresno State - Fresno State is no team to take lightly. They have taken several BCS schools to the max in the last few years, and they want nothing to do with Pat Hill and his Bulldogs. Wisconsin is taking on a good little battle here.

Week 4
Iowa at Pitt - Both teams need this win right here. Conference play is about to get hot and heavy for both teams and both coaches need to have winning seasons this year.
Notre Dame at Michigan State - Michigan State has made a good rivalry of this as of late.
Troy at Ohio State - Troy has the perfect little speedy offense to give the Buckeyes all sorts of fits.
Central Michigan at Purdue - CM has become a mainstay at the top of the MAC. Purdue barely pulled this one out in the Music City Bowl last year in a shoot-out that went for 99 points. If nothing else just watch for Dan Lefevour.

Week 5
Illinois at Penn State - Illinois was the surprise of the conference last year. Ron Zook finally has the team ready to go. The loss of last years RB will hurt. PSU is a great test to see if this team can keep last years magic alive.
Michigan State at Indiana - Two middle of the pack teams who got to bowls last year.
Wisconsin at Michigan - Wisconsin won last year in convincing fashion. Michigan will have a few tests before now, but to find out if RichRod's offense can compete in the Big Ten
Purdue at Notre Dame - Tiller's last shot at the Irish.

Week 6
Illinois at Michigan - Michigan won last year, but Illinois got the last laugh, going to BCS bowl and taking out OSU, something Michigan hasn't done in a while.
Ohio State at Wisconsin - My personal pick for the conference championship game. Wisconsin has shown themselves to continuously be one of the better teams in the Big Ten. If they want to be the best they need to get over the whole OSU thing

Week 7
Penn State at Wisconsin - Penn State always has the talent and coaching to compete, but just hasn't been the top of the class lately. Beating Wisconsin is the first step.

Week 8
Indiana at Illinois - The two middle of the packers have finally stepped up to the plate and are playing some good ball. Now can Indiana take Illinois as the better of the two?
Michigan at Penn State - Penn State has had trouble getting over the Michigan thing, even in their best recent year of 2005. Usually a good match up.
Ohio State at Michigan State - Michigan State kept it close last year but couldn't get it done.

Week 9
Illinois at Wisconsin - Illinois probably won't have as special as a season as last year, but coming in and knocking off the current #2 team will prove that they are a true contender in the league.
Michigan State at Michigan - Sparty's best chance at taking this one will be this year while the spread is still being installed in Ann Arbor.
Penn State at Ohio State - Penn State is probably perturbed about Pryor's final decision. Not that that's any more reason for them to get up for this game, but you can bet the Nittany Lions want this one.

Week 10
Wisconsin at Michigan State - Sparty and Wiscy should have a good little game here.
Northwestern at Minnesota - Northwestern stepped out of the bottom of the barrel last year and put the Gophers there in their stead. If the Wildcats want to keep them there, a win here will help (even if it is late in the season)

Week 11
Michigan at Minnesota - The battle for the Little Brown Jug is one of the lesser known trophies, but definitely one of the better one.
Purdue at Michigan State - Two more teams aching to matter in top of the conference picture, but just haven't in a while.

Week 12
Ohio State at Illinois - Revenge, redemption, or revelation? Will OSU get some payback for last year or will the Illini pull off another stunner?
Minnesota at Wisconsin - Another of my favorite rivalries. It hasn't been as competitive as some years as the Gophers have struggled. Brewster's pulled in a great class and his team won't be down that long.

Week 13
Michigan at Ohio State - Arguably the biggest rivalry in the game. We finally see if RichRod is going to have some staying power with his new spread offense against a team that has historically struggled against it. Michigan State at Penn State - Battle of the States. PSU and MSU have had a decent little rivalry as OSU and Mich. tend to look to each other instead of to other conference rivals.




Big Televen Champ

OSU Buckeyes

And your 2008 NCAA Tournament Champs are

the Memphis Tigers.... since I'm awesome and can pick games like Marty McFly... that means the Jayhawks.

No matter what, a good season to all.

Big XII Schedule Sexiness

Week 1
Wake Forest at Baylor - Battle of the baptists. Wake Forrest has finally found it's way out of the cellar. Can Baylor?
Colorado vs. Colorado State - The first game in years without Sonny Lubick. Colorado should finally pull away from CSU this year and stay there.
Illinois vs. Mizzou - Who the heck knew this was as big a game as it was last year? Or would be this year?
Oklahoma State vs. Washington State (Seattle) - WSU should be improved under Wulff. The Cowboys are going to have to get better unless they want to challenge Baylor for the bottom of the barrel.

Week 2
Cinci at Oklahoma - Cinci has finally risen out of the mediocrity of the Big East and become a competitive team. Oklahoma is thinking MNC early this year and this will be a great test to see if they're able.
Houston at Oklahoma State - Kevin Sumlin hopes to continue to frustrate the Cowboys

Week 3
Kansas at South Florida - Two teams that had better years than could have been expected by anybody last year meet up.
Iowa State at Iowa - ISU stole this one last year. If Kirk Ferentz wants to keep his job, he needs to not lose this one and start at least competing for the middle of the Big Ten. Chizick has to get ISU out of the cellar
Oklahoma at Washington - Washington has to improve or this will be it for Willingham. Expect Jake Locker to give the Sooners some fits. But not too many.
Arkansas at Texas - The old SWC rivalry renews. This will be Bobby Petrino's first big game at the helm.
SMU at Texas Tech - Time to see if the SMU offense brings the same firepower we saw at Hawaii. The talent level isn't equal, but if you want to see a game with matching offenses slinging the ball for probably over a 1000 yards in a game, you got it.


Week 4
Kansas State at Louisville - Two teams that had very disappointing finishes last year that are looking for big rebounds before going into conference.
Baylor at Connecticut - Baylor faces another team that has recently shown improvement while they've still floundered.
West Virginia at Colorado - Colorado continues to take on some impressive OOC games. WVU should be an early indicator of the rest of their season.
Miami at Texas A&M - In a game that should have been a big one for the winner, Miami rocked the Aggies last year. Neither went on to do just a whole ton afterwards. Hopefully for both teams that won't be true again..

Week 5
Colorado vs. Florida State (Jacksonville) - Dan Hawkins keeps the big boys coming back for more. The Buffs are ready for the big time this year with WVU and FSU early.
TCU at Oklahoma - Nobody expected TCU to pull this one off three years ago but they did it. OU is going to have one of the best teams in some time this year you can expect payback.
Virginia Tech at Nebraska - Nebraska pulls away from the USC game to another heavyweight in Va. Tech. Expect a defensive game here as neither has a lot of firepower on offense.
Troy at Oklahoma State - An expected easy game for oSU turned into a blowout... that oSU was on the wrong end of. The cowboys should be a little more prepared this year.

Week 6
Texas at Colorado - Texas has some questions... especially at RB. Colorado has one that Texas is just a bit jealous of. Colorado was embarrassed 2x in 2005 and they haven't forgotten it.
Mizzou at Nebraska - Chance for Nebraska to stake a claim at the top of the division again
Texas Tech at Kansas State - If nothing else just to post this and hope it happens again.:

Week 7
Iowa State at Baylor - I have no idea what to expect from this game. Baylor can only go up and Iowa State started to show a little life in 2007 (even if it didn't translate to W's) Should be a bottom dweller game but we'll see
Oklahoma State at Missouri - Two high powered offenses with mobile QB's
Nebraska at Texas Tech - This game ended in a crazy fashion as Tech fumbled inside the Nebraska 20, only to recover a fumble on the same play and scored to win. Both teams are probably hungry to revisit this one
Oklahoma at Texas - This is normally the battle for the south. It's been a good game for 2 years now, but is Texas good enough to keep it that way?

Week 8
Kansas at Oklahoma - A game we would have like to have seen last year. Kansas really was that good. Mizzou just got the nod after a close game.
Missouri at Texas - Another one we'd like to have seen last year.
Texas Tech at Texas A&M - Another heated rivalry that's been a little one-sided lately. No matter what the Aggies do, the Raiders just seem to have their number

Week 9
Texas A&M at Iowa State - Iowa State beat A&M for the first time ever in College Station last time they met. Todd Blythe and Brett Meyer exposed the A&M secondary as one of the worst in the nation. The Ags have improved, but so has ISU.
Texas Tech at Kansas - Kansas thrived on good defense last year. Tech is starting to show some life on that side of the ball. Both should be playing to get a spot towards the top of their divisions.
Oklahoma State at Texas - oSU continues to get thisclose to frustrating and beating Texas to no avail.

Week 10
Kansas State at Kansas - This game was the beginning of the end for KState last year and showed us that Kansas was for real
Nebraska at Oklahoma - The Big Eight rivalry only comes around every two years. Pelini has a chance to shine and shine quickly by getting the Huskers biggest rival in his first season.
Texas at Texas Tech - This game seems to take a backseat to Tech-A&M and Texas-A&M, but these two have played some close games recently. This is in the middle of a tough stretch with Kansas, Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma

Week 11
Oklahoma at Texas A&M - This game has been a humdinger ever since A&M upset #1 OU in 2002. The next year was a blowout, followed by three very close games and another blowout last year. If A&M wants to get in the South fight, taking out Oklahoma is key
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech - Another non-rivalry that is turning into one quickly. The two high-octane offenses keep putting on a show. They've split this series as of late, with the home team winning the last 6 years.

Week 12
Texas A&M at Baylor - Battle of the Brazos. Baylor fans seem particularly hostile towards the Aggies over the other in-state rivals. Baylor won this one 4 years ago, and are expecting another upset with new man Briles
Oklahoma State - at Colorado
Texas at Kansas - Mark Mangino remembers the last two games against Texas for different reasons. One a cheat-job (according to him) and a blowout. Now that the Jayhawks are more competitive, expect some animosity.

Week 13
Texas Tech at Oklahoma - This game has been pretty epic over the years. Mike Leach continues to be a thorn in the side of his former boss, Bob Stoops. The raiders cost the Sooners a shot at the MNC last year and you can expect the Sooners to remember that.

Week 14
Colorado at Nebraska - One of the top North Rivalries, just not recently. It hasn't been a relevant game for a few years now. With the "arrival" (Gosh I hate cliche terms like that but I couldn't find something better) of Kansas and Mizzou, can these two challenge again?
Texas A&M at Texas - The aggies have grabbed this one the last two years by running all over the horns in 2006 and passing in 2007. It's one of the better in-state rivalries
Kansas vs. Mizzou - The Border War. This game meant something nationally for the first time in history last year. It probably won't mean as much, but should hold some weight in deciding the North.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State - Bedlam. oSU hasn't been able to take this one in a while. It's been competitive, but if Gundy wants to keep his job, a win here can go a long long long way with T. Boone Pickens the fanbase.

Big 12 Championship Game

Oklahoma vs. Mizzou.... again.

Nostradumbis.

I fully deny, defer, and distract from anything in my previous post*. Notably the predictions.

Opposite day!!! Ha Ha!




This would be why I don't get paid for this crap.

Big East Schedule Sexiness

The picks for top games each week in the Big East:

Thanks CFN

Week 1

Kentucky at Louisville - Instate rivalry to start off the season. Kentucky pulled off the upset last year

Fresno State at Rutgers - A last minute add for Rutgers a la KState. Fresno is a tough team. Just ask USC, A&M, Kansas State, or Georgia Tech. None of them want anything to do with Pat Hill again for a long time.

Week 2

South Florida at UCF - UCF was good, and got better as the season went on. USF took care of business last year but expect the Knights to put up a fight

Cincinnati at Oklahoma - Good for the Bearcats taking on a strong OOC game. Let's hope it doesn't turn out as bad as most times that teams take on OU

West Virginia at East Carolina - East Carolina showed to have some life last year. Expect lots of offensive fireworks.

Week 3

North Carolina at Rutgers - Covered in the ACC one, but should be a good match up. UNC has to improve.

Virginia at Connecticut - This was a good game last year from teams that had better seasons than expected. Both should still be competitive.

Kansas at USF - Kansas stops the cupcakes and takes on some serious competition. Both teams had breakout years last year and this will be a good indicator of whether or not it was a fluke.

Penn State at Syracuse - Syracuse needs to get decent and get decent now. They probably won't beat JoePa, but a competitive game here can do wonders for the year.

Week 4

Kansas State at Louisville - Kansas State can be a fluky team. If Louisville's defense is still fluky here, we'll know it.

West Virginia at Colorado - Could b very telling game for both teams. Colorado has had some trouble in Dan Hawkins first two years, but success as well.

Iowa at Pitt - These are two teams that should be better than they are year in and year out. Each have coaches that have underachieved greatly

Baylor at Connecticut - UConn has lifted themselves out of the cellar. Can Baylor?

Week 5

UConn at Louisville - Good game last year, should be better teams this year.

Marshall at West Virginia - Marshall hasn't been relevant in this game in a while. Would be nice for a real rivalry to form here

Rutgers vs. TBA - Should be epic.

Week 6

Rutgers at West Virginia - Rutgers will have to start making a name for themselves without Rice. Here's the game to do it.

Week 7

Syracuse at West Virginia - Only because I think it will be a beating of magnitudenal proportions. Maybe not. Maybe I'm full of it and Syracuse decides to be good. I hope so.

Rutgers at Cincinnati- Good game last year that Cinci won. 2 TD's in 19 seconds as well.

Week 8

Middle Tennessee at Louisville - This is the game last year where we figured out that Louisville had problems

Week 9

Auburn at West Virginia - Nice Thursday night game. Probably the best one ESPN is offering this year. Can be a very uplifting or damaging game to the winner or loser in the rankings, while not affecting conference standing.

South Florida at Louisville - If we assume that Louisville is back we should expect a heck of a game here

Week 10

USF at Cinci - Both teams have improved dramatically the last few years and become real contenders.

Louisville at Syracuse - For some strange and ungodly reason I picked this upset last year. Don't know why.

Pitt at Notre Dame - Just here to tell ND to suck it. The game could be good. Both teams have to be better than the last year versions of themselves.

Week 11

Cinci at WVU - Here is a big game for Cinci. They've been teetering with being above average for some time now. Knocking out powerhouse WVU would be a big step into the big time.

Louisville at Pitt - Both Wannstedt and Kragthorpe can't afford mediocre seasons again.

Syracuse at Rutgers - Always funny that NYers claim Rutgers as their own over Syracuse. Winning will do that.

Week 12

Cincinnati at Louisville - The old C-USA teams meet with Cini probably being the favored team this year after the Ville's collapse last season

Rutgers at USF - Both teams bring good some defenses with a little bit of offensive firepower to the match. Should be good.

Week 13

Pitt at Cincinnati - We keep expecting bigger things from both of these programs. At this point in the season we'll see if it was merited.

Connecticut at South Florida - Another game against teams that have become conference powers just recently.

WVU at Louisville - This game has been very heated for about three years now. The winner of this game has won the conference in those three years as well.

Week 14

WVU at Pitt - Backyard Brawl that could matter. For some reason WVU couldn't get it going here last year and it cost them their shot at the MNC

Week 15

Cincinnati at Hawaii - Neither team has made a huge name for themselves on defense lately, should be a pretty exciting game if Hawaii rebounds from losing their QB, coach and cajones in the Sugar Bowl.

USF at WVU - This has been a bad deal for WVU the last few years. USF continues to improve and if WVU wants to continue to the be dominant team in the Eig

Conference Champion:

WVU. I don't think the offensive philosophy will change that much with RichRod's departure. Maybe somebody will surprise us and step it up... but who? Rutgers, Louisville, UConn, Pitt, USF, and Cinci all seem like they can. Should be the most interesting conference race this year.