WEEK 1
Record: 6-0
August 27th, 2012
WASHINGTON STATE at BYU
Thursday August 30th, 10pm, ESPN. At BYU
Mike Leach has returned to the college football world, and will bring his Washington State Cougars into Lavell Edwards Stadium for an intriguing west coast matchup with BYU. Leach hopes to pump some life into the WSU program that has been a conference punching bag for the last 8 seasons. Helping the Cougars chances for success this fall is Senior QB Jeff Tuel who will fit perfectly into Leach’s pass-heavy attack. However, BYU’s defense is always tough, and Coach Bronco Mendenhall has a senior-laden squad that looks even better than last season. LB Uona Kaveinga leads the BYU defense that returns lots of experience and its top 5 tacklers from ’11.
While Washington State has potential to make great strides this fall, BYU is the more proven and battle-tested team. Simply put, QB Riley Nelson is a winner. I’m taking Mendenhall’s defense over Leach’s offense; the experienced squad over the newcomers. BYU will defend its home turf to win the 'Cougar Bowl', but to steal a line from legend Lee Corso, this one will be “closer than the experts think.” BYU by 7
While Washington State has potential to make great strides this fall, BYU is the more proven and battle-tested team. Simply put, QB Riley Nelson is a winner. I’m taking Mendenhall’s defense over Leach’s offense; the experienced squad over the newcomers. BYU will defend its home turf to win the 'Cougar Bowl', but to steal a line from legend Lee Corso, this one will be “closer than the experts think.” BYU by 7
TENNESSEE vs. NC STATE
Friday August 31st, 7pm, ESPNU. At Atlanta
Quarterbacks Tyler Bray and Mike Glennon will direct aerial assaults in Atlanta that will feature some great receivers including one of the best in the nation Justin Hunter of Tennessee. Opposite of Hunter will be All-American candidate David Amerson who will provide challenges given his playmaking ability (13 interceptions in 2011) and his 6’1” frame. Tennessee should be one of the most improved teams in the country with 19 starters returning and key players returning from injury. NC State loses its linebacking corp and third round draft pick WR T.J. Graham, Glennon’s favorite target. Both teams will have strong offensive lines this season, but NC State is weaker up front on defense this season and Tennessee will be stout. The Vols only recorded 16 sacks last season so even though they return starters along the defensive front, they must improve their pass rush to slow down Glennon and company. However, I expect Tennessee to be an all-around more physical team, proving to be the difference in this intriguing ACC-SEC matchup. Tennessee by 10
BOISE STATE AT MICHIGAN STATE
Friday August 31st, 8pm, ESPN. At Spartan Stadium
Boise State once again finds itself in a marquee matchup on opening weekend, but for the first time since 2007, Kellen Moore is not under center for the Broncos. In fact, both programs lose all-time school leading passers in Moore and Kurt Cousins. Both top playmakers are gone as well; Michigan State must move on without all-time receiving leader BJ Cunningham, while Boise loses stud running back Doug Martin. While both teams will have new-look offenses this fall, Michigan State’s defense is a proven force. Led by All-American candidates DE William Gholston and CB Johnny Adams, look for this talented Spartan defense to cause fits for the young Boise offense. Junior Joe Southwick will make his first career start under center for the Broncos, but only has a few weapons in his arsenal in WR Matt Miller and RB DJ Harper.
Both offenses will go through the typical young, inexperienced, first-start issues early on. But I think the game will be defined by when Michigan State has the ball. Power RB Le’Veon Bell will be a workhorse as new QB Andrew Maxwell gets his confidence going. Boise State only has 2 starters returning on defense; I expect the big Spartan offensive line and Bell to wear down the Bronco front. As MSU’s offense develops an identity, its elite defense will prevent Boise from doing the same.
In front of an electric Spartan Stadium (home to the 3rd longest active home win streak), MSU will defend its home turf handing Boise a rare opening loss. MSU by 10
Both offenses will go through the typical young, inexperienced, first-start issues early on. But I think the game will be defined by when Michigan State has the ball. Power RB Le’Veon Bell will be a workhorse as new QB Andrew Maxwell gets his confidence going. Boise State only has 2 starters returning on defense; I expect the big Spartan offensive line and Bell to wear down the Bronco front. As MSU’s offense develops an identity, its elite defense will prevent Boise from doing the same.
In front of an electric Spartan Stadium (home to the 3rd longest active home win streak), MSU will defend its home turf handing Boise a rare opening loss. MSU by 10
CLEMSON vs. AUBURN
Saturday September 1st, 7pm, ESPN. At Atlanta
Last season, freshman sensation Sammy Watkins had his coming-out party against Auburn torching them for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Clemson has question marks on their offensive line, but with the recent suspension of Center Reese Dismukes, Auburn will have question marks in the trenches as well. Kiehl Frazier has the potential to be a playmaker for Auburn under center, but Tajh Boyd of Clemson has the clear advantage in this matchup after garnering 1st team All-ACC honors in 2011. Watkin’s loss would hurt a lot more if it weren’t for DeAndre Hopkins and Jaron Brown, who can both make plays for Boyd. The defenses both struggled at times last year, but Clemson should be a more complete unit despite losing three impact lineman because of their talented and deep back seven. Clemson has the clear advantage on the sidelines with Chad Morris returning for his second season and top-notch OC Gus Malzahn leaving to lead Arkansas State. Look for both teams to improve this season as they get key players back into their respective lineups, but right now Clemson is a much more complete team and will win one for the ACC. Tigers by 7…Clemson that is.
MICHIGAN vs. ALABAMA
Saturday September 1st, 8pm, ABC. At Dallas
Fresh off of an 11-win season and Sugar Bowl win under first-year head coach Brady Hoke, Michigan will have quite a test as they meet defending champion Alabama at Cowboy Stadium. Can Michigan take the next step, from great to elite, and dethrone Saban’s Crimson Tide?
The Wolverines will need to play their best football to stay competitive in this battle of college football heavyweights. Not helping the cause for the Maize and Blue, is the uncertain status of two key offensive weapons: RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (DUI), and WR Roy Roundtree (knee). Losing these skill players will allow the Bama defense to key solely on dynamic quarterback Denard Robinson. Despite losing many players to the NFL Draft, Bama has effectively reloaded its stout defense; Robinson has never faced a unit like this.
Michigan has no slouch of a defense either; however, the heart and soul of last year’s successful unit, the defensive line, is gone. 3 of the front 4 will be making their first career starts- and there’s no tougher task than facing quite possibly the nation’s BEST OFFENSIVE LINE. Bama will control both lines of scrimmage, but most importantly on offense allowing RB Eddie Lacy to pick up constant chunks of yardage. QB AJ McCarron will manage the game and do just enough for Alabama to win. Despite a new batch of offensive skill players, Alabama will be able to establish a solid rushing attack. Giving Saban 8 months to prep for a single game is almost unfair; his Tide will Roll the Maize and Blue in Jerry-World. Bama by 13
The Wolverines will need to play their best football to stay competitive in this battle of college football heavyweights. Not helping the cause for the Maize and Blue, is the uncertain status of two key offensive weapons: RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (DUI), and WR Roy Roundtree (knee). Losing these skill players will allow the Bama defense to key solely on dynamic quarterback Denard Robinson. Despite losing many players to the NFL Draft, Bama has effectively reloaded its stout defense; Robinson has never faced a unit like this.
Michigan has no slouch of a defense either; however, the heart and soul of last year’s successful unit, the defensive line, is gone. 3 of the front 4 will be making their first career starts- and there’s no tougher task than facing quite possibly the nation’s BEST OFFENSIVE LINE. Bama will control both lines of scrimmage, but most importantly on offense allowing RB Eddie Lacy to pick up constant chunks of yardage. QB AJ McCarron will manage the game and do just enough for Alabama to win. Despite a new batch of offensive skill players, Alabama will be able to establish a solid rushing attack. Giving Saban 8 months to prep for a single game is almost unfair; his Tide will Roll the Maize and Blue in Jerry-World. Bama by 13
GEORGIA TECH AT VIRGINIA TECH
Monday September 3rd, 8pm, ESPN. At Lane Stadium
This will be a classic strength vs. strength matchup featuring a Yellow Jacket rushing attack that returns QB Tevin Washington, RB Orwin Smith, and four offensive line starters including All-American guard Omoregie Uzzi. The Hokie defense returns its entire front seven and two All-Conference performers in the secondary. Georgia Tech’s defensive front seven has struggled in recent seasons and Virginia Tech is breaking in four new offensive line starters; outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu should be able to get pressure on Logan Thomas, but last year Thomas was able to get about six yards on QB sneaks so NT TJ Barnes will have to step up. GT will be breaking in two new inside linebackers with the suspension of Daniel Drummond and the career-ending injury to tackle-machine Julian Burnett. Even though VT is breaking in a new line and a new RB, they should be able to run the ball against a weak GT middle. And while GT should be a very good offensive unit, they lose Stephen Hill to stretch the defense and Bud Foster had all year to prepare for the spread option. Our pick: VT by 6.