I know this is a politics community. But I'm thinking if there is time and space for a kitten diary a day, I can do a sports diary a week during college football season. I'm actually a couple days late this first week, but I'll try to be more on top of it going forward. One note, my picks are in no way professional, just a guy who loves the sport, and wants to give an opinion. My picks should not be used for gambling purposes, and I welcome any and all feedback on my picks.
Thursday Games
Utah vs. Utah St.
Utah is coming off a storybook year, and looking to bust the BCS party once again. The Utes got off to a good start, but not the one many people were hoping for. Utah St. is nothing to laugh at, but not exactly top tier competition. Utah should be happy to extend it's winning streak, but it will need bigger wins if it wants another BCS birth.
Oregon at Boise St.
Deemed as the game of the night before the game started - no sports fan is talking about the final score. While Boise was able to win on the smurf turf, and get past it's toughest opponant of the year, it's what happened after the game that matters. In an amazing show of idiocy and temper LeGarrette Blount ended his college career with one swing. He knocked down the Boise player, then pushed his teammate, and had to be restrained so he didn't go after a fan. Blount had more than a 1000 yards last year, but Oregon will move on without him this year. This morning (friday) the university suspended him for the entire season. Luckily for Blount he will keep his scholarship so he can afford to keep going to classes. It's nice of the university to let him do that, because according to NFL draft experts Blount went from a 2-3rd round pick to not even a draft prospect in about 5 seconds.
Saturday Games of Note
BYU at Oklahoma
OU is one of the favorites to win it all this year. With Heisman winner Sam Bradford coming back, and a host of blue chip NFL prospects around him there is no reason they shouldn't be in the top 5 all year. BYU boasts an amazing amount of experience, and not just in football. More than half of the team has already finished a Mormon mission, working in dozens of countries and doing countless numbers of good deeds. While I respect what the BYU players have done, and they way the school promotes charity, I'm picking OU to win this one big. BYU just does not have the same amount of talent as the Sooners.
Alabama At Virginia Tech
This game looked a lot better on paper about two months ago. Since then VT lost their starting running back Darren Evans, arguably their best offensive weapon. Alabama put a bunch of people into the NFL last year, but with head coach Nick Saban recruiting, they really do reload instead of rebuild. If Darren Evans were healthy i would have called the game for the Hoakies, but because he is hurt, I'm going to pick Bama. I still think it will be close though because both teams are based on defense.
Georgia at Oklahoma St.
I'm expecting this to be my favorite game of the week. First, there are two high ranked teams with huge expectations. Second, you never see two teams like this play each other. OSU is one of my picks to make a run this year because of the team's offensive firepower. Dez Bryant is the best wide receiver in the game right now if you ask me. Don't be amazed if he has a year to remember. Georgia is coming off a dissapointing year, and has to replace a lot of starters on both sides of the ball. But, if any team can stop the Cowboys, it's an SEC team like the Bulldogs. I think this game will be close to begin with, but inexperience and being on the road will catch up with Georgia, giving Oklahoma State a HUGE win to start the year. Georgia will win a lot of games this year, but a win tomorrow would be a true road upset.
Missouri a Illinois
To be honest ahead of time, I am a Mizzou alum. I am a homer in every sense of the wold, and while I will try to be even here, take it with a grain of salt.
This will be the best game of the week if you like high scoring games, rowdy fans, a little bit of bad blood, and teams running under the radar of the talking heads. Illinois had a horrible year last year and didn't even make it to a bowl game. But, they are back, and according to practice reports the team used last year to grow up. Players that some analysts called boys last year have become men, and played like it in the spring. Juice Williams is still there, and Arrelious Benn might be the best WR in the Big 10.
Missouri on the other hand is replacing a ton of players including current Philadelphia Eagle Jeremy Maclin and Pittsburgh Steeler Ziggy Hood. According to reports of our Columbia the young Tigers will rely more on the run, and aren't missing a beat when it comes to scoring. Derrick Washington is still there, so is Denario Alexander and the best OLB in the Big 12, Sean Weatherspoon.
All of the "experts" are picking Illinois to win this year, but I'm going with Mizzou. The Tigers have won several border war games in a row in Saint Louis. The analysts are basing their picks off what MU lost, not what IL has on the field. I think because Mizzou doesn't have a brand name they're assuming the reserves won't be able to pick up the slack. But, they are wrong. MU will win this one in the dome in a high scoring affair.
If anyone wants me to look at any of their teams in the future just let me know. Of if this is so far out of line I should never do it again, just post it in the comments. As I said, I'm a little late this week, but in the future I plan on doing a couple more games, and a lot more research. Thanks ahead of time.