So, college football is only 2 weeks away....

[Southern Steeler]

And frankly, this is as good a slate of non-conference games as I can recall. Hopefully the playoff and strength of schedule factor will increase the frequency of better non-conference scheduling.

Just to name a few:

Michigan St. @ Oregon
LSU vs. Wisconsin
Alabama vs. WVU
Clemson @ Georgia
Oklahoma St. @ Florida St.
Tennessee @ Oklahoma
Va Tech @Ohio St.
UCLA @ Texas
Miami @ Nebraska (this would have been superb 15 years ago)
and of course, for you Michigan fans....hosting Appalachian St.! (ahh, memories)

Which one intrigues you the most?

For me, it's MSU/Oregon....complete contrast of styles. The Spartans are the type of team (see: Stanford) that gives Oregon trouble.

Also, LSU/Wisconsin. This will be a good opportunity for Wisconsin to win this game. LSU isn't what they used to be, but a win here by either team is a kickstart for the season.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

I'm sure it was an oversight but you forgot the biggest game.

Penn State vs UCF from Dublin Ireland 8:30 AM kickoff

Coach James Franklin, the former East Stroudsburg QB and self proclaimed Pennsylvania boy with a Penn State heart takes over a young, talented PSU team with a future NFL QB at the helm.

Franklin managed to win at Vanderbilt and now his recruiting prowess is unleashed at a big program. Franklin currently has the #4 recruiting class according to ESPN. But can he coach?

that is the question. He did well at Vandy but couldn't break through and beat the big boys. That's understandable but he has still not proven he can break through. He had little to work with at Vandy. He has all he needs at PSU and with the sanctions winding down, more will be expected of him than O'Brien.

It starts with a tough road trip for a coach's first game with a young team. UCF loses Bortles but they are still a solid team. UCF is ranked 26 in the AP as the first team listed in others receiving votes.

Franklin is less of a scheme guy that O'Brien. O was all about installing his system. Franklin was on Maryland staff with BOB so they have similar offensive backgrounds. The difference is Franklin is more willing to improvise and fit an offense to the kids instead of forcing kids into a system.

Look for some surprises like Wildcat and a few other gadgets to take advantage of PSU's raw speed with their inexperienced WRs.

 

[FordFairLane]

I will likely get up early to watch Penn State vs UCF at 7:30 am central time. Then puts around and get crap done and then come back to my Tv for the Wisconsin vs LSU game. Gordon is a freak of nature whom I put up there with the likes of Adrian Peterson when it comes to talent. And AP has been the ONLY RB I have put in the top 5 in the last 15 years. Dude is crazy fast and great size to boot. And now that he gets all the touches I say 2,000 yard season easy. James White got a bad rap because Gordon is so talented otherwise if Gordon wasn't there White would have been drafted a few rounds earlier.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Ordinarily, i would think Bama vs WVU would be blowout city, but i give WVU a slight chance because they hired Tom Bradley as defensive coordinator. Technically he's not DC, kind of like Johnny Football is not the starter in Cleveland. Bradley is a great coordinator who excels at devising bend but don't break schemes that keep scores down.

WVU likely has crap on defense since they have concentrated mostly on offense, so i'm not expecting miracles, but if Bradley can get the defense to hold teams under 30, WVU has a shot.

WVU uses a spread that Saban's defenses have struggled to stop at times. Last year they gave up 42 to A&M, 34 to Auburn, and 45 to Oklahoma. Bama will have 8 new starters on defense and 6 new starters on offense including 3 new OL and a new QB.

WVU is soft and makes Oregon look like the 85 Bears, so i'm guessing Bama will just steamroll them with the run. But from a scheme standpoint and with so many new starters, Bama better not take this game lightly. It may at least be interesting for a half.

 

[SteelerAl]

Ordinarily, i would think Bama vs WVU would be blowout city, but i give WVU a slight chance because they hired Tom Bradley as defensive coordinator. Technically he's not DC, kind of like Johnny Football is not the starter in Cleveland. Bradley is a great coordinator who excels at devising bend but don't break schemes that keep scores down.

WVU likely has crap on defense since they have concentrated mostly on offense, so i'm not expecting miracles, but if Bradley can get the defense to hold teams under 30, WVU has a shot.

WVU uses a spread that Saban's defenses have struggled to stop at times. Last year they gave up 42 to A&M, 34 to Auburn, and 45 to Oklahoma. Bama will have 8 new starters on defense and 6 new starters on offense including 3 new OL and a new QB.

WVU is soft and makes Oregon look like the 85 Bears, so i'm guessing Bama will just steamroll them with the run. But from a scheme standpoint and with so many new starters, Bama better not take this game lightly. It may at least be interesting for a half.

My guess is that Bama will be up 21-0 about 9 minutes in.

 

[Southern Steeler]

I think WVU can score on Bama.....but no way they can stand the pounding they will get on defense. Yeldon will have a field day, I'd imagine.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Does WVU still have that small defensive front? Alabama's OL should handle them with relative ease.

 

[Spike]

I get the SEC channel for all the good games - I'm all set

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Rut Row....Ohio State QB Braxton Miller injured, season in jeopardy.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...6993/report-braxton-miller-reinjures-shoulder

 

[Southern Steeler]

That does change things a bit. Makes Michigan St. the prohibitive favorite in that league, I would think.

 

[FAB802]

MSU lost a lot on defense, but the offense will be a lot better this time around. Shalique Calhoun is ridiculous on the DL, if he has a big game they have a shot to disrupt what Oregon is going to try and do. Time will tell.

 

[bermudasteel]

Ordinarily, i would think Bama vs WVU would be blowout city, but i give WVU a slight chance because they hired Tom Bradley as defensive coordinator. Technically he's not DC, kind of like Johnny Football is not the starter in Cleveland. Bradley is a great coordinator who excels at devising bend but don't break schemes that keep scores down.

WVU likely has crap on defense since they have concentrated mostly on offense, so i'm not expecting miracles, but if Bradley can get the defense to hold teams under 30, WVU has a shot.

WVU uses a spread that Saban's defenses have struggled to stop at times. Last year they gave up 42 to A&M, 34 to Auburn, and 45 to Oklahoma. Bama will have 8 new starters on defense and 6 new starters on offense including 3 new OL and a new QB.

WVU is soft and makes Oregon look like the 85 Bears, so i'm guessing Bama will just steamroll them with the run. But from a scheme standpoint and with so many new starters, Bama better not take this game lightly. It may at least be interesting for a half.

I wanted to read your entire post before I scolded you for your giddy thoughts...glad you came back to your senses...

I get the SEC channel for all the good games - I'm all set

Now, that's a hot and steamy one---right on the rest of the NCAA!!!

 

[Spike]

Not only the SEC channel - I got FREE Sunday Ticket Max this year + $30 off my monthly bill for a year

I lead a pure life

 

[Superman]

Not only the SEC channel - I got FREE Sunday Ticket Max this year + $30 off my monthly bill for a year

I lead a pure life

how many slave girls were sacrificed for that? i'll come watch games with you. have a frozen mug at the ready.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

What is the difference between ESPN and the SEC network? SEC network probably won't pimp the SEC as hard.

 

[Spike]

i'll come watch games with you. have a frozen mug at the ready.

I always have a frozen Steelers mug in the freezer

no **** - The Directv dude in retentions I talked to was a Steelers fan in Carolina - he hooked me up good

we talked fantasy football for half an hour as he punched in my discounts

 

[Lmob0621]

Ordinarily, i would think Bama vs WVU would be blowout city, but i give WVU a slight chance because they hired Tom Bradley as defensive coordinator. Technically he's not DC, kind of like Johnny Football is not the starter in Cleveland. Bradley is a great coordinator who excels at devising bend but don't break schemes that keep scores down.

WVU likely has crap on defense since they have concentrated mostly on offense, so i'm not expecting miracles, but if Bradley can get the defense to hold teams under 30, WVU has a shot.

WVU uses a spread that Saban's defenses have struggled to stop at times. Last year they gave up 42 to A&M, 34 to Auburn, and 45 to Oklahoma. Bama will have 8 new starters on defense and 6 new starters on offense including 3 new OL and a new QB.

WVU is soft and makes Oregon look like the 85 Bears, so i'm guessing Bama will just steamroll them with the run. But from a scheme standpoint and with so many new starters, Bama better not take this game lightly. It may at least be interesting for a half.

WVU's defense actually has a lot of talent on it... Isaiah Bruce and Karl Joseph are both studs... the problem for WVU has been youth and spread offenses... WVU has a slim chance because of the new QB and it being the first game for many players... plus Alabama is supposed to walk all over WVU and these new Alabama players may not be ready to get punched in the mouth.

 

[black and gold apex]

WVU sad to say won't be able to stand all the hype before the game in Atlanta and can't help but see a blow out.

 

[bermudasteel]

What is the difference between ESPN and the SEC network? SEC network probably won't pimp the SEC as hard.

You're being funny, right???

WVU's defense actually has a lot of talent on it... Isaiah Bruce and Karl Joseph are both studs... the problem for WVU has been youth and spread offenses... WVU has a slim chance because of the new QB and it being the first game for many players... plus Alabama is supposed to walk all over WVU and these new Alabama players may not be ready to get punched in the mouth.

Am I the only one needing an interpreter??

 

[Spike]

I pick college games points spreads by how hot their cheerleaders are...somebody been lathering them girls up

works for me

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Penn State game in Ireland cancelled due to Volcano?

http://espn.go.com/college-football...ttany-lions-ireland-opener-threatened-volcano

ORLANDO, Fla. -- UCF's season opener in Ireland next week against Penn State may be in peril because of a possible volcanic eruption in Iceland.


Iceland's Civil Protection Department said Wednesday that about 500 people were evacuated from the highlands part of the Vatnajokull glacier. The action was taken as a precaution following thousands of small earthquakes recently near Bardarbunga, a sub-glacial stratovolcano under the glacier.


UCF departs for Ireland Aug. 26 for its Aug. 30 game. Athletics spokesman Andy Seeley said school officials are monitoring the situation.


Iceland is separated from Ireland by the Atlantic Ocean and about 900 miles, but a volcanic eruption in Iceland could produce volcanic ash and potentially affect flights to Europe. More than 100,000 flights were cancelled following the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokul volcano.

 

[Idioteque]

Am I the only one needing an interpreter??

I think so. Didn't see anything hard to follow there.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

With Oklahoma returning 16 starters including the QB from a team that dominated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and Alabama replacing most of it's defense, 3 on the OL and a new QB, there is no possible justification for Alabama to be ranked ahead of Oklahoma preseason. Discuss.

 

[Idioteque]

With Oklahoma returning 16 starters including the QB from a team that dominated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and Alabama replacing most of it's defense, 3 on the OL and a new QB, there is no possible justification for Alabama to be ranked ahead of Oklahoma preseason. Discuss.

I'm just shocked by your opinion. More of the "pit one team against another then do it for every D-I team to get the rankings" babble.

Psst - Bama replaces most of its defense every year. It rarely matters.