First Quarter Progress Report on My Preseason Predictions

Interesting fact:  The new clock rules have shortened the game by about a dozen minutes while taking away nearly 10 plays per game.

"6.  The new clock rules will lead to more penalties and turnovers."

It is still too early in the season to draw any conclusions on this prediction.  There seems to be slightly more penalties, but I am not sure about the penalties. (hey BR—hire a stat guy!)

Overall, the clock rules reducing the number of snaps, so any statistical comparison from 2007 to 2008 will have to take that factor into account.

Interesting fact: Three of the four most penalized teams in the country (Florida, Georgia, and Texas Tech) are ranked in the top 10 nationally.

"5.  Florida RB Brandon James will be such a threat as a punt returner that teams will stop kicking to him by season's end."

This one looks to be my most solid prediction yet.  In three games, Brandon James has had two 70+ yard punt returns for touchdowns (first in the nation in punt return TDs).  He also has several long kick off returns that have led to Gator scores.

The funny thing about the second part of this prediction is that Florida coach Urban Meyer has found a way to force teams to punt to James.  Against Tennessee, the Gators lined up with two deep return men.  Who was the other guy standing back there with James?  None other than Percy Harvin. 

Meyer is forcing opposing coaches to put the ball into the hands of either the best punt returner in the nation or the most electrifying ball carrier in the nation.  Punting the ball out of bounds might be the most viable option when playing the Gators.

Interesting fact:  Brandon James has played Tennessee three times and has ran a punt back for a touchdown in all three games.  However, his punt return for a TD in 2007 was called back on a holding penalty.

"4.  Ohio State will beat Southern Cal to quiet all the Big Ten haters."

I was dead wrong on this one. Ohio State, without their best offensive player (Beanie Wells), looked completely uninspired and overmatched.  USC definitely looks like a title contender, but they may not have anyone who can challenge them enough to allow them to get better throughout the season. 

Interesting fact:  OSU gained more yards than USC in the first half of this game.

"3.  OSU will go on to lose a Big Ten game."

This one is still very likely.  OSU has already resorted to using Terrell Pryor full time.  I don't doubt that Pryor gives the Buckeyes the best chance to win, but I do question whether Pryor will be up to the task week in and week out in the Big Ten.  Making this prediction even more likely is that fact that Penn State has blown out every weakling that their AD has put on the schedule, which is more than OSU can say (see Ohio game, and even against Troy they struggled to pull away).

Interesting fact:  The Big Ten has four undefeated teams and Michigan and Ohio State are not among them.  In fact, two of the undefeated teams are Minnesota and Northwestern.

"2. Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards will get manhandled by the LSU defense."

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