Welcome Back to "T.O.M." and College Football

11:43am Friday, Aug 31

 

If you're like me and didn't watch the opening of College Football last night, a 45-0 scrubbing by LSU over conference foe Mississippi State, then the College Football hasn't really started yet. But, no one can deny that it gets going tomorrow, in a very big way. Virginia Tech opens at home in what should be a game filled w/ emotions, maybe to match the scene last September 24th in New Orleans, Louisiana. Although the opponent likely won't be as strong, the Hokies definitely face a similar challenge as the Saints did a year ago. Both are "America's team". When the Hokies take the field against East Carolina tomorrow afternoon, the game will be on ESPN, even though under normal circumstances ESPN would never show this game, except on ESPNU or ESPN Game Plan.

 

My point is that VaTech is a team to watch out for this year, beyond the fact that they have great talent.

 

Another team to watch out for that many don't seem to have pegged Nebraska. People forget that they were one of the best offensive teams in the country a year ago and should only get better w/ Sam Keller under center. Plus, they have one of the best receiving corps in the country. The question is will the departure of Offensive Coordinator, Jay Norvell, hurt them more or help UCLA? My bet is that helps UCLA more than it hurts Nebraska. Two reasons: Bill Callahan ran the offense for Nebraska anyway and UCLA can't possibly get any worse on offense than they were for much of last year. Bring in Norvell, an NFL Coach for much of his career, who's had tremendous success at both levels and maybe just maybe the Bruins can muster enough offense to go undefeated going into the 'SC game. Because they certainly have the Defense to do the job. More on this later, but watch out for Bruce Davis. He kills people.
As much as l'd like to say that SDSU should be good, I'd be lying through my teeth. Nonetheless, the opportunity to go to the games of the school I attend, is a new phenomenon I'm looking forward to experiencing, although I can't until September 22nd, since that's the first home game. But one final team to watch out for does play in the same conference as the Aztecs and they play in the great state of Texas. It's also the school that one pretty well known San Diegoan attended. That's right, it's TCU. The Horned Frogs return a large part of their great defense and have the schedule that, assuming they run the tables, would permit them a spot in a BCS game. If they beat Texas in Week 2, I almost guarantee you'll be seeing TCU playing in January on Fox. Of course, that's a pretty big if, but who says it can't be done.
Now let's talk about the teams that are going to make all the "experts" look like little kids.

 

Georgia

 

They have almost no returning starters on Defense and they weren't that good last year. I love Mark Richt, and I know they always are loaded with talent, but not at the same level of Tennessee or Florida in that SEC East. Stafford will have to win too many games on his own and I don't see that from any sophomore in the SEC. Sorry Bulldogs, maybe next year.

Penn State

ESPN has them at #13 in their Preseason Rankings. Come on, this isn't the same thing as 2 years ago, when Michael Robinson led them on an unbelievable run through the Big 10 in which they lost only at Michigan on a last second (literally) 15 yard TD pass from Chad Henne to Mario Manningham. Anthony Morelli is not going to be the Conference's Offensive Player of the Year like Robinson was, and Dan Connor, although a great LBer isn't going to be the Defensive Player of the Year (in the Conference and Nationally) like Paul Posluszny was that year. It just isn't happening, don't believe the hype.

USC

I know, I know, this seems like an awfully biased pick and I can't completely deny that. But, considering the hype they are getting this preseason, if they lose one game, they're a disappointment. And I guarantee with that amazingly difficult schedule (Les Miles doesn't know how good the Pac 10 is), they will lose at least one, if not two. Look at it, Sept. 15 at Nebraska, at Oregon, at Cal, at Notre Dame, at Arizona State (who always seems to play them close 'til the end) and home against maybe a better team in UCLA. Even the '72 Dolphins would lose one of those games. They're not going undefeated! Get over it Trojan fans.

Oklahoma

No QB with any experience, although they did succeed like that last year, so I could be wrong, an inexperienced defense, and perhaps fleeting confidence from losing to a non-BCS school? That remains to be seen. I do know DeMarco Murray is supposed to one of those NEXT kind of guys. But I want to see it first. In my opinion he's got to show it this year in order for Oklahoma to avoid a big disappointment.

Before I continue on I want to quickly give you a couple more teams that could surprise some people in a good way.

Illinois

The Zooker does know how to recruit. Let's see if he can coach.
Tennessee- Not a lot of people have them in their Top 15, but David Cutcliffe is still the O-Coordinator. As far as I'm concerned, enough said.
Rutgers- I know they were great last year and lost some guys, but they have enough talent to truly compete for the National Championship. I never thought I'd say that one.

My All America Team

Offense

QB Eric Ainge UT
RB Darren McFadden Ark
FB Owen Schmitt WVA
TE Fred Davis USC
WR DeSean Jackson Cal
WR Mario Urrutia Louisville
OL Jake Long Mich
OL Sam Baker USC
OG Shannon Tevaga UCLA
OL Kirk Barton Ohio State
C Marcus Coleman Wisconsin

Defense

DE Bruce Davis UCLA
DT Glenn Dorsey LSU
DT Frank Okam Texas
DE Chris Long UVA
LB Dan Connor Penn State
LB Xavier Adibi VaTech
LB James Laurinaitis Ohio State
DB Jonathan Heffney UT
DB Kenny Phillips U Miami (Fla)
DB Tom Zbikowski ND
DB Antoin Cason U of A

Special Teams

K Sam Swank Wake
P Britton Colquitt UT
Returner DeSean Jackson

Top 5 Heisman Guys

Steve Slaton RB WVA
Colt Brennan QB Hawaii
Brian Brohm QB Louisvill
DeSean Jackson WR Cal
Darren McFadden RB Arkansas


BCS Bowl Matchups

Jan 1 Rose Bowl- UCLA vs. Wisconsin
Jan 1 Sugar Bowl- Tennessee vs. Nebraska
Jan 2 Fiesta Bowl- TCU vs. Louisville
Jan 3 Orange Bowl- Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech
Jan 7 BCS Championship- Michigan vs. LSU

As for Tomorrow, Go Bruins and Go Vols! I'll be back on Wednesday to preview the NFL Season and then on Friday to break down the Opening Game of the NFL Season and make my picks for next Saturday's college games. Until then, have a great Labor Day Weekend and enjoy the football.