2010 College Football Week 1 Predictions

Thursday, Sept. 2 Network Time (ET)
Southern Miss at South Carolina ESPN 7:30 p.m.
Pick: South Carolina
Marshall at Ohio St. Big Ten 7:30 p.m.
Pick: Ohio St.
Minnesota at MTSU ESPNU 7:30 p.m.
Pick: Minnesota
N. Illinois at Iowa St. FSN 7:30 p.m.
Pick: Iowa St.
Towson at Indiana Big Ten 7:30 p.m.
Pick: Indiana
Pitt at Utah Versus 8:30 p.m.
Pick: Pitt
USC at Hawaii ESPN 11 p.m.
Pick: USC

Friday, Sept. 3 Network Time (ET)
Arizona at Toledo ESPN 8 p.m.
Pick: Arizona

Saturday, Sept. 4 Network Time (ET)
Miami (Ohio) at Florida ESPN Noon
Pick: Florida
Western Michigan at Michigan State ESPN2 Noon
Pick: Michigan St.
Eastern Illinois at Iowa Big Ten Noon
Pick: Iowa
Samford at Florida State ESPN U Noon
Pick: Florida St.
Youngstown State at Penn State Big Ten Noon
Pick: Penn St.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia SEC 12:21 p.m.
Pick: Georgia
Illinois vs. Missouri (St. Louis) FSN 12:30 p.m.
Pick: Missouri
Colorado vs. Colorado St. (Denver) The MTN 2 p.m.
Pick: Colorado St.
UConn at Michigan ABC 3:30 p.m.
Pick: UConn
UCLA at Kansas State ABC 3:30 p.m.
Pick: UCLA
Kentucky at Louisville ABC 3:30 p.m.
Pick: Kentucky
Purdue at Notre Dame NBC 3:30 p.m.
Pick: Notre Dame
Texas at Rice (Reliant Stadium) ESPN 3:30 p.m.
Pick: Texas
North Texas at Clemson ESPNU 3:30 p.m.
Pick: Clemson
Jacksonville State at Ole Miss CSS 3:30 p.m.
Pick: Ole Miss
UC Davis at Cal CSCA 4 p.m.
Pick: Cal
Sacramento State at Stanford CSNB 6:30 p.m.
Pick: Stanford
Washington State at Oklahoma State FSN 7 p.m.
Pick: Oklahoma St.
Washington at BYU CBSC 7 p.m.
Pick: Washington
Memphis at Mississippi State ESPNU 7 p.m.
Pick: Mississippi St.
Arkansas State at Auburn FSS 7 p.m.
Pick: Auburn
Northwestern at Vanderbilt CSS 7:30 p.m.
Pick: Northwestern
Oregon State vs. TCU (Dallas) ESPN2 7:45 p.m.
Pick: TCU
LSU vs. North Carolina (Atlanta) ABC 8 p.m.
Pick: North Carolina
Portland State at Arizona State FSAZ 10 p.m.
Pick: Arizona St.
Cincinnati at Fresno State ESPN2 10 p.m.
Pick: Cincinnati
Wisconsin at UNLV Versus 11 p.m.
Pick: Wisconsin

Sunday, Sept. 5 Network Time (ET)
Tulsa at East Carolina ESPN2 2 p.m.
Pick: Tulsa
SMU at Texas Tech ESPN 3:30 p.m.
Pick: Texas Tech

Monday, Sept. 6 Network Time (ET)
Maryland vs. Navy (Baltimore) ESPN 4 p.m.
Pick: Navy
Boise State vs. Virginia Tech (Landover, Md.) ESPN 8 p.m.
Pick: Boise St.

2010 NFL Predictions

It's that time again. The time that we all have been waiting for is just about here. The NFL season is right around the corner, officially kicking off in the Big Easy at the Superdome with a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game with the defending Super Bowl champs, the Saints, take on the Vikings. Who will make it to Super Bowl XLV?

This year, I think the Cowboys will finish with the best record in the NFC and be the top seed in the playoffs. The NFC North will have the best divisional race between the Vikings and the Packers, which despite my wishes I believe will go to the Vikings again and they will be the 2 seed. The Saints will take a step back in my opinion and be the 3 seed. The 49ers look like the best team by far in the West and will take the West divisional crown rather easily. For the Wild Card slots, I believe the Packers will take one slot rather easily while I think there will be strong competition for the final slot between the Falcons, Giants, Eagles, and the Redskins, and I believe that the G-Men will barely win the slot.
I think the NFC Chmapionship will come down to a matchup of the Packers and the Vikings and I think Brett Favre and gang will break my heart and win the Halas trophy.
NFC Champion:


The mainstay of the AFC have been the Patriots and the Colts. But I don't see the Colts as dominant as before and I don't see the Patriots getting back to the playoffs. The new leaders and rivals of the AFC will be the Jets and the Ravens, the teams that I think will be the best teams in the AFC for years to come. I see the Jets as the top seed with the Ravens as the 2. The Colts will be the 3 after winning the South and the Chargers will survive a surprising Chiefs team to take the West. Just like the NFC, there will be strong competition for the Wild Card slots with the Patriots, Dolphins, Bengals, Titans, Texans, and Chiefs in contention. I think the addition of a passing game to a strong running game for the Dolphins will lead them to the post season and the play of Vince Young will improve to the point where the Titans will make it to the playoffs as well.
The Jets will meet with the Ravens in a rematch of the first Monday night game of the year and the J-E-T-S will win the Hunt trophy.
AFC Champion:

Super Bowl XLV:
Brett Favre takes on his former team (again after beating the Pack) and his replacement Mark Sanchez. Who will win the Lombardi Trophy?
Super Bowl Champion:

I believe that the long-suffering New York Jets will win Super Bowl XLV in a classic over the Vikings.

Now let's get the NFL season started, eh? Are you ready for some football?

NFL on Fox 2010 Announcer Pairings

Fox Sports has announced it pairings for NFL actions and they are as listed.
1. Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
2. Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
3. Dick Stockton/Charles Davis and Jim Mora Jr./Laura Okmin
4. Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Charissa Thompson
5. Sam Rosen/Tim Ryan/Chris Myers
6. Ron Pitts/John Lynch/Nischelle Turner
7. Chris Myers or Chris Rose/Kurt Warner
Everything is unchanged except for the addition of Jim Mora, who has done good studio work for NFL Network, to the 3 team with the solid Charles Davis and the aging Dick Stockton. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have now been together longer than Summerall and Madden for FOX and will call Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium. I like Buck although he is not as good calling football as he is baseball while Aikman is very good. Not a fan of Albert at all but I like Johnston and Siragusa is all right as he is much better than most sideline reporters. Brennaman and Billick are good as are the very underrated tandem of Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan, both do very good work. Pitts is nothing special as a play by play guy and was much better as a color commentator but he and Lynch a good not great team. Neither Myers or Rose are really any good at the mic and Warner is a mystery as he replaces (just like in St. Louis) Trent Green who I thought did a very good job commentating last year.
Thankfully the best NFL pre-game show returns intact as it is one of my favorite pieces of sports television (and my old man used to work with Curt Menefee as well)

NFL on CBS 2010 Announcer Pairings

Yesterday, CBS Sports released the announcer pairings for the 2010 NFL season. They are as follows.
1. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
2. Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
3. Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
4. Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
5. Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
6. Bill Macatee and Rich Gannon
7. Don Criqui and Steve Beuerlein
8. Spero Dedes and Randy Cross
The only somewhat major change is the departure of Dick Enberg, who left CBS (but will still do the US Open) to become the TV voice of the San Diego Padres. Replacing him is the great and underrated Ian Eagle, who does solid work in everything he does, who will call games with Dan Fouts, who does a decent job. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms return as the lead pairing as they did the Super Bowl last year. Jim Nantz is not bad but much better at golf and basketball while Phil Simms does a solid job color commentating. Greg Gumbel are both mediocre as Gumbel is much better in studio while Dierdorf likes to hype the stars. Harlan and Wilcots are paired once again, they both do good work. As are Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker, and while Tasker is all right Johnson is not nearly as good calling football as he is at basketball. Rich Gannon, who is nothing special, is moved down to work with the awful Bill Macatee, who despite his solid work at golf and tennis cannot call a football game. The ancient Don Criqui will team with Steve Beuerlein on the occasional game as will the very good Spero Dedes with Randy Cross.
Thankfully CBS does not use sideline reporters who are a waste of time.
And the NFL Today crew stays unchanged as well.

Breaking News: NFL Owners Support 18 Game Season

According to the Associated Press, Commissioner Roger Goodell says that the league is planning on expanding the regular season for the first time since 1978 to 18 games and that the NFL team owners are in support of the plan. Those two games would essentially take place of 2 pre-season games. Goodell says that the NFL owners see expanding the regular season " as the most logical way to enhance revenues in a difficult economic environment" and that it will be one of the main issues in talks on reaching a new collective bargaining agreement."
However, the plan of expanding the regular season is not without its detractors. Ray Lewis is not a fan. "Sixteen games are enough,'' Lewis said. "I mean, you're talking to someone who has been in this business for 15 years. We're not automobiles. We're not machines. We're humans." The player association as a whole does not seem to want the regular season to grow by 2 games due to injury concerns.
It should be interesting to see the expanded schedule possibiltty be discused by negotiations for a new CBA.

Commenting Reopened

2010 College Football Predictions

Here are my 2010 college football predictions. First I will list my top 10 teams for the 2010-11 season. Following that will be my picks to win each conference and then i will give my BCS match-up predictions.
2010 Pre-Season Coaches Poll
Associated Press Top 25
1. Alabama
2. Boise State
3. Ohio State
4. Nebraska
5. TCU
6. Oklahoma
7. Florida
8. Miami
9. Iowa
10. Texas
Conference by Conference
ACC
Miami Hurricanes
I'm really like the U this year. They have a bunch of good weapons at wideout, a budding star in Jacory Harris, and an experienced and fast defense.
Big XII
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Both Texas and Oklahoma will take a step back this year while the Huskers will take a big step forward. They return 15 starters from a year ago, and their defense could be even better despite the loss of Ndamukong Suh.
Big East
Connecticut Huskies
You might think I'm crazy not picking the Pittsburgh Panthers but hear me out. The Huskies return 16 starters from a team a year ago kicked ass down the stretch to finish 8-5. They have a very good running back in Jordan Todman, a solid quarterback in Zach Frazer, a very underrated defense. Add to that an easy schedule and they will win the Big East by defeating Pitt at home.
Big Ten
I really like both Iowa and Wisconsin and would not be shocked if either team won the Big Ten as they both get the Buckeyes at home. But Terrelle Pryor exploded against the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl and is the favorite to win the Heisman in my opinion. He alone will lead the Buckeyes to the Big Ten but a very strong supporting cast on offense is a major plus as well.
Conference USA
Houston Cougars
Despite strong challenges from Southern miss, UCf, and SMU, Case Keenum and the dominant Houston passing game as well as a defense with a brand new coordinator with NFL experience will win C-USA rather easily.
Mid American Conference
Temple Owls
It was only a few years ago that the Temple Owls were booted from the Big East and awful. But now with a great coach in Al Golden, a very good running back in Bernard Pierce, as well as 7 starters returning from the 32 ranked defense in the nation last year, this is the year Temple will win the MAC.
Mountain West
The Horned Frogs will have an awesome defense as usual under Gary Patterson, but their offense will be very strong, led by the winningest active quarterback in the nation in Andy Dalton.
Pacific Ten
I think the new Pac 10 logo is great. Getting that out of the way...
Oregon Ducks
Despite all the behavioral problems that have been present in Eugene, the Ducks will repeat as Pac 10 champs. They will be better throwing with Nate Costa as quarterback, LaMichael James returns and will give a very strong year on the ground, and a very solid defense will help the university with the coolest uniforms in the NCAA return to the Rose Bowl.
Southeastern Conference
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide will roll all over the SEC this year and win every game en route to the national championship. With the key offensive piece returning (Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, Greg McElroy) and plenty of talent on defense will result in easy sailing for Nick Saban and his squadron.
Now here is a bold prediction, not only will Mark Ingram rush for 1,000 yards (big surprise) but his backup Trent Richardson (who I tell you would be starting for almost the rest of the nation) will also.
Sun Belt
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
October 5th on ESPN2 will be one of the best games of the season. It will also be the de facto Sun Belt championship game (as it was last year) between Middle Tennessee and defending conference champs Troy (for the fourth straight year). This year the game will be in Murfreesboro. While Troy has 27 junior college or four-year transfers on its roster, it only 9 starters returning and a defense that struggled quite a bit last year has to rebuild itself. Mid Tenn has 13 returning starts from last year squad that defeated Southern Miss in the NoLa Bowl, but most importantly Dwight Dasher, the best player in the conference, returns as well.
Western Athletic
Boise State
It will be extremely shocking if the Broncos don't win the WAC with 20 of the Fiesta Bowl starters returning as well as the rest of the conference not being anywhere close to them from a competition standpoint.

Ohio State vs. Oregon

Nebraska vs. TCU

Florida vs. UCONN

Miami vs. Oklahoma

Alabama vs. Boise State

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Assessing the 1st Round Quarterbacks from 2009

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

There are two ways to look at Mark Sanchez's rookie season last year. You could look at his stats from the regular season which quite frankly were not very good (then again neither where the other rookie qb's). A quarterback rating of 63 with 12 touchdowns and 20 picks is not exactly superb. The team's excellent running game and defense carried them to the playoffs, not Sanchez. However, he performed much better in the playoffs and was 30 minutes short of reaching the Super Bowl. And this year the pressure is on big time. The Jets look to be a serious Super Bowl contender for what seems like forever. Despite losing Thomas Jones, who was very good last year, Shonn Greene proved in the playoffs that he is a more than capable starter. The defense should only get better with the additions of the mentally challenged Antonio Cromartie, Jets fan favorite Jason Taylor, and the very shrewd drafting of Kyle Wilson (although there is a little contract dispute on Revis Island that could cause some problems for their d). And we can't forget the addition of Santonio Holmes, one of the better receivers in the league even with a four game suspension to start the season, as he finally give Sanchez a go to reciever (if only Braylon Edwards could catch). If Sanchez shows marked improvement, and I believe they will, they don't be surprised if they end up hoisiting the Lombardi trophy in Jerryworld.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Stafford did not exactly light up the NFL during his rookie year. A qb rating of 61, 13 touchdowns compared to 20 int's, plus a team winning only two games. But let us not forget that the Lions won zero games the year before, had a terrible offensive line that left Stafford on his bum more than a few times, a mediocre running game due to Kevin Smith's injury, very few weapons to pass to besides Calvin Johnson and the budding young TE Brandon Pettigrew, and a trainwreck of a defense. And we all remember his tough and resilient performance against the Browns in week 11. Now with the additions of Ndamukong Suh along with other solid players to the defense, as well as explosive back Jahvid Best and Nate Burleson for the offense, there is a bright future for Stafford and the Lions. And now the Lions, for once, have hope.

Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If it all went to plan, Freeman would not have seen the field last year. But the ineffectiveness of Byron Leftwich and Josh Johnson, plus an 0-7 start had Freeman starting at qb for the first team against the Breen Bay Packers. Rocking the creamsicle uniforms, Freeman threw 3 touchdowns to lead the Bucs to their first win of the season in a major upset. The rest of the season, Freeman won twice more, showing strong leadership and poise. He also had the highest completion percentage of the 2009 first round quarterbacks. With fourt round draft pick Mike Williams looking like a player, Cadillac Williams making an impressive comeback last year from injuries and looking to be at 100% for this season, and a very strong draft that vastly improved the defensive line, Freeman and the Bucs look to have a promising future and might surprise some teams this year and collect some nice upsets.