College Football Week 4 Wrap up

Upsets galore was the theme of week 4 in the 09 college football season. #4 Olde Miss got us started loosing on the road to SEC foe South Carolina. Apearently other teams also got the upset memo such as Iowa, Georgia Tech, and Oregon. Carolina looked medeoker in their loss on the road at Georgia Tech in a game that the Jackets had to win to stay in the ACC title hunt. Oregon just rolled through what people thought was a top 10 or better Cal team and Iowa went in to Happy Valley and made it not so happy at nights end. Miami's hurricane was deflated in the mountians of Blacksburg as the Hokies held them to 7 points and scored 31 of thier own. LSU almost became an upset victim to Mississippi State but held on the goal line 3 straight plays. So the rankings are all shuffeled up and we really have no clue as to what the next upset is. However one of the biggest stories may have occured in a game that wasn't close at all, Tebow left the game vs. Kentucky with concussion like symptoms and the Gators play LSU in Baton Ruge in 2 weeks. It will be hard enough to win at LSU it is made even harder without your star player. So for this week I look forward to seeing Tebow's progress and how the teams that got upset recover and try to make a bad thing a good one. Boy I love college football!!!
-Kyle

College Football Week 4 Picks

Week 4 is probably hilighted with an old Big East Rivalry with two teams fighting for the driver seat in the ACC. Week 4 for me is when we start finding out exactly who is for real and who is not so much. So lets get down to it.

Olde Miss at South Carolina-One of the several games you can look at and put the upset alert tag on this week. Why? because no road game in the SEC is a gimmie and I don't care who you are and if you don't show up to play your not going to win. That being said Olde Miss is on a roll and it seems like they may take the Mississippi River all the way to the SEC title game. However, South Carolina is not a bad football team and Spurier knows a thing or two about football. Look for Olde Miss to get all they can handle in Columbia Thursday night, and then some.

Olde Miss 17 South Carolina 21

North Carolina at Georgia Tech- HUGE game as far as the ACC is concerned, but especially for the Ramblin Wreck. After falling to Miami they can't afford a loss to another team in the ACC coastal division and hope to play for the ACC title. North Carolina is looking to find themselves with either Virginia Tech or Miami in the driver seat for the Coastal title. Georgia Tech is at home which makes this game even bigger for the Jackets, in fact you almost could consider it a "must win". Carolina is going to have its hands full with the triple option but thier D has looked good up to this point. I think Georgia Tech is going to come out like it's all on the line and play harder than they have all year, it will still be close but it will come down to TJ Yates' peerformance under pressure, on the road, in the 4th quarter with a young recieving core.

North Carolina 24 Georgia Tech 28

Miami at Virginia Tech- As big as the Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina game is, this one has it beat. Not only is it a huge game in the ACC coastal race but it has potential National Title implications with it. Miami has been running through thier opponents up to this point, although Florida State took them down to the wire, but the Offense has not stopped and is as hot as south beach. However they will face the best D they have seen all year Saturday in Blacksburg. Jacoby Harris won't be able to get out of the pocket with as much ease as he has been able to do all year. Yes the Virginia Tech offence was.....well......absent in the second half last week until they had to show up in the last miniute. BUT THEY DID, as a Hokie fan that has been a problem in Blacksburg.....scoring down the stretch when you have to. They did it against Nebraska who is better on D than the U. It will be a typicall Miami Virginia Tech showdown just like in the late 90's. Ladies and gentelman buckle your seatbelts because this is gonna be good. Yes another "Blacksburg Thriller"!

Miami 17 Virginia Tech 20

Cal at Oregon- Pac 10 showdown with an Oregon team that is still licking week 1 wounds. A chance for redamption comes Saturday when they play at home against Cal. Cal is in the top 10 for the first time in who knows how long. Cal has to way to get Best off and rinning early or they could be in for another upset scare. Oregon will play well but in the end Cal wears Oregon down both physically and emotionally.

Cal 38 Oregon 28

Pittsburgh at NC State- Yes I'm picking this game, why? Becaus Pitt is unbeaten and State has a chance to show people that they are for real and can contend with anyone. NC State is going to have to do better on offense than they showed the country opening night against South Carolina. Pitt plays great D and with Grothe's injury is probably the class of the Big East. Pitt has been inconsistant on offense and the State D will feast on mistakes. It seemed like it has been an eternity since Russell Wilson has thrown an interception, and expect more of the same as they end Pitt's run in the club of unbeatens.

Pittsburgh 14 NC State 24

College Football Week 4 Picks

So far the first 3 weeks of the college football season have been anything but ordinary. With its share of upsets and emergences of new teams this season may prove to be one of the mnost exciting yet. Since Kyle likes to take his luck with weekly picks, I might as well give it a shot.

# 22 North Carolina at Georgia Tech
The Tarheels may get all they can handle from Paul Johnson and the Yellow Jackets. Its in ATL and this team will be looking to erase the memory of the Clemson loss and the bitter defeat by rival Miami last week. Though the 'Heels have proven good so far, this could be their first set back in a dangerous road game. If Nesbitt gets hot, I dont think this Tarheel team has what it take sto stop him and that option attack. This should keep you entertained, a good ole' fashioned shoot out in my opinion. My prediction: Georgia Tech wins by a 10 point spread

#9 Miami @ #11 Virginia Tech
This pick is not going to make me popular with the folks in Blacksburg. No I am not clinically insane picking against the Hokies when they are playing at home, but Nebraska gave them one hell of a scare, winning the game on a last second pass by Ty"tanium"rod Taylor. The 'Canes are hotter than the sun in south beach and their offense is rolling behind Jacory Harris. This is not technically an upset considering the rankings, but Miami hasnt been a Top ten team since 2005, and the Canes managed to beat Tech last year. Both defenses will knock you in the mouth no doubt about it. But in a game where the determining factor will be offense, the Canes edge the Hokies by a long shot. This will be a fantastic game to watch, and an even better on to recap. My prediction: Miami wins by a 9 point spread

#6 Cal @ Oregon
This is a big time upset watch. We have seen now year after year that the Pac 10 can provide its share of upset. Alla USC (Oregon St. and Washington) So after a huge win over BYU in Provo the Ducks have some momentum. So Cal could get knocked in the mouth this week. Sure the ducks havent proven that they can stop the run all the time yet, but push comes to shove and it becomes a shoot out, Oregon still has enough weapons to swing with the big boys. My prediction: Oregon wins by 7.

Fresno State @ #14 Cincinnati
This is going to be good. The Bulldogs coming off a disappointing loss to rival Boise State in a game where they scored over 30 points, now go on the road to face a Bearcats team who hasnt been tested so far this season, by a team like Fresno who smacks people in the mouth. With a anyone anytime anywhere approach look for the Bulldogs to ferociously attack the Bearcats. A mid scoring game. My prediction: Bulldogs by 7 points.

Iowa @ #5 Penn State
To steal a line from Live Hard Sell Hard "They are the enemy...never again" Simply put. There wont be an upset this year, the Hawkeyes barely beat Northern Iowa.. who? Yeah Northern Iowa. Penn state however, who hasnt played an amazing schedule, has however blown teams out. Clark is back and better than ever, Joe PA is coaching from the sidelines, and ya dont forget abou that Penn State linebacking core. Look for Penn state to tromp the Hawkeyes. MyPrediction: Penn State by 17 points.

- Nick

College Football Week 3 Wrap Up

A nickname for Saturday could be "upset Saturday" as 2 top ten teams fell to unranked teams. USC couldn't over come a injury at QB to beat Washington, and Florida State just manhandeled BYU in every aspect of the game. A conference that impressed this week is the ACC as they played well against good teams. FSU beat #9 BYU, VT beat Nebraska, UNC beat ECU, and the U looked oh so good against the Ramblin Wreck. The SEC had its headliner between Tennessee and Florida and Florida ended up getting the stops when they needed to to win by ten. Texas Tech showed guts against the Longhornes but it wasn't quite good enough. Auburn could crack the top 25 after a 3-0 start and a W against West Virginia, for people that say Auburn has no offence don't look now but they are averaging a meer 40+ points a game. A wild week in the top 25 and some big matchups to look forward to next week. It will be interesting to see how the standings have shaken up after a pair of top 10 upsets. College Football is starting to show its colors with great finishes, like the one in Blacksburg, and major upsets, like the one in Seattle. As for people who critisize the arm of Tyrod he was clutch in leading the Hokies past the Huskers in the last miniute. All that aside the season is underway and anything and everything can and should be exspected. The bottom line, you don't come to play you loose. It's that simple.

College Football Week 3 Picks

After a flawless 5-0 last week my record is 7-3, granted anything can happen just ask the so called "experts". Anyhow week 3 has several matchups of intrest and it's hard to narrow it down to 5 but I did. Now is when teams start finding their identity but it is still early in the season and the race to the BCS is WIDE open. So without further adu lets get down to buisness.

Georgia Tech at Miami- In what should be another ACC nail biter the Canes and Jackets are both looking for an upper hand in the road to the ACC championship and both feel they got what it takes to get there. Bothe of these teams have already pulled off close games this year so it should be interesting to see what happens. However the GT offense showed absolutely nothing in the passing game with only 5 completions, which Miami can load the box all night long. On the other hand though Miami couldn't really stop FSU in their oppener either. This game will be won or lost in the last two miniutes and could very easily go to extra sessions.

Georgia Tech 35 Miami 32


Boise State at Fresno State- Perhaps the last ligit obstacle preventing and undafeated season for Boise. Fresno has loads of talent and have beaten Boise before. A problem though.....can they play at a high level for 60 miniutes. Boise State showed opening day they can play a little D and score a lot of points. In order for Fresno to pull off an upset they will have to play near flawless football.

Boise State 42 Fresno State 31


Tennessee at Florida- Well its time to back up your words Lane Kiffen. Can his team upset Florida?...sure but is it likely? Florida has just ran through their first two opponents which might have well have been high school teams. Tennessee on the other hand has played UCLA and knows what playing in a close game is like. HOWEVER Florida has leadership and should be fine. Tennessee will need to get a couple turnovers and a break here and there but who knows we could hear "Rocky Top" in the swamp. I like Tennessee mainly because they played well against UCLA and we haven't seen the Gators tested yet.

Tennessee 24 Florida 21


Nebraska at Virginia Tech- Virginia Tech has found a HB and their D has not disappointed. They played well vs. Bama but just got wore out in the end. Nebraska hasn't been tested and they haven't played in Blacksburg either, not to mention they haven't played a road game yet this year. Well Blacksburg is NOT where you wanna play your first. The Huskers have to find D from somewhere and I don't see it happenin.

Nebraska 28 Virginia Tech 42


Texas Tech at Texas- Everyone knows the phrase "don't mess with Texas" well this year may prove that theory as the Hook'em Horns look for revenge to a last play loss to Texas Tech a year ago. Texas Tech doesn't have the fire power from a year ago and no Crabtree or Harrell but the Horns still have Shiply and McCoy.....UH OHHH. This could be UGLY early and often.

Texas Tech 13 Texas 45

NFL Week 1 Wrap

Week 1 saw a lot, from Favre playing in a Vikes uni to the Raiders looking like the glory day Raiders of old. One thing is for sure though, the teams that people expect to be great all triumphed over adversity to get the W. Pittsburgh overcame misques and sloopy play to edge the Titans, the Pats pulled a miracle out of the hat in the last 5 min. to beat the Bills, and the Chargers where able to score a TD with less than a min. to go to fend off a scrappy and gutty Raiders team. Some QB's, like Drew Brees, seemed like they couldn't do any wrong, while others, Jake Delhome and Jay Cutler, needed their offence to be wearing a different jersey. Well in their cases green ones. Both threw 4 int's and the two combined had 1 td pass, granted Cutler did nearly throw for 300 yds. but Delhome didn't get to the centry mark and only had 3 less int's than completions. YIKES. I dont know what the rest of the year has in store but i do know this: I don't care who you play for, in the NFL you throw 4 int's you are going to loose PERIOD. It will be intriguing to see how those two individuals play this week, or if the Philly and Pack D's are that good. Personally I think it is a combonation of both. Week 2 prooves to be filled with uncertainties as McNabb may not even play for Philly, so does Cobb or recently signed Garcia play, and if McNabb can't go week 3 who do you start? Cobb, Garcia, or Vick? They have to figure that out.....not me. -Kyle

College Football Week 2 Wrap Up

Well well well, Ohio State played a big game well, the bad news USC played a little better. However unlike last years game Ohio State fans have something to be proud of, they hung in with and even held a late lead against one of the premier teams in the land. Michigan also made a statement showing they are not just pretenders. The best way for Rodreguiez to silence his critics and practice controversy is to win games which so far he has done an excellent job at. The ACC showed they are going to be competative again this year with a barn burner Thursday night between Clemson and Ga Tech. The SEC is..........well the SEC. For those who don't know what that means, well lets just say flat out domminant. Granted no SEC team was really challenged outside of the league but Auburn has an offence and LSU means buisness. Tennessee was a dissapointment down the stretch vs. UCLA but all things considered the SEC still looks pretty good. Finally an Oklahoma State team that looked oh so good against Georgia looked just as bad Saturday against Houston. Which proves my point that I think will be seen throughout the season.......the Big 12 can NOT play defense. Week 3 proves to be exciting with several good matchups and almost certain movement in the polls.

NFL 09 Season is Underway!!!!!!!

Thursday night marked the start of the 2009 NFL season and what a better way to start than a overtime thriller. Defenses were dominant but with the Steelers and Titans playing should we have expected anything else? As is any NFL season this year should be filled with drama, surprises, and dissapointment. Which team will have there "one shinning moment" this year? Who knows but here is my breakdown of the division champs and wildcard teams to contend for the Lombardi trophy in Febuary.





NFC East:


New York Giants- with a potent running game with Bradshaw and Jacobs the Giants can beat anybody. Eli Manning still needs to be more consistant at QB but a stellar D will back him up and get the Giants a division title. Tom Caughlin knows how to win and handle adversity. The key for the football Giants this year is the defense. If they play at a high level they will win if not, extra pressure is put on Manning to win football games. If they can have a solid defense all year the Giants are a threat to make a deep playoff run.





NFC North:


Green Bay Packers- Yes, they didn't make the postseason a year ago BUT half the D was in the hospital all year. Aaron Rodgers is a top 10 QB and with a recieving core of Jennings, Driver, Nelson, and Lee there is plenty of fire power in the offense. Ryan Grant is also healthy this year which will make the Pack even tougher to stop. On defense they switched to the 3-4 and drafted BJ Raji and Clay Mathews, and by the way they are all healthy this go round. If that remains the case the Packers could make a run at a Super Bowl.





NFC South:


New Orleans Saints: Yes the "aints" are my favorite to win the South. Why? because on a week to week basis who plans on stopin Brees and the Saints passing attack..............EXACTLY. The big question mark is on the other side of the ball, how will the defense respond in "must stop" situations? Carolina is a contender but Delhome is to inconsistant and Atlanta can't stop anyone consistantly either. Therefore expect a lot of shootouts from the Saints and an eventual division title. How far can they go? As far as the D takes em.





NFC West:


Arizona Cardinals- Kurt Warner + Larry Fitzgerald = mucho points. Just ask the world champs how easy they are to stop. Tim Hightower is a solid RB so Zona isn't one demmensional. Can anyone in that weak division challenge them? I think not, the niner empire is better but they are not playoff ready, Seatle is also improved but Hasselback can't do everything. Arizona is by far the most balenced team in the division and a clear favorite to win it again.





AFC East:

New England Patriots- Miami is too inconsistant and Brady is back. Enough said.

AFC North:

Pittsburgh Steelers- The defending champs dont have much competition in the division and the Steel curtian will reek havok w/ anybody. I dont think they are good enough to repeat but they can go deep into the postseason..........again.

AFC South:

Indionapolis Colts-Peyton Manning will lead the Colts to the land of division champs and they have a better D than in years past. Besides Tennessee is not going to repeat brilliance although they may squeak into a wildcard.

AFC West:

San Deigo Chargers- by default because no one else in that division is much good.

A look at the big matchups in week 2

After a week of just about everything in week 1 its time to get down to buisness again and look ahead to the 2nd week of the college football season. Some teams already have major question marks after week 1 while others are looking to have that "special" season. With that said here is a look at the top 5 matchups in college football in week 2. After going 2-3 last week its time to get back to a plus 500 record, we hope, but in this game do you really know?



Clemson at Georgia Tech- This is where Georgia Tech can really show people they are as good as some think. Clemson is a nationally recognized team, granted as of late for all the wrong reasons, but none the less this is not a bad Clemson team. They hace CJ Spiller and Jacobe Ford and you can beat a lot of people with a run game. Georgia Tech should know, they have adapted to Paul Johnson's triple option scheme very well and look to torment defenses in the ACC and the nation. One problem with that offense though, they can't score fast which means it is tougher to come down the feild with 2 minitues left to win a ball game. But they will not be in that situation this week because Clemson will get worn out by a constant dose of smashmout football.

Clemson 24 Georgia Tech 38

Notre Dame at Michigan- The potential battle of the "pretenders". Is Notre Dame as good as people think they are, and is Michigan as good as they looked a week ago. My opinion.......Notre Dame is not a 10 win team. Michigan has the potential to surprise this year, especially in the Big Ten. Therefore Michigan gets the fans behind them and makes the "Big House" what it used to be...........daunting.

Notre Dame 17 Michigan 31

South Carolina at Georgia- SEC football on Saturday.....well need I say more. The dawgs are comming off a disapointing loss to Ok State, and the Cocks beat NC State but only had 7 points. Yes, UGA didn't look great on offense but they are not NC State either. South Carolina will keep it competative but UGA will outplay the Gamecocks down the stretch.

South Carolina 14 Georgia 20

North Carolina at UConn- The Heels are ready for some football.......believe me. Last year they were oh so close but lost the close ones, however they have expeirence and a solid defense. UConn is looking for revenge from the romp the recieved in Chapel Hill a year ago. UNC's D will prove to reek havoc causing UConn to turn the ball over leaving UNC short feild and several opportunities.

North Carolina 31 UConn 17

USC at Ohio State- After week 1 who is impressed with OSU..................exactly Navy almost beat them in the shoe, unfortunatelly for OSU.......USC is better and with a more explosive offence than Navy despite a first year starter at QB. Ohio State and Oklahoma never seem to play big games well but OSU keeps it close but turns the ball over down the stretch.

USC 38 Ohio State 28

College Football Week One Wrap Up

Wow, college football is here and did not dissapoint in the first week of the season. Oklahoma lost to BYU, who saw that comming, Ohio State struggled with Navy..........yikes, and Bama didn't find a team like Clemson last year. Instead they found that Virginia Tech wont lie down to anybody, even though Bama won Trod had no mistakes. Bama............well was Bama, a great defense and domminating offensive line which leads to a good running game in the fourth quarter. But the beswt game of the week and one that will probably be in the top 5 at seasons end was in Tallahassee. Miami beat Florida State 38 to 34 after a constant dose of offence and a droped pass on the very last play of the game resulting in a FSU loss. One thing to remember this is just week 1. Teams like Oklahoma and VT still have a shot at the BCS title, why? Because the computers love it when you loose early and there is no way that anyone goes unbeaten except maybe Boise State. Something tells me this is just going to get better.

Thursday Night Football Wrap Up

And so it begins......
College Football is back, and so far better than ever. Featuring an ACC vs SEC matchup that went to the final seconds, and a PAC 10 vs WAC match up that set precedents before and after the game. All in all a pretty good start to the season so lets break down the games.

South Carolina vs NC State
In a game wherenthe offense wasnt that great comin in, this game didnt help. The defenses were sharp and prepared for the other.The game proved to be exciting at the end, and kept us on the edge of our seats, but for most of the game the true level of offensive excitment made you more concerned about the chips and dip. Coming out of this game NC state should look to change up their play calling and find a way to run the ball more effectively. A man like Jamelle Eugene should not be held to 35 rushing and only get the ball 9 times. South Carolina proved their defense is still good. And they have the Ole ball coach to thank for that. But the quarterback position is still a joke. They need help on offense. They need a leader who can step up and and not only say he will, but actually put the team on his shoulders and score the football.All in all a good showing defensively but they need work. But an interesing stat.... Steve Spurrier has won 10 straight season openers.

Oregon vs Boise State
What a game. Between all the bantering before the game, and the word fights through tv cameras this game turned out pretty darn good. Boise State showed that Kellen Moore is back and better as just a third year sophomore, and that the blue turf is probably the hardest playing surface in college football. The defense is stout and somehow that offense just finds ways to score. Trick plays, botched plays, and a little luck gave Boise all the momentum they would need to win. On the other hand, Oregon didnt just roll over. Their offense failed to get in rythm but this team still has tremendous speed and talent, but they need to cut the trash talk, and start playing as hard as they talk. Now about the after the game incedent, i think the punishment was just but could have been less. Now an opposing player, from the winning team was in a crowd of his team mates celebrating tapped Blount yelled in th opposite direction and got sucker punched to the ground. Shoult Hout be suspended by Boise, no, put on probation, yeah sure. But Blount got what he deserved, because he punched or tried to fight fans, players, and teammates alike. He was a raging bull and needs to learn, because he is a Senior for christ sake, to control his emotions and set anexample for his teammates. An impressive win for Boise and Oregon needs alot of work before conference play.

College Football Week 1 Big Game previews

The number of games will varry from week to week but for the opening week of the 2009 college football season I have 5 games.





South Carolina at NC State- ESPN kicks off their season long Thursday night games with a ACC SEC match up. While the two teams played last year don't expect the same outcome. State has gained experience without loosing many starters. South Carolina will be looking to finally tell people they are ready to contend for an SEC title. Carolina will have to take care of the football against a very aggresive Tom O'Brien defence but can State put up points? I think it will be close but I don't see State winning because of thier lack to drive down the feild the last two minitues to send the game into OT.
prediction: South Carolina 17 NC State 14



Oregon at Boise State- After we see not much offence in the first game on ESPN on Thursday the second one should make up for it. Points will be abound and look for Boise State's Ian Johnson to make a play late in the game to grab national attention right out of the gate.
prediction: Oregon 38 Boise State 42



Georgia at Oklahoma State- All Georgia wants to do after loosing Moreno, and Stafford is prove that they will be contenders for the BCS anyway. With an opener at #9 Oklahoma State they can prove that they will be just fine. This game also will show us if a Big 12 Defense can stop ANYBODY.
prediction: Georgia 31 Oklahoma State 24

BYU at Oklahomw- BYU is one of the best non BCS teams in the land BUT they are playing Oklahoma in Oklahoma. Oklahoma's offence will be just as good as it was last year and Sam Bradford is a big time QB. IF BYU pulls off the upset it will be due to two things OU's defence and special teams. Oklahoma had more kickoffs returned for TD's than anyone in the land last year. If BYU gets an oppening kickoff for a TD and somewhat quiet the crowd they gotta shot. But I think OU is to good to loose at home to BYU.
prediction: BYU 35 Oklahoma 45

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech- Last year the ACC was embarrassed as Bama destroyed Clemson, thisa year Bama is again in the Kickoff game but against the Hokies from Virginia Tech. The boys in Blacksburg are ready for a 3 peat in the ACC and possibly a run at a national title. Bama is stout on defence again but have major questions about who their HB and QB are. By the way this will be their first college start agains an experienced Hokie defense. It will be close but Tyrod makes a couple big plays and then Beamerball finishes it off.
prediction: Alabama 17 Virginia Tech 20

-Kyle