T1B

OSU rolls into Blacksburg with revenge on their minds, minus 4 players (thanks asshats)...I still think there is more than enough talent there to get the W in impressive fashion.

My call is JTB starts at QB and they use 2 QB's early to see how it rolls. The 4 OL starters are back as is EZE and Vanett (TE). The offense with Braxton at WR (yes, glass shoulder and all), and some great young talent should be able to put points on the board.

The Defense (minus Bosa) is still stout with a great LB corps. At CB they will be breaking in a new starter but the Safeties are experienced and great athletes. The DL will miss Bennett so one of the other guys has to step up.

I am calling OSU 45 Va Tech 23

in other news I see where Grambling State is taking on CAL at CAL

The Ohio State University.

tOSU

Who does my team play, or who do I have in the tOSU/VT tilt?

I'll take tOSU in a tough opener (although VT doesn't dominate at home like they should, and haven't under The Growth).

My team has a radical battle with FCS Eastern Washington. Sure, EW has probably been the 2nd best FCS team in the last several years... but they're FCS.

But....... this one is slightly intriguing (in as much as an FCS opponent can be) in that the best player in FCS, QB Vernon Adams (which the cool bartender I met at the BBQ in Birmingham brought up, an opinion we shared... dude knew his shit), bailed to come play at Oregon. They were wayyyy pissed. And even though Vern apparently did well in his last chemistry class, he still got an F on his final, preventing him from going to camp at Oregon. He'd been barred from the athletic facilities ever since he made the announcement -- some bitch moves going on.

So, while it will be a bloodbath, there will at least be some bad tempers to make it a tad interesting... but not interesting enough to keep me from bitching about a FCS opponent.

Some decent matchups in Week 1, though.

good point Dins...I guess both...but just trying to stir up some traffic

Oregon rolls...

OSU just lost another WR to a broken leg...

Actually there is a batch of games that will provide some insights:

1. Texas A&M / Arizona St. - Tough to call, but as a Pac12BSH, will go with ASU
2. 'Bama / Wisc - Shocking to mention a meaningful OOC game & SEC in same sentence...but at least they're at home.
3. Utah / Mich - Wanna see Harbaugh roll out against the aging Mormons that always play tough D.
4. Neb / BYU - See above w/o Harbaugh
5. Notre Dame / Texas - Nice matchup for 1st game
6. Va Tech / OSU - I see OSU winning handily
7. Boise St / Washington - Worth a look for just the Peterson angle.

The Seer wrote:Actually there is a batch of games that will provide some insights:

1. Texas A&M / Arizona St. - Tough to call, but as a Pac12BSH, will go with ASU

This one is very interesting. I think overall, ASU might be the better team, but they bring in a new QB, and AtM has been stockpiling young talent. Might fli[p a coin on this one.

2. 'Bama / Wisc - Shocking to mention a meaningful OOC game & SEC in same sentence...but at least they're at home.

The only thing that keeps this one interesting is Wisky isn't a bunch of September Pussies. They're used to [playing real OOC games. That said... Bama has way too many weapons. I don't know who Wisky's new Wrecking-Machine-Linebacker is (but they always have one), but it won't be enough.

3. Utah / Mich - Wanna see Harbaugh roll out against the aging Mormons that always play tough D.

When did Utah become a Mormon school? Anyways... Utah is like Old Reliable. UM is an unknown. I think the cupboard may still be a bit bare at UM for now. I think Utah edges them out.

4. Neb / BYU - See above w/o Harbaugh

Two programs that are quickly fading from their past glory. But Nebraska's QB will kill it (don't even know who their QB is)... because Riley is his coach. That dude could turn M2 into a star QB.

5. Notre Dame / Texas - Nice matchup for 1st game

Very nice Week 1 tilt. I think ND draws more talent lately, but Texass has a better coach. I think ND will have too many guys for UT.

6. Va Tech / OSU - I see OSU winning handily

tOSU has too many guys for VT.

7. Boise St / Washington - Worth a look for just the Peterson angle.

I think BSU was who you meant when talking about Mormon schools. As much as I seethe with hatred for the Evil Purple People, I think they've done some decent recruiting the last couple of years. Not that I'm any to fond of the Smurfs, either.

Not sure why the consensus seems to be OSU will roll VT. They have multiple key cogs out for this game due to either injury or suspension. While VT is not quite what they used to be, their defense will always be good as long as Bud Foster is there, and Blacksburg is always a tough place to play. I think OSU wins, but it will be "closer than the eggspurts think."

Dinsdale wrote:This one is very interesting. I think overall, ASU might be the better team, but they bring in a new QB, and AtM has been stockpiling young talent. Might fli[p a coin on this one.

Wouldn't call Bercovici "new" exactly, he's got some valuable game experience. Definitely like ASU in that one but the game being in Houston makes it more interesting.

A couple others I would add to the list...TCU @ Minnesota (Thursday night) and Louisville (very underrated imo) vs Allbarn in the Georgia Dome.

Dinsdale wrote: When did Utah become a Mormon school? Anyways... Utah is like Old Reliable. UM is an unknown. I think the cupboard may still be a bit bare at UM for now. I think Utah edges them out.

"This is a list of 131 football players in the Football Bowl Subdivision who have also served full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at various locations around the globe.

The list includes 62 players at BYU, 23 at Utah State and 21 at the University of Utah. There are five at Arizona State and three each at Oregon State, UNLV and Hawaii. There are two each at Oregon, Stanford and the University of Arizona. The University of California-Berkeley, New Mexico, Boise State, Air Force and San Jose State each have one."

Comparatively speaking.....

Sudden Sam wrote:

The Seer wrote:Actually there is a batch of games that will provide some insights:
'Bama / Wisc - Shocking to mention a meaningful OOC game & SEC in same sentence...but at least they're at home.

Glad you pointed this out. I would have mistakenly driven to Tuscaloosa to see a Tide home game.

Close counts in horseshoes & southern states.