Utah Utes vs. Michigan Wolverines
Gomer: Only an interesting game because of the possibility Michigan could lose its home opener under new head coach Rich Rodriguez. Michigan is favored, not by much, but honestly there are far fewer question marks for the Utes than the Wolves. I think Michigan’s defense will be the story, they struggled against the spread early last season, but expect them to almost shut down the spread Saturday. Utah 13 – Michigan 24
Chief: I’d love to pull the trigger here, but it’s too much of a sexy pick. Let’s face it, DickRod up at UM inherited a mess (some of which was caused by him). Utah has upset on their minds, but it’s still UM. Expect the Utes to jump out to an early lead and while everyone is clamoring the ‘I told you so’s, the Wolverines will claw their way back. It would be hilarious if it happened, but I think Michigan’s warning signs are up after the debacle vs. App State last year. I will say this, if UM goes down, Rodriguez’s will be on the hot seat right away—not from the administration, but from the fans setting fire to his house. Utah: 13—UM: 20
Michigan State Spartans vs. California Bears
Gomer: I don’t see how an average Pac 10 team can hang with the 2008 Spartan squad. MSU has probably the most balanced attack in the Big Ten (behind OSU) with Brandon Hoyer and Javon Ringer in the backfield, and an experienced Mark Dantonio defense (see OSU 2002). MSU will take some hits but won’t back down eventually wearing down Cal and winning the game. MSU 27 – Cal 14
Chief: Another very interesting non-conference matchup that is going under the radar. Coach Dantonio leads the Spartans into Berkeley looking to keep the MSU streak of starting strong alive. This Michigan State team has the weapons, led by RB Javon Ringer to take this one. The Spartans lost some key defenders last year, but Cal has bench last year’s starting QB in favor of the guy who got sacked with 5 seconds to go. Tedford needs to work his magic to maintain, while Dantonio’s boys are on the upswing. If MSU wins, you won’t hear a thing, if Cal wins, the Big 10 bashers will be everywhere. MSU: 24—Cal: 16
Illinois Illini vs. Missouri Tigers
Gomer: Life without Rashard Mendenhall… we’ll see how this goes. I think that while the Illini may struggle to win this game they will eventually gel with Daniel Dufrene running the ball and Juice slinging it to Arrelious Benn. The game could get interesting if Missouri returns to the average team they really are and turns the ball over a couple times. Chase Daniel is a hot pick to win the Heisman but I really don’t see what so many others supposedly do. Ill 35 – Mizzou 37
Chief: Let’s see. What is being touted as the biggest game of the early season matches up two overachievers from last year. Illinois stunned the world with the upset of the Bucks and Missouri actually was ranked number 1 for a week…yeah, let that sink in. This year is quite different. Missouri has Chase Daniel, touted as a Heisman hopeful, who isn’t even the best player on the team (Jeremy Maclin). Illinois has the Juice, but without the steady pounding of Mendenhall, Juice has to deal with being the full focal point on offense. Arrelius Benn (WR) for Illinois will show flashes, but this Illini team is in big trouble after the loss of Rashard Mendenhall. I don’t think Mizzou is anything to call home about, but they outmatch the Illini here. Ill: 17—Mizzou: 27
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Texas Longhorns
Gomer: Rusty Smith is the only way FAU has a chance of winning this game. Texas has a very questionable secondary which would allow the Owls offense to score fairly easily but unfortunately for them, Colt McCoy is looking to rebound after a bit of a slump and will spread the ball around like it’s his job… well it is. FAU 28 – UT 56
Chief: Howard Schnellenberger has turned the corner for the Owls. A team that was a complete afterthought after entering the league with perennial punching bag (or punch deliverer after the Miami game) FIU can now be crowned a bowl winner. Unfortunately, competing in the Sun Belt is quite different from hanging with the Longhorns. Without Jamaal Charles in the burnt orange, Colt McCoy is going to have to emerge from his sophomore slump to lead the Horns with Quan Cosby instead of Limas Sweed catching the rock. FAU will hang around early, but it doesn’t have the firepower to fight the big boys in the big conferences. Kudos for scheduling the Horns, but the Owls need a few more athletes to get the W. FAU: 17—UT: 45
Clemson Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Gomer: Chief and I agree that having Nick Saban as your head coach doesn’t automatically make you BCS Title bound. The Bama fans seem to be extremely delusional after just one good (yet dirty) recruiting season. Clemson is absolutely loaded with the likes of Spiller and Davis running the ball and Harper slinging it around the field. The Tigers should be thinking National Title or bust this year, but I know they’d be happy with an ACC championship (Bowden’s first). Bama 17 – Clem 42
Chief: This one is easy in my mind. This may break the record of the least teeth per fan in any college game in history. Clemson has the weapons for this to be a no-brainer pick as well. James Davis and C.J. Spiller as a tandem in the backfield should make mincemeat out of the Tide while QB Cullen Harper emerges as a solid game manager. Just because Bama’s QB has more names (John Parker Wilson) than the opposition, doesn’t mean he’s any good. The freshman Julio Jones should be fun to watch, but it should matter. I expect another year in Tuscaloosa in which each victory costs about $1 million to afford Nick Saban as the coach. Progress?…maybe. Acceptable progress for Bama?...I don’t see it. Tommy Bowden will find a way to make this interesting, but the Tigers are simply better. Bama: 17—CU: 33
YSU Penguins vs. OSU Buckeyes
Gomer: The Bucks aren’t about to pull a Michigan and lose to a I-AA school. Beanie wells will get his carries, at least 100 yards before he gets to rest; Boeckman will try a throw some nice passes to the old and new weapons (Robiskie/Hartline/Small + Sanzenbacher/Posey/Torrence/Washington). The question I’ve heard most is “How much will Pryor play?” I’m thinking at least 20 snaps, I’m not expecting to see anything that he could be used for in the USC game, but there will be mostly passes and a few runs. Bucks roll: YSU 7 – Bucks 52
Chief: The Bucks kick off another run for the championship against lowly Youngstown State. Don’t get me wrong, YSU will most likely compete for the FCS title this year…but they won’t be facing anyone near the caliber of the Buckeyes in the old 1AA. Expect the Bucks to jump out to an early lead and just as quickly take their foot off the gas as the starters are pulled (Tressel won’t purposefully embarrass his old team). Pryor will break off a huge crazy TD run and the fans will start clamoring for a changing of the guard, but the coaches will smile and nod at their ignorance as Boeckman maintains a firm grip on the offensive leadership role. ‘Beanie’ starts the Heisman run out right with 120 yds. and 2 TDs in under 3 quarters of action. YSU: 3—OSU: 41
Other Games:
Syracuse vs. Northwestern, Gomer: Northwestern Chief: Northwestern
Southern Cal vs. Virginia, Gomer: USC Chief: USC
Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina, Gomer: VT Chief: VT
Kentucky vs. Louisville, Gomer: L'ville Chief: L'ville
Fresno State vs. Rutgers, Gomer: Rutgers Chief: Fresno
Tennessee vs. UCLA, Gomer: UT Chief: UT
