College football is back! Hip hip hooray! I have come to find out that people really love their college football. Myself, I enjoy college football but it is nothing compared to the NFL. That being said, for my favorite college teams there is some cautious optimism for the 2010 season. Nebraska is ranked #8 and is expected to contend for the Big 12 title in their final season in the conference. Anything less than at least a berth in the Big 12 Championship game will be a disappointment for the Cornhuskers. My other favorite team, Notre Dame, is once again starting a new era. Former Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly takes over for Charlie Weis. I think the Irish may have finally found their man. They got a proven winner, and not just a winner but someone who has won at the college level. Kelly was able to make Cincinnati a force, a team with no football history to speak of. This season will be challenging but I think the future is bright for the Irish.Doing things a little differently this year for Cram Session. I will pick games in the Top 10 rather than the Top 25. So let's get to it.
Games That Matter to Me That May Not Matter to You
Purdue at Notre Dame
The Irish open the Brian Kelly era at home against the Purdue Boilermakers. These two teams played a thrilling game in West Lafayette last year, but both have seen some major changes since then. The Irish saw Jimmy Clausen leave after his junior season and now will have Dayne Crist at QB. This will also be the first time we get to see how the Irish respond going from a pro style offense to Brian Kelly's spread offense. Purdue will have a new QB of their own, Robert Marve, former starter for the Miami Hurricanes. However, offense hasn't necessarily been the problem for the Boilermakers, their struggles have come on defense. Last season they ranked 89th in the country in points allowed per game. Marve can be as good as they hope but if the defense doesn't improve it won't matter. Notre Dame was also atrocious on defense last season and may not get much better this year. For as much of a genius he is on the offensive side of the ball, Brian Kelly teams haven't really played much defense over the years. This game could be a high scoring affair, depending on how rusty each team is. I like the Irish to win a close one.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Purdue 24
Top 10
Thursday, September 2
Marshall at #2 Ohio State
The Buckeyes are hoping to be much more impressive in their opener this season than they were last season. Last year, they got all they could handle from Navy. Marshall of the late 90's might have given these Buckeyes some trouble but the current Marshall shouldn't be too much trouble. Will be interesting to see how Buckeyes QB Terrelle Pryor plays in this one.
Prediction: Ohio State 30, Marshall 14
Saturday, September 4
San Jose State at #1 Alabama
The Crimson Tide are heavy favorites to repeat as national champions. They return QB Greg McElroy, Heisman winner RB Mark Ingram, RB Trent Richardson, and WR Julio Jones. Ingram will miss the opener after having knee surgery but Richardson is a more than capable replacement. Alabama will end this one early then start getting ready for Penn State next week.
Prediction: Alabama 48, San Jose State 10
Miami (OH) at #4 Florida
The John Brantley era begins for the Gators. It will be very strange to see someone under center for Florida besides Tim Tebow. Brantley figures to not face much of a test from Miami of Ohio, but things could get interesting next week when South Florida rolls into town.
Prediction: Florida 31, Miami (OH) 7
#5 Texas at Rice
Have to give the Longhorns credit, at least they play bummy teams somewhere other than their home stadium. This game will be at the Texans Reliant Stadium. Garrett Gilbert makes his debut at QB for the Longhorns. Gilbert got thrown into action in the national title game against Alabama when Colt McCoy went down. Gilbert struggled but any true freshman would have struggled if thrown into that situation. Will be interesting to see what the Longhorns do this year as they have had a lot of turnover in personnel.
Prediction: Texas 35, Rice 10
#6 TCU at #24 Oregon State
This will be one of the better games of opening weekend. TCU is looking to build upon their 1-loss season last year and compete for a BCS bowl berth. This game will be played at the new Cowboys Stadium. Last season, TCU opened their against Oklahoma, knocked out Sam Bradford, won the game and carried that momentum throughout the season. RB Jacquizz Rodgers is back for Oregon State and should continue to be one of the most exciting players in college football. However, I think the senior leadership of TCU QB Andy Dalton will lead the Horned Frogs to a win.
Prediction: TCU 21, Oregon State 17
Utah State at #7 Oklahoma
The Sooners are looking to have a bounce back year after their disappointing 2009 season. A large reason for that disappointment was losing QB Sam Bradford for almost the entire year. This season, they have no choice but to learn to live without him. QB Landry Jones played well at times last season but struggled in his tougher games. The Sooners may be caught looking past the Aggies, ahead to their game with Florida State next week. Shouldn't matter though.
Prediction: Oklahoma 40, Utah State 14
Western Kentucky at #8 Nebraska
The Cornhuskers enter their final season in the Big 12 with high expectations. Although they lost beast defensive stud Ndamukong Suh they are still expected to have one of the best defenses in the nation. That is beacuse they still have stud DT Jared Crick. Crick will have to prove the doubters wrong that his success wasn't solely because of the presence of Suh. Big questions remain on offense for Nebraska. The offense looked tremendous in the Holiday Bowl rout of Arizona but that could have just been a small sample size. The drama in this game will be who does Nebraska start at QB? Will it be incumbent Zac Lee? Will Cody Green get another shot? Or will it be Taylor Martinez? All three might play on Saturday in what should be an easy win over Western Kentucky.
Prediction: Nebraska 48, Western Kentucky 3
Eastern Illinois at #9 Iowa
Iowa had a very good season last year and hopes are high for 2010. However, they survived by the skin of their teeth in a lot of their games so the margin for error will be thin again. The Hawkeyes could struggle with Eastern Illinois on Saturday.
Prediction: Iowa 20, Eastern Illinois 10
Monday, September 6
#3 Boise State at #10 Virginia Tech
I will be attending this game Monday night at FedEx Field and it should be a dandy. Boise State returns almost their entire team from last year's perfect season. Many believe if they win this game they will be able to run the table and earn a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. Virginia Tech is overrated as usual. It is the same story as always. They have a good defense, good special teams, good running game, and alright QB. They always look good on paper and they are always preseason darlings. It may not be this game but at some point this year they will lose a game they shouldn't and will once again fall out of the national title picture. The Broncos have Heisman hopeful Kellen Moore at QB. Moore threw for 39 TDs last season with just 5 INTs and was only sacked 5 times. Tech will try to slow the pace of the game down and pound the Broncos defense with Sophomore RB sensation Ryan Williams. I expect Tech to make a big play on defense or special teams late and that will be the difference.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 20, Boise State 17
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