Cram Session - Week 2

Before I get into this weekend's top 10 games, I wanted to share my thoughts for tonight's NFL opener between the last two Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers.

Thursday, September 8

New Orleans at Green Bay, Green Bay favored by 4

The NFL is back! College is nice and all but give me the best in the world playing the best any day over some good college team playing Louisiana Poop. As has become custom, the defending champions open the season at home. Last year, that was the New Orleans Saints. This season, they get to be the other team in the equation. Both of these teams have high expectations and being picked by many to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. They each have high powered offenses, and defenses that mostly have a bend but don't break mentality. Despite that, I don't think tonight's game will be as high scoring as some might expect. If you look into recent history, teams seem to come out very sluggish in the opener. The Saints were only able to put up 14 points in last season's opener. It is a big state, and although these are professionals, they are probably a little too amped up for their own good. It will still be an entertaining game. I expect that each defense will cause a turnover or two and you know that Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers can only be slowed down so much. The media have tried playing up how the Saints got together during the lockout but the Packers didn't. It's a lazy story that really means nothing, as both have played four preseason games now, and any effect them getting together on their own or not has been negated by this point. I am going to go with history. History says that when the defending champion opens on a Thursday night, they don't lose. The Packers will win a tight one, but not too tight, as they will still cover.

Prediction: Green Bay 24, New Orleans 17

Ok, back to college football. Last weekend was pretty underwhelming, as the two big games featuring Top 10 teams, LSU/Oregon, and then Boise State/Georgia each failed to live up to the hype. Predictably, Notre Dame crapped the bed, and Nebraska had an easy time with Chattanooga. The marquee game in the Top 10 this week is #3 Alabama traveling to Happy Valley to take on #23 Penn State. Don't be fooled though. This game is marquee in name only, as I expect Bama to take the Nittany Lions to the woodshed.

Games That Matter to Me

Notre Dame (0-1) at Michigan (1-0)

I was at a wedding last Saturday and missed most of Notre Dame's loss to South Florida. That was probably for the best as the ten minutes I got to watch were infuriating enough. Despite piling up yardage and dominating, the Irish dropped tons of balls, turned the ball over in the red zone on multiple occasions and choked away a game they should have fun away with. After one week, QB Dayne Crist has already lost his starting job, and the guy who probably should have been starting i the first place, Tommy Rees is back in. Now, the Irish are starting 0-2 in the face as they travel to Michigan for the first night game at Michigan Stadium. It should be an electric atmosphere and the games between these two rivals are always close. Last year, Wolverines QB Denard Robinson shredded the Irish and propelled Michigan to a comeback win. Robinson is learning a new offense and likely won't be running wild like he did last season. However, he is a threat still and can also be effective passing. Another player to watch is their RB Fitzgerald Touissant who had two TDs last weekend against Western Michigan. This is a must win game for Notre Dame but they have had a lot of trouble winning at Michigan in recent years. I expect another close, hard fought loss to the Wolverines.

Prediction: Michigan 27, Notre Dame 23

Top 10

Thursday, September 8

Arizona (1-0) at #9 Oklahoma State (1-0)

This will be a fun quarterback battle between the Cowboys Brandon Wheeden and the Wildcats Nick Foles. Foles threw 5 TD passes in a rout of Northern Arizona, while Wheeden threw 3 TDs but also 3 INTs in a win against Louisiana Lafayette. It was also disconcerting for the Cowboys that they gave up 34 points to Lafayette. WR Justin Blackmon and RB Joseph Randle were major players in that first victory and will be on the Wildcats radar tonight. These teams actually met last December in the Alamo Bowl, which Oklahoma State won in a rout. I expect tonight's game to be a little closer but the same result, a Cowboys win.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 31, Arizona 27

Saturday, September 10

Northwestern State (1-0) at #2 LSU (1-0)

The Tigers impressive win over Oregon vaulted them to number two in the polls. QB Jarrett Lee did what he had to do, and the Tigers defense slowed down the Ducks vaunted offense. Lee will be back starting in this one, as Northwestern State moves on from playing Delta State to playing the second best team in the country. To say they will be shell shocked is an understatement.

Prediction: LSU 42, Northwestern State 9

#3 Alabama (1-0) at #23 Penn State (1-0)

It is the second game of the home and home series between these teams. Bama routed Penn State last year at home, so the Nittany Lions are looking for payback. As many as four quarterbacks could play in this game. The Nittany Lions have Robert Bolden and the ginger Matt McGloin, while the Crimson Tide have AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims. McCarron got most of the time in the win against Kent State, but each quarterback had two interceptions. Both are young and the crowd noise in Happy Valley could cause them both problems. However, I think Bama's defense will force Bolden and McGloin into a ton of mistakes, and offset any mistakes their young quarterbacks make. I think that Penn State can hang for a half but Bama is just too good.

Prediction: Alabama 28, Penn State 13

Charleston Southern (0-1) at #5 Florida State (1-0)

Florida State pitched a shutout last week while Charleston Southern got shut out by Central Florida. For the Seminoles it is all about next week when Oklahoma comes to Tallahassee.

Prediction: Florida State 52, Charleston Southern 6

#6 Stanford (1-0) at Duke (0-1)

Duke couldn't beat I-AA Richmond, and now they get to host Andrew Luck and the Cardinal. The Cardinal didn't seem to miss a beat without Jim Harbaugh as coach last week and I expect another emphatic victory this weekend.

Prediction: Stanford 38, Duke 17

Oregon State (0-1) at #8 Wisconsin (1-0)

Russell Wilson was impressive in his Badgers debut and Wisconsin looks to have a running and passing threat at QB, to go with their impressive stable of running backs. The Beavers shockingly lost at home to Sacramento State and obviously miss Jacquizz Rodgers. They will be without his brother James Rodgers in this game and are unsettled at quarterback. If they thought last week was bad, the ugliness could be far worse this weekend.

Prediction: Wisconsin 47, Oregon State 17

Fresno State (0-1) at #10 Nebraska (1-0)

Things will be a little more challenging for the Cornhuskers this week with the Bulldogs coming to Lincoln. Taylor Martinez appeared healthy, running for 135 yards and passing for 116. The Huskers defense looked dominant and in typical Blackshirts form, with Jared Crick standing out. The Bulldogs are quarterbacked by David Carr's younger brother, Derek Carr. Carr is playing behind a very young, and inexperienced offensive line and he will likely find himself on the turf quite a bit in this game. Nebraska needs to be focused because Fresno State is used to playing high caliber competition. I know the Huskers are looking forward to a chance at revenge against Washington next week, but they can't look ahead.

Prediction: Nebraska 37, Fresno State 14

Last Week: 8-2