Cram Session - Week 1

The 2012 college football season is here as we begin to navigate our way through the end of the BCS era. This year and next year are the last remaining years of the BCS, before the four team playoff begins in 2014. The favorites to meet in the BCS Championship this year are USC and defending national champion Alabama. USC is off probation and bowl eligible this year after two years on probation. That probation included reduced scholarships so it is pretty amazing that coach Lane Kiffin has them in line to compete for a national championship. As for my favorite teams, Notre Dame and Nebraska expectations are pretty middling. Notre Dame isn't even ranked and with a incredibly difficult schedule and starting over at quarterback, they could find even making a bowl game difficult. Nebraska is ranked but not many people anticipate them even making the Big Ten championship game. It doesn't really mean all that much though. Last year, both teams were considered BCS contenders and that didn't happen for either.


Games That Matter to Me

Notre Dame "at" Navy in Dublin, Ireland

I'll be awake for the 9 am kickoff but will be helping a friend move, not watching this game. This game is notable for not only being in Ireland, but being the debut of new Irish QB Everett Golson. Golson won the job over incumbent Tommy Rees, who was suspended for this game anyway. Golson's job this year will be to cut down on the turnovers that plagued the Irish offense last year. Notre Dame could have potentially been a 10 win team if they hadn't turned the ball over so damn much, especially deep in the red zone. The Irish will also be without their starting RB Cierre Wood, who is suspended for the first two games of the season. That means Theo Riddick will get the lions share of the carries. The dominant Michael Floyd is gone at WR so TE Tyler Eifert figures to pick up his role as the main pass catcher. The Irish defense was very good last season and while LB Manti Te'o is back, there are some questions. Defensive end Aaron Lynch transferred to South Florida and during practice they lost starting CB Lo Wood to a season ending injury. With Navy, not much changes from year to year. The faces may change but the game plan remains the same, run all the time, pass only when you have to. That means we will see plenty of RBs John Howell and Gee Gee Greene. Revenge will be on Navy's minds after the 56-14 thrashing Notre Dame gave them last season. The Irish are missing some key players and this game could be closer than some people think, but I believe the Irish will start the season with a win.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Navy 20

Southern Miss at #17 Nebraska

Nebraska has been stuck in the same spot now for a few years under Bo Pelini. He has them consistently winning 9 games a year, but for Huskers fans used to greater success, it has become tiresome getting beaten up by the nation's elite. Expectations are lower this year than they were last year, despite QB Taylor Martinez and RB Rex Burkhead returning. Martinez took a pretty huge step back last year. His running ability while still good wasn't as dominant, which meant more scrutiny on his ugly passing ability. The Huskers are hopeful that the junior can become more confident in the passing game. Defensively, they have a new coordinator, John Papuchis who takes over for the departing Carl Pelini. It was disappointing year last season for the defense. Standout Jared Crick was hurt early and the Blackshirts were torched far too often. The Huskers first test won't likely be easy as they meet the defending Conference USA Champions, Southern Miss. However, the Golden Eagles have a new head coach and a new QB, Chris Campbell. The returning experience of Nebraska, as well as homefield advantage will lead to a relatively comfortable win.

Prediction: Nebraska 35, Southern Miss 17

Top 10

Hawaii at #1 USC

Trojans QB Matt Barkley surprised everyone when he announced he would return for his senior year. His return, along with the transfer of Penn State RB Silas Redd to the Trojans has many anointing USC as the best team in college football.  Former longtime USC assistant Norm Chow makes his head coaching debut with the Warriors. It will be a rude homecoming for Chow.

Prediction: USC 52, Hawaii 17

#8 Michigan vs #2 Alabama in Arlington, Texas

The Crimson Tide won't have to waste any time finding out how good they are after the mass exodus of talent to the NFL they suffered this off-season. That is because they open the season against fellow Top 10 team Michigan. The Wolverines are coming off an 11-win season and Hokeamania is running wild in Ann Arbor. The most interesting aspect of this game will be watching a retooled Bama defense go against Denard Robinson. The Crimson Tide had one of the best defenses in the history of college football last season, and the new guys will be eager to carry that legacy. I think this game will start off competitive but eventually Bama will overwhelm the Wolverines.

Prediction: Alabama 28, Michigan 13

North Texas at #3 LSU

The Tigers are ranked number one in the Coaches poll but slipped when the AP poll came out after the Honey Badger CB Tyrann Mathieu was kicked off the team. Zach Mettenberger takes over at QB for the Tigers, who were finally exposed by the poor QB play they received last season when they face Bama for the national title. The Tigers will probably be looking ahead to next weekend when they host Washington.

Prediction: LSU 45, North Texas 9

#4 Oklahoma at UTEP

Landry Jones is back at quarterback for the Sooners who once again will give it a go at trying not to live up to their Choklahoma nickname. UTEP is coached by horn dog Mike Price, who hasn't really brought success to the Miners but has been kept around.

Prediction: Oklahoma 49, UTEP 14

Arkansas State at #5 Oregon

Marcus Mariota, a freshman is the Ducks new quarterback this season. Even with that, the Ducks are a popular pick to play for the national title. The Ducks rushing attack figures to still be potent with the loss of LaMichael James. Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas will lead the attack. Arkansas State head coach Gus Malzahn will be making his debut and all the gagdets in the world don't figure to make this game competitive.


Prediction: Oregon 47, Arkansas State 20

Buffalo at #6 Georgia

I think the Bulldogs are greatly overrated and won't be surprised if they lose at Missouri next week. One are they are not overrated is quarterback, where they are led by the highly talented Andy Murray.


Prediction: Georgia 38, Buffalo 7

Murray State at #7 Florida State

Another year, another round of talks of how this is the year the Seminoles will get back to prominence. The funny thing is, most people seem to think that because of how ridiculously easy the Seminoles schedule is. I can't tell you a damn thing about Murray State other than they have a pretty good basketball team, which won't help them here.

Prediction: Florida State 34, Murray State 3

Jacksonville State at #10 Arkansas

It was quite an eventful off-season for the Razorbacks. They seemed destined to be contenders for the national title but then Bobby Petrino couldn't keep it in his pants or successfully drive a motorcycle, and he was fired. His replacement is John L. Smith, the same John L. who bombed as Michigan State coach. The Hogs have a ton of talent with QB Tyler Wilson and RB Knile Davis, who is coming back after missing all of 2011 with a knee injury. As questionable as John L. is as a coach, there is no way he can mess up a home game against Jacksonville State.

Prediction: Arkansas 55, Jacksonville State 19