After an exhilarating opening weekend of NCAA football, we have a schedule full of exciting games to fill our plate.1. Michigan vs. Norte Dame – Two of the most storied franchises in NCAA football history will meet for the 38th time. Michigan and Notre Dame rank #1 and #2 respectively in winning percentage. The Wolverines are coming off an impressive offensive showing against UCONN, where Notre Dame struggled late to win against the Purdue Boilermakers. Notre Dame has struggled against the run, so look for Denard Robinson and the Michigan Wolverines to run early and often. Notre Dame is still getting comfortable running head coach Brian Kelly’s new offense. If Notre Dame can’t stop the explosive running game, look for Michigan to pull off the upset.
2. UGA vs. South Carolina – The Bulldogs are traveling to Columbia, SC with a starting red-shirt freshman and their outstanding wide receiver A.J. Green out against South Carolina (and possibly 2 more games, depending on how Green and UGA’s appeal goes). South Carolina is coming off an impressive opening victory against Southern Mississippi. Junior Stephen Garcia seems to be gaining the trust and confidence of head coach Steve Spurrier more and more everyday. This game will be close to call, but if Stephen Garcia can avoid the costly mistakes that has haunted him in the past, the Gamecocks should survive this early SEC test.
3. Penn St. vs Alabama – Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions of the Big 10 travel to Tuscaloosa, AL to take on the Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. This is the 14th matchup between the two schools, and Joe Pa has been there for EVERY game! (first game in 1959 Liberty Bowl where Joe Paterno was an Assistant coach for Penn St.) Alabama’s defense should easily handle Penn St. as Penn St. is 0-3 versus #1 ranked schools since 1990 and are also starting Freshman quarterback Rob Bolden. On defense, look for the Crimson Tide to disguise a lot of blitz packages for the freshman and on offense to continue to run the ball and control the clock with Trent Richardson.
4. Florida St. vs Oklahoma – Heisman hopeful Christian Ponder and the Seminoles head to Norman, OK to face the Sooners. Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops will be matching wits with his brother, Florida St. defensive coordinator Mark Stoops. If FSU’s Ponder can avoid the killer interception late in the game trying to make an amazing play instead of just tucking the ball, FSU can come out of Norman with an upset victory.
5. Miami vs. Ohio St – The biggest game on what is being dubbed “Monster Saturday.” The Hurricanes make a trek to the “Horseshoe” in Columbus, Ohio. These two schools last met in the Fiesta bowl in 2003 with Ohio St. upsetting Miami, who entered the game as the previous season’s National champions and sporting a 34 game winning streak. Everyone knows about the mysterious pass interference call that gave OSU a new set of downs that ultimately let to their victory, so the ‘Canes are looking for revenge. This current installment features two of College football’s most exciting quarterbacks in the ‘Canes Jacory Harris and the Buckeye’s Terrelle Pryor. If the Buckeye’s Cameron Heyward and the rest of the defensive unit can get to Harris early and rattle him, the ‘Canes are in for a long offensive struggle. However, if the ‘Canes offensive line gives Harris time, his accurate passing can spell doom for the Buckeye’s secondary.
Alright folks, that’s it for now. Check back with me next week for the “Stand Up / Sit Down” awards!
Enjoy your weekend of FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!
