But first, this:
Now that we have that down, let's grab a snack...
Now, who's ready for toss the football and talk about football during football season?
So, not much happened this off-season.
OK, OK, so we had some investigations, coaches getting canned, conference switches, every conference going with divisions (I guess Leaders and Legends won out over 41-14 to Florida and 38-24 to LSU). Not to mention we had Joe Paterno getting mowed down by one of his own guys. Then being seen wearing this shirt?
It looks like Joe is either got that while cutting down trees or he is ready to re-start his disco dancing days...
At least he doesn't look like this guy...
AHHHHH!!! I like my offensive mad scientists to not look like they just rolled out of bed...
However, amongst all of the filth and rigmarole, how great is it going to be when they tee it up?
While you answer that question, here are the 10 burning questions that are rattling around in my head:
10.) Who is harder to replace? Ryan Mallett or Cameron Newton?
Answer:
Look at the schedule. All those home games, last year (LSU, Arkansas, Clemson, Georgia) are road games. Michael Dyer can only do so much...
9.) Is there anything worse than a Phillies fan who did not realize that Philadelphia had a baseball team prior to 2008, but now acts like he/she has loved the team since Jim Kaat toed the slab?
Answer: Yes. The only thing worse are Phillies fans who did not realize that Philadelphia had a baseball team prior to 2008, and then rip other cities for having bandwagon fans.
8.) Should I be excited that the NFL is back?
Answer: Yes. It is like having 2 women interested in you. 1 is s-m-oking hot. We'll call her Patsy. The other is kind of hot but is still kind of average. We'll call her Lois. You are pumped that Patsy is into you, you are happy that Lois is into you, but she doesn't get your blood flowing like Patsy does.
Patsy=College Football
Lois=NFL
7.) What am I doing to beat the heat?
6.) Is the Big East that bad?
Answer: Yes. But how exciting is it that all of the teams in the conference, even Rutgers and Syracuse can go in to this season thinking they have a legitimate shot at the conference title and BCS beatdown that comes with it?
5.) Does Travis Lewis' injury hamstring Oklahoma's title hopes?
Answer: Probably but not definitely. It all comes down to if he can come back by the Florida State game, September 17. I thought it would be tough for OU to win on the road against a talented 'Noles team with revenge on their minds, in Tallahassee. Without Lewis it becomes double tough.
4.) Could America's financial situation get any worse?
Answer: No. Only if this man were President
Whatever happened to Ed Murphy? Maybe that should be my next question...
3.) Can the Pirates still win more games than they lose?
Answer: Yes. Watch this video and tell me otherwise...
2.) Why do we have 612 Bowl Games?
Answer: This is why.
1.) Who's Number 1?
Answer: Here's a few hints...
So, as the great Casey Kasem once said, "We won't stop until we get to #1, so let the countdown begin"
30.) Northwestern- Perhaps it is my vast amount of man love for Pat Fitzgerald. Perhaps it is the fact that I am a shill for the Big 10. But count me amongst the believers in the Purple, especially if "Dangerous" Dan Persa can stay upright. It may also come down to whether or not the 'Cats can finish. They had big leads against Michigan State and Penn State and frittered them both away. That was the difference between 9-4 and 7-6. Still, the 'Cats are never going to be short on effort or overachieving, which is a reflection of their head coach. Road games at BC, Iowa and Nebraska will be definite challenges, but NU is my Big 10 sleeper of the year. Still, any graduate Northwestern produces will pale in comparison to this guy.
Last Year: 7-6 (Lost to Texas Tech in TicketCity Bowl, 45-38)
Key Losses: LB Nate Williams, WR Sidney Stewart
Key Returnees: QB Dan Persa, DE Vince Browne
Key Game: October 15 @ Iowa
Prediction: 8-4 (Insight Bowl)
29.) Connecticut- For those who question the Huskies hiring of Paul Pasqualoni, I ask you, what happened to Syracuse football after he left? I know that losing Jordan Todman and Lawrence Wilson, along with the heart of the defense, Scott Lutrus hurts. I know they have no proven QB, and they will likely either go with a Freshman or a guy named Box. Still, few programs overachieve like UConn. A manageable non-conference slate will give the Huskies a chance to ease that transition.
Road trips to Pittsburgh, Morgantown and Cincinnati will be a challenge, but tell me any other spots where the school that won the arbitrary watered-down tournament they play in March will lose any other games. If you don't agree with me, let Coach Calhoun speak for me:
Last Year: 8-5 (Lost to Oklahoma in Fiesta Bowl, 48-20)
Key Losses: RB Jordan Todman, LB Scott Lutrus
Key Returnees: WR Michael Smith, LB Sio Moore
Key Game: October 8 @West Virginia
Prediction: 9-3 (Beef 'o' Brady's Bowl)
28.) Utah- The team that blazed the trail for the TCU's and Boise's of the world may find it a little bit tougher in amongst the tall trees of the PAC-12. That being said, any time you bring back 3 of your 4 top tacklers, and a multiple year starter at QB, along with a great coach who gets the most out of his team every year, you cannot sell the U of U short.
By the end of September, we may know exactly where the Runnin' Utes stand with road trips to the perennial king of the west, Southern Cal, and an early Holy War with Brigham Young. By October 1, Utah will either be riding the backroads of College Football or primed to play in the first-ever Pac-12 Title game. I fear the real Utes were the ones against TCU, Notre Dame and Boise in the Las Vegas Bowl, not the team that started 8-0.
Last Year: 10-3 (Lost to Boise State in Las Vegas Bowl, 26-3)
Key Losses: RB Eddie Wide, CB Lamar Chapman
Key Returnees: QB Jordan Wynn, LB Chaz Walker
Key Game: September 10 @Southern Cal
Prediction: 8-4 (Sun Bowl)
27.) Brigham Young- There may be no team more intriguing and fun to follow than the Y. It is a brave new world, being an Independent. Still, I think that Brigham Young can turn into Notre Dame lite in that regard because they have a national base due to their religious affiliation.
As far as on the field is concerned, so much is tied to the maturation of Jake Heaps. With JJ DiLuigi toting the rock and Cody Hoffman back at receiver, BYU should be a typical BYU offense. If BYU can find some defense and can carry over the momentum they had at the end of last season, the fighting Bronco Mendenhalls could grab another 10-win season, their 5th in 6 seasons. At Ole Miss and at Texas is a rough way to kick off the season, but how can you not get behind this guy?
Last Year: 7-6 (Beat UTEP in New Mexico Bowl, 52-24)
Key Losses: S Andrew Rich, PK Mitch Payne
Key Returnees: RB JJ DiLuigi, LB Brandon Ogletree
Key Game: September 10 @Texas
Prediction: 9-3 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
26.) South Florida- It didn't take long for the son of Dr. Lou to raise the expectations of the state of Florida's other team. Job #1 for USF is finding a way for BJ Daniels to stop being a walking turnover. No doubt the kid is exciting. He just needs to stop being exciting for the other team. Getting transfer Darrell Scott from Colorado will help. USF will always be stout on defense and this year is no different. DeDe Lattimore, Jon Lejiste and Jerrell Young will be the anchors, this season. Lindsey Lamar is a mini-Devin Hester running back kicks. In a league where there is so little difference between teams, it could be Lamar that is the difference for the Bulls in '11.
A Holtz starting the season at Notre Dame. Makes sense. That is the kind of game that sets the tone for the season for both USF and the Irish. The first two Big East games (at Pitt, at UConn) will let us know early if Skip's team are contenders or typical USF, lots of talent without much to show for it. Still, this team looked strong at the end of the year, pushing UConn to the brink and handling Clemson in the bowl game. Believe it or not, I think USF=BCS, this year. I hope that excites these gals. Yes!
Last Year: 8-5 (Beat Clemson in Meineke Car Care Bowl, 31-26)
Key Losses: C Sampson Genus, LB Jacquian Willams
Key Returnees: KR Lindsey Lamar, LB Sam Barrington
Key Game: September 3 @Notre Dame
Prediction: 8-4 (Orange Bowl)
Not a bad primer, right? Over the coming days, we'll see where everybody else lands in the world of Marty. Even if you disagree with me, please admit I have more knowledge than this lady.
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