At noon on Saturday, the second ranked Buckeyes will try to improve upon their opening game record of 102-12-4. Last season Ohio State defeated the Youngstown State 38-6.
After the first quarter you may see Ohio State’s young players getting extended playing time. Many fans will be anticipating the premier of Terrelle Pryor, but Daniel Herron and Brandon Saine might steal the offensive headlines among the youngsters.
The View
Ohio State is attempting to become the second team (Florida State being the first) to play in three straight BCS National Championship Games. Youngstown State will not be the team to destroy that goal. If this were a movie it would be titled Death March of the Penguins Part II.
Ohio State 45, YSU 3
Thursday, August 28, 2008
No. 20 Illinois at No. 6 Missouri (minus 9)
Missouri defeated Illinois 40-34 last season. The Tigers lead the series 14-7 and are 4-1 in St. Louis.
With Rashard Mendenhall going to the NFL, Illinois will rely on the arm and legs of Juice Williams to carry the offense. If Williams throws for at least 295 yards in this game he will surpass Jeff George for seventh on the Illini passing list. However, Juice won’t have to do everything by himself. Sophomore wide receiver Arrelious Benn and running back Daniel Dufrene will help carry the load.
Gary Pinkel is entering his eighth season at Missouri and last season’s 12-2 record was by far his best as the Tigers head coach. To prevent a letdown Pinkel will rely on senior quarterback Chase Daniel and super sophomore Jeremy Maclin. In 2007 Daniel set the school record for passing yards (4,306) and touchdowns thrown (33). Maclin can score by air, ground and kick return. Last season he gained 2,776 all-purpose yards, good for an NCAA freshman record.
If this year’s game is half as entertaining as last year’s game everybody watching will be in for a treat. Illinois has never won in the Edward Jones Dome. After defeating Missouri they will have a 1-3 record in the dome.
Illinois 20, Missouri 17
With Rashard Mendenhall going to the NFL, Illinois will rely on the arm and legs of Juice Williams to carry the offense. If Williams throws for at least 295 yards in this game he will surpass Jeff George for seventh on the Illini passing list. However, Juice won’t have to do everything by himself. Sophomore wide receiver Arrelious Benn and running back Daniel Dufrene will help carry the load.
Gary Pinkel is entering his eighth season at Missouri and last season’s 12-2 record was by far his best as the Tigers head coach. To prevent a letdown Pinkel will rely on senior quarterback Chase Daniel and super sophomore Jeremy Maclin. In 2007 Daniel set the school record for passing yards (4,306) and touchdowns thrown (33). Maclin can score by air, ground and kick return. Last season he gained 2,776 all-purpose yards, good for an NCAA freshman record.
If this year’s game is half as entertaining as last year’s game everybody watching will be in for a treat. Illinois has never won in the Edward Jones Dome. After defeating Missouri they will have a 1-3 record in the dome.
Illinois 20, Missouri 17
No. 24 Alabama at No. 9 Clemson (minus 5)
This will be the first time Clemson and Alabama have played each other since 1975. The Tigers thumped the Crimson Tide 56-0 in Tuscaloosa. However, Alabama leads the series 11-3.
Clemson is returning one of the most experienced and talented backfields in college football. This will be the third year the Tigers have the security of James Davis and C.J. Spiller at running back. Clemson also has senior Cullen Harper returning at quarterback. Last season Harper only broke 21 school records. Clemson should also have a stout defense led by its secondary. The Tigers have four returning starters to a secondary that was ranked 13th in the nation last season.
Nick Saban is entering his second season as Alabama’s head coach. He will have a three-year starting quarterback in John Parker Wilson and offensive line led by Andre Smith to rely on. Saban also has an exciting freshman wide receiver in Julio Jones. Unfortunately the rest of the team might not be that reliable.
Look for Clemson’s running game to expose Alabama’s defensive line.
Clemson 33, Alabama 21
Clemson is returning one of the most experienced and talented backfields in college football. This will be the third year the Tigers have the security of James Davis and C.J. Spiller at running back. Clemson also has senior Cullen Harper returning at quarterback. Last season Harper only broke 21 school records. Clemson should also have a stout defense led by its secondary. The Tigers have four returning starters to a secondary that was ranked 13th in the nation last season.
Nick Saban is entering his second season as Alabama’s head coach. He will have a three-year starting quarterback in John Parker Wilson and offensive line led by Andre Smith to rely on. Saban also has an exciting freshman wide receiver in Julio Jones. Unfortunately the rest of the team might not be that reliable.
Look for Clemson’s running game to expose Alabama’s defensive line.
Clemson 33, Alabama 21
Utah at Michigan (minus 3.5)
This will be the second time Michigan and Utah have played each other. In 2002, Michigan won 10-7 at home.
What may surprise many people is that the team with the best offense in this game might belong to Utah. The Utes definitely will have more experience in the backfield. Oft injured senior quarterback, Brian Johnson, hopes to start this season better than 2007. Johnson injured himself in last season’s first game and the Utes went on to a 1-3 record in the first four games without him. When Johnson returned Utah was able to win eight of the final nine games. If Johnson has fully recovered from off-season shoulder surgery and Darrell Mack and Matt Asiata find running room the Utes might upset Michigan.
Michigan fans are not sure what to expect from this year’s team. Last season the Wolverines were favored to win the Big Ten with the return of Mike Hart, Chad Henne, Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington. This season even the most loyal Michigan fan would be hard pressed to name the new starters at these key offensive positions. First year coach Rich Rodriguez is struggling to find a starting quarterback. Neither Nick Sheridan nor Steven Threet has separated himself to claim the job. Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown, Michael Shaw and Sam McGuffie are fighting for playing time at running back. Also, the Wolverines are very green at wide receiver.
Michigan fans leave the stands with their heads shaking again. However, this time they leave with a victory.
Michigan 24, Utah 21
What may surprise many people is that the team with the best offense in this game might belong to Utah. The Utes definitely will have more experience in the backfield. Oft injured senior quarterback, Brian Johnson, hopes to start this season better than 2007. Johnson injured himself in last season’s first game and the Utes went on to a 1-3 record in the first four games without him. When Johnson returned Utah was able to win eight of the final nine games. If Johnson has fully recovered from off-season shoulder surgery and Darrell Mack and Matt Asiata find running room the Utes might upset Michigan.
Michigan fans are not sure what to expect from this year’s team. Last season the Wolverines were favored to win the Big Ten with the return of Mike Hart, Chad Henne, Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington. This season even the most loyal Michigan fan would be hard pressed to name the new starters at these key offensive positions. First year coach Rich Rodriguez is struggling to find a starting quarterback. Neither Nick Sheridan nor Steven Threet has separated himself to claim the job. Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown, Michael Shaw and Sam McGuffie are fighting for playing time at running back. Also, the Wolverines are very green at wide receiver.
Michigan fans leave the stands with their heads shaking again. However, this time they leave with a victory.
Michigan 24, Utah 21
Michigan State at Cal (minus 5)
Michigan State leads the series 2-1, but Cal won defeated the Spartans 46-22 in 2002.
Brian Hoyer hopes to start the season better than how he finished 2007. Hoyer threw four interceptions in the Champs Sports Bowl as MSU lost 21-24 to Boston College. Fortunately for Hoyer he will have Javon Ringer to hand the ball off to relieve some defensive pressure. Ringer only rushed for 1,447 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry last year.
Most college football fans would expect to see senior Nate Longshore starting this game as Cal’s quarterback. However, red-shirt sophomore Kevin Riley won the starting job during camp. Both Riley and Longshore are going to see snaps against the Spartans. Other key players for the Golden Bears are tailback Jahvid Best and linebacker Zach Follett.
Michigan State will use one quarterback. Cal will use two. Michigan State wins.
Michigan State 28, Cal 24
Brian Hoyer hopes to start the season better than how he finished 2007. Hoyer threw four interceptions in the Champs Sports Bowl as MSU lost 21-24 to Boston College. Fortunately for Hoyer he will have Javon Ringer to hand the ball off to relieve some defensive pressure. Ringer only rushed for 1,447 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry last year.
Most college football fans would expect to see senior Nate Longshore starting this game as Cal’s quarterback. However, red-shirt sophomore Kevin Riley won the starting job during camp. Both Riley and Longshore are going to see snaps against the Spartans. Other key players for the Golden Bears are tailback Jahvid Best and linebacker Zach Follett.
Michigan State will use one quarterback. Cal will use two. Michigan State wins.
Michigan State 28, Cal 24
Monday Night: No. 18 Tennessee at UCLA (plus 7.5)
Tennessee leads the series 7-4-2. 1997 was the last time these teams met and Tennessee won 30-24..
Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow will make their debuts with UCLA. Neuheisel as head coach and Chow, the former USC quarterback’s coach, as offensive coordinator. Unfortunately for the Bruins not even all of that genius can prevent injury. UCLA lost quarterbacks Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson to injury. That means a junior college transfer, Kevin Craft, gets the nod against the Volunteers.
Look for Tennessee to make amends for last season’s opening road loss against Cal. Running back Arian Foster, wide receiver Lucas Taylor and Tennessee’s defense will be the keys to a Volunteer victory.
Tennessee 35, UCLA 17
Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow will make their debuts with UCLA. Neuheisel as head coach and Chow, the former USC quarterback’s coach, as offensive coordinator. Unfortunately for the Bruins not even all of that genius can prevent injury. UCLA lost quarterbacks Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson to injury. That means a junior college transfer, Kevin Craft, gets the nod against the Volunteers.
Look for Tennessee to make amends for last season’s opening road loss against Cal. Running back Arian Foster, wide receiver Lucas Taylor and Tennessee’s defense will be the keys to a Volunteer victory.
Tennessee 35, UCLA 17
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