MICHIGAN STATE v CALIFORNIA

Two teams, two different conferences, two different paths, one record of 7-6. Cal was flying high at the beginning of last season as they were on the brink of a number 1 ranking. Then something happened, the bears went in hibernation as they fell down, down to the ground losing six of their last seven. Michigan St. on the other hand played well all season and were a few points short of a stellar season, losing some close games to good teams (Ohio St. 17-24, Michigan 24-28, Wisconsin 34-37, Iowa 27-34 OT). Head Coach Mark Dantonio in his first year led the Spartans to their first bowl game since 2003. Cal is better than their record was last year and now the expectations are down, which is when Jeff Tedford thrives. Mich. St. is on the rise and returns many of their key starters. This game will be close and I’m like a teeter totter with my pick so I’m going to break this game down position by position.



Quarterback
Mich. St. Brian Hoyer showed some moxie and promise with strong decision making as a starter in his first year. He’s only 6-2, so not your desired height out of a QB, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in heart. Not a running QB but has good mobility and pocket presence.
Cal. For arguing purposes we’re going to assume Nate Longshore is the starter. Longshore a two year starter did not play well when Cal struggled, due to foot injuries or mental lapses he frankly played like crap. Longshore though is 6-5, has a good arm and has shown flashes of being a star. With showboat DeSean Jackson gone, Longshore needs to take control of the huddle and consistently make good passes.
Advantage: Mich ST

Running Back
Mich. St. The Spartans have a ringer in Javon Ringer. He’s a little guy only 5-9, but this kid can move and is a homerun waiting to happen. Sporting News has Ringer as a second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten. Ringer is good but he will need a bigger back to come in for those short yards. A.J Jimmerson and Ashton Leggett are bigger bruisers and vying for that complimentary spot behind Ringer.
Cal. This is the game of little tailbacks as Cal’s Jahvid Best is only 5-10 but just as explosive as Ringer. Best is coming off a hip injury and we’ll have to wait and see how his health is, but when healthy this guy can run like the wind. With only spot duties last year for Justin Forsett it will be interesting and very fun to watch Best for what is becoming running back U.
Advantage: Mich St.

Wide Receiver
Both teams lost their main go to guys last year and now need receivers by committee until someone steps up and makes a name for themselves like Devin Thomas and DeSean Jackson did. There is no winner here until I get to see who steps up and makes some plays.

O-Line
Mich St. The Spartans lost four out of their five starters on the offensive line so it will be up to some new faces to block and hold their own in the trenches.
Cal. Alex Mack is one of the best Centers in the nation. He’s a big guy who could be a tackle at 6-5 316. This is an experienced line with four out of the five starters being seniors.
Advantage: Cal

D-Line
Mich St. Lost three of their four starters last year and look to DT Antonio Jeremiah (6-5 322) to be a beast and plug some running lanes. The ends are not big guys there more like tall linebackers, but they have the speed to get a good pass rush.
Cal. The Bears just switched to a 3-4 front to better soot their personal, so good line play is critical to let the linebackers run and do what they do best, hit somebody. Their DE’s are anchored by ex-marine Rulon Davis who showed star potential in six games of play getting 3 sacks. The main point of the three down line man is the nose tackle and 6-2 311 Mika Kane is gonna have to play big.
Advantage: Who ever steps up

Linebackers
Mich St. The three '07 opening day starters are gone but sophomores Eric Gordon, Greg Jones and Jon Misch were all plugged into the lineup at some point getting substantial playing time and playing well. A young group with experience and talent has the potential to be stars for the Spartans for some time if they stay healthy.
Cal. Zack Follett has one of the best football IQ’s and is a hell of an athlete. He reads and sees the plays like Zach Thomas of the dolphins. With Follett and speedy Mike Mohamed rushing off the end and Worrell Williams and Anthony Fielder holding down the middle this is a group not to be messed with.
Advantage: Cal

Secondary
Mich St. This could be the best secondary the Spartans have fielded in the last 10 years led by senior cornerback Kendell Davis-Clark. Sophomore Ross Weaver who got some time on the field last year is big for CB at 6-1 202lbs. With his size he brings good footwork and an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Cal. Thomas Decoud is gone after leaving for the NFL but the bears return key starters, CB Syd’Quan Thompson and FS Bernard Hicks. This will be a solid group for the bears, but will need to see good consistent play from new starter at cornerback 6-3 198lbs Chris Conte.
Advantage: Mich St

Coaches: Who knows how good Dantonio will be and Tedford Shines when there isn’t expectations so to me the better coach is who wins this game.



Prediction
Home field advantage will be huge and give the bears that little extra boost they need to win between these evenly matched teams at California Memorial Stadium.

Michigan St. Cal
34 37(OT)

Illinois Vs. Missouri

Wow! There is no better way to kick off the new college football season than with two highly touted National Championship contenders. Sure there’s 11,12, or 13 more games left after this, but the winners confidence will be higher than partiers at an
Amsterdam pot fest. You don’t win the season in this one game, but you do set the foundation. These two teams who battled at the start of last year in an epic Missouri 40-34 win will go to war again and not disappoint, behind the leadership of General Daniels and General Juice. The Surgeon general called with a warning and said don’t miss this game.



Keys for Illinois

It all starts with the man behind center, Juice Williams. We all know he is a gifted athlete who can take off at any time for a touchdown, but can he consistently make good decisions in the passing game. He ran for 755 yds and threw for only 1,743 yds ranking 109th in the nation. With Rashard Mendenhall leaving to the NFL draft after his junior year Juice is going to need to step his passing game up to continue off of last years success. Williams has a cannon for an arm, but the knack is his decision making. The good thing is that he can improve and reports show he is progressing, reading defenses and getting the ball out quicker. The Tigers will pack the box to stop the run so he will have favorably match ups with his receivers. He needs to find the man to man coverage and exploit it if the Fighting Illini are going to win.

As much as Juice needs to become more of a passer, this is still a running team averaging 256.8 yards a game last year. Replacing Mendenhall will be tough, but someone has to do it and that someone is Daniel Dufrene. Dufrene showed flashes of stardom in spot duty last year and will look to help the Illinois lead the Big Ten in rushing for a third consecutive year. Dufrene has the potential to be very good but will need showcase is talents in this game. I saw his highlight tape and this (6-0, 240 lbs) freshman is big and fast. I know it was high school, but he was leaving DB’s who had an angle on him in the dust. LeShoure and Dufrene need to make people forget about Mendenhall right away or the Illini will start off 0-1.
The ingredients for a good receiver tandem is to have a deep threat for the home run ball and a possession receiver to go across the middle and make those tough yardage catches. The Illini have the peanut butter in Arrelious Benn (last years Big Ten freshman of the year) A great player and deep threat with good speed and hands and the Jelly in 6-5 247 lbs. Jeff Cumberland, the big target who can “go get it” for those tough third down plays. Put those two players with the leadership and sure hands of the bread of this group senior Kyle Hudson and you got a great receiver sandwich. Throw in a side salad of TE Michael Hoomanawanui and you got a great meal with some Juice. If they can get open and make plays after the catch they will take tremendous pressure off Juice and win this game.
The Defense for the Illinois will be one of the best in the Big Ten and it all starts up front with the experience and tenacity of the four starting seniors. End Will Davis will need to continue to cause quarterback nightmares. The key to this game will be up front and this unit getting pressure on Daniels and forcing him into a scrambling QB. Daniels two years ago didn’t have as much success because he tucked the ball and ran too much. Missouri has a new left tackle and that match up will has to be exploited. If Daniels has time he will pick apart this secondary other than whomever All American corner Vantae Davis is guarding.
The linebacker core is the weak point of this defense and will need to show some testicular fortitude and show the Tigers they can make plays and tackle.
Vantae Davis is a stud, ball hawk, shutdown corner, cover man, whatever name you have for a star cornerback he is just that. Davis is solid and will hold down his side in one on one coverage. So it is up to CB Dere Hicks and new Safeties Garret Edwards and Bo flowers to not get picked apart. This will be a challenge and measuring stick for the Illinois secondary going against one of the best passers in Daniels. This will test the young Illini secondary and that is why it is so key for the front seven to get pressure. If the defense can force a few turnovers and limit the Tigers offense to less than 28 points they will win this game.

Keys for the Tigers

The Tigers will go as far as QB Chase Daniels takes them, if he can continue off of last years stellar numbers, 4,306 passing yards and 33 TD with a 68.2 completion percentage they will be fine. The key for Daniels will be the continuation of scaling down his running. With a new center and (blindside) left tackle position being filled this year he will need composure and pocket presence to step up and get the ball to his playmakers. If Daniels’ line can give him time he will put the ball on a dime. If he reverts to his old ways of tucking the ball and running they will not win.
Good teams have game breaking players and Missouri has a hell of a player in Jeremy Maclin. How good is he? If he was a fruit he’d be a star fruit, 2,776 all purpose yards last year, the most by a freshman in NCAA history. The Illini know him very well as he returned a punt for a touchdown against them in his first colligate football game. The Tigers need to get the ball in his hands and let him “do what he do” if they want to win this game.
Jimmy Jackson the Tigers running back doesn’t need to put up huge numbers but he does need to bring a balance to this offense. With defenses keying on Daniels and Maclin, Jackson has a chance to surprise people with his swift moves and quickness. The key to this offense will be getting a consistent running game to balance this offense. If Jackson can average over 4 yards a carry they will put up huge numbers.
This Missouri defense will have there hands full keeping Juice Williams contained, but 9 of 11 starters returning will make it easier. The ends of Missouri have to be mentally focused and stay in their lanes, if they crash inside and don’t to cover the bootleg it will be a long day, they need to stay outside and funnel him into the big boys in the middle.
The Linebacker group is one of the most experienced in the Big Ten led by standout Sean Weatherspoon. Brock Christopher is the man to watch as he is most likely going to play most of the game in a QB spy. He needs to be aware of Juice and help the D-line contain him.
William Moore the All-American free safety is good, real good and anchors this secondary which returns both its starting cornerbacks. The Illini have a speed and size and will be a tough match up for this secondary. The key is to keep the receivers in front of them and take away the big plays. Moore has great instincts and will be critical in this game. I look forward to watching CB Castine Bridges go head to head with tall Illini receiver Jeff Cumberland.

This will be a tough, well coached, well played game and the team with the biggest plays and fewest mistakes will win.

Prediction
Missouri Illinois
30 27

Kentucky at Louisville

Two teams who took totally different roads last year; Louisville with the preseason hype struggled to a 6-6 record and Kentucky surprised everyone going 8-5 and beating Florida State in the Music City Bowl. That was last year and the big question of this game is which quarterback will erase those memories of Andre Woodson and Brian Brohm? Who are Hunter Cantwell and Justin Pulley besides the next guy?



Louisville’s QB Hunter Cantwell is a big (6-5 236lb) senior who has been patiently waiting for his time to shine. He has to erase the memories of a horrible season filled with losses and many off-field dramatics and discipline problems. Cantwell is the real deal with a rocket arm and huge hands (10.5 inches) but needs to find rhythm and consistency with new receivers Scott Long and the little 5-9 Trent “Fast” Guy.

In typical Louisville fashion they have a big running back 6-0 238lbs Brock Bolen. Bolen will try to run over people with his power and has decent enough hands to be a threat out of the backfield. The Cardinals will once again have a high-powered offense averaging somewhere around 30 points a game.

The defense has been the question mark the last few years for this Louisville team. How many points are they going to give up this week? I don’t know how they will be but at least they have a whole new defensive coaching staff, which can’t do any worse than last years 31.4 ppg allowed.

Kentucky had a great 2007 season and I’m sorry to say this, but that won’t happen again. I don’t know how Curtis Pulley will play and I haven’t seen him live, but I know he is no Andre Woodson. Pulley isn’t the only new starter on offense as they have to replace their RB, TE and WRs. The only key contributor on offense returning is undersized receiver Dicky Lyons. Sorry Wildcats I loved your story last year but I don’t think this group can compete at this high level.

One good thing I can say about this 2008 Kentucky team is they have an experienced defense with eight returning starters. The problem is they're not that good. They had some flashes of "goodness" early on, then let Mississippi State score 31 at home in Commonwealth stadium. They do have one star on the D and I have a little man crush on him, Defensive-End Jeremy “put ya in a” Jarmon. Jarmon is only a Jr and mark my word he will be an NFL player, he has speed, quickness and a great motor. Hey one bright spot in eleven players isn’t that bad, right, I mean we have only one sun for 6 billion people, right?

Hey, the teams might not be that good, but it is a rivalry game and both teams will play their hearts out to say they’re the better team in the Bluegrass state.

Prediction
Kentucky Louisville
17 31

UCLA vs. TENNESSEE
How will Ben Olson play after breaking the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot during spring practice? How will Jonathon Crompton play now that Erik Ainge is gone and he’s the starter? Which running back, Arian Foster of Tenn. or Kahlil Bell of UCLA, will run for more yards? Whose D will step up and prove to be a dominating force?



All very good questions, but the answer to who will win this game lies in the answer to this question. What Team will grasp and execute their new Offensive Coordinators scheme.

Norm Chow is one of the best ever and is as much responsible for the re-emergence of USC football as Pete Carroll. New coach Rick Neuheisel is lucky the Titans let him go and he came back to the “City of Angles” but this time the richer side of town. He will help Ben Olson to live up to the hype he once had after returning from a Mormon mission and going to UCLA over first committed BYU. Chow wont have the best receivers under his watch as they try to replace Brandon Breazell and Joe Cowan. Marcus Everett a talented senior who was granted a medical redshirt after an injury last year will need to step up and lead by example to a younger receiving core. One weapon Chow has to utilize and will is Kahlil Bell who averaged just less than 100 yards a game in split duty last year. Chow brings a pro style offense and experience witch will need to catch on immediately with his new team.



The other new offensive coordinator in the game isn’t as well known as Chow, but he will have a bigger significance in style of play if not wins/losses. The Vols pulled Dave Clawson out of 1-AA Richmond to bring their offense up to speed in this fast changing world of college football. Clawson brings with him a more open offense than Tennessee fans are used to featuring 4 wide sets and a “G-Gun” package witch is like Arkansas “Wild Hog” formation to utilize gifted wide out Gerald Jones. This is a great system for Jonathon Crompton who is an athletic QB who can run and most of all is nothing like drop back passer Erik Ainge. With a pass to set up the run mentality look for RB Arian Foster to make some big plays behind an experienced O line.

Both teams have solid Defenses but winner of this game will comedown to the offensive coordinators.

PREDICTION
UCLA TENNESSEE
20 27

Appalachian State at LSU

Last year’s win over Michigan in the “Big House” was no fluke App. State is a solid team. They’ve won 3 strait D II (FCS) titles. This is a good team but they have to replace three big starters from last year, RB Kevin Richardson (1,394 rushing yards 21 T D’s) and two wide outs Dexter Jackson (688 receiving yards 8 TD’s) and Hans Batichon (819 yds 7 TD’s). As big of a loss as those guys are they still have one of the best QB’s in the nation. That’s right, the nation; not the FCS or FBS, combine all the people who play QB in college and he’s in the top five. Armanti Edwards, remember that name now because you will hear it later. Michigan players and fans know his name well. He ran for 1,588 years and 21 TD’s while throwing for 1,948 and 17 TD’s last year. Edwards is great and makes App. St. better but he’s on a team built around speed and recruiting players who don’t have typical D I size.

It was speed that beat a bigger slower Michigan team and unfortunately LSU has size and speed.
LSU would have had a great chance at repeating their National Championship run of last year had Ryan Perrilloux not been a hyped up trouble making quarterback version of Maurice Clarett. The Tigers lose a great football player but can stop taking aspirin because the headache is gone. The weight and hopes of the Tigers now rest on redshirt freshman Jarret Lee or Andrew Hatch. The official starter is not known but each QB brings a different skill set to the table Lee brings athleticism and mobility while Hatch is more in the mold of Matt Flyn, drop back passer Andrew Hatch. We may and probably will see both QB’s this year, but it will be up to RB Keiland Williams and big wide receivers Brandon LaFell (6-3 194) and Demetrius Byrd (6-2 195) to help out the inexperienced QB who ever it may be.

This game "could" be close if App. ST. can score on the LSU D, which lost big starters Glen “big daddy” Dorsey and ball hawking safety Craig Steltz. But like all good programs LSU has stars waiting to shine when the right time comes around. Ricky Jean-Francois was the best lineman on the field in the National championship game and will give App. St problems all day. This LSU D is good and players filling in will step up no doubt about it. Lucky for App. St. their D is still intact returning all starters from their front seven. App. St. D needs to be stellar and be ready for a war behind their General Armanti at Tiger Stadium if they want to win the battle of last years Champions.

PREDICTION
Appalachian State LSU
24 38

Washington at Oregon
There is no grace period when you face a conference foe in the first week. No D II cupcake (except Appalachian St.) to get the kinks out, It’s tough now and tough later. Autzen Stadium will be rocking as these northwest foes knock heads. Ty Willingham is on the hot seat in his fourth season as the Huskies coach needs to reach a bowl game and beat the hated Washington St. Cougars. His job will go as far as the arms and legs of the talented QB Jake Locker take them. Oregon’s hopes and dreams aren’t solely on one man, as a new QB is acclimated to the Pac 10. Two teams with one common goal, win football games, unlucky for one of these Northwest rivals, there has to be a loser.

So how will Oregon play after National championship hopes were lost last year due to Dennis Dixon’s knee injury? The Ducks have to fill the gap of departed stars Dixon and their stud first round draft pick RB Jonathan Stewart. If these spots can be filled reasonably well the Ducks have a good chance to be competitive for the Pac 10 championship. Nate Costa will only be asked to run this offense smoothly and not turn the ball over. RB Jeremiah Johnson will be a work horse. They have 15 returning starters and a tremendous defense lead by star All American safety Patrick Chung. Ducks and D don’t usually go together and it starts up front with D-ends Will Tukuafu and the returning league sack leader Nick Reed (12). Expect them to put pressure on Locker all day. If locker is fortunate to have time to throw look for this secondary to be around the Huskies’ receivers like a hot chick at a sausage fest. CB Walter Thurmond and Jarious Byrd who combined for 12 picks last year, with the help of Chung they have one of the best secondary’s in the conference and the nation.

Washington has a stud of a QB in Jake Locker but he will need to become more of a passer if they hope to rise up in the Pac 10 standings. He ran for 986 yards and 13 TD with a 5.7 YPC avg. witch is awesome especially for a freshman but 2,062 yds passing 14 TD and 15 INT is not. Locker will have to make new connections after losing four starters at wideout. Curtis Shaw and fellow sophomore receiver D’andre Goodwin need to create some chemistry with Locker play some madden go fishing and play catch so he has confidence in their routes and abilities. There are to many new faces on this offense to finish in the top four of the Pac 10 and make or bowl game, and they won’t get their first conference win against the Ducks. . Defense wins championships, and good defenses have star players. Oregon has two All-Americans and Washington’s defense set records last year in yards and points allowed, advantage ducks. A new defensive coordinator will help the Huskies, but there is a lot of work to be done on a unit with veterans scattered throughout the lineup.
Prediction
Oregon Washington
41 24