College Football No. 2

Sorry about the lack of posts this week, but here's my predictions for weeks six through eleven of college football. For week six, I think that the game of the week is No. 1 Florida versus No. 11 LSU. This is Florida's first real test after stomping their first two opponents so far. I'm going to take them to win the game, because right now it isn't smart to bet against Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer.



For week seven, I picked two games. First, No. 14 Virginia Tech versus No. 15 Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech lost a tough game to Alabama, so I like them to win. The second game is No. 3 USC versus No. 18 Notre Dame. Notre Dame lost a heart breaker to Michigan, but USC looked too good against Ohio State for me to pick against them.



The next week, No. 13 Oklahoma plays No. 24 Kansas. Although Kansas is a very good team, Sam Bradford will be returning from a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the first game of the year, which Oklahoma lost. I expect him to be on a tear and predict an Oklahoma rout.



In week nine, No. 2 Texas plays No. 5 Oklahoma State, who just lost to my new favorite team, Houston. I expect this to be a high scoring game. If my Heisman pick Colt McCoy doesn't amass at least five hundred yards, I'm going to be dissapointed.



In week ten, we have a rare SEC showdown that doesn't involve Florida. No. 11 LSU plays No. 4 Alabama. I'm liking Alabama to win, and Julio Jones is the best wide receiver in the country, but this game doesn't even matter because Florida is going right through the SEC on their way to a championship.



The next week, in an ACC game, No. 20 Miami plays No. 19 North Carolina. There are rumors the Miami is going back to being a good program, and I'm a Duke fan so I'm going to pick Miami.

College Football No. 1

Tonight, college football officially began the 2009 season. College football is similar to college basketball in the fact that the players work harder and controversy in playoff decisions. In college, athletes have something to prove and tend to work a little harder than in the pro's, when they're guaranteed money. Also, the selection committee for both basketball and football has made some questionable decisions. Anyone remember Texas last year and Syracuse in 2006-2007.



Tonight, the only really notable game is No. 16 Oregon versus No. 14 Boise State. Boise State has been very successful the past six years, winning a bowl game against Oklahoma a few years back. Oregon is an up and coming team that has produced a few NFL players the past few years. Both teams are very exciting, and I'm expecting an interesting and fast paced game. Also, the game is played at Boise State, which has probably the coolest field in the NCAA.



In this post, I'm going to look at some of the most exciting games of the year, starting with day one and going until the end. To begin with, I'll start with Saturday's Minnesota at Syracuse game. Neither team is ranked, but this marks the debut of Greg Paulus as the Syracuse quarterback. With Paulus having fragile confidence after coming off of a horrible senior season at Duke, this game will probably be an indication of the season to come. I'll take the Paulus flop.



The next game that I really noticed was No. 4 USC at No. 6 Ohio State. Last year, USC won but there was some controversy at quarterback for Ohio State. This year, Terrelle Pryor is the definite starter for Ohio State and Usc is the one with some quarterback drama. Also, both teams lost key players on both sides of the ball. This game should be more competitive than last years, and I'm predicting an Ohio State victory.



Om September 19th, Texas Tech visits No. 2 Texas. Even though Texas Tech isn't rated, they're always dangerous with their spread offense and Mike Leach coaching. Last year, Texas Tech beat Texas in what was probably the game of the year and ended up keeping Texas from going to the national championship game. This should add more heat to the game, and I think that Texas should win in favorable fashion.



The next week is a little bit quiet, but I think that the game of the week is No. 12 California against No. 16 Oregon. This is a Pac-10 game that will probably have playoff implications. Both teams have been said to be over-rated, but they could easily win the Pac-10 if USC slips up. I"m taking California over Oregon, although they have the best uniforms in the country.



On October 3rd, No. 11 LSU goes to No. 13 Georgia to play in a typical SEC rivalry game. This game will probably implicate who plays Florida in the SEC final. I'm going to take Georgia in an upset because of a gut feeling I have about them and a hatred of LSU.



This concludes the first of my college football trilogy. Check back the next few days to see the next two.

Tim Tebow and Psycho T: Competitors of the Century

It is rare that a successful college athlete would turn down the millions of dollars that are guaranteed with the signing of a contract. Why go back to school for a year or two and risk being injured and having all your success and future fortune taken away? The answer is a shot at glory and history, not to mention your dedication to your college and desire to win. Not many athletes see this. They play in leagues where one day it can all end and your career and aspirations are over. They want to get the money now while they're healthy. It takes a special person to realize this and an even better player to achieve it. It takes a player like this.



Gotcha. Or a player like this.



Tim Tebow and Psycho T both came back to school for their senior years, turning down the money and fame of the NFL and NBA. They also are very similar. Both are white men who often look like they don't belong in Division One sports. They also share three common traits, hustle, desire, and intensity. I'm a Duke fan, but it's easy to see that Psycho T just plain and simply outworks his competition. I don't even need to say anything for Tim Tebow.



Tim Tebow and Tyler Hansbrough just seem to be so alike. Both have(and will)star at major Division One colleges who have great tradition and programs in their respective sports. Both were very successful, each so far having one player of the year award and at least one national championship. They were both very successful in their college endeavors. They both share a look that says they don't belong playing but yet both dominate games. They're hated by opposing teams but loved by their own and I don't think that there is a program in the country who wouldn't want either.



Going into their senior seasons, both of their squads were ranked number one. Hansbrough and the North Carolina Tarheels won the championship after a few letdowns, none of those were at Cameron by the way. It will be interesting to see if Tim Tebow can finish the season where he started it and win a National Championship, which will be his third. He could also win his second Heisman trophy if he plays like he did the second half of the season.



The only thing that's different than last year for Tim is that the BCS is much stronger and one loss almost certainly derails your championship dreams. Last year, the one loss was what fueled them. Tebow gave a speech at the press conference that fired up him and the rest of his team mates and fueled them to go on and eventually win the National Championship.

Am I a little worried about Tim Tebow taking a few more snaps under center than last year or our games on October 10th and 31st against LSU and Georgia? A little bit, but one fact drowns that fear out. The fact that Tim Tebow, and Tyler Hansbrough, always find some way to get things done.They are the players that everyone wants but can't have and therefore are the most hated players in their respective sports. They are plain and simply competitors and winners before they are football and basketball players.



I'll end this blog by making my prediction about the upcoming college football season. Florida Gators 14-0 and National Champions and Tim Tebow Heisman Trophy winner.