Game Watch : Week 1

HOME COOKIN'

South Dakota State at Iowa State (Thu. 8/28)

Of course I lead off with my beloved Cyclones, who help kickoff the 2008 season with a Thursday night opener against FCS opponent South Dakota State. Lots of questions for Gene Chizik's crew, most importantly at Quarterback. Chizik named Austen Arnaud the starter for Week 1, but the competition between the Sophomores is far from over.

“We feel very, very good about where we are at quarterback,” Chizik said. “Unfortunately, only one guy can take the first snap.”

Most of us who follow ISU closely know that Chizik isn't blowing smoke here. Both young men have been impressive through Fall camp, preventing Chizik from naming a winner, like he wanted to.

“Some people will say that when you have two quarterbacks, you have none,” coach Gene Chizik said Friday evening. “That’s not our case.”

That fact is that neither of them has thrown a TD pass in college. Along with Special Teams and the D-Line, this is clearly the biggest thing to watch here as the Cyclones begin season two of the Chizik era.

MY PICK: ISU, 27-13

Maine at Iowa

All eyes on the Hawkeye Offense in this one. They return exactly 0 carries from their RB's last season, and Jake Christensen (lackluster incumbant) and Ricky Stanzi (not-ready-for-primetime newcomer) are currently listed as co-starters in Iowa's 2-deep.

If Iowa doesn't roll here, things could be even worse than they seem.

MY PICK: Iowa, 28-3

Northern Iowa at #16 Brigham Young

UNI beat Iowa State in Ames last year, and entered the FCS Playoffs as the only undefeated team, eventually losing to now-NFL QB Joe Flacco's Delaware Blue Hens. The Panthers lost their leader, QB Eric Sanders, to graduation but return enough talent to be very competitive.

BYU starts their attempt at perfection and a BCS bid.

MY PICK: BYU, 31-17

Boston College at Kent State

The interest here is in Kent State, who beat ISU in Ames last year (shut up... seriously), spoiling Coach Chizik's debut. They feature the nation's leading returning rusher from 2007 in Eugene Jarvis (1,669 yards), a 5-5 170 lb. waterbug, so there is a little national interest, but not much. Most of the interest will be in how BC recovers from the loss of Matt Ryan.

The Golden Flashes return to Ames in Week 2 this year, so we're just keeping an eye on our next opponent here. Not that we're looking ahead toward a serious payback beatdown, or anything...

MY PICK: BC, 20-10


MAIDEN VOYAGES

#23 Wake Forest at Baylor (Thu. 8/28)

A strong Wake team should win this game, but first games for new head coaches of BCS teams are always interesting. Art Briles inherits a team that went 0-8 in the Big XII last year. He has a bit of a QB competition of his own to deal with, which, as always, could be a good or bad thing.

MY PICK: Wake Forest 31-13

Utah at Michigan

Rich Rodriguez draws a tough matchup in his Blue Debut. Utah is considered one of the top non-BCS teams in the country coming in to the season, and Rodriguez will still be in the early early stages of trying to fit square pegs (Pro-style players) into rounds holes (Spread Option offense).

Michigan should have the athletes to win here, especially in the trenches, but they better be focused for 60 full minutes. The game should be very competitive, but losing Big House openers two years in a row...? I just don't see it.

MY PICK: Michigan, 20-14

Western Michigan at Nebraska

Well, the wackos in Nebraska think the program has already been saved by Jesus Osbourne and Bo Pelini, but we haven't even seen a snap yet.

Do you remember how awful Nebraska's defense was last year? They gave up 40+ points in half (6) of their games last year, including 172 (!!!) in their last 3 games (57.3 /game) against Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado.

Western Michigan closed out their 2007 with wins at Iowa (against a 6-5 Hawkeye team, on Senior Day, with a Bowl-bid on the line) and at home against Temple. But the fact is they still finished only 5-7 on the season, and 3-4 in the MAC.

Nebraska will win this game, but we won't learn if any Order has been Restored.

MY PICK: Nebraska, 31-21

#18 Tennessee at UCLA (Mon. 9/1)

Rick Neuheisel welcomes Phillip Fulmer's Volunteers to the Rose Bowl to start his tenure as top dog for the Bruins. UCLA's defense should be solid, but Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow will turn to JuCo transfer Kevin Craft lead the Offense after losing Ben Olsen for the year with a pre-season foot injury. This will put a lot of pressure on a running game that was not great last year, and only returns two starters on the O-Line.

QB Jonathan Crompton and HB Arian Foster will help the Vols score enough to win, and that shouldn't require too much work. Neuheisel gets thumped in his debut at home.

MY PICK: Tennessee, 27-10


BEST OF THE REST

#17 Virginia Tech at East Carolina

This game has upset written all over it. The Hokies squeeked by the Pirates, 17-7, in the opener in Blacksburg last year. This year, Frank Beamer is just trying to find bodies to put on the field on Offense. Graduation, injuries and suspensions have depleted the roster, and the Defense will (more than ever) need to carry them, especially early in the season. Did I mention there's a good chance that All-American candidate CB Macho Harris, who decided to return for his Senior year, will be out for this one?

My personal opinion is that VA Tech is a bit overrated this year, but I suppose we will see.

Skip Holtz has this East Carolina program on the rise, and I think this is the weekend he gets that "signature" win that proves it.

SIDE NOTE: How did East Carolina manage to get VA Tech and West Virginia at home to start the year?! Think they sold any season tickets this year? Cripes...

MY PICK: East Carolina, 16-13

Bowling Green at #25 Pittsburgh

Big game for The 'Stache. There is a lot of hype surrounding Pitt this year, after they knocked West Virginia out of the BCS title game with a 13-9 victory in Morgantown to end the year. With a solid Defense, and talented HB LeSean McCoy, it appears that Dave Wannstedt finally has a team that will get to a Bowl game, and possibly compete for a Big East title.

MY PICK: Pitt, 23-13

#3 USC at Virginia

This game will get ugly quick. USC's defense is ridiculous. They will outscore Virginia's Offense, and let QB Mark Sanchez ease his way back from a dislocated knee-cap by allowing him to hand the ball off... a lot.

This is the only tune-up for USC before the showdown against Ohio State at The Coliseum, so they will need to work out the playbook a little past page 3, but not much.

MY PICK: USC, 48-3

Appalachian State at #7 LSU

Sorry, App State. Not again this year. You'll see why Les Miles stayed in Baton Rouge instead of heading up north to Ann Arbor.

MY PICK: LSU, 34-17

Michigan State at California

This is a great matchup between teams that always seem to start hot, earn some hype, then crash to the ground in a flaming mess by the time the season ends.

Honestly, I have no read on this one, but I like Spartan HB Javon Ringer, and green is my favorite color. I'll go with Michigan State.

MY PICK: Michigan State, 27-20

Washington at #21 Oregon

Washington has two 3-game meat-grinder stretches on their schedule, and one of them starts Week 1 against Oregon at Autzen Stadium. They follow with non-Con home games against BYU and Oklahoma, before another stretch later in the year that goes: Notre Dame, @ USC, Arizona State.

Not good for Tyrone Willingham, who desperately needs a winning season after a 4-9 disappointment last year, including a 42-35 loss at home to in-state rival Washington State in the 100th Apple Cup.

For Oregon, a season ending injury to QB Matt Costa gives the starting job to Justin Roper by default, but Duck fans shouldn't be worried. Roper threw 4 TDs without an INT against South Florida in the Sun Bowl, and should play well enough to earn a victory over the Huskies.

Washington QB Jake Locker is one of the players that I can't wait to see this year, but he won't be able to get it done.

MY PICK: Oregon, 31-16

#24 Alabama vs. #9 Clemson (@ Atlanta, GA)

Another year, another season of high expectations for Tommy Bowden and the Clemson Tigers. We know about the loaded Offensive backfield of Harper, Davis and Spiller, but the big question mark is the O-Line that returns only one starter.

Nick Saban will continue to cycle in his young talent, and everyone is waiting to see Julio Jones on a college football field for the first time. Three-year starter at QB John Parker Wilson will provide the stability and leadership that a young team like this needs, and I think it's enough for the Tide to Roll up a mild upset on Opening Day.

MY PICK: Alabama, 23-21

#20 Illinois vs. #6 Missouri (@ St. Louis, MO)

Daniel, Maclin and Co. look to get off to a strong start in the newly-annual matchup against Illinois in St. Louis. The Tigers have a great shot at a Big XII title this year, and possibly more. While this game won't affect their conference standings, it will go a long way in determining their hopes for a BCS title.

What most people will be surprised with, however, is the strength of Mizzou's defense. They will need to be stout against Juice Williams, Arrelious Benn, and an Illinois team that is attempting to step into the role as the "other" team in the Big 11. Much of that will depend on Williams' growth as a passer.

I think Gary Pinkel's bunch will handle Team Zooker fairly easily in this one, and earn the first significant win by a BCS title contender this year.

MY PICK: Missouri, 34-17

Fresno State at Rutgers (Mon. 9/1)

I admit it: I am an unabashed member of the Pat Hill Fan Club and his "Any team, any time, anywhere" attitude to scheduling. Fresno State is the best non-BCS team country, and they will get plenty of chances to make noise this year against Rutgers (Big East), Wisconsin (Big 11) and UCLA (Pac 10). I first saw Bulldogs QB Tom Brandstater in last year's 47-45 3OT loss to Texas A&M in College Station, but that came after trailing 19-0 at Halftime. I think he's a special player, and everyone will know his name before this year is over.

Nobody's talking about Rutgers this year, outside from losing Ray Rice. Most of the Big East talk is centered around West Virginia, South Florida and sexy pick Pitt, but the Scarlet Knights return an experienced squad and a healthy Mike Teel.

This might be the most competitive game of the weekend, and I'm picking with my heart here...

MY PICK: Fresno State, 31-27

Iowa's Ferentz and Barta visit Happy Valley

According to Scout, the Head Coach and AD at Iowa were seen checking out the facilities at Penn State last week.

Scout - Ferentz And Co. Checking Out PSU

Now, this will make noise because Ferentz is from Pennsylvania and JoePa is 127 years old, but I'm sure it's nothing. Says right there in that there article that all kinds of coaches are checking out the facilities in Happy Valley these days. What's with the open-door policy? I don't know. Maybe they just like to show off.

What I do know is that Ferentz has a very lucrative contract at Iowa through 2012, and Iowa's practice facility is an ancient bubble. My money is on a legitimate "checking things out" tour. I mean, come on... if you were going to have lunch with a prospective new employer, would you take your boss?

Notre Dame AD White escapes to Duke

The Notre Dame/Kevin White marriage is finally over, and it's probably best for both parties. Let's review the recent history:

* White hires George O'Leary, only to discover that he lied on his resume. This lead to...
* Tyrone Willingham was hired instead. The first black head coach at ND.
* After three Willingham seasons (10-3, 5-7, 6-5: he was fired before ND's 6th loss to Oregon State in the Insight.com Bowl), the Notre Dame president and board of trustees decided to do White's job for him (against White's wishes) and fire Tyrone Willingham.
* White then failed to hire Urban Meyer (former ND assistant), who took the job at Florida.
* After again missing on his first choice, Notre Dame then hired Charlie Weis, who in his 3rd season lead the Irish to their worst record ever in 2007.

Fox Sports - AD White leaving Notre Dame

I'd call it a Win for White. The whole Lacrosse scandal is over (with Duke coming up smelling like relative roses next to Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong), he will have basketball on cruise-control with Coach K, and if the football team wins more than a game or two each year, the folks in Durham should be happy.

Cedar Rapids Gazette warns blacks to stay away from Iowa

I have been trying to start this post for a couple minutes now, and I've given up. I am nearly speechless.

The Cedar Rapids (Hawkeye) Gazette has followed up their 6-months-too-late article (see previous post) with one of the worst "spin" attempts in recent memory.

Cedar Rapids Gazette - Black athletes in white culture

How absolutely ridiculous. In one article, they gave the following excuses for the lack of discipline surrounding the student-athletes at the University of Iowa:

* Iowa is "a nearly all-white society"

Not sure what that has to do with 17 U of I football players begin arrested in 14 months.

* "Fewer people (in Iowa) are up front with black athletes about expectations and standards, which creates cultural rifts"

So... it's the people of Iowa's fault for not explicitly telling these young men that sexual assault and the use of stolen credit cards is frowned upon?

* "In Iowa, the media attention can become overwhelming"

Give me a f'ing break. That's laughable.

* Iowa City is not Detroit

Bravo, detective.

* The lack of a "life skills coach" for football players

Not only do we take their tests for them, but we should teach them how to tie their shoes and brush their teeth as well.

Then there is this gem:

Since April 2007, 17 Iowa football players have been arrested, including nine blacks.

So... explain to me how is this a "race" issue again?

The reason why things like suspended licenses for these players are news is because they are college football players in a BCS conference. College football is now, arguably, the second most popular sport in America behind the NFL, which means it is now big business. Big business means big money (see Ferentz's salary) means big attention. Those are the rules.

The Gazette is all over the map on this one, deep in a hearty spin-cycle, and it's pathetic. It has basically just declared that Iowans are so unaware and/or intolerant of non-white cultures that non-whites are not capable of living here.

I spent most of the first 23 years of my life in Iowa. Despite how Hollywood likes to portray it sometimes, most of the population is an intelligent, kind, respectful bunch that takes pride in their communities, and how pleasant (if not a bit uneventful) it is to live there.

The public's intolerance here is for the acts themselves, not the race of those who committed them.

You know it's bad in Iowa City when...

...even the Cedar Rapids Gazette (the Iowa Hawkeye "homer" paper) is getting in on the act. The "act", if you aren't already aware, is the now-regular reporting of the mounting criminal activities by (cough)student(cough)-athletes at the University of Iowa (nearly all of which have been football players).

Cedar Rapids Gazette - Leaders, not bystanders

The "Ghost Room"?! Good Lord.

Now, an intelligent person might ask, "If all of these quotes are from investigations you did in November of last year, why are you just now (six months later) reporting it?"

The answer, my friends, lies in the first sentence of this post.

It appears the floodgates are now wide open. Not even the Hawkeye Gazette can pretend it isn't happening anymore.

Oh, well... better late than never... I guess. Don't get cocky, though. You didn't earn any respect with this.

SIDE NOTE: I really don't like spending this much time/energy on the Hawks, but it's coming in waves right now. Really. There is nothing I can do. My hands are tied. Not in a "my hands are tied while Cedric Everson sexually assaults me" kind of way, but you smell what I'm cookin'.