Last night was an excellent start to the season with an all out SEC war between South Carolina and Vanderbilt. Vandy gave it everything they had, but Connor Shaw, Marcus Lattimore, Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor were not going to be denied. Tremendous start to what promises to be a stellar season in the SEC and nationally. Here’s a look at this weekend’s games with predictions.
Last year’s record: 107-51, (68%); This year: 0-1 (blown no call didn’t help).

 

 

Alabama vs. Michigan

Where: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Time: 8 PM ET/7 CT

Network: ABC, Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit

Line: Alabama by 14

Analysis: Crimson Tide has some new faces on defense and that’ll be interesting to see how guys like Trey DePriest, Dee Milliner, Vinnie Sunseri, Ha Ha Clinton Dix and Deion Belue handle the rigors of the 2o12 season. But while these guys are new as starters, most of them except Belue have played a lot. I like Trey DePriest; think he’s going to be a stud. With C.J. Mosley and Nico Johnson, the Tide has good leadership and an excellent linebacking corps. The d line will be anchored by tackle Jessie Williams, the Australian who can bench a freight train. Damion Square is a very good player at dend. There is a lot of talent out there on defense, and to me, I think these guys have learned their lesson about coming off a national championship year. Quite a few of them were on the 2010 team and saw the struggles that group had with a little complacency from winning it all the year before. That was good for the guys in this group. S has said this group is very focused. Kirby Smart will have a good defense.

Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier looks to me like he’ll have A.J. throwing more and have a more passing-oriented offense. Don’t get me wrong, Nussmeier knows his line–which is stellar–is going to be able to allow the running game to pound and flourish, but I believe S will be able to open it up a little more in the passing game under Nussmeier, and a terrific quarterback in A.J. McCarron. You could just see the confidence and momentum A.J.gained off the national championship victory. He’s highly competitive, smart and he has unlimited talent. He’s going to be special this year. Eddie Lacy, if healthy, should have a big year, and T.J. Yeldon is primed for a nice freshman year. He’s a very fine freshman running back. Jalston Fowler will provide some tough yards and Dee Hart was a five-star player out of high school, so if he can stay healthy, he will surely produce.

The receiving corps will be kind of a committee group but Kevin Norwood is excellent. I expect Kenny Bell and DeAndrew White to be stellar wide receivers and freshman Amari Cooper looks like a real player. I really like Christion Jones, too. He can be the Marqis Maze of this team; electric, exciting, good in the punt return game.

The oline is the strength of this team along with A.J. Barrett Jones, Chance Warmack, D.J. Fluker, Anthony Steen and Cyrus Kouandijo (will have to double check the spelling on that all year) will be exceptional. They will be like five mack trucks rolling over smart cars most of the year. This group will dominate. There are some pretty good backups there too. I expect Cyrus’s brother, Arie, to make an impact at guard. Should be a dominant unit.

Michigan is all about Denard Robinson. He’s an exciting player, without a doubt, and he might peel off some good runs against the Tide. But I think the Tide has too much speed for Robinson just to go off. And I don’t think he’s a great passer by any means. He seems to throw a lot of dying quails. He can be effective in the passing game, but he gets passes batted down, because he can’t be an inch over 5’10”. Running back Fitz Toussaint is a nice running back, but his availability is unclear. It may be a first quarter suspension, or he may start. Brady Hoke is keeping that under wraps. They’ve got another pretty good runner in Thomas Rawls. Toussaint is 5’10”, 202, and is the shifty, quick guy, while Rawls is a little bigger at 218 and has good power. Their defense is solid. Kenny Demens is a very good middle linebacker and Craig Roh is a good pass rusher at defensive end.

Michigan is a solid football team that can win nine or 10 games  this year, but they’re not going to win this one. ‘Bama is too athletic for Big Blue, and the oline will get it done for the Tide leading the way for Lacy and company to run the ball effectively and for A.J. to have time to find Norwood, Bell, White, Jones and company. I expect Jones to do something special tomorrow night. He’s an explosive players. Expect more explosive plays out of the offense this year. The defense is a little bit of a question mark. There is a lot of talent, but it’s somewhat similar to 2010 in the experience area. They’ll need to overcome their inexperience. Johnson, Robert Lester, whom I failed to mention earlier but who is an outstanding safety, and Mosley will need to lead along with Square. If these guys can step up and lead, the younger guys can pick it up from there. They’re all talented. I like the Tide to take care of business tomorrow night in Jerry’s World.

Prediction:

‘Bama 24, Michigan 10

Auburn vs. Clemson

Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Chick-fil-A Kickoff game

Time: 7 PM ET/6 PM CT

Network: ESPN

Line: Clemson by 3 1/2

Analysis: This has been a difficult offseason for Gene Chizik and his program. The shootings at Auburn were an inexplicable tragedy. The other incidents with Zeke Pike getting kicked off the team, losing Jovon Robinson to grades, and then the worst behavioral issue as far as impact on the team, starting center Reese Dismukes getting  indefinitely  suspended for public intoxication. But this is still a good football team. There is a lot of talent. Kiehl Frazier will try to prove that he’s the man for now and the future for AU at quarterback. He had a very good spring game, and while he struggled some in the summer, he is clearly the best quarterback on the roster. I think Kiehl can throw the football effectively in the pocket. Kiehl can get the job done and could even be a pretty dynamic player this season. He can certainly make things happen running the football too. He’s got some good backs behind him with the always reliable and explosive Onterio McCalebb back  there. Onterio is  backed up by the highly capable Tre Mason and exciting newcomer Mike Blakely. Corey Grant has been hurt a little bit, so not sure about his availability for the game. The wide receiving corps will of course be led by the stellar Emory Blake, who looks like he can have an electric senior year and be primed for a possible high draft pick in April, 2013. Lutz will be outstanding at tight end. He should be another go to target for Frazier. It’s time for Trovon Reed to step up. I think he’s ready to do that. He’s battled injuries so far in his career, but I see him breaking out this year. Quan Bray is an excellent player. I just like the way he looks; highly athletic and explosive. I expect some good things out of Jaylon Denson from Hoover too. Jaylon is 6’3″, 210 and a big target. Receiving corps should be very good.

The offensive line is the question mark. Tunde Fariyike will be under the gun at center. Greg Robinson and true freshman Avery Young will start for the first time. But they’re talents. Guards Chad Slade and John Sullen will have to be leaders tomorrow night. I think Fariyike will be fine. He’s a very big, athletic kid and sounds smart. He can get the job done. There is exceptional young talent on the line, but they’re just young. Believe they’ll be OK though and the future looks very bright at that position with four-star freshmen all over the place on the two deep. Tomorrow night they will be tested. It’ll be good for them. I think they can get it done.

The defense is soild. The dline will be awesome led by dend Corey Lemonier, tackle Jeffrey Whitaker and end Dee Ford. There is very good depth there as well. They can be a dominating group and that means a lot to the success of your football team. Linebacker is solid with the always reliable Darren Bates being the leader there. Jonathan Evans and Jake Holland are solid players. I really like the secondary. Again, these guys are fairly young, like a lot of this team, but they’re highly talented. I expect big things out of strong safety Jermaine Whitehead. Chris Davis and Ryan White will be exceptional corners, but they will certainly be tested tomorrow night by Clemson’s standout receiving corps even though the Clemson Tigers will be without Sammy Watkins. There is still good talent there. I look for Quan Bray to have an impact returning punts. He’s explosive.

AU should be a very good football team this year, but the conference is so tough that it may be difficult to win nine games. But it’s certainly possible. This game is critical for the Tigers. I know Tajh Boyd threw all over the Tigers last year with four touchdowns and 300 plus yards passing, but I don’t think he’s going to do that this year. AU’s line is going to get pressure on him, and he’ll have to get rid of it quickly. Andre Ellington is a good back; he could get some yards. But I love what Brian Van Gorder brings to this Auburn defense. He brings toughness and aggressiveness, and the players have bought into Van Gorder’s philosophy. DeAndre Hopkins is about as good as Watkins at wide receiver for Clemson, so he’ll be a challenge for either Davis or White. Jaron Brown and Charone Peake are nice receivers, too. Clemson O line is decent, but I think the AU line will give them a lot trouble.

Clemson has plenty of SEC athletes on defense too.  Dabo has recruited very well. Xavier Brewer is a fine free safety. They’ll be physical and new dc Brent Venables, who came over from OU, has instilled that toughness in his group that Van Gorder has done at AU.

This will be a very good game. Clemson is a good football team and so is AU. I just think AU has better talent overall. AU is solid on defense, and good on offense. If the oline comes through, AU should be in good shape. There are three new starters on the oline, but they will do their job and AU prevail in an excellent football game.

Prediction: AU 20, Clemson 16

UAB vs. Troy

Where: Legion Field, B’ham

Time: 11 AM CT

Network: FCS-if you can find it-623 on DirecTV, 623-1 FCS HD

Line: Troy by 6

Analysis: Garrick McGee has said throughout the spring and summer that he has a good football team and I believe him. Jonathan Perry is an excellent player at quarterback in my opinion. He’s thrown some interceptions in the summer, but I think the Blazers can win with him. Actually, I think he’s a pretty dynamic player who can really run with it and is a nice passer. Just has to minimize the mistakes. O line is starting four new guys, but McGee doesn’t seem too worried about it. I think the running game is solid with Greg Franklin and Darrin Reaves among others. Defense will be led by inside linebacker Marvin Burdette. I just like the energy and positive attitude McGee has brought to this football program. He was a great hire by athletic director Brian Mackin and will be an excellent coach for the Blazers. He’s got a really good offensive mind. If the Blazers play pretty good defense and the oline can be productive this year, they could  have a nice season. Troy always tough. They give a lot of teams fits and Larry Blakely is an excellent football coach. They have a good qb in Corey Robinson. He’s not great, but he’s pretty good. They’re just a solid, hard-nosed football team.

This will be a major test for the Blazers and McGee in their initial outing. Blazers have to go to South Carolina after an off week then Ohio State after that, so this game is critical. I like the impact McGee has made so far. He wants to make UAB a highly reputable football program and I think he has a chance. Tomorrow would be a great way to get things started. Believe Perry will play well and the running game and line will do their part. Think defense will do enough. Should be an exciting opener.

Blazers 27, Troy 24

Tennessee vs NC State

Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta

First game of Chick-fil-A Kickoff

When: Tonight at 7:30 PM ET/6:30 CT

Network: ESPNU

Line: UT by 3

I think the Vols are a much improved program from last year. They were so young last year, but they’ve had a year to grow up and get better. Tyler Bray seemed to avoid getting kicked out of school, so he’ll be a good quarterback for them. I don’t think he’s in Tyler Wilson or Aaron Murray’s class yet, but he’s pretty good. Da’Rick Rogers got kicked off the team. The guy was just a walking time bomb. That’s tough on the receiving corps, but Justin Hunter’s return from injury is terrific news for Derek Dooley. The Vols are really high on Cordarrelle Patterson, a junior college transfer who is 6’3′, 205, and is a high four-star recruit out of junior college. He might help them forget about Rogers. Hunter will be a huge boost to Bray’s prospects this year. Rajion Neal is a nice running back, and while I don’t see him listed on the depth chart, Marlin Lane III was very impressive at running back in the spring game. Defense looks pretty solid. NC State is a pretty decent team, but I like the Vols to take care of business here.

Prediction: UT 27, NC State 20

Buffalo @ Georgia

Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens

Time: 12 PM ET/11 CT

Network: SEC Network

Line: Georgia by 38

Analysis: Is there any analysis necessary? I know Mark Richt wants to see his team play well, and he’s hoping Murray will have a good game and they can run the ball well and play good defense. Georgia getting primed for what they hope will be a highly successful season. Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and darkhorses Tennessee and Mizzou look like they’ll be battling it out in East. Should be a classic race for the title. Georgia will get a breather to get it started and try to hone its skills for some tougher tests coming up including a visit to Mizzou next week.

Prediction: ‘Dogs 45, Buffalo 7

Bowling Green at Florida

Where: The Swamp, Gainesville, Fl.

Time: 3:30 PM ET/2:30 CT

Network: ESPN

Line: Gators by 29

Analysis: Gators are  fine here. Will be interesting  to see how their two quarterbacks, Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel, play. Will Muschamp is planning on rotating them every quarter. Both are highly talented, were high four-stars out of high school, and looked very good in the spring game. The Gators’ defense is fantastic led by dend Ronald Powell and a slew of other stellar athletes. Skilled players still aren’t totally loaded, but pretty good. Gators get a warm up before going to College Station next week and Knoxville the week after that.

Prediction: Florida 52, Bowling Green 7 

North Texas @LSU

Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge

Time: 7 ET/ 6 CT

Network: ESPNU

LSU 52, North Texas 0

Jacksonville State @Arkansas

Where: Fayetteville, Razorback Stadium

Time: 7 PM ET/6 CT

Network: ESPN Game Plan

Analysis: Not too much to break down here. Tyler Wilson, along with Matt Barkley, is the best quarterback in the country. He may be the best coach on the team, too. He’s an excellent leader. Arkansas is very good. Knile Davis is back at running back and that’s huge. If he can return to his 2010 form, like Marcus Lattimore returned to his pre injury 2011 form last night, this team could be special. Defense is always the question mark at Arkansas. If they can play defense they have a chance to be outstanding. Don’t know if they have enough defense to stand up to ‘Bama and LSU though. We’ll see. Jax State a pretty decent team, but can’t hang with the Hogs. Hogs get another warmup next week against La Monroe before Tide comes to Fayetteville for a titanic matchup, Sept. 15

Prediction: Hogs 56, Jax State 14

Southeastern Louisiana @ Missouri

Where: Columbia, Missouri

Time 7 PM ET/ 6 CT

Network: ESPN Game plan

Line: Nothing posted

Analysis: Not much to talk about here. James Franklin should excel at quarterback and hone his skills for Georgia next week in a terrific week 2 matchup.

Prediction: Mizzou 45, SE La. 3

Central Arkansas @ Ole Miss

Where: Oxford, Miss.

When: 7 ET/ 6 CT

Network: ESPN Game Plan

No line posted

Analysis: Ole Miss should be fine in Hugh Freeze’s first game at the helm. They struggled in the spring game, but they’ll be OK here. Think the Rebels are rebuilding, but they’re fine here. It’ll be tough in conference for them though.

Prediction: Rebels 35, Central Ark. 0

Jackson State @Mississippi State

Where: Starkville

Time: 7 ET/ 6 CT

Network: Game Plan

No line posted

State looked like a pretty solid team to me in the spring. Tyler Russell has taken over at quarterback and he has some good skilled players around him. Jameon Lewis is an explosive, electrifying player at wide receiver and LaDarius Perkins is a solid, hard-nosed rb. Johnthan Banks is an outstanding cornerback. This is a good football team. Good offensive line and very athletic on defense. Like Vanderbilt, State may be very good and end up with only six wins. Good football team though. Solid offense, solid defense. Big week two game at home against AU.

Prediction: State 49, Jackson State 6

Kentucky @ Louisville

Where: Papa Johns/Cardinal Stadium

Time: 3:30 ET/2:30 CT

Network: ESPN

Line: ‘Ville 13 point favorite

Analysis: Don’t know a lot about Louisville except that they’re ranked 25th in the ESPN/Coaches Poll. Joker Phillips is a terrific guy. Wish he could do well at Kentucky. Don’t know a lot about Ky either, but I’ll go with the upset.

UK 24, Louisville 21

Other games:

Notre Dame 27, Navy 17

Boise State 17, Michigan State 14

Virginia Tech 28, Ga Tech 27