I’m not downplaying the seriousness of the off field matters at schools throughout the country. There are some rule breakers and they need to be penalized for their actions. But, let the NCAA deal with it, so we as sportswriters and fans can concentrate on the games. Some great matchups this weekend, and of course, our two state schools go at it and try to get a jump start on the season. Here are my analyses and predictions for Week 1.
Saturday, Sept. 3
Kent State @ No. 2 Alabama (11:20 CT, SEC Network, WTTO in Birmingham, Channel 21): Alabama should be No.1 in my opinion because I think the talent is better in Tuscaloosa on defense than in Norman and though Oklahoma may have the edge at quarterback and wide receiver, Alabama will be fine at those positions. Defense wins games and ‘Bama will play some defense this year. The key story line for this game is how will the quarterbacks do. They’re both going to play a lot. Nick Saban will probably be looking for separation if there is going to be any, then he can go with one over the other. They may both be impressive. Should be interesting. Another plot line is how will Trent do as the man? I think he’s going to be outstanding this year. He already has been, but this could really be a special year for Trent. Maybe a Mark Ingram-2009 type year that ends up in NYC at the Heisman ceremony in December. It’ll be interesting to see how the wide outs play. Marquis Maze should be very good this year and I’m looking forward to seeing DeAndrew White play. We’ll see if Duron Carter can make it into the rotation this weekend. He’s got that big body (6’3″ 215), so he could be a prime target for Sims/McCarron this season. Haven’t done a lot of research on Kent State. Pretty non- descript team. Should be a glorified scrimmage really. Like Saban and Tide to roll as they get ready to go to Happy Valley next week and face Penn State.
‘Bama 52, Golden Flashes 3
Utah State @ No.23 Auburn 11 a.m. ESPN 2:
Like the Tide, AU has a pretty easy game here. It will be interesting to see how Trotter does at qb. Defense is relatively young, but, besides Nick Fairley, should be more talented than last year. It’ll be interesting to see how some of the wide receivers play and how the tandem of McCalebb and Dyer perform. Both need to stay healthy this year that’s for sure. I noticed in both last year and the year before, AU stayed healthy in 2010 and ‘Bama did in 2009. That’s huge. Particularly for AU at running back this year. Tigers should get a warmup for a big game with State next week at home. Utah State will throw the ball a lot, so it’ll be interesting to see how T’Sharvin Bell and the young secondary responds. I’m looking forward to seeing how the entire defense plays. Offensive line will be intriguing to watch also. Reese Dismukes, the true freshman, takes over at center. Watched him in the spring game and liked him a lot. He’s going to be a stellar offensive lineman for the Tigers in the upcoming seasons. Can he do it this year? Ryan Pugh and Lee Ziemba were very effective as true freshmen on the oline, and I think Dismukes may be more talented than both of them. We’ll see how the line comes together. It’s just going to be fun to see how the defending champions play this year. I think Gene Chizik really likes this group. They’ve seen excellence and know what it takes to be great. Should be a fun year. Difficult schedule, but a solid win over Utah State should get Tigers going and get them ready for State.
Auburn 48, Utah State 10
Tonight:
Mississippi State @ Memphis ( 7 p.m. CT, SportSouth):
State should be in good shape here. I’d love to watch’em, but for some reason they’re not on. Chris Relf and Vick Ballard should have big nights. Memphis is like UAB. They really have a tough time achieving success. Hopefully, the Blazers can turn it around this year and make a run at a bowl game. Neil Calloway is going to need it. State should handle Memphis pretty easily.
MSU 45, Memphis 3
Kentucky vs Western Kentucky (8:15 P.M., ESPNU):
The Wildcats should be fine this week. They’ve got some new faces with Morgan Newton leading the way at quarterback. Think Joker Phillips is a good coach and can keep them going on a solid path. Maybe another bowl game. Can Ky ever reach elite level? I think Phillips is recruiting well, but Ky has never been an upper echelon team. Still they can play with the likes of Georgia, Florida and now SC some years. They beat SC last year. So they’re capable of doing some good things. Shouldn’t have any trouble tonight.
Ky 49, Western Kentucky 21
Saturday:
Brigham Young @Ole Miss (3:45, ESPN):
Should be a fun one here. Brigham Young is a good football team. Ole Miss trying to bounce back from last year’s 4-8 debacle. I like BYU here. I don’t know a lot about them, but like they always play solid, fundamentally flawless football. They’re pretty wide open on offense and play pretty good defense. Ole Miss prone to turn the ball over and make mistakes. Going with BYU in a great game.
BYU 34, Ole Miss 31 OT
Montana @ Tennessee (5 p.m. ESPN Game Plan):
Think UT is going to be OK this year as Derek Dooley keeps building. There are a lot of young players for the Vols this year, but Dooley is not making any excuses. He wants to win this year and not talk about rebuilding. Should be fine this weekend. Tyler Bray looking to have a big year for Vols at qb.
Vols 48, Montana 10
East Carolina @ South Carolina (6 P.M. CT ,ESPN Game Plan):
Stephen Garcia has a lot to prove. Not only is he working on his sixth chance at staying on the team, his team has a shot to make it to the SEC title game and a shot at winning the SEC. He has two great playmakers around him in Lattimore and Jeffrey, so there is no excuse for him not to perform. Spurrier is putting some pressure on him saying he won’t decide on who will be the starting quarterback until Friday. But Garcia is better than Connor Shaw. They need him to play well. When it gets to real big games, we’ll see how the historical head case performs. He should be fine this Saturday.
South Carolina 42, East Carolina 10
Florida Atlantic @ Florida (6 P.M. ESPNU):
Will be interesting to see how John Brantley does under new OC Charlie Weis. He should be better. Gators will have no problem here, but it’ll be interesting to see if they’ve improved under Will Muschamp.
Gators 52, Florida Atlantic 7
Missouri State @ No.15 Arkansas (6 P.M. ESPN Game Plan):
Hogs should be fine here. Should be a blowout. Losing Knile Davis is definitely a blow, but Hogs should be good until they meet up with ‘Bama in week four in Tuscaloosa. If they get some momentum going early, could be very interesting when they enter Bryant-Denny on Sept. 24.
Hogs 56, Missouri State 7
Elon @ Vandy (6:30 P.M., CSS):
James Franklin is trying to change the culture as the last five coaches have tried to do. The key is Larry Smith at qb. It’s put up or shut up time for him. If he struggles early, Franklin should really consider going to backup Jordan Rodgers. This is Smith’s third year to try and perform. He has failed pretty miserably the last couple of years. If his line can protect him and the running game, which should be pretty good, performs, then there are no more excuses. Vandy should be fine this Saturday. Maybe Smith can have a big game and build up some confidence.
Vandy 49, Elon 10
No.3 Oregon vs No.4 LSU ( in Dallas, 7 P.M. ABC):
This is a blockbuster game one for both squads. I like LSU’s defense to slow down LaMichael James and company enough and Jarrett Lee to perform well. Frankly, I think he’s better than Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson has blown a great opportunity. He is trying to get reinstated to his team through his lawyer. But he definitely won’t play this week. Look for running back Spencer Ware to make his mark. LSU more talented than Oregon. I like the Bengal Tigers to pull off the mild upset. Miles somehow pulls these type of games out.
LSU 31, Oregon 27
No.5 Boise State @ No.19 Georgia (7 P.M., ESPN, Georgia Dome): This is a good setup for Georgia playing pretty much a home game. But I like Kellen Moore and company to get it done once again. Boise is so well coached and Moore is a total winner. Georgia has a good team this year and freshman Isiah Crowell could be the Marcus Lattimore this season of the SEC and nationally, but I like Boise to pull it out in a great game.
Boise State 34, Georgia 31
(S and Chiz get ready to go.)