UConn (-7) @ Temple
Hector Villanueva: Randy Edsall's UConn team returns 19 starters from a team that won a share of the Big East Title last year. Suprisingly, Temple is on the rise and opened the season with a convincing victory at Army last week. Seems like moving to the MAC was a good choice for the Owls and Coach Al Golden is almost a miracle worker in resurrecting that program. That said, they are still Temple and the job Edsall has done in Storrs is even more remarkable. Gotta go with the proven and experienced team here. Take UConn and the points. UCONN.
bjl63: Temple may be improving but they still suck. Few probably remember that UConn was co-Big East champion last fall and has a two-pronged running attack led by Donald Brown. Randy Edsall is among the most under-appreciated coaches in the nation. The Owls will give a hoot early, but UConn will pull away late. UConn 31, Temple 20
VictoryIllinoisVarsity: February is here! The snow is falling and two storied east coast programs square off on the hardwood. Look for A.J. Price to light it up from behind the arc and Jeff Adrian to control the glass as Jim Calhoun's boys cruise to an easy victory.
Huh?
They play football at these schools now?
Seriously, I love college football, but the only way this game would be appealing to me would be if John Chaney showed up at the pregame and threatened to kill Randy Edsall and put a hit out on Tyler Lorenzen.
Take the team that won 9 games in a BCS (kinda) conference and the 7 over a MAC team.
UConn: something
Temple: "something" minus like 12.
Detlef: Randy Edsall has done an outstanding job building Connecticut football. UConn is now a good Big East team (I know the Big East is bad, but still) and UConn is no longer just a basketball school. Meantime, my guy Al Golden is making Temple relevant. 4-7 last year (awesome by Temple standards) and dismantled Army last week. Temple has a sound defense and will make noise in the MAC this year. I like Temple and the points.
UI Pike: UConn
Brumby: Temple
Cincinnati @ #4 Oklahoma (-20)
Hector Villanueva: Cincinnati could be the surprise team in the Big East this season. Former coach Mark Dantonio (now at MSU) brought that program back to respectablity and up-and-coming star Brian Kelly has taken the torch and looks to build off Dantonio's success. Oklahoma always fields one of the best defenses in the country and now they have a star QB to boot in Sam Bradford. Sooner fans think their team could challenge for a National Title this year and if they can beat Texas in Dallas and Missourah in the Big XII Title game, they might get their wish. Chicagoan and former Notre Dame starter, Double D (Demetrius Jones), has yet to see the field for Cincy as he recovers from torn labrum surgery. But, it won't really matter as Oklahoma will win this game. However, this Bearcat team will battle, and thus cover the number. Take the Bearcats and the points. CINCINNATI.
bjl63: Speaking of underrated coaches, Brian Kelly is also a headliner on that list. He's got a daunting task ahead of him this week as he faces a Sooner team that is among the best in the land. Some say the Sooners are good enough to be national champions. I do not subscribe to this newsletter as the Sooners fold like a cheap tent in a hurricane during bowl season. But, I digress. As for the Bearcats, they have a terrific stable of corners and WRs, but that won't be enough to keep pace with the explosive Sooners. The Cats will scratch and claw for 60 minutes, but that won't be enough. Oklahoma 38, Cincinnati, 24.
VictoryIllinoisVarsity: I love Oklahoma this year. Then again, I love Oklahoma almost every year until it starts getting cold. They're projecting upper 80s and humid in Norman this weekend. Look for Sam Bradford to throw for at least 300 yards in a Sooner rout.
Sooners: 45
Cincy: 14
Detlef: Ben Mauk didn't get his 23rd year of eligibility, so I doubt Cincinnati's offense will be able to match the points that Oklahoma will put up behind its ace quarterback, Sam Bradford. I see Oklahoma winning easily.
UI Pike: Oklahoma
Brumby: Oklahoma
Mississippi @ #20 Wake Forest (-8.5)
Hector Villanueva: Coach Jim Grobe quietly just puts out consistent teams that challenge for the ACC Title year in and year out anymore. Yes, you heard me......Wake Forest is now a consistent challenger for an ACC Title every year! Grobe, along with Randy Edsall at UConn and Jim Leavitt at South Florida are 3 of the most impressive program builders in college football these days. Houston Nutt left the mess at Arkansas and now takes over at Ole Miss this season. Nutt has been successful at every stop in his career, and transferring his success at Arkansas to Ole Miss will not be easy. Wake cruised last week in a victory over Baylor as did Ole Miss in their win over Memphis. But, you gotta like the Deacons at home and Grobe having his team ready to play. Take Wake and the points. WAKE FOREST.
bjl63: This week's theme is underrated coaches apparently, as Wake Forest boasts yet another in Jim Grobe. This guy is a miracle worker. Anyone who can win at Wake deserves deification. Houston Nutt, on the other hand, is another under-appreciated coach who got a raw deal from Frank Broyles and Arkansas, will eventually craft all of Ed Ogeron's talent into a winning club, perhaps as soon as this fall. Ever since reading about Michael Oher in 'The Blind Side' and then about psychotic Ogeron in 'Meat Market', I have taken an interest in Ole Miss football. Unfortunately, I don't get to see many of their games. This week probably won't be any different. I know....I should get ESPN GamePlan, but considering I am never home to watch it makes little sense. Anyway, the Rebels finally have (or so they hope) a consistent QB in Jevon Snead and Oher is a monster on the OL. However, the Deacons simply do all the little things necessary to win. NO flash, all substance. Wake Forest 27, Ole Miss 17
VictoryIllinoisVarsity: This is exactly the kind of non-conference game I love. Two decent teams from different conferences working out their kinks early in the season. The football alone makes for a compelling story. Add to that Houston Nutt starting at Ole Miss and Jim Grobe trying to work his magic again on tobacco road, and you have, what should be the best game of the week.
Last week, we had the matchup of a highly regarded ACC team against a promising, middle-of-the-road-hoping-for-more SEC team. I chose the ACC team and they got smoked. My heart take says, "Grobe and Wake going away." My head says, "don't doubt the SEC."
Head wins.
Ole Miss: 24
Wake: 27
Detlef: Intriguing matchup. Houston Nutt made a big statement last week with a convincing win over rival Memphis. Ed Orgeron brought in talent (including LT Michael Oher of "The Blind Side") but couldn't coach 'em up. Now with Nutt there, can Ole Miss make some noise in the SEC? Meantime, the only ranked ACC team is your Demon Deacons. Jim Grobe is always on my short list. I like Riley Skinner at quarterback. Wake Forest cruised at Baylor last week. I see Wake Forest getting a late field goal to cover the number.
UI Pike: Mississippi
Brumby: Wake Forest
#8 West Virginia @ East Carolina (+8.5)
East Carolina beat Va Tech at what Va Tech does best....special teams. They shocked most of the nation last week (except for Bachelor Jesse Palmer) in their win over Virginia Tech. Skip Holtz has the Pirates rolling after a bowl appearance last season and their upset win to start this season. My question, why isn't East Carolina ranked? West Virginia offense continues to roll with Pat White at the helm. However, while they will miss Steve Slaton, former Illini target Noel Devine will pick up where Slaton left off. This game will be a battle for the Mounties and it might just be a close game. But, it will be hard for East Carolina to rise to the occassion 2 weeks in a row. Take WEST VIRGINIA to cover the number.
bjl63: The Pirates pulled one of the biggest shockers of opening weekend by beating Va Tech at its own game. Shall it be redubbed Skipper Ball? Papa Lou should be proud of son Skip for that winner, but this West Virginia team actually has a functioning QB, so don't bet on a repeat performance. Patrick White pulled a Juice Williams and threw for 5 TDs last weekend. We all know about his wheels, but if he keeps throwing like that, he will cement a spot at the Downtown Athletic club this December, and could very well leave with Heisman in hand. The Big East stinks, so aside from a trip to Auburn, the Mountaineers could very well be in the hunt for the national title. Noel Devine will make folks forget Steve Slaton and the Mountaineer offense will continue piling up points even without the 'genius' of RichRod. West Virginia 38, East Carolina 24.
VictoryIllinoisVarsity: How many times are we going to have to hear "East Carolina out Beamer-ed Beamer!" or something of the like. We get it. They jumped all over a VaTech team in the midst of a rebuilding process who underestimated them. If ECU had not beaten VaTech, they'd be much more dangerous to WVU. However, new Mountaineer coach isn't going to be snuck up on, and they still have Pat Rice and Noel Devine. I like West Virginia, and pretty easily.
WVU: 35
ECU: 17
Detlef: Another interesting game. Apparently the Mountaineers don't miss the rantings of Dick Rod. However, their defense struggled last week vs. Villanova: 399 total yards given up and 21 points. Also, they passed 33 times, a lot more than one would expect against lesser competition. The Pirates (PURPLE! GOLD!) enjoyed a big win vs. Virginia Tech by blocking a late punt for a touchdown and beating Frank Beamer at his own game. Not sure they can match up athletically vs. West Virginia but I do see them keeping it close at home. East Carolina and the points.
UI Pike: West Virginia
Brumby: West Virginia
Eastern Illinois @ #24 Illinois (no line)
Hector Villanueva: The Illini home opener has finally arrived!!! I am itching to head the car south to Champaign and set up the tailgate and see the beautiful improvements to Memorial Stadium. While this game will be no contest, it will be great to lock up a guaranteed "W" and see some of the all time great players back at Memorial Stadium. While last week's outcome to Missourah was somewhat expected by me, what was most disappointing was the play of the Illini defense and offensive line. The D-line play was especially disappointing and how Missourah controlled the L.O.S. was disheartening. Did Will Davis even play Saturday? I really thought we would see an Illini team that would battle in the trenches and it was upsetting not see any of that. But, despite that, one has to be impressed with the improvement and play of Juice Williams. And, one other thing.....why didn't the Illini go for 2 to end the game (and possibly cover the number)? :CUSS: Anyway, it is time for the Illini to move on and start to prepare for their opening Big Ten tests against Penn State and Michigan. This week the Illini rebound, and rebound big over a much inferior opponent. Bob Spoo (I love that name) brings the Panthers 45 miles North to Champaign and his offenses do score points. But, they will not score enough on Saturday. Illini win going away. ILLINOIS 48, EASTERN ILLINOIS 16.
bjl63: While last week was plenty discouraging, in many ways it was almost equally encouraging. Both lines stunk. Did Will Davis play? How about Martez? The secondary stunk and don't get me started on the tackling. On the other hand, we have found a QB who can throw the football. And who knew Will Judson (or Hudson if you go by the TWA Dome PA guy) was a capable receiver, let alone a playmaker? The running game was OK, but getting down so big didn't help. Plus, I think it will kick back into gear once Troy Pollard is back and healthy. This game will tell us little although it'd be nice to see a shutout and have the defense prove last week was the exception, not the rule. Juice will likely be able to rest his arm this week and that's fine as the OL needs to round into form and no better way to regain confidence than a patsy that should've been our opening opponent. But I will leave that rant to Detlef. While it will be great to get back to C-U, this one will be over before it starts. Illini 37, EIU 10.
VictoryIllinoisVarsity: Last week's game was frustrating and encouraging at the same time. Frustrating that both lines got smoked. Encouraging that Juice threw the ball like we've all been hoping he could. Frustrating that our conditioning seemed to be lacking. Encouraging that this team had the guts to come back in the 4th Quarter and make a game out of it. Frustrating that many of our defenders seemed to forget how to tackle. Encouraging that Dufrene seemed to find his stride running the ball in the 2nd half.
Two things I know about this game:
1. Our defense is going to look a hell of a lot better against EIU than they did against arguably the best offense in the nation.
2. Zook will spend a lot of time during the game trying to work out the kinks.
This game should not and will not be close.
ILLINI 42
EIEIU 14
Detlef: Since I DEMAND EXCELLENCE: I demand that the UI football team do the following: a) run for 200 yards, including getting the option going against a weaker opponent; b) throw slant passes to Benn; c) use Benn as a decoy in the backfield; d) no missed tackles; e) get a pass rush; f) be sound in the kicking game; g) no turnovers. If the Panthers score more than 10 points against the first-team defense, I will officially panic.
UI Pike: Non-directional Illinois
Brumby: Illinois