Guest Blackston Report post Posted August 15, 2002 The first game in the 2003 college football season is less then a week away from us right now. All the time that I have spent reading up on recruiting news, practice reports, and preseason periodicals is just about to pay off. The first college football weekend of the year, however, does not have much in the way of marquee games... but at this point, I would settle for just about anything. Virginia (ACC) vs. Colorado State (WAC) Synopsis: This game looks to be a fairly closely matched game between two fairly decent teams. Colorado State is looking to get themselves into position to challenge for the WAC crown, while Virginia is just looking for six wins and a minor bowl birth. Virginia has got a new head coach (Al Groh), straight from a stint in the NFL with the Jets, and it will be interesting to see how quickly a turnaround will occur under his leadership. I think that he will be able to lead the Cavaliers to a win in his first game. My pick: Virginia by 10 Wisconsin (Big Ten) vs. Fresno State (WAC) Synopsis: One of the more highly anticipated matchups of the young season thusfar, this one should have some fireworks. Wisconsin had a very disappointing season last year (5-7), and it seems that an early loss to Fresno State demoralized the Badgers. FSU, on the other hand, used their victory over the Badgers to catapault themselves into the national consciousness and to a very successful season (11-2). This year, I think that the Badgers will be looking for Bulldog blood, and I think that they will emerge victorious. There is simply too much talent for the Bulldogs to overcome... but I thought that way last year too... My Pick: Wisconsin by 17 Ohio State (Big Ten) vs. Texas Tech (Big XII) Synopsis: As a Buckeye fan, I am very biased in favor of the Bucks, but I will try to keep this as objective as possible. This game is pretty much going to be decided when Texas Tech's offense is on the field. The Red Raiders have one of the elite offenses in the country, and are led by Heisman candidate Kliff Kingsbury. The Buckeyes, on defense, are pretty much the best defensive unit that you can find in the Big Ten. Senior safety Mike Doss is going to be everybody's All-American at the end of the year. On the other side of the ball, both OSU's offense and TTU's defense have some serious questions. OSU recently lost a three-year starting quarterback, their starting running back, starting tight end, and a couple of O-line men, I honestly feel, though, that Ohio State should be able to re-load themselves on offense, with their very good receiving corps. TTU returns nine of their starters on the defensive side of the ball, and should be good enough to provide quite a bit of a challenge to the Buckeye offense. My pick: Ohio State by 1000... How about Ohio State by 10 New Mexico (MWC) vs. North Carolina State (ACC) Synopsis: This one looks like it has all the markings of a possible blowout, with a team vying for a BCS conference title and another team treading water in a middle-of-the-road conference... but that is not how I see this one going down. Granted, NC State returns Philip Rivers at quarterback, and has got a relatively good defensive unit coming back. I just have got a feeling about this game... My Pick: New Mexico by 3 Arizona State (Pac-10) vs. Nebraska (Big XII) Synopsis: This one looks like it has all the markings of a possible blowout, with a team vying for a National Championship and another team treading water in another BCS conference... and that is exactly how I see this one going down. The Huskers are too good to be upset by a team the likes of the Sun Devils, especially this early in the season. Add to that, the fact that Nebraska is pissed off about losing its' last two games in embarassing fashion, and I think that we may be seeing something ugly... My pick: Nebraska by 24 Florida State (ACC) vs. Iowa State (Big XII) Synopsis: Many pundits have stated that this is the game of the week, but I think that it is just going to be ugly. FSU is another team vying for a National Championship (if they get through Florida and Miami, they are in the title game, no questions asked), and the Cyclones appear to be just a steppingstone. The 'Noles return to national prominence begins on August 24 My pick: FSU by 17 Arkansas State (Sun Belt) vs. Virginia Tech (Big East) Synopsis: Fuck this. My pick: Virginia Tech by 42 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Agent_Bond34 0 Report post Posted August 15, 2002 Arkansas State (Sun Belt) vs. Virginia Tech (Big East) Synopsis: Fuck this. My pick: Virginia Tech by 42 lol That was nicely put. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted August 15, 2002 you forgot the easy win game of week 1 North Texas vs Univerisity of Texas predict Longhorns win by 56-10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest phoenixrising Report post Posted August 16, 2002 Arkansas State (Sun Belt) vs. Virginia Tech (Big East) Synopsis: Fuck this. My pick: Virginia Tech by 42 About the only way to do this game justice. VT is becoming the Big East's version of Kansas State (schedule crappy games out of conference). Minor mistakes - Groh coached last year at Virginia as well. And Colorado State is in the MWC. Just nitpicking on my part. That said I think CSU might take Virginia in this game. I really couldn't give you a reason why, just a feeling. Ohio State/Texas Tech should be the game of the week. Both teams look pretty evenly matched. I don't think OSU should have many problems with the spread offense TT uses, mainly because many Big Ten teams use it in some form or another. This is the game to look forward to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted August 16, 2002 Is there a sport that just starts their season without any real talk or buildup. What's great about these games is they really mean something. Granted an early season loss won't hurt has much as a late season loss it still matters more than any other sport. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest phoenixrising Report post Posted August 17, 2002 College football upsets are also really big too, because one loss affects the polls, the BCS and ultimately bowl placement. There is so much riding on many college football games, and that is what makes college football so exciting. In the pro sports upsets aren't all that big unless it's done in the playoffs. And the games don't really mean anything till the end of the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Blackston Report post Posted August 17, 2002 In college football, any loss will have a tremondous effect on the remainder of the season. Unless your team is located in Nebraska or the state of Florida, your team will not receive a second crack at the national title, and that aspect provides an atmosphere that is unrivaled in any other sport. A ten-loss season in college basketball will get you into the NCAA tournament. A six-loss season will give you a real opportunity to get into the NFL playoffs. It really sort of cheapens the regular season... but that is only my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
