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Friday, September 8, 2006
Fearlessly forecasting an unpredictable season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I could be wrong. I often am. But based on last week’s games, I think this is going to one of the most unpredictable college football seasons we have had. To that end, we will start a new tradition today with our first Fearless Friday Forecast.
After fretting about the trip to Columbia all summer, Georgia will win comfortably at South Carolina. The Ball Coach is doing everything he can to compensate for an offensive line that is struggling. Blake Mitchell, meet Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson. By late Saturday night you’ll be well acquainted.
Clemson suffered a real blow when linebacker Anthony Waters was lost for the season but the Tigers will still win at Boston College. BC will try to play smash mouth like they did last season when the Eagles won at Clemson and it will work for a half. Clemson has too many weapons and will win on a late field goal.
As regular season games go it just doesn’t get any better than No. 1 Ohio State going to No. 2 Texas. The Buckeyes are good but their defense gave up almost 300 yards of total offense to Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe. Look for the Longhorns to run the ball and keep Troy Smith and the Ohio State offense off the field. Let’s call it Texas 24, Ohio State 21.
Who is pulling hardest for California today when they host Minnesota? That would be Tennessee, which just stomped the Golden Bears last Saturday in Knoxville. A win over a solid Big Ten team by Cal would further validate Tennessee’s victory and set the table for next week’s showdown with Florida. California is not the No. 9 team in the nation but the Bears are good and will beat Minnesota.
In beating Memphis last Sunday, Ole Miss showed that it is going to have some offensive firepower and will not be a walkover for the rest of the SEC. Ed Orgeron has given the Rebels a big dose of attitude and they will show it again on Saturday when they go on the road and beat Missouri.
