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Friday, August 31, 2007
Our Fearless Friday Forecast
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This summer, when we had those 99 days in a row over 100 degrees, I thought this day would never get here.
But here we are. The first good piece of news is the high today might actually be under 90. The second is that it is finally time for the Fearless Friday Forecast of the 2007 season.
Each Friday we’ll pick the best 10 games from the SEC, ACC and Top 25. Some weeks there will be more SEC than ACC games and vice versa. Some weeks, like this one, there won’t be any games outside of those two leagues. In short, it’s going to have to be a pretty compelling national game to make our Top 10. I know that will make my Big Ten and Big 12 friends a little upset. Hey, we’re in the South. I’ve got to take care of my base. Texas-Oklahoma? It’s got a chance. Michigan-Notre Dame? Let’s see how the Irish do with the Techsters.
Remember that these predictions are for entertainment purposes only. Don’t take them to the bank, your bookie, your ex-wife or anyone with the ability to affect your financial future.
And away we go.
1. Georgia Tech at Notre Dame: Playing the Domers in Notre Dame Stadium is never easy. Too many ghosts make the ball bounce funny in that place. But this time Georgia Tech goes up there with the better football team. If the offense plays smart and does not turn it over, the Fighting Chan Gaileys have real shot in this one. Look for RB Tashard Choice to have a good day. Georgia Tech 17, Notre Dame 14.
2. Oklahoma State at Georgia: This one’s pretty simple. If Georgia can run the ball with that baby-faced offensive line, then things will be okay at Sanford Stadium Saturday night. But if the Dawgs can’t run the ball and Matt Stafford has to throw it 35 times, this one turns into a shootout with one of the best offenses in the country. The Dawg Nation does not want that. Georgia 24, Oklahoma State 20.
3. Tennessee at California: A year ago the Berkeley surfer boys came to Neyland Stadium and got smacked in the mouth in the first two minutes of the game. The next thing you knew it was 35-0 and the Bears were looking for the exits. The Vols will have to get physical again if they want to win out on the Left Coast. QB Erik Ainge has a broken pinky but it won’t matter. Tennessee 28, Cal 24.
4. Kansas State at Auburn: The Tigers have been flying under the radar this summer with all of the fuss going on in Tuscaloosa. They are coming out of the box with a pretty good team from the Big 12. Auburn will be pretty good on defense, which will get after Kansas State QB Josh Freeman in a big way. The offensive line is a work in progress and that’s a concern. Auburn 21, Kansas State 14.
5. Wake Forest at Boston College: On paper BC appears to have the edge with the ACC’s best quarterback in Matt Ryan. But the Eagles have a new coaching staff and in the first game all sorts of crazy things can happen. The Deacs, by the way, want to prove that last season was not a fluke. Wake Forest 21, Boston College 20.
6. East Carolina at Virginia Tech: It will be an emotional day in Blacksburg as the school will honor the April 16 shooting victims before the game. But after that the Hokies tune up for next week’s trip to LSU. Watch the play of QB Sean Glennon. That will tell you if Virginia Tech has a shot in Baton Rouge. Virginia Tech 35, ECU 10
7. Troy at Arkansas: This will be a tougher game than most people think. Troy QB Omar Haugabook can make a lot of big plays and the Hogs are trying to fill a lot of holes on defense. But Darren McFadden, the Heisman Trophy favorite, gets rolling in the second half as Arkansas pulls away: Arkansas 31, Troy 14.
8. Louisiana-Lafayette at South Carolina: The Head Ball Coach will keep it pretty vanilla on offense because: A) his starting quarterback (Blake Mitchell) forgot to go to class and will not play and B) Georgia’s coming up next week in Athens. Still, the Gamecocks get off to a good start on what should be another bowl season. South Carolina 30, La.-Lafayette 10.
9. UCF at N.C. State: This will not be an easy opener for Tom O’Brien, the new head coach at N.C. State. George O’Leary’s Knights return 17 starters from a team that underachieved (4-8) last season. Still, N.C. State has enough weapons to win. N.C. State 24, UCF 17.
10. UConn at Duke: This one is significant because Duke will kick a late field goal to win and finally break its 20-game losing streak. Duke 24, UConn 23.
