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DEL.ICIO.USThe Fearless Friday Forecast
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here is yet another reason why college football is the best game in the world. By all accounts, last week was supposed to be the lousiest slate of games for the 2008 season. But invariably, that’s when we get a couple of surprises.
I went 8-2 last week because I missed Georgia Tech’s impressive win at Boston College and East Carolina’s complete domination of West Virginia. Those two games alone have significantly changed the college football landscape. Georgia Tech now looks like a team that could have a pretty decent season under new coach Paul Johnson. East Carolina can now dare to utter the letters “BCS.” That’s a lot of change for one Saturday.
We now have a record of 16-4 over the first two weeks. Granted, there been a lot of cupcakes served to this point but now we’re finally starting to play some big boy football.
The “exhibition games,” as Steve Spurrier used to call them, are just about over and not a moment too soon. So let’s just jump in to another Fearless Friday Forecast.
1. Georgia (2-0) at South Carolina (1-1): On paper, Georgia should win this one by double digits. The Bulldogs are better at just about every position and they certainly have more firepower on offense. People point to last year’s win by South Carolina in Athens but that was before Knowshon Moreno became a star and opened up the entire offense. He only got 14 touches in that game. He’ll get that many in the first half on Saturday.
Logically, Georgia should win easily. But I just can’t shake the notion that this game is going to be close. The South Carolina defense is very good even though it gave up some points to Vanderbilt. It looks like Stephen Garcia, the star-crossed quarterback, might actually get in this game because The Ball Coach is running out of options trying to kick-start his offense. If WR Kenny McKinley can’t go for the Gamecocks, there is very little firepower there. Georgia wins, but it just isn’t going to be easy. Georgia 24, South Carolina 17.
2. Georgia Tech (2-0) at Virginia Tech (1-1): I have a feeling I am going to regret this pick but here it is: Virginia Tech (1-1), which lost to East Carolina in the opener, has its collective backs to the wall. The VT fans are actually getting testy with coach Frank Beamer on his radio show. Some of them think that after four straight seasons of 10 wins or more and two ACC championships, Beamer has suddenly forgot how to coach. So this is a rally the troops week in Blacksburg and I just get the feeling the Hokies are going to play well. But if Georgia Tech goes into that environment and wins its second straight conference road game, then I already have my ACC coach of the year. His name is Paul Johnson. Still, I’m going with the Hokies. Virginia Tech 21, Georgia Tech 20.
3. Ohio State (2-0) at Southern Cal (1-0): I could be wrong but if USC quarterback Matt Sanchez stays healthy and plays the entire game, I don’t think this one will be close. The Trojans have all those weapons on offense, but I like the Trojans because of that scary defense that features Rey Maualuga, one of the best linebackers I have seen in a long time. Now comes word that Ohio State running back Beanie Wells (foot) will not be 100 percent and may not play at all. The Buckeyes’ only shot was to control the football with Wells and shorten the game. Unless freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor grows up in a hurry, Ohio State won’t have a lot of options. Southern Cal 28, Ohio State 17.
4. Auburn (2-0) at Miss. State (1-1): Auburn has found the quarterback that it wants to run Tony Franklin’s spread offense. Chris Todd completed 21 of 31 passes last week against Southern Mississippi and the offense, coach Tommy Tuberville told me this week, should get better every week. The Tigers will need to improve even more on Saturday against a Mississippi State team that beat Auburn a year ago. The Bulldogs (1-1) are getting better but won’t be able to keep pace with the fast tempo of the Auburn offense. Auburn sets the table for next week’s visit from LSU. Auburn 27, Miss. State 10.
5. N.C. State (1-1) at Clemson (1-1): The Tigers cleared their head of the post-Alabama hangover and took care of The Citadel 45-17 last week. But it will take more than a win over a Division I-AA team to prove that Clemson still deserves to be the ACC favorite. Clemson has won four straight over the Wolfpack and figures to make it five, which would tie its longest streak in the series. Understand that for Clemson this game, and the next two games with S.C. State and Maryland, are about getting ready for a crucial Oct. 9 (Thursday) trip to Wake Forest: Clemson 31, N.C. State 14.
6. UAB (0-2) at Tennessee (1-1): This is another set-up game. Florida comes to Knoxville next week and the Volunteers need wake up this Sunday feeling good about themselves. Tennessee and its coaching staff have been getting pretty beat up by the fans and media since losing at UCLA on Sept. 1. The only way to change the tone of that conversation is to dominate somebody and beat them pretty badly. UAB, which has given up 94 points in its first two games, should play that role well. Tennessee 45, UAB 13.
7. Wisconsin (2-0) at Fresno State (1-0): This is a big BCS buster game. If Fresno State, which hasn’t played since a 24-7 win over Rutgers on Sept. 1, can beat the Badgers, the Bulldogs jump in there with East Carolina as a leading candidate to crash the BCS party and receive an at-large bid. Wisconsin is ranked No. 10 but has yet to play a quality opponent. That will change today. Fresno State has 13 wins against BCS teams since 2000 and is 51-12 at home under coach Pat Hill. Fresno has too much speed for the slower team from the Big Ten. Fresno State 24, Wisconsin 20.
8. Western Kentucky (1-1) at Alabama (2-0): The Crimson Tide was less than impressive in last week’s 20-6 win over Tulane, but that was to be expected. Alabama was without two offensive linemen and the players had spent and entire week listening to people tell them how good they were. The tempo for Saturday’s game will be different as the Crimson Tide sets the table for next week’s SEC opener at Arkansas. Western Kentucky will also be without starting quarterback K.J. Black, who has a pulled hamstring. Alabama 45, Western Kentucky 10.
9. Navy (1-1) at Duke (1-1): It may not be two high-powered teams but this one is going to be entertaining and close. Paul Johnson is gone as coach but Navy is still leading the nation in rushing with an average of 452 yards on the ground in the first two games. Duke lost to Northwestern 24-20 last week after opening the season with a 31-7 win over James Madison. These are the kind of games you really must win if you’re Duke coach David Cutcliffe. Duke will not be outmanned in this game so execution will be the key. Duke 28, Navy 24.
10. Michigan (1-1) at Notre Dame (1-0): Here is everything you need to know about this game. San Diego State lost its opener, 29-27, to Cal Poly, a Division I-AA school from the Great West Conference. Last week San Diego State lost at Notre Dame 21-13. San Diego State coach Chuck Long was asked which team was better: Notre Dame or Cal Poly?
His response?
“That’s a tough question,” he said.
Has there ever been less buzz about a Notre Dame-Michigan game? Notre Dame gets the edge at home but it’s going to be ugly. Notre Dame 14, Michigan 13.
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Comments
By Matt
September 12, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
We are going to miss ya Tony.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 12, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
Most common used words on Saturday:
Garcia pick 6! Can’t wait to watch the Dawgs knock this little punk all over the field Saturday!
UGA 34
USC 13
By SecIsFootball
September 12, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
UGA will win but will not cover. They should as they have a WAY better team than USC Jr. but they usually have a hard time with the Gamecocks.
MSU-AU will not be the beating you are predicting. While AU was more consistent in their passing game from week 1 (proof that Burns is a terrible passing QB), they are putting up a lot of yards and not many points. MSU has a pretty good secondary and will hang with the Spread Eagles.
BAMA should beat WKU but I would not bank on 34 points. If the Tide can get a big enough lead, they will put in some backups and that will hold the score down a bit. Bama wins by 27.
If there is a team I enjoy watching lose as much as I do AU, it is Notre Dame. Both of these teams in this game stink. Michigan has struggled big time and ND looked awful last week against SD State. They were losing in the 4th quarter to a team that lost to Cal-Poly. ND being at home gives them the edge. But lord if they win, Lou Holtz will not start his push for ND to win the BCS NC.
By CowetaDawg
September 12, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
You’re one of the best Tony and THE main reason I read the sports page on ajc.com. Best of luck to you down the road. Go Dawgs!
By Got 12?
September 12, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
Just for the record, Western Kentucky’s starting quarterback has a shoulder injury, not a pulled hamstring.
Anyway, RTR!
By T-Bone
September 12, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
Tony,
Are you leaving? I know that there have been changes at the AJC, but say it ain’t so! The AJC is a bunch of knuckleheads if they let you go. If you are leaving, can you tell us when and where and what’s next for you?
Now for the picks. I can’t disagree with any of your picks, except for maybe Duke/Navy and ND/Mich, and those are toss-ups.
Now let’s pull for PJ and the Jackets to march out of Blacksburg with an upset.
GO JACKETS!!
By Mark
September 12, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
Who has the longest winning streak in Div-1 football?…It ain’t Southern Cal
By Rusty
September 12, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Picking almost exactly what the spread indicates? So fearless! Here’s some real picks… 80% ATS:
http://www.rustybanks.com
By Gene
September 12, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
There is no question about Moreno’s athletic ability. But if Richt continues to showboat his talent, Moreno will end up on the sidelines before the big games even start. Let’s see if Moreno vaults over that big SC lineman.
By Old GT Nut
September 12, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Tony, you’re Fearless Friday Picks are really pathetic. These FFP’s continue to be some of the weakest/BS calls I see anywhere. So here’s some with real stones:
GA will cruise past SC by at least 2 TDs.
GT WILL CRUSH VT. Everyone is gonna be stunned when its a blowout at halftime. This game wont even be close. GT:43 VT:19. VT is a disaster on some many levels.
USC: 47 OSU: 22 And it wont be that close.
Michigan will beat ND Both are weak but RichRod is the better coach and knows how to win.
By LaughingBoy
September 12, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Time and again you throw out the “slow team from the Big 10” and time and again you get burned. Wisconsin wins big - unless you believe the Frenso hype after Rutgers’ showing last night.
By Mike
September 12, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
Gene, How is Mark Richt showboating Moreno’s talent? He realizes the kid has Heisman potential, but sat him down quite a bit during the first 2 games. The guy is averaging about 10 yards a touch.
You want to talk about showboating - How about Beanie Wells getting the ball when OSU was up 33 - 0 against Youngstown, plus he already had 100+ yards.
By Ga Hokie
September 12, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
This is clearly a rebuilding year for us— so Big Ups to you Tony Barnhart, aka Mr. College Football, for going out on a lim and taking the Hokies at home. While the Hokies might be an extremely young team this year (so far, 11 true freshman have seen playing time), Blacksburg is NOT a fun place to play, and especially when the Hokies have their collective backs to the wall.
I am not even going to respond to the ignorant blogs that are going to appear today, stating that GT will crush VT at home— get real: This is a rebuilding year for us, and I am pretty sure GT hasn’t put together a strong team that did not have one Mr. Calvin Johnson in the past how many years? So until you actually go into Blacksburg and put up, shut up.
This ain’t Chestnut Hill.
GO HOKIES!!
By Tony Barnhart
September 12, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
A few people have asked so I’ll clear this up.
While my full time relationship with the AJC is changing at the end of this month, we have agreed on a contract that will keep me doing this blog for the rest of this season.
I will also be doing my Saturday Game Day preview for the print side for the rest of the season.
This blog has been popular because of you and your support and I appreciate it. So I will be here for the rest of the season.
Thanks,
Tony B.
By bamafan
September 12, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
GO DAWGS AND HOPE SOLCAL BEATS BUCKEYES AND MAYBE BAMA WILL SHOW UP THIS WEEKEND!! ROLL TIDE EVERYBODY!!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
September 12, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Ga Hokie, ignorance is bliss I see…”So until you actually go into Blacksburg and put up, shut up.”
hmmm, since we had Calvin Johnson it doesn’t count we kick you butt last time there?
Ga. Hokie, you’ll have a better time this Saturday if you go to the dog fights.
Tony, you should have gone with your gut feeling.
GT 31 VT 17
UGAg rolls big.
By crazy4gt
September 12, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Ga Hokie - Seems that we have won up there with a marginal coach and barely average QB. Can’t be too difficult.
By Old GT Nut
September 12, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Sorry Hokie fans, but Barnhardt seems oblivious to the extent that this VT team is in complete dissaray.
VT is gonna get pounded by GT. BADLY. Its gonna be a TOTAL BLOWOUT.
Its unbelievable to me that no one sees a shocking VT loss coming.
And, after big loss to GT, VT’s schedule includes: at UNC, at Nebraska(with new HC Bo Pelini-2007 LSU Def Coord, in case you forgot), at BC, at FSU, at Miami.
VT will be a TRAINWRECK this year, and 4-8 is the BEST to hope for.
By Pago Flyer
September 12, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
The ND coach was quoted as saying…”The Hell With Michigan”…this has hurt Michigans feelings. Pretty funny..
By OldGold
September 12, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
That’s what you said last week… GO TECH!!!
By GTdude
September 12, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
Sounds familiar. Wrong, but familiar. Go TECH!!!!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
September 12, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
I think the team we beat last week, went there last year and beat the Jokies…scarey stuff up there in Blacksburg.
By ga hokie
September 12, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
HA.. what y’all won with was the best player in your schools history, when we had a QB starting his 3rd game ever?
If I recall correctly, you guys did not score a single point that entire game that did not include Mr. Johnson?
Try winning something for once, and then you will have the right to talk smack. Until that point comes, your opinions really mean nothing to me.
If y’alls fans were as passionate about your team in person as you are on these blogs, maybe you could sell out your stadium for once… with your own fans.
By inveniojacket
September 12, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Does anyone else get the feeling that ‘Old GT Nut’ and ‘m’ might be the same pathetic douchebag?
GO JACKETS!!!
By GT76
September 12, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
If UNC can do to Rutgers what they did last night, then GT can sure as hell do the same to VT tomorrow.
By ga hokie
September 12, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Ramble On—
See that comment is EXACTLY what is wrong with your ignorant fan base, and exactly why DAWG fans stomp all over y’all— your ignorant and you live in a dream world.
The “team you beat last week” is NOT the same team that came into Blacksburg last year and engineered a great come from behind victory. You can lie to yourself as much as you want, but its not going to change anything.
Hell if we are going off of last years team, do you want me to bring up what we did to y’all at home? Really??
Lane Stadium has consistently been ranked the hardest place to play in the nation by ESPN, Rivals.com, Scouts.com— do some research.
Like I said in my first post— we are not unbeatable. But don’t come on here and act like GT is going to run the score up on VT.. y’all haven’t proven anything as a team. Since we joined the ACC we’ve had 2 titles and lost another one to FSU, so suck it.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
September 12, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
ga jokie to quote you “I am not even going to respond to the ignorant blogs that are going to appear today”…that lasted a long time.
I can remember many of the 37 points not coming from Calvin Johnson.
Your a moron and don’t a clue of what you’re taling about.
Oh yea, this ain’t Furman you struggled with last week.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
September 12, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Let’s contrast the TWO.
GT’s “best player in Schools history” is starting Sunday in the NFL.
VT’s “best player in Schools history” is making licenses plates in the Federal Pin.
By ga_tech_92
September 12, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
I’m a homer, but VT is going to be very tough. I don’t see a blowout. I see us scrapping and barely pulling it out at the end. Let’s go JACKETS!! Go prove the experts wrong again and steal another one!!!
By BobinBuford
September 12, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Ga Hokie:
You lost to Eastern Carolina, and then barley beat Furman. crazy4gt has it right - you guys lost in the “hardest place to play in the nation” to a team with Chan Gailey as a head coach. And if I remember correctly, once GT got ahead in that game, Lane Stadium got pretty quiet after that.
The Jackets are now a team that will not fold up and go away like the Chan Gailey teams did. With him as coach, GT probably would have lost that game last week. Instead, they just played harder than BC and won.
BTW, I hope Michigan jumps all over ND tomorrow. If there are any fans more obnoxious than UGA fans, it’s Notre Dame’s. Which made the GT win there last year even more sweet.
By reality check
September 12, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
I am by no means an OSU fan, and agree USC should be favored, especially because they have such a good defense.
But OSU has a lot of talent and the fact they were flat last week against Ohio may be misleading. In college football there have been many instances of a team being flat the week before a big game and world beaters the next week.
By Old GT Nut
September 12, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
For all you GT fans that want a glimpse of what GT will do to VT on Satruday, just go to YOUTUBE and search: GARY GUYTON BIG HIT.
Here comes the BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM.
By m
September 12, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Tony, I think it is safe to say that you are the Chan Gailey of writers….which is to say that you suck.
By Spike
September 12, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
For the love of God… Will ESPN ever stop showing highlights of Ohio State? The whole halftime show last night was OSU and Beanie Wells. And if Lou “Granny” Holtz is not totally off his rocker I don’t know who is. He claimed that Central Michigan would put up big points on the UGA defense. Dogs escape with a nailbiter and Techs’ bubble will burst Saturday.
By Miles
September 12, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
McNeese State cancelled their game against Cal Poly…looks like the Cowboys are afraid of the Mustangs! USC over Ohio State by at least 18 points…Georgia Tech will beat the Hokies…Michigan @ Notre Dame…who cares?
By Will
September 12, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Tony,
Glad your going to finish the season. I feel the same way as you about the UGA-Lamecock game. What really scares me is that Spurrier knows he can’t go 0-2 to start the season in the SEC. This is a real trap game for my dogs. I’m thinking 21-20 dogs and my nails will be much shorter by Saturday night.
By Old GT Nut
September 12, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
M:
I agree. These predictions by “Mr. College Fottball” are decidely pedestrian.
Barnhardt: “This team can win or they could lose. It will come down to the final score.”
Wow. Thats reporting?? There’s more valuable reporting coming from the AJC Want Ads.
By azcat225
September 12, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Tony Thanks for the clarification. I, for one, hope you can work it out with the AJC to stay here on a contract basis for longer than just the season. In any event, best of luck in whatever the future happens to hold for you (and all the other talent the AJC “management” has let slide out the side door).
Rusty Banks You’re a tool of the first order. Go advertise in the men’s room at Manuel’s Tavern.
By BobinBuford
September 12, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Spike:
The reason that they show all those OSU highlights is because that game is on ABC Saturday. The SEC games are on CBS or the regional network. They have to build up the game (which will probably be a USC blowout) in order to get people to watch it.
The more interesting ABC game will be at 3:30 on Saturday.
Go Jackets!!!!
By pipepimp
September 12, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
Georgia better watch out for BAMA in two weeks, BAMA has only given up 86 yards rushingin 8 quarters
By jackets1
September 12, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
To: Ga Hokie
GT won the last time they played at Blacksburg. Yes that was with Calvin Johnson, what were we supposed to do? Bench Johnson and try to win the game with a backup. You put your best players on the field to win the game.
I don’t get your point.
By dawgpound
September 12, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
GTech loses by one score
Michigan wins by two scores. Seriously, both teams are bad but Notre Dame is AWFUL. I don’t see how anyone can pick ND in this one, period.
UGA by 10 in a close game. Remember even when we won 18-0 it was a close game.
Southern Cal by 17. Carroll is too good.
Clemson by 21.
and TONIGHT
USF over Kansas by 6 points
By Lou
September 12, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
Tomorrow will mark the first of 2 straight road losses for the Dawgs. Gimme Spurrier every time against Georgia.
By reality check
September 12, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
I sense the wheels are about to come off at South Carolina. Spurrier has always been hard on his team and sooner or later they are going to start resenting it.
One thing that hasn’t gotten much notice is Doerr transferring to Kansas State a week or so ago. He was humiliated in a team meeting by one of the coaches. That is classless. Granted he was a freshman punter and scheduled to redshirt this year but dressing someone down in front of peers is a terrible thing to do in any walk of life.
By buzzwax
September 12, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Any fan that goes on this blog and boldly states one team is going to crush the other is foolish!! GT has a better chance this year than most going into Blacksburg due to the loss of several key players from VT. But to say a young GT team will go into VT and crush them is foolish!!! Neither team is so good that the one committing several mistakes can pull out a victory. If beamer ball is not a factor than GT has a very good chance to win. But if the TO margin is +2 to VT they win in a blowout due to emotion….but since the premise of this blog was predictions, the turnovers and mistakes made by GT were a blessing in disguise,GT has more talent and good coaching, GT 27 - VT 17.
By PACWIN
September 12, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
The only scores that count this weekend are USC 38 vs OSU 10, and UGA 21 vs usc 17. I’ll continue following UGA as long as the appear to be the meat for USC at the BCS. Good luck Dawgs. I really want to see USC vs UGA. I can’t wait.
By Old GT Nut
September 12, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Some of you fellow GT fans are just unbelievable!! WHERE IS YOUR SPINE??THIS GAME WONT BE CLOSE…AT ALL.
In their second game, VT could only muster 3 lousy points in the closing seconds of the first half…AGAINST FURMAN for crying out loud !!!!!!!!!!
WAKE UP PEOPLE! VT lost most of their 2007 Offense(2 starting RBs & 6 starting WRs) and their entire 2007 Defense…and now that have BIG QB issues…..AND YOU PEOPLE THINK THIS GAME IS GONNA BE CLOSE?????????
Hell, VT fans have even started to turn on Beamer!!
HEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOO ???? Anyone in there??
GT IS GOING TO STEEEEAAAAMMMM ROLL VT tomorrow.
By Ben in Athens
September 12, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
PACWIN, same to you. I was really hoping we’d get the matchup with USC last year in the Rose Bowl. All those old school guys had to pick Illinois, though. I have no doubt USC will win this weekend, but I’m worried about some of the lesser hyped Pac-10 games that seem to give y’all trouble every year. Also, we won’t be undefeated, but I hope to escape the schedule with only 1 loss (my bet is at LSU).
By ckj
September 12, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Tony,
You and Lou Holtz give this SC defense more props than it deserves. When you claim that this D is very good, what on God’s green earth are you basing this on. Vandy beat them running up the gut and NCST has absolutely nothing on offense.
The SC defense is overrated by you media types and Spurrier sympathizers. Dogs roll by at least 3 touchdowns. It will not be a game in the fourth quarter. Dogs empty their bench for the third game in a row.
By Observer
September 12, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Someone please shutup Old GT Nut and M. Its embarassing to consider them part of the Tech fanbase.
By Atlanta Gator
September 12, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
(1) I’m a big fan of the Evil Genius, dating back to his days as the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils and Tampa Bay Bandits, but something feels wrong in Spurrier Land in 2008. For the USC vs. UGA match-up, I expect the Dawgs to win, and I don’t expect the final score to be as close as Tony’s 24-17 prediction.
(2) Virginia Tech is still better. Here’s hoping Barnhart and I are both wrong for the sake of the hometown team.
(3) Southern Cal by at least 17 points. Buckeyes have not beaten Trojans since 1974, and that’s not likely to change in 2008.
(4) Tigers over the other Bulldogs. Croom may be the best coach in the SEC with no 5-star talent, but that’s the problem, not an accolade.
(5) The Wolfpack will make the Tigers look like worldbeaters, or at least ACC champions.
(6) Likewise, UAB will make the Volunteers look like SEC champions. Vols should remember UCLA game.
(7) Fresno State over Wisconsin? Hard to believe. If Mr. CFB is right, the Big 10 can just cancel the rest of its 2008 season.
(8) Easiest pick of Barnhart’s 10 games: Bama. By a whole lot of points. Good opportunity for Old Nick to clear the bench and give his young talent some game time.
(9) Here’s one for you fans of Cutcliffe. I hate to cheer against Navy, but Duke needs the win even more. Duke in a close one.
(10) Has this game ever meant less to the outcome of the Division I season? Probably not, but these two teams will still beat the snot out of each other. My money is on the money-grubbing coach from West Virginia. Weis’ days are numbered.
Bonus prediction: the Gators will finish this weekend undefeated. Good luck to all——may the best teams win (they usually do).
By Bob
September 12, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Tony, In respecting your picks, I see 1 miss my friend. As much as it hurts me to say, the Miss. State-Auburn match is an upset waiting to happen. Miss. State24-21
By Atlanta Gator
September 12, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Tony——Your day-to-day work for the AJC will be missed, but I hope your days as a college football columnist will continue elsewhere.
By Bob
September 12, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Tony, As much as it hurts, I think the Auburn- Miss. State game is an upset waiting to happen. Miss. State 24-21
By Atlanta Gator
September 12, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Tony Barnhart: Brief Biography (ESPN)
Noted college football journalist Tony Barnhart joined ESPN in 1993 as a “Halftime Blitz” reporter on the network’s Thursday Night Game of the Week. Beginning with the 1997 season, he also became a regular reporter on the acclaimed College GameDay each Saturday.
Since July of 1987, Barnhart has been the college sports editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, considered one of the nation’s best daily newspapers. He previously spent three years as the assistant sports editor, as well as a college sports beat writer.
Barnhart came to Atlanta in 1984 from the Greensboro (N.C.) News & Record, where he focused on ACC football and men’s basketball for eight years.
He’s also been a college football correspondent for The Sporting News, and is the current southern correspondent for Football News. Barnhart also was the screenwriter for “The Southern Game,” a 1996 documentary on southern college football produced by Georgia Public Television. The piece was nominated for a southern region Emmy. He’s currently working on turning the documentary into a book entitled “Southern Fried Football.”
Currently, Barnhart is president of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), and the southern regional voting director for the Heisman Trophy Award. He’s also served as president of the ACC Sportswriters Association. He’s won three Georgia Press Association awards for sports writing (1990, ’96, ’97), and is a two-time winner (1982 & ‘83) of the Landmark Communications Award for sports writing. He also won the 1988 Associated Press Sports Editor Award for sports reporting, and for three consecutive years (1982-84) was honored as the North Carolina Sportswriter of the Year.
A Greensboro, Ga., native, Barnhart is a 1976 Georgia graduate with a journalism degree. At UGA, he edited the student newspaper, The Red & Black. He previously attended Georgia Southern, editing that school’s student paper, as well – The George-Anne – and won the school’s Outstanding Student Leadership Award in 1974.
Born Aug. 4, 1953, Barnhart is married with one child.
By shane #1
September 12, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
1- UGA should win easily, but I dount that will happen When was the last time winning in Columbia was easy? Dawgs win by 10. 2- Tech wins. 3- Everyone is saying blowout so I am tempted to pick Ohio St because most people are wrong most of the time. I am picking USC but the OSU D will make it closer than yOu think. 4- AU wins, but two good Ds make it an ugly game. 5- NC ST? Please! CMU would beat Them like a drum. IF ST even makes it close Bowden needs to go! 6- Should be a blowout, but Fulmer may be working on the game with the Gators and not want to show His hand. I look for UT to run the ball at least 50 times. One thimg UT has is RBs, They should get a lot of carries to get ready for UF. 7- I am picking the Badgers, a good team that gets very little pub. OSU didn’t have to play Them last year or the BCSNCG could have been different. 8- ‘Bama should be in high gear, Saban was not happy with last weeks game and made his feelings known Any player that doesn’t go all out in this one will be on the bench after the kickoff next week. Blowout. 9- I am picking Navy. Losing to Northwestern does not build confidence in Me. 10- Sorry, but I am sick of Domers calling talk shows and touting the revelence of Their program. Michigan wins. At least I hope Big Blue wins, just to shut The Domers and Holtz up for another year.
By mountain fan
September 12, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Tony, you did not learn last week…no wonder they fired you…LOL…just kidding.
Mr Observer, m is too funny to get get mad about and Old Tech nut has that contagious disease called Johnson Express Fever…get some!
By Tech fan in NC
September 12, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Travel note…any Tech guys driving to BBurg note that gasoline is really hard to find up here right now….good luck.
By War Eagle
September 12, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
How many numbers will Bama improve in the ranking with a big time win over a Ohio Valley Conference team (Western Kentucky) without its starting QB? Last week they had 23 minutes of offense, edging a team(Tulane) that has been unranked since Tommy Bowdon was coach, and moved from 13th to 11th in AP?? UGA will cruise, Auburn wins a close one, Tech upsets VT
By FalconFever
September 12, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
GaPokie…
Tech has been to Blacksburg and “Put up” as you have asked. See the game there just two short years ago. Indeed, it was so lopsided that Tech started the second half with its third team!!! VaGayPokies did score several late TD’s to make the score look respectable but GTech did win by 11 anyway.
And yes, GaTech is rebuilding, and has started more freshmen and sophomores than Virginia crybaby Tech …and we will be playing on the road but we still have a shot at winning this game. You pathetic gay moron.
By MountainDawg
September 12, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Lou, lay off the crack boy! The Dawgs are gonna stomp a mudhole in Slurppier’s Lamecox! UGA has way too much firepower for the GAYmechickens! Dawgs win by 14-20 points (easily)! GO DAWGS!!!
By AltamahaDawg
September 12, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Is there any truth to the story about Meyer’s setting the scoreboard to 70-0 so they can practice thier last minute FG kicking drill during the offweek?
By GA Hokie
September 12, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Enough said.. shut up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NzNKKrYHqY
Go Hokies!
(oh and FalconFever you are just asanine, I must’ve hit a nerve w/ you :P )
By 74 Dawg
September 12, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Tony,they are making money oncollege football coverage and losing it w/their far left political slant. They should have kept you and cut Cynthia Tucker. But decisions like that are why the AJC ain’t what it used to be.
By SC Rules!!!
September 12, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
War Eagle, You do have a point with regards to ‘Bama moving up in the polls, they didn’t look good at all last week.
shane#1, Good luck (not really) with your pick against my Trojans tomorrow. I think it will be over with by half time. Coach Carroll wants to make a big splash in prime time and the Crush bros. (#’s 10 & 58) are itchin’ to put the beat down on those clowns from middle earth!
By shane#1
September 12, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
SC rules, I picked USC, but I don’t think it will be a monumental blowout like everybody says. OSU does have a good D, and good D’s usually keep the score close in big games. The same with Ga and tUSCe, Spurrier has a pretty good D and needs to “win ugly” like last year. I look for a Dogfight, or Chickenfight.
By SC Rules!!!
September 13, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
shane#1, my apologies it looked like you were hoping for the upset.
UGA will be fine though I think TOBC might have the chickens riled up enough to make it interesting for the first 30 mins. then world order will be restored.
By Gen Neyland
September 13, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
No matter what happens today, Tennessee will be a home dog to UF. UGA wins…USC wins. OSU will look at this game as a Rose Bowl match up so the story ends like usual…AU, Duke wins and Jimma Clausen, not Jimma Kawtur, blows it…Sorry, Lou.
By shane #1
September 13, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
SC Rules, No prob Bud. It’s just seems that when all the pundits look for a close game, ala ‘Bama-Clemson, USC-LSU, it’s a laugher, and when They look for a close game it’s a blowout. I just hope We can eke one out against the Gamecocks, too many “experts” think it will be a blowout. I don’t look for a big score on either side. Spurrier has a big line and some hosses at LB so I look for Him to put 8 in the box and come with a lot of blitz packages. What has He got to lose? He is a smart coach and has been around long enough to know how to let the air out of the ball. If Stafford keeps His head there may be some big plays to be made in the passing game. It should be intresting. Hope to see You in Miami.
By shane #1
September 13, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Hey Gen, it seems Your OC will not make the UAB game because of injury. He had a rectum transplant yesterday due to all the “reaming out” He recieved on Mon and Tues. He did say that He was having no more trouble with hemorrhoids, except for the “big fat one in the orange shirt”. Maybe it will be a while before He calls 45 passimg plays in a game again.
By shane #1
September 13, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this
SC Rules, of course I meant OSU-LSU. Another reason not to blog when You have been hittin’ the Gen’s sippin’ solvent.
By SC Rules!!!
September 13, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
shane#1, Good to hear from ya! How was the summer break? Busy on this side of things. You’re correct in that Spurrier is a smart ole bird and he’ll have a wrinkle or two but y’all have too many horses of your own and in the end Moreno will run the chickens down.
I have a feelin’ like I had mentioned yesterday that Coach Carroll is gonna want to make a quick yet painful kill of the shrubs, he doesn’t want to let this play out like the ‘06 Rose Bowl where the shrubs hang around and have a chance to pull off the last minute win like Texas did. Not that I think OSU is anywhere near as good as that Texas team was. Tell the Gen I said hey.
By Atlanta Gator
September 13, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Alta~Dawg——No truth to that rumor whatsoever. In truth, the scoreboard was set to 84-0, and the Gator offensive unit was practicing its “Hail Mary” passes to the endzone from the 50 yard-line.
By Gen Neyland
September 13, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
shane #1
‘Roids are fixable, but that chip on some fans shoulders will lag ‘em down(e.g. #1 or #2 or #???) Good luck against the SC Roosterchickens and the Mother Hen at Foghorn Field in Columbia…Go Vols
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
September 13, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Watch and enjoy Tech fans!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbTRRXfdQng&feature=related
By AltamahaDawg
September 13, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
See I knew you would get that.
By TrueCrimson
September 13, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Tony,
I think that you’re just trying to get the Georgia Tech fans riled up. Maybe it will work?
At least you didn’t pull out the old Pat Dye ruse regarding “challenging their manhood”!
Will this be Steve Spurrier’s final year with the fighting chickens? I expect the Dawgs to leave bloody feathers all over the field. Too bad Leonard PostToasties isn’t around to pontificate on this match up.
By Ga Hokie
September 13, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Good game guys, was a classic ACC battle…
By Rudy's Back!!!!!!
September 13, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Ugly My Irish A**. N.D. blew em out. GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Irish are back. Just like all the real N.D. fans always knew they would be.
By SC Rules!!!
September 14, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
rudy’s back, Don’t go polishing the Dome just yet! Who have y’all beat?? SD State, yeah a real power there, Michigan (ditto) U suck and your team sucks even worse. Can’t wait for November and the yearly beating we put on you homers!!!
By Atlanta Gator
September 14, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Well, on the bright side, Ohio State will not be selected for the BCS championship game again, and this 35-3 stomping should silence the ESPN yokels from rambling on about the Buckeyes all the damn time.
On the down side, if UGA or another SEC team is selected for the BCSCG, they will have to play someone other than the Fighting Patsies of Columbus.
By PACWIN
September 14, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
UPDATE By PACWIN
September 12, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
The only scores that count this weekend are USC 38 vs OSU 10, and UGA 21 vs usc 17. I’ll continue following UGA as long as the appear to be the meat for USC at the BCS. Good luck Dawgs. I really want to see USC vs UGA. I can’t wait.
I nailed it
I don’t think you can keep playing like you did Saturday, and make the show in January. Step up your game.
By TrueCrimson
September 14, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
Tony,
Your Auburn vs. State score was pretty close — if you divide both scores by ten.
;-)
By mike
September 18, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Why are you so garbage with the Big East.. Funny how you mentioned every team but Uconn .. (obviously by choice)and your considered an “expert” .. hardly an expert rather a biased talking head.