Way Early Predictions for the first week in September

[Jim]

Yep, its me. Ready yourselves for yet another year of my rants and raves and mindless weekly predictions from week to week for this season. I've refrained from discussing politics in the off season since I'm still building up for that as well. So, here it is. My differences from the experts are basically Georgia beating Oklahoma State, CMU beating Kansas and BYU getting back at Arizona.

1.) Arizona at BYU === Cougars get revenge, 31-24.
2.) Tennessee at California === Luckily first game with lots of practice in preparation. Bears will need it to win, 27-24.
3.) Houston at Oregon === Cougars would ordinarily win as the Ducks would be looking ahead at Michigan but refs intervene. Ducks, 34-30.
4.) Washington at Syracuse === Huskies and Pac Ten speed, 30-24.

5.) Nevada at Nebraska === Big Red is going to run in this one as passing game will take a game or two. Huskers, 34-17.
6.) Colorado State vs. Colorado (Denver) === Buffs don't want a repeat start like 2006. Hard, emotional game with CU coming out on top, 28-17.
7.) Baylor at TCU === Toads are for real and might be on a scream for the Fiesta Bowl. Open with a win, 34-14.
8.) UTEP at New Mexico === Lobos win a close one, 24-17.
9.) Virginia at Wyoming === Cowboys don't get to host BCS teams often. Cavaliers fall to MWC, 28-24.

10.) Kansas State at Auburn === A lot like WSU's visit last year. Wildcats do a bit better but lose, 35-20.
11.) Oklahoma State at Georgia === OSU defense is lagging as spring game showed. Bulldogs win a close one, 27-20.
12.) Missouri vs. Illinois (St. Louis) === Zook is still building. Mizzou coaches need to catch up to the team. Mizzou, 34-23.
13.) Central Michigan at Kansas === CMU is among the best in MAC. KU is good at losing when victory is assured. CMU almost did it vs. BC last year. This year they get it done, 30-28.
14.) UAB at Michigan State === Blazers are looking at an uphill year this year. Spartans reinact Marathon with a 30-14 win.
15.) Ole Miss at Memphis === Two rivalry teams both looking up. Tigers felled by Johnny Reb, 23-14.

16.) Florida State at Clemson === The annual Bowden Bowl unfolds once again with the old man winning this time, 24-20.
17.) Georgia Tech at Notre Dame === This isn't a rerun of the movie, "Rudy". Jackets have experience and UND is trying to figure out just what they've got to work with. Ramblin' Wreck does a hit and run on the leprachaun, 31-21.

[Coach 3]

Jim, I am just returning to the board after a frenetic summer and was TRULY GLAD to see you still aboard....now, i notice no reponses to your ultra-early picks...so i want to say to you directly sir PLEASE dont get discouraged. Dont refrain fromyourabsolutely excellent football weekly previews at all..your weekly synopsis and predictions of upcoming games blending superb football insight in the context of all kinds of literary and historical reference points in your analyses are excellent writing and one of a kind stylistically... you just have to keep them rolling duringthe season!...i'll spar back at ya on some of your picks in response ( e.g. CMU is NOT the CMU of yesteryear...coaching changes... subpar skill position talent...look for them to be a desultory 6-6 at best)....looking forward to your writing...

[kocurt]

Ok, Here are my predictions on all the games without seeing more than a few snaps in practice............

1. Arizona gives a season preview as they shut down BYU in the second half to win it 27-10.

2. The pac-10 gets more bragging rights as they annihilate Tennessee, 42-17

3. Houston vs Oregon is not even going to be close. Oregan 55-Houston 21

4. K-State exposes an average Auburn team in losing 23-21

5. Oklahoma State freezes up between the hedges as UGA jumps out to a 3 TD lead before the Pokes shake off the jitters and roar back to lose 42-35.

6. Illinois wont close the gap on Mizzou this year. MU 28 IU 16

7. Oklahomas third string running back goes wild on the Domers and leads GT to a 42-21 win.

8. TCU gets an early scare from a very bad Baylor team, but still wins it 28-24.

9. Clemson once again burst the Seminole bubble 28-14.

10. The Kansas D makes a goal line stand to give KU a 21-17 win over CMU.

11. Nebraska keeps the play book closed and takes Nevada down in a "not as close as it looks" 31-20 win over Nevada.

12. The new CU era begins with a blow-out win over CSU. The Buffs take this one 45-24.

13. Appalachain State will take advantage of the BIg 10's lack of speed to jump to a big lead but be forced to hang on for dear life in the last quarter. Michigan 40 App State 38
Hows that ?.............

[Hubbs]

Ok, Here are my predictions on all the games without seeing more than a few snaps in practice............

1. Arizona gives a season preview as they shut down BYU in the second half to win it 27-10.

2. The pac-10 gets more bragging rights as they annihilate Tennessee, 42-17

3. Houston vs Oregon is not even going to be close. Oregan 55-Houston 21

4. K-State exposes an average Auburn team in losing 23-21

5. Oklahoma State freezes up between the hedges as UGA jumps out to a 3 TD lead before the Pokes shake off the jitters and roar back to lose 42-35.

6. Illinois wont close the gap on Mizzou this year. MU 28 IU 16

7. Oklahomas third string running back goes wild on the Domers and leads GT to a 42-21 win.

8. TCU gets an early scare from a very bad Baylor team, but still wins it 28-24.

9. Clemson once again burst the Seminole bubble 28-14.

10. The Kansas D makes a goal line stand to give KU a 21-17 win over CMU.

11. Nebraska keeps the play book closed and takes Nevada down in a "not as close as it looks" 31-20 win over Nevada.

12. The new CU era begins with a blow-out win over CSU. The Buffs take this one 45-24.



Hows that ?.............

Nothing average about Auburn's defense this season. Behind LSU it will be the best in the SEC and a top 10 defense in the nation. On offense you may have something there but Aubie will run the ball right down KSU's throat and win 24-6! We got alot of talent at RB you just havent ever heard of them because they are comming off a redshirt season and sparringly play in Mario Fannin and Ben Tate. Auburn wins at least 9 games this season. Talent wise this Auburn team (2007) beats 2006 Auburn team by 2 TD's. We are very underatted. Just like we like it.

[kocurt]

Nothing average about Auburn's defense this season. Behind LSU it will be the best in the SEC and a top 10 defense in the nation. On offense you may have something there but Aubie will run the ball right down KSU's throat and win 24-6! We got alot of talent at RB you just havent ever heard of them because they are comming off a redshirt season and sparringly play in Mario Fannin and Ben Tate. Auburn wins at least 9 games this season. Talent wise this Auburn team (2007) beats 2006 Auburn team by 2 TD's. We are very underatted. Just like we like it.


You could be right. I just cant get the picture of the Nebraska Huskers having thier way with Auburn out of my mind. They didnt just do well, they manhandled the Tigers badly. One of the little known secrets in the big 12 is the D front of KSU. After this game, it wont be a secret anymore. I think Auburn will handle the run well, just like Nebraska did. If Auburn is to win this game big, they will have to do it in the air.

[Hubbs]

How they went 11-2 is beyond me. This defense is paltry though. No more undersized DL that teams can manhandle. In 2005 Auburn had the #1 DL recruit class in the nation and red-shirted all but 1 of them. We have basically copycated what LSU did. Our OL is inexperienced but other than LG we upgrade everywhere else. Mike Berry a redshirt freshman is a stud at guard and Lee Ziemba a true freshman has been holding his own with Quentin Groves and earned a starting nod as a true fresh. I have heard good things about KSU's pass rush and read up on them. Auburn would be stupid to put Cox in a similiar position like they did with GT in '05 by throwing alot. We are unproven at reciever and OL so it seems running the ball is Auburns best bet. You dont know the name yet but Mario Fannin is the "next" back at Auburn. Recruited as an athelete out of UGA the redshirt freshman is very fast agile and big. 6'1 225 runs a 4.4 40. Ben Tate is a miniture Stephen Davis clone if you remember him. The Grubbs loss hurts Auburn but we have more talented players at C RT and RG. We return 3 starters from a top 20 pass defense and Tray Blackmon at Middle LB who will unleash his havoc this season.

Special Teams is the concern. Tristan Davis (who led the nation in kickoff returns) is out untill week five with a broken big toe and we replace both our punter and kicker. Trust me I am not tring to wear the Auburn glasses on this one. This defense is the best we have had (talent wise) since 1988. Offense is the question. Running game isnt but everything else is except QB. Cox will suprise with a good senior year. Remember he is a 6th year QB.

[aufan59]

I was assuming Kocurt just made a lot of far fetched predictions so he could go back and say "I called it." I thought it was a pretty good idea.

I'm surprised to see him defend them.

[kocurt]

I was assuming Kocurt just made a lot of far fetched predictions so he could go back and say "I called it." I thought it was a pretty good idea.

I'm surprised to see him defend them.


Which ones were "far fetched"?!:confused:

[aufan59]

Looking at it again most seem pretty good. Just the first 5 seem a bit far fetched.

[Hubbs]

but one man is entitled to his opinion. I will be the first to say I dont know much about OK. They are good. I assume you are going off what you saw in the cotton bowl when refering to an :average Auburn team". Being fair, Auburn didnt look good at all. Nebraska did dominate the line of scrimmage.

Auburn wasnt overly impressed with playing in the cotton bowl since they did beat LSu and finish ahead of them in the SEC west. No excuses Auburn didnt look good that day. This isnt the same team. Instead of undersized DL we now have size to stop the running lanes up the middle and force teams to have to counter and bounce out. That is a bad equation with our team speed on defense. The KSU pass rush is suppose to be very good. Expect Auburn to run the ball right at them. They will struggle to move the ball. From what I have gathered they lost their TE (suppose to be a all Big 12 canidate) to suspension. Their QB has also struggled this fall. He is a big play guy according to some of the people I have talked to over their.

On offense the question marks point to inexperience. Talent isnt the problem. Tuberville has stated that Fannin may be the best back he has ever coached. Deuce, Carnell, Ronnie, Rudi - thats saying alot. We will have to wait and see but in all honesty South Florida worries me (as a fan) ALOT more than a 1 deminsional KSU team.

[Hubbs]

I've been wrong before.

[aufan59]

South Florida worries me (as a fan) ALOT more than a 1 deminsional KSU team.

I completely agree with this.

If the kicking game comes through (which apparently is looking good so far) and the OL is sufficient I'd be disappointed if we don't at least split the road games.

I see a lot of improvement everywhere, but we got awfully lucky last year to only lose 2 games. This team could easily be better than the '06 team but end up with more losses.

[EvilVodka]

but one man is entitled to his opinion. I will be the first to say I dont know much about OK. They are good. I assume you are going off what you saw in the cotton bowl when refering to an :average Auburn team". Being fair, Auburn didnt look good at all. Nebraska did dominate the line of scrimmage.

Auburn wasnt overly impressed with playing in the cotton bowl since they did beat LSu and finish ahead of them in the SEC west. No excuses Auburn didnt look good that day. This isnt the same team. Instead of undersized DL we now have size to stop the running lanes up the middle and force teams to have to counter and bounce out. That is a bad equation with our team speed on defense. The KSU pass rush is suppose to be very good. Expect Auburn to run the ball right at them. They will struggle to move the ball. From what I have gathered they lost their TE (suppose to be a all Big 12 canidate) to suspension. Their QB has also struggled this fall. He is a big play guy according to some of the people I have talked to over their.

On offense the question marks point to inexperience. Talent isnt the problem. Tuberville has stated that Fannin may be the best back he has ever coached. Deuce, Carnell, Ronnie, Rudi - thats saying alot. We will have to wait and see but in all honesty South Florida worries me (as a fan) ALOT more than a 1 deminsional KSU team.

I saw K-State in person at the Texas Bowl...they got manhandled by Rutgers

K-State should be better this year, but they probably won't be where they were a few years ago under Snyder...they're still probably going to be somewhat mediocre...I expect Auburn to win handily

[EvilVodka]

Ok, Here are my predictions on all the games without seeing more than a few snaps in practice............

1. Arizona gives a season preview as they shut down BYU in the second half to win it 27-10.

2. The pac-10 gets more bragging rights as they annihilate Tennessee, 42-17

3. Houston vs Oregon is not even going to be close. Oregan 55-Houston 21

4. K-State exposes an average Auburn team in losing 23-21

5. Oklahoma State freezes up between the hedges as UGA jumps out to a 3 TD lead before the Pokes shake off the jitters and roar back to lose 42-35.

6. Illinois wont close the gap on Mizzou this year. MU 28 IU 16

7. Oklahomas third string running back goes wild on the Domers and leads GT to a 42-21 win.

8. TCU gets an early scare from a very bad Baylor team, but still wins it 28-24.

9. Clemson once again burst the Seminole bubble 28-14.

10. The Kansas D makes a goal line stand to give KU a 21-17 win over CMU.

11. Nebraska keeps the play book closed and takes Nevada down in a "not as close as it looks" 31-20 win over Nevada.

12. The new CU era begins with a blow-out win over CSU. The Buffs take this one 45-24.


Hows that ?.............

These picks suck!!! what are you thinking!!!!

just kidding...

I picked out a pick I agree with and one I disagree with...

I like the #2 pick...Cal is supposed to have a barn-burner kick returner, and the new kick-off rules benefit him...I also just have a feeling that Cal comes out of the gate this season full force, and might even give USC a run for the PAC 10 title (I have faith in Tedford)

I'll go with Auburn in #4 though...K-State isn't what they were under Snyder...

[kocurt]

How they looking now?:)
Oregon and Houston was almost exactly like I thought.
Okie state froze early and then came back (to lose)
KSU is dominating Auburn on the line like I said.
I missed Arizona badly (thought they were better)
Also overrated Baylor even though I thought they sucked, I just didnt think they fell THAT far THAT fast, thought TCU is a good team.

[kocurt]

I saw K-State in person at the Texas Bowl...they got manhandled by Rutgers

K-State should be better this year, but they probably won't be where they were a few years ago under Snyder...they're still probably going to be somewhat mediocre...I expect Auburn to win handily

Kansas State DOMINATED Auburn all night long. It took some home-cookin to keep the Tigers in it. Just like in the Cotton Bowl, they managed to get a win over a superior team with luck and some key "officiating". They are gonna do well in the SEC, but they better STAY in conference if they wanna keep winning.

[EvilVodka]

Kansas State DOMINATED Auburn all night long. It took some home-cookin to keep the Tigers in it. Just like in the Cotton Bowl, they managed to get a win over a superior team with luck and some key "officiating". They are gonna do well in the SEC, but they better STAY in conference if they wanna keep winning.

good job on the K-State pick...Auburn always seems to have trouble with OOC play

[Jim]

Ok, Here are my predictions on all the games without seeing more than a few snaps in practice............

1. Arizona gives a season preview as they shut down BYU in the second half to win it 27-10.

2. The pac-10 gets more bragging rights as they annihilate Tennessee, 42-17

3. Houston vs Oregon is not even going to be close. Oregan 55-Houston 21

4. K-State exposes an average Auburn team in losing 23-21

5. Oklahoma State freezes up between the hedges as UGA jumps out to a 3 TD lead before the Pokes shake off the jitters and roar back to lose 42-35.

6. Illinois wont close the gap on Mizzou this year. MU 28 IU 16

7. Oklahomas third string running back goes wild on the Domers and leads GT to a 42-21 win.

8. TCU gets an early scare from a very bad Baylor team, but still wins it 28-24.

9. Clemson once again burst the Seminole bubble 28-14.

10. The Kansas D makes a goal line stand to give KU a 21-17 win over CMU.

11. Nebraska keeps the play book closed and takes Nevada down in a "not as close as it looks" 31-20 win over Nevada.

12. The new CU era begins with a blow-out win over CSU. The Buffs take this one 45-24.

13. Appalachain State will take advantage of the BIg 10's lack of speed to jump to a big lead but be forced to hang on for dear life in the last quarter. Michigan 40 App State 38
Hows that ?.............

You're practically spot on EV. Very good analysis and the Appalachian State prediction for a hard fought close game is right on the money except ASU got the 2-poitn advantrage at the end rather than Big Blue. Still can't believe it!

[Monie]

Here are Jim's picks from week 1. Not bad overall. You got a few right and a few wrong. You didn't take Purdue, but we did overlap on the NM/UTEP game. I guess I got you week 1.

Week 2, I got:


Bama
Western Michigan

[EvilVodka]

You're practically spot on EV. Very good analysis and the Appalachian State prediction for a hard fought close game is right on the money except ASU got the 2-poitn advantrage at the end rather than Big Blue. Still can't believe it!

I think you're referring to kocurt's picks :confused: