I Love the Smell of Pigskin in the Autumn

Labor Day is next weekend and its arrival marks the unofficial end of summer.  But don't cry for summer passing the torch to autumn because Labor Day also marks something else far more important: the beginning of the college football season.    With that said, here is look at some of the opening week's most interesting games.

Legitimacy GotW (Game of the Week) *2011 record in parentheses

14 Clemson (10-4)  vs 25 Auburn (8-5) in Atlanta, GA

This is a matchup between two teams looking to gain legitimacy in the national championship picture.  Clemson looked like a dark horse contender through the first eight games of last season.  They finished by losing four of their final six games, including a trouncing by West Virginia in the Orange Bowl.  The good news coming into this season, though, is the Tigers return many dynamic offensive weapons, including junior quarterback Tajh Boyd (a possible Heisman candidate) and sophomore wide receiver Sammy Watkins.

Auburn is two years removed from a national championship and would love nothing more than to be a contender in the SEC, which by default would make them a contender for the national title.  The problem is Auburn is stacked in a division with the likes of Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas who are all ranked in the preseason top 10; not to mention a game against SEC East foe Georgia (also in the top 10).  The War Eagles are going to start the season with sophomore QB Kiehl Frazier under center and will have to overcome the dismissal of star RB Michael Dyer.  In order for Auburn to attain legitimacy, they cannot afford a loss to a nonconference opponent due to their murderer's row conference schedule. 

Prediction: Clemson 31  Auburn 24

Championship GotW

8 Michigan (11-2)  vs 2 Alabama (12-1) in Dallas

It has been a few years since Michigan has been talked about as a factor on the national scene but nothing could put them back on that scene quicker than upsetting the defending national champs on a primetime stage in the House That Jerry Built.  The Wolverines are led by senior quarterback Denard "Shoelace" Robinson, a dual threat Heisman candidate, and junior running back Fitzgerald Toussaint.  The Maize and Blue have some holes to fill on D but do return all starting linebackers from a year ago and do have some experience on the line and in the secondary. 

What more can be said about Alabama?  The Crimson Tide has won two of the past three championships and are coached by the only man to win three BCS titles, Nick Saban.  They lost a lot on both sides of the ball from last year, but at the football factory, you just replace them and keep on chugging.  Overlooked and underappreciated junior quarterback, A.J. McCarron, returns to provide a steady hand at the helm of the offense and the defense will feature a bunch of guys who don’t have name recognition on Labor Day but will by the time Thanksgiving rolls around.

Prediction: Alabama 23  Michigan 17

Maker/Breaker GotW

9 South Carolina (11-2) vs Vanderbilt (6-7)

Steve Spurrier has been able to accomplish one of the most difficult tasks in college football while at South Carolina.  He has taken a school that has been historically mediocre and made them into a legitimate force.  Favored by several to win the SEC East, a loss to Vanderbilt could definitely be a season breaker for the Gamecocks.  They return junior quarterback Connor Shaw and hope workhorse junior running back, Marcus Lattimore, can return to form after a season-ending knee injury late last season.  Also, look for top 2011 recruit Jadaveon Clowney to have a monster season at defensive end for the Ol’ Ball Coach.

Vanderbilt exceeded expectations last season in coach James Franklin's first season on the job.  This year, the Commodores enter with expectations of making some noise in the SEC East.  A good way to do that would be a potential season making upset victory over a top 10 school like South Carolina.  The 'Dores return senior quarterback Jordan Rodgers (brother of Aaron), and top running back, Zac Stacy. 

Prediction: Vanderbilt 27  South Carolina 24

Intriguing GotW

22 Boise State(12-1)  vs 13 Michigan State (11-3)

Boise State is not afraid to play any team, anywhere, at any time.  There is perhaps no more underappreciated program over the past six or seven years than BSU, who is constantly being raked over the coals for playing in such a weak conference.  But when given the opportunity to play the bigger programs, all the Broncos have done is win: Oklahoma, Oregon, Georgia, TCU to name a few.  When they head to Lansing next weekend, though, it will be without stud quarterback Kellen Moore who graduated last season. 

Michigan State is much like Clemson; seemingly always on the fringe of something greater, yet not able to achieve it.  After losing in the conference championship game last season, this could be the year the Spartans finally breakthrough in the Big Ten.   The Spartans lose long time starting QB Kirk Cousins to the NFL but do return junior RB Le'Veon Bell  to tote the mail. 

Prediction: Michigan State 27  Boise State 17

Gotta Have It GotW

Kentucky (5-7) vs  25 Louisville (7-6)

Kentucky's five year bowl streak came to a halt last season and immediately put head coach Joker Phillips on the hot seat.  In order for Phillips to get to a fourth season, he will more than likely have to lead the Wildcats to a bowl bid this season.  For that to happen, his team will probably have to beat in-state rival Louisville.  The Wildcats don't return many weapons on either side of the ball from last season, but hope to have some new faces step up and make plays.

Louisville head coach Charlie Strong is facing expectations of a different kind.  The Cardinals are favored to win the Big East and hope to parlay that into some BCS credibility.  A loss to an underdog, in-state rival would certainly derail those thoughts.  The Cardinals return dynamic sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater and junior RB Dominique Brown.  Of course, the hallmark of any Charlie Strong team is the defense.

Prediction: Kentucky 28  Louisville 21

Who Cares GotW

Navy (5-7) vs  24 Notre Dame (8-5) in Dublin, Ireland

A few years ago, Navy shook the Notre Dame monkey off of their backs and ended an embarrassing  43 year losing streak to the Golden Domers.  Since then, the series has been evenly matched.  Going into this game, you can bet that Navy will be running the option, hoping to grind the clock and wear down the Fighting Irish defense.

In an effort to once again prove their relevance in college football, Notre Dame has scheduled the ultimate gimmick game: a matchup with a service academy in Dublin, Ireland.  Leave it to Notre Dame to challenge an inferior opponent in a gadget game thousands of miles away in front of real, fighting Irish.  Another unimpressive season would likely place head coach Brian Kelly firmly on the hot seat.   Kelly is turning to redshirt freshman QB Everett Golson to lead the way against the Midshipmen.

Prediction: Navy 33  Notre Dame 30 (2 OT)

Absurd Matchup of the Week

OKC Kindergartener Cooper Barton vs OKC School

In case you missed it this past week, Oklahoma City kindergarten student, Cooper Barton, wore a Michigan shirt to school and was asked by the principal to turn the shirt inside out because it was not an in-state school.  Yes, you read that correctly; this really happened.  Now, I can see why you would want to ask someone to remove that shirt (I find Michigan shirts offensive as well) but come on, this is just crazy.  I understand the school board policy because it was created to curb the blight of gang activity in Oklahoma City but just because gangs use colors and symbols of sports teams, we cannot ban them from society as if they are the real problem.   David Brandon, the Michigan athletic director, has already contacted the Barton family and offered them a chance to attend a Michigan home game this season.  The family has also received boxes of shirts, including one for Cooper to wear that has been printed on the outside and inside in case he ever has to turn it inside- out again. 

Prediction: The kid becomes a legend and the school district relaxes the rule, if not repealing it altogether.

I don't profess to be an expert on the game of college football and I don't hold a crystal football that allows me to see things before they happen.  These are just predictions to make the first weekend of college football a little more interesting (if that's possible).  If it turns out that my predictions are pretty good, then I will probably share more throughout the season.  If not, then you probably have seen my last predictions for a long time.