College Football Preview!

I lied to myself.

There is no escaping the magic of college football. The sight of 85,000 fans storming the field after a big upset, the sound of the bands playing the fight songs, and the articles on the latest Miami player to get suspended. I guess I always will be enamored with it. I'll always cheer Ohio State and Pitt, boo Penn State and Notre Dame, and for at least another year, I'm gonna write a preview. Here's my take on a few local teams, and to shut up Kamo, Notre Dame.

Pitt Panthers: After a disastrous 5-6 campaign, Dave "Wann-stache" Wannstedt put together maybe the best recruiting class Pitt has had since the Marino era. A couple more offseasons like that, and we could see a return to glory for the blue and gold. As for this year, it's a toss-up. The team is very young and will rely on several freshmen to play important roles. However, there is great leadership on the team. Tyler Palko will hopefully return to his 2004 form after an average '05, and help out the incredibly young receiving corps. On defense, CB Darrelle Revis and LB H.B. Blades will get All-American consideration, and hopefully they will have a decent line in front of them (and even if they don't these two will put up good numbers). While an 8 or 9 win season isn't impossible considering their home schedule, a more realistic figure would be 7-5 with a shitty bowl appearance.

Penn State: Last year's astounding 11-1 campaign has all the blue and white homos chanting "We Are Penn State!" (yes, we know. It's on that stupid shirt you always wear) and proclaiming that JoePa hasn't lost it. Sorry, folks. Not only has Paterno lost it, but the team has lost most of it's big players from last year. They have taken a step back, and in a conference where several teams have taken a step forward, don't expect another BCS berth. Sure, Derrick Williams and Paul Posluszsns...whatever, could have big years, but not many others on the team will. That includes Anthony Morelli, who I hope experiences unconscionable pain in Columbus on September 23. Look for Penn State, like Pitt, to go 7-5, and to get creamed by Notre Dame in a couple weeks.

West Virginia: WVU might make it to the BCS title game without breaking a sweat. They are talented, they are young, and they play in what is easily the weakest BCS conference. Their only challenges should be at Louisville and at Pitt (and based on what they did to Pitt last year, that won't be much of a challenge). Barring some unforeseen disaster, look for the Mountaineers to go at least 11-1 and possibly make it to the big game.

(sigh) Notre Dame: Alright, I admit...they're good. Very good. On offense, at least. But their defense allowed over 400 yards a game last year, and in the Fiesta Bowl Ohio State ran all over them en route to an ugly 34-20 victory. This year the Irish return QB and Heisman frontrunner Brady Quinn and 8 foot tall receiver Jeff Samardjsjzfi...what the fuck is up with all these consonants in people's names? Anyway, their offense is more than good enough to take them to Arizona, but their defense is very shaky, and with games at USC and at home against that team up north (Michigan), this may be another year that those overzealous fans are disappointed.

The Ohio State University: Last year the Buckeyes came ten points away from playing for the national title, and they proved their worth in that Fiesta Bowl rout. This year, it seems as though most if not all the pieces are in place for another championship. They have Michigan and Penn State at home, and they are returning just about everyone on offense. And my God, what an offense that can be. Troy Smith, Tedd Ginn, Anthony Gonzalez, Antonio Pittman, and freshman phenom Chris Wells, not to mention a beastly line. This offense could remind OSU fans of the mid-90s John Cooper juggernauts that scored at will until the Michigan game. The defense is another story. They lost 9 starters, including all the linebackers and defensive backs. I'm not too worried about it though, because Jim Tressel is a defensive genius. Much like Bill Cowher, he can take just about anyone and turn them into a defensive star. And even if the D struggles, there aren't many teams that will be able to keep up with the offense. I want to say the Bucks will run the table and win it all, but there are some brutal games on there, including a week 2 road trip to #2 Texas, and a September 30 meeting with Iowa in...wherever in Iowa they play. I expect them to go at least 11-1, and definitely play in at least the Rose Bowl.

More Observations and Predictions

• September 9: Notre Dame 41 - Penn State 10
• The Heisman winner won't be Brady Quinn or Troy Smith, but rather someone that comes out of nowhere and has a mind-blowing season.
• Charlie Weis will lose two games in a row (USC being one of them), and fans will begin to question whether or not he is a good coach.
• While we're on the subject, Notre Dame will once again lose a bowl game. With at least three losses, Notre Dame fans will start registering "fireweis.com" and similar web addresses.
• Speaking of fans that are too self-righteous. After a 2-2 start, the "JoePa must retire" movement will start again. After three straight wins, he'll be back and better than ever. After another loss, they'll doubt him again, and after two more...you get the point. Guys, learn about football and how the college game has evolved, and realize that indeed it is time for a change. Or you could just sit there and still revel in your 1986 championship and expect people to still give a damn about that or you guys. You might wanna do that to distract yourselves on the 23rd.
• The BCS title game will not feature anyone from the SEC or Big Ten. Those conferences are too good at the top, and the teams will cancel each other out.
• USC will be back in the title game for the third straight year. They may have lost Bush and Leinart, but they can reload, and the rest of the Pac 10 still has not caught up to them.
• Jan. 8. Glendale, AZ. USC 31 - WVU 17.

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