College Football Picks: Week 3

It was a so-so showing last week: 7-3 on winners, but I watched in horror as I went just 5-5 against the spread. I was grumpier than Thayer Evans at an Oklahoma State pep rally.

So, my week wasn't great, but I can think of one or two guys who had worse ones. Let's hope this week goes better.

#24 TCU (-3.5) at Texas Tech (Thurs)

Baker Mayfield has been impressive for Texas Tech.

Very disappointing news for TCU over the weekend as Casey Pachall's season (and TCU career) may be in jeopardy. He suffered a broken (non-throwing) forearm and may miss eight weeks. Even if he returns, Trevone Boykin may be entrenched as the starter and Pachall may have to settle for spot playing time.
Texas Tech has a little bit happier QB situation: freshman walk-on Baker Mayfield has been outstanding. Yes, the competition has been bad, but 780 yards, 7 TD and completing over 71% is solid work.
Doing that against TCU's defense will prove much more difficult. Getting all the first team reps in practice should benefit Boykin, albeit in a short week. That part has me a little concerned, but I'll pick the Frogs to get a nice road win.
The pick: TCU 34-28

#7 Louisville (-13) at Kentucky
I include this game because it's the only remote possibility, in my opinion, that Louisville loses before December (at Cincinnati to close out the season). The schedule gets really soft in the American Athletic Conference after this. Louisville may win every game in October and November by 20+ points. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
This is a rivalry game on the road against an SEC team... an SEC team that lost to Western Kentucky. Louisville shouldn't be worried.
The pick: Louisville 40-14

Iowa at Iowa State (+2.5)
Well, it's a rivalry, but neither team has looked all that impressive so far. Iowa is 1-1 after losing to Northern Illinois and getting by Missouri State. Iowa State lost to Northern Iowa to begin the season.
With a bye week to prepare, I'll put a little faith in Paul Rhoades. This game may not be much to watch, but I'll take the home team.
The pick: Iowa State 17-14

#16 UCLA (+4.5) at #23 Nebraska
UCLA is playing with heavy hearts after wide receiver Nick Pasquale was killed in a car accident last week.
Tragedy aside, I do like this UCLA team. I think Jim Mora is doing a nice job, Anthony Barr is a difference maker on defense, and there are plenty of talented players on that offense. The Bruins have had an extra week to prepare for a road trip to Lincoln, and I think they'll really get after Taylor Martinez.
Nebraska will do fine in Big Ten play, but I think this may be the toughest opponent on their schedule (Michigan the other contender there. Nebraska does not play Ohio State in the regular season).
UCLA will go to Lincoln and get an impressive, hard-fought win.
The pick: UCLA 31-30

Boston College (+14.5)  at USC
USC is a two-touchdown favorite. That seems like a lot for a team that didn't even score two touchdowns against Washington State. The USC offense is a mess, and I can't help but wonder how long it will be before Lane Kiffin tries taking the redshirt of freshman Max Browne and throws him in at QB. While Browne may be a star one day, I don't think he would fix everything this year. On the other hand, he couldn't be less productive than the guys USC has been playing.
The Trojans should still win at home against an average Boston College team, but I'll take my chances with those 14.5 points.
The pick: USC 27-14

#1 Alabama (-7.5) at #6 Texas A&M

Can Manziel take down the giant again? I don't think so.

I had this as my most anticipated game entering the season, and I still basically feel that way. Thank goodness (for the fans' sake) Manziel is playing. It's what everyone has wanted to see: if lightning strikes twice and Manziel takes down mighty 'Bama again... or if Saban gets his revenge.
Unfortunately, I don't think this game will live up to the hype. Saban has had an extra week to prepare (forget the time he spent in the offseason). A&M's defense has had its question marks against Rice and Sam Houston State, and I think the Tide will move the ball very well. Manziel will have his moments, and the Aggies won't get embarrassed. In the end, though, A&M will have a tough time stopping Alabama.
The pick: Alabama 44-31

Georgia Tech (-8) at Duke
While I sang the praises of Duke as a slowly rising program last week (and they came through for me), that was against Memphis. This frustrating rushing attack of Georgia Tech presents a different challenge. Duke may hang around and get the home crowd excited, but I think Tech will quiet them in the fourth quarter.
The pick: Georgia Tech 41-31

#4 Ohio State (-15) at Cal
While I definitely think Cal has a rising star in QB Jared Goff, he won't be enough against these Buckeyes. Whether Braxton Miller plays or not, Ohio State should have no trouble scoring. Kenny Guiton has looked just as effective in relief. Goff may be a star eventually, but he may be in for a rough day against the Buckeyes' D. Ohio State will be just fine on their west coast trip.
The pick: Ohio State 35-17

Ole Miss (+4.5) at Texas

Texas could not make a tackle against BYU last Saturday.
How much will Greg Robinson help in just a week?

Breaking news/expert analysis: the Texas defense is pretty awful. I thought Texas wouldn't get truly exposed until the Oklahoma game, but the downfall of Mack Brown has started early this season. He "reassigned" (a fancy way of saying fired) defensive coordinator Manny Diaz after the BYU loss, but how much will Greg Robinson fix in a week?
I think the athletes on that Ole Miss offense could have a field day against Texas. Yes, the Rebels "only" won 31-13 against Southeast Missouri State, but they were up 31-0 and took their foot off the gas at halftime.
If you saw their opener against Vanderbilt, you know how explosive Ole Miss can be. Texas may be able to score a little, but it won't be enough. And the grumbling gets louder in Austin.
The pick: Ole Miss 38-31

#21 Wisconsin at Arizona State (-5.5)
These two teams have combined to destroy three lousy opponents 145-0 in the first two weeks of action. So this is the first legitimate game for both, making it hard to judge how good either team is. I lean towards the home team that has probably the most inspiring tunnel in college football.
The pick: Arizona State 31-24

Finally, I will keep an eye on the Oklahoma State game. Not because they're a 47-point favorite at Lamar, but by Saturday, a scathing Sports Illustrated report will be out. I'm sure OSU fans will proudly wear their orange and support the players, but a lot of questions will be asked. I'm curious what Mike Gundy says, whether his name is all over the report or not.

The game will be the easy part, but it will be a long week in Stillwater.

College Football Picks: Week 2

It was a respectable 2013 debut as I went 8-2 on winners and 7-3 against the spread. Going out on a limb for Cal cost me, but overall I was content with the effort.

Three quick takeaways from the first weekend (possibly topics to expand on in future blogs):

1. Attack of the FCS - The artists formerly known as I-AA had quite a showing: 8 wins over FBS schools, including Eastern Washington taking down #25 Oregon State, North Dakota State stunning Kansas State in Manhattan, and McNeese State blowing out South Florida. Was this an anomaly or is the gap between FCS and FBS closing?

2. Faking injuries - College football fans may not want to hear this, but faking injuries is becoming as much a part of their game as it is in soccer. Just as soccer players routinely dive and roll around in agony to draw a yellow card, college football players are now being instructed by their coaches to pretend to be hurt to disrupt offensive tempo. It's as troublesome as flopping in the NBA. It's brutal to watch, but it's here and I'm not sure it can be stopped. I wish I had a good solution to this. Maybe I will in a future blog.

3. Ejections - I'm all for player safety, but the NCAA may have gone a step too far with this rule that makes officials eject players for what they deem to be targeting. Some of these calls are so borderline, and it seems extreme to toss a guy out for what MIGHT be targeting. Some of these guys are just hitting the way they have been taught for about 10 years. If it's a blatant attempt to decapitate a player, sure throw that guy out, but I think a hit like the one we saw in the Cal/Northwestern game should not be ejection-worthy. An unfair ejection is going to cost a top 10 team a huge game at some point this season, and there are going to be riots among those fans.

Takes done. On to this week's picks:

#12 Florida (-3) at Miami (FL)

If Mack Brown is productive, Florida is a dangerous team.

While the Gators were a little sluggish against Toledo, Florida has to be happy with Mack Brown. The former blue chip prospect may be finally ready for a breakout season. If he and freshman phenom Kelvin Taylor (son of Gators great Fred Taylor) can help Florida control the clock, that means Jeff Driskel has to do a lot less to help Florida escape Miami with a win. I'll take the SEC talent on a top-12 team, even on the road in a rivalry game.
The pick: Florida 24-20

Houston (-3) at Temple
An overall uninspiring week two slate has me picking a game from this brutal American Athletic Conference. Temple was vulnerable to the big play against Notre Dame, and it had trouble moving the ball. To be fair, I think a lot of teams will have trouble against that ND defense. Houston's offense put up 62 on an overwhelmed Southern team. They'll have a tougher time in Philadelphia, but not significantly tougher. Big plays should lead Houston to a win.
The pick: Houston 42-34

Cincinnati (-8) at Illinois
After blowing out a team in the bottom half of the Big Ten last week, Cincinnati goes on the road this week to take on another one. Illinois barely escaped becoming the ninth FBS team last week to lose to an FCS team as it defeated Southern Illinois 42-34.
Tommy Tuberville has an above average team on his hands, and I'm sure he has Cincy talking BCS since the Bearcats are probably the second best team (behind Louisville) in the otherwise very weak American Athletic Conference. His squad will get it done on the road.
The pick: Cincinnati 31-21

#6 South Carolina at #11 Georgia (-3)
Georgia's brutal first month continues. After an upsetting opener at Clemson, now the Bulldogs come home to try to stop the most feared player in college football, Jadeveon Clowney. Despite the loss, Georgia's offense looked explosive, and I don't see that changing at home. The loss of Malcolm Mitchell hurts, but the offense scored 35 points without him last week. They may not score quite that many this week, but they may not have to. South Carolina did have 406 yards of offense against UNC, but it relied mostly on big plays to score its points. Those may be harder to come by between the hedges. Georgia rebounds from a tough loss.
The pick: Georgia 27-21

Duke (-6) at Memphis
I wish this was a basketball game. Duke, though, is viewed by many as a slowly rising team in the ACC. The Blue Devils are not going to win a championship any time soon, but they could become a regular bowl team for the league. Duke is getting better, and Memphis has quite a bit of work to do. Even on the road, I think Duke wins by more than one possession.
The pick: Duke 38-28

Syracuse at #19 Northwestern (-12)

Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats should
comfortably win the "Prose Bowl."

Cleverly dubbed the Prose Bowl, it features two schools known for producing quality journalists, particularly sports journalists... although there's another school out there that I think is just as good. Maybe I'm biased.
Northwestern pulled out a 42-41 thriller last year as Ryan Nassib led Syracuse on a furious late-game rally to take the lead before the Wildcats scored in the final minute. Nassib is now a New York Giant, and Syracuse does not have an NFL QB on its roster now.
Northwestern, on the other hand is building and looked pretty good in a tricky west coast opener against Cal. The Wildcats should be quite comfortable at home, and all of its journalist alumni should have a comfortable win to write about.
The pick: Northwestern 42-24

#15 Texas (-7) at BYU
Texas has struggled in recent years, but people sure are quick to pile on when things don't go perfectly. Twitter was ready to fire Mack Brown at halftime when UT got off to a slow start and trailed New Mexico State 7-0. Then Texas won 56-7 like it was supposed to.
BYU, on the other hand, started slowly and finished slowly at Virginia in a 19-16 loss. While I'm not ready to jump on the "Texas is back" bandwagon until after the Oklahoma game, the 'Horns should have way too much for BYU.
The pick: Texas 35-17

Colorado State (+10) at Tulsa
Ten points seems to be a big number for a team that looked as sluggish as Tulsa did last week. It's hard to judge Colorado State after just one game, a two-touchdown defeat to rival Colorado (another rebuilding program). The Tulsa offense was expected to be a lot more explosive, and I don't think it will be quiet two weeks in a row. However, the problems from last week might not be completely fixed in a week. The Rams might hang around, but TU will get a win.
The pick: Tulsa 27-20

Western Kentucky (+14) at Tennessee
Could Bobby Petrino make it back-to-back wins in the state of Tennessee over SEC teams? WKU defeated Kentucky in Nashville last week. This should be a step up in competition certainly, and I'd be stunned if the Hilltoppers won in Knoxville. Petrino intrigues me, though. While, he may make some poor decisions off the field, he can coach. He'll put together a game plan that will make Vols fans sweat, but Tennessee won't lose at home.
The pick: Tennessee 34-21

#14 Notre Dame (+3.5) at #17 Michigan

Tommy Rees made some nice throws against Temple.
Those won't be as easy to come by in the Big House.

Notre Dame's win over Temple was about what I expected: convincing but not spectacular. Tommy Rees looked great, but he had all day to throw. He won't have all day in the Big House. Amir Carlisle, though, could be a big factor in this game if he can get enough touches. He had 68 yards rushing on just seven carries and looked very explosive.
Michigan crushed a clearly overmatched Central Michigan team. Notre Dame's defense will be a much stiffer test for Devin Gardner and company. Despite the 59-9 blowout, Michigan's passing game was not outstanding: 14-of-21 for 221 yards, 1 TD and 3 picks between Gardner and freshman Shane Morris. The running game will have to control the game if Michigan wants to win this one. Freshman Derrick Green could shine.
Debate about whether or not this is a "historic" rivalry if you want, I think it's a good one. It's two of the winningest programs in the sport. They first met in 1887, and I know there are huge gaps in the rivalry (they only played twice between 1910 and 1978). I've been on this earth for 33 football seasons, and these two teams have met in 27 of them. From the Rocket to Desmond Howard to Shoelace, there have been some great games that I remember. To me, it's a traditional rivalry that I look forward to each year, and I hate that it's going away soon.
These two played a wild shootout under the lights in Ann Arbor two years ago that Michigan won in the final seconds. I think this time around will be a little different: a low-scoring rock fight that goes to the home team. It will be close, but I think the road atmosphere and Michigan's defense will be too much for the Irish.
The pick: Michigan 14-13

Finally, the curious line of the week to me: Kansas is a 23-point favorite over FCS opponent South Dakota, a team that was 1-11 last year. Yes, that's a bad team visiting Lawrence, but Kansas hasn't beaten anyone by that many points in three years. I'm not rooting against Charlie Weis and I think he has a promising QB in Jake Heaps, but that just seems like a big number next to Kansas for any opponent.

Enjoy week two, and watch out for that top step.

College Football Picks: Week 1

Rejoice. My picks blog - for entertainment purposes only - is back. For those new to the program, I pick ten games of interest every week, both winners and against the spread.

The season is here! So, feast your eyes on a fresh round of picks.

Utah State at Utah (-3) (Thursday)
It's a rivalry game, and the first college football game on Fox Sports 1. Utah State took this game last year in overtime and went on to have an outstanding 11-2 season. Then Coach Gary Andersen left for Wisconsin.
Utah was a disappointing 5-7 a year ago, but I'll pick the Pac-12 program to win a rivalry game at home.
The pick: Utah 21-17

North Carolina at #6 South Carolina (-11) (Thursday)

Jadeveon Clowney is about to be let loose on college football.

Unleash the Clowney. The top NFL prospect in college football begins unleashing his terror on opposing quarterbacks. I can't remember a defensive prospect being hyped this much for the Heisman before a game has been played, and there's no reason to doubt that he's worthy of the hype. He's looked like an NFL player since he was in high school.
Besides Clowney, South Carolina has plenty of talent and SEC title dreams. I don't expect them to have any trouble at home against UNC.
The pick: South Carolina 33-13

Texas Tech (-5.5) at SMU (Friday)
Did you know that Garrett Gilbert is still in college? The freshman who replaced an injured Colt McCoy in the BCS title game once open a time has one year of eligibility left, and he's back at SMU. While I'd like to see the kid break through and have a big season, I'm not sure it's happening.
Texas Tech should feature an exciting offense under Kliff Kingsbury, and Red Raider fans are thrilled to see it. I think they'll throw it all over the field on an overmatched SMU defense.
The pick: Texas Tech 38-24

Mississippi State vs #13 Oklahoma State (-12.5) (in Houston, TX)
Ever since Oklahoma State barely missed out on a chance to play in the BCS title game two years ago, OSU fans have been dying to get a shot at the SEC. Well, here you go... kind of. Mississippi State isn't exactly the cream of the crop in the SEC, but MSU is no bottom-feeder either.
I saw a cute stat today from a press release. It said Mike Gundy is 8-1 in his last nine games against "current SEC teams." Of course, seven of those wins are against Missouri and pre-Sumlin Texas A&M. Adorable stat, but I'm going with 1-1 in his last two games against actual SEC teams (a win over Georgia and loss to Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl).
The Cowboys appear to be going with a two-quarterback system of Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh. That isn't official, but Gundy hasn't named a starter yet. I expect to see some of both, though. Regardless of who is at quarterback, OSU has plenty of talent to go around on offense, even if they're not household names yet. While the Bulldogs' SEC talent may keep them in it for a while, I think OSU will pull away and win comfortably.
The pick: Oklahoma State 38-21

Temple (+30) at #14 Notre Dame
Why pick this game? Well, research shows 50% of my readership is Notre Dame football fans. Know your audience, folks. (Hi, Dad. Hi, Stan.)
The Irish begin this season still probably licking their wounds after being destroyed in the BCS title game by Alabama. The question is if the defense can replace the playmaking of Manti Te'o and the offense can replace the production of Everett Golson. I don't think victory should be in doubt, but Notre Dame tended to play down to lower competition quite a bit last year, although the opener against Navy was the exception.
The Irish should win easily, but I think asking a Tommy Rees-led offense to outscore someone by 30 is asking a lot.
The pick: Notre Dame 35-9

#1 Alabama (-19.5) vs Virginia Tech (in Atlanta)
The champs are here! We get our first look at the defending national champions and overwhelming favorites to do it again. While I always pick Virginia Tech to make some noise and be a player in the ACC, I can't have any faith in them against Nick Saban when he's had seven months to prepare. I don't care how many NFL players Alabama lost, the next crop steps in now.
The pick: Alabama 35-3

#5 Georgia (-1.5) at #8 Clemson

Tajh Boyd could start a 2013 Heisman campaign against
a young... but talented... Georgia defense.

Georgia fans are talking SEC and national title. If that's going to happen, it starts here. This the beginning of a brutal first month for Georgia that also includes South Carolina and LSU (both at home though). I think Tajh Boyd could emerge as the best NFL QB prospect in this year's class, and I expect a big game from him against a rebuilt Georgia defense.
Georgia's offense, though, is stacked: a seasoned veteran quarterback in Aaron Murray and two dynamite running backs. I think the Dawgs will put up a lot of points in a shootout win.
The pick: Georgia 45-42

#12 LSU (-4) vs #20 TCU (in Arlington, TX)
I like this game almost as much as Georgia-Clemson, but for different reasons. Not many people are picking LSU to win the SEC, and I think the Tigers love to be able to play the "no respect" card, something they haven't been able to play much under Les Miles. TCU, meanwhile, gets Casey Pachall back at quarterback after drug issues cost him most of his 2012 season. It's not a lock that he's starting, though. Gary Patterson has yet to say whether he's starting Pachall or Trevone Boykin (last year's starter). When he's right, Pachall can be a very good player, maybe the best in the Big 12. But, I have no idea what to expect from him after a year away. What really hurts TCU in this game is the suspension of Devonte Fields on the defensive line.. at least it should. It's almost looking like Fields may play after all. If he does indeed sit out, I expect LSU to take advantage and move the ball just fine. TCU is playing close to home and won't get embarrassed, but I think the Tigers will have too much.
What I would love to see, though: LSU down 4 with a few seconds left, facing a fourth-and-goal on the one... and Patterson sweating bullets as he thinks long and hard about sending Fields into the game.
The pick: LSU 24-17

#19 Boise State (+3.5) at Washington
This is the annual "Boise State tries to prove something out of conference" game. It's not exactly a top ten opponent, but it's obviously a challenge seeing as how Washington is a slight favorite. While I still think Chris Petersen is a fantastic coach, I think some of that Boise State magic that helped them win marquee games against Virginia Tech and Georgia has faded. Washington won't be taken by surprise at home.
Gus Johnson is calling the game, though. The Rule of Gus tells me it will be close.
The pick: Washington 24-23

#22 Northwestern at California (+6)
What's a picks blog without an upset pick? Northwestern has been getting a fair amount of preseason hype, and the Wildcats are becoming a nice program under Pat Fitzgerald. Cal is looking to rebuild under new coach Sonny Dykes, and they have an exciting freshman quarterback in Jared Goff taking over the offense. While Northwestern looks pretty legit and should compete in the Big Ten, I just see this as a trap: a west coast trip against a team unveiling a new wide-open offense. Upset.
The pick: Cal 31-30

Finally, the ridiculous line of the week: Oregon is -59 against Nicholls State. I feel for the Colonels because I covered them when I got my first job down on the bayous of Louisiana. I hope it doesn't get that bad, but I fear it might be. Good luck, NSU.

College football is back, everybody. Let's enjoy the ride. We'll be arguing about BCS standings before you can blink.

College Football 2013: Top 10 Games to Watch

The rebirth of my blog continues with the list of the top ten college football games I already have circled on my calendar... is that expression outdated? How about, the top ten games I have set an alert for on my phone? There we go.

10. LSU vs TCU, August 31

Casey Pachall returns for TCU after sitting out 2012.

I love great non-conference games right out of the gate. I'm curious to see what LSU looks like. The Tigers are usually at the top of the SEC, but aren't necessarily picked as a top three contender this year. TCU won't have suspended defensive end Devonte Fields, but I am curious to see how Casey Pachall plays after sitting out last season with drug issues. A win against a top SEC team would be a huge boost for TCU.

9. Georgia at Clemson, August 31
Another outstanding non-conference game the first weekend, and this one is between a pair of top ten teams. There's a chance this could be the eventual SEC champion against the eventual ACC champion. We have a long way to go there, but it should be great to see Aaron Murray and Tajh Boyd try to match each other throw-for-throw. It is, perhaps, the first showdown of the season between two Heisman contenders.

8. Texas A&M at LSU, November 23
I'm putting this game on the list under the assumption that Johnny Manziel is playing for A&M. Johnny Football in Death Valley? Yes, please.

7. Texas vs Oklahoma, October 12
I look forward to this game every year, as it's usually an early indicator of who the team to beat in the Big 12 is. Texas should expect to go into this game 5-0 (New Mexico State, at BYU, Ole Miss, Kansas State, at Iowa State). Oklahoma, on the other hand will either enter this game reeling or on fire. The Sooners are at Notre Dame then host TCU the two weeks before this game. If Oklahoma enters this game 5-0, they will certainly be a top ten team. The winner of this game vs. Oklahoma State instantly becomes my next game to watch in the Big 12, as that may decide the champion. OSU visits Texas November 16 and then hosts Bedlam December 7.

6. LSU at Alabama, November 9

LSU vs Alabama has become a regular must-see game.

This has been the must-see game in college football the past two years. LSU may not be picked quite as high as some other SEC teams, but make no mistake about it: the Tigers are very talented. When this game happens, LSU will be the best team Alabama has seen in almost two months.

5. Notre Dame at Michigan, September 7
How good are the Irish without Manti Te'o and Everett Golson? We'll find out early with a visit to the Big House. Michigan may have a few questions themselves, but Devin Gardner has been getting a lot of praise as he's taken over as the leader of that offense. Notre Dame's last game against Stanford could be very interesting depending what the teams' records are, but let's make sure the Irish are legit first. This game will be a nice early indicator.

4. South Carolina at Georgia, September 7
How brutal is Georgia's early schedule? After visiting Clemson, the Dawgs host South Carolina the next week then get a breather against North Texas before LSU visits. Even with the home games, that's as tough as a first month gets. All eyes will be on Jadeveon Clowney and how much he terrorizes Murray.

3. Ohio State at Michigan, November 30
Another game I look forward to every year. Ohio State's schedule is not all that daunting, as the Buckeyes' most significant road games before this one are at Cal and Northwestern. There's a good chance Ohio State enters the Big House 11-0 with a national championship berth on the line. Popcorn is ready.

2. Oregon at Stanford, November 7
Stanford has been getting some well-deserved press as the team to beat in the Pac-12. Getting this game at home helps. What LSU/Alabama has been to the SEC the past couple years, that's what this game is out west. The winner likely wins its division and a berth in the conference title game while the loser will have to hope for help.

1. Alabama at Texas A&M, September 14

Can Johnny Manziel take down Alabama again?
Better question: will he get the chance to?

I don't care what Johnny Manziel may or may not have done off the field, please let him play in this game. Don't college football fans deserve to see Johnny Football get another shot to take down the mighty Crimson Tide? If he doesn't play, this game might drop out of my top ten. If he does play, it's must-see TV. Besides the obvious drama of the game, this is by far the toughest game on Alabama's schedule. Look at it. I don't see another game before LSU in which Alabama will be favored by less than a touchdown. Yes, it's still the SEC and things happen, but Alabama has a very modest schedule by SEC standards and is likely to coast to the LSU game. That's why this game is so interesting: the unpredictability of College Station and Johnny Football could knock the Tide down a peg.

As we know, as the season goes along, other games will pop up as critical while some of these could fade in significance as they approach. Whatever happens, let's get college football going already.

College Football Freshmen to Watch

After being basically in hibernation for the summer, I've decided to revive my blog for college football season. I'll get it going by cross-promoting with my day job, producing a show called Sports Stars of Tomorrow.

The show focuses on rising high school stars who hope to be big names on the college and pro levels. In the past, the show has featured guys like Jadeveon Clowney and Andrew Luck.

For this post, I'll run down ten players we featured last year (my first on the show) who I think will make an impact in college football sooner rather than later.

10. Sefo Liufau, Colorado - The QB from Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma, WA, is my sleeper of this group. He may not have gotten a lot of hype in high school and won't get much more at Colorado, but I think he has the tools to be a very good college QB. He might start this season as a backup, but I think he'll be starting in Boulder soon enough.

9. Dymonte Thomas, Michigan - The Wolverines brought in a strong class that included Shane Morris and Ben Gedeon, but Thomas may be the guy who makes the earliest impact. The defensive back is working his way up Michigan's depth chart, and I think he'll see the field pretty early.

It's unclear how soon he'll play, but Max Browne will be a star.

8. Max Browne, USC - The only reason I don't have the 2012 Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year higher is because he's in a crowded QB situation. Browne has all the talent to start under center for the Trojans, and I'm sure he eventually will for at least two seasons. He's a smart, well-spoken kid with leadership skills and a great arm.

7. Joey Bosa, Ohio State - The son of an NFL player, Bosa has out-of-this-world athleticism for his size (6'5" 270). I'm not sure how much he'll play as a freshman on a national title contender like the Buckeyes, but I can't imagine there are too many guys on the roster with higher ceilings than Bosa. If Bosa adjusts quickly to the demands of the college game, he could play a decent role this year. I fully expect he'll be a household name among Buckeye fans before his days in Columbus are done.

6. Greg Bryant, Notre Dame - For all the talk about the Irish losing QB Everett Golson and LB Manti Te'o, don't forget the Irish graduated their two leading rushers: Cierre Wood and Theo Riddick. The window is wide open for a five-star back like Bryant to contribute early and often. Also watch for fellow freshman Jaylon Smith, who could help fill the void left by Te'o at linebacker. Insert your own joke about the void of Lennay Kekua.

5. Jared Goff, California - The freshman has already won the starting quarterback job for the Bears. His high school coach confidently called him an NFL quarterback. Maybe he's right. Goff has an NFL frame (6'4, 205) and has been praised for his accuracy.

4. Derrick Henry, Alabama - The record-breaking running back from Yulee, FL, will just be the next NFL back to come through Nick Saban's program. Ingram, Richardson, Lacy, and Yeldon have all played key roles in Alabama's three titles under Saban. This huge, powerful back will follow in their footsteps and do an outstanding job.

3. Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss - Everyone is picking this guy to be a star, and so am I. He's the next big thing at defensive end. After Clowney is done terrorizing SEC QB's, Nkemdiche may be the most feared pass rusher in college football.

I see big things ahead for Thomas Tyner at Oregon.

2. Thomas Tyner, Oregon - Here's where I go out on a limb a little, putting Tyner ahead of guys like Henry and Nkemdiche. The blazing fast running back from Aloha, OR, is a perfect fit for the Ducks. He may be behind De'Anthony Thomas and Byron Marshall on the depth chart, but that system has room for lots of athletes. I think Tyner is too talented to keep on the sideline too long. He'll earn his spot and make some plays as a freshman before eventually becoming a star in Eugene.

1. Su'a Cravens, USC - The do-everything star from Vista Murrieta, CA, will play defensive back at USC. The Trojans are hurting for depth due to sanctions, and talented freshmen like Cravens should see the field early and often. Cravens looks like a future NFL corner to me, and I think he'll play very well as a freshman.

Journalists are supposed to be unbiased, but of course I pull for the kids I have the pleasure of meeting while producing Sports Stars. Good luck to all the players who have been on the show.

I'll be back soon with a look at my games to watch for 2013.

Yasiel Puig and the All-Star Game

Does Dodgers rookie phenom Yasiel Puig belong in the All-Star Game? Well, before I decide, I guess I still have to figure out what the MLB All-Star Game is.

Dodgers rookie phenom Yasiel Puig has been amazing
in a month on the job, but should he be an All-Star?

Major League Baseball delivers quite a mixed message with its All-Star Game. Is it an exhibition? Because, it lets fans pick the starters and top pitchers still skip the game if they have a start the Sunday before the game.

Or does it "count?" We're still letting this game decide home field in the World Series, right? Sigh. That's long been a point of contention for me, but I'm trying to let it go.

Whether it's about the fans or about the World Series, my conclusion is the same: Puig should be in the game.

If it's all about the fans and who they want to see, it's pretty clear they want to see Puig. That will be made clear when he runs away with the game's "Final Vote." There's a buzz about this kid, and it's not just media hyping him up. He's been terrific. Hitting over .400 in his first month in the big leagues, he is a legit five-tool star who has in the inside track to the NL Rookie of the Year. Just like Bryce Harper last year, he's a phenom who the fans want to see.

If it's about getting home field in the World Series, then I think it's hard to argue that the NL team is better without him. If this is an important game that counts, do you or do you not want the hottest hitter in baseball on your roster? For the same reason that useful utility players like Ben Zobrist and Omar Infante can make the team, a red-hot hitter like Puig should be there if all you want to do is win.

Am I being a bit sarcastic with this blog? Maybe. I'm obviously leaving out what the All-Star game selections should be about: rewarding the most deserving players in baseball with an All-Star selection. Based on that and that alone, does Puig deserve to be there? That's tough to say, as there are some very good players who have been good for three months instead of one. I think it would be more fair to give the nod to one of those guys.

But there are other factors at play here. Whether it's the fans who want to see him or the NL team just trying to win the game, Puig should be in New York to satisfy them both.

The Smart Decision

I salute and respect Marcus Smart of Oklahoma State. He went against the trend of one-and-dones and is returning to the Cowboys, much to the delight of Stillwater.

Some people ripped him for passing up on the millions of guaranteed dollars, which is ironic since so many complain about the one-and-dones. I didn't rip him, but I certainly would have advised him to go pro since he was projected as a top three pick, if not number one.

College basketball fans should applaud Marcus Smart.

But, it was Smart's decision to make. College basketball fans should applaud and support him, because he's making the game they love better.

I was watching the ESPN 30 for 30 film Survive and Advance the other day. One thing that stood out to me early on in the film was the quality of college basketball in the 1980's, when everyone stayed in school. Ralph Sampson, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, and Akeem Olajuwon all stayed in school for at least three years. Today, guys like that are almost all gone after a year.

I was jealous watching that. College basketball was much better in the 1980's because players kept returning to school instead of jumping too early to the NBA. We'll never get back to that, but it is refreshing to see a player like Smart stay in school, stay committed to the coach and program who gave him a free education, and to continue to improve at the college level before he's absolutely ready to be a pro.

Is it the right decision? Is it wrong? I don't know. Time will tell. All I know is it was Smart's choice, and I think he knows what he can handle. Even if he takes a step back as a sophomore (which I doubt, barring injury), he has two years after that to get back where he wants to be. Plus, I'm sure he'll have some insurance policy (like college football players often get) if disaster strikes and he suffers a horrible injury.

As loaded as the 2014 class is, I really think Smart could still be a top three pick next year. That's assuming, of course, he comes out next year. Maybe he stays in Stillwater even longer, and I think that would be awesome for college basketball.

My opinion really means nothing, but for what it's worth, I think most college players should stay the full four years like they did in the '80's, and only leave if they are projected as lottery picks (like Smart is). However, the decisions are theirs, not mine. Opinions like that mostly come off as selfish. As fans, sure, we want our teams to be good, so we want kids to stay in school.

If a kid thinks going pro early is the best for him, then good luck to him. I understand striking while the iron is hot. I just hope kids who leave early are listening to the right people. A lot of times, they aren't.

As far as Smart goes, I'll  definitely never blast a kid for staying in school. Smart will get his money one day, and I think he'll make a lot of it in the NBA when he is ready.

Oklahoma State is not my favorite team, but Smart is one of my favorite players. I love his heart, his fire, and how he selflessly helps his team win. Friends told me about how great he was in high school, and I was excited to see what he brought to the college level. He did not disappoint. When he's not playing one of my favorite teams, I pull for him to do well. I will especially do that next year, as he will be the one of the faces of college hoops. He'll raise the game's profile, and people will want to tune in to watch him every week.