| Ranked Teams Headline Opening Saturday |
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Thursday’s action was a nice appetizer to start the college football season, but Saturday brings us the main course. Several intriguing match-ups are on-tap involving ranked teams and even more conference action. Let’s get to it.
How odd is it that Saturday’s marquee match-up just might involve both Missouri and Illinois? That’s the way it appears as both teams are ranked in the top-20 with the Tigers harboring notions of a BCS title. This is a rematch of last year’s opener where Missouri prevailed 40-34. Back then few thought both would end up so highly rated at the end of the season. Now, both teams must play, and win, with expectations. Playing at home should give the Tigers a big advantage. They are winning nearly 80 percent of simulations by over 11 points on average. Chase Daniel will be kicking off his Heisman campaign with over 300 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He will have playmakers Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman to throw to again this year. Illinois’ offense will hinge on the development of quarterback Juice Williams. Now a junior, Williams has all the physical tools but he must harness them all and become a complete player. He is projected for just under 200 yards passing with one score. His career touchdown to interception ratio is 22:21; that number must improve drastically especially without his safety net Rashard Mendenhall (drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers) this year to compete in the Big 10. (24) Alabama at (9) Clemson These two teams also face the heavy burden of expectations going into the 2008 season. Tommy Bowden has one of the most talented teams in the nation, and nothing short of an ACC championship and a BCS bowl game will be accepted. A loss in the opener will turn up the heat very quickly in South Carolina. Alabama is, well, Alabama and coach Nick Saban is being paid a whole lot of money to win football games, and fast. Clemson is nearly a 75 percent favorite to win by better than a touchdown according to AccuScore simulations. The team has a terrible track record of wilting under pressure and in big games so nothing should be taken for granted. Cullen Harper should have an excellent day with over 225 yards and two scores. The nation’s best running back tandem is also back to wreak havoc on defenses. James Davis and C.J. Spiller are projected to run for over 130 yards and nearly 5 yards per carry combined against the ‘Bama defense. The Tide is still improving the talent level under Saban, and that will manifest itself even this early in the season as up to 10 freshmen are expected to play against the Tigers. Receiver Julio Jones is the most heralded of the new players, and will start in his first collegiate game. If he lives up to the advance billing, he will be a huge help to quarterback John Parker Wilson who is projected for under 200 yards passing and one touchdown. Whoever wins this game could use it as a nice springboard to a successful 2008 campaign. Washington at (21) Oregon Tyrone Willingham, fair or not, is likely coaching this season to keep his job. He will face an uphill battle as his Huskies have one of the toughest schedules in the nation opening up on the road at Oregon followed by games against BYU and Oklahoma. That slate makes an 0-3 start very likely unless Washington is drastically improved from last season. It all starts with the dynamic quarterback Jake Locker for Washington. The sophomore is possibly the most talented runner at his position nationally, and that includes Tim Tebow and Pat White. What has yet to be proven is if he can actually play quarterback namely pass the ball. Current AccuScore projections have him leading his team with 60 yards rushing, but throwing for just 170 yards and more interceptions than scores. His development in the passing game is the key to Washington’s success this season. Oregon is going through some adversity of its own losing presumptive starting quarterback Nate Costa to a season-ending knee injury. Justin Roper, the hero of the bowl game last season, will be the man to head Chip Kelly’s diverse spread option attack. Roper is projected for a very good game, but the real stars are likely to be the running backs. Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount are combining for over 200 yards in baseline simulations and more than two touchdowns. Such a strong running game is what will likely lead the Ducks to a big win in their Pac-10 opener. (17) Virginia Tech at East Carolina This week’s upset alert involves two interesting teams. Virginia Tech is ranked in the top-25 based more on reputation than anything else. Coach Frank Beamer made the decision to redshirt Tyrod Taylor which means senior Sean Glennon is the main man at quarterback. He will be leading a very inexperienced offense though as the Hokies must replace its entire running back and wide receiver core. Eight defensive players have moved onto the NFL as well leaving the usually stout defensive very green. East Carolina is on the upswing under coach Skip Holtz. The Pirates won eight games featuring a high-scoring offense, and an equally porous defense. They will also need to decide on who will play quarterback as both Patrick Pinkney and Rob Kass threw for over 1,000 yards last season. Running back Chris Johnson is also gone to the NFL. Still, this is an up-and-coming team capable of springing an upset. Virginia Tech is a solid favorite according to AccuScore simulations, but the numbers could vary widely as it in unclear as to who will be doing the majority of running and catching for the Hokies on offense. Virginia Tech won last year’s match-up between the two teams 17-7 holding the Pirates to just 12 first downs.
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Jonathan Lee AccuScore Analyst
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