The first week of College Football is here. Let's take a short look at what the college football landscape is looking like:
Big XII Power Poll:
1) Oklahoma -- Returning Big XII Champs earn the top spot in week 1 with 14 total starters returning. However, losing Travis Lewis to injury and Ronnell Lewis to academic issues could bump them down in the future. Week 1 Game: Tulsa
2) Texas A&M -- Will be fighting for the top spot all season. A&M opens with the SMU Mustangs who will challenge for C-USA West title and could be better than half the teams in the Big XII. Should be a fun matchup on Sunday Night. Week 1 Game: SMU
3) Oklahoma State -- The Cowboys are coming off an 11-2 season and destruction of Arizona in the Alama Bowl. However, the loss of OC Dana Holgerson and RB Kendell Hunter along with only 2 starters returning in the defensive front seven, the Cowboys have the potential to let down fans this season. Week 1 Game: UL Lafayette
4) Missouri -- In our eyes, even though Missouri lost 2 players in the top 15 picks of the NFL draft, with 9 offensive and 7 defensive players returning they could end up as the 3rd best team in the league. Strength will be defense, not offense this season. However, losing LT Elvis Fisher hurt. Week 1 Game: Miami (OH)
5) Baylor -- Hard to imagine the Bears in the top half of the league, but with 8 offensive players returning including QB Robert Griffin III, they have a chance to make the jump. However, Baylor must prove their defense is worthy with 5 starters returning and replace two NFL 1st round draft picks. Week 1 Game: TCU
6) Texas Tech -- It will be an interesting season in Lubbock as Seth Doege tanks the reigns of the QB position in an offense that isn't the same since Mike Leach left. New DC Chad Glasgow transitions the Raiders into a 4-2-5 scheme which has no starters in the front six returning. Week 1 Game: Texas State
7) Texas -- The Longhorns are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season and only return 4 starters on offense and 6 on defense. However, new energy enters the program in OC Bryan Harsin and DC Manny Diaz. QB Garrett Gilbert will receive a lot of criticism, but the Longhorns need to improve in the trenches before returning to form. Week 1 Game: Rice
8) Iowa State -- The Cyclones finished 5-7 last season, just missing on a bowl game. They lose QB Austin Arnaud, but that may benefit their offense as they can become more diverse. The strength is on defense with LB Jake Knott and DB Leonard Johnson. LT Kelechi Osemele is a future NFL lineman. Iowa State may be primed to make a jump in Paul Rhodes 3rd season. Week 1 Game: Northern Iowa
9) Kansas State -- The Wildcats ended last season with a crushing loss to Syracuse. They have added transfers in RB Bryce Brown and LB Arthur Brown who have been names on the CFB scene before. There is young talent in Manhatten, but they may be a season away from making a jump. Week 1Game: Eastern Kentucky
10) Kansas -- The Jayhawks only won one game last year in the Big XII, and things may not improve this year in Turner Gill's 2nd season. The offense will center around RB James Sims and watch pass rusher DE Toben Opurum who could end the season as the Big XII's best. Week 1 Game: McNeese State
Big XII Game of the Week:
TCU at Baylor -- The Rose Bowl champs make the trip down to Waco to challenge the up and comer in the Big XII on a Friday Night matchup. The Horned Frogs lose Andy Dalton, Jeremy Kerley and 8 other offensive starters. They return only 1 offensive lineman. 4 defensive starters return led by LB Tank Carder and LB Tanner Brock. We will see just how much Gary Patterson's program has the ability to develop players this year. Baylor returns Robert Griffen but loses Phil Taylor and Danny Walkins and must answer questions on defense. Game will be decided by how many points TCU's offense now led by QB Casey Pachall is able to put on the board.
Prediction: TCU 38, Baylor 34
National Games of the Week:
LSU vs. Oregon -- LSU has had a very rough ride over the course of August and will be just glad to get back on the field, even if the grass is fake. While Oregon will still be the same offense, they only return two starters in their already small front seven. Even though LSU QB Jordan Jefferson has been suspended, last time we checked he didn't play on LSU's defense or offensive line which should dominate Oregon from start to finish. Should be a surprisingly low scoring game. LSU 17 Oregon 13
Boise State vs. Georgia -- Even though this game doesn't feature two Top 5 teams, it could have bigger implications long term for both programs. If Boise State leaves the Georgia Dome in Atlanta with a W, it could be staring down another undefeated season since Nevada isn't in the MWC. That could mean a potential BCS National Title berth. On the other sideline, Georgia HC Mark Richt better start producing with a talented roster fast in a very weak SEC East or he could be shown the door. However, only four Bulldogs on offense return. If noting else, the country should be introduced to both QB Aaron Murray and RB Isiah Crowell. Georgia 31 Boise State 21
Upset of the Week
Troy over Clemson: It's now or never for Clemson HC Dabo Swinney who finished a disappointing 6-6 last season and 4-4 in the ACC. Swinney brought in a name a lot of Aggie fans should know in OC and former Lake Travis HC Chad Morris. This just seems like a program going no where right now even though they have the resources to be a force in college football. Troy has played a lot of big BCS teams before, and led by QB Corey Robison their athleticism could surprise the Tigers.
Also on the radar: James Madison vs UNC, Florida Atlantic vs. Florida
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