What a year of college football! And we still have a little bit left to go. Maybe this can be a sign of things to come - and that's not a bad thing. I want to see the unbelieveable, unpredictable, and games in which the honest and wise person will not in the least claim to know who will win.
What an Iron Bowl - well, sort of. Maybe it was dull for what we think of as the "classic Iron Bowl," but no Iron Bowl is really all that dull. Hey Auburn's Defensive player Jeraud Powers got bit by a security dog! And Auburn is at home! A sure TD for Alabama turned out to be an interception for Auburn. Overall, it was two mediocre teams playing pretty good ball for their standards. Not great, great football, but certainly some hard hitting, great effort, and not "too" many penalties - although the penalties that came proved costly.
In the mean time, LSU lost. Tennessee pulled out a win after Kentucky's impressive comeback. In the process, Tennessee clinched a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game, and LSU's Championship hopes are dashed. Georgia finished off their season great with another victory to Georgia Tech. Georgia won their last six games. Ohio St. without playing keeps their National Title hopes alive. West Virginia and Missouri, with their impressive win against high-powered Kansas, moves up to take over as the front-runners in the National Championship hunt. But they both play another game. Believe it or not, there is a *reasonable* chance that Ohio St. can play against Georgia in the National Title game. This would be yet another Big 10, SEC matchup, and Ohio St.'s second straight trip to the big show. Of course, this is a somewhat small chance, but a reasonable one, especially considering what has already happened this year.
So with all this and all of the other games in mind, may I give you my Top 40.
1. West Va.
2. Missouri
3. Ohio St.
4. Georgia
5. Kansas
6. LSU
7. Virginia Tech
8. U.S.C.
9. Oklahoma
10. Florida
11. Tennessee
12. Boston College
13. Arizona St.
14. Illinois
15. Clemson
16. Hawaii
17. Oregon
18. Wisconsin
19. Cincinnati
20. Texas
21. Auburn
22. Arkansas
23. Troy
24. Kentucky
25. South Florida
26. Virginia
27. BYU
28. Mississippi St.
29. Michigan
30. Texas A & M
31. Texas Tech
32. Conneticutt
33. Boise St.
34. Penn St.
35. Wake Forest
36. Kansas St.
37. Michigan St.
38. California
39. Oklahoma St.
40. Air Force
Well there you go. Some of it is just educated guesses, I admit. But hey, it's like that for most everyone, right?! Anyway, that's my word, and as always, I have The Final Word.
What do you think?
War Eagle!
November 25, 2007
Ryan Hampton
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Just A Few Hours Away!
Just a few hours away until the Iron Bowl! Man, anything can happen this year, so I really can not tell you for sure who will win. But of course, I am a biased AU fan, and I think AU is playing a little better now, and should be rested up with the week off. I pick AU, as I did last blog. I believed I picked 24-14 AU, and I'll stay by that. What a game yesterday evening with LSU vs. Ark!! Oh, and Franchonie left on a good note from TAM with their win over Texas. Anyway, we'll have to find out what happens tonight with the AU vs. UAT game!
The difference in the Iron Bowl and the other games is this: With a loss to any other team, you can find redemption the next week. Against your arch-rival in the Iron Bowl, you have to wait until the next year.
War Eagle!!
Ryan
The difference in the Iron Bowl and the other games is this: With a loss to any other team, you can find redemption the next week. Against your arch-rival in the Iron Bowl, you have to wait until the next year.
War Eagle!!
Ryan
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Iron Bowl, et al
Sorry I have not gotten back to my predictions, nor recap them. I have been fairly busy lately. I was sick, went on a campout, and have been trying to catch up school. I did not do so well on my latest predictions. I picked AU over UGA (but then again I'm biased and can't help it). I predicted UAT over MSU (and would have over LA MONROE!!!). I predicted Ohio St. over Illinois. I missed other games as well. But hey, I said Ohio St. was destined for a loss. I predicted MSU to give UAT a good game- and that they did. I got some of my games right, and in this year, getting over 50% is not real easy. I did have a hunch that La Monroe (La Monroe!!), would give UAT a scare...but a WIN??? You don't know- and that is something I have been saying for a while.
But what about the Iron Bowl?? I am biased, I admit, and I will pick AU. But I do not think that this will be easy, and I will not be surprised if UAT wins. It really depends on a few things: The coaching (could go either way, unpredictable), the quarterbacks (once again, defintely unpredictable), and the turnovers (which is based largely on the unpredictable quarterbacks and coaches. The winner of the turnover game may be the team with the best QB (in terms of least turnovers). And the team with the best QB may be the best coached team for Saturday. UAT could have been Saving (or Saban) up for AU as perhaps they did to UT, but there is a certain amount of talent level that must be present as well which is absolute for all games- and it doesn't take much talent at the level of UAT to beat a team like...say...LA MONROE!! But then again, just a few weeks ago, UAT was on top of their game it seemed. AU started slow, began looking strong, and then kind of went good but dry, and then got whipped against UGA. Could Tubberville had been distracted by TAM offers (if there were any)? He said that "That ain't got nothing to do with it," implying it must have something to do with it, because it doesn't has nothing to do with it.
Anyway, I don't have much time to write these things...so forgive this rambling on, and lack of writing skills. I just wanted to get back before the Iron Bowl game this Saturday. Oh yeah, Happy Thanksgiving!
AU: 24
UA: 14
What do you think?
War Eagle
November 21, 2007
Ryan Hampton
But what about the Iron Bowl?? I am biased, I admit, and I will pick AU. But I do not think that this will be easy, and I will not be surprised if UAT wins. It really depends on a few things: The coaching (could go either way, unpredictable), the quarterbacks (once again, defintely unpredictable), and the turnovers (which is based largely on the unpredictable quarterbacks and coaches. The winner of the turnover game may be the team with the best QB (in terms of least turnovers). And the team with the best QB may be the best coached team for Saturday. UAT could have been Saving (or Saban) up for AU as perhaps they did to UT, but there is a certain amount of talent level that must be present as well which is absolute for all games- and it doesn't take much talent at the level of UAT to beat a team like...say...LA MONROE!! But then again, just a few weeks ago, UAT was on top of their game it seemed. AU started slow, began looking strong, and then kind of went good but dry, and then got whipped against UGA. Could Tubberville had been distracted by TAM offers (if there were any)? He said that "That ain't got nothing to do with it," implying it must have something to do with it, because it doesn't has nothing to do with it.
Anyway, I don't have much time to write these things...so forgive this rambling on, and lack of writing skills. I just wanted to get back before the Iron Bowl game this Saturday. Oh yeah, Happy Thanksgiving!
AU: 24
UA: 14
What do you think?
War Eagle
November 21, 2007
Ryan Hampton
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Predictions For This Weekend
Well we are almost to the end of the football season. It has flown by. Usually by this time of the year we know who the good teams are, who the so-so teams are, and who the bad teams are. This year, we're still not real sure. We can though, come up with educated guesses to the winners of games, and to the rankings. Well, with that in mind, here are my predictions:
Auburn vs. Georgia: This is shaping out to be a good game. Auburn plays in Athens, but they have been good their in the past as well. Auburn plays good on the road. But Georgia is playing hot, with a win against Florida, and then a win against an impressive Troy team. I think Auburn has a good defense, that should keep them in any game this season. But Auburn's offense is pretty dull. But a much safer Brandon Cox, and a talented and fresh running game may, just may, be enought. We'll have to find out on Saturday. My prediction...
Auburn: 20
Georgia: 10
USC vs. California: Wow! Who knows with this game! Both teams are somewhat struggling, but still have a lot of talent. I'm not a big Pac10 fan, admitably, being from Central Alabama, so this is somewhat of a guess. But as of now, I am leaning to USC. My prediction...
USC: 35
California: 24
Ohio St. vs. Illinois: Ohio St. is due for a defeat. But they are showing each week to be a good team, playing as if they deserve the number one ranking. I think that they will eventually lose, but I'm not sure as if it will be Saturday. My prediction...
Ohio St.: 38
Illinois: 17
Alabama vs. Mississippi St.: Mississippi St. beat Alabama last year, and is improved this year. But Alabama is improved too. I am not so sure Nick Saban is destined for an upset- at least not this Saturday. Look for Mississippi St. to play tough a while, and hang in a while, but Alabama to pull it off. My prediction...
Alabama: 31
Mississippi St.: 17
Virginia Tech vs. Florida St.: Wow! What a big ACC matchup this is turning out to be. Florida St. is playing hot, but Virginia Tech is not so bad themselves, ranked at number eleven in the nation (twelve in my poll). The question is, could Florida St. stay hot, or did the "over-prepare" for Boston College. I think that is a good and fair question. I think that they will play good. The question is, though, are they good enough for Virginia Tech. Expect a good game. I pick Virginia Tech in this game. My prediction...
Virginia Tech: 24
Florida St. 17
Michigan vs. Wisconsin: This should be yet another good game. But Michigan is playing hot now, where as Wisconsin is playing just "so-so." For some reason, my gut however is telling me Wisconsin. But I think that Michigan is a better team- at least playing better. My head tells me Michigan. I am tempted to make this my upset pick. But I don't think I will. I may regret this, but I predict Michigan to win this game. My prediction...
Michigan: 30
Wisconsin: 20
Florida vs. South Carolina: Another good SEC game here. South Carolina has not been so hot lately, but I keep thinking that they should come on strong. But Florida looked impressive last Saturday over Vanderbuilt. Expect a good game, but I pick Florida. My prediction...
Florida: 28
South Carolina: 14
Tennessee vs. Arkansas: Wow, what a big SEC game this should be. Tennessee is part of the wild, wild, and wacky SEC East. Both are looking great. McFadden looked unstopable last Saturday as he got back in the heisman race. But I think that Tennessee is the better team, with the SEC East to play for. My prediction...
Tennessee: 28
Arkansas: 21
And my upset of the week...I predict...Texas Tech over Texas. I don't know why I predict this, but I have a gut feeling going with Texas Tech this week. I think that they are hungry to beat Texas. The upset I mentally picked last week (I did not write this down so take my word for it!) was Florida St. over Boston College. I was right, so maybe I'll be right here.
Texas Teck: 27
Texas: 17
What do you think?
War Eagle!!
November 8, 2007
Ryan
Auburn vs. Georgia: This is shaping out to be a good game. Auburn plays in Athens, but they have been good their in the past as well. Auburn plays good on the road. But Georgia is playing hot, with a win against Florida, and then a win against an impressive Troy team. I think Auburn has a good defense, that should keep them in any game this season. But Auburn's offense is pretty dull. But a much safer Brandon Cox, and a talented and fresh running game may, just may, be enought. We'll have to find out on Saturday. My prediction...
Auburn: 20
Georgia: 10
USC vs. California: Wow! Who knows with this game! Both teams are somewhat struggling, but still have a lot of talent. I'm not a big Pac10 fan, admitably, being from Central Alabama, so this is somewhat of a guess. But as of now, I am leaning to USC. My prediction...
USC: 35
California: 24
Ohio St. vs. Illinois: Ohio St. is due for a defeat. But they are showing each week to be a good team, playing as if they deserve the number one ranking. I think that they will eventually lose, but I'm not sure as if it will be Saturday. My prediction...
Ohio St.: 38
Illinois: 17
Alabama vs. Mississippi St.: Mississippi St. beat Alabama last year, and is improved this year. But Alabama is improved too. I am not so sure Nick Saban is destined for an upset- at least not this Saturday. Look for Mississippi St. to play tough a while, and hang in a while, but Alabama to pull it off. My prediction...
Alabama: 31
Mississippi St.: 17
Virginia Tech vs. Florida St.: Wow! What a big ACC matchup this is turning out to be. Florida St. is playing hot, but Virginia Tech is not so bad themselves, ranked at number eleven in the nation (twelve in my poll). The question is, could Florida St. stay hot, or did the "over-prepare" for Boston College. I think that is a good and fair question. I think that they will play good. The question is, though, are they good enough for Virginia Tech. Expect a good game. I pick Virginia Tech in this game. My prediction...
Virginia Tech: 24
Florida St. 17
Michigan vs. Wisconsin: This should be yet another good game. But Michigan is playing hot now, where as Wisconsin is playing just "so-so." For some reason, my gut however is telling me Wisconsin. But I think that Michigan is a better team- at least playing better. My head tells me Michigan. I am tempted to make this my upset pick. But I don't think I will. I may regret this, but I predict Michigan to win this game. My prediction...
Michigan: 30
Wisconsin: 20
Florida vs. South Carolina: Another good SEC game here. South Carolina has not been so hot lately, but I keep thinking that they should come on strong. But Florida looked impressive last Saturday over Vanderbuilt. Expect a good game, but I pick Florida. My prediction...
Florida: 28
South Carolina: 14
Tennessee vs. Arkansas: Wow, what a big SEC game this should be. Tennessee is part of the wild, wild, and wacky SEC East. Both are looking great. McFadden looked unstopable last Saturday as he got back in the heisman race. But I think that Tennessee is the better team, with the SEC East to play for. My prediction...
Tennessee: 28
Arkansas: 21
And my upset of the week...I predict...Texas Tech over Texas. I don't know why I predict this, but I have a gut feeling going with Texas Tech this week. I think that they are hungry to beat Texas. The upset I mentally picked last week (I did not write this down so take my word for it!) was Florida St. over Boston College. I was right, so maybe I'll be right here.
Texas Teck: 27
Texas: 17
What do you think?
War Eagle!!
November 8, 2007
Ryan
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Recapping the Weekend and My Predictions
Well it was another good weekend of college football. I was 5-1 on my predictions. I was right in predicting that LSU vs. UA would be close for a while, but LSU would pull it out. I did not expect UA to score 34 points on LSU, but then again, a struggling Auburn offense scored 24 on LSU on the road.
I was right by saying that Troy would play UGA closer than many thought. I predicted 35-21 UGA, and it turned out 44-34 UGA. I predicted Troy score at least 20 (I was right) and UGA score less than 40 (I was wrong). I think that Troy is not a bad team, and I think UGA is looking pretty good for the AU game this weekend at home.
I predicted Florida over Vanderbuilt, but I did expect Vanderbuilt to put up a better fight against the high-powered Gators. Still, I got the prediction right as far as who would win, but then again, most people probably did.
I was close on the Ohio St. vs. Wisconsin score. Ohio St. won as I predicted. I predicted 33-21 Ohio St. The final was 38-17 Ohio St. Okay, it was not real close, but it was reasonable close.
My prediction of Kansas over Nebraska was about right, as long as you multiply the score by about two! Seriosly, I predicted Kansas with 35 points, and they scored over double that! Still, just magnified by about two, I predicted the game pretty accurately. I predicted 35-21 Kansas, and it turned out 76-39 Kansas.
And finally, the only one I missed, as far as the winner goes at least, the South Carolina vs. Arkansas game. I predicted South Carolina to win it in a defensive struggle. Arkansas won in and offensive struggle. McFaddin was lights out, and perhaps put himself back into the heisman campaign.
Also, take my word for this or not, by my I mentally picked Florida St. to beat Boston College. Like I say, you don't have to take my word- I did not officially predict this, but it was my gut feeling.
So after this week, I need a top...25, 30, 35, 40, whatever...whatever I go to! So here it is...
1. Ohio St.
2. LSU
3. Oregon
4. Kansas
5. Oklahoma
6. West Virginia
7. Arizona St.
8. Missouri
9. Conneticutt
10. Georgia
11. Michigan
12. Virginia Tech
13. USC
14. Boston College
15. Florida
16. Texas
17. Auburn
18. Hawaii
19. Boise St.
20. Alabama
21. Clemson
22. Tennessee
23. Arkansas
24. Kentucky
25. Troy
26. Florida St.
27. Virginia
28. California
29. Wisconsin
30. Cincinatti
31. South Carolina
32. Wake Forest
33. South Florida
34. Kansas St.
35. Georgia Tech
Well there ya go. When I have more time, if I have more time, I'll try to put in my predictions for this weekend. So stay tuned! Thanks,
Ryan
I was right by saying that Troy would play UGA closer than many thought. I predicted 35-21 UGA, and it turned out 44-34 UGA. I predicted Troy score at least 20 (I was right) and UGA score less than 40 (I was wrong). I think that Troy is not a bad team, and I think UGA is looking pretty good for the AU game this weekend at home.
I predicted Florida over Vanderbuilt, but I did expect Vanderbuilt to put up a better fight against the high-powered Gators. Still, I got the prediction right as far as who would win, but then again, most people probably did.
I was close on the Ohio St. vs. Wisconsin score. Ohio St. won as I predicted. I predicted 33-21 Ohio St. The final was 38-17 Ohio St. Okay, it was not real close, but it was reasonable close.
My prediction of Kansas over Nebraska was about right, as long as you multiply the score by about two! Seriosly, I predicted Kansas with 35 points, and they scored over double that! Still, just magnified by about two, I predicted the game pretty accurately. I predicted 35-21 Kansas, and it turned out 76-39 Kansas.
And finally, the only one I missed, as far as the winner goes at least, the South Carolina vs. Arkansas game. I predicted South Carolina to win it in a defensive struggle. Arkansas won in and offensive struggle. McFaddin was lights out, and perhaps put himself back into the heisman campaign.
Also, take my word for this or not, by my I mentally picked Florida St. to beat Boston College. Like I say, you don't have to take my word- I did not officially predict this, but it was my gut feeling.
So after this week, I need a top...25, 30, 35, 40, whatever...whatever I go to! So here it is...
1. Ohio St.
2. LSU
3. Oregon
4. Kansas
5. Oklahoma
6. West Virginia
7. Arizona St.
8. Missouri
9. Conneticutt
10. Georgia
11. Michigan
12. Virginia Tech
13. USC
14. Boston College
15. Florida
16. Texas
17. Auburn
18. Hawaii
19. Boise St.
20. Alabama
21. Clemson
22. Tennessee
23. Arkansas
24. Kentucky
25. Troy
26. Florida St.
27. Virginia
28. California
29. Wisconsin
30. Cincinatti
31. South Carolina
32. Wake Forest
33. South Florida
34. Kansas St.
35. Georgia Tech
Well there ya go. When I have more time, if I have more time, I'll try to put in my predictions for this weekend. So stay tuned! Thanks,
Ryan
Friday, November 2, 2007
Predictions For Tomorow
Well, well, we have a good lineup for tomorow's games. I'm going to attempt what many people attempt and fail at: succesfully predict the outcomes of certain college football games. It should be a great weekend, and we don't know what will happen, but I figure I can give it a try. Most of you will not see this until after Saturday (being that it is Friday evening), but I'll go ahead and predict...you can see later when you read this if I was right or not : )
Alabama vs. LSU: This is the big game. The winner of this game is in the certain drivers seat for the SEC West, although we still never know what could happen. I think that both teams will be fired up. I do think LSU has better talent than Alabama. If Alabama is both fired up and still poised, then they have a shot. But LSU's fire might be just enough to pull it off on the road- especially with Early Dorcet back. I give Alabama a decent chance. LSU is beatable- even with Dorcet. But having Dorcet back as they did against Auburn will be a big help. LSU scored 30 points against one of the best defenses in the SEC- possibly in the nation- Auburn. I predict that it will be just enough to beat Alabama- Saban and all. My prediction....
LSU: 34
Bama: 20
Georgia vs. Troy: This game may be closer than many people think. Troy is playing some good football. Georgia has played inconsistently. Still, Mark Richt is no idiot. He knows the task at hand. Don't be surprised if Troy scores about 20 on Georgia, and holds them to less than 40. Still, I think Georgia will pull it off. My prediction....
Georgia: 35
Troy: 21
Florida vs. Vanderbuilt: Vanderbuilt is playing some good ball. But don't underestimate the great-play ability of Florida, nor their great coaches. They are mad, and I think that they should win. Vanderbuilt may hang tough a while, but I think Florida will pull it off somewhat comftorably there at the end. My prediction....
Florida: 34
Vanderbuilt: 17
Ohio St. vs. Wisconsin: Wisconsin wants a win, and one over number-one-ranked team Ohio St. will be great. But Ohio St. is number one for a reason. They may lose eventually, but I'm not sure if it will be to Wisconsin. Maybe Michigan. My prediction...
Ohio St.: 33
Wisconsin: 21
Kansas vs. Nebraska: Nebraska is struggling. Kansas is playing great. If Nebraska has a "good" day and Kansas has an "off" day, then Kansas still may win. I can see this game being semi-close, but I think that Kansas will win. My prediction....
Kansas: 35
Nebraska: 21
South Carolina vs. Arkansas: South Carolina is a good team. Even despite recent losses. Arkansas is not a bad team themselves. They will have the home-field advantage. Still, I do think that South Carolina is better, and probably hungrier. Expect a good game, but I give it to South Carolina, on the road, in the end. My prediction....
South Carolina: 20
Arkansas: 10
Alabama vs. LSU: This is the big game. The winner of this game is in the certain drivers seat for the SEC West, although we still never know what could happen. I think that both teams will be fired up. I do think LSU has better talent than Alabama. If Alabama is both fired up and still poised, then they have a shot. But LSU's fire might be just enough to pull it off on the road- especially with Early Dorcet back. I give Alabama a decent chance. LSU is beatable- even with Dorcet. But having Dorcet back as they did against Auburn will be a big help. LSU scored 30 points against one of the best defenses in the SEC- possibly in the nation- Auburn. I predict that it will be just enough to beat Alabama- Saban and all. My prediction....
LSU: 34
Bama: 20
Georgia vs. Troy: This game may be closer than many people think. Troy is playing some good football. Georgia has played inconsistently. Still, Mark Richt is no idiot. He knows the task at hand. Don't be surprised if Troy scores about 20 on Georgia, and holds them to less than 40. Still, I think Georgia will pull it off. My prediction....
Georgia: 35
Troy: 21
Florida vs. Vanderbuilt: Vanderbuilt is playing some good ball. But don't underestimate the great-play ability of Florida, nor their great coaches. They are mad, and I think that they should win. Vanderbuilt may hang tough a while, but I think Florida will pull it off somewhat comftorably there at the end. My prediction....
Florida: 34
Vanderbuilt: 17
Ohio St. vs. Wisconsin: Wisconsin wants a win, and one over number-one-ranked team Ohio St. will be great. But Ohio St. is number one for a reason. They may lose eventually, but I'm not sure if it will be to Wisconsin. Maybe Michigan. My prediction...
Ohio St.: 33
Wisconsin: 21
Kansas vs. Nebraska: Nebraska is struggling. Kansas is playing great. If Nebraska has a "good" day and Kansas has an "off" day, then Kansas still may win. I can see this game being semi-close, but I think that Kansas will win. My prediction....
Kansas: 35
Nebraska: 21
South Carolina vs. Arkansas: South Carolina is a good team. Even despite recent losses. Arkansas is not a bad team themselves. They will have the home-field advantage. Still, I do think that South Carolina is better, and probably hungrier. Expect a good game, but I give it to South Carolina, on the road, in the end. My prediction....
South Carolina: 20
Arkansas: 10
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