We're Back .... and The Detroit Lions Need A Left Tackle

This spring, the Detroit Lions were wavering on whether to take sure-fire stud Ndamukong Suh or draft for need and reach for an offensive tackle.  Not only did the Lions take Suh, but they also did not select an o-tackle until the fourth round (Jason Fox).  Had I been in Martin Mayhew's position, I would have selected Suh, but my second pick would have definitely been an o-tackle.  Definitely.

 Credit: Mlive.com

 

 

As a result, this happened.  If you're going to invest 72 million clams into a player, the smart money is on protecting his blind side.  Even the Rams protected their investment by drafting Rodger Saffold (and already had Jason Smith).  Instead, the Lions went with Jeff Backus, and Julius Peppers effectively separated Matthew Stafford's shoulder.

2009 NFL Draft: Running Blog

Armin: Anyone think Stafford goes #1? Will the Rams trade down?

RAMS SELECT JASON SMITH, OT - BAYLOR

Clement: With the departure of Pace, this was a no-brainer (even if you had Monroe at #2 instead of Smith).

CHIEFS SELECT TYSON JACKSON, DE - LSU

Armin: Ha! I was right...on my last mock that didn't make it on PHSports. D'oh!!!

SEAHAWKS SELECT AARON CURRY, OLB - WAKE FOREST

Armin is 4 for 4. Are you? Not likely...

Next up...Cleveland at 5. Mangini wants Orakpo. Management seems behind Raji. Who wins out?

Sum & Armin: Yes!!! The Skins aren't getting Sanchez. NOT GETTIN' DIRTY!!!

JETS TRADE UP AND SELECT MARK SANCHEZ, QB - USC

Clement: I'm ecstatic! No Josh Freeman.

BENGALS SELECT ANDRE SMITH, OT - ALABAMA

Paymon: Great pick. One sack allowed in the SEC. Best pass rushing conference.

Sum: "Hey, Hey, Hey!!!"

RAIDERS SELECT DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY, WR - MARYLAND

Clement: That's the highlight of my mock draft.

Armin: WTF!?!??!?!?!!??!

JAGUARS SELECT EUGENE MONROE, OT - VIRGINIA

Armin: Great pick. Tra Thomas is not the answer.

PACKERS SELECT B.J. RAJI, DT - BOSTON COLLEGE

49ers SELECT MICHAEL CRABTREE, WR - TEXAS TECH

Paymon: "Get off the phone dude!!! Your name was just called."

BILLS SELECT AARON MAYBIN, DE - PENN STATE

Armin: Skins get either Oher or Orakpo!!! Woohoo!!! Unless Danny and Vinny mess it up again.

BRONCOS SELECT KNOWSHON MORENO, RB - GEORGIA

Armin: Nice shot of Knowshon's mom's crack.

Sum: I'm blinded!!!

REDSKINS SELECT BRIAN ORAKPO, DE - TEXAS

Armin: YES!!!

Sum: I wanted Oher, but I'll take O'Krapo.

SAINTS SELECT MALCOLM JENKINS, DB - OHIO STATE

Armin: CB or S?

TEXANS SELECT BRIAN CUSHING, OLB - USC

Paymon: *in his best Scottish accent* Duncan McCloud!!!!

CHARGERS SELECT LARRY ENGLISH, OLB - NORTHERN ILLINOIS

Armin: I woulda rather had Maualuga or Wells...but oh well.

BUCS TRADE UP AND SELECT JOSH FREEMAN, QB - KANSAS STATE

Chino: Josh Freeman looks like Soul Man

BRONCOS SELECT ROBERT AYERS, OLB - TENNESSEE

EAGLES TRADE UP AND SELECT JEREMY MACLIN, WR - MISSOURI

Paymon: *clapping*

Sum: "They shoulda taken Pettigrew."

LIONS SELECT BRANDON PETTIGREW, TE - OKLAHOMA ST.

Armin: "WHAT THE F@#$?????"

Clement: "If you get a quarterback, you've gotta give him a security blanket."

BROWNS (finally) SELECT ALEX MACK, C - CALIFORNIA

Deihim:"All that dickin' around for that pick?!?"

Armin: "He's a quality player."

VIKINGS SELECT PERCY HARVIN, WR - FLORIDA

Clement: "This proves that Sydney Rice is completely done."

Paymon: "I thought that Oher would've been the better pick."

Sum: "I completely agree. Oher is gonna be a steal for someone."

RAVENS TRADE UP AND SELECT MICHAEL OHER, OT - MISSISSIPPI

Sum: "There's the steal"

Armin: "They should've taken Maualuga in my opinion."

Sum: "Joe Flacco just smiled."

FALCONS SELECT PERIA JERRY, DT - MISSISSIPPI

Armin: "Goodell sounded like Charles Barkley when he said that."

DOLPHINS SELECT VONTAE DAVIS, CB - ILLINOIS

Sum: "I finally got another one right!!!"

Kiya: "Well, I guess PFT was wrong..."

PACKERS TRADE UP AND SELECT CLAY MATTHEWS, LB - USC

Sum: "They should've taken Favre ... or Madden. He looks like a young Triple H."

Paymon: "Is New England going to have every single 2nd round pick?"

COLTS SELECT DONALD BROWN, RB - CONNECTICUT

Everyone: "REALLY?!?!?!??!?!"

Clement: "How many kids from NJ has been drafted today?!?"

BILLS SELECT ERIC WOOD, C - LOUISVILLE

Kiya: "I'll take him."

Sum: "Unger would've been a better pic."

Armin: "Wood is good, man."

GIANTS SELECT HAKEEM NICKS, WR - NORTH CAROLINA

Armin: "Do UNC WR's work out in the NFL?"

Kiya: "Look no further than Bucky Brooks."

Sum: "I hope he obeys gun control laws, for the Giants sake."

TITANS SELECT KENNY BRITT, WR - RUTGERS

Paymon: "Really good pick."

Armin: "Reminds me of T.O. ... on and off the field."

CARDINALS SELECT CHRIS "BEANIE" WELLS, RB - OHIO STATE

Sum: "So will the Cards finally be decent and cut Edge?"

Clement: "How many carries did he have in college?"

STEELERS SELECT ZIGGY HOOD, DT - MISSOURI


Final thoughts?

Clement: I'm surprised there was such little movement in the top 10. I thought if Crabtree dropped, the Eagles would trade up to get him.

Paymon: Oakland showed exactly why they've been in the shitter ... forever.

Sum: I love Michael Oher, and wished the other team that plays in Maryland (Redskins) would have gotten him. He still would've been a steal at 13.

Armin: Jets made the right move. Sanchez is the right man for the job. Lots of surprises (as usual)...the smokescreens win out again. Great stuff.

With the 1st Pick the Detroit Lions select...

Armin's positional rankings just dropped (COMMENTS NEEDED!!!) and the 2-round mock is right around the corner.

With that in mind, who SHOULD the Detroit Lions select with the first overall pick?

Check out the new poll in the top right corner of the page and let us know what YOU think.
Feel free to comment below as well...

Somebody help this guy out. Pronto.
Credit: LosingLions.com

Option #1: Matthew Stafford [QB, Georgia]
Pro: He has all the tools necessary to be an elite quarterback in the NFL.
Con: Is a quarterback with almost no tools around him - save Calvin Johnson - the fix for the NFL's first 0-16 team?

Option #2: Mark Sanchez [QB, USC]
Pro: Many scouts say he'd would've been a lock to be the #1 pick in 2010, so why not in 2009 at a year younger?
Con: Only one full collegiate season under his belt. Is that really enough to judge this kid who was once considered far too emotionally stunted?

Option #3: Aaron Curry [LB, Wake Forest]
Pro: He's the most complete player on the board. That's hard to argue with. Jerrod Mayo had similar regards, at least according to the Patsies, and he played like a #1 overall pick last season.
Con: How many linebackers go #1 overall? More than that, how many Wake Forest linebackers go #1 overall?

Option #4: Jason Smith [OT, Baylor]
Pro: Draft an offensive lineman that can anchor your line for the next 10+ years. Why not?
Con: Is it too conservative for the #1 overall pick? Is he the #1 tackle only due to Andre Smith's meltdown?

Option #5: Eugene Monroe [OT, Virginia]
Pro: See above.
Con: Sorry, but see above.

Option #6: Andre Smith [OT, Alabama]
Pro: You've seen the worst of him and he survived it. His physical abilities are unmatched at the position.
Con: Do you really reward this guy with #1-overall pick money?

Option #7: Michael Crabtree [WR, Texas Tech]
Pro: He would look really good lined up across from Calvin Johnson.
Con: Seriously. Do I have to explain this one?

Option #8: B.J. Raji [DT, Boston College]
Pro: The defensive line suffered mightily without Shaun Rogers last year and Raji could fill that void quite well.
Con: This mess at the combine likely pushed even his loftiest goals for being in the top 5, no less the 1st overall selection.

Option #9: TRADE IT!!!
Pro: Save the money, acquire more picks, and build much-needed depth.
Con: Good luck getting similar value. You can't simply give away the #1 pick.

Option #10: Hire Matt Millen back instead
Pro: To keep the joke lasting even longer.
Con: To avoid mass suicides in Detroit.

2009 NFL Draft: Position Rankings

As the draft nears, and Pro Day's have passed, I thought now is a better time than any to post my position rankings for the 2009 NFL draft. Last year, outside of a handful of predictions, the list was pretty close to the order that players went in the first day. This year poses a different challenge, as we have a larger amount of players that could potentially sneak into the 1st round. Anyway...looking forward to the comments. Enjoy.

(Photo Courtesy of University of Georgia)

QB
1 - Matt Stafford, Georgia
2 - Mark Sanchez, Southern Cal
3 - Josh Freeman, Kansas State
4 - Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State
5 - Nate Davis, Ball State

Stafford sat atop this list all off-season. After Sanchez practically hit a home run on his Pro Day, the race is almost neck and neck. As for Freeman, I have had guarded optimism. Is he the real deal? I think Bomar is the diamond in the rough of this draft. Not only could he be an NFL starter, he could make his QB coach look so good, he lands a head coaching gig.

RB
1 - Chris Wells, Ohio State
2 - Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
3 - Donald Brown, Connecticut
4 - Rashad Jennings, Liberty
5 - Javon Ringer, Michigan State
6 - LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
7 - Andre Brown, NC State
8 - Shonn Greene, Iowa
9 - Ian Johnson, Boise State
10 - Kory Sheets, Purdue

Wells and Moreno top this year’s class of RBs. Don’t be surprised if Brown is the first RB off the board though. The hype machine is in full-effect for the UConn prospect. McCoy was a first round prospect until he posted some pedestrian times. Jennings and Ringer boast a lot of potential. Some team will be very happy with what Shonn Greene will bring to their table.

WR
1 - Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
2 - Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
3 - Percy Harvin, Florida
4 - Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
5 - Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
6 - Kenny Britt, Rutgers
7 - Derrick Williams, Penn State
8 - Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
9 - Louis Murphy, Florida
10 - Pat White*, West Virginia

Crabtree and Maclin are interchangeable at the top of the WR list. Crabtree reminds me of a young Sterling Sharpe. Maclin has the game-breaking speed that teams salivate over. Harvin has Devin Hester-like ability. DHB brings the same level of athletic ability to the table that former Terrapins stars Shawne Merriman and Vernon Davis brought to their respective positions. But the important question is: Who’s level of productivity will he trend towards? If there is a run on WRs, like there was on OTs last year, we could see as many as seven going in the first round. Pat White only makes the list based on his potential at a position he didn’t play in college.

TE
1 - Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
2 - Jared Allen, South Carolina
3 - Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi
4 - Chase Coffman, Missouri

As a receiver, Pettigrew has Shockey written all over him. As a blocker, he reminds some of Kyle Brady. Keep an eye on the explosive Jared Allen, who runs like a WR.

C/G
1 - Alex Mack, California
2 - Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
3 - Max Unger, Oregon
4 - Eric Wood, Louisville
5 - Antoine Caldwell, Alabama

Mack and Robinson seem destined for the late first round. Unger could get consideration due to his versatility, allowing him to play any position on the line. He may be picked to play left tackle. Caldwell may be vastly underrated based on playing in Andre Smith’s shadow.

T
1 - Jason Smith, Baylor
2 - Eugene Monroe, Virginia
3 - Andre Smith, Alabama
4 - Michael Oher, Mississippi
5 - Eben Britton, Arizona
6 - William Beatty, Connecticut
7 - Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
8 - Jamon Meridith, South Carolina
9 - Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
10 - Troy Kropog, Tulane

The most exciting position in the draft, as far as the movement at the top of the rankings, was at tackle. I’ve been a fan of Jason Smith (hoping my team could land him) for a while. After the combines, that dream faded, as he could easily be the top pick in the draft. Monroe is right there with Jason Smith. Andre Smith slipped after his antics at the Combine and his Pro Day, where he got jiggly with it. I’ve always felt Oher was overrated, but he looks good so far in his individual workouts. Eben Britton is the top pure right tackle prospect. Kropog would rank higher, but he only really ranks that high if he’s in a zone-blocking scheme.

DT
1 - B.J. Raji, Boston College
2 - Ziggy Hood, Missouri
3 - Peria Jerry, Mississippi
4 - Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn
5 - Alex Magee, Purdue
6 - Ron Brace, Boston College
7 - Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
8 - Fili Moala, Southern Cal
9 - Dorrell Scott, Clemson
10 - Chris Baker, Hampton

2009 is not the best year for DTs. Raji could go in the top 10 (depending on what he tested positive for at the Combines). Hood had the most dramatic climb up the charts, especially after the Senior Bowl practices. Ron Brace joins Raji as two of the few prospects that can be a pure NT. Keep an eye on Jarron Gilbert. He can get in the backfield as a DT.

DE
1 - Brian Orakpo, Texas
2 - Everette Brown, Florida State
3 - Tyson Jackson, LSU
4 - Aaron Maybin, Penn State
5 - Robert Ayers, Tennessee
6 - Larry English, Northern Illinois
7 - Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
8 - Connor Barwin, Cincinnati
9 - Paul Kruger, Utah
10 - Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond

There are a lot of Boom or Bust prospects at DE this year. Several prospects might end up as OLBs in 3-4 schemes, specifically Orakpo, Brown and Maybin. Jackson needs to be drafted into a 3-4 scheme to play DE. Larry English and Michael Johnson carry a lot of hype. Barwin came out of nowhere, trying out for several positions. He is shooting up the draft charts.

(Photo Courtesy of Wake Forest University)

LB
1 - Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2 - Rey Maualuga, Southern Cal
3 - Brian Cushing, Southern Cal
4 - Clay Matthews, Southern Cal
5 - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
6 - Clint Sintim, Virginia
7 - Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
8 - Gerald McRath, Southern Mississippi
9 - Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin
10 - Darryl Beckwith, LSU

Curry is probably the best finished product in this draft. He can play any LB position in the NFL. The Southern Cal trio could easily all end up going in the first round. Sintim is a pass rusher who could play OLB in either the 3-4 or the 4-3. Casillas looks to be a steal, and could be a rookie starter on the weak side for some team. If Beckwith can stay healthy, he could be another Nick Barnett.

CB
1 - Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
2 - Vontae Davis, Illinois
3 - Darius Butler, Connecticut
4 - Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
5 - D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
6 - Sean Smith, Utah
7 - Keenan Lewis, Oregon State
8 - Asher Allen, Oregon
9 - Coye Francies, San Jose State
10 - Mike Mickens, Cincinnati

Jenkins would have been the top CB in last year’s draft. He’ll be drafted as a CB, but don’t rule out a move to FS if he goes to a CB-rich team, especially with the lack of a major talent at safety in this draft. After Jenkins, there’s a fight for the #2 spot on this list. Davis, Butler, Alphonso Smith and Moore are all vying to be the 2nd CB off the board. Sean Smith isn’t far off. Keenan Lewis and Coye Francies offer a lot of potential, but could probably use some coaching. Lewis could also be moved to safety.

S
1 - Rashad Johnson, Alabama
2 - Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
3 - Patrick Chung, Oregon
4 - William Moore, Missouri
5 - Sherrod Martin, Troy
6 - Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest
7 - Chris Clemons, Clemson

This year’s weakest position is at safety. There are several CBs that could make their way over to the safety position (including Sherrod Martin who already made the journey to this list). Many can make arguments for any of the top 4 listed here to be the top safety in this draft. Keep an eye on the athletic Clemons. He has the tools to be a great prospect.

K
1 - Graham Gano, Florida State
2 - David Beuhler, Southern Cal
3 - Ryan Succop, South Carolina

P
1 - Kevin Huber, Cincinnati
2 - Thomas Morstead, Southern Methodist
3 - Chris Miller, Ball State

I am not a fan of ranking kickers and punters coming out of college. It is as close as you can get to a crapshoot.

So it's come to this...NFC-Style

In case you've been hiding under a collapsed brick wall today...NFL seedings are set.

Let's get a few things straight...

This is the guy - for me, at least - who will have the most to do with who ends up representing the NFC in the Super Bowl this season.
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

NFC

..."The Guys You DREAM about Being"...
#1. (12-4) New York Giants
Comment: Despite the Plaxico-incident, Jacobs missing two weeks/being banged up for a month, and the difficult task of defending a championship...the G-Men remain the team to beat in the NFC as the #1-seed.
Guy to Watch: Brandon Jacobs. Eli is the epicenter of this team; however, this season - unlike last year's playoff team - hinged on the ability of their monster back to brutalize defenses in the first half. 3 more dominant efforts and they may very well again hoist the Lombardy Trophy.

#2. (12-4) Carolina Panthers
Comment: 12-4 is a lot easier when you're undefeated (8-0) at home, which is exactly where the Panthers will be in the Divisional Round in two weeks. Plenty of rest for DeAngelo Williams (1515 yards and 20 total TDs) and company.
Guy to Watch: Steve Smith has more ability than any receiver his size. In fact, it's not even close. He's got to have his head straight and his legs ready to burst through secondaries throughout January. He'll need to carry this team - even more than Williams/Stewart - late in close playoff (potential shootout) games.

..The Guys Everyone Else WISHES to Be"...
#3. (10-6) Minnesota Vikings
Comment: Don't forget what Gus Frerrote did for this team; however, Tavaris Jackson did just enough to lock up the NFC North and a home playoff game for the Vikes. The health of Pat Williams and their psyche against a dangerous Philadelphia team loom ominous. By the way, welcome to the NFL Playoffs Adrian Peterson.
Guy to Watch: Tavaris and A-Pete are the easy gets. I'm watching to see if Bernard Berrian can continue his recent torrid month and prove the contract was well worth it. His speed dramatically changes games downfield.

#4. (9-7) Arizona Cardinals
Comment: As ugly a 9-7 team you've ever seen, they still won their division for the first time since Kennedy was in the Whire House AND will host an actual playoff game.
Guy to Watch: Darnell Dockett is the only defender - outside possibly Wilson/Rolle - who defenses gameplan against. Michael Turner can't be allowed to easily pass through the guard and tackle spots or this game will be well over before the first half ends.

#5. (11-5) Atlanta Falcons
Comment: At the beginning of the season (or even the mid-way point), if you had the Falcons at 11-5 and a favorite in their opening playoff game...you need to hit up Cesar's Palace immediately. This team is playing with house money. Enjoy watching 'em.
Guy to Watch: John Abraham has shut it down in previous playoff games, going as far to not even suit up. He'll need to be all over Kurt Warner next weekend...or the Falcons won't leave Arizona victors.

#6. (9-6-1) Philadelphia Eagles
Comment: Somehow, the tie-game didn't come back to bite them. Meanwhile, Andy Reid and Donovan F. McNabb are playoff bound yet again. Don't look now Giant fans, but the Iggles might be coming to town in two weeks. Look out.
Guy to Watch: We all know how Brian Westbrook makes this team go. I got it. Instead, I'm taking two. Correll Buckhalter showed Dallas what a "change of pace" nightmare he can be; especially in the passing game as of late. Meanwhile, A$$ante $amuel needs to earn a few more of those $$$ back A$AP.

"One of a Kind...for better or WORSE"
#7. (9-7) Dallas Cowboys
Comment: The biggest off-season train wreck resides in Dallas (sorry Favre & Jet haters). Not only is there the issue of Wade "The Babe" and Jason Garrett's futures, but you also get to deal with TO, the never-ending Romo-saga, and the same December questions that continue to plague this franchise. 1996 was their last playoff win. Man, that seems so long ago...
Guy to Watch: TO. Of course.

..."The Others"...
#8. (9-7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Comment: John Gruden, Jeff Garcia, and the entire organization should be ashamed for losing at home to the Oakland Raiders. Half this roster is out the door and Monte Kiffin is leading the way. One word: regression.
Guy to Watch: The next QB added to this "rotation". Good luck.

#9. (9-7) Chicago Bears
Comment: Kyle Orton may be the future of this franchise at QB; however, the only "skill players" worth feeling confident are Matt Forte and (probably) Greg Olsen. This team needs to unearth a playmaker or two in the upcoming draft, somehow and someway.
Guy to Watch: Is it me or was Brian Urlacher missing this season?

#10. (8-8) Washington Redskins
Comment: Starting 6-2 becomes null and void when you finish 2-6. The real question becomes: is Jason Campbell the QB of the future? You better find out real soon, Mr. Snyder.
Guy to Watch: How soon can Jason Taylor exit the Redskin roster?

#11. (8-8) New Orleans Saints
Comment: Picking up also-rans (McKenzie, Fujita, Vilma, Shockey) isn't working. Meanwhile, what is going on with the RB position - even without Deuce in the mix after this year - and when will this defense be able to stop a JV offense, no less an NFL-one.
Guy to Watch: Is the Jeremy Shockey-experience over already?

..."The Other Others"...
#12. (7-9) San Francisco 49ers
Comment: Mike Singletary put this team on his back and they went 7-9. Kudos. But I gotta ask: what happens when they no longer "sneak up on people", is Shaun Hill their future QB, can Frank Gore stay healthy, and is Mike Martz still have any "genius" left in him?
Guy to Watch: In case you couldn't tell, I'm wondering where Shaun Hill is on the depth chart before Week 1 next season?

#13. (6-10) Green Bay Packers
Comment: Backward steps to say the least. BIG ONES. Rogers seems fine; however, this team too easily slipped to 6-10. What is to be done for a team that likely overachieved in '07 to reach 3-13, yet drastically underproduced its way to double-digit losses in '08?
Guy to Watch: Was giving all that money to Ryan Grant a big mistake?

..."How the 'Mighty' Have Fallen..."
#14. (4-12) Seattle Seahawks
Comment: The team got injured and old all in the same season. Dangerous duo in all the wrong ways. By the way, how stupid does that Deion Branch-deal continue to look???
Guy to Watch: By the way, how much longer is Matt Hasselbeck going to be able to stand up right for more than 10 games in a season, new head coach Jim Mora Jr? What if he can't any longer?

...And then there's "THEM"...
#15. (2-14) St. Louis Rams
Comment: Players L-O-V-E "player-friendly coaches" like Jim Haslett. Duh. But how much do players love losing their last 10 games in a season and appearing to have little to nothing in the pipeline for the future (sorry, Chris Long)?
Guy to Watch: Is Tory Holt much longer for St. Louis?

..."0-16 says it ALL"...
#16. (0-16) Detroit Lions
Comment: I made a real mistake last season thinking the Falcons (post-Vick) were the ugliest situation in football. Motown is in mourning over their "football" franchise. 0-16 shouldn't be wished upon any players or fans. Not even those surviving the post-Millen "Era of Shame" in Detroit.
Guy to Watch: Whichever future #1 overall pick (likely a QB) gets his career ruined next by this franchise. Beware Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford.

I thought I'd hand out some hardware, but I'll save that for later.
AFC coming soon...

5 Games I’m Looking Forward to this Weekend

No need to banter, so let’s rant instead!
Just kidding…here they are.

…in all fairness there was a pretty stellar matchup on Friday night between Kansas & South Florida…

CHECK OUT the latest PHSports Top 10 Power Rankings HERE!!!

#2 Georgia @ South Carolina
Ole’ Ball Coach needs to pull off a memorable upset, especially after last week’s meltdown against the Commodores. Not likely to happen with Moreno more than rested and Stafford ready to light up a shaky Gamecock secondary.

#17 Penn State @ Syracuse
Seriously, Clement? You pick this game? It’s sad that a school who produced the likes of Ernie Davis, Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Art Monk, Marvin Harrison, Donovan McNabb, and Dwight Freeney has fallen so low. Back-to-back losses to Northwestern & Akron (by a combined 34 points) prove we are the saddest BCS-team in the country (sorry Notre Dame). Such a shame.

Georgia Tech @ Virginia Tech
ACC supremacy isn’t what it used to be; however, Hokie fans might be looking for a ledge to walk off of if they lose their true home-opener (sorry Furman) against the Yellow Jackets.

#5 Ohio State @ #1 USC
What more can I say? Plenty. See you around 5pm right here!!!

#10 Wisconsin @ #21 Fresno State Sleeper game of the week. Wisconsin’s offense will need to effectively run AND pass the ball to keep up with an impressive offensive attack from the totally-under-the-radar Bulldogs.

Am I going chalk? You got it dude.
It’s college football, remember!

Credit: BrewCrewBall

See you this afternoon/evening for plenty of OSU/USC talk.

Until then…