Four Key Week 1 Matchups
Posted on September 2, 2011 by Jacob Bunn
You can now cue the Andy Williams because it is the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ if you are a college football enthusiast. It is week one, which in the past has meant we get a boatload of David like teams trying to slay the Goliaths of the college football world. I can remember some past opening weekends when the biggest question was which top tier team would have the closest call. That predicament of fandom, though, is not an issue in 2011. So to kick start your appetite, here is what is on the menu to be served this weekend in college football:
3 Oregon vs 4 LSU in Dallas, TX
There’s nothing quite like a contest with major (and I mean major) BCS implications being played on the opening Saturday of the year. For Oregon, this could be the make or break game. If they lose this one, it will be very difficult for them to climb back as high in the major polls. In LSU’s case, on the other hand, this is an opportunity to showcase their competitive skills somewhere other than Shady’s bar. On an interesting note, this will be the second straight game the Tigers will have played in the new stadium in Arlington.
The biggest question of all surrounding this game, though, is not whether Jarrett Lee can play quarterback successfully for LSU. It isn’t whether or not Oregon’s defensive line can threaten LSU’s pocket. It isn’t even if Les Miles will enjoy a nourishing course of turf etouffee before, during, or after the game. The question I want answered the most is which team’s colors is Willie Lyles going to be wearing?
5 Boise State vs Georgia in Atlanta, GA
Boise State returns veteran quarterback Kellen Moore, and beyond that not a whole lot on offense. The group that voted the Broncos so high in the preseason polls must not be aware of the fact that they lost two of their biggest playmakers on offense. Nonetheless, Chris Petersen’s squad will line up against the Georgia Bulldogs at a very neutral location that is 70 miles from Georgia’s campus and 2,200 miles from Boise State’s.
If Georgia is planning to win this game, they may want to leave their head coach, Mark Richt, behind. If you need clarification as to why, please see last year’s the Liberty Bowl in which the Bulldogs lost to UCF (yes, Central Florida). In all seriousness, I think it will be difficult for Boise State in the trenches, and that is where most games are won or lost.
BYU at Ole Miss
Houston Nutt has been a coach in the SEC for nearly a century and has seemingly been on the hot seat the whole time. This year, though, could be his last season. So that means Ole Miss will probably claim its first ever BCS berth. With the Rebel/Black Bears’ quarterback situation up in the air, it is difficult for me to picture them defeating the Cougars. If I were in Bronco Mendenhall’s place, though, just to be sure, I would immediately find Jimmer Fredette and place him on the next flight to Oxford, MS (or wherever the nearest airport is).
South Florida at Notre Dame
This one has to be named the Lou Holtz bowl, right? After all, he did coach the Fighting Irish to a national championship, and his son is coaching the Bulls of South Florida. I think this one is going to be won by the home standing Irish, but don’t for a second think that South Florida is not capable of pulling off the upset. It really comes down to how many feet high the grass is cut in Notre Dame Stadium.
Bunn’s Predictions:
LSU 24 Oregon 17
Georgia 31 Boise State 20
BYU 28 Ole Miss 13
Notre Dame 21 South Florida 20
Now, you are free to enjoy the first Saturday of college football. Until next week…
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Email Jacob at jacob@bunnsports.com and follow him on Twitter at @JacobBunn
