It's Week 1 and I'm already off to a very rocky start. First week of school is always crazy, but after 21 years you'd think I'd have a better handle on it. Missed Thursday night's kickoff, with Brigham Young manhandling Wazoo, forgot last night's epic between Boise State and Michigan State (won by the higher-ranked Spartans), and am already behind the 8-ball as Notre Dame is playing Navy in London as we go to press.
This year we'll follow the fortunes of the usual culprits: Union, Air Force, and Army aside from those already mentioned. Plus, after having gotten married in July, I owe it to my new mother-in-law to stay on top of the top: USC, the graduate alma mater of her late husband. In fact, we have a date for the Hawaii game this afternoon! I haven't even begun to consider the high schools, though. We were told just the other day that budget cuts mean we'll only field girls volleyball and boys and girls basketball this year at Summit Continuation. I thought of starting a swimming team, but the sink isn't regulation length or depth in Room 305.
Finally, I gave a great deal of thought (three minutes) in selecting this year's doormat in major college football. And the loser is...the University of New Mexico. Lobos are 2-26 over the last two seasons, and somehow pried former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie out of his booth at ABC to take over. There are other programs that may merit consideration as the worst, including some with big-name coaches trying to resurrect their reputations following falls from grace for one reason or another. But nobody has a pedigree as deep in the ditch as New Mexico. When Brian Urlacher (class of '00, now wit da Bearssss) is your most recent claim to fame, your program is as low as it will go. Lotsa luck, Lobos...you're gonna need it.
Here's what's left of the Week 1 sched:
Union (0-0) vs. Salve Regina (0-0). Dutchmen coming off mediocre (6-4) season, though 5-1 in conference. Forced to face Seahawks on the road in inaugural meeting last year, Garnet will have home field advantage this time around. Could be a rebuilding year; although 6 starters return on offense and 7 on defense, those gone include all-league players at wide receiver and placekicker, as well as starting QB and running back. As disloyal as it may sound, my head says this week will not be happy. PICK: Salve Regina.
Air Force (0-0) vs. Idaho State (0-0). Falcons down five key players, at least one of which apparently is the subject of a drug investigation, according to sources. Nevertheless, don't count out "the Academy", which can guarantee players who will work hard and step up when called upon. Idaho State? Consider Roderick Rumble (not kidding, great name eh?), RB who averaged over 120 yds./game last season. But running teams don't fare well against the Falcons, you say. Consider QB Kevin Yost, a prolific passer, mostly to both Rumble and WR David Harrington. Question is: can Bengals (Bengals??) stop Air Force ground game? PICK: Air Force.
#1 USC (0-0) vs. Hawaii (0-0). Sanctions? We don't need no stinkin' sanctions! Men of Troy back with a vengeance, including coach Lane Kiffin who can't decide whether or not he's going to vote in the coaches poll (and whether or not he's gonna tell the truth about who he voted for). I went to Hawaii on my honeymoon in August, and cannot imagine that the 'Bows can muster up enough players to compete with the Trojans. PICK: USC.
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