Dutchmen Back and Better Than Ever!

The Mighty Dutchmen of Union College

At long last, my beloved Garnet begin the 2013 football season!  Johnny Football, meet Coach Saban...again.  The Lane Kiffin Watch has officially begun.  Here's all you can expect from Week #3 in college football.

Union (0-0) vs. Utica (1-0).  The visiting Pioneers displayed a powerful and balanced offense against opening day opponent Lewis & Clark.  Utica’s front seven was masterful at stopping the L & C running game but was vulnerable against the pass.  Union returns plenty of offensive skill position players but has lost three seniors from the O-line.  While the defensive line is experienced, the linebacker corps and secondary are young and untested.  The Dutchmen have had their best luck against Liberty League competition (the exception being #7 Hobart) but have faired poorly against non-league opponents.  I’m afraid I’m gonna call this one with my head, not my heart.  PICK:  Utica.

Air Force (1-1) at Boise State (1-1).  First, the game is on blue turf.  Second, neither team is as good as they were in 2011 when the Broncos beat the Falcons in what was a pretty close contest.  Third, Air Force’s pass defense is not good, and will probably be shredded by BSU’s latest QB phenom, Joe Southwick, who threw for five scores last week.  OK, it was against Tennessee-Martin, but still…Though State has a suspect defensive line, Air Force couldn’t stop the Utah State running attack last week and will have the same difficulty this week.  PICK:  Boise State.

Army (1-1) vs. #5 Stanford (2-0).  Unless Cardinal can’t answer their wake-up call in time to get to Michie Stadium, this is pretty much a lock.  If this were the old G. E. College Bowl, it would be an interesting match.  Alas…no.  PICK:  Stanford.

Navy (1-0) vs. Deleware (2-0).  Goats and Hens, what a menagerie!  Navy holds a 9-7 edge in the series, the last two games being victories.  Caution:  Deleware has four transfers from FBS schools, a hot quarterback in Trent Hurley, and a linebacker and defensive back both of whom are tackling fools.  Odds are that the Middies will try to control the ball in much the same way they did against Indiana last week, keeping Hurley & Co. off the field.  Remains to be seen if the emotional lift from last week is carried over or transformed into a letdown.  After all, no CAA foe has handed Navy more losses than Deleware.  But I'll go out on a limb.  PICK:  Navy.

BYU (1-1) idle.  (Next:  vs. Utah 9/21)

Boston College (2-0) at USC (1-1).  Uh-oh, mother (in-law) vs. daughter (wife).  Well, Julia didn’t attend BC and Denise didn’t attend USC.  J claims she’s still stuck on Chapter 4 of Football For Dummies.  Actually, Lane Kiffin hasn’t read Chapter 2, “Offense”, because his team of ultra-talented players can’t seem to score on anyone except Hawaii.  Here’s the thing:  BC is playing very well, albeit against mediocre competition.  USC’s strength is certainly its defense, as its offense is inexperienced, insecure, and injured.  If the Eagles play USC as tough as Wazoo did, I think they have a chance to pull the upset.   Even on the road.  PICK:  Boston College.

Georgia State (0-2) at West Virginia (1-1).  Another “uh-oh”, Panthers must go up against the team that beat BYU in its opener and held its own against ranked Oklahoma…well, at least for one quarter.  Nothing in GSU’s first two games suggests there’s much hope they’ll beat the Mountaineers, unless WVU just can’t put the football in the endzone.  Even the revelations that ass’t. coach Joe DeForest was in the middle of the Oke State mess during the Les Miles years won’t prevent West Virginia from its second win of the season.  PICK:  West Virginia.

#1 Alabama (2-0) at #6 Texas A & M (2-0).  Promised two weeks ago that I’d weigh in on this.  The only vision I seem to be able to conjure up is Tide coach Nick Saban having the drools for twelve very long months, anticipating how his team will make Johnny Manziel wish he’d been suspended for at least the first three weeks of the season.  Granted, ‘Bama hasn’t exactly looked like the champions of the NFC-Norris, but you know they’ve spent the past year in embarrassment.  It’s why Saban didn’t even crack a smile when he collected the BCS trophy.  It will be a high-scoring game, but decisive.  PICK:  Alabama.

Thought I forgot about the high schools?  Read on!

South Portland (1-0) at Bonny Eagle (1-0).  Apparently there is talent in the hallowed halls of the newly-renovated SPHS, especially at the skill positions.  For a nice game report on the Riots’ opening week upset victory over last year’s champion Thornton Academy, click on http://sports.mainetoday.com/highschool/stry.html?id=26751488 .  As for the Scots, they went on the road and scored 41 unanswered points in the first half against Biddeford.  Seven Tiger fumbles—all on the exchange between center and quarterback—certainly figured into the debacle, but BE's overall game plan was simply executed to perfection.  The game is in Standish and, alas, Steve Stinson is still the Riot coach.  PICK:  Bonny Eagle.

Rogers (0-1) vs.  Beamer (0-1).  A shocking 15-point surge at the start of the first quarter of last week’s loss to Federal Way almost propelled the Rams into early playoff favorite conversation.  Then the Eagles woke up behind the 274-yd. rushing performance of QB Keenan Curran.  Would love to have attended this game, played in Sparks Stadium, ultimately a 62-42 win for FW.  This week QB Grayson Madland (4 passing TDs, 1 rushing) leads Rogers at Beamer, the other Federal Way team, which was a 37-21 loser to the Puyallup Vikings last week.  As Puyallup also features a high-power passing game, the nod in this one goes to the Rams.  PICK:  Rogers.