Friday, September 11, 2009

Presto's Picks...opening misstatements...

I've often said that September is "Show Me Month" in college football (October and November being "moving" and "closing" months--with December being "superfluous air-quote" month). I also liken the season to a court case: September is the time for opening arguments. What kind of team is this? How will they win? Who will lead this team to victory? And how can this team's hopes and dreams be murdered?

Your Honor...let the record show that Tyrod Taylor is not a consistent quarterback and although the Hokies have an incredible defense/special teams combo... each game will be an offensive struggle in and of itself. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you are looking at exhibit A for the prosecution-- where you can see that although the Terps have a new defensive scheme the execution of said scheme is lacking. Last but not least the court can clearly see the massive grease fire that is Cavalier football.


Alma mater update: Syracuse continues its long road to resurgence with a trip to Happy Valley-- for the first time since 1990 the Orange visit Penn State ...in a game that should have become a Big East staple...but unfortunately the league didn't vote PSU into the conference in the early 80's and an embittered Joe Paterno joined the Big Ten--making the midwest conference an eleven team league with a school in Pennsylvania. Last year's game saw a 55-13 drubbing which was no surprise whatsoever-- JoePa loves to run up the score against his Eastern rivals. There used to be a tradition of SU students painting the Nittany Lion statue on the State College campus bright orange... and I hope even if the Orange lose by 60 points--the Lion gains perhaps a pint of paint.


MARYLAND vs James Madison...one week after giving up 52 points at Cal (52? 52?) the Terps regroup against a Dukes team that went 12-2 last year in I-AA/FCS...JMU is from the Colonial Athletic Association--a league that went 2-1 against the ACC last week. The Duke reside in Harrisonburg, Virginia--about as far away from Byrd Stadium as my friend Steve's tailgating location. Terrapins triumph, 27-17.


VIRGINIA TECH vs Marshall...I'm still trying to digest the two fumbled kicks by the Hokies last week against Alabama. ACC thought--although the league went 5-7 in week one, how about it's two prime time games? Miami-Florida State and Clemson-Georgia Tech had plenty of thrills, chills and spills...I just wonder who wins when you program football against the NFL opener. Hokies handle the Herd, 31-14.


VIRGINIA vs TCU...after last Saturday's collapse against William & Mary--there are no gimmes on the schedule. If there's one thing that we've seen in recent years with Al Groh's team-- he gets his players to bounce back from difficult defeats. Much like Jimmy Carter being a fantastic former president...there are those who wish the Cavs could benefit from the aftermath without dealing with what got them there. Cavaliers come through, 19-18.



Navy tops Louisiana Tech, Howard falls to Rutgers, Georgetown loses to Lafayette, Richmond over Delaware, William & Mary handles Central Connecticut State.

Last week: 2-3.

No comments: