The 2009 College Football season is finally here, and not a moment too soon. There are some intriguing matchups for Week One, with Georgia and Alabama facing huge non-conference showdowns, not to mention the opening of the Lane Kiffin Era at Tennessee and the Russ Huesman Era at Chattanooga. Leonard has his losers, so Webb will try to pick a few winners during the season, or at least doom a few teams to the Wright jinx. Only time will tell as we plow into Week One......
TENNESSEE (-29.5) vs. WESTERN KENTUCKY
The Lane Train steams into Neyland Stadium to face one of the worst teams in in the FBS in Western Kentucky. The Vols still have plenty of questions to answer, especially on the offensive end. Against the Hilltoppers, however, they won't need many answers, as the defense should rule the day in Neyland. The only real mystery here is can Bryce Brown wrestle the starting RB job away from Montario Hardesty for good? TENNESSEE 38 WESTERN KENTUCKY 3
CHATTANOOGA vs. GLENVILLE ST. (THURS.)
The Chattanooga Mocs are banking on new Head Coach Russ Huesman to "Restore the Glory" to the football program. Thursday night's matchup against Division II Glenville State could be the first step. But Mocs fans should be wary, the Pioneers are national ranked in Division II and might not be such a pushover at Finley. The school that brought us Rich Rodriguez went 8-4 last season. The Mocs seem ready and hungry, and with B.J. Coleman chomping at the bit to finally play ball after languishing at UT. The Mocs should get the Russ Bus rolling at Finley.
CHATTANOOGA 31 GLENVILLE ST. 17
GEORGIA (+5) at OKLAHOMA ST
It's another case of a SEC bigshot going out of conference to face a BCS conference team with an explosive offense. Oklahoma State's three headed monster of Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter, and Dez Bryant, can put up points in bunches. Meanwhile, Georgia will be on the road breaking in a new quarterback in Joe Cox. But the Bulldogs have something the Cowboys aren't use to seeing much in the Big 12....a defense. Add to that a Dawgs team that has never been fazed by playing on the road (an amazing 30-4 in road games under Mark Richt) and you have the makings of a (slight) upset special. (13) GEORGIA 27 (9) OKLAHOMA ST. 24
ALABAMA (-6.5) vs. VIRGINIA TECH
For the second straight year Alabama opens their season at the Georgia Dome against a highly ranked ACC opponent. But Virginia Tech's "Beamer Ball" should prove a much tougher test than Clemson did a year ago. Despite the departure of QB John Parker Wilson, the offense doesn't look like it'll miss much of a beat with Greg McElroy taking the reins and running with them since the spring. The Hokies have to deal with the loss of star running back Darren Williams a torn ACL. Tech will hang around with the Tide, but just won't have enough offensive punch to dent the Tide's defense. (5) ALABAMA 20 (7) VIRGINIA TECH 13
Elsewhere in Week One:
THURSDAY
SOUTH CAROLINA (+5) 27 N.C. ST. 17
(16) OREGON (+3) 34 (14) BOISE ST. 31
SATURDAY
AUBURN (-13.5) 21 LA. TECH 16
(11) LSU (-17.5) 42 WASHINGTON 17
KENTUCKY (15) 35 MIAMI (OH) 17
(23) NOTRE DAME (-14.5) 28 NEVADA 24
(3) OKLAHOMA (-22) 48 (20) BYU 13
MISSOURI (+6.5) 30 ILLINOIS 27
(12) CALIFORNIA (-21) 31 MARYLAND 20
MICHIGAN (-13) 27 W. MICH. 26
CENT. MICH (-13.5) 31 ARIZONA 30
SUNDAY
(8) MISSISSIPPI (-17) 38 MEMPHIS 14
MONDAY
CINCINNATI (+5) 26 RUTGERS 21
(18) FLORIDA ST.(-6.5) 23 MIAMI 17
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