1). Washington -15 at Hawaii. I am a firm believer that early in the season the most important factor in a play is a teams offensive and defensive lines. Washington rules here. In addition Hawaii is horrible, and is going against a very good Huskie defense.
2). Northwestern -10 at home against California.
First off, I am far from a Sonny Dykes fan. Last year California was ranked next to last nationally in points allowed, won only one game all year which was a close game at that against Portland State 37-30, and there chances of improving on last years one win season are very slight, if they do at all. They now have a new defensive coordinator implementing a new scheme with the same players who could not stop anyone last year. They are going to be going up against a very good quarterback who has the ability to pass very well in Trevor Siemian, who has 4 of his top 5 receivers back from a year ago. The weak part of the Northwestern team could be there offensive line, but with them playing a home game against a weak defensive team like California I would be very surprised if they have any problems, and in fact, I expect them to dominate the Bear defense with a combination of Mack and there excellent passing game.
Yes California has a good offense, lead by Jarod Goff, and 3 of his top 4 receivers are back, but he also has a weak offensive line in front of him, and he will be throwing against a very good and strong Northwestern secondary, which might be the best in the Big Ten Conference. If the Northwestern defense can put some pressure on Goff, it is going to be a very long day for the Bears from California. Also, the defense of the Wildcats last year was very opportunistic in creating turnovers, and this years defense should be no different. If the Wildcat defense can slow down the Bear offense, the offense of the Wildcats can then control the clock with the running of Mack and a short passing game, keeping the Bear offense on the sidelines, while scoring possibly at will against this horrible defense of California.
A couple other notes to mention for those considering this game:
*** Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald for Northwestern puts Sonny Dykes to shame in coaching ability.
*** The field goal kicker for Northwestern is a red shirt freshman who very well could be playing NFL Football after his days at Northwestern have ended, as he has that type of leg.
*** California is having to travel across the country for this game which is never easy.
3). LSU -4 at Wisconsin, but the game is being played in Houston, Texas. LSU has much better talent, and the Wisconsin offense is one dimensional as the quarterbacks for Wisconsin cannot throw the ball. On defense Wisconsin was hit hard by graduation and have no one to fill the shoes of those major players on defense from last year, which is going to be huge problem with LSU, who has possibly the best offensive line in the SEC, and running backs who are very physical, which will only wear down whomever is playing on the defensive front of the Badgers. Again it is the line play that is going to be the deciding outcome of this game.
Good luck to you all on a successful 2014-2015 College Football Season, and see you at the pay window!
It is only a matter of days that we get the party started!
2). Northwestern -10 at home against California.
First off, I am far from a Sonny Dykes fan. Last year California was ranked next to last nationally in points allowed, won only one game all year which was a close game at that against Portland State 37-30, and there chances of improving on last years one win season are very slight, if they do at all. They now have a new defensive coordinator implementing a new scheme with the same players who could not stop anyone last year. They are going to be going up against a very good quarterback who has the ability to pass very well in Trevor Siemian, who has 4 of his top 5 receivers back from a year ago. The weak part of the Northwestern team could be there offensive line, but with them playing a home game against a weak defensive team like California I would be very surprised if they have any problems, and in fact, I expect them to dominate the Bear defense with a combination of Mack and there excellent passing game.
Yes California has a good offense, lead by Jarod Goff, and 3 of his top 4 receivers are back, but he also has a weak offensive line in front of him, and he will be throwing against a very good and strong Northwestern secondary, which might be the best in the Big Ten Conference. If the Northwestern defense can put some pressure on Goff, it is going to be a very long day for the Bears from California. Also, the defense of the Wildcats last year was very opportunistic in creating turnovers, and this years defense should be no different. If the Wildcat defense can slow down the Bear offense, the offense of the Wildcats can then control the clock with the running of Mack and a short passing game, keeping the Bear offense on the sidelines, while scoring possibly at will against this horrible defense of California.
A couple other notes to mention for those considering this game:
*** Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald for Northwestern puts Sonny Dykes to shame in coaching ability.
*** The field goal kicker for Northwestern is a red shirt freshman who very well could be playing NFL Football after his days at Northwestern have ended, as he has that type of leg.
*** California is having to travel across the country for this game which is never easy.
3). LSU -4 at Wisconsin, but the game is being played in Houston, Texas. LSU has much better talent, and the Wisconsin offense is one dimensional as the quarterbacks for Wisconsin cannot throw the ball. On defense Wisconsin was hit hard by graduation and have no one to fill the shoes of those major players on defense from last year, which is going to be huge problem with LSU, who has possibly the best offensive line in the SEC, and running backs who are very physical, which will only wear down whomever is playing on the defensive front of the Badgers. Again it is the line play that is going to be the deciding outcome of this game.
Good luck to you all on a successful 2014-2015 College Football Season, and see you at the pay window!
It is only a matter of days that we get the party started!
