Boise State vs. Georgia and LSU vs. Oregon Highlight Week One
1A Game of the Week – #5 Boise State Broncos vs. #19 Georgia Bulldogs
You won’t find a Boise State fan that is confident when the Broncos return to Georgia to play the Bulldogs. In 2005, the Broncos were 18th in the preseason rankings and ready to prove they could compete against any team in the nation. They received a rude awakening that day getting walloped by Georgia 48-13. Since then, Boise State has been on a roll and become the favorite BCS busting team in the nation. Returning from Georgia this year with a victory will prove the program has totally turned it around since that last game.
Boise State won’t be playing the 13th preseason ranked team in the nation or in Athens (The game is in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta) this time around. The Bulldogs are ranked 19th but come off a disappointing 6-7 record last year. Many believe Aaron Murray is the best quarterback in the SEC. He will have a great chance to prove his excellence against Boise State and South Carolina to start the season.
Why is this the 1A game when Georgia isn’t even ranked?
This is Boise State’s toughest game of the year. If they get by the Bulldogs the Broncos should cruise to another BCS invitation. Their toughest rival in the Mountain West Conference will be TCU but the Horned Frogs must travel to Boise this year. You may have noticed we don’t have Boise State in the BCS bowl games in our preseason bowl projections. If they win in Atlanta they will become the most solid lock to participate in the BCS and will jump into our predictions.
1B Game of the Week – #3 Oregon Ducks vs. #4 LSU Tigers
The new formed Pac-12 will go head-to-head against the SEC in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas. This game looked like the best out of conference game of the year with preseason #3 and #4 ranked teams playing until LSU had a bar fight scandal last week. Will the Tigers be able to recover from all the drama to compete at their best? Will Jarrett Lee be ready to replace Jordan Jefferson at quarterback? Could he be better than Jefferson?
There are too many questions about LSU to tell what type of game we will get to start the season. The Tigers opened as a 3-point favorite but that has changed to a 4.5-point underdog since the suspensions. Expect the Pac-12 to celebrate their first big out of conference victory their first weekend as a conference.
Note: This early game is a benefit for both teams. They will be able to recover from a loss and still have a great shot to receive an at-large BCS invitation if they don’t win their conference championship.
Don’t Forget About These Games
TCU at Baylor – The Horned Frogs lost Andy Dalton to the NFL draft and over half of their defense to graduation. This could be an upset special and put Baylor in the Top 25.
Northwestern at Boston College – The winner of this game may determine if either team will be bowl eligible at the end of the year. Northwestern hopes to have QB Dan Persa returning from injury while Boston College will be missing ACC preseason offensive player of the year RB Montel Harris after surgery for the game.
Colorado at Hawaii – Will the Buffaloes represent well as they play their first game as a Pac-12 team? Don’t count on it. Hawaii is a 7 point favorite.
Miami at Maryland – Will this be the first game of a nightmare season for the Hurricanes or will they rise above the extra benefits scandal?
Head Coach in the Hot Seat
UCLA at Houston – This is a miserable game for the UCLA Bruins to start the season. Head coach Rick Neuheisel’s coaching record of 15-22 at UCLA has arguably put him in the biggest danger of losing his head coaching job in college football. The Houston Cougars are a 3 point favorite but you won’t find a UCLA Bruin fan who doesn’t think they should win this game.
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