2009 Week 1 B50 Predictions

New Season: Forget three straight bowl loses, this is a new year. Forget the poor reputation of the Big Ten, it is not Ohio State's job to make the other teams better. Forget that OSU lost 31 seniors and early-departers, the cupboards were not bear. What you want to remember is four straight BCS bowls, four straight Big Ten Championships, five straight wins over Michigan, and once again we will be favored to compete for the conference while remaining in the national spotlight. We have a lot of questions going into the 2009 campaign but the answers will begin to unfold against Navy. Go Bucks!

This Week: The Buckeyes don't start out the season with a gimmie like Youngstown State or Northern Illinois, but they should have no problem taking care of Navy. It will probably take a series or two for the defense to settle in but they will be fine. The real question is how productive will the offense be and how close to the 'vest' will the playcalling be. For those of you that have been following our predictions page over the years know that we like to feature the top teams in the country. With Florida taking on Charleston Southern and the only question involving the Texas game with Louisiana-Monroe is if the Longhorns hit triple-digits, we don't need to bother looking at their games. The big game of the week will be Virginia Tech heading south to take on the Tide. This could this end National title hopes for one of these teams in week one. Another interesting match-up will be the Georgia Bulldogs as they travel (an SEC team traveling?) to take on Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are starting the season ranked 11th which is their highest start ever. We will also provide our feedback on the Miami-Florida State contest, although that one does not have the same luster it used to carry just a few years ago. However, in terms of BCS impact, the contest to watch is Oregon at Boise State. Should the men in blue (and on blue) manage to beat the Ducks, they may run the table and find themselves in another BCS game. How do you see these games playing out?

Here we go - Good Luck to All

2008

Record

Navy @

Ohio State

(Gregg: I know I am asking for a lot, but this has to be the year Tressel opens up the playbook. You could not ask for a

better team to do that against than the over-matched Navy. OSU in a solid win but I don't think they cover the spread.)

(Pete: None of these OSU kids have ever seen an offense like this. Look for the Buckeyes to struggle in

the first quarter before wearing out the Midshipmen. OSU 42 - (sing) In the Navy...Where we can sail

the seven SEAS!...In the Navy...13 (it's a family show so I will refrain from alternate lyrics))

(Steven: I love vanilla. It is great in ice cream, cookies and crème brulee. Jim Tressel loves it too.

The conventional wisdom says don’t look for much out of the offense against Navy, especially if

the O line is actually clicking. It may end up a bit of a run-fest with very little passing. I hope

I’m wrong. OSU should win handily, but will show the boys in blue some respect … OSU 42-17)

(Joe-S-U: OSU over Navy- This beats Youngstown State any day)

(Brent: Bucks cruise and then turn their attention to So Cal)

(WINNER : Ohio State)

Oregon @

Boise State

(Gregg: I don't think Boise is one of the top 5 teams in the country, but they are going to beat Oregon and will go undefeated and end up ranked in the top 5. Why don't the analysts talk about how bad the WAC is every year.)

(Steven: Oregon is slated to be a middle of the pack Pac-10 team this year. Boise continues to be a BCS buster.

They continue their winning ways and further sully the reputation of their Western big brother. BSU 44-28)

(Joe-S-U: Boise State over Oregon - Boise has ONE loss on the blue turf in this decade)

(Pete: An interesting match-up for both teams. Winner of this one could be the

BCS sleeper. Can't WAIT to see this field on my HDTV. BSU 35 - OU 33)

(Brent: Gotta go with the Blue Astroturf here)

(WINNER : Boise State)

Va Tech vs.

Alabama

(Pete: Alabama better not look down their noses at VaTech. The over inflated SEC sense of self is going to get their bubble burst by a powerful running game. Eunuch Rooster 20 - Rash Infested Pachyderm 14)

(Steven: This game is touted to have national championship implications. If VT loses, they will be out of

the BCS NC picture. If Alabama loses, they may have a chance to climb back up the BSC ladder, because

apparently losses don’t mean a thing if you’re in the SEC. ‘Bama needs to finally take the next step to

make themselves relevant in the NC hunt. Here is where they start. Alabama 28-24.)

(Gregg: I think some people are forgetting the fact that this Alabama team was 12-0 before falling

the Florida and Utah to end the season. They have 9 starters returning from a strong defensive

unit they are not going to give up many points this year in the 'over-rated' SEC)

(Joe-S-U: Va Tech over Alabama- Nick Saban's wife Teri was my English teacher

freshman year in high school. What that has to do with this pick I have no idea)

(Brent: Alabama: Tide rolls over Hokies)

(WINNER : Alabama)

Georgia @

OK State

(Steven: The other OSU has people drooling in Stillwater. There has been a lot of press as to how they could be

the third best in the B12, and a possible conference title contender. I’ll believe it when I see it. This is going to

be a hard fought game. Give OSU and Georgia props for playing a tough out of conference opponent, (much

the same as the Alabama VT game above). Pulling for OSU, but thinking UGA takes it. Defense, (something

the B12 lacks a little bit these days), wins the day. UGA 35-21.)

(Joe-S-U: Georgia over Oklahoma St.- 'Boys should be able to put up points with their version of "The Triplets",

but I doubt they stop Georgia and even though I want to I can't pick against the SEC twice)

(Gregg: I am going to give the edge to the home team on this one. Georgia has a lot to replace losing

their star QB and RB from last year. Then again, it is probably a mistake to pick against the 'mighty SEC')

(Pete: It'll be like watching Purdue play Washington. I almost care! Big 12

is the super conference this year. Cowboys 24 - Ugga 17)

(Brent: Georgia SEC > Big Twelve)

(WINNER : Oklahoma State)

Miami @

FSU

(Gregg: I don't think Bowden has too many years left but I do think he is ready to do some winning this year. Neither of these teams are the class of the state, in fact the winner may only be the 3rd best team in Florida. FSU in a smashmouth emotional game)

(Joe-S-U: This game used to matter. Now the beaches aren't the only thing that stinks in Southern Florida. Will this be Bowden's last season? FSU 24 - Miami (FLA) 10)

(Brent: Miami: Hey, remember when this used to be a matchup between two top teams?)

(Pete: This game used to matter. Now the beaches aren't the only thing that stinks in Southern Florida. Will this be Bowden's last season? FSU 24 - Miami (FLA) 10)

(Steven: I’m liking Miami. Look for this season to be a statement from a resurgent Miami. FSU is supposed to have a good offense, but somehow, their lack of defensive consistency will hamper their hopes for winning the Atlantic division of the ACC. Throw in the off the field issues, and possibly Bobby Bo’s swan song season, I see a talented team in possible disarray. Miami 33-20. )

(WINNER : Miami)

(For Entertainment Purposes Only!)

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