Weekly Predictions: Week 1
The dry summer is nearly over. It is that time of year where the pigskin is back in play.
Last year, the LakeReport took wild guesses at a wacky football season that could be called, "The Year of the Upsets."
Now, the 2008-09 season is mere days away from kickoff, and so the Report will be giving guesses in some new and improved methods.
Here, the focus will still be mainly on the SEC and ACC, but occasionally, big games will take precedent.
First off, let's look at a big, inter-conference game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers.
Tigers
The Clemson Tigers (#9) are coming off a 9-4 season, and a top recruiting class. On offense, the Tigers return quarterback Cullen Harper, along with his top target Aaron Kelly--who is on the verge of rewriting the receiving record books not only at Clemson, but in the ACC.
Kelly is complimented by all-around guy Tyler Grisham and speedster Jacoby Ford--who is returning after his season was cut short due to injury.
Also, the duo of James Davis and CJ Spiller are back for what looks to be one last ride (Davis is a senior, and Spiller probably won't come back for his).
On defense, the Tigers return 7 starters, and are led by safety Michael Hamlin and defensive end Ricky Sapp.
Joining the Tigers are top rated defensive end DaQuan Bowers, receiver Marquan Jones, and the next version of thunder and lightning, running backs Andre Ellington and Jaime Harper.
Crimson Tide
Alabama enters year two of the Nick Saban era. After a 7-6 season--and a bowl win over Colorado--The Tide are hoping Saban, along with a top rated recruiting class, continue rolling Bama back to the glory days.
Quarterback John Parker Wilson returns for his senior season, as does junior running-back Glenn Coffee. Joining Coffee in the backfield will be Terry Grant and Roy Upchurch, creating a solid stable that Saban can run with.
Gone though is Wilson's go-to guy D.J. Hall--but he gains top rated receiver Julio Jones. Center Antoine Caldwell returns to anchor a fairly good offensive line from last year.
Defensive end Bobby Greenwood returns to lead tough Bama defense.
Breakdown
The Tigers, although loaded with offensive firepower, are breaking in a new offensive line whose only returner is center Thomas Austin. Also, the Tigers are replacing all three linebackers from a year ago.
Alabama is still trying to shake off the rust of the former coaching era, and find someone that can fill the void left by Hall. The defense though, should be strong enough to aid the offense along for the first half of the season.
Prediction
For one, the game is at a neutral site--Atlanta. Both teams should travel well, so the homefield advantage both enjoy in their friendly confines is being thrown out entirely.
Alabama doesn't have the proven firepower on offense to hang with Clemson on paper. But, the Tigers have a glaring problem--an inexperienced Oline against a defensive guru like Saban.
All the firepower may never get off if Bama is in the backfield all game.
Alabama should try to exploit a young Tiger linebacker corp with routes over the middle, and utilize the stable of running backs--something both teams have.
This will be a very defensive game. It could be a game where who has the ball last wins.
Lucky for Alabama, the last time that happened, Clemson lost to Auburn in last years Chik-fil-a bowl.
Clemson 21
Alabama 18
Gamecocks
The Gamecocks are coming off a disappointing 6-6 campaign that ended on a last second loss to rival Clemson--yep, no bowl game.
Gone is QB Blake Mitchell, and enter....Tommy Beecher?
Yep, the last standing QB from Spurrier's first class has the reigns of the offense.
Beecher will have Kenny McKinley--who has the opportunity to break some USC records--to throw to, as well as tight ends Jared Cook and Wes Saunders.
The offense loses Cory Boyd, and it is now the Mike Davis show in regards to the run.
The defense returns 10 starters, and will feature new D-coordinator Ellis Johnson (from Miss. State) as well as a new alignment: 4-2-5 against spread oriented teams.
The D will be led by All-SEC linebacker Jasper Brinkley.
Wolfpack
Year two of the Tom O'Brian era gets underway. After a rough 5-7 season--including a 37-0 loss to Maryland to end the year--the 'Pack still look to be in the rebuilding phases.
Newly named QB, redshirt freshman Russell Wilson, will lead the offense...for how long is unclear. Receivers Jarvis Williams (6'4 205) and Owen Spencer (6'3, 180) give Wilson big targets to throw to in the passing game, and runningback Jamelle Eugene returns after a 667 yard, 5 touchdown '07 campaign.
The defense is littered with young talent, like end Markus Kuhn, linebackers Dwayne Maddox, and Sterling Lucas, and safety Justin Byers.
Breakdown
Carolina is looking to come back after a season that started out 6-1, and finished 0-5. It is now completely Spurrier's team (with the exception of a few players) and now it is time to deliver.
The defense has the potential to be a top conference D, and maybe a top 20-15 nationally with guy like Brinkley, converted LB Eric Norwood, corner Captain Munnerlyn, safeties Emmanuel Cook and Darian Stewart, and end Cliff Matthews.
The 'Pack, sadly are in for another rough year, and it will probably start in Columbia. The team is still young, and trying to shake off the Chuck Amato era. They will be a force in another season or two, but this year Raleigh will be counting down the days to basketball season.
Prediction
The Gamecocks should win this game...period. They have better talent on paper.
The question for the 'Cocks is how quick has their offensive line gelled this year. Also, how will the run defense fair that got thrashed by UL-Lafayette, Darren McFadden, and Tim Tebow last season. Also, how will Beecher do, and will a second and third option open up in the passing game. Carolina hopes some, or all, of these questions will be answered after this game.
The 'Pack have a shot to win this game. Carolina hasn't played well in opening games under Spurrier outside of the UCF game that opened the Spurrier era.
Carolina 35
NC State 17
The rest
Vandy over Miami (OH)
Florida over Hawaii
Georgia over Ga. Southern
Miss. State over La. Tech
Auburn over UL-Monroe
Ole Miss over Memphis
Louisville over Kentucky
UT over UCLA
Arkansas over W. Illinois
LSU over App. State
Georgia Tech over Jackson State
Miami (FL) over Charleston So.
Wake Forest over Baylor
Virginia Tech over E. Carolina
So. Cal over Virginia
North Carolina over McNeese State
Maryland over Delaware
Duke over James Madison
Kent State over Boston College
Last year, the LakeReport took wild guesses at a wacky football season that could be called, "The Year of the Upsets."
Now, the 2008-09 season is mere days away from kickoff, and so the Report will be giving guesses in some new and improved methods.
Here, the focus will still be mainly on the SEC and ACC, but occasionally, big games will take precedent.
First off, let's look at a big, inter-conference game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers.
Tigers
The Clemson Tigers (#9) are coming off a 9-4 season, and a top recruiting class. On offense, the Tigers return quarterback Cullen Harper, along with his top target Aaron Kelly--who is on the verge of rewriting the receiving record books not only at Clemson, but in the ACC.
Kelly is complimented by all-around guy Tyler Grisham and speedster Jacoby Ford--who is returning after his season was cut short due to injury.
Also, the duo of James Davis and CJ Spiller are back for what looks to be one last ride (Davis is a senior, and Spiller probably won't come back for his).
On defense, the Tigers return 7 starters, and are led by safety Michael Hamlin and defensive end Ricky Sapp.
Joining the Tigers are top rated defensive end DaQuan Bowers, receiver Marquan Jones, and the next version of thunder and lightning, running backs Andre Ellington and Jaime Harper.
Crimson Tide
Alabama enters year two of the Nick Saban era. After a 7-6 season--and a bowl win over Colorado--The Tide are hoping Saban, along with a top rated recruiting class, continue rolling Bama back to the glory days.
Quarterback John Parker Wilson returns for his senior season, as does junior running-back Glenn Coffee. Joining Coffee in the backfield will be Terry Grant and Roy Upchurch, creating a solid stable that Saban can run with.
Gone though is Wilson's go-to guy D.J. Hall--but he gains top rated receiver Julio Jones. Center Antoine Caldwell returns to anchor a fairly good offensive line from last year.
Defensive end Bobby Greenwood returns to lead tough Bama defense.
Breakdown
The Tigers, although loaded with offensive firepower, are breaking in a new offensive line whose only returner is center Thomas Austin. Also, the Tigers are replacing all three linebackers from a year ago.
Alabama is still trying to shake off the rust of the former coaching era, and find someone that can fill the void left by Hall. The defense though, should be strong enough to aid the offense along for the first half of the season.
Prediction
For one, the game is at a neutral site--Atlanta. Both teams should travel well, so the homefield advantage both enjoy in their friendly confines is being thrown out entirely.
Alabama doesn't have the proven firepower on offense to hang with Clemson on paper. But, the Tigers have a glaring problem--an inexperienced Oline against a defensive guru like Saban.
All the firepower may never get off if Bama is in the backfield all game.
Alabama should try to exploit a young Tiger linebacker corp with routes over the middle, and utilize the stable of running backs--something both teams have.
This will be a very defensive game. It could be a game where who has the ball last wins.
Lucky for Alabama, the last time that happened, Clemson lost to Auburn in last years Chik-fil-a bowl.
Clemson 21
Alabama 18
Gamecocks
The Gamecocks are coming off a disappointing 6-6 campaign that ended on a last second loss to rival Clemson--yep, no bowl game.
Gone is QB Blake Mitchell, and enter....Tommy Beecher?
Yep, the last standing QB from Spurrier's first class has the reigns of the offense.
Beecher will have Kenny McKinley--who has the opportunity to break some USC records--to throw to, as well as tight ends Jared Cook and Wes Saunders.
The offense loses Cory Boyd, and it is now the Mike Davis show in regards to the run.
The defense returns 10 starters, and will feature new D-coordinator Ellis Johnson (from Miss. State) as well as a new alignment: 4-2-5 against spread oriented teams.
The D will be led by All-SEC linebacker Jasper Brinkley.
Wolfpack
Year two of the Tom O'Brian era gets underway. After a rough 5-7 season--including a 37-0 loss to Maryland to end the year--the 'Pack still look to be in the rebuilding phases.
Newly named QB, redshirt freshman Russell Wilson, will lead the offense...for how long is unclear. Receivers Jarvis Williams (6'4 205) and Owen Spencer (6'3, 180) give Wilson big targets to throw to in the passing game, and runningback Jamelle Eugene returns after a 667 yard, 5 touchdown '07 campaign.
The defense is littered with young talent, like end Markus Kuhn, linebackers Dwayne Maddox, and Sterling Lucas, and safety Justin Byers.
Breakdown
Carolina is looking to come back after a season that started out 6-1, and finished 0-5. It is now completely Spurrier's team (with the exception of a few players) and now it is time to deliver.
The defense has the potential to be a top conference D, and maybe a top 20-15 nationally with guy like Brinkley, converted LB Eric Norwood, corner Captain Munnerlyn, safeties Emmanuel Cook and Darian Stewart, and end Cliff Matthews.
The 'Pack, sadly are in for another rough year, and it will probably start in Columbia. The team is still young, and trying to shake off the Chuck Amato era. They will be a force in another season or two, but this year Raleigh will be counting down the days to basketball season.
Prediction
The Gamecocks should win this game...period. They have better talent on paper.
The question for the 'Cocks is how quick has their offensive line gelled this year. Also, how will the run defense fair that got thrashed by UL-Lafayette, Darren McFadden, and Tim Tebow last season. Also, how will Beecher do, and will a second and third option open up in the passing game. Carolina hopes some, or all, of these questions will be answered after this game.
The 'Pack have a shot to win this game. Carolina hasn't played well in opening games under Spurrier outside of the UCF game that opened the Spurrier era.
Carolina 35
NC State 17
The rest
Vandy over Miami (OH)
Florida over Hawaii
Georgia over Ga. Southern
Miss. State over La. Tech
Auburn over UL-Monroe
Ole Miss over Memphis
Louisville over Kentucky
UT over UCLA
Arkansas over W. Illinois
LSU over App. State
Georgia Tech over Jackson State
Miami (FL) over Charleston So.
Wake Forest over Baylor
Virginia Tech over E. Carolina
So. Cal over Virginia
North Carolina over McNeese State
Maryland over Delaware
Duke over James Madison
Kent State over Boston College
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