OK, my pal and loyal reader JR wondered at the gym when I was going to come through with some real prognostications?
Gently. But a legit admonishment nonetheless.
My advisement to him, I shall be weighing in next Week 0 and those thereafter with actual game predictions.
Today, to provide some wheat to my usual chaff, some substantive stuff. Of sorts.
Appetizers if you will to whet your gluttony.
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Two new aspects of the game you might have missed.
QBs will can now get signals from the sidelines through speakers in their helmets. Take that, Connor Stalions.
Now like the pros, there’s a two minute warning.
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Moving on, there are some coaches finding the seat warmers in their SUVs on despite the August Heat. A group I’ve always called the Dead Man Walking Club, admittedly a not so delicate description. Anyhow if their secretary happens to overhear the AD’s assistant ordering a guillotine, they should be prepared.
Sam Pittman, I’d be putting one of those rear view mirror thingies bicyclists wear on your Razorback ballcap. Former Arkansas HC/ current Arkansas OC, one Robert Petrino, is about. Be afraid, be very very afraid.
Florida’s Billy Napier has a schedule only the Grim Reaper himself could have fashioned.
That gosh oh shucks personality of Cincy’s Scott Satterfield, along with his lackluster coaching and results, don’t play well in a town used to savoring Luke Fickell’s success with their 5 way chili. Plus North Carolina’s Mack Brown, Baylor’s Dave Aranda and a few others.
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For those of you setting up your game watching spread sheets, here are some August battles worth considering for viewing.
8/24: Florida State vs. Georgia Tech. Not only because it’s the first game, but also fascinating. The Wreck are an up and comer. And how do the Seminoles respond from last year’s robbery? After an off season thinking about their truly embarrassing bowl game no show.
Same day: SMU/ Nevada. First look at future Cardinal conference foe.
8/29: North Carolina vs. Minnesota. The Mack Brown watch commences against the Goooooophers.
8/29: North Dakota State vs. Colorado. Let’s see if prickly Coach Full of Himself’s team has enough chemistry to best an FCS power.
8/30: TCU vs. Stanford. Welcome to the A&PCC, ye from Silicon Valley.
8/31: Now we’re talkin’. The buffet is open.
Cards, of course, against Austin Peay.
Which means Clemson vs. Georgia on tape delay. Consensus preseason Top 2 vs. the “Transfers, we don’t need no stinkin’ transfers” Dabos.
Miami vs. Florida. If Mario Cristobal loses this one, he replaces Billy Napier on that list above.
FIU vs. IU. What kind of start does the supremely confident Curt Cignetti have against the University of Pitbull.
Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M. Should Mike Elko win big in his first game, he’ll be set for life. Financially. They’ll tear up his current contract, and give him one for 15 years, $25 mill a year. Guaranteed.
8/32: (See what I did there.) Southern Cal vs. LSU. Lincoln Riley, it’s time to put up, or head back to the Heartland.
8/33: BC vs. Florida State. Because there’s one Miesfeld’s left that just needs to be microwaved. Plus there are no more college games for four whole days. And you’ll need to decide whether to subscribe to Peacock to watch the second NFL match between the Packers and Eagles.
— c d kaplan