The Fearless Friday Forecast
We went 8-2 last week as Tennessee was brought back down to Earth by UCLA and Notre Dame used some questionable clock management and fell at Michigan. That’s a two-week record of 15-5 but starting this week and next week things get a little harder as some of the cupcakes are going to be replaced by conference games.
Without further delay, let’s get to the Fearless Friday Forecast:
1. Georgia at Arkansas: The Bulldogs have had two tough games while Arkansas had last week off. Logically, Georgia should be in real trouble in Fayetteville, which is why they are the underdog according to the boys in Vegas. I just have the feeling that QB Joe Cox is going to play well again. I also think Georgia will be able to run the ball and milk the clock, keeping the ball away from Bobby Petrino’s offense. Georgia 17, Arkansas 14.
2. Tennessee at Florida: Yes, Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin used his mouth to write a check that his team cannot cash. But Kiffin knew that when he accused Urban Meyer of cheating. Kiffin bought himself some good will with the Tennessee fans, but on Saturday the bill finally arrives. What I’m wondering is how long Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton will last in this game before he gives way to Nick Stephens. It is going to get ugly. Florida 48, Tennessee 9.
3. North Texas at Alabama: Wide receiver Julio Jones (bruised kneecap) and running back Roy Upchurch (high ankle sprain) may not go in this game. It won’t really matter as this game should be about getting the offensive line and quarterback Greg McElroy ready for next week’s SEC opener with Arkansas. Alabama 42, North Texas 7.
4. West Virginia at Auburn: West Virginia will never be able to replace Pat White, but they have found a very good quarterback in Jarrett Brown, who had four touchdown passes in last week’s 35-20 win over East Carolina. Auburn has 1,145 yards and 86 points in its first two games. This one looks like a shootout. Auburn 38, West Virginia 31.
5. Florida State at BYU: Florida State coach Bobby Bowden really needs this game. The Seminoles lost a heart breaker to Miami on Sept. 7 and needed to rally with two scores in the final 35 seconds to beat Jacksonville State. BYU has quarterback Max Hall who has a chance to play himself into the Heisman Trophy discussion. The Cougars also know that a win over Florida State, coupled with their Sept. 5 victory over Oklahoma, puts them right in the middle of the BCS discussion. BYU 31, Florida State 24.
6. Boston College at Clemson: The Tigers are still upset about the loss at Georgia Tech last week. They’ll take it out on the Eagles and go to 1-1 in the ACC. Clemson 24, Boston College 14.
7. Nebraska at Virginia Tech: Nebraska is looking for a signature victory to use as a measuring stick of the program’s progress under Bo Pelini. Virginia Tech, thought to be the ACC’s best hope for a national championship contender, needs to win to avoid a 1-2 start. Virginia Tech 17, Nebraska 14.
8. Texas Tech at Texas: Michael Crabtree’s touchdown catch to beat Texas was the signature moment of the 2008 season. The loss simply cost Texas a shot at the Big 12 championship AND the national championship. The Longhorns are determined to win them all in 2009 and get to the BCS championship game. Texas 35, Texas Tech 20.
9. Florida Atlantic at South Carolina: Coach Steve Spurrier let quarterback Stephen Garcia throw it 53 times in last week’s high-scoring loss to Georgia. How many times will he throw it against the Owls of Howard Schnellenberger? South Carolina 31, Florida Atlantic 10.
10. Southern California at Washington: The Trojans, who won a very tough game at Ohio State (18-15) last Saturday, go on the road for the second straight week. This time they may be without Matt Barkley, who has a bruised right shoulder. I can’t go with the Huskies in a straight up win. But this one will be closer than a lot of people think. Southern California 21, Washington 17.
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230 comments Add your comment
BBR5
September 18th, 2009
2:41 pm
I agree with Bama 1!
Jumbeauxtiger
September 18th, 2009
2:43 pm
Nice post Charlotte Gator. Scott is a class guy and ultimate team player. He is always positive and strives to improve.
Keiland Williams looks better than ever and seems even quicker this year. He very well could be one of the top backs in the SEC.
We may be seeing a trend where a guy doesn’t have to put up gaudy stats or even start to make it in the NFL. Look at Matt Cassell. He was a backup at SC. Speaking of SC they have 6 tailbacks and even though they are sharing the load all easily could end up on NFL rosters. It is a pleassure to see true ‘team players’ rather than some of the primadonnas that are in the major pro leagues.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Old Hillbilly
September 18th, 2009
2:45 pm
Well, maybe all of you know a lot more about college football than I do. What I do know is that WVU is 5-0 against the SEC in recent years, including that win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. I wouldn’t want to put any money on Auburn.
leland
September 18th, 2009
2:47 pm
Dear Mr. CFB – I am in love with Kim from Real Housewives of Atlanta. What are the odds she’d go out with me? Your pal, leland
G8R GRAD
September 18th, 2009
2:49 pm
Hey “General Neyland:”
I mean, “m,” it’s not nice to steal other people’s screen names.
Tide Rising
September 18th, 2009
2:51 pm
General,
Why so hard on Saban and Meyer? Seems uncharacteristically harsh for you.
As for Saban when he said ” I am not going to be the head coach at Alabama”. he made that statement because he refused to talk to Alabama and there was a month left in the pro season.He naturally assumed as most of us did that bama would move on and hire another coach and that is why he made the statement. He had no idea when he made that statement that Bama would simply wait till the end of the season to get him to talk to them.
Since when did it become so evil for someone to change their mind 40 days later? Saban left on good terms with Dolphins owner Wayne Hieuzenga, they remain friends to this day, and that is all that matters.
Saban because has always made it known he doesn’t like dealing with the media. and this was their chance to put a negative hatchet job against Saban. And a lot of can’t think for themselves sheep believe it. Saban should have learned the old axiom “Never tick off anybody that buys their ink by the barrel”.
Whopper Dawg
September 18th, 2009
2:52 pm
You are correct on the FLA game, TN gets the supreme beat down. You are wrong on the GA game, Bobo won’t commit to the run, he just can’t do it. Look at he Okie St game. First drive, we ran it down the field with only one pass to the ten. Then Mike “The Fade” Bobo, calls for the wildcat sweep for no gain, then two fades, the last one completed by luck for a TD. Pure luck, and by the way he used AJ, GA’s best player as a decoy on the last fade. He didn’t go back to the run the rest of the game. He and Willie are terrible. Our only chance as always is to out talent the Hawgs, as we will be at a coaching disadvantage.
hop
September 18th, 2009
2:54 pm
The dawg defense will be fine against the hogs, the problem is turnovers in the first two games that allowed touchdowns to be made off the turnovers or very poor field position with the defense having to play in very short field positons. dawgs need to play without any turnovers period!!
the dawgs defense will be more effective with a pass rush because of houston finally able to play and he is by far the best pass rusher on the team.
arkansas defense is awful and the dawgs will put 30 plus points on the hogs!
georgia 37 arkansas 21
BADMADLKIFFIN
September 18th, 2009
2:59 pm
Maybe the Early Bird gets the worm but the SECOND mouse gets the cheese . . . watch-it UT haters, your day of reckoning will come! Read these blogs next year!
Tide Rising
September 18th, 2009
3:00 pm
jumbeauxtiger,
I generally like your picks except that I think that not only does BYU beat FSU but they may just beat them by a good 10 pts or more. I also think VT beats Nebraska but I wouldn’t beat the farm on that one. I would also have to agree that Washington looks like one of if not the most improved team in the country. They used to be a national power so I’m hoping to see them rise back up and give USC a headache. I think it will indeed be closer than we think.
Nice writing on Charles Scott by Charlotte gator. I have noticed him several times being the peacemaker when opposing players wanted to scuffle. Looks like a good sportsman and competitor. Also very nimbled footed for such a big guy.
G8R GRAD
September 18th, 2009
3:04 pm
Tide Rising:
I suspect Gen. Neyland’s good name has been hijacked.
Try not to bite on whomever’s senseless vitriol.
BADMADLKIFFIN
September 18th, 2009
3:10 pm
Lane Kiffin is taking names Dawgie and Bama fans . . .
G8R GRAD
September 18th, 2009
3:16 pm
Coming to Atlanta with friends for an evening of drinking and debauchery.
Good luck to all teams this weekend.
And . . .
GO GATORS!
Fletch
September 18th, 2009
3:31 pm
Old Hillbilly, sorry but this is not your father’s (or cousin’s) WV team. They barely beat a TERRIBLE Au team last year.
gdawginkalamazoo
September 18th, 2009
3:32 pm
Tide Rising, you mentioned that Tech looked sluggish and slow last night. They have played 3 games in 21 days or three weeks which ever comes first. Also they do have eat all the free pizza/soda and hotdogs for every ticket that they do not sell (home or away) by the end of the third qtr. Those free giveaways they offer do come with a price i guess.
Charlotte Gator, yes that Scott kid is one hell of an RB or FB. Runs tough on every down. Like a Beanie Wells without the injuries.
Tide Rising
September 18th, 2009
3:38 pm
G8R GRAD, You’re probably right.
gdawgzoo,
Hell if that’s the case I would think all the sugar from the free soda and pizza would give someone a burst of energy to compete.
Seriously though I watch a lot of UGA and Tech football since they are the 2 local teams and I couldn’t help but notice both in the Clemson game and last night the Tech defense looked very tired and they looked tired well before the 4th qtr. I thought it was just me but the commentators were noticing it also. Tech games tend to be shorter because of all the time consuming running game offense so you would think they would be fresher but this was clearly not the case.
Jumbeauxtiger
September 18th, 2009
4:08 pm
TR,
I agree that BYU should win. I just have a feeling the ‘Noles may surprise them. They won’t unless they play decent on defense and win the turnover battle. They certainly can’t win a shout out with them. As you know there are usually upsets and I think this game may be one.
I think the Va Tech-Nebraska game is a tough one to call. I went back and forth on this one. I know the Hokies are tough at home but I just think the Huskers have a better offense.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Chan gomer Gailey
September 18th, 2009
4:20 pm
Hey there is a new sheriff in town… his name is “ARE YOU THAT STUPID”
It is just the beginning of the meltdown.
icedawg
September 18th, 2009
4:30 pm
The Dawgs don’t seem to have improved on defense from the last couple of years and the offense has yet to really find itself. Functionally we have one receiver and who knows at running back. Arkansas can throw the ball, like South Carolina, so they should be able to move pretty much at will like South Carolina. The Dawgs will probably lose this one. The Auburn WV game should be a good one to watch. WV has a hard time getting any respect. TX should definitely get revenge on TT.
shane#1
September 18th, 2009
4:38 pm
1- I have not watched Arky play at all, I have no idea how this game will go. UGA should win if they can run the ball and Cox can play at the same level as he did last Saturday. 2- The Vols may make this game closer than everyone thinks IF they don’t make mistakes on offense and rely on their D. The Vols have to make it ugly! 3- Rest your guys Nick, you are gonna need’em. 4- Auburn in another shootout? Who’d-a-thunk-it! 5- FSU at BYU, I am going with the ‘Noles. BYU hasn’t made a believer out of me yet. 6- I don’t know about this one, how much did Clemson leave on the field at Tech? 7- I have to disagree with you here Tony. VT didn’t impress me at all against ‘Bama. The Hokies need to find some offense and find it now. 8- Texas should win this one, but then they should have won last year. TT will fill the air with footballs, how will Muschamps D respond? Has the Big Twelve changed their CG criteria? Texas was screwed last year! 9- Garcia has always had the tools to be a SEC QB. Can he be consistant? Should the {name redacted} develope a run defense and a running game the OBC will suprise some people this year. 10- USC’s THIRD string QB can hand off to a half dozen five star tail backs. Student body left and student body right anyone?
Gen Neyland
September 18th, 2009
4:51 pm
Be not fooled, my friends and foes. The post at 1404 (that’s 2:04PM) is but an evil taker of tags gone wild and has posted before using the same tag. Albeit, there is a subtle difference only Sam Spade could detect…So good job, G8R Grad
Sterling Smith
September 18th, 2009
4:52 pm
The reason GT’s D was gassed was the amount of time they were on the field chasing the Hurricanes down…. or trying to chase them down. They didn’t do a very good job of it. The O just didn’t want to stay on the field very much.
FRED
September 18th, 2009
4:52 pm
TONY, WHAT HAPPENS IF THE HOGS BEAT UGA? HOW DO WE EXPLAIN THAT.
shane#1
September 18th, 2009
5:15 pm
Gen, The subtle difference, you know that “Fat Phil” is actually spelled Phat Phil. Right? Now on a more serious note. Could Jim Tressel really be on the hot seat at tOSU? Have big money and the MYTHICAL National Championship Game become so important that there is no room for a Jim Tressel? Does running a clean program that graduates its players and wins it’s conference championship year in and year out not matter? What about playing in three BCSCGs and winning one? IMO, if all we are intrested in is championship games and big money then we need to concentrate on NFL football. College football that has no room for a Tressel or a JoePa or a Tubbs or a Mark Richt has no intrest for me.
Denver Dog
September 18th, 2009
5:18 pm
Dogs
Gators
Tigers
FSU
VA TECH
TEXAS
USC
Dogs will get a real test, again. We will see what they are made ove come Oct 29. They have a tough string yet to go, and the easiest game may have been last week. Coaching from the front is what it will take, and let’s see how they handle it.
Woody Hayes
September 18th, 2009
5:21 pm
Heck the fired me for swinging at a kid. Why would they fire him for winning games. Clean program, good kids, winning games. BCS games, Conference champions. Heck I think they should fire him and bring back Cooper. Maybe they will think about it after he leaves and goes to ND to replace Mr W.
shane#1
September 18th, 2009
5:48 pm
Woody, I thought Urban was going to South Bend. Damn!
BG
September 18th, 2009
6:46 pm
Tebow will be running for his life all day. Write it down!!
Buster Meeks
September 18th, 2009
7:11 pm
Florida is going to beat every SEC team by 4 or 5 touchdowns. Georgia may win by 2 or 3 points or may lose and nobody will be surprised. This is digusting. Is it the talent, coaching, or what. I can remember when any SEC team could win on a given day and nobody would be surprised.
Jeb
September 18th, 2009
8:03 pm
Dogs win with ease.
Vols stay within a TD and may possibly win.
Techie Since '59
September 18th, 2009
9:12 pm
Well, this team is a bit of a mystery. They haven’t played well at all since the UGA game last year. Sure, 16 of the 22 starters at he end of last year were freshmen and sophs, but a lot of the team playing this year are freshmen. A work in progress, I guess.
TrueCrimson
September 18th, 2009
9:40 pm
Maybe the Beez just felt satisfied after finally knocking off the Dawgs? Perhaps that explains why so many of last year’s starters aren’t starting this year?
DP Dawg
September 18th, 2009
9:47 pm
Enter your comments here Dawgs need good play from the DE’s and DT’s, hope Houston sends a spark. With decent play calling, Cox and King, (if he plays) should be enough to hold off the Sooui Pigs. I think Tony is right on this one, Dawgs close.
Oh Saint Simons (((33 – 17))) hahahahahahaha. Where are are you brotha
L'VilleDawg
September 18th, 2009
10:04 pm
Still need to send CWM & Bobo packing but in the meantime I think UGA stands a chance if enough balls bounce their way. It will be a close game and may go into OT. If that happens, kiss the Dawgs good-bye because of the coaching staff. UGA needs to rid itself of Martinez & Bobo; if they must be retained due to legal issues then just give them duties such as uniform cleaning, locker inspection, helmet polishing, etc. Having watched the Miami offense last night I could not help but wish that UGA had an OC who could mix up plays that well. It kept the defense on their heels. Bobo just doesn’t get it and he never will. It’s so obvious but he just doesn’t get it. Same with Willie – did he watch the GT game? I’m sure he did but he as well just doesn’t get it. I guess they will all get it when CMR is fired and the next coach fires Bobo and Martinez. That’s the way it goes – just ask Phat Phulmer about that.
Techie Since '59
September 18th, 2009
10:26 pm
True Crimson,
The starters are starting, but the freshmen are being counted on for depth. Talented, but not enough experience (and/or size).
Gen Neyland
September 18th, 2009
10:52 pm
shane #1 : Good to read you. Please don’t get caught mooning those hillbilly’s driving down the interstate to Florida this year. You are right regarding the game of college football. As THE top teams fight and politic to make it to the NCG, the rest become nothing more than stepping stones to the Gates of Glory. The coaches of apx 118 other teams want to get there but the real winning coaches are the ones that want to graduate their guys etc. A few golden years of youth spent on the college gridiron without the sheepskin is a waste of a good scholarship but may put your team in the BCSNCG and some will get a shot at the next level…Which brings me to this : Peyton Manning graduated after 3 years and came back for his senior year. How close did Staffford get to his degree before he went to the Promised Land..?
Darth Gator
September 18th, 2009
11:05 pm
It’s 11:05…Do you know where your Smokey is???
superdawg
September 18th, 2009
11:06 pm
Enter your comments
The score should have been 54-17. What a scum bag excuse for a football team. OH! Just a reminder st simons and GT SCUM!!!HAHA
Flo-Ri-Duh!
September 19th, 2009
12:38 am
Blowhard shut your face….. you don’t have an opinion worth giving.
TrueCrimson
September 19th, 2009
1:35 am
Looks like Boise State will go undefeated again. Wasn’t tonight’s game their ‘big game’ for the season?
Eric C.
September 19th, 2009
3:53 am
17-14? maybe at halftime
Paddy
September 19th, 2009
7:12 am
CMR will never lose to that coward down in Arkansas.
DP Dawg
September 19th, 2009
7:18 am
Gen Neyland
Still dreaming of the days with Peyton, huh? Get over it. TN is a top 20 to 15 program at best.
You won a fluke NC in ‘98. That’s over 10 years ago, let’s look ahead, please. No SEC championships since. You TN fans need to get a grip, your team is not that good.
You cried that the problem was Fulmer. He’s gone… You beat up on JC team in Western KY and Kiffin is the “man”. Then comes UCLA, a team you should have beat last year and this year, and the wheels come off. Didn’t look to much different from past to present either. Again, follow my thinking, if Crompton is the the best you have to put out there, are you guys really on the road to redemption? Please check with reality, you are a second or third rate program. If you somehow make it in the top 25 you should be happy. Please no more talk of the NC or Peyton they are long gone
Anonymous
September 19th, 2009
8:38 am
DP Dawg,
You apparently have no sense of irony . . . a Dawg fan ragging on Tennessee fans about Tennessee’s recent relevance and the Volunteers’ flukey ‘98 NC? How many NCs have the Dawgs played for in the last 20 years, how many have they won? What’s the head-to-head record of those two programs since the SEC started split into divisions in ‘92? How many SEC championships have the Vols won compared to the Dawgs?
If you don’t know, I’m sure someone will be happy to enlighten you.
Sad Dawg
September 19th, 2009
8:41 am
Dawg fans need to take a different approach to this team and understand that we are playing a LOT of true freshmen and red shirt freshmen this year that are playing college football for the first time. I agree with Richt when he stated that he is excited about the teams growth and development thus far AND the potential growth the rest of this season. These kids are playing some good football and may be playing great football soon. Don’t be so hard on these kids!
johnny reb
September 19th, 2009
8:59 am
Dawgs going down to Petrino or should we say “Coach Scumbag”! And take the Cornshuckers over VA Tech.
Crumpler
September 19th, 2009
9:59 am
Petrino is a sad sissy……
Southern Football Fan
September 19th, 2009
11:24 am
I think if would be fitting for this weekend to rename Florida Field the Little Big Horn and to rename Lame Kiffen to Custer, but Tennessee won’t last that long. I hope Florida shows the Vols no mercy and their program takes years to recover.
And Tennessee folks will come to realize why we call him Lame Kiffen. Anybody else notice his dear in the headlights eyes during and after the UCLA game? He won’t even be able to lie convincingly after the Gator get though with him.
Florida may lay 60+ points on the Vols.
shane#1
September 19th, 2009
1:30 pm
Gen, don’t worry about me mooning any hillbillies. The last think I want is a rear end loaded with birdshot. I honestly don’t know how many credits Stafford lacks, it shouldn’t be too many since the kid maintained a 3.0 or better for his three years at UGA. With a possible 43 million bucks in his future what difference does it make? It’s the 90% of D1 players that don’t make it to the NFL that we should be concerned about. Good luck to You and Your minions this afternoon Sir, I fear You may need some, or maybe a lot, of luck!
Gen Neyland
September 19th, 2009
1:53 pm
DP Dawg : You are the classic example of one that cannot comprehend a simple paragraph or form an intelligent thought beyond the ability of a 4th grader on the suject matter of anything football or related. A suggestion. Me and shane #1 had an A-B conversation going and you aren’t bright enough not to get in the middle on noneya business. Therefore, it becomes irrelevant to engage you in conversation any further.