This is the last weekend without College Football, so spend it wisely

[fishwax]

The first games of the season kick off on Thursday, with a couple more games on Friday, and then a full slate on Saturday.

So what team are you pulling for, and how do you think they'll do this year?

[Ptah]

1. Arizona Wildcats. Bear Down!

and University of Montana Grizzlies. Go Griz!

[fishwax]

2. This could be the year for the Wildcats

I was a bit surprised to see Stoops make it through last year, but if he can find a way to catch that defense up with the offense, they could make a bowl game

Montana is pretty much always in good shape, right?

[Ptah]

3. Stoops has calmed down, according to the local newspaper.

Maybe this will be a good year for the Wildcats.

Yes, Montana is picked to win the Big Sky conference again.

How does Oklahoma look?

[fishwax]

4. OU is in good shape

Loaded on offense and on both sides of the line. Linebackers and the secondary are a bit of an unknown quantity, but the talent is there and the schedule sets up well. With any luck, the Sooners could easily head into the Big 12 Championship Game undefeated

[Wetzelbill]

51. Right on both accounts!

[JonLP24]

70. BOOOOOOOOOOO, WILDCATS ARE GOING DOWN!!!!!

Go Devils!!

[BOSSHOG]

5. Razorbacks - I'll be happy if they win six games and end up

playing in the New Orleans Bowl in early December. However. A new coach, a different offense?? Surprise in the SEC West??

Okra-homa!!

[fishwax]

7. should be an interesting year for the razorbacks

I know there are a number of questions, but Petrino could keep things interesting ...

Okra-homa!!
Indeed

[BOSSHOG]

8. I remember living in Fayetteville as a teen

and driving over to "Okra-homa" on Sunday's to buy Coors Beer. It wasn't sold in Arkansas and way back when the drinking age was 18 in the Sooner State.

[fishwax]

10. what with the watered down beer they sell there, the lower drinking age only makes sense

3.2 beer is one thing I definitely don't miss about the Sooner State

[BOSSHOG]

23. Coors was a novelty

way back when because it was not available in Arkansas. Once it started selling in the state I stopped drinking it. And do you remember those old Coors Cans with the two punch holes that could rip a finger to shreds? That novelty didn't last long either.

[sasquatch]

6. I am, by going to Alefest in Dayton, Ohio. Next week its

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha6roJfoGjc
In old Ohio (Columbus) there's a team
That's known throughout the land
Eleven warriors brave and bold
Whose fame will ever stand
And when the ball goes over,
Our cheers will reach the sky
Ohio field will hear again
The Buckeye Battle Cry!
Chorus:

Drive, drive on down the field
Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Don't let them through that line
We've got to win this game today
COME ON OHIO!
Smash through to victory
We cheer you as you go
Our honor defend
So we'll (We will) fight to the end
For O-HI-O!

We'll scatter to the east and west
When college days are done,
And memories will cling around
The dreams of everyone;
We'll play the game of living,
With head and shoulders high!
And where in wear the spirit of
The Buckeye Battle Cry!

[fishwax]

9. Sounds like fun!

The Buckeyes should be strong this year, as usual. I'm looking forward to watching the USC game on TV, and since my Sooners have a bye that weekend, I'm hoping to get tickets when the Buckeyes come to Illinois. Should be fun .

[realisticphish]

17. oooooooooooooooooooh

we don't give a damn for the whole state of michigan, the whole state of michigan, the whole state of michigan
we don't give a damn for the whole state of michigan, 'cause we're from ohio
we're from O-hi-o O! H!
we're from O-hi-o I! OOOOOOOOOOO
we don't give a damn for the whole state of michigan, the whole state of michigan, the whole state of michigan
we don't give a damn for the whole state of michigan, 'cause we're from ohio

[sasquatch]

24. Hey I'll be in C-Bus on september 14th

I'm going to see Motorhead in concert.

You wanna meet?

[realisticphish]

28. yeah, that'd be cool

pm me for sure closer to the date (i'm in the middle of starting grad school and moving, so things are pretty hectic)

[Iggo]

11. I go for UCLA.

Yeah, I know.

[fishwax]

12. How do you feel about Neuheisel?

I was surprised by the hire, myself ...

[Iggo]

13. Surprised...and pleased.

He's been a successful coach at big program schools. I really didn't think they'd hire a bigtime coach, and if he hadn't been an alumnus, I don't think they would've. I do confess I don't remember his being QB for UCLA, though. There's a gap in my Bruin lore between Mark Harmon and Troy Aikman...lol.

[pokerfan]

20. The Weasel represents everything wrong with CFB

Win at all costs.

After what he did to Colorado and Washington, I'm very surprised at the hire. The pressure he will face to compete with that other socal program will prove irresistible, I'm afraid.

[JVS]

14. Oskee Wow Wow!

[fishwax]

18. last year was sure a fun surprise--I hope they can continue the success this season

[Forkboy]

15. Boston College

I expect a decent season, and some obscure bowl game.

[fishwax]

19. can they compete for the Atlantic again this year?

I remember being surprised by their success last year, but I have no sense of what they've lost or improved from that team. I know Wake Forest is supposed to be decent again, though ...

[Forkboy]

30. Without Matt Ryan I don't see them being a great team.

They lost a couple of good defensive guys too. 8-4 would be a good season for them.

[Lyric]

16. West Virginia University Mountaineers.

We're gonna win the national championship, of course. I've seen Pat White around campus a couple of times lately. He looks...hungry.



Also--from the pic you posted, am I right to assume that you're a Sooners fan? If so, and you happen to meet up with Michigan in this year's post-season, could you please pass on the ass-kicking we gave to you? It was really meant for Michigan and their punk-ass loser coach.



*hides from 1goblue*

[fishwax]

21. I'll be pretty disapointed if that happens

The Sooners (yes, you're right--I'm an OU fan ) have no business playing Michigan in the post-season, unless your old coach performs miracles there this year -- I think a rematch of that Fiesta Bowl isn't outside the realm of possibility, though.

Congrats on a great year last year, and good luck this season

[Lyric]

22. Same to you!

This year is going to be awesome and sad at the same time, since we're losing Pat. He's a great guy--not just a great player. He'll be missed.

[Lasher]

33. I've got 2 nephews who attend WVU

I've barely survived my wretched existence these endless months without WVU football to give my life meaning.

[Lyric]

35. You have family here too? Neat.

What are your nephews majoring in? I'm an English/Creative Writing major with a Political Science minor.

[Lasher]

39. One is in law school after having earned his sheepskin there.

And you know, I'm not sure what the other is majoring in. Duh.

I have a third nephew, and for some reason he's decided to go to Marshall. He started there this year.

[Lyric]

41. Marshall. Pffft.

I'm not going into what we Mountaineers think of Marshall.

[Lasher]

45. Yep.

Even though I got my degree from State I've always been a loyal Mountaineer fan. But I'm pretty fond of all my nephews, including the one who's going to Marshall. Guess it's kinda like it was in the civil war.

[Lyric]

46. Oh yes, it's exactly like the Civil War.

Or it would be if the Civil War had been fought between the United States and Luxembourg.

I just see Marshall as this little place that nearly everyone up here tends to forget about, and in my mind they're jumping up and down, stamping their little green-and-white-covered feet, and yelling "Hey! We're a college TOO, dammit!"

[Lasher]

48. Marshall will definitely be the underdog again this year.

But don't count those chickens just yet. Remember, the mighty Fiesta Bowl champions trailed the Herd last year going into the 2nd half.

[Lyric]

50. Trailing going into the 2nd half is a WVU tradition.

Have you ever noticed that? We seem to spend the first half basically screwing around, and then put the hammer down in the 2nd. What's even weirder is that it's not like it's the same team every year, you know? But that tendency to be a "second half team" remains.

Very strange.

[Lasher]

53. You are exactly right.

Since this tendency has prevailed over the years I suppose it must be infulenced by coaching more than by players. But check it out, we never trailed in the Fiesta Bowl. Let's watch Michigan to see if this gets to be a trend there.

[MikeNearMcChord]

25. Can Ohio State win and not f##k up the BCS Championship?

I am an fan of the Buckeyes, but this year I am going to do more and cheer for the Washington Huskies, I think Tyrone Willingham will get it done, and call off the dogs(No not the Dawgs, the ones who wants his scalp)

[realisticphish]

29. we buckeyes

are pretty cynical now. I'm a diehard fan, but i won't even think the word championship this season; got my hopes up twice, now they gotta work for it

[SalmonChantedEvening]

26. We Are! Penn State!

Well over 35 years of Nittany Lions football.

I'm guessing at 8 wins, and a bowl berth. Hope I'm off by several

[Lasher]

34. I miss that excellent rivalry we had between WVU & Penn State.

Even if we usually got our asses kicked.

[fishwax]

43. Someday I'd like to take in a game at Beaver Stadium

I visited the campus once (almost went there for grad school), and it seemed like a truly great atmosphere. I like when they do the "white outs."

[Pierre.Suave]

27. Hail to the Conquering Hereos!!!!

[fishwax]

37. Could be a rough year in Ann Arbor -- how do you feel about Rodriguez?

He's a good coach, to be sure, but there could be some growing pains ...

[Pierre.Suave]

55. I dont know anything about him

I do have high expectations though!!!!!!

[Lyric]

47. Conquering heroes?

Yeah man, Appalachian State is tough. I bet it was a challenge to conquer the...oh wait. My bad.

[Pierre.Suave]

54. Hey now

Dont make me come down there and BLAST the Michigan Fight Song into your house at 3am...

[RoyGBiv]

31. OU of course ...

Loaded for bear and ready to go.

Only problem I have is I live in enemy territory now. I risk life and limb just walking out my door with a hat on.

[fishwax]

38. This could be a good year to be in enemy territory :)

We've got a lot of firepower this year, and Texas has a lot of questions (as does A&M).

I can't believe my luck this year, with the Olympics yielding immediately to the convention yielding to the college football season Wish I could see the opening game against Chatanooga, though, but it's only pay-per-view and the cable system here won't carry it ...

Enjoy the season!

[WildEyedLiberal]

32. I-L-L

How ya doin fishwax? I'm in England right now, which is fabulous, but I have to admit, I am going to miss the bright blue early autumn mornings at Memorial Stadium. Fortunately, I am arriving back in the States in time for a few Illini games.

[fishwax]

40. I-N-I

Hey WildEyedLiberal! Things are good here--school starts tomorrow, so the town is swelling again, and the excitement about the football season is quite different from last year

England sounds great! When you say you'll be back in the states, are you coming back to visit or on a more permanent basis?

[WildEyedLiberal]

58. I'll be back semi-permanently

Pending a discovery about what I want to do with the rest of my life, I graduated in December and have been in the UK since May on a work visa - basically, I'm making up for not studying abroad, which is my biggest college regret. I will need to get some kind of crap part-time job just to make some money for a little while, and then probably look into graduate schools. I wish I could figure out a way to live in England forever, but it seems pretty tough to get permanent residency Oh well. I am looking forward to coming home, though - it's amazing the things you never realized you'd miss until you're removed from them entirely.

[av8rdave]

36. Roll Tide! Also, Axe 'em Jacks, and Go Falcons!

[fishwax]

42. I admit I had to look up the Axe 'em Jacks reference

That's an interesting collection of teams. Could be an important year for the Tide; the Falcons are always fun to watch (I was raised in WAC/MWC country, and I like the option); and the Jacks (from looking up their record last year) have nowhere to go but up

[av8rdave]

44. It is an interesting collection!

I have kids at Bama and SFA (yes, at least they were perfect last year), and AF is my Alma Mater. That's a lot of schools to keep track of!

[YDogg]

49. rammer jammer, yellow hammer, give em' hell, Alabama!

just sayin'.

[av8rdave]

52. Rammer Jammer...

[TZ]

56. Maryland of course

I would like to think they will be a bit better this year and win 8 games and go to a bowl.

[fishwax]

61. Last year they seemed to be ever-so-close

to pulling out big wins, but not quite there. I like Friedgin, though, and as I understand it they have a lot of players coming back--maybe this year they'll get back over the hump

[mwooldri]

57. Well, I'm not into American Football...

... but I do go to East Carolina University (albeit remotely), and before that North Carolina A&T State, so I hope those two unis have a good sports season all around.

Mark.

[fishwax]

62. fair enough :)

I hope they have good years too!

[taterguy]

59. Wise people don't sit on their ass watching other people do stuff

[fishwax]

63. I like to sit in my air-conditioned hummer and watch other suckers bike to work

Only kidding--My car gets good gas mileage, but I take the bus or walk to work

[taterguy]

65. Only suckers work for a living

[fishwax]

67. hard to argue with that

[taterguy]

73. Of course I'm slightly bitter since I went to UNC Chapel Hill

We haven't had a decent football team since Choo Choo Justice.

[Awsi Dooger]

60. Canes

Transitional year. Finally an uptick in personnel but weak upperclassmen, and freshmen at QB. This will probably be year Miami loses to the Gators for the first time since '85, and also ends the streak of at least one first round draft pick.

I also won't be as devoted, due to abandoning the Orange Bowl for a piece of crap warehouse like Dolphin Stadium. I'm not pretending the Orange Bowl wasn't a main reason for my love of the Canes and the Dolphins, when they played there. I despise Dolphin Stadium.

It will also take a while to get enthused after the Olympics. Seriously, college football is fine but compared to the Olympic Games the rest of this stuff is pea shooting.

My alma mater USC is stuck at level of very, very good but not great. Probably another top 5 finish but no national title, unless Sanchez vastly improves.

[fishwax]

64. The future looks bright again for the Canes

I was impressed by Shannon last year, even though the season went downhill in the second half. Even though the game against OU (which was the only of their games I saw in its entirety) ended up very one-sided, it was closer than I expected for a half and change. They've got a ton of talent/potential, for sure. Next year's rematch in Miami could be great fun ...

The Olympics have been great (in spite of the truncated packaging of some of the events). These two weeks have been a blast--the perfect way to end my summer. Can't wait for London

[Broken_Hero]

66. I'm pulling for the team that beats OU

wow, their out of conference schedule is soooooooooo TUFF this year

[fishwax]

68. At least your hat budget will be pretty low this year

[Broken_Hero]

69. Nah, I'm anxious to buy another UT hat,

and a KU hat...don't count out KU man...but you are right, I figure OU should lose at least 2 in season games, and they will lose their bowl game(if they make one) so I figure at least three hats this year....

[Broken_Hero]

71. Oh and I forgot, OU plays the vicious TCU team

Man, would I love to have another frog hat...TCU gave me a good laugh at OU a few years back...as a matter of fact, it still does bring me a chuckle every now and then....

[fishwax]

75. Tell ya what -- if they lose to the mighty Mocs of Chatanooga this year

I'll buy you the hat

[JonLP24]

72. Arizona State!! BCS Year!!

[fishwax]

76. They sure had a good year last year

Welcome to DU, JonLP24

[Wapsie B]

74. What's The Word! FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!

http://www.iowalum.com/pub/music/iafight.wav

The word is "Fight! Fight! Fight! for IOWA,
Let every loyal Iowan sing;
The word is "Fight! Fight! Fight! for IOWA,"
Until the walls and rafters ring (Go Hawks!)
Come on and cheer, cheer, cheer, for IOWA
Come on and cheer until you hear the final gun.
The word is "Fight! Fight! Fight! for IOWA,"
Until the game is won.

Music & Lyrics by Meredith Willson, "The Music Man"





I'm hoping for the Hawks to have another breakout year this season. Ever since we beat LSU we've been in the doldrums. There were lots of injuries last year, with starters out and playing with a very young squad. But now they've got some experience. The ? is Jake Christiansen the QB. If he can step up and play up to his potential good things'll be happening in Hawkeyeland. If not I hope one of the backups can step in and get'r done. With an experienced OL and DL plus a great corp of Wide Receivers I can't wait to see them play!

[fishwax]

77. Cool stadium picture

I hope that Iowa has a good year. They don't have to play Ohio State this year, so that's a plus. Other than the Illinois game, I'll probably be pulling for them

[Wapsie B]

79. Thanks.

I hope Illinois has a good year too, except of course on 11/1. Any team that can unseat Michigan or THE Ohio State University is ok by me. Yeah, I don't know how Iowa lucked out in not playing either of those two teams this year. Then again OSU lucked out in not having to play Iowa in 2002.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

78. Texas Tech here

I have no idea how good the team is this year. Been too busy to care, I guess.
Gotta get the flag for Mr 'pede to put out on game days. Also have an FSU flag (used to live in Tally) and a Bucs flag (used to live in Tampa).

[fishwax]

80. One thing you always know about Texas Tech

is that the starting quarterback will have an absurd amount of passing yards

This could be the year for Texas Tech to break the OU/Texas stranglehold on the South Division championship. I think it's unlikely, since they'll have to play OU in Norman, but Texas could have a bit of a down year ...

[lizerdbits]

81. Go Hokies!

Not sure how they'll do this year, I haven't been following how the schools are stacking up this year.