Trying very hard to play it cool, but I am genuinely very excited about the college football season and even more excited about a slate of intriguing games this weekend. Excited doesn’t even begin to describe it. Can’t remember being this fired up since Rocky IV came out when I was 9 years old. Seriously, I was really into that movie at the time.
What makes college football so unique is that it hits the ground running. You think that Virginia Tech/Alabama or Georgia/Oklahoma State isn’t going to have an effect on how the A.C.C., SEC and Big 12 are viewed nationally? You want conference rivalries? OK, how about Cincinnati/Rutgers and Miami/Florida State? Couldn’t be percolating harder if I knocked out Ivan Drago myself. College football is back, baby. Let’s get to it.
Saturday, Sept. 5
No. 13 Georgia at No. 9 Oklahoma State, 3:30 p.m. (Regional), ABC
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen, Holly Rowe
Last year, Georgia came into the season as many prognosticators’ No. 1 team in the nation. It didn’t quite work out for the Bulldogs, who struggled against ranked teams before finishing 10-3 and beating Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. This season, the Bulldogs are without Matthew Stafford and Knowshown Moreno, but have a healthier offensive line and one of the best receivers in the nation in A.J. Green. The fifth-year senior Joe Cox, who has seen playing time in the past, takes over at quarterback and Richard Samuel will try and replace Moreno at running back. It seems like Georgia will play it pretty close to the vest and not ask too much of Cox this early in the season, but know that Mark Richt is one of the best coaches in the nation and sleeping on the Bulldogs would be a mistake.
While Georgia is hoping to succeed despite lowered expectations, Oklahoma State comes into this season with the highest preseason ranking (9th) in school history. Much of that hype is based on a high-powered offense led by quarterback Zac Robinson, running back Kendall Hunter and receiver Dez Bryant, who is likely the most talented of the bunch. Bryant, who’s a dark-horse Heisman candidate, caught 19 touchdown passes and returned 2 punts for touchdowns. Unfortunately for Bryant, Oklahoma State’s defense is its weak point and the Cowboys aren’t forcing enough punts for him to take many to the house.
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