2009 View - Week Two (free)

A View from the Sideline Plenty of eyes will be on Norman, OK, where Landry Jones makes his first start for OU. The Sooners season is spiraling out of control and a matchup with Idaho State should help the psyche. But, the focus for the nation will be on Columbus where #3 USC takes on #8 Ohio State. The Matt Barkley experiement continues on Saturday, while OSU QB Terrelle Pryor is the grizzled vet. “Coogahs 2Nite” travels to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State and Notre Dame goes to Ann Arbor. Not an alltimer sort of week, but solid nonetheless.

THEN

NOW

A full NFL slate begins this weekend, highlighted by the Kickoff game Thursday night when Tennessee travels to Pittsburgh. Of course, the last time these two faced off, the Titans scored a big-time victory, capped off by the desecration of the Steelers’ Terrible Towel. The return of Tom Brady to the Patriots will have the nation’s attention on Monday night against the Bills. The Texans have expectations this year and take on a Jets team starting a rookie QB. Sure, rookies had nice debuts last year, but that was so 2008. Hope you enjoy NFL Kickoff!

Opening Weekend is HERE!! Part Deux In 1959, a group of groundbreaking gentlemen set out to create a rival football league. They were called “foolish”, perhaps even bordering on “stupid”, but 50 years later, the AFL’s eight teams are thriving as members of the NFL. With the NFL opening this Thursday, it should never be lost on anyone how important the AFL was, is and always will be to the NFL. Time to get it on! Catch Lance Zierlein from 6 to 10 am daily, alongside John Granato. Listen to John Harris on

the Sean and John show, with Sean Pendergast show 3 to 7 PM daily. www.1560thegame.com

NEW YORK JETS (0-0) VS. HOUSTON (0-0) September 13, 2009 FOX 12:00 PM CST The Jets averaged 125 ypg on the ground and that number is getting ready to go up this season under new head coach Rex Ryan who will undoubtedly look for his offense to pound the rock.  With rookie QB Mark Sanchez pulling the trigger, that is probably a smart move.  The Jets have a solid RB in Thomas Jones but the guy who will terrify the Texans during meetings this week will be Leon Washington who is a terrible matchup for any of the Texans LBs.  I wouldn't be shocked to see the Texans run more zone when Washington is in the game.  I'm just not sure the Jets are good enough to beat the Texans without Sanchez making some plays and that is tough to do in your first NFL game.

VEGAS SAYS: HOU -4.5 /43.5

Texans fans have pretty much marked the Jets game down as a win, but that is a dangerous thing to do when you realize that the Jets new head coach, Rex Ryan, was at the helm of the Ravens defense when they destroyed the Texans last season.  While the Jets don't have Haloti Ngata, they do have some good talent and their 3-4 front is going to cause some issues for Texans center Chris Meyers which might force the Texans into running outside much more.  The Jets have a tough duo of inside LBs, but Steve Slaton and Owen Daniels have a chance to cause matchup problems in the passing game.  The Texans passing game should excel but running it could be tough for the Texans

PREDICTION: TEXANS - 21 VS. JETS - 20 I think Texans defensive coordinator, Frank Bush, can take more chances on defense since it is unlikely that the Jets will ask Mark Sanchez to beat the Texans with big plays down the field.  If Bush can scheme a way to slow down the running game, the Texans will be in great shape because they should be able to get some points on the board. If the Jets can control the running game on both sides, they've got a real shot here.

OTHER NFL MATCHUPS Denver at Cincinnati - The Bengals might suffer through some rust here as QB Carson Palmer is just coming back from his ankle injury that he suffered in the preseason.  The Broncos have been terrible against the run over the last few years so we'll see if Cincy tries to take advantage of the Broncos rush defense and their new 3-4 defensive alignment.  Don't look for much from the Broncos offense here Broncos - 14 vs. Bengals - 24 Washington at NY Giants - The Giants running game is the straw that stirs the drink, but the drink just got stiffer with Albert Haynesworth in the middle for Washington.  The Redskins passing problems are well documented, but Clinton Portis is still effective and their defense is still a factor so this one could be an upset if they get unexpectedly solid play from QB Campbell.  Never mind - Redskins - 17 vs. Giants 21 Buffalo at New England - The Patriots survived without Tom Brady last year but things continue to change in New England with Bruschi, Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels all gone.  The Bills will sit in their Cover 2 and hope to get a good rush with four, but if they don't get after Brady somehow, they have no prayer here.  Bills QB Trent Edwards must have a prolific game in this one to have a chance Bills - 16 vs. Patriots - 27

FANTASY/NFL NEWS AND NOTES 1. As of Thursday afternoon, Saints RB Pierre Thomas appears to be a player who owners need to rest in week 1.  While Thomas started to practice with his teammates on Thursday morning, the Saints aren't going to take too many chances with their top RB against a Lions team who they should handle regardless of starting RB.  Sit him out this week and wait for next week.   2. I know most owners have given up on the Cleveland Browns when it comes to their fantasy football prospects, but I think Brady Quinn has a chance to show some real improvement from last season.  If that happens, Braylon Edwards could easily jump back into the top 10 to 12 fantasy WRs.  Quinn won't be anything other than a fantasy backup, but if he plays well, Edwards probably plays well.   3. I can't remember the last time I saw an offensive coordinator fired in the preseason just a week or so before the start of the season.  Well, now I've seen it three times!  The Bills, Bucs and Chiefs all got rid of their offensive coordinators which immediately sends up a couple of different red flags.  What problems existed that would lead a head coach to make this type of drastic change so early and will the switch of play-callers have an immediate negative impact on the teams' offenses?  The Bucs offense was going to be suspect with or without Jeff Jagodzinski as OC so look for them to struggle.  The Bills are looking to simplify the offense so that shouldn't hurt their prospects while the Chiefs have their head coach calling their plays so don't expect too much to be lost there.  If anything, I'm curious about whether the Chiefs are going to be a pass-happy offense or an offense that tries to run the ball.   4. Two years ago, the battle of Miami vs. Atlanta would have been one of the biggest snoozers all year, but after last season's miraculous turnaround by both teams, this matchup is one to watch.  The Falcons strike me as the team who is more likely a legit contender once again in 2009, but you never know how a second year QB like Matt Ryan is going to respond.  The Dolphins offense looks shaky with Chad Pennington under center, but their defense looks like the real deal.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS/NOTES 1. Man, the wildcat has caught on like wildfire – nearly every team that I’ve watched this weekend has some form of the Wildcat in the game plan and is showing it in the first week. Why? Preparation. Opposing defensive coordinators are now going to have to spend hours preparing for the Wildcat look. Unfortunately, with nearly everyone running some version of the scheme, it’s not a unique look and won’t cost teams in preparation time down the road. They all look the same, too, with guys who can’t throw taking the snap from center. But, analysts and the sort have to be careful in some sense with the Wildcat. Just because a guy takes a shotgun snap that isn’t typically a QB DOESN’T exactly mean it’s the Wildcat. What makes the Wildcat special in some sense is the use of the tackle over concept. 2. The Big Ten and the ACC weren’t thought to be world-beaters this year, but are you kidding me? In the Big Ten, Ohio State faces a game tying two point conversion late in the fourth quarter against Navy. Iowa has to block not one, but two field goals on the last play of the game to beat a D1AA team Northern Iowa. Illinois was flat out embarrassed by Missouri. A joke. Thank god for Michigan or the conference wouldn’t have had even a decent win. The ACC? Not much better. Duke and UVA lost to D1AA teams at home, while Wake, NC State, Virginia Tech lost tough games to schools from BCS conferences. Clemson’s win over MTSU was the conference’s only win over a D1A school (MTSU). 3. Virginia Tech fans aren’t happy this morning after another loss to a big-time BCS conference’s program, but I’m telling you right now DE #6 Jason Worilds is a big-time player. Wow. His burst off the edge is insane. He can play off blockers and make plays in the run game. He can redirect once he has the tackle beat rushing the passer, such that he doesn’t get pushed past the quarterback on the pass rush. I liked him before, but I really like him that much more now.

NOTRE DAME (1-0) VS. MICHIGAN (1-0) VEGAS SAYS: ND -3.5 September 12, 2009 QB throws more touchdowns than ABC 2:30 PM CST incompletions...you save that day on the DVR. This is the way Notre Dame and Michigan is Against Michigan, I don’t think the Wolverines will supposed to be. Remember 1988 - the Reggie Ho stop the ND passing game. It’s not just Michael game? Remember the next year - the Rocket Floyd - it’s Golden Tate and TE Kyle Rudolph. launches twice? How about 1991 and the Desmond Eventually, one of those cats is going to going to be Howard show? THIS is what a rivalry is all in man coverage. And, that’s not good news for the about...well, at least that’s my story and I’m sticking Wolverines. to it. Michigan’s ‘O’ is so much more explosive with Tate But, this matchup has as much athleticism as this Forcier and Denard Robinson at QB, but they’ll not game has seen, on both sides, in a number of years. play from ahead in this game. And, I think the only Now, I’m not talking about a ton of first rounders in way Michigan wins this game is if it can ‘program’ the 2010 NFL Draft because it’s young talent and the game the way it wants, not chasing Notre Dame it’s fast. Speed kills and that’s evident with these throughout. two teams this year. Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen was 15 for 18, 318 yards and four touchdowns - yes, any day in which a PREDICTION: NOTRE DAME - 28 VS. MICHIGAN - 17 I’ve thought for a couple of years now that the Notre Dame offensive explosion was going to happen. And, maybe this is the year, well, if last Saturday is any indication. Regardless, Clausen will shine yet agin and with RBs Armando Allen and Robert Hughes the Irish can keep the Michigan ‘D’ guessing. HOUSTON (1-0) VS. OKLAHOMA STATE (1-0) September 12, 2009 FSN 2:30 PM CST

During the LONG college off-season, most of the talk about the Oklahoma State Cowboys centered on the Triplets on offense - Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter and Dez Bryant. And, with good reason. This is one of the best offensive skill player trios in the nation. But, all the talk did was overshadow the defense, a defense that held Georgia to ten points last week in a 24-10 OSU win. Beyond that, one of the most impressive aspects of this defense was this group’s tackling and how improved it was over last season. And, that was even without senior LB Orie Lemon who was lost before the season started with a torn ACL. The Cougars got their season off to a fine start, taking care of business against Northwestern State

VEGAS SAYS: OSU -15.5

55-7. QB Case Keenum riddled the Demons with four touchdowns and 359 yards through the air. But, OSU is a much different animal. The one key to really focus on this Saturday is how the Cougars decide to attack the OSU defense. The Houston staff has a ton of respect for OSU CB Perrish Cox and may not throw at him much during the game. But, what they’ll want to do is force Cox to come up and make tackles as much as possible. So, expect Houston to utilize the quick passing game - slants, hitches and bubble screens to get the ball to the explosive Houston receiving corps. OSU is going to attack with the run game against a young Houston defense. Hunter didn’t have Heisman numbers, but against U of H, he and Keith Toston might.

PREDICTION: OKLAHOMA STATE - 49 VS. HOUSTON - 31 DC Bill Young has become one of Mike Gundy’s best assets on defense and I think the ‘D’ will be the key. The ‘D’ must tackle well in space, which is an absolute against the Coogs, while QB Robinson has to find his groove early. But, plenty of Hunter/Toston on the ground will result in an OSU win.