Mid-Major Game of the Week:
Football season is finally upon us and by the graces of the football gods, we are lucky enough to have what may be one of the best match ups of the season for our appetizer.... Boise State v. Oregon.
Arguably the single most important game of the year for the boys in blue, a win against Oregon tonight can put it in the lead or the coveted non-big six BCS spot and continue to cement the Broncos as one of the premiere Mid-Major programs in college football. Boise won last year in Eugene against a good Oregon team and the Ducks will be looking for a little revenge.
Boise will have to contain the likes of Heisman candidate running back LeGarrette Blount and QB Jerimah Masoli if they hope to come away with the win. Look for Chip Kelly, in his college coaching debut, to take it to the Boise defense with everything the Ducks can muster.
Best Mid-Major v. BCS Player Matchup:
In what is a make or break season for Notre Dame's Charlie Wies, the Golden Domers face a difficult challenge against Nevada and QB Colin Kaepernick. The Irish were absolutely pitiful against the run last season, and must face dual theat Kaepernick (1,130 yards, 17tds) and running back Vai Taua (1,521 yards, 15 TDs) in their opener. Even if they can contain the running game, Kaepernick threw for almost 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns last season, so the Irish D better be firing on all cylinders if they plan on sending the Wolf Pack back to Nevada with a loss.
Here's your chance, now show us what you can do:
In the second best Mid-Major/BCS match-up of the week, BYU faces Oklahoma in Arlington, and if the Cougars stand any chance of beating a loaded Sooners squad, QB Max Hall needs to have the game of his career. BYU lost 3 games last year and there's no surprise in the fact that Hall fell flat on his face in all 3 of those losses. Worse yet, as highly as BYU has been ranked in the last few seasons, they have yet to beat a ranked opponent in over 10 years of play. The odds are against the Cougars and their chances rest completely upon the shoulders of veteran Hall.
Mid-Major Madness Picks of the Week:
Boise State: 35 Oregon: 27
Oklahoma:42 BYU: 24
Ole Miss: 31 Memphis: 17
Arizona: 35 Central Michigan: 24
Texas A&M: 24 New Mexico: 21
Upset Special:
Western Michigan: 24 Michigan: 23