What Were They Thinking

It is time for another installment of what were they thinking and this one is a dozy, but since it involves local government it should come as no surprise. This Darwin award proves once again government does the work of two men...........Laurel and Hardy.

The New York City Board of Education circa 1972 is the group of esteemed lame brains to which I refer. It was during that year they funded and opened a new highs school named Herbert H. Lehman High School. In doing so the established a high school whose football team really are road warriors. In the 38 years this school has been in existence, they have yet to play host to a team on their own field.

It is hard to imagine a school has never once played a home game, and had to travel to every game since their inception, but for the football team at Lehman High that is the case.

When the New York City Board of education funded this new high school the apparently knew nothing about football or did not care. What these 1972 geniuses did was give the good people at Lehman High an 80 yard football field versus the regulation size 100 yard long football field. Did they think know one would notice the 20 yard shortage? How bizarre is that. So from the opening day to this Lehman High is the epitome of the footballs road warriors.

One has to wonder how this all happened and the answer goes back to 1972 when the school was built, the city sold off all the land surrounding Lehman High and leaving it just 20 yards short of being a complete football field. Talk about your 4th and long, those kids are still in it.

Making matters worse is the Department of Education's School Construction Authority has $2.8 million set aside for a new field at Lehman High, yet no expansion of the field is planned.

What will they do with this pool of money? Well they plan to add a new scoreboard, new lighting fixtures and of course new turf, but only 80 yards of new turf. Doesn`t that restore your faith in government?

Until further notice Lehman High football team will continue its ways as road warriors and will never have experienced the home field advantage of playing on your own field. Instead they will have new lights and a scoreboard, new turf and continue setting the record for going being the team with the perfect no loss record at home while remaining a homeless team.

To the past members of the NYC Board of education, what were you thinking, to the current board, what are you going to do to make this problem go away so the kids of Herbert H. Lehman High School can do what every other high school in the country does.......host a home game.

Boise State Bronco's Game Day

Its game day here in our little city of Boise, Idaho but for us its a special one. We are at long last having our first home game of the season and we are playing a BCS PAC 10 nationally ranked team when we face the Oregon State Beavers, add in it the first time ESPN Game Day has visited Boise, Idaho and you can see why we consider this one very special.

I have not been able to attend any of the functions, but have seen on the Boise State message board and through our local news the BSU parking lot has become a huge tail gate party. Folks BBQing laughing and having lots of fun. The Broadway bars and eateries filled to capacity with fans waiting to see Erin Andrews, Lee Corso Herbie and the rest of the ESPN crew. Plus for the first time for us , we will have the game broadcast on ABC with Brent Musburger.This could possibly be the largest television audience to ever see a Boise State Game and certainly the largest to ever see us at home on the beautiful Blue Field.

That is the advantage of being small town USA, still some firsts left to experience. Ranked #3 in the nation makes us the highest ranked team to ever play in our stadium.

It is an exciting day to be a Bronco fan, live in the Boise area and be able to attend the game, just hope we have the same excitement at the end of the game. OSU is a good team and the Rodger brothers are very talented ball players that present night mares for defensive co-ordinaters. I have seen the brothers play on tv and now have the chance to see them here at Bronco Stadium.

Bronco Fans must give a special thanks to Brent Musburger. He was calling the Boise State Game between the Broncos and the Virginia Tech and suggested during the broadcast he and Kirk Herbstreit come out to Boise and broadcast the BSU-OSU game. Without his doing that I am not sure we would have this special day. Thanks to him other media people jumped on board and so here we are ESPN Game Day in Boise and the game on ABC, Thank you Brent Musburger.

Time to head to the stadium, after all its Game Day in Boise Go Broncos

Blue Magic, Boise State Gets A Compliment

If imitation is the ultimate form of flattery, then the Boise State Broncos just got the ultimate compliment. Oregon State University is making their practice field blue.

Yep that is correct. the #24 ranked Oregon State Beavers travel to Boise, Idaho and take on the # 3 ranked Boise State Broncos in a game that will be played on national television thanks to ABC. For the first time Boise will be the host for the national game day show.

To prepare for the game the OSU brain trust is making their practice field blue in hopes of over coming the "Blue Voodoo". The last team to win a game against the Broncos on The Blue was Boston College in the 2005 Humanitarian Bowl. Prior to that was the Washington State Cougars in I think 2000.

The Beavers have visited Bronco Stadium twice before, the first time being in 2004 and was Boise States first win over a PAC 10 and BCS team. Twice they have been a victim of Blue Voodoo.

I hate to tell them practicing on a blue field will not help them. Anyone who saw them Saturday night against the Wyoming Cowboys in Laramie knows what I am talking about. Boise State totally dominated the Cowboys on both sides of the ball winning 51 to 6.

Seems my Broncos are still shaking things up in the world of college football, but painting your practice field blue, that is a first and to me the supreme compliment. The big question is, will they be practicing in blue uniforms? Many teams over the years have complained the Broncos seem to be hard to find when they are wearing blue uniforms on a blue field. The Blue Voodoo got to love it.

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Passing Game for Football - Quick Passing Game - Why it Works

The quick passing game is gaining relevance in high school football, especially for teams using a spread offense. It is easy to install and easy to run. The teams reaping the rewards of a quick passing attack make it part of their everyday practice. The reason being most of the routes are timing patterns and daily practice gets the quarterback and the receivers timing in sync.

This article will focus why the Quick passing game is so effective and a must for any offense. This article will also discuss how to use the running back as more than a blocking back or receiver.

Advantages:

1. It has a high completion percentage: Using the 3-step drop the quarterback is able to more easily move the ball up field by getting rid of the ball more quickly.

2. Talent equalizer: If you are facing a bigger stronger defensive line and unable to control the LOS, this offensive strategy is a great equalizer. The quarterback is getting rid of the ball quicker and it requires very simple pass protection schemes.

3. Makes the defense play more honest: Throwing quick passes is effective against blitzes, minimizes pass rushing and gets the ball more often to the big play makers. This is achieved by creating favorable mismatches between wide receivers and line backers and running backs in space.

4. More situational down control: Because this style of offense creates a faster game tempo you can have more control over your downs like first and ten third and short or long. With the defense playing more honest, you will see less of a stacked box with the nine and eight man front, opening up your offensive play book.

5. Running Back Options: In most scenarios for this offense, the running back plays one of two roles, receiver or blocking back. However one high school coach reports great success using the running back as a decoy. The RB is lined up next the quarterback and at the snap takes one step forward the breaks sharply to his inside. The results have been to freeze the middle linebacker. Even if the linebacker does not go with the back, his eyes must follow him to determine if he is part of the play. A very effective strategy to help receivers gaining that extra step, especially on the inside slant routes. In effect he uses the running back as a receiver, decoy and blocking back which he can be simply by cutting in front to the quarterback after the snap.

6. How to be even more successful: Many high school coaches recommend developing your own quick passing game plays based on your talent and offensive schemes. They report by making it a separate attack from your shotgun, screen, sprint draws and play-action series, will give you a better edge over the defense, catching them by surprise

In conclusion if you want a strong football passing game include the Quick Passing Game because it can give you and edge on controlling situational downs. With easier blocking schemes it can give an undersized or over matched offensive line the ability hold their own at the line of scrimmage. The high percentage passing qualities of this offense will put the ball in the hands of your big play makers in open space giving you more yards after the catch. The running back being used as the triple threat of receiver, decoy and blocking back can freeze linebackers and gain the receivers that much needed step on the defenders. Devising your own quick passing attack separate from your current short game plays can give you the element of surprise while utilizing your current offensive schemes to their best advantage.

There are many football training DVDs available by coaches that are experts in the Quick Passing Game Offense. The links below will show you some of these videos by some of footballs best coaches.

In conclusion if you want a strong football passing game include the Quick Passing Game because it can give you and edge on controlling situational downs. With easier blocking schemes it can give an undersized or over matched offensive line the ability hold their own at the line of scrimmage. The high percentage passing qualities of this offense will put the ball in the hands of your big play makers in open space giving you more yards after the catch. The running back being used as the triple threat of receiver, decoy and blocking back can freeze linebackers and gain the receivers that much needed step on the defenders. Devising your own quick passing attack separate from your current short game plays can give you the element of surprise while utilizing your current offensive schemes to their best advantage.

There are many football training DVDs available by coaches that are experts in the Quick Passing Game Offense. The links below will show you some of these videos by some of footballs best coaches.

We have Quick Passing Game DVDs by some of the best coaches in football use the following link to see our selection: Football Quick Passing Game DVDs

Check out our passing game dvds at: Football Passing Game DVDs

Boise State Vows To Press On

At the end of week 2 in college football many pundits are saying its over for Boise State. The cannot have a shot at the National Title Game. This may be the first time in college football history where the number 3 team is eliminated from the Big Dance in the second week of the season and has perfect record.

Having lost 7 of their 8 first place votes in the polls out  this week, that is what the so called experts are saying. Its over for the Boise State Broncos who did not play this last weekend, they have been eliminated from the National Title hunt. Guess they did not beat bye week with enough style points. However in true sportsman like fashion Boise State has agreed to play out the rest of their schedule.

What caused this catastrophe? Virginia Tech losing to I-AA James Madison. The pundits are saying VT was over rated to begin with and the Bronco win is less than a quality win. Please don't tell that to Boise State fans or the team. We still think it was a heck of a win against a quality ACC team.

Given the experts have removed the Broncos from the title hunt, have the forbidden Virginia Tech from winning the  from winning the ACC? Does the ACC have any say as to what should happen or should it be like Boise Coach Petersen says, the season will play itself out and things will be as they should.

Come on you football experts, there is still alot of season left to play, we are just getting to week three this weekend. Who knows what will happen between now and the end of the year, perhaps it will be Appalachia State vs James Madison for the title down there in Glendale this year. Remember Appalachia, you can bet the Michigan Wolverines can never forget them. All this said, lets play football and see how the season plays out.

Football Zone Blocking - Offensive Linemen

Zone blocking has become a very effective blocking scheme in football from the little leagues to the pros. It is primarily used to open up running lanes for the offense while taking away stunt and slant attacks and is increasingly used in the passing game. What makes zone blocking schemes so popular is its adaptability to almost any offense. What it does is take away the one on one blocking assignments for offensive linemen and puts them in more effective blocking strategies.

The offensive linemen in this scheme do not have to be the tallest, strongest or biggest linemen on the field. The type of offensive linemen zone blocking requires need to be more athletic, have good foot speed and movement. Coordination and technique are far more valuable that just strength and size.

This article will focus on what zone blocking is, why it works and 3 different types of zone blocks.

Instead of blocking the man in front of a guard, tackle or center the blocking assignments become zones. offensive linemen must even learn to read the defense.

Purpose:

The main purpose of the zone it to outnumber the defensive players at the point of attack, neutralizing defensive stunts and slants.

Zones:

There are three basic zones, the inside zone, outside zone and the stretch zone.

1. Inside Zone: The play is inside the offensive tackle
2. Outside Zone: The play is outside the offensive tackle
3. Stretch: The play is inside the last offensive player.

Reading the Defense:

Offensive linemen must do more than just block, in the zone blocking scheme they must learn how to read the defense and assign a level to each of the defenders they face. They must determine if the defender is level 1 or a level 2 threat and if the offensive lineman is covered or uncovered.

1. First level threat: Any defender who by design of the defensive scheme appears to be a threat to a gap. What this means not only is the defensive linemen on the LOS a first level threat but any linebacker that is lined up two yards back from the LOS and appears to be ready to blitz a gap would have to be considered a first level threat.

2. Second level threat: This will be any defender who appears to be reading the flow of the play and will not be attacking the gaps on the snap of the ball.

3. Covered Lineman: The offensive lineman has a defender in front of him or he can tell a defensive player is assigned to him.

4. Uncovered Lineman: He has no one in front of him and does not appear to have some one assigned to him.

Zone Blocks:

1. Base Zone Blocking: The offensive lineman focuses his eyes on the playside numbers of the defender and explodes off the snap at the proper angle, the angle being where the defensive lineman lines up. The first step is done with the near foot; the second step should place the blocker square with the defensive player. As the blocker is stepping through the defender he wants to be punching both hands into the center of the target just as he does in a drive block.

2. Scoop block: This block is very effective for an outside stretch play. The Scoop blocks primary function is to cut off the pursuit of the defender. It begins with a level one defender and progresses to a level two. This block begins with eyes focused on the outside number of the defender and a strong push off on the inside foot. Contact should be made by the second step which is a cross over step. The offensive lineman wants to rip his inside arm to the play call side armpit of the defender, turning the defenders stomach up field then release to block the linebacker.

3. Fold Block (Trap block): In this example we will be using the right guard and right tackle. The fold block is usually called when a defensive lineman is lined up in the gap where the play is going. For our purposes the hole will be on the folding lineman's outside shoulder (R Guard) and the down-blocking lineman's (R Tackle) inside shoulder.

The down blocker must fire off the LOS on the snap, stepping up field in a lateral movement. His left leg should step in front of the defensive lineman and his face mask should be planted in the numbers while driving the opponent down the LOS.

The fold blocker, pausing for half a second, should step to his right scooping behind the down blocker, just grazing his before heading up field. Once contact is made with the linebacker the fold blocker wants to place his helmet just under the linebackers left arm driving him back Even if the fold blocker is not able to drive the linebacker back, he should have created the seal that allows the running back to make more yards.

In conclusion the zone blocking schemes for offensive linemen have produced stronger running games by utilizing the athletic talents of the line. Regardless of the type of offense you run, zone blocking can add power to your running game by stopping defensive slants and stunts and help improve the passing game. These were just a few of the zone blocks teams are using to gain more yards on the ground. Use the links below to see DVDs that can show you how to install zone blocking schemes into your offense.

Our Zone Blocking coaching DVDs demonstrate the drills and techniques you want to install effective zone blocking schemes that will take your running game to the next level. Offensive Linemen - Zone Blocking

Check out all of our offensive lineman blocking coaching videos at: Offensive Linemen Coaching DVDs

Copy right: Andrew Berkey 9-10-10

Boise State Does It

For those of you that did not see the game, hear about it, read about it, it was a heck of game. I an still a bit hoarse from yelling at my television and the neighbors have agreed to drop the loud noises charges. Just kidding but I could understand if they did think I was yelling maybe a little over the top.

We won the big one on a large national stage, it still blows  me away that we even got there. Forty two years ago we started our first season as a 4 year school and played that season what was considered the biggest game in school history. We played the Idaho State Bengals and won.

Here we are forty two years later and playing Virginia Tech on national television and winning, securing a legitimate run at the National Championship Game.

Got to tell you I was nervous I was'nt sure we were ready for this game, then Boise jumps out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, thought we were looking at a blow out.

Then it was Virginia Techs turn and they took the lead. All in all there were 4 lead changes in the game. The final one coming with just over a minute left after Boise scored taking a 3 point lead, making it a 33-30 game. Plenty of time for a team like the Hokies and plenty of time for a QB like Tyrod Taylor, that kid is a stud. He throws darts with deadly accuracy and can run as good as any running back. In fact he was the Hokies leading ground gainer. Boise was able to contain the Hokie running backs.

What to me was the most surprising stat was Boise actually out gained Virginia Tech in the running department. Had anyone told me that would happen I would have wondered what they were smoking and or drinking. As you can imagine the city of Boise like all the radio and television sports is talking about nothing else but the Broncos and what this does to the BCS System.

They have to be tearing their hair out, as of today they have two mid majors in the top 5 both can win out and make a claim to the title game, if they take any BCS team with a 1 loss record over either of those teams I think the BCS and Congress have a showdown and I wont put my money on the BCS.

In fact BCS is so worried they have already taken action to try to eliminate Boise State after last nights victory. In a press conference held early Tuesday morning BCS spokesman Bill Hancock came out and demanded that the State of Idaho provide a birth certificate, yes folks he wants proof we belong. For more on that story use the following link and read the article by Spencer Hall.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier- New Perspective

This post wont be so much about football as it will the Tombs of the Unknown Soldiers in our National Cemetery in Arlington.

Former Idaho Governor and Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne was leading a tour for several Idahoans that are back in Washington for tonight's game. They were at the Tombs of the Unknown Soldiers, he told his audience he had one of his most moving experiences right there infront of the tomb of our first unknown soldier.

He relayed how one day he was visiting those monuments watching the guard walking his post infront of the tombs when he saw three young men walking up the stairs. Seeing the insignia on the mens polo shirts, he recognized they were part of the honor guard that walked post honoring these fallen Americans.

Dirk went over and introduced himself and learned one of the young men was actually captain of the guard. He asked the captain, " what do you think about when you are walking your post and its 2 a.m. and cold?" The captain replied he does not think about the cold, he thinks about his job and he thinks about how these soldiers surrendered more than their lives, I think about how they surrendered their earthly identities. Kempthorne was visibly moved as he shared that story during his local television interview, and so was I hearing it. It gave me a new perspective and appreciation for the different soldiers from different wars, it made me appreciate them and our countries history even more. I thought it was a story worth hearing and one worth repeating.

The Dust Has Settled With More to Come

Now that the dust has settled from yesterdays games, I see my spread forecasts still suck but I have been picking winners.

I had TCU by 3 over Oregon State, TCU showed balance and power on both sides of the ball defeating the Beavers 30-21. I was only off by 6.

The first half between LSU and North Carolina was going according to script with NC down by 20 at the half. However some one forgot to tell NC how to follow the script and LSU had to fend them off at the end of the game with a goal line stand saving a 30-24 victory from what would have been a major embarrassment. My apologies to North Carolina I grossly underestimated you and was off by 14.

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame did win as predicted but by a better margin. I picked them by 7 and they won by 11 with a score of 23-12 giving Brian Kelly a first game victory.

In other games, the Fresno State Bulldogs opened the season with Cincinnati and for the first quarter it looked similar to their last years game, Cincy was too good and Fresno was finding new ways to lose. However after the first quarter ended and Fresno had a whopping 33 yards on their first six possessions they turned it around. Through the defensive leadership of one Chris Carter they were able to stuff Cincy hard and often with 7 sacks. Last season the Bulldogs only had 11 total sacks. The Fresno quarterback and offense found their stride and light Cincinnati up like a 4th of July Roman Candle. Scoring 28 unanswered points Fresno won 28-14 

All is well in Norman, Oklahoma or is it. The Sooner booked WAC bottom feeder Utah State for the season opener body bag game. I did not predict a spread on that game it made as much sense and the Bama opener against WAC bottom feeder San Jose State, Bama did dispatch the Spartans handily even without their star running back, it was what it was supposed to a light scrimmage for the Crimson Tide. However the Sooner Aggie game was more like Rocky 1.

The early rounds, the first quarter had the Sooners up 14-0 but then the Aggies came to life out scoring the Sooners in the second quarter 10-7 and trailing Oklahoma 21-10 at the half. The third quarter found the Aggies out scoring the Sooners 14-10. As the game wound down the Aggies were driving to tie the score but alas the Sooners got their third pick of the day and ran out the clock. Two things were established, the #7 ranked Sooners dodged a bullet and the Utah State Aggies are a much better team than anyone thought.

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TCU vs Oregon State

By far the most biggest game of the day will be when the TCU Horned Frogs take on the Oregon State Beavers. The #6 Horned Frogs will host the #24 Beavers down there in Texas but don't look for them to offer that famous southern hospitality once the game starts.

TCU is a well balanced team and even though the are missing 7 starters from last years defense I look for them to remain stingy on giving up yards. For the Frogs this is the first step in a bid to return to the big post season party as a BCS Buster. Last year the went undefeated and played Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.Their defense was so stingy they held the high scoring Broncos to a mere 17 points in a losing effort to claim their first BCS Bowl game win.The Frogs also return their veteran quarterback Andy Dalton and a host of other wily  players.

The Beavers start a new quarterback Ryan Katz and of course the return of the Rodgers brothers doesn't hurt. Being from Texas this is almost a hime game for the brothers. The Beavers see this game as a stepping stone to move up the rankings by knocking off a top ten team on the road and a step in the right direction to try and claim the PAC 10 Title. All be it this is a non conference game, a win on the road against a top 10 team is a nice way to start the season.
TCU by 3

Defending national champion opens up the year with a body bag game against San Jose State. What more needs to be said, even with out the services of their star running back, Bama by 50 maybe more.

The big SEC game has LSU against UNC. Suffering the dismissal of 7 starter on defense North Carolina looks to be in serious trouble.
LSU by 20

Another game to keep an eye on is the beginning of the Kelly era at Notre Dame, his high flying offense has the players to make it work and you can expect big numbers from the Irish all season. They open with the Purdue Boiler Makers.
ND by 7

Monday night features #3 Boise State against #6 in the USA Today Poll the Virginia Tech Hokies. Need I say more, Beamer Ball vs a high octane Bronco Offense. Boise brings to the table Heisman candidate quarterback Kellen Moore who last season threw 39 scores against 3 picks and only 5 sacks.

The Hokies bring one Tyrod Taylor a quarterback that can do it all with either his arm or his legs. Beamer compares him to Michael Vick, but he may be better. Throw in their two stallion running backs Evans and Ryan Williams and you have the most lethal backfield in the ACC. This group will be the best backfield Boise has ever faced. The Hokies defense is suspect, especially in the secondary.

Look for a low scoring game and look for Boise State to win by 4

Those are my picks for the weekend, as always your comments are welcome.

What Was He Thinking?

Time for another what was he thinking entry. This one is kind of painful, but fair is fair. I have over the last couple of years roasted others from schools and football teams for being air heads and doing stupid things. Now it is an assistant coach for my Boise State Broncos to be lampooned with a what the heck were you thinking.

Boise State running backs coach  Keith Bhonapha won't make the trip with the Broncos for the Virginia Tech game on Monday in Landover, Md. In a press release from Boise State it was announced the coach is grounded to take care of some personal issues. The issue being his arrest last Friday morning for suspicion of dui.

When kids get in trouble the school does not go into specific details other than what they did with the coach, so favoritism is out the window here.

I like how Coach Pete and the school are handling this episode, the coach is receiving what the players get and that to me is how it should be. Since this is his first time I hope he keeps his job and understands what is good enough for the players applies to the coaches as well.

One has to wonder what Coach Bhonapha was thinking, less than two weeks away from Boise States biggest regular season game ever, the team and the game getting the most attention the school has ever received and he is off drinking and driving, really stupid. I suspect Monday night he will get a taste of just how dumb that was. I think he can look forward to hearing the story of his arrest and the schools action told more than once during the game with Virginia Tech. Coach what the heck were you thinking, you don't drink and drive....not ever.

Las Vegas Wont Be Offering Me a Job

The last game of the night is over, Hawaii vs USC and for those that missed it, it was a heck of a game. First things first.

I picked Ohio State over Marshall which did happen but my point spread was lol off way off. I either over estimated Marshall, under estimated Ohio State or a combination of both. Predicting the Buckeyes by 17 proved to be a major injustice to Ohio, they blew Marshall out 45-7. Terrelle Pryor proved too much for Marshall he went 17-of-25 for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Making this a great tune up game for their meeting next Saturday with the Miami Canes.

Miami vs Florida A&M was another correct pick, but the spread chosen was equally as off as my Ohio-Marshal pick. Picking the Cane to win by 21 was an insult to the Canes, they disposed of Florida in 45-0 route, their first shut out since 2006. Like Ohio State tonights game was just a tune for their meeting with the Buckeyes, sounds like both teams are tuned and ready to go.

Pittsburgh traveled west to the great state of Utah and will have a long flight home. They came into the game against the unranked Utes at #15. The left losing in over time. A touchdown called back at the end of the game took away what would have been Pitts come from behind victory. They seemed to have fate on their side as two missed chip shot field goals were canceled out by the Utah's coach calling time just before the snap. However the 3rd time proved to be a charm, with no pesky time outs called Pitt put it through the uprights. Pitt had the first overtime possession, getting picked on a poor pass play 4 plays later Utah settled for the field goal and won by 3 as predicted.

USC vs Hawaii was the one game I got to see in its entirety and what a game it was. My prediction of USC by 21 was less in the Twilight Zone than my first two. USC scored when they had to and kept Hawaii at bay winning by 13 points with a score of 49-36. Hawaii proved they have a better offense than I thought while the Warriors removed all doubt that an AP preseason poll ranking of #14 is higher than the Trojans deserve.

College Football Starts Today

Tonight ESPN has a full slate of college football on the menu. Between all of their channels I think there are 2 games. Funny how long it seems between seasons and then the last two weeks prior to kick off just fly by and the season itself seems to fly by.

The first game starting at 7:30 pm ET features Marshall at Ohio State on The Big 10 Network. I'll go out on a limb here and pick Ohio State by 17. No offense Marshall fans, the Buckeyes just have too much horsepower to keep this one close.

Florida A&M is hosted by Miami kickoff at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN3. I really don`t know anything about A&M. Miami is ranked 13th and does appear to have some of its swagger back, I will pick the Canes by 21.

Starting at 8:30 pm ET Versus will show new PAC 10 member the Utah Utes hosting Pittsburgh. This could be a very interesting game. The Utes will want to show they are ready for the big stage of the PAC10 while Pitt will want to take a step in the right direction and improve on their #15 ranking. I like the Utes at home and will pick the Utes by 3.

The late game is Hawaii hosting the USC Trojans. Starting at 11 pm ET on ESPN/ESPN 3 the Trojans will begin taking their frustrations of being denied post season play out on their opponents. The men from Troy are angry and want revenge, they want to show the football world how good they are.

Because of their lost scholarships their ranks have been reduced to 75 players and they have taken preseason injury precautions. The game will be their first real contact and tackling drills. Yep thats right, in fall camp there was no tackling. I look for them to be very rude to their Hawaiian hosts and beat them by 21.

Those are my unqualified picks for tonight, please leave a comment on your picks or if you think I am all wet.