The Most Bountiful Season Awaits: 10 to Watch
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by Editoratlegendofcecilioguante
This was originally posted on my blog, The Legend of Cecilio Guante, here. Please visit for this and more.
Tommy hungy, Tommy want wingy.
So, now it truly begins. The season of all seasons for any sports fan worthy of being so called. It's nice when the NBA and NHL playoffs collide. March Madness is a month of pleasurable TV viewing. And the bowl season and Super Bowl make the winter a little more tolerable.
But nothing beats this.
September and into October. The weather still pleasant enough to rock a t-shirt and stand near the open windows and doors of the bar. The sting of another summer come and gone has yet to sink in, and the dog days of a long, frigid winter seem blissfully far away. And there are sports...the NFL, college football and the stretch run in Major League Baseball joyfully dancing together to my blissful delight. And while a week of college football is in the books, and the NFL season has officially kicked off, this weekend represents the real thing. I. AM. FOCUSED.
My top 10 to watch this weekend (order up for plenty of debate):
10. Nebraska at Wake Forest (Sat, Noon ESPN): Let's see if the Cornhuskers are ready to contend for a top 10 spot at season's end with Keller at the helm for Calahan.
9. Oregon at Michigan (Sat, 3:30 ABC): One could argue the App. St. loss may have a domino effect that changes Wolverines football for the next decade. I think this game could speak just as loudly to the future of the team, the coach and the program.
8. Steelers at Browns (Sun, 1:00): Sure, it's not the sexiest game on the docket but I believe two things will be set in motion starting with this AFC Central match up. First, the beginning of a long tenure for Mike Tomlin as head man for the Still-ers. And the first murmurs for Brady Quinn to officially take control of signal-calling for the Browns, and the direction of the organization.
7. Falcons at Vikings (Sun, 1:oo p.m.): Two of a handful of teams with huge questions at the QB position. Should either or both falter, let the grumblings begin in the Twin Cities and Hotlanta.
6. Patriots at Jets (Sun, 1:00): I'll be in section 339 for what may be the beginning of a farewell season for Chad Pennington. Just a hunch. Also intrigued to see a new face in the backfield after years of Curtis.
5. TCU at Texas (Sat, 7:00 p.m.): At home. Under the lights. If the 'Horns don't show up against the Horned Frogs it will not take long for those Mack Brown bashers to suddenly reappear out of nowhere, contract extension notwithstanding.
4. Miami at Oklahoma (Sat, Noon ABC): We'll see just how ready Randy Shannon has his team. One can't knock what will be more than an average test than opening up in Norman.
3. Notre Dame at Penn St. (Sat, 6:00 p.m. ESPN): Jimmy Clausen is heading into a "white out" staged by 102,000 in Happy Valley. Should Penn St. dominate mark down Oct. 13 home game vs. Wisconsin to determine if a Big Ten team could actually make some noise in the BCS championship discussion. It's not that crazy to imagine.
2. Ravens at Bengals (Mon, 7:00): The first of another opening Monday double-dip. Whuddathunk a few seasons ago this would be a must-see of the opening week in the NFL. A chance to find out if the Bengals are ready to make the leap. I think they are.
1. Va Tech at LSU (Sat, 9:30 p.m. ESPN): What you got Hokies? Scenes like this in Blacksburg have always given me chills. It's automatic. The atmosphere in Baton Rouge will rival, if not surpass. Add the emotion of it all and the planned pre-game ceremonies and this is one of those games you mark down on the calendar that has the potential to be one of "the games" of the college football season.
I'm as giddy fat kid at the Pizza Hut buffet. The season of bliss is upon us. Enjoy.
