And so it begins, the most wonderful time of the year. - a time known coast-to-coast as college football season, except in and around Ann Arbor, Michigan, where it is now simply known as “Fall.”
So what can we look for this college football season?
First, congratulations are in order for Cal QB Kevin Riley, who joins Dan LeFevour and Carlos Huerta, as the only Division 1 players to appear for their teams in there different decades. Way to go Kevin! Cal has pretty much everyone back, a solid replacement for the offensive stud they lost, and a great schedule. They will, of course, still find a way to lose four games and wind up in a crappy bowl.
Three thousand miles away, Clemson returns veteran illiterates at nearly every position, including coach. Of course, Tiger High will still find a way to lose four games and wind up in a somewhat less crappy bowl. They will do so, however, with way hotter cheerleaders.
This is also the first year of Virginia’s experiment with “talent-free football,” an controversial concept it has borrowed from ACC brother Duke. UVa, which would probably finish 4th in the CAA, opens against CAA power Richmond before getting disemboweled in the Coliseum in Week Two. They do play EMU and VMI, so if the Cavs go winless, they will surely have earned it.
What are the odds that Temple winds up the highest ranked team from Pennsylvania at year’s end? I’d be amazed if they don’t have the best record. All they have to do is beat Penn State impressively and they’re a lock for the BCS title game. Of course, the Owls have been nipped by the Lions by a combined 154-9 over the last four, so don’t start making travel plans yet Owl fans. Yes, both of you.