Sports Agenda For Thursday (9/8/11)
Big Story:
Hmm, let's see, the Marlins lost again, the Dolphins are putting the final touches on the game plan for Monday night against the Patriots, and it's time for your college football pickoff from yours truly, aka The Fearless Predictor!
So let's Taste The Dwayne Bowe and hit the agenda.
Firsties:
Nothing really screamed firsties, so I'll just talk some Fins here.
I know it's just the first game, but this game will tell you a lot about the Fins.
Specifically, it will tell you whether this offensive line can hold up, or if it's going to be another year of a mish-mash of offensive line replacements.
You'll see everything you need to know from the center to the right tackle.
If Pouncey and Carey can't hold up against Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth, it's going to be a very long year.
Pouncey, Carey, and Colombo have to get a solid push and get to the linebackers if the Fins stand any chance of beating the Pats.
I will also be watching Brandon Marshall.
The Patriots secondary isn't exactly loaded with Pro Bowlers, so I want to see if Henne airs it out to test them and let BMarshal go get the ball.
Defensively, I want to see how Sean Smith holds up against Brady.
It'll also be interesting to see how the Fins cover the slot receivers for the Patriots.
Look for Henne to audible a lot at the line to try to keep the Pats guessing.
Finally, watch the tight ends for the Dolphins. If they can open up the middle a little bit, it will make the offense hum.
Course Bill Belichick is standing on the other sideline and he's been pretty much kryptonite to the Dolphins, so we'll see.
Marlins: (off, next game Friday @Pittsburgh, 7:05 p.m., Fox Sports Florida)
Stop me if you've heard this before….the Marlins lost.
Yup, the Fish have dropped a game below .500 for the month of September and still have 8 games against the Braves and Phillies.
In other words…yikes.
Thankfully, the Marlins only have 6 games left at Sun Life Stadium.
Course with this bunch of yahoos in management and the owner, don't look for a World Series title soon as the team becomes the Miami Marlins.
College Football:
Well, if you read last week, you saw that I said Baylor could beat TCU. I also said it'd be a heckuva game. I love being right!
Let's take a look at who's playing tonight and what games you should watch over the weekend…along with my picks!
9/8/11
Arizona @ Oklahoma State….classic battle of defense versus offense. I'm going to go with the Cowboys, but won't be shocked at the Wildcats upsetting.
9/9/11
Missouri @ Arizona State…danger Will Robinson. The Tigers offense was anemic against Miami (OH) last week, but our defense was lights out. I'm gonna pick Mizzou because I have to, but this has danger written all over it for the Tigers.
9/10/11
Mississippi State @ Auburn…MSU crushed Memphis and Auburn struggled against Utah State last week. I don't think the Tigers can hang with the Bulldogs and lose at home.
Alabama @ Penn State…Bama is rolling heading into Happy Valley. I don't see enough talent on PSU to hang with the Tide as they Roll to a victory.
TCU @ Air Force…the Falcons are always pesky and the Horned Frogs need a W badly. I'll take TCU in the rebound game.
South Carolina @ Georgia…The Gamecocks have the offense, but can the defense hold. Against Ga. It won't matter, SC will cruise to victory.
BYU @ Texas…the Cougars are blazing a trail Texas may follow in independence. This will be a test to see if UT is back. I'll take the Longhorns at home.
Utah @ USC…the Trojans played poorly against a bad opponent. Now they jump into conference play against the Utes. Take the Trojans at home, but not by much.
Notre Dame @ Michigan…the Irish desperately need a victory, but are playing the first ever night game at the Big House. I'm gonna take Michigan, simply because of home field advantage.
Charleston Southern @ FSU…really? C'mon FSU you can do better than tha…oh yeah, Oklahoma is next weekend…nevermind.
