McPeters’ Five Predictions for Opening Weekend

First of all, sorry for the absence. My wife and I welcomed our first born into the world on August 18 and I've been home taking care of her and him. Nolan was born at 11:24 PM on 8/18/10 and is home, happy, and healthy with his mother! Thanks to all of you guys who wished us well and have been around. Nolan says you guys rock! He also helped me make these picks. Just before he fell asleep, I heard my week and a half year old son yell GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS! That's my boy!

Without further delay...

1. Saturday September 4, 2010 8:00 PM

LSU destroys UNC’s hopes and dreams – Yes, before AgentGate, UNC looked good. Coach Butch Davis did a hell of a job building his team and his team did a hell of a job tearing themselves apart just before the season kicked off. LSU’s defense looks scary good themselves and the offense isn’t far behind. If Jordan Jefferson steps up, look for LSU to beat UNC by 21. If the entire UNC team is cleared to play, this may be a much tougher match up. UNC deserves better, but like Kentucky and thanks to dumb college kids and evil agents, may be praying basketball season hurries up.

Prediction: LSU 21 UNC 10

2. Saturday September 4, 2010 12:20 PM

UGA lives up to it’s “sleeper” status – Come on’ if the Dawgs don’t win by 21, Richt may actually be on the hot seat. Look for Branden Smith and Brandon Boykin to score special teams touchdowns, Justin Houston, Daryl Gamble, and Demarcus Dobbs to live in the backfield of the Ragin Cajuns and Todd Grantham’s defense to balloon statistics all day. There are some big debuts all over the defense including Jakar “Hitman” Hamilton, Bacarri Rambo finally starting, Alec Ogletree’s first collegiate interception, and the 3 - 4 defensive scheme to confuse both the opponent’s offense and at times UGA’s own defense. On offense, the nation’s top O-Line, top tight end group, and top receiver open up a running game like UGA hasn’t seen since the GA Tech game last season for Caleb King, Carlton Thomas, and Ken Malcome. Logan Gray catches a couple passess, Orson Charles breaks a few ankles, A.J. Green makes several spectacular plays and all is well in the BullDawg Nation until we beat South Carolina next weekend. Look for Marlon Brown, Rantavius Wooten, Aaron White, and Kris Durham to have welcoming parties. Yeah, it’s going to happen!

Prediction: UGA 42 – LA Lafayette 6

3. Saturday September 4, 2010 7:30 PM

Vandy grows some balls and gets them kicked in – Go figure, the SEC East team to take on an actual football team that resembles a college athletic program is the one SEC team who looks like the weak opener for Northwestern. Here’s hoping for Larry Smith to QB a hell of a game and a win for Vandy’s new coach, Robbie Caldwell. Personally, I hope Vanderbilt does a great job and Caldwell is a successful coach, but even if the Commodores flop, like they always do, Nashville is still a great city and you’ll still catch me randomly in Tootsie’s or The Stage tossing a few back and enjoying the live music.

Prediction: Vandy 17 – Northwestern 14

4. Saturday September 4, 2010 3:30 PM

Notre Dame shows up – It’s about time Notre Dame plays like a college football team again. I have grown tired of too many pretty boys with too much talent being all too wasted. That’s a lot of toos. Still, Dayne Crist is too talented to lose too often and the Notre Dame running game and defense should be much improved. Look for Notre Dame over Robert Marve and Purdue in a close game. It's going to be a good one regardless!

Prediction: Notre Dame 21 – Purdue 17

5. Monday September 6, 2010 8:00 PM

Hey Hokies, Shut Up! – Sorry, but I’m not apologizing to any Va Tech fans at all. Ryan Williams is good, Tyrod Taylor flashes both sides of Michael Vick, Bud Foster is an amazing D-coordinator, and the special teams for the Hokies will be stellar, as always. Boise State will win, period. Boise State still has something to prove and they are too talented to lose to a decent ACC team. The Broncos and their blue turf should join the ACC and give the ACC the consistent BCS threat every year that they have lacked since Miami starting sucking, Bobby Bowden went on a decline, and Ga Tech, nevermind, Ga Tech always sucks.

Prediction: Boise 28 – Va Tech 17